For our last blog assignment, we're tasked with reviewing a web-based resource we could see ourselves using in our future careers. So, without further ado, I give you:
http://thwt.org/
Thwt.org is the website for the Center for Teaching History with Technology, and provides an epicenter for educator efforts to integrate social sciences (specifically history) education with technology. The site gives the history teacher on the go a centralized location for numerous web-based technology tools for integration into lessons, as well as allowing for professional discussion of the subject with peers. Chances are, if you've been looking for a fresh way to approach a topic, it's here.
I'm a fan of sites like this because the internet, at its very best, is the ultimate incarnation of idea sharing that has ever existed, and thwt.org is no exception to this. The site allows you to transcend the trap of trying to google your way to finding new resources for lessons...it allows you to explore ideas that you would never have even thought of on your own. In a subject area that doesn't lend itself easily to integration of technology (excepting video and sound contect, I suppose), that's an invaluable tool.
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Next paragraph, next topic:
I suppose, if I have to decide on a technology skill that I need to pick up next, that I'd go with increasing my experience with network technology. Knowledge of the principles and practices of computer networking is an incredibly useful (and lucrative) skill, and I need to brush up on it a bit more than I have in the past.
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As far as achieving my development goals in terms of technology, I guess I'll just continue to do what I've done in the past...play around with things until I've figured it out. Part of the fun in learning new tech is getting to just bang your head against it until you've figured things out!
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
Post #8
The issue of protection and moderation of internet access in schools is an interesting topic. The internet has always represented the ultimate ideal of open and free access to information which, obviously, comes at a price. In order to maintain a haven for the equitable discourse of information, you have to accept the fact that there's going to be more than a little objectionable (to the majority, of course) content thrown in there as well. It's the age-old conundrum that's always faced parents and schools...just how far can you protect your kids from the vagaries of the world? Myspace is an interesting example here...there have been numerous news stories lately about the number of predators utilizing MySpace to prey on children. Kids aren't the only victims there, though...employers have started actively scanning MySpace to dig up "dirt" on their employees. Numerous teachers have been faced recently with disciplinary action for "questionable" content found on MySpace profiles.
So, when does the benefit of ease of communication and open information sharing on MySpace cease to outweigh the potential costs? How do you slow down that decline?
I almost forgot how much I missed the rain in Florida. Nothing quite like wading your way to class in the middle of a baby hurricane.
So, when does the benefit of ease of communication and open information sharing on MySpace cease to outweigh the potential costs? How do you slow down that decline?
I almost forgot how much I missed the rain in Florida. Nothing quite like wading your way to class in the middle of a baby hurricane.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Post #7
Chapter 7 continues Chapter 6's discussion of the integration of technology into curriculum, this time positing some subject specific strategies. There were a few good ideas here...it's a pity that the only coverage that this topic gets in this class is this rather small portion of the book.
On the personal side of things, I'll be glad when Summer semester is finally over. I'm looking forward to fall semester, in the hopes that school will be a little more interesting than my summer classes proved to be. I'll be starting my new job at the end of next month, as well, which promises to be an interesting/enjoyable experience.
On the personal side of things, I'll be glad when Summer semester is finally over. I'm looking forward to fall semester, in the hopes that school will be a little more interesting than my summer classes proved to be. I'll be starting my new job at the end of next month, as well, which promises to be an interesting/enjoyable experience.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Post #6
Chapter 6 finally gets around to discussing the integration of technology into instruction....and it's kind of a shame they took so long to actually get to the point. There really wasn't anything too new here; technology is, and has been for a while, a powerful tool for educators to make their lessons flexible and responsive to a wide variety of learning needs.
As far as learning new things is concerned...our second powerpoint project forced me to dust off a few of my presentation making skills that I'd honed in the Air Force, where Powerpoint is king. I'm a big fan of review games, though, as a decent way to take the edge off an upcoming test and to foster active involvement of students in studying so the project turned out to be somewhat enjoyable.
Warped Tour was pretty decent, this weekend. New Found Glory put on a great show, along with all of the other headliners. The city of Green Cove Springs, on the other hand, left something to be desired. If you're a small town hosting a large event, at least make some kind of effort at managing traffic...that's all I ask.
As far as learning new things is concerned...our second powerpoint project forced me to dust off a few of my presentation making skills that I'd honed in the Air Force, where Powerpoint is king. I'm a big fan of review games, though, as a decent way to take the edge off an upcoming test and to foster active involvement of students in studying so the project turned out to be somewhat enjoyable.
Warped Tour was pretty decent, this weekend. New Found Glory put on a great show, along with all of the other headliners. The city of Green Cove Springs, on the other hand, left something to be desired. If you're a small town hosting a large event, at least make some kind of effort at managing traffic...that's all I ask.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Post #5
Chapter 5, Chapter 5, what to say about Chapter 5.....
Well, Chapter 5 discusses the advent of "digital media" to the classroom which, when you think about it, isn't really a new thing at all. The new wave of educational software is just an evolution of something that educators have been striving toward for years: the integration of various styles of learning into their lessons. Educational simulations and their ilk allow visual, auditory and tactile learners to internalize their lessons, all with less effort on the part of the instructor. It's the educational verison of working smarter, not harder.
As an interesting aside, here, the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation has done (well, funded anyway) a lot of interesting research into the integration of digital media into the classroom. If you had Intro to Ed. this summer with Mr. Johnson, then you already know about the "bookless" school that the foundation funded a while back. If you didn't, teachers in the "bookless" school present all of their lessons through interactive digital multimedia, allowing for a very active learning environment. Students attending the school, the vast majority of whom where pulled from low performing school districts, have excelled in their new environment. The program coasts a boatload, of course, but it's interesting nonetheless.
On the personal side of things....Warped Tour this weekend should be pretty good. Well, not this weekend, but Thursday and Friday. Back into town on Friday night to grab my copy of the new Harry Potter book (NERD POINTS), and then up early Saturday to take the General Knowledge test for my certification. Well, assuming I don't become a roadie for Bad Religion on Thursday, of course.
Well, Chapter 5 discusses the advent of "digital media" to the classroom which, when you think about it, isn't really a new thing at all. The new wave of educational software is just an evolution of something that educators have been striving toward for years: the integration of various styles of learning into their lessons. Educational simulations and their ilk allow visual, auditory and tactile learners to internalize their lessons, all with less effort on the part of the instructor. It's the educational verison of working smarter, not harder.
As an interesting aside, here, the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation has done (well, funded anyway) a lot of interesting research into the integration of digital media into the classroom. If you had Intro to Ed. this summer with Mr. Johnson, then you already know about the "bookless" school that the foundation funded a while back. If you didn't, teachers in the "bookless" school present all of their lessons through interactive digital multimedia, allowing for a very active learning environment. Students attending the school, the vast majority of whom where pulled from low performing school districts, have excelled in their new environment. The program coasts a boatload, of course, but it's interesting nonetheless.
On the personal side of things....Warped Tour this weekend should be pretty good. Well, not this weekend, but Thursday and Friday. Back into town on Friday night to grab my copy of the new Harry Potter book (NERD POINTS), and then up early Saturday to take the General Knowledge test for my certification. Well, assuming I don't become a roadie for Bad Religion on Thursday, of course.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Post #4
Chapter 4 introduces basic hardware to the class...just in case anybody still didn't know what a keyboard was for.
Okay, sarcasm aside, I'll toss some constructive commentary into this blog addition. In terms of relevancy to education, I'd point to CD/DVD burners as in interesting new addition to the teacher arsenal. The ability to create your own subject oriented video content is a powerful tool, and allows teachers (and students) to frame information in new visual and interactive ways. Of course, you'd have to be lucky enough to work in a school well-funded enough to have access to DVD burners in order for your students to enjoy these benefits.
For new lessons/personal info, see the last post....because I didn't learn or do anything new since I posted it!
Okay, sarcasm aside, I'll toss some constructive commentary into this blog addition. In terms of relevancy to education, I'd point to CD/DVD burners as in interesting new addition to the teacher arsenal. The ability to create your own subject oriented video content is a powerful tool, and allows teachers (and students) to frame information in new visual and interactive ways. Of course, you'd have to be lucky enough to work in a school well-funded enough to have access to DVD burners in order for your students to enjoy these benefits.
For new lessons/personal info, see the last post....because I didn't learn or do anything new since I posted it!
Post #3
Chapter 3 introduces EME 2040 to one of my "favorite" pieces of software...Powerpoint. I've often found the use of Powerpoint, be it in an educational or business setting, to be something of a double-edged sword. In the Air Force, it wasn't too uncommon to hear the phrase "death by powerpoint" tossed around pretty regularly. Ever since Powerpoint was hailed as the definitive way of presenting information in a multi-sensory way, people have formed a quasi-dependancy on it. It seems that using Powerpoint as a crutch would be especially dangerous to teachers at the secondary level, allowing them to inundiate their students with animated slides instead of having to interact with them on a deeper level. Flashy slide transitions aren't a substitute for quality content, after all.
On the upside, Powerpoint does allow teachers to integrate multimedia into their content in a relatively seamless manner. Being able to embed a short film clip into a powerpoint slide is slightly less intrusive than interrupting a lecture to toss in a dvd or VHS tape. The same, of course, holds for sound bites and pictures.
So, for the new skills portion of the blog...I'd say that I've learned a few new tricks in Word thanks to our SAM lesson. Of course, I wasn't entirely sure that I needed to know how to further manipulate cheesy WordArt, but hey, it's something.
On the personal side of things, my birthday was this weekend. Birthdays have become less and less exciting as I continue my progressive slide to 30, though, so I wasn't that ecstatic about it. It was two-for-one drinks at Chili's, though, so there's that!
On the upside, Powerpoint does allow teachers to integrate multimedia into their content in a relatively seamless manner. Being able to embed a short film clip into a powerpoint slide is slightly less intrusive than interrupting a lecture to toss in a dvd or VHS tape. The same, of course, holds for sound bites and pictures.
So, for the new skills portion of the blog...I'd say that I've learned a few new tricks in Word thanks to our SAM lesson. Of course, I wasn't entirely sure that I needed to know how to further manipulate cheesy WordArt, but hey, it's something.
On the personal side of things, my birthday was this weekend. Birthdays have become less and less exciting as I continue my progressive slide to 30, though, so I wasn't that ecstatic about it. It was two-for-one drinks at Chili's, though, so there's that!
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