How has the course been effective in broadening your perspective and skill set for managing technology for change?
This course and the OMET program have really broadened my perspective of the impacts of technology in today's world. I can honestly say that prior to OMET I never thought about using technology as an agent for learning. I always thought about using technology as a separate facet of learning. Now I feel confident that I can manage technology for change.
Many of the books that we read throughout the year helped me to understand the importance of technology and how it actually helps us to learn. In the book Everything Bad is Good for You, I learned of why reality television and soap operas are beneficial. They actually challenge the brain. The author also explains how different facets of kids shows are actually beneficial. Gaining a new perspective on these issues was very refreshing.
Our Tapped In meetings and discussion forums have enlightened me on how I can become a leader of educational technology and combining learning and technology into one concept. Thinking on a global scale and integrating my curriculum on a global level has empowered me to be a more powerful teacher.
Understanding that change is a big part of our education's future, and I can be a part of that change. Each of my OMET teachers, Bill, Gary, Margaret, Melissa, Paul and my cadreamates have all provided me with the knowledge that will help to build my next steps of technology integration in schools and learning.
Thank you all for this powerful tool!
Showing posts with label EDC-668. Show all posts
Showing posts with label EDC-668. Show all posts
Sunday, July 6, 2008
EDC 668--Blog 9 Week 7/7
What types of influence do I have in my current local and global communities? How can I expand that influence?
Local Community
In my local community I feel that I have a lot of influence. As an elementary classroom teacher I interact with 30-60 different students on a daily basis. There is much to be said that students look up to their teachers and love to emulate what the teachers do and believe.
Next year my plan is to develop a green classroom. I would love to have an environmentally safe classroom where the students recycle, use environmentally friendly materials, and are more aware of their impact and the role they play in keeping our planet healthy. In doing so, our kids will, most likely, share the message with their friends and family, who in turn will participate in creating a healthier planet.
Another way I can influence my local community is by voting. Through participating in local elections, I am giving someone the opportunity to represent my beliefs in making a difference in our community.
Global Community
Being an active participant in the online community is a start in being a part of a global community. Expressing my opinions and feelings in blogs that are accessible to all is the first step to my contributions. Creating a website and writing articles for the open source online dictionary Wikipedia is another contribution I have made to our global community.
Expanding my Influence
Continuously contributing my thoughts and reflections on my blog, website, and speaking with community and family members is one way to continue to drive change in the community and world.
Ghandi said it best:
You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
-- Mahatma Gandhi
Local Community
In my local community I feel that I have a lot of influence. As an elementary classroom teacher I interact with 30-60 different students on a daily basis. There is much to be said that students look up to their teachers and love to emulate what the teachers do and believe.
Next year my plan is to develop a green classroom. I would love to have an environmentally safe classroom where the students recycle, use environmentally friendly materials, and are more aware of their impact and the role they play in keeping our planet healthy. In doing so, our kids will, most likely, share the message with their friends and family, who in turn will participate in creating a healthier planet.
Another way I can influence my local community is by voting. Through participating in local elections, I am giving someone the opportunity to represent my beliefs in making a difference in our community.
Global Community
Being an active participant in the online community is a start in being a part of a global community. Expressing my opinions and feelings in blogs that are accessible to all is the first step to my contributions. Creating a website and writing articles for the open source online dictionary Wikipedia is another contribution I have made to our global community.
Expanding my Influence
Continuously contributing my thoughts and reflections on my blog, website, and speaking with community and family members is one way to continue to drive change in the community and world.
Ghandi said it best:
You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
-- Mahatma Gandhi
EDC 668--Blog 8 Week 6/30
From where does global change derive? How can we use global change to promote deeper learning across the globe?
I believe that global change derives from citizens that see a need for this change. After a need is developed, they help others to understand their views and jump on board for the cause. Ultimately though, global change is seen as benefiting most everyone on earth.
After much reflection, I feel that Al Gore is one of the people that has promoted a lot of global change throughout the past decade. He used his fame of being a vice president to show the effects of global warming. Through his efforts, he has helped to promote much knowledge about becoming a green citizen. Recently, more and more businesses throughout the world are joining his campaign to minimize global warming. There is even a cable channel, the Green Planet.
Through communication and technology global change can promote deeper learning across the globe. Joining forces with other nations and helping others understand the need to work together on a world level will help to initiate positive change.
I believe that global change derives from citizens that see a need for this change. After a need is developed, they help others to understand their views and jump on board for the cause. Ultimately though, global change is seen as benefiting most everyone on earth.
After much reflection, I feel that Al Gore is one of the people that has promoted a lot of global change throughout the past decade. He used his fame of being a vice president to show the effects of global warming. Through his efforts, he has helped to promote much knowledge about becoming a green citizen. Recently, more and more businesses throughout the world are joining his campaign to minimize global warming. There is even a cable channel, the Green Planet.
Through communication and technology global change can promote deeper learning across the globe. Joining forces with other nations and helping others understand the need to work together on a world level will help to initiate positive change.
EDC 668--Blog 7 Week 6/16
From where does personal and local change derive? How can we use change to promote deeper learning as individuals and in our local settings?
Daniel Yankelovich's article Ferment and Change: Higher Education in 2015 focuses on 5 trends higher education should consider in the next ten years. These trends help us to see how personal and local change derives.
The first trend Yankelovich writes of is: Changing life cycles as our nation's population ages. "The demographic facts are familiar, but quite dramatic: While life expectancy in the United States in 1900 was a mere 47 years, people in the 21st century are expected to live to be almost 90 a whopping extra 40 years of life. Hardly any facet of our existence will be unaffected by that sweeping change. "
With this fact in mind, it is important to note the job-mentality of today's youth.
"it is difficult for young people to make sound career-life choices without testing them in the "real world" of practical experience. Our culture provides ample opportunities to test choices -- what to buy, where to live, and even sexual-mating choices. But the long-established practice of sequencing education first and work later forces young people to make fateful life choices before they are equipped to do so, or worse, to postpone making them until it is too late."
Today's youth are our future and we need to understand their needs to help make personal and local change happen.
Personal change comes from within. According to http://www.worldtrans.org/TP/perschg.html
"Personal change happens through a journey of discovery. You need to find out more about yourself; how you do things, how you have been limiting your options, how you have created your current situation for yourself. Along the way you will find out a lot more about life and about how you can be in charge of your own. And you will find that you already have a lot of positive resources available to you."
Once a person acknowledges their need for change and has embarked on the journey of discovery, they can impact local change. Local change can be made through collaboration amongst many people. It is very difficult to initiate local change with one person.
Change can be made as a result of reflection and deeper understanding of oneself and their surroundings. Understanding this process can help you promote deeper learning.
Daniel Yankelovich's article Ferment and Change: Higher Education in 2015 focuses on 5 trends higher education should consider in the next ten years. These trends help us to see how personal and local change derives.
The first trend Yankelovich writes of is: Changing life cycles as our nation's population ages. "The demographic facts are familiar, but quite dramatic: While life expectancy in the United States in 1900 was a mere 47 years, people in the 21st century are expected to live to be almost 90 a whopping extra 40 years of life. Hardly any facet of our existence will be unaffected by that sweeping change. "
With this fact in mind, it is important to note the job-mentality of today's youth.
"it is difficult for young people to make sound career-life choices without testing them in the "real world" of practical experience. Our culture provides ample opportunities to test choices -- what to buy, where to live, and even sexual-mating choices. But the long-established practice of sequencing education first and work later forces young people to make fateful life choices before they are equipped to do so, or worse, to postpone making them until it is too late."
Today's youth are our future and we need to understand their needs to help make personal and local change happen.
Personal change comes from within. According to http://www.worldtrans.org/TP/perschg.html
"Personal change happens through a journey of discovery. You need to find out more about yourself; how you do things, how you have been limiting your options, how you have created your current situation for yourself. Along the way you will find out a lot more about life and about how you can be in charge of your own. And you will find that you already have a lot of positive resources available to you."
Once a person acknowledges their need for change and has embarked on the journey of discovery, they can impact local change. Local change can be made through collaboration amongst many people. It is very difficult to initiate local change with one person.
Change can be made as a result of reflection and deeper understanding of oneself and their surroundings. Understanding this process can help you promote deeper learning.
EDC 668--Blog 6
Reflection: How does globalization change the needs and demands on US, K12, higher education and corporate learning environments?
“Globalization is a process of tearing down barriers between nations. This, of course, includes free trade, but it also implies cultural, political and human exchange. A freer flow of goods and services is part of globalization…,” (Mejia-Vergnaud, 2004, pg. 67).
In my opinion, globalization is the key to creating a more knowledge amongst our entire world. Sharing knowledge sparks new ideas, which can in turn help all other areas of life.
US: Globalization changes the needs and the demands of the US greatly. It requires us to be sensitive to others cultures, religions, and the the impacts of these changes. Through globalization, the United States is taking interest in these countries matters no matter how challenging they may be (i.e. epidemics, natural disasters, diseases).
Others argue that globalization is impacting our economy. Many people feel that Americans are leaving the United States to work in other countries and in search of more economic freedom and more opportunities. As a result, our economy suffers.
K12 and Higher Education: Globalization would change the way schools run today. Students would participate in classes all around the world via the Internet. Teachers would also be able to teach a biology class to students in each of the seven continents. Globalization would allow students to experience and collaborate and interact with others of different cultures, economic statures, and governments. Ultimately, globalization would bring education to all students, no matter what economic background they come from.
Corporate Learning Environments: Globalization in the corporate environment is key to advancing new knowledge. Both the Tipping Point and Wikinomics state how efficient working globally will help the development of new medicines, and products. One company even offered to pay the person (outside of the company ) who came up with the latest "cure" for something.
In the end, I believe that globalization will generate more knowledge and be beneficial to all.
Mejia-Vergnaud, A. (2004). Effects of globalization [Electronic version]. Society
Abroad, 41, 66-70.
“Globalization is a process of tearing down barriers between nations. This, of course, includes free trade, but it also implies cultural, political and human exchange. A freer flow of goods and services is part of globalization…,” (Mejia-Vergnaud, 2004, pg. 67).
In my opinion, globalization is the key to creating a more knowledge amongst our entire world. Sharing knowledge sparks new ideas, which can in turn help all other areas of life.
US: Globalization changes the needs and the demands of the US greatly. It requires us to be sensitive to others cultures, religions, and the the impacts of these changes. Through globalization, the United States is taking interest in these countries matters no matter how challenging they may be (i.e. epidemics, natural disasters, diseases).
Others argue that globalization is impacting our economy. Many people feel that Americans are leaving the United States to work in other countries and in search of more economic freedom and more opportunities. As a result, our economy suffers.
K12 and Higher Education: Globalization would change the way schools run today. Students would participate in classes all around the world via the Internet. Teachers would also be able to teach a biology class to students in each of the seven continents. Globalization would allow students to experience and collaborate and interact with others of different cultures, economic statures, and governments. Ultimately, globalization would bring education to all students, no matter what economic background they come from.
Corporate Learning Environments: Globalization in the corporate environment is key to advancing new knowledge. Both the Tipping Point and Wikinomics state how efficient working globally will help the development of new medicines, and products. One company even offered to pay the person (outside of the company ) who came up with the latest "cure" for something.
In the end, I believe that globalization will generate more knowledge and be beneficial to all.
Mejia-Vergnaud, A. (2004). Effects of globalization [Electronic version]. Society
Abroad, 41, 66-70.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
EDC 668--Blog 5
How do NCLB and the Spellings Commission affect change in the use of educational technology?
Both NCLB and the Spellings Commission promote change in elementary, secondary, and higher education institutions. These legislations require institutions to be held accountable for their performance while also narrowing educational gaps. Today, all elementary and secondary education institutions require schools to assess their students yearly. Through these assessments, the government can determine the needs at each school and if further training and funding is necessary to continue a quality education. As a result of the impacts of NCLB and the Spellings Commission, more and more schools will utilize educational technology to better their institution.
Educational Technology will continue to play a role in narrowing the educational gap amongst schools. Various forms of technology including the Internet and Computers will allow further training of teachers, and providing equitable training across the nation. Institutions will be able to utilize these technologies to collaborate with other schools.
Being that NCLB is directly tied to standards based teaching, standards based curriculum would be easily accessible for students to optimize their test scores. Such Internet based programs, like Study Island, allow for standards based practice, and adjust instruction levels based on need. More and more schools will be looking to help raise API and AYP scores. Many schools will see that technology will help them to do so!
Both NCLB and the Spellings Commission promote change in elementary, secondary, and higher education institutions. These legislations require institutions to be held accountable for their performance while also narrowing educational gaps. Today, all elementary and secondary education institutions require schools to assess their students yearly. Through these assessments, the government can determine the needs at each school and if further training and funding is necessary to continue a quality education. As a result of the impacts of NCLB and the Spellings Commission, more and more schools will utilize educational technology to better their institution.
Educational Technology will continue to play a role in narrowing the educational gap amongst schools. Various forms of technology including the Internet and Computers will allow further training of teachers, and providing equitable training across the nation. Institutions will be able to utilize these technologies to collaborate with other schools.
Being that NCLB is directly tied to standards based teaching, standards based curriculum would be easily accessible for students to optimize their test scores. Such Internet based programs, like Study Island, allow for standards based practice, and adjust instruction levels based on need. More and more schools will be looking to help raise API and AYP scores. Many schools will see that technology will help them to do so!
Monday, June 2, 2008
EDC 668-Blog 4
Where do you see technology & education developing next? How do you think the symbiotic relationship between the two will evolve over the next 10 years?
Within the past ten years technology has rapidly teemed with education in creating a revolution of change. At times, schools take advantage of technology and utilize its benefits to better enhance the classroom lessons. These lessons often prompt critical thinking, active learning, and collaboration amongst students. Students also utilize their experiences with using technology in the education setting, into the business world. Teachers do see the benefits that technology has to offer, though they lack the time, resources and training to integrate it within a lesson. The digital age is here to stay and it is important to help all teachers jump on the bandwagon of technology integration in education.
The book Next: the Future Just Happened (Lewis, 2001) is the perfect example of how the Internet has revolutionized the way people live. Two high school students used the Internet during off school hours to follow the stock market and bestow legal advice free of charge. These two examples illustrate the power of technology and the need to incorporate it within a classroom setting. Lewis depicts the successes of these two people and how it impacts not only themselves and businesses. With this said, it is important to note that technology is a key function in the way businesses run today.
Ten years from now, I believe that education will have a symbiotic relationship with technology. I hope that all classrooms will be fully equipped with the latest technological innovations that impact learning. It is my hope that more collaboration will be done online, in the hopes to teach business skills as well as computer skills. Students will take control of the new technological revolution in education. They will express a need to their teachers about how technology can transform our society for the better.
Within the past ten years technology has rapidly teemed with education in creating a revolution of change. At times, schools take advantage of technology and utilize its benefits to better enhance the classroom lessons. These lessons often prompt critical thinking, active learning, and collaboration amongst students. Students also utilize their experiences with using technology in the education setting, into the business world. Teachers do see the benefits that technology has to offer, though they lack the time, resources and training to integrate it within a lesson. The digital age is here to stay and it is important to help all teachers jump on the bandwagon of technology integration in education.
The book Next: the Future Just Happened (Lewis, 2001) is the perfect example of how the Internet has revolutionized the way people live. Two high school students used the Internet during off school hours to follow the stock market and bestow legal advice free of charge. These two examples illustrate the power of technology and the need to incorporate it within a classroom setting. Lewis depicts the successes of these two people and how it impacts not only themselves and businesses. With this said, it is important to note that technology is a key function in the way businesses run today.
Ten years from now, I believe that education will have a symbiotic relationship with technology. I hope that all classrooms will be fully equipped with the latest technological innovations that impact learning. It is my hope that more collaboration will be done online, in the hopes to teach business skills as well as computer skills. Students will take control of the new technological revolution in education. They will express a need to their teachers about how technology can transform our society for the better.
Monday, May 19, 2008
EDC 668--Blog 3
How can authentic learning tools improve student engagement and deepen learning? What does the apprenticeship model tell us about learning?
Authentic learning is the idea where you create an experience for a child to learn something. A teacher actually immerses the child into the subject, while minimally using a textbook. Oftentimes teachers try to create authentic learning experiences that a child will often prompt a child to further explore and discuss a topic, much more in-depthly than if the experience was not authentic. This process often leads to further inquiry from the student and allows the teacher to guide the students learning.
The apprenticeship model parallels authentic learning and is the idea that students learn through actively experiencing something. Actively using newly acquired knowledge is important because it is then committed to long term memory. Oftentimes newly learned material is easily forgotten because the learner has not had the opportunity to apply what he has learned. Hence, the apprenticeship model is very important in learning theory.
Authentic learning is the idea where you create an experience for a child to learn something. A teacher actually immerses the child into the subject, while minimally using a textbook. Oftentimes teachers try to create authentic learning experiences that a child will often prompt a child to further explore and discuss a topic, much more in-depthly than if the experience was not authentic. This process often leads to further inquiry from the student and allows the teacher to guide the students learning.
The apprenticeship model parallels authentic learning and is the idea that students learn through actively experiencing something. Actively using newly acquired knowledge is important because it is then committed to long term memory. Oftentimes newly learned material is easily forgotten because the learner has not had the opportunity to apply what he has learned. Hence, the apprenticeship model is very important in learning theory.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
EDC 668--Blog 2
Why do educational organizations choose to employ portfolios? What value does the use of rubrics in evaluating activities and portfolios bring? How can peer review affect learning progress and growth?
Educational institutions are not the only organizations that use portfolios to showcase work. Models and artists use portfolios to show potential employers their accomplishments, their capabilities, their particular growth within the industry, and what they have to offer their future employer. A portfolio not only shows off an artist's or model's best work, but work throughout their careers. It is also important for employers to see the potential of their employee.
An educational portfolio is quite similar to that of a model or artist. Educators employ portfolios as a means showcases the work of a student over period of time. These portfolios contain pieces of work from throughout the school year that usually show a student's growth. Oftentimes portfolios are used as a means for a child to reflect upon the work that is done. A student will then have a more thorough picture of their growth within a subject over a particular time period.
According to Dr. Helen C. Barrett's article "The Research on Portfolios in Education" portfolios are often a means of assessment. http://electronicportfolios.com/ALI/research.html
"In their synthesis of "Portfolio Research: A Slim Collection," Herman and Winters (1994) note the following:
Well-designed portfolios represent important, contextualized learning that requires complex thinking and expressive skills. Traditional tests have been criticized as being insensitive to local curriculum and instruction, and assessing not only student achievement but aptitude. Portfolios are being heralded as vehicles that provide a more equitable and sensitive portrait of what students know and are able to do. Portfolios encourage teachers and schools to focus on important student outcomes, provide parents and the community with credible evidence of student achievement, and inform policy and practice at every level of the educational system. (Educational Leadership, October 1994, pp. 48-55)
Rubrics are a great way to assess learning and give students an understanding of how they will be graded prior to completion, whereas tests can be a hit or miss. Rubrics also give the instructor an idea to which degree a student has mastered a concept and allows a child to present these concepts in a variety of ways. Howard Gardner is a known researcher of learning and says that there are 8 different ways students learn. It is important to hone in on the skills that students have a strength in and allow students to learn through these new lenses.
Peer review is method by which a person's peers scrutinize the work that you have done. I feel that peer review is a very practical way to learn. It is important to get insight from the "equivalents" within your industry or field. As a student, and a teacher, I feel that I often learn a lot more from my peers. They often give me insight into something that I would not have thought of. To me, peer review is more of a less threatening atmosphere, than that of a review of experts.
Educational institutions are not the only organizations that use portfolios to showcase work. Models and artists use portfolios to show potential employers their accomplishments, their capabilities, their particular growth within the industry, and what they have to offer their future employer. A portfolio not only shows off an artist's or model's best work, but work throughout their careers. It is also important for employers to see the potential of their employee.
An educational portfolio is quite similar to that of a model or artist. Educators employ portfolios as a means showcases the work of a student over period of time. These portfolios contain pieces of work from throughout the school year that usually show a student's growth. Oftentimes portfolios are used as a means for a child to reflect upon the work that is done. A student will then have a more thorough picture of their growth within a subject over a particular time period.
According to Dr. Helen C. Barrett's article "The Research on Portfolios in Education" portfolios are often a means of assessment. http://electronicportfolios.com/ALI/research.html
"In their synthesis of "Portfolio Research: A Slim Collection," Herman and Winters (1994) note the following:
Well-designed portfolios represent important, contextualized learning that requires complex thinking and expressive skills. Traditional tests have been criticized as being insensitive to local curriculum and instruction, and assessing not only student achievement but aptitude. Portfolios are being heralded as vehicles that provide a more equitable and sensitive portrait of what students know and are able to do. Portfolios encourage teachers and schools to focus on important student outcomes, provide parents and the community with credible evidence of student achievement, and inform policy and practice at every level of the educational system. (Educational Leadership, October 1994, pp. 48-55)
Rubrics are a great way to assess learning and give students an understanding of how they will be graded prior to completion, whereas tests can be a hit or miss. Rubrics also give the instructor an idea to which degree a student has mastered a concept and allows a child to present these concepts in a variety of ways. Howard Gardner is a known researcher of learning and says that there are 8 different ways students learn. It is important to hone in on the skills that students have a strength in and allow students to learn through these new lenses.
Peer review is method by which a person's peers scrutinize the work that you have done. I feel that peer review is a very practical way to learn. It is important to get insight from the "equivalents" within your industry or field. As a student, and a teacher, I feel that I often learn a lot more from my peers. They often give me insight into something that I would not have thought of. To me, peer review is more of a less threatening atmosphere, than that of a review of experts.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Reflection 1: EDC 668
Melissa asks: What is the role of an electronic portfolio in my ongoing academic and professional career in educational technology?
Electronic portfolios are being used now more than ever to show growth and knowledge in a variety of areas. According to http://www.eduscapes.com/tap/topic82.htm:
"Electronic Portfolios are a creative means of organizing, summarizing, and sharing artifacts, information, and ideas about teaching and/or learning, along with personal and professional growth. The reflective process of portfolio development can be as important as the final product. In many cases, they are used as part of faculty and student evaluation along with other assessment tools such as standardized tests. A portfolio is a sampling of the breadth and depth of a person's work conveying the range of abilities, attitudes, experiences, and achievements."
I am very happy to be creating an electronic portfolio for my last semester in the Educational Technology Program at Pepperdine. This portfolio will showcase my talents and capabilities within technology, as well as my growth over the year. I personally feel that this portfolio will serve as a basis for the next step in my career and show potential employers the full picture of myself. Not only will the portfolio, show my dedication, commitment, and expertise, but my character as well. This portfolio will give anyone that views it, a well-rounded picture of me!
Electronic portfolios are being used now more than ever to show growth and knowledge in a variety of areas. According to http://www.eduscapes.com/tap/topic82.htm:
"Electronic Portfolios are a creative means of organizing, summarizing, and sharing artifacts, information, and ideas about teaching and/or learning, along with personal and professional growth. The reflective process of portfolio development can be as important as the final product. In many cases, they are used as part of faculty and student evaluation along with other assessment tools such as standardized tests. A portfolio is a sampling of the breadth and depth of a person's work conveying the range of abilities, attitudes, experiences, and achievements."
I am very happy to be creating an electronic portfolio for my last semester in the Educational Technology Program at Pepperdine. This portfolio will showcase my talents and capabilities within technology, as well as my growth over the year. I personally feel that this portfolio will serve as a basis for the next step in my career and show potential employers the full picture of myself. Not only will the portfolio, show my dedication, commitment, and expertise, but my character as well. This portfolio will give anyone that views it, a well-rounded picture of me!
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