Week One Reflection

The content for this week was quite interesting.  The Ted Talk made me think more deeply about my own teaching practices.  It made me wonder what I am doing in my class to ensure that all of my students are thriving.  Daily do I take into consideration that my students are each unique individuals?  Do I give them opportunities to explore their world and use their natural curiosity?  How am I playing a positive role in the education of my students?  Am I creating lifelong learners?  These are the questions that came to mind while exploring this week’s content.

There was another element to this week that made me think.  Working collaboratively with my team was difficult.  Not because people weren’t doing their jobs but because we all have adult lives and busy schedules.  The one saving grace for us is the ability to use technology to collaborate.  Without the convenience of Google Docs we our collaboration would have been even more difficult. Although we struggled, I am confident we will work it out.

What is Education Technology

Teaching is a second career for me.  In my "previous life" I spent a great deal of time helping my clients find the "best tech" for their needs.  I found myself, quite often, recommending what I preferred to use.  It took several years for me to realize that what was best for me was not always best for everyone.  The reason was simple - I was a producer of information, they were users of information.  Two different paths that only had the information in common.  After I figured this out my outlook on technology changed completely.  I realized that often we think of technology in a general sense or as a thing (for lack of a better word).  In reality it is many things and it is totally dependent on the need of the user.

In education, like my previous career in data management, technology also plays several roles. From the perspective of the teacher it can be used as an instruction delivery system, a way to organize our lives, a communication method, or as a means to increase our knowledge.  From a student point of view it is also many things.  It can be a learning tool, it can be a creative tool, and it can be a delivery system for their product.

The P21 Framework breaks down the essential skills needed by both teachers and students. They categorize the skills needed as Life & Career, Learning & Innovation, Information, Media, & Technology, and Content & Knowledge. As teachers we need to find the balance between these while supporting our students in an engaging way. 

I believe that ultimately education technology should be a way to strengthen our teaching methods and enhance our students experience in school. 

Teach Us Something - Mind42

Image courtesy of Mind42 Twitter Page

I found Mind42 online several months ago but hadn't had a chance to investigate what it could do!  I am excited that I finally got to dig in.  And, I have to admit - it is awesome!

This site allows you to create a web made up of images, text, lists, and links.  I see many uses for it in both presenting information to my students and having them create/present their ideas.  It can be used collaboratively for students to research a topic or it could be used a teaching tool to who students how to do research. 

In my school right now my students are investigating the concept of interdependence.  They are learning about Rube Goldberg.  I can see them using this tool to gather information about Rube.

I can also see using this in literacy by adding items to the web but not providing them with the "center" topic.  They would have to investigate the web and decide on what the topic/theme is. 

http://mind42.com/

Ted Talk - Ken Robinson -

Testing my layout.

This is a test, nothing but a test.

My New Portfolio!

I created this blog as a way to store/submit the many great things I will be doing over the course of the next six weeks in my Educational Technology class.  I can't wait to fill it with awesomely cool techie things!