Whether or not you believe in the fat guy in the red suit, you do believe in the holiday season. Regardless of your religious affiliation, Christmas time (or the holiday season as retail capitalism would like to call it) has somehow infiltrated our very culture so much that other religions are scrambling to find relevance to it (in my opinion). I am reminded by the South Park song "It's hard to be a Jew on Christmas", and I laugh. Yet, I know that children of any religion are expecting presents for whatever reason can be squeezed out of the marketing machine.
Okay.. what the heck does this have to do with technology? Stay with me here; I promise I will do my best to make sense of this.
The day after Thanksgiving is called "Black Friday". Bananas of all ages and genders flock to their local shopping places, and they push, shove and jockey their way to the best bargains of the season that has just officially started hours before the stores usually open. Some live for this insanity. Being someone that dislikes... no make that absolutely loathes shopping malls during the rest of the year, let alone holiday time, Black Friday isn't even close to being a suitable option.
I remember when I first heard of people buying over the Internet. Everyone was worried about stealing credit card information, stores that didn't exist etc. Consumer confidence was not all that great.
Oh my, how things have changed. Nowadays the market share of Internet purchases is so strong that there is a day called "Cyber Monday" that shows the first big day of online purchases (at the expense of employers!)
What does this have to do with anything? I challenge that as technology becomes more used, more relevant and more accepted to the general community, it will become much more commonplace. The rate at which this has happened with commerce is staggering, but yet the rate at which the education system is transforming is not quite as quick. What must we do? Do we have to provide that level of safety, security and comfort to our teachers and administrators? How do we give them that warm, fuzzy feeling about emerging technology?
One thing that I have noticed about the Internet today (and web 2.0 tools in particular) is that they do not cater to the "coders" as they used to. Applications are much more user friendly and 'approachable' than they were years ago. The Internet, once reserved for the power user super geek, is now home to countless students of all ages and people using it for many uses. So here we have something that reaches ages and tech familiarity of all levels, but how can we bring that comfort to our schools? I don't know.. I am just wonderin..
Merry Microsoft or Mac to all... and to all a good night.
Happy holidays.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
Mnemonic Awareness
Which is the real penny? Whatever one is worth one cent of course. The cognitive theory materials are really making me think (and if the theory is correct I should have the capacity to do so). In one of the materials, it said "Learning results when information is stored in long term memory in an organized, meaningful way. Forgetting is the inability to retrieve information because of memory loss, inference, missing cues, inadequate cues, etc."
As a learner in high school, memory was my saving grace. Despite the fact that I studied a bit (not as much as I could have or should have) memorizing was what saved me. Memorizing bits of information and regurgitating it on an assessment might get the good grade, but it doesn't mean that the learner has truly synthesized the information. When it has been applied by the learner, it is clear that it has been learned.
Another item that hit home was the use of mnemonic devices. Strategies like "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally" and "My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Nine Pickles" served me very well in my academic journeys. The fact that I still remember them to this day is a testament to the power of such devices, but I must questions whether memorization truly is learning, or is it a pathway or resource to learning.
Before I begin a math, social studies or science lesson (those are the vocabulary heavy subjects to me), I begin with relevant vocabulary. Instead of handing out the vocabulary premade or simply reading it from a book, I have the students read it and record it themselves. My hope is that they will understand, internalize and memorize the vocabulary and the concepts that will be explored. Of course we revisit the material throughout the lesson and through subsequent lessons, but I think that the initial plant makes a difference in how it is presented.
So what does this all mean to the learner? Activating prior knowledge is something that we as teacher depend on every day. One skill is most often built on another, and without that foundation it will surely be more difficult. There is much to be said about familiarity. it eases anxiety and increases comfort. Memorization aids that, but for information to be really 'learned' it must be more than just memorized.
As a learner in high school, memory was my saving grace. Despite the fact that I studied a bit (not as much as I could have or should have) memorizing was what saved me. Memorizing bits of information and regurgitating it on an assessment might get the good grade, but it doesn't mean that the learner has truly synthesized the information. When it has been applied by the learner, it is clear that it has been learned.
Another item that hit home was the use of mnemonic devices. Strategies like "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally" and "My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Nine Pickles" served me very well in my academic journeys. The fact that I still remember them to this day is a testament to the power of such devices, but I must questions whether memorization truly is learning, or is it a pathway or resource to learning.
Before I begin a math, social studies or science lesson (those are the vocabulary heavy subjects to me), I begin with relevant vocabulary. Instead of handing out the vocabulary premade or simply reading it from a book, I have the students read it and record it themselves. My hope is that they will understand, internalize and memorize the vocabulary and the concepts that will be explored. Of course we revisit the material throughout the lesson and through subsequent lessons, but I think that the initial plant makes a difference in how it is presented.
So what does this all mean to the learner? Activating prior knowledge is something that we as teacher depend on every day. One skill is most often built on another, and without that foundation it will surely be more difficult. There is much to be said about familiarity. it eases anxiety and increases comfort. Memorization aids that, but for information to be really 'learned' it must be more than just memorized.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
A Deeee-l.icio.us World?
So today I ran out to Subway to get my standard "I only have $4 left" lunch. Pulling back into the parking lot, I hear a commercial for HD radio that the manufacturers are putting a "Tag" button on them. If a listener likes the song that he or she is listening to, he or she can simply click this "tag" and it will send the information to your iPod. (iPods of course can dock into the HD receiver.) So now when you next log into iTunes, you can go right to that song or songs.
Of course, as soon as I heard that, I thought of del.icou.us. I remember at first how I thought that it was a waste of my time. I had favorites on every one of my computers, and I was very happy with that feature. As my del.ico.us bookmarks grew, I found myself using them more and more. I then found myself building and adding to them. I then found myself starting categories within my tags. Wow... I can't believe I have been converted.
I have to wonder (yet again) about the future, and this is for once outside of our schools. If you are watching TV and you see a new food, toy, DVD etc and you want it, would you simply be able to 'tag' it? Would you then be able to go to the mall (or better yet how about an online mall)where all of your selections would be ready for you? Would a list of vendors show you pricing and availability options in an effort to gain your business? Unreal! I can only imagine the possibilities. Do I want that? I honestly don't know... you do want people to actually "do" work and not be lazy.. but it certainly would be COOL!
Of course, as soon as I heard that, I thought of del.icou.us. I remember at first how I thought that it was a waste of my time. I had favorites on every one of my computers, and I was very happy with that feature. As my del.ico.us bookmarks grew, I found myself using them more and more. I then found myself building and adding to them. I then found myself starting categories within my tags. Wow... I can't believe I have been converted.
I have to wonder (yet again) about the future, and this is for once outside of our schools. If you are watching TV and you see a new food, toy, DVD etc and you want it, would you simply be able to 'tag' it? Would you then be able to go to the mall (or better yet how about an online mall)where all of your selections would be ready for you? Would a list of vendors show you pricing and availability options in an effort to gain your business? Unreal! I can only imagine the possibilities. Do I want that? I honestly don't know... you do want people to actually "do" work and not be lazy.. but it certainly would be COOL!
Sunday, December 2, 2007
It's an exciting time to be an educator! v3,535,125.5
It's the most.. tiresome time.. of the year!!!
As the first semester of T.E.A.M. comes to a close, I must sit back and reflect. I only sit back because my legs hurt from running around, but it's a great match for my headache. Between report cards, curriculum, state tests, outside school family responsibilities like building my little girl her new bedroom, T.E.A.M. responsibilities, my own hobbies (my poor car has already started sitting waiting for the spring. It was barely driven all fall! Oh the humanity!) and trying to infuse technology into my classroom at a pace that is reasonable and comfortable for both my students and myself, I have found very little time to actually just sit. The semester has been one of growth, frustration, trial and error, and successes and failures: and often can be all in one week! Whenever I stumble on something new or hear about some type of resource I suddenly wonder if it works with my educational style and philosophy (at least I think I've got style!), and if it is suitable for the developmental, academic and technological level of my students.
What an exciting time to be an educator! I think that I might have said that before. I heard it in grad school from quite a few professors. At first I thought it was because of new student-centered strategies and theories that were being used in classrooms. Then, I thought it might be because of new special education reforms that were on the horizon. I heard a variety of reasons that it was "an exciting time to be an educator." Now, a few years later, here I am saying yet again that it is an exciting time to be an educator! I think (in my subjective reality) that it is ALWAYS an exciting time to be an educator! Just the other day, my Technology Integration Facilitator Noel Forte, my Library Media Specialist Karen Kliegman and myself used SKYPE to talk face to face with a class in South Carolina. My kids LOVED it, and to be honest I was quite impressed and enjoyed it as well. Our students are working on a native american research project with them (along with a few other classes) with Noel and Karen, but to speak with and see them was an incredible opportunity. We didn't ask questions about our research. We took the time to get to know them, their school and what they are exploring in thier classroom. They also did the same. Imagine... projected on the SMARTboard was their class, and conversely on their SMARTboard was us! It was almost as if, through technology, they were there with us.
So what is the point of all of this rambling? I don't know, you tell me. I don't interpret, I just write it. I know it's an exciting time, because I see it on the faces of my students. I know it's a tiring time because without coffee I probably wouldn't exist. I know it's a challenging time because Advil has become a good friend. When asked if I would trade it all away for peace and quiet.. well.. with all of that peace and quiet how would I get any work done?
As the first semester of T.E.A.M. comes to a close, I must sit back and reflect. I only sit back because my legs hurt from running around, but it's a great match for my headache. Between report cards, curriculum, state tests, outside school family responsibilities like building my little girl her new bedroom, T.E.A.M. responsibilities, my own hobbies (my poor car has already started sitting waiting for the spring. It was barely driven all fall! Oh the humanity!) and trying to infuse technology into my classroom at a pace that is reasonable and comfortable for both my students and myself, I have found very little time to actually just sit. The semester has been one of growth, frustration, trial and error, and successes and failures: and often can be all in one week! Whenever I stumble on something new or hear about some type of resource I suddenly wonder if it works with my educational style and philosophy (at least I think I've got style!), and if it is suitable for the developmental, academic and technological level of my students.
What an exciting time to be an educator! I think that I might have said that before. I heard it in grad school from quite a few professors. At first I thought it was because of new student-centered strategies and theories that were being used in classrooms. Then, I thought it might be because of new special education reforms that were on the horizon. I heard a variety of reasons that it was "an exciting time to be an educator." Now, a few years later, here I am saying yet again that it is an exciting time to be an educator! I think (in my subjective reality) that it is ALWAYS an exciting time to be an educator! Just the other day, my Technology Integration Facilitator Noel Forte, my Library Media Specialist Karen Kliegman and myself used SKYPE to talk face to face with a class in South Carolina. My kids LOVED it, and to be honest I was quite impressed and enjoyed it as well. Our students are working on a native american research project with them (along with a few other classes) with Noel and Karen, but to speak with and see them was an incredible opportunity. We didn't ask questions about our research. We took the time to get to know them, their school and what they are exploring in thier classroom. They also did the same. Imagine... projected on the SMARTboard was their class, and conversely on their SMARTboard was us! It was almost as if, through technology, they were there with us.
So what is the point of all of this rambling? I don't know, you tell me. I don't interpret, I just write it. I know it's an exciting time, because I see it on the faces of my students. I know it's a tiring time because without coffee I probably wouldn't exist. I know it's a challenging time because Advil has become a good friend. When asked if I would trade it all away for peace and quiet.. well.. with all of that peace and quiet how would I get any work done?
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