Online Student Connections

Based on web blog written by JaynaB on 8/8/2011

The recent web article I read discusses the benefits of having an online study partner.  I think having a study partner is important to have and I believe this does help online students make connections with the coursework.  I have had the opportunity to do group work in an online class and I initially dreaded doing group work, but I did enjoy the connections that I made with the other students online.  I feel that you do not want to let your other classmates down and this feeling does help to build in a sense of accountability.  I have used this prior group member as a study partner by helping each other get on track with assignments or having another classmate to ask questions related to class assignments.  In an online environment, I think it is important to have another classmate to help you get a different perspective of what is being presented in class and your study partner may even remind you of when an assignment is due.  Even though each student is responsible for his or her learning, it does help to have at least one classmate to ask clarifying questions.  If these questions are not getting answered by your “Study Buddy”, then a student will have to ask the instructor.  I think this set up is what happens is a traditional class and it may be even more important in an online environment.

JaynaB (2011, Jan. 8) Study Buddies: Having Accountability  [Web Log Message] Retrieved on http://community.elearners.com/all_blogs/academic_advice/b/enrollment_advice/archive/2011/08/08/study-buddies-having-accountability.aspx

Facebook Replies!

Based on Blog by Dan Rowinski on 8/9/11

This recent web blog I read talks about Facebook’s new mobile application that is being released very soon, which is call “Messenger”.   In response to Google plus and Blackberry applications, Facebook has developed its own mobile application that will compete with these other mobile products.  I was wondering when Facebook would get its own mobile application.  Apparently, this new mobile Facebook application will let you send messages similar to Blackberry’s messenger and allow you to chat in groups just like Google plus.  I have heard that Google plus has been growing, so we will have to see if this new application will keep Facebook as the current giant of social networking sites.  I think everyone knows that Facebook has a huge following, but we also know how Google lets you do a lot of applications with both computers and android phones.   I think this kind of competiveness is going to launch these types of technologies into our futures much earlier than we all expect.  I think it is important for educators to keep up on technology especially when you are using technology in your classroom.  Technology is every changing and we will have to wait to see what is around the next corner.

Rowinski, D. (2011, Aug. 9) Facebook Releases Dedicated Messenger App, Takes Aim At Google Plus Huddles and BlackBerry [Web Log Message] Retrieved from http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/facebook_releases_dedicated_messenger_app_takes_ai.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+readwriteweb+%28ReadWriteWeb%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Traditional Classroom help is Online

Based on blog by Nick Provenzano written on 8/9/11.

Classroom management has shown to become much easier with the use of a class website for a English High School teacher Nick Provenzano.  The biggest feature of using his website for his classroom was that he was no longer wasting time in class covering missed assignments or what assignments were due by absent students.  I do not teach in a traditional classroom, but I do know that when I teach CPR a lot of time is spent covering the administrative portion  or check in portion of class.  I think if everyone was registered online properly for the CPR classes that I teach, then actual teaching would begin sooner.  I really did not understand the full advantages of having an online website for a traditional classroom, until I read this blog.  I think that both Wikis and Blogs can be used to help with classroom management and I truly believe an online website can help all teachers.

Provenzano, Nick (2011, Aug. 9) Summer PD: Use a Web Site to Help Manage Your Classroom [Web Log Message] Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/use-the-web-for-classroom-management-nick-provenzano?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdutopiaNewContent+%28Edutopia%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Going toward Darkness with Google Plus

Based on blog by Ira Socol on 8/1/11.

This article points to problems associated with using the Google plus as this social networking site has circle of friends being developed where you are in a group or not.  I am not sure how this is much different from Facebook as you can either become a friend or not.  I do see how using Google plus could promote more cliques, but how is that any different from the real world?  I am not sure it is the responsibility of technology companies to create programs that break down social barriers or differences.  I think Google plus mimics more real world life and I personally do not see a big problem with this.  When a school uses a social networking website, it will be more on a professional level anyway and this is how real work experiences can be developed.  A teacher who uses Google plus can group students together as students, which is really what they need to grouped as.  I think bullying can never be stopped and should not be blaming technology for a problem that starts with the people who created the problem to begin with. 

Socal, I. (2011, August 1) Google+: The Dark Side of the Circle [Web Log Message] Retrieved on http://www.edutopia.org/blog/dark-side-google-plus-ira-socol?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdutopiaNewContent+%28Edutopia%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Requirements for Technology Teachers

Based on blog message written by Mary Beth Hertz on 8/3/11.

This article puts into question what type of knowledge should be needed by instructors teaching with technology.  I think this is a very important question and this article provides a link to the International Society for Technology in Education organizational website.  I think teachers need to be familiar with the technology they are using in a classroom and should be required to keep up with continuing educational opportunities to keep up with current changes in technology.   Knowing how to use email properly, knowing how to do various internet searches, and knowing how to use different computer systems effectively are three examples given in this article as suggestions for what an instructor needs to know.  I know that public school systems are setting technology goals for their students, but I think it is important for teaching professions to set technology standards for teaching professionals.  I do think that some type of standards needs to be established for teaching professionals and this may get improved by initially changing the training that teachers are receiving.  Most professions have research that continues to be part of their profession and I think it would be practical to incorporate technology research into teaching professions.  There seems to be differences in how technology is used from one school district to another and it would be beneficial to have research to back up how technology is improving a school district.

 

Hertz, M. (2001, August 3) What Tech Tools Should Be Required Knowledge for Teachers? [Web Log Message] http://www.edutopia.org/blog/technology-skills-required-knowledge-mary-beth-hertz?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdutopiaNewContent+%28Edutopia%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

 

Generation gap between twenties vs. forties?

Based on blog written by Richard MacManus on 8/2/11.

I found the statistic presented in this article interesting as the author compares the younger twenties population groups with groups of students in their forties.  I question the age of this author since I really do not think forties is old, but definitely older than students in their twenties.  In any case the forties group or “traditionalist” were mentioned as less likely to use smart phones and other forms of digital media as compared to the younger group of “digital-media Junkies”.  I think this would be hard to evaluate in a totally online course as you may not know the true age of your students, but you may be able to find out this information in the beginning of an online course.  I think an instructor needs to understand that online technology resources may not understood as easily by your “traditionalist” student.  Working as an instructor, you may need to do an assessment of your students to have a better understanding of what technologies your students are familiar with.  If you decide to start incorporating a social network into your classroom, you may need to do some education to familiarize some of your students with what the online social network is all about.  When an “older” student commonly uses newspapers to keep up to date on current news, you may need to educate them about online news feeds that are available.  The statistics presented in this article comparing these two main age groups are staggering, but this makes sense as younger college students are being brought up with technology more than their previous generations.   I thought what was interesting about the ‘traditionalist” student is that females in this category were significantly less inclined than males to use technology, and this was probably attributed to gender role differences.  Anyway, I thought this article may be applicable to some online classrooms.

MacManus, R. (2011, August 2) Older People Not Using Smartphones or Digital Media. [Web Log Message] Retrieved on http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/older_people_not_using_smartphones_or_digital_media.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+readwriteweb+%28ReadWriteWeb%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

"How to Use New-Media Tools in Your Classroom"

Based on Web Blog by Amy Erin Borovoy on 5/26/2009.

There are 7 video blogs presented about how teachers can use various technologies in their classrooms.  The Wii presentation video blog by David Brantley caught my eye because I wanted to see how this game could be used on a frequent basis as a learning tool.  I learned that Wii does allow you to both get internet access and there is an application for checking weather. Also, I learned that Wii will allow you to scan a global view of the world while checking for weather.  I think this is a great classroom tool to learn about the weather patterns of different parts of the world.  Another video blog by Jim Moulton was about the use of GPS in the classroom and the instructor says that GPS is to be used by students while doing work outside of the classroom to help identify landmarks for later reference.  I thought all 7 videos were interesting, and I think it is important for instructors to understand the limits and uses of technology in the classroom.  I think the example of how to use GPS in the perfect example.  It is a great technology, but is not really a tool to be used by students inside a classroom.  Now the Wii game system does have some practical applications for use in the classroom and can even be used for presenting videos off the internet.  I was a little leery of how the Wii game system could be used for practical applications in the classroom, but I have changed my mind after viewing this video blog.

Borovoy, A. (2009, May 26) How to Use New-Media Tools in Your Classroom.  [Web Log Message] Retrieved on http://www.edutopia.org/digital-generation-new-media-classroom-tips-video?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdutopiaNewContent+%28Edutopia%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Goggle plus or minus?

Based on web blog by Audrey Walters written on July 26, 2011.

After recently learning about Google Plus, I thought this article about the Google hangouts provided with Google Plus was an interesting topic to learn more about. This article begins by emphasizing how the privacy options of Google Plus may be better suited for educators over other well established social networks of Facebook or Twitter.   It appears that Google Plus would support this by separating your group of students into its own network circle of friends.  In addition, Google hangout service allows up to 10 people to participate in a video chat, which is provided after downloading this free browser add on through Google Plus.  Comparisons to Skype are made, which appears to be similar to how this free hangout service can applied to educational situations.  I think this is a great social networking idea as you combine the services provided with Skype with the social networking aspects of Facebook and Twitter.  I can see the potential for having multiple services offered through one website, which I like this idea very much.  I have enjoyed using Google reader very much and now I hope to add Google plus to my list of Google websites I enjoy.  I was planning on getting into Skype more, but I think this website will provide me with one less website to reference for my technology needs.

Walters, A. (2011, July 26) How are Educators Using Google Plus Hangouts? [Web Log Message] Retrieved from http://mindshift.kqed.org/2011/07/how-are-educators-using-google-plus-hangouts/

"How To Use Google Plus"

Based on web blog by Dan Rowinski written on June 29, 2011.

I had a friend of mine recently invited me to Google Plus, so I thought this article was an interesting read, so I could evaluate whether this would be a good option for me.  The part that I like learning about Google Plus is that you are allowed to separate your circle of friends into different categories.   This allows you to make postings and select which circle grouping of friends you want to see your postings.    For instance, you can download your pictures and then select which circle of friends you want to view this picture.  I think this is a great idea because you can separate your work friends from your close family friends.  You can follow friends like you do on Twitter without having them follow your actions online.  This article gives great detail to how Google Plus works with explanations of Google circles and there are three YouTube videos that explain Google circles, hangouts, and sparks.  Hangouts is great because you can talk with video to your select circle of friends you want to invite and Sparks is also great because you get access to news  feeds of topics you may be interested in.  After reviewing this article, I definitely see the advantages of Google Plus over Facebook.  I will give Google Plus a try and I am glad my friend told me about this new social networking website.  I think an instructor could use Google Plus as a educational tool in similar ways you could use Twitter, Facebook, Google News, and Skype.  I am not sure on how easy this new website is to navigate, but I will have ask my friend to send me a friend request to check it out.

Rowinski, D. (2011, June 29) How To Use Google Plus. [Web Log Message] Retrieved from http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/how_to_start_with_google_plus.php

"Use Online Video in Your Classroom"

Based on Blog written by Jennifer Hillner, written on 8/31/09

I liked this article as it gives you options to use besides YouTube videos for use in your classroom and it tells you how you can save and download your YouTube videos when your school’s website is blocking access to YouTube.  I think this article provide you with very valuable information on how you can download these online videos.  The biggest benefit to downloading these videos is that if they are removed from YouTube, then you will always have a downloaded video to reference.  If you are a K-12 teacher, YouTube does have its own group and you can always use Teacher Tube to reference for you educational videos.  Copyright and fair use rules do apply, which is mentioned at the end of this blog.  I think videos are a valuable asset to teaching in a traditional and online classroom.  I plan to use online videos to supplement my lesson plans for future classes and I will save this website onto to my social bookmarking website. Respectable websites may be safest avenue to broadcast your videos right from the internet, but I think downloadable videos would be a great alternative, if it allows you to do so.

Hillner, J. (2009) Use Online Video in Your Classroom (Web Blog Message) Retrieved on http://www.edutopia.org/youtube-educational-videos-classroom

"So Delicious: A Must-Use Bookmarking Tool"

Based on Blog by Chris O’Neal written on 4/11/07.

This article explains what Delicious.com is all about.  A scenario is presented where you may have written down an URL website name on a post it note and how you no longer have to do because you are now using Delicious.  The sharing aspects of the Delicious website is explained because you ultimately are saving a name you associate with your saved website link and you can see what other websites people have tagged to the same website you saved.  Also, you can see what other websites are coming up under the same tagged name you wrote down for your saved link.  There is a website link to a YouTube video to explain how to use this social bookmarking website.  Also, you can even subscribe to other people’s bookmarks.  I think this shows you how RSS and social bookmarking technology can be combined.  I think these two technologies need to be explained to students to help them research the World Wide Web better and easier.  I plan to use these technologies myself.

      O’Neal, C. (2007) So Delicious: A Must-Use Bookmarking Tool (Web Log Message) Retrieved on http://www.edutopia.org/so-del-icio-us

"Personal Learning Networks Are Virtual Lockers for Schoolkids"

Based on Blog by Vicki Davis written on 1/7/2009

This article discusses how this teacher’s students are using their iGoogle reader as a personal locker for receiving their news with RSS technology.  These students are receiving their news from students who they have been partnered with other students from other places in the world.  I really liked the name of the teacher’s blog, which is “Cool Cat Teacher”.  A large part of this article discusses how a RSS reader works and how you can get various websites to feed to your reader.  Portaportal was mentioned as a website that teachers can use to direct or restrict their students to areas of the web that they can go to.  I think this would be an excellent avenue to take for high school students and younger students.  I liked reading this article because it summarizes the different readers that out there.  Also, the article talks about the pitfalls to using a reader, which can include getting Facebook notices and the fact that readers will allow students gaming and television feeds as well.  Anyway, I think that readers are great and I really think this form of technology can be used for any subject taught.  I plan on using a reader for many years to come and plan to teach my students how to use this technology.

Davis, V. (2009) Personal Learning Networks Are Virtual Lockers for Schoolkids. (Web log message) Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/pln-web-pages

"Ideas for Engaging Reluctant Readers with Technology"

Based on blog question by jnase1 5/20/11 & Replies by Greg Powell, 5/31/11 and Hubert Yee, 6/11/11.

This blog discussion question caught my attention and it was about how to get boys interested in reading with technology. The author’s first thoughts were to find out what the boy interests were and to direct these interests into the using computer technology to read about them. I think you should allow your students to self direct their learning interests and allow them to use online resources to enhance their learning.  I think this could apply to any person, but I could see how younger boys may not have an interest in reading assignment topics assigned to them.  I think instructors should allow their students multiple options when handing out reading assignments and if you are able to let them pick a topic, then by all means do it.  Ebooks come in all topics, so let your students select a book to read or select an online article to read about their favorite hobby or sport.  Some of the suggestions or replies to this question were to have your students create a story with storybird.com or create a podcast to tell a story.  I think using these creative technologies in your classroom can make reading a creative process and interesting at the same time for a reluctant reader.

Powell, G. (2011) Ideas for Engaging Reluctant Readers with Technology (Web blog Message) Retrieved on http://www.edutopia.org/groups/technology-integration-k-5/54549

"Innovations on the cheap- skype office hours"

Based on blog by Whitney Hoffman, 3/2/11

I like to read about the various ways Skype can be used, but I thought this example was very applicable to online classroom environment.  This 7^th grade teacher offers 15 minute study sessions through Skype.  She pretty much offers this session as a mini tutoring session for her students.  Her students' test scores improved after she started offering this service.  I think the author’s point of this blog was to show us how we can use technology to communicate better with your students.  I think Skype is a great option for students to offer office hours for any level of school.  This blogger thinks you could use other forms of technology (online chat, twitter, texting) to assist your students with course questions as well.  I think it is definitely worth a try to see if works for you next class.  I know Skype can be used for many other education reasons, but I believe holding virtual office hours makes accessibility easier for almost all of your students who have online access.

Hoffman, W. (2011) Innovations on the cheap-skype office hours (Web log message) Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/groups/personalized-learning/40907

"Integrating Technology with Limited Resources"

Based on Blog by Mary Beth Hertz , 8/11/10

I thought this blog was interesting as the author tells you some basic ways to integrate technology on a fairly limited budget.   A class website/wiki was mentioned as a portal for your students to access links to websites that support your lesson plans for a topic.  Another option presented was to create storytelling podcasts with an inexpensive microphone to allow students to share short stories with other classmates.  A class can work collectively to create a story with each student rotating in to add to the piece to a story.  Another area I thought was interesting was using voicethread.com to add a recording to a photo to show everyone what kind of project you have been working on.  The last part of this article was useful as it gives you tips on how not only raise money for technology, but also how to possibly get free computers for your classroom.  All this requires is for you to call around to see if a company office is upgrading their computers.  I think that many school districts are strapped for money and having a limited budget does not have to limit your classroom from having some basic computer items.  I believe this article was centered more on younger classrooms, but that does not mean that you can’t be just as creative to integrate technology for older students as well.

Hertz, M. (2010) Integrating Technology with Limited Resources. (Web log message) Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/free-tech-integration-resources

“Debunking those Pesky Classroom Myths”

Based on a Blog by Ben Johnson, 6/29/11

 

Five classroom myths were presented in this blog.  The three myths that I would like to highlight are the ones that I think could apply to online learning.  These were “Teachers know best”, “Students aren’t interested in learning”, and “Students hate school.”   I will cover each myth in order. Teachers can learn from their students and this can be done by having your students provide valuable feedback for a teacher to improve upon.  Surveys are sent out at the end of an online course and I think your student’s feedback should be reviewed closely to make future improvements on a course.  Students can be interested in learning if they are actively engaged.  Teachers should make every attempt to make learning enjoyable for their students.  Not all class work is meant to be fun, but an instructor should try to create assignments that give your student options to choose from.  In my opinion, an educator should make every attempt to include the student’s interests as part of an assignment.  In the information age of the internet, this should not be too hard to accomplish.  If students are engaged in classroom activities that they are interested in, then I think students will no longer hate going to school or at least for that particular class.   The internet can be used as a great resource for learning and I am amazed that my fellow online students are rarely coming up the same online references when working together on a class wiki assignment.  This amazes me, but not when I look at the technology source, the internet, the information is coming from.  I do think that online courses will help more students engage in learning and I think it is the instructor’s responsibility to try to make the learning fun as well.   

Johnson, B. (2011, June 29) Debunking those Pesky Classroom Myths (Web Blog Message), Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/debunking-classroom-myths-ben-johnson?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdutopiaNewContent+%28Edutopia%29&utm_content=Google+Reader