Week 10 Futures of Education Response

In the Learning Analytics  section of the Future of Education works, ELF is discussed, the efficient learner hypothesis.  This hypothesis suggests that every learner is at roughly the same stage when they start a course and/or that they progress at a similar rate through that course.  Anyone who has actually taught a group of students knows how wrong this is.  This course is a perfect example of why that hypothesis is dead wrong.  I for one came in to this class with very little experience or understanding of technology.  I still have very far to go.  However, if one were to analysis where I started compared to where I am now, one would discover that a great deal of learning has taken place.  It may even be that if you take in to account where I started you would see that I have learned much more than a student who came in with more experience.  But, if the assumption is that we all started at the same place, it would seem that I didn’t learn much.  I am excited to think about what the use of “big data” could mean to the individual learner.  Of all the technologies discussed in the clips and articles we read I think that the idea of using real data to analysis a students performance and to adapt his/her curriculum accordingly is the most exciting of them all.  Using this type of information makes individualized learning actually possible.

The idea of schools using the Thin Client is another exciting thing.  I currently teach preschool, there is no technology in the building at this time and there are only a few classes so something like Thin Client is not necessary.  But, I used to teach Kindergarten at a local public school.  In this environment, the Thin Client would be very useful.  I think the thing I like most is that the software only needs to be installed on the server.  I can tell you that Kindergarten is on the bottom of the list for an IT person.  If they have to go around and install software everywhere, I can guarantee you that there will be folks missed and the lower elementary grades are who is cut from the list.  I also like the idea of using open source software.  This would save a great deal of money for districts.

I didn’t really understand the Virtualization section.  What I did understand is that using it could protect your PC from viruses, spyware, etc.  I think this is especially important when you are dealing with younger children on the computers.  I know that my own children have clicked through on things that I would rather they not, and downloaded things that I would have been suspect of.

My other favorite part was the gesture-based learning information.  I think this will become a big part of education.  I think this is the technology that I see most in the future of my school.  Many of my students already have an ability to operate this way and an eagerness to do so.  I believe that the best learning takes place while you think you are playing.

 

 

Week 9 Resources

1.  Geocaching.com  This is the place you need to go in order to learn about geocaching.  There are many ways to make geocaching and educational experience.  I highly recommend it as a leisure activity for you and your family as well as an educational activity with your classroom students.  NETS standards #2 Design and Develop Digital Age Experiences and Assessments.  

2.  EDreach.us  This website seems to have a ton of information regarding technology in the classroom.  There are links and lists for all kinds of ideas for how to get funding for technology in your classroom.  I am thinking that now may be the perfect time for me to try to get some grants for bringing technology to my school.  I think that putting technology into a preschool setting is a relatively new concept.  I know that there are no preschools in my area that have any beyond some computers in the classroom.  I think it will need to wait until after this term is over so I can keep my sanity but I intend to pursue searching for funding.  You never know until you try.  NETS Standards #5 Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership, I will be the first in my preschool to bring technology into the classroom.  I will certainly be growing professionally as well as showing leadership while I encourage others at my school to grow as well.

3.  ecetech.net  This website is for early childhood educators that want to explore using technology in the classroom.  It is just beginning (founded in Jan. 2012) so I am sure it will get even better.  There are links to events from conferences to webinairs.  Another part I really like is the Top Picks list where they highlight new apps and things that are on the market for preschool teachers and kids.  There is a part called Techspirations that is exactly what I am looking for. It goes into detail about how to fund and plan for bringing technology into your school or center, determining which technology is developmentally appropriate, etc.  NETS Standards #2 Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments.  I plan to use this site as well as others to help me develop my plans to integrate technology into my classroom.  It is already overwhelming enough, there is no need to reinvent the wheel.

4.  naeyc.org  NAEYC is the National Assosciation for the Education of Young Children.  This is the group to belong to if you are an early childhood teacher.  There are over 80,o00 members.  They offer a great deal of professional development opportunities through conferences, classes, publications, etc.  They also advocate for early childhood when it comes to public policy.  There are many discussion boards where you can ask for advice, give advice, etc.  It has been a great resource and will continue to be as I pursue this new adventure of becoming more involved with technology in the classroom.  NETS Standard #5, Engage in Professional Growth and Learning.  Through organizations such as this I will continue to learn about new ideas, new technologies and be better able to give my students the learning environment that is best for them.

5. earlychildhoodtech.edublogs.org  This is a blog for people who work with little kids and who enjoy technology.  One of the posts talked about the security issues you need to concern yourself with.  For instance, if you make a class blog do you have permission from all the parents to have photos of their children on there, etc.  I think she takes it a little over the top, blurring images and such but it gets me thinking anyway.  I have enjoyed what I have read and will continue to be a follower.

6.  ehow.com  There were several lists on Ehow of places to apply to for grant money for pre-k technology.  It seemed like each list that I found had links to other lists.  Some had a few of the same places but each of them had some unique places to look for funding.  This will be a great resource for applying for as many grants as possible.  If you have lots of hooks in the water you are more likely to get a bite.

7.  teachpreschool.org  This is a link to an article on a blog I like to follow.  She writes about how she uses technology in her own life but rarely brings it into the classroom.  She is changing her mind about its appropriateness  thanks to her daughter.  She has watched her daughter be a wonderful mother to her son, actively engaging with him, playing, etc.  but also bringing technology into his life.  She has learned from her daughter that technology doesn’t need to be seen as a sterile and cold way to teach.

8.  education.com  This is a list of I-Pad Apps for Preschoolers.  While I would like to have a smartboard and all kinds of technology stuff for the classroom the reality is that is going to take a while.  I think the most realistic plan is to ask for an I-Pad for Christmas and bring mine to school and work with the kids from my I-Pad.  Not only is this realistic but also a smart way to go, I think.  I will learn some of what works and what doesn’t before investing thousands into systems for the whole classroom.  This is a link to just one of many lists of I-Pad apps on education.com

9.  edutopia.org  Even though this site is specifically for k-12 it is still a great resource for me.  There is a lot of information about all kinds of new ideas in education.  There are discussion boards where you can interact with other teachers.  I especially like the video of the week.  This week it is about virtual learning, going to school online.

10.  kinderiq.com  This site is dedicated to helping families and teachers with kindergarten readiness.  One of the parts of this website that I would utilize the most I think is the different assessment pieces.  There is also a great deal of information about computers for the age group and lesson plans for using technology in your classroom.

Week 9 Article Review- Mobile Learning

Article Title:  Mathematics on the move:  Using mobile technologies to support student learning (Part 2)

Authors:  Catherine Attard and Maria Northcote

Source: Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom V17, N1 2012

This is part two of a series.  The first article explored the use of the iPod touch and the iPad.  Another student in our class reviewed that article.  This article explores the use of GPS and other hand-held devices.  A GPS can be used to engage students in real-world mathematics.  The iPads and other devices have GPS capabilities or you can use an actual GPS.  A GPS can provide the following information:

• Your position on a map
• Distance traveled
• Length of time you have been traveling
• Length of time before you reach your destination
• Current Speed

Using a GPS is a skill that is important in today’s world.  Learning to use a GPS is important in itself but it also is such an engaging way to motivate student learning.  Another engaging activity to do with a GPS is Geocaching.  My family and I enjoy geocaching very much.  There are many types of caches that can facilitate learning.  There are Earth Caches where you learn about various science things, there are puzzle caches where you need to solve puzzles in order to earn the coordinates.  These tools are an engaging way to learn.  The best type of learning comes when we are actively involved in an activity that feels more like play than work.

Other devices that are discussed in the article are digital cameras, webcams, hand-held digital scanners and the hand-held digital sound recorder.  You can use a digital camera to take pictures of various times of day and explore shadow length, you can view the Polar Bear cam at the San Diego Zoo when you are studying about that region.  Students can use sound recorders to record their observations during activities.  It is a great way for children to talk about their thinking.

I think that the best thing about using technology in the classroom is the engaging aspect.  I would learn so much more from an activity that had me out and about using tools and technology than I would from sitting at my desk filling out a worksheet from what I have read in a textbook.

The NETS standards that this articles addresses are:

1.  Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity  – When I take a look back at my education I remember the project-based things that we did, I remember when we were out and about doing and learning.  Using tools such as the GPS, make learning the engaging process it should be.

2.  Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments – Using a project-based approach to learning is not a new concept.  But, having these easy to operate digital tools can do so much to enhance this type of learning.  There is so many more possibilities than ever before because of the amazing advancements in technology.

3.  Model Digital Age Work and Learning –  There are many jobs that rely heavily on the information that can be gathered through GPS devices.

6.  Technology Operations and Concepts – Learning to use a GPS is a skill that will be of use for a student’s lifetime.  It is not only a way to engage students in learning.  It is a skill that will be of value for many applications.