The things I'll do for a grade

Over the course of this class I have learned to use jing a screen capture video program. My first try at this is located here. I have also tried my hand at uploading video to youtube. If you can stomach it click here for the link. But wait there is more. Podcasting is another web service I have tried. I have posted this to teachertube. Follow this link to find it.

Photosharing

How could I use photo sharing in the classroom? At first I thought I would not use it, why because I have power point and any picture I would use I could have on my power point presentation. Not only would I have the picture but I would have a place for notes, could print that out, and give it to the students. But wait, Picasa has dropped onto my lap(top) what can I do with it? Use pictures with notes? sure Because it has a place for tags and comments. Wow just like a power point presentation. I realized that everything I have been doing on my wiki and blog has to do with documenting places I have been and their contribution to history. Well I can’t see the whole world so why not let the world help me out. The people of the world can post their pictures and I can borrow them as required. And guess what I save time by not having to print them out. They are on the World Wide Web. Second bonus, they do not take up space on my hard drive like a power point presentation would.
Most kids I have seen have cell phones with some kind of web access. Now I realize homework is homework, but just think what the resourceful student would do—on the bus ride home access the web, look at the pictures take in what needs to be done and voila one assignment done. I know some of you are thing yeah right when Hell freezes over, but guess what I have been to Hell when it was frozen over; Hell Norway that is.

Two points on Hagadon

Steve Hargadon makes six valid points when it come to social networking. I would like to comment on two of these. Hargadon’s points that I want to discuss are “you really don’t know what social networking sites you create will take off of succeed” and a network must fulfill some compelling need(s).”
The first one I would like to discuss is must fulfill some need. As with any new concept or idea for people to want to use it must fulfill a need. The social networking site is no different. The major question that I would have is why would I want to use this? As an educator I can think of many needs that would be fulfilled. It is a ready source for finding missed assignments, a place to discuss points in an impersonal manner and a link to the World Wide Web making research much easier. But how does it fulfill the needs of the student. In some ways it fulfills the same needs as the teacher, but is that enough? How can you really know if you have met their needs?
Which brings us to the second point how do you know if your site will succeed? You really don’t know what will succeed or not but in a society where “failure is free” it does not hurt to try it out. Like the old adage nothing ventured, nothing gained. The same holds true for the use of social networks in the classroom. How do you know what will succeed? Does a teacher invest the time to attempt a network that may or may not fulfill the needs of his/her students? The only way to find out whether or not it will work is to try it. The teacher must think of this way if it fails no biggie, but if it succeeds then it was well worth the trouble.
A good teacher finds the common denominator between his class and the information and learning objectives he wants to project. When it comes to web 2.0 and social networking sites more questions seem to be asked than answered, but if the heart is in it, go for it because you never know what will succeed.

Social network Yahoo 360

Social networks Yahoo 360
Yahoo 360 began as a social networking site in March 2005. This service offered blogs, photo sharing and social networking. Its aim was to connect worldwide users over 18 years of age. According to tech Crunch, Yahoo 360 could not keep up with sites like myspace and facebook or blogging sites like wordpress. It does however remain popular with the Vietnamese culture. In Vietnam it is being renamed Yahoo 360plus.
Although Yahoo 360 did not gain the popularity of other social networks it did have many of the same features as other social networking sites, it lost popularity because of the lack of support. Yahoo marketed it as a beta program. It later quit offering support for it clients. Now it is due to close in July 09.
Facebook is an example of one SN that I would use. The reason for this is because it is mostly used as a network. A means for friends to keep in contact. A type of SN that I would not use would be a networking sight—one used to meet strangers with like interest.
According to cnet.com yahoo has tried other social networking sight but none has taken off. Who really knows why but as Steve Hargadon says they may fail “since you really don't know how people are going to react to what you have to offer when what you are offering is a chance for them to participate.”
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10252314-93.html
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/05/29/the-walking-dead-yahoo-360-officially-closes-again/
http://www.stevehargadon.com/2009/01/some-things-ive-learned-about-building.html

Social Networking in Education

At first I did not think Social networking sights would be useful in the classroom. I have since changed my mind. After researching the uses of ning I discovered that it is not just a networking sight for friends to keep in touch. Ning has many different networking categories. The category I chose to look at was Students of History. In this particular forum it has some of the same basic concepts as what I am attempting to do in my wiki space. It has pictures of people’s visits to historical places. Although this particular group did not have much more than pictures it did have a discussion forum where people could debate various topics.
As a teacher, I think incorporating pictures with real life anecdotes about what was learned at a historical site will engage the student more than just reading it from a book. I also liked the forum. A forum can be used not only as a method to debate; it can also be used to introduce a new topic. A teacher can see what the student already know about a given topic. With this knowledge the teacher can tailor the classroom lessons and discussions to the students needs.
One major benefit might be getting a student so engrossed in a particular subject or place that since the computer is already going doing follow up research on that topic. Other benefits are the direct links to wikis and chats.
Although I believe in the concept of using wikis and social network sites to further education, I am still skeptical. Homework is still homework. Whether the assignment is done on a computer, or a book and pencil and paper, the basic question still lies “how do you get students to complete their homework?” I would love to say that the students will be so engaged they will not want to stop, but I am not that naïve. When it comes to wikis, social networking, chat rooms, etc I think these are all good tools for the teacher but if the tools go unused or not used at all are they really any good? A mechanic may have all the right tools but the car remains broken until the mechanic chooses to use them. How do we get students to choose to use these new tools for educational purposes?
http://historystudents.ning.com/
http://www.classroom20.com/

Wiki in the Classroom

Although I have an initial reluctance to use wikis in the classroom, if used properly I can see them as a useful tool. According to Wikipedia a wiki is a “web sight that uses wiki software ease the creation and editing any number of interlinked web pages...” I have begun a wiki to use in my history classes. It is broken down into three sections: Arizona history, United States history, and World history. The purpose of this wiki is to show that history is more about the fascinating art, architecture, ideas and concepts.

The way I chose to do is to show the magnificent history I have seen in my travel. Learning by interacting with history has been one of the greatest thrills of my life; it was also a great influence on my becoming a history teacher.

My expectation for classroom use would be for anyone, but primarily my students to document historical places and tell what they learned. I would expect them to not only document what they learned firsthand from their visit, but also do some follow up research. One example in my wiki is my visit to the Coliseum in Rome. I chose this one because it was not only a good example of architecture; it also is a good representation of the Romans way of life. The battles—man against man, man against beast, and battle recreations. The coliseum was the equivalent of our movie and Broadway theatres.

As you can see if people would contribute to this wiki in the way I intend it would be a very useful tool in presenting history. If the student would use it would also be a fun way to do research and document the research. Visit at http://calshistoryspace.wikispaces.com/.

Comparing Learning Models

I recently took a class in classroom management, though I did not realize it at the time I was being conditioned to respond to certain stimulus—A student acts out my job is to stop the misbehavior following a set process. Oh wait this is about the students, let me start over. In the class I learned a lot about processes one is Fred Jones “Say, See, Do” in this model the student learns one step at a time. (Jones, Jones, & Jones, 2000) The teacher says it, the student sees the process, then is expected to perform the process. This sure sounds a lot like Skinner or Pavolov. In this model we are conditioning the student to respond a certain way. Harry Wong also is a behaviorist He calls his process procedures but the routine is the same. (Wong & Wong, 2005) Practice the procedure until it becomes so ingrained into the student that not thought is no longer required.
If the behaviorist model is about say, see, do until it becomes so ingrained into one’s psyche that it can be done without thought the cognitive model is concerned with how the brain functions. In other words what stimulates learning. In this model teachers are encouraged to “provide them with choices in the curriculum and ensure their learning environment reflects a sense of freedom” (Pearson Education Inc, 2005) In this model the idea is to allow the student the freedom to learn and progress at their own pace. The teacher is there to provide support and to give them the resources to succeed.
The question now becomes is any one model superior to another. The answer has to be no. Both models are needed in the classroom. For example I would use the behaviorist model at the beginning of the school year. Class these are the expected behaviors prior to class you will sharpen pencils, have books ready, etc. The teacher would have the students model each until it is just habit not thought required. But if the teacher’s mission is to facilitate learning then the cognitive model takes over. How do I stimulate the brain to want to learn. If I were to use the cognitive model of learning I would have to make the lesson relevant to the student. For example as a history teacher I would stimulate an artist by showing how an artist influenced history. Or show pictures of historical events, anything that would stimulate a desire to learn.
The question remains unanswered is one model superior to another? I say no each is needed to accomplish the overall objective which is to get student to learn in the least stressful environment possible.

Works Cited
Jones, F. H., Jones, P., & Jones, J. (2000). Tools for Teaching. Santa Cruz: Fredric H. Jones and Associates, Inc.
Pearson Education Inc. (2005). Learning and the Brain. Boston: Pearson Custom Publishig.
Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (2005). The First Days of School. Mt View: Harry K. Wong.

Educational Blogs

http://www.tommarch.com/ozblog/ ( I thought it was interesting even in Australia they are curriculum mapping ) The curriculum mapping was using the web. As I perused through the blog I had a déjà vu feeling. Is this guy teaching our class too.
http://www.bloghighed.org/ I did not subscribe to this one but from the titles of different articles it is right up our alley. One presentation was titled “Cultivating ‘global competencies’ among students (and faculty.” What I got out of it is the classroom is no longer and edifice, it’s a global institution
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/how_to_build_a_social_media_cheat_sheet.php (this isn’t a blog but it is titled How to: Build a Social Media Cheat Sheet for Any Topic I thought it had relevance to class) Follow the link to WEB 3.0
http://education.families.com/blog/category/1232 I followed the link “internet” and found an article titled No More Textbooks: Online Teaching Materials Thought it was interesting to think that textbooks as we know them could become obsolete. My wife uses Amazon’s Kindle for most of her reading material. Then the I realized I also use “online books” my PDA uses acrobat reader which I use to buy books online too. Ad Microsoft reader, the internet, Sony book reader and the paper text book may become a thing of the past

Comments on Will Richardson

“being literate in this new learning environment requires more than knowing how to read and write.” I believe that this statement from Will Richardson’s blog is so true. I look back at my half century of life particularly when I started school and was ecstatic to be able to recite a story I had heard. As I grew older I was expected to READ a story then summarize it in writing. In today’s learning environment a student must read, write summarize it while presenting it with PowerPoint. Of course now that we have blogs, facebook, myspace etc. the student learns how to insert music, graphics and text. In a sense he has just become an online publisher, a trade once reserved for professionals. In today’s society the changes happen so fast and the only way to keep up is through computers, thus the need for blogging and other online skills,

Assessing the relevance and reliability of information is a crucial skill for all educators to master and model. Perhaps this will be the hardest skill to master. I once went to a site that was about Martin Luther King. While I was at the home page it looked like a good article, however as I followed various links in the page I found the true agenda. It was a hate site. I feel I lucky that I found that out. As an educator and a skeptic I have a hard time accepting web sites as being factual. My question is who/what is the source. At times I feel this works against me. I am sure that wikis are a good source of information, but I feel uncomfortable with them since anyone can put down their version of the truth. I allow my students to use wikis as a starting point, but I make them use other sources to cite.

Added link to face book

I guess its not as hard as I thought. I just added the link to Blog on face book.

Cal's EDU PHilosophy

As a novice teacher I have given much thought as to what my educational philosophy would be. Perhaps the Orstein and Levive described me the best. I am an existentialist. “an existentialist education encourages deep personal reflection on one’s identity, commitments and choices.” (Orstein & Levine, 2006) Recently I interviewed four individuals two were teachers; one male, one female. Both teachers had at least 10 years teaching experience. The other two people interviewed were a female junior in high school and a forty something year old mother. The reason I chose these four was to contrast what experienced teachers would say versus what a parent thought and what a high school student thought. These interviews helped solidify my philosophy

I believe my questions were pretty straight forward, but took a little thought from the subject. My questions were:
Define teacher
What is the most important lesson a teacher can give his or her students?
What do you believe are the qualities of a teacher?
Who is responsible for the student’s social growth? Teacher or Parent
Do you think teachers are given their due as a major influence in today’s society?

The answers for the definition of teacher were fairly consistent--the role of educator, instructor and a master of the topic teaching. Another terms used was mentor. As I pondered these definitions I thought of the phrase “facilitator of learning.” One reason I thought of this was in my mind an instructor is just one who gives a lesson but does not count on feedback to see if the audience received it or understood it. MY definition--facilitator of learning implies interaction, reflection and commitment to learning. Most importantly the student can make a choice to learn—the teacher gives information and the student responds by showing understanding and can repeat the lesson to a measured standard.

As an Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Candidate instructor (their term not mine, I prefer teacher) a parent asked me to help straighten out her son. I suppose she thought I had a magic wand. I responded by saying Ma’am all I can do is help bring out the inner person. He is who he is and will follow the choices he makes, nothing I can do will change that. What I can do is help him chose the best option to reach his goals.

When I asked the second question: What is the most important question a teacher can give his or her students the answers were more varied. The female teacher answered “teach them to accept responsibility.” When I asked her isn’t that the parent’s responsibility, she answered yes but if teachers do not show that there are consequences for all actions the kids will not learn to accept responsibility and accountability. The parent and male teacher had answers that were pretty close. They expected teachers to be positive role models and teach them how to accomplish goals. Once again I see the reference to commitment and choices. The answer from the high school student really surprised me. Her answer was to “teach life lessons” she thought it was more important for teachers to give accounts of what life after high school would be like rather than stick only to the school subject. “In 10 years student will never remember how to find the inverse sin of a 45 degree angel.”

When I asked the question on social growth the adults agreed that it was shared between the parent and the teacher. The process started at home but the teacher had to reinforce social standards at the school. When asked what if the student does not get the proper teaching at home again the adults said that it is up to the teachers to fill the void. I believe this is where personal reflection takes over; do the lesson learned at home coincide with what is learned in school. The student must learn to make the right choice for success The teenager again surprised me with her answer: The “parents hands down” when asked the same follow up question her answer was: “teachers are responsible for teaching a subject; the parents must take care of the social growth when they can’t or don’t then the student is responsible for his or her own social growth.”

Finally when I asked the last question each seem to put monetary value to the question. All agreed that teachers are underpaid and society as a whole does not truly understand the time and money it takes to become a teacher. They all agreed that teachers are appreciated for what they do. With this appreciation there is respect for them but the pay is what makes them all feel like teachers are not given their due.

After reviewing the results of the interview I conclude that my philosophy and personal mantra al deal with choices the individual makes. . An existentialist outlook is based on commitment, reflection and choices. My mantra is life is about options--choose the one that best helps you reach your goal
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Works Cited
Orstein, A. C., & Levine, D. U. (2006). Foundations of Education. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.

This is my first blogg

When does this become fun?