Education and Technology

Willingness to Learn Something New in the Past:

I discovered in researching tips for technology trainers some great links regarding Web 2.0, Classroom 2.0, blogging, and distributed learning. I’ve been pondering what a Classroom 2.0 looks like in an elementary setting. I learn things with caution as not to believe every piece of information that is given. Why? I’ve seen so many trends in education and a lot of it was not for the purpose of students learning. The school district often mandates the teachers to utilize the partial curriculum which tends to lead to poor results. Often I bought into these trends and later realized it was not good for the students.

Willingness to Learn in the Present
When I searched the web in Google for tips for technology trainers I ran across these websites:http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listweb20s.htmlhttp://k12onlineconference.org/http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/blogger.htmlhttp://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/os/technology/index.htmlhttp://www.lib.umich.edu/icollege/resources/tips.pdfhttp://www.techsoup.org/community/index.cfmhttp://www.shambles.net/pages/learning/ict/web2edu/
The websites were full of information about the things we are learning. The information from k12onlinconference.org shed some light on how Web 2.0 can be integrated into an elementary curriculum. What I learned from the various sites is that there is a big push for not only integrating technology into the classroom but the need to shift towards a curriculum that fosters analytical and higher order thinking. Technology is a tool that can enhance the curriculum and it doesn’t have to be a trend. I reflected on the importance for me to have a willingness to explore options other than traditional education. I realize through reading the information from the websites that I have to live in the moment and embrace the possibilities of creating a better learning future for my students. If it wasn’t for me searching Google for Technology Tips for Trainers, I might have missed out on some creative and valuable information.

Willingness to Learn Something New in the Future:
In the future I will embrace exploring new options to improve student learning. I will look at education as building and strengthening the learning process instead of looking at it as an end result.

Technology

Today, I was watching Hannity and Colmes on Fox News. They showed a YouTube video that showed teenagers caught on tape trashing a drive-thru window. The forum was about who do you fault, YouTube or the teenagers? Of course everyone agreed the teenagers need to be held accountable but they also discussed how they hope this new form of technology does not lead to people using it for something negative. Well, we know technology is only as good as its user. If it falls into the wrong hands for the wrong reasons then we have a problem. Unfortunately in our school systems this is the number one priority when discussing technology. We hold many meetings on the 'acceptable use' policies instead of ways to improve education through technology. This year will be the first phase in my district to improve technology in elementary schools. The district started with the high schools and moved to middle schools last year. I can't wait for this school year to start...as I am interested to see how things unfold.

Self and Classroom 2.0

I've been taking some time to think and reflect about all I'm learning. I'm a quiet by nature person who is trying to sort things out on this educational journey. Margaret said, "thinking is a contact sport." Hmm...no time to soak things up and this is one of those challenges I will have to overcome. I will have to open up so that I can learn from others. The book Leadership from the Inside Out discusses Shadow Beliefs? Is my Shadow Belief, I must know every detail to feel comfortable? Or is it I must know a person to feel comfortable? Or is it I must know myself in order to feel comfortable? I don't have the answers yet, but will get back to you when I find out.

When I was reading Wikinomics and Leadership Inside Out, the word open stuck in my mind (only because I'm working on that as a personal goal as mentioned above). We are discussing Web 2.0 and how it is a part of Business 2.0, Classroom 2.0 and Self 2.0. I ran across a magazine called Business 2.0 a couple of days ago that listed the hottest Web. 2.0 sites from around the world. Then I picked up the book, The World is Flat which discusses global 3.0. What is with the 2.0's? And please don't let us move to the 3.0's. I'm just getting a clearer picture of the 2.0's. I know that I'm throwing a lot of .0's at you and that's my point. I was okay with the 2.0 but taking it to a 3.0 is another level. Will there be a 4.0? This seems insane to me.

I get the promises of open source and how it can reinvent businesses, education, and government globally. I can even buy into it. However is Web 2.0 in the classroom revolutionary? Is it evolutionary? Is it an illusion? L.A.U.S.D is such a big district that by the time information trickles down to those who must implement it, something new is now the trend. How can we build a Classroom 2.0 across this nation? I guess it starts with the teacher(s)being willing to try something innovative that becomes an epidemic until education reaches a tipping point of change and each stakeholder that is a part of that change, doesn't mind if there are more changes because it is all about the learning process and not about themselves. Whew! That was a breath full. I've been reading the Tipping Point as well. I'm trying to tie loose ends together and I'm not completely there but this is part of the process..let me know what you think?

Roasted Marshmallows

Are we the marshmallows being roasted or what? The fast pace workload today was fiery. We've accomplished so much yet so little. My biggest fear this year is balancing work, school, and family. Virtcamp reminded me of the many sleepless nights we will endure this coming year. However it is an awesome experience knowing I'm not alone in the process. Speaking of the process...it is my hope to learn new and innovative ways to use technology in the classroom. Virtcamp has started the process for me. As an educator, I've never taken the time to think about how I learn. This year I will take some time and unveil my learning style and the reasons for the style in which I learn. I've been teaching for a long time and a change is much needed. The school district is a small part of the problem....I am the biggest. Change is good and I embrace the PROCESS!

First Day of Virtcamp

What is the process? How do you learn? A million thoughts ran across my mind today. Our theme...Secret Agents and believe me the staff is keeping the schedule a secret. Before I came to Virtcamp, I wondered what we were going to do each day. Now that I am at Virtcamp, I am still wondering what we are going to do. I'm sure the staff is well organized and have a schedule....I just want in on the details. I can tell Virtcamp is going to be an educational journey. I'm not sure what tomorrow holds...but I can tell it will be a learning experience.