Bitler's GeoBlog

Final Project Reflection-ECOMP 7007

2007-09-22T10:34:00.000-04:00

Working with Caroline, I presented the wonders of furling to our staff. Caroline and I created 3 tutorials using Jing (easy and the possibilities are endless), and a web page using Google pages (even easier). We presented on the recent Early Release in 3 mini sessions. The staff seemed very interested and excited about the value and potential for implementing all 3 programs (furl, jing, and google pages) into their 21st century classroom. Since Wednesday (early release), both Caroline and I have received emails and comments from other teachers on how they have begun creating their archives. As our school prepares to receive our new tech toys, there had been some apprehension among staff in being able to effectively use the materials. Many have shared that the furl lesson has eased their mind as it gave them a way to manage all the good stuff they find on the web. It was such a neat feeling as we shared this lesson to see people get excited about what they can do, we were even able to teach "Mr Technology" something new!

September 14-16

2007-09-16T15:49:00.000-04:00

Eyes bleeding, head splitting, mind reeling-sums up the weekend! Loved the flexibilty that the Cohort concept promised, now that we are into it...not so much on the weekend PACKED with information and shaky technology! I do appreciate that we are actullay working on the end product as we go though. The unit I am working on will be used in the Spring so I am saving the headache later! Stay tuned!

Fun with Voki!

2007-08-30T11:12:00.000-04:00

I figured out how to put Voki into my school blog! Check it out! I think I, I mean my students, will get a kick out of this. I was mostly impressed that I could figure out how to get it on there!

Voki

2007-08-29T21:43:00.000-04:00

I was looking at Holly's Mombrarian blog to send to a friend of mine and saw the Voki post agian and decided to try it...am trying to do it to my school blog but I don't think I have access to the edit feature to get the html code in. It was easy (and fun) to do!

Dream Weaver

2007-08-26T09:27:00.001-04:00

The upload process was quite easy (I did have Holly right next to me of course) to geocities. My web page is located at http://www.geocities.com/jobee13. It isn't beautiful but I think it gave me a good understanding of the development of the web page. I have made many web pages before for class related projects and sent the components to our tech person to FTP, I am glad to see the rest of the story as to the magic button that makes it surfable!

BRAIN STORM

2007-08-25T17:07:00.000-04:00

Caroline and I have decided to work together on the final project. She and I are "tech mentors" at our school and we are sure we will be called on to do all sorts of fun things this year. In addition to the regular use of technology at our school, we are 21st Century schools as well! We have really found furl and bloglines useful when trying to manage the amount of technoinfo we have gotten lately. In talking about the early release day in October, Caroline and I are going to create a screencast to demonstrate both of these technology management tools to our teachers. We felt this would be a helpful so that they too will have a place to store the information they will be receiving as we proceed with the implementation of the 21st century classroom equipment.

Web presentation-DigiScope by Motic Play

2007-08-24T20:15:00.000-04:00

Kelly Jones presented a software that was geared to Science. Using duel computers too! She is involved in a grant that allowed her access to the equipment. The software is kid friendly with sounds, images, and high interest. The software has multiple links and resources. She explained the uses in the classroom, the neatest thing is it is compact to allow her to take it outside and students can work it. The software allows a video link that can be placed on a blog for parents/students to see a demonstration. There are several web sites that supports the microscope.The science teachers sitting near me seemed intriqued as they had a side conversation during the presentation about the possibilities. Kelly walked the class through the software and its many links. This program is nboth MAc and PC compatiable. To see the Dodgen pond video that Kelly spoke of click: http://www.jones5th.blogspot.com/ Good job Kelly!

Using flickr

2007-08-24T18:21:00.001-04:00

I am required to do a daily blog for my students with class updates, news, etc. I like to make them fun so I always add a picture of a place we are studying or something that makes me smile. I have used flickr to find pictures to add to the blog...for instance a precious Cairn Terrier puppy.

The Real World Application

2007-08-11T18:43:00.000-04:00

Another GREAT article from my feed! My last post spoke of an article telling of the use of web 2.o at university level and I really appreciated learning how my students would be using this technology at the next level. This new article speaks of the real world application of wiki technology. Power in Numbers by Jessica Bennett explains "how wiki software is reforming bloated bureaucracies and changing the face of communication". The United Nations has just began using the wiki to help limit time spent trying to reach a consensus more quickly. IBM has been using this technology since 2005. Their first task was a collaborative creation of a company "blogging manifesto" which became the company policy on blog use-authored by thousands of employees...talk about ownership! IBM management feels this is how businesses will foster innovation and get projects started faster. In other areas, their are 16 US intelligence agencies using wiki technology to share information (of course a TOP SECRET firewall blocks public access). Also in the works is WikiCongress, a non-partisan endeavor- which would allow citizens to propose new policy, vote on bills, etc. Globally, both Germany and Canada have on going programs using this technology. This is proof positive that we as educators have an incredible responsibility to integrate technology of all types or do a great injustice to our students. I have gained a great deal of information to bring back to my students that adds to the relevancy of their learning and use of such technology. The uses are not limited to any one area of what they may want to be when they grow up so exposure to the technology is important to all of my students.

Great Read....

2007-08-09T21:51:00.000-04:00

As I stated in my previous post, I found a really interesting article by Candace Lombardi on how web 2.o is being used at university level. I am humbled at the statement that we as educators are preparing children to solve problems that don't even exist yet! No pressure...HA! I am reminded about the Dr. Suess book about the teacher who taught her students how to be creative thinkers and to be successful regardless of what came their way.

One more reading....

2007-08-01T20:44:00.000-04:00

http://news.com.com/Web+2.0+Big+app+on+campus/2100-1032_3-6199687.html
Web 2.0: Big app on campus
Universities are using Web 2.0-style tools to tap into a generation's lust for celebrity as they revamp learning and recruiting. By Candace Lombardi

I came across this article through my bloglines actually. It was interesting to see how the higher institutes of leaning are using new technologies with students. The article discussed a variety of uses of the "social tools" offered by web 2.0 such as blogs, wikis, etc. Apparently many universities are using the tools before students come to campus to introduce professors and even room mates. New students can establish relationships and have a smoother transition once they arrive on campus. It also mentioned the Blackboard site that we are becoming familiar with at Lesley and in my mind makes sense in the "going green" age we are living in. In the classrooms at universities, blogs are replacing journals. Lombardi reminds the reader that everyone LOVES to see their work published and these tools allow for that! One concern that I often fall back on when discussing technology is the student-teacher relationship. The article made an excellent point in stating that students can view the lecture, notes, etc. online prior to class allowing for more open discussion rather than passive learning. The issue of student honesty came up and Lombardi states that many of these sites use sign ins so teachers can record who did what on projects, etc. I really enjoyed the article and seeing how my students will use the tools learned in middle school at the university level.

Web Presentation

2007-07-29T11:04:00.000-04:00

I have decided to do my web presentation on the National Geographic site. It has so much more than a recap of the latest issue of the magazine and is a great resource for teachers in many curriculum areas. I am excited about sharing the site with my classmates.

Required Readings

2007-07-29T10:37:00.000-04:00

Warlick, D. (2004) A Future Fiction. Library Media Connection. Retrieved May 26, 2005 from http://davidwarlick.com/ff_article/.

Yoder, M. (1999) The Student WebQuest: A productive and thought-provoking use of the Internet. Learning & Leading with Technology, 26(7), 6-9.52-53. Retrieved January 8, 2004 from http://www.lesley.edu/faculty/myoder/webquest.pdf

I really enjoyed these two articles as they had the same information (Oh, the things you can do with technology) yet presented in such different ways!
Warlick's futuristic look at the possibilities of integrating technology in our classroom was eerie! I had visions of 1984 and what must have been said at the time of its publication-"It can't be done", etc. Look at how those predictions of Orwell are part of our life today, so Warlick may be spot on! I was also drawing some similarities to events in Harry Potter (Maruder's Map keeping an eye on everyone) and the hocus pocus magic that was also used in Warlick's classroom of 2014 (only 7 years away). At first, I must admit, I did not like how the teacher/student relationship was so cold and impersonal but was glad to see, as the story prgressed, that Warlick still sees that as part of the learning process.
Yoder's article of classroom technology was a great "How To" as well as a "Why To" with regards to web quests. I have put this article in my furl so I can use it as a reference when we make our web quests and for future use. I agree this is a wonderful way to allow students a safe and productive use of technology. It truly allows teachers the chance to step into that facilitator role allowing students an opportunity for discovery and choice while still keeping a focus.

Flickr

2007-07-20T10:41:00.000-04:00

I played with both Flickr and Picnik sites. We travel as a family and LOVE taking photos and I am an avid scrapbooker so....these were great sites to know about. I love the idea of a managment system of photos that eliminates the stack of photo envelopes and old boxes filled with photos. For school, I think there are some great tools that can be incorporated into multi media projects. For final projects, I try to include choices for the students and these site would offer some great photo management capabilities for them. Jodi

David Warlick's Two Cents!

2007-07-15T10:56:00.000-04:00

In the recent post from David Warlick's blog, he discusses ideas for on line study guides in class. He compares them to strategy guides for video ganes. The study guide would be created by the class in wiki as they went through a unit of study. I look forward to more of David's post with such applicable use of the technology resources we are using in class.

Welcome!

2007-07-15T10:36:00.000-04:00

This BLOG was created for ECOMP7007, my recent technology course at Lesley University! So many neat things out on the highway!