Computers Don't Byte, A Blast from the Past

Just to show how far we have come I dug up this piece of ancient history. While 1981 doesn’t count for ancient history in most subjects, some think it might in classroom technology. It’s hard to believe this report is almost thirty years old, but see for yourself. It was written as a guide on how to use computers in the classroom when computers were big and slow and not in very many classrooms. While most of use can’t imagine a world without them, it serves as a reminder that once that world existed and in some cases still does.

In Computers Don't Byte. A Starting Point for Teachers Using Computers. A Resource Booklet. By Michael Lieberman the author profoundly states;

“Many educators want to stand back until the pace of change has slowed in hopes
that their money will not have been “wasted” on obsolete technology. However,
the pace of change is unlikely to slow down significantly in the near future.
Obsolescence is a way of life in the computer era. Even if the machinery
changes, the concepts learned on a computer never become obsolete. The real
world is already computerized; if educators continue to wait they may be
jeopardizing their student’s abilities to compete in the job market.” (p.41)

As true now as it was then, let me know what you think,

Mike

Free Movies and Shows for the Classroom

Regardless of the level of sophistication in technology each of us feels we have, more than likey we have at least heard of You Tube, a website that has allowed people to post video clips and allowed others to view them. You Tube has recently announce something very exciting in its release of You Tube Shows found at http://www.youtube.com/shows .

The folks at You Tube have assembled hundreds of television shows and movies and offer them for free. The potential for classroom use is incredible and my guess is the collection will continue to grow. Many of the current offerings have potential classroom use and the direct linking capability makes them very easy to use.

Some of the options include;

Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Winter Comes to Cougar Country

Scientific American Frontiers Cybersenses

Remembering Vietnam

Supersize Me

And hundreds of others check it out and let me know what you think,

Mike

Games in the Classroom

Here is a great article from Business Week about using gaming as an instructional tool.

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_08/b3972100.htm

The concept is not new, educators have long known that keeping the students interest is a great way of "selling" the lesson. What is new is the use of computers to deliver the lesson.

This quote from the article struck me as pretty interesting;

"Game developers estimate that at least 10% of the classrooms in the
nation's 2,500 major school districts use mainstream titles for learning, up
from only a handful five years ago."

One of the reasons they give for the sharp increase of the use of games, is that the younger teachers are coming to work having grown up with computer gaming so it is a natural extension to use them int he classroom.

So now how do we get the experienced teachers in on the "game". Well it comes back to professional development. Do anyone know of any school districts that use gaming as part of their professional development program? It sounds to me like an interesting approach.

Let me know what you think,

Mike

The Media Equation

Over the years I have met all kinds of people and as you would expect different kinds of people interact with their computers in a variety of different ways. I read the Media Equation (Reeves et al., 1996) with a smile on my face as I thought of some of these people.

I know them all, the ones who talk to their computer, sometimes actually pleading with it to work faster or magically perform some function it was never asked to do. I also know the ones who blame the computer for “messing up”, usually not allowing entry after receiving an incorrect user name or password. But my all time favorite is the one who gets mad because something is in a “stupid place”.

Humans tend to humanize things to help them understand. They often give animals and objects human traits and think nothing of it. It’s only natural that we have also done this with computers. As I put down the reading I reflected on the importance of what the authors had to say.

Humans have become media dependant and many often confuse what they see on the screen as real life. They take things literal and we have to help guard against that. I have spent hours assuring family members and friends that just because there is a flashing sign on the screen that says their computer has some kind of awful virus, that doesn’t mean that its really there.

We have a responsibility as educators to remember this when we teach. One of the important things to point out to our students is the “Media Equation”. In other words, to some perception is reality and media can give many people false, unsettling perceptions which they construe to be real.

Now this doesn’t always mean this is bad. We can use this to create simulation for teaching that can hold the learners attention and provide a safe, inexpensive way for people to learn expensive or dangerous things. But it is something to remember and work into our teaching.

Here is a nice review of the whole book http://www.ics.uci.edu/~jpd/publications/media-review.html and I also found a small PowerPoint http://www.cise.ufl.edu/~fishwick/ac/2009/MediaEquation.ppt

Let me know what you think.

Mike

Reeves, Byron, and Clifford Nass. 1996. The media equation, pp. 3-18. Cambridge University Press.

UNI Model of Performanced-Based Competencies

It was interesting to find that the University of Northern Iowa (UNI ) has developed performance-based competencies for teachers based on several of the national standards we have discussed in this blog. While this model was developed by their College of Education for pre-service teachers in K-12, there is no apparent reason why this type of thing can’t work for college level instructors.

The 31 competencies are divided up into three areas;

I. Basic Technology Equipment Operations and Concepts

II. Technology Resources and Tools for Information Literacy

III. Technology Resources and Tools for Content Areas

The model allows readers to self rate themselves on each the competencies in one of five levels ranging from Pre- Novice to Expert. Below is an example based on competency #1

Operate a multimedia computer system, including installing software, accessing
programs or files in other drives (such as CD-ROM in drive d:/), saving and
deleting files, organizing folders and maintaining backups within the context of
Macintosh, Windows, and networked systems.

Pre-Novice
I do not know how to operate a multimedia computer system.

Novice
I use the computer to run a few specific, pre-loaded programs. I sometimes save
documents I’ve created but often cannot control or identify where they are
saved.

Apprentice
I use operating system tools to install software, access programs or files in other drives (such as CD-ROM in drive d:/), and save and delete files within the context of Macintosh, Windows, and networked systems. I create my own folders to keep my files organized and maintain backups of my work.

Practitioner
I have designed authentic learning activities for diverse learners to teach my students to access programs or files in other drives, save and delete files, organize folders, and maintain backups within the context of Macintosh, Windows, and
networked systems.

Expert
I reflect upon and make educated decisions in determining the effectiveness of activities that teach my students to access programs or files in other drives, save and delete files, organize folders, and maintain backups within the context of Macintosh, Windows, and networked systems.

Source http://www.intime.uni.edu/model/technology/comps1.html

There is also a matrix which traces each competency back to the major standards we have discussed from ISTE and other organizations.

I have a tendency to agree with these standards for college level instructors and would like to hear from others on the subject. The point is we have to start somewhere is there common ground we can agree on?

Let me know what you think,
Mike

www.Thinkfinity.org

This week’s Web Site of the Week is http://www.thinkfinity.org/ . A site sponsored by the Verizon Foundation to help students, parents and teachers teach and learn with technology.

“Our goal is to improve student achievement in traditional classroom settings and beyond by providing high-quality content and extensive professional development training.”

The site contains over 55,000 standards based lesson plans and other resources for teachers and after school programs including technology based learning tools. One feature I found especially interesting was FREE TRAINING FOR EDUCATORS.

Also mentioned on the site are the ISTE Standards I have discussed before and new organization to me http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/, a group dedicated to teaching students the technology skills they need for the new century.

There seems to be a lack of information available that helps define what teachers should know about technology, but I keep coming back to the question, if a certain skill set is expected of students, should not teachers also be held to this standard? We really need to start somewhere.

Let me know what you think.

Mike

Does Technology Count?

Education Week published its 2009 Technology Counts report which in part grades states in their current use of technology.

Take a look and see how your favorite state did. http://www.edweek.org/media/ew/tc/2009/26stc.pdf

It would be interesting to compare the assets used in the states that scored well with the resources spent on teacher professional development in the technology arena.

Anyone have any thoughts on that? Let me know what you think.

Mike

Staying Connected

I liked this article about a teacher who used teleconferencing to keep in touch with her students during a trip to Washington D.C.

http://www.jdnews.com/news/koczot_63468___article.html/students_teacher.html

It made me wonder if many teachers think about ways to use technology to keep connected.

What really hit home was this quote from one of the students;
“It made me want to be interested in what is happening in the world"

I guess the first step in changing the world is getting students interested in the world.
Let me know what you think.

Mike

Assess Yourself

Most of us would agree that seeking self improvement is a good thing and engage ourselves regularly in activities which promote self improvement. Here is a nice little article I found that targets technology skills and educator self improvement. Written by Dr. P. MacGregor-Mendoza, the article outlines seven steps that teachers can take to develop and improve their own use of technology in the classroom.

1. Assess your own level of skill and apprehension towards using technology
2. Find what learning resources are available
3. Plan ahead
4. Start small
5. Consider your audience
6. Have a backup plan
7. Have a way to measure your success

While these steps may seem basic, is this good advice? Let me know what you think.

Mike

MacGregor-Mendoza, P. (Jan 2009). Assess yourself: along with better diet and exercise, follow these seven tips for getting your personal technology professional development in shape. (FEATURE STORY). Technology & Learning, 29, 6. p.20(2). Retrieved April 04, 2009, from Academic OneFile via Gale:http://find.galegroup.com/itx/start.do?prodId=AONE

Does Technology Make Us Stupid?

What about those who feel our use of technology is making us stupid? Many in academia resist technology because they think it makes us lazy and unable to do simple tasks without it. Do they have a point or do they just mock things they don’t understand?

Here is an article about Dr. Mark Bauerlein, an English professor at Emory University, author of The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future (Or, Don’t Trust Anyone Under 30).
http://diverseeducation.com/artman/publish/article_12397.shtml

And another article by Alexz Fulco “Is Google making our generation 'stoopid?'”

Do you they have a point or just a resisting?

Let me know what you think.

Mike

National Education Technology Standards

While primarily designed for K-12 teachers, the National Education Technology Standards (NETS) developed by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), is also a good starting point for college instructor technology proficiency.

Since 2000, ISTE has been providing the teachers with the listing of baseline technology skills every educator should have. NETS has also provided a widely accepted standard for what students should know about technology.

The concept is simple, if we have accepted a standard of student proficiency; we also need standards for those whom the students depend to teach them. We can take this a step further and see the importance of college instructors modeling the behaviors since the teachers have to be able get this knowledge somewhere.

Let me know what you think,

Mike

Internet and Computing Core Certification

Here is an idea.

Certiport Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³) is view by many as the gold standard in computer literacy. This brochure covers the basics,
http://www.fadvassessments.com/docs/datasheets/ic3.pdf

If this standard has been adopted as worldwide standard as something everyone should know about the Internet and computers, should this now become what our college faculty members should know at a minimum?

Here is a story about Taiwan adopting the standard as a nation,
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS31101+12-Mar-2009+BW20090312

Let me know what you think,
Mike

What Technology Skills Should Educators Have?

We began by mentioning fear as a reason why some instructors resist change and are discouraged by the use of technology in the classroom. If one were to study that fear perhaps reasoning could emerge concerning why that fear exists. Often times when dealing with a child about controlling their fear of that “something under the bed”, we are able to apply logic by showing them there is fact is nothing under the bed. So if there is nothing under the bed, there is nothing to be afraid of.

In this case of using technology in the classroom, there is quite a lot “under the bed” and simple logic may not work. In either case what we are dealing with is fear of the unknown and while very different on the surface there is striking similarity beneath. In looking for a place to start, the thought occurred that making the unknown known is one proven effective cure for fear. That being the case, what parameters should be known?

For our purposes it may be helpful to establish a list of sorts of the technology skills required to effectively take command of modern community college classroom. If such a list existed then one could actually have a road map to establish an actual route out of the abyss. Armed with this idea I went out hunting for just such a list and found this one by Laura Turner;

"Here are 20 basic technology skills that all educators should now have:

1. Word Processing Skills
2. Spreadsheets Skills
3. Database Skills
4. Electronic Presentation Skills
5. Web Navigation Skills
6. Web Site Design Skills
7. E-Mail Management Skills
8. Digital Cameras
9. Computer Network Knowledge Applicable to your School System
10. File Management & Windows Explorer Skills
11. Downloading Software From the Web (Knowledge including eBooks)
12. Installing Computer Software onto a Computer System
13. WebCT or Blackboard Teaching Skills
14. Videoconferencing skills
15. Computer-Related Storage Devices (Knowledge: disks, CDs, USB drives, zip disks, DVDs, etc.)
16. Scanner Knowledge
17. Knowledge of PDAs
18. Deep Web Knowledge
19. Educational Copyright Knowledge
20. Computer Security Knowledge"

Reference: Laura Turner, "20 Technology Skills Every Educator Should Have," T.H.E. Journal, 6/1/2005, http://www.thejournal.com/articles/17325

Please take a look and tell me what you think, are there things on this list that shouldn’t be? What about things left out?

Online Teaching Tools

One of the things I think will make a great impact in teachers using technology more often is their getting used to some of the tools out there to help them do their jobs. I came across this web site that is just jammed packed with tools and other features teachers can start using right away.

http://www.4teachers.org/

The site is easy to navigate and offers such useful items as quiz makers, rubric creators, and information on project based learning and more. All designed to get teacher using technology. Each of these items is customizable and pretty adaptable to most subjects so will be useful to a variety of instructors regardless of topic area.

Take the web site for a spin and let me know what you think. Is this useful?

Mike

Writing and the Internet

One of the best known ways to engage students is to find something they enjoy doing and incorporate it into a lesson. If students identify with something that is being taught they tend to stay on task better and focus. Many students today are technology proficient and use several online applications to network socially and create material for their friends and family. Here is a nice article that explains how a teacher might incorporate these interests into their teaching.

http://www.roanoke.com/news/nrv/wb/197711

In this particular case, the emphasis is on using proper English for formal writing. On the internet it is easy for students to let their writing sometimes fall back to a casual style that works for informal communication but would not be considered acceptable for formal use.

Enjoy the article, let me know what you think and C U La8er.

Mike

Twitter Anyone?

We all know that people need interaction and I am pretty sure we all have read a little Dewey. Many people have condemned the technology age for pushing people further apart and interfering with this socialization like Putnam did in Bowling Alone. Well if you are of the school that fights fire with fire, I have something right up your alley.

Regardless of your personal teaching philosophy or the subject matter that you teach, you did not learn your trade in a vacuum without the help and guidance of at least a few other teachers. So how can we use technology to help us socialize and network with our peers? (pssst, don’t look but you are doing it now) .

Twitter just might be the tool to help you keep in touch and continue that all important networking. For those of you who have never heard of it. Twitter is an electronic networking system which is web based and free.

Because I was new to blogging, I poked around and found a great blog by guy named Byrne. He wrote a fabulous piece on teachers using Twitter and I encourage you to take a peek. I will warn you, his blog is addicting! http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2009/03/seven-ways-to-find-teachers-on-twitter.html

Let me know what you think,

Mike

IPods in class

Many instructors on different levels are constantly reminding students to put cell phones and Ipods away.

Here is a recent news article that is trying to have students use Ipods in the classroom.

Think about it, most students have them and are comfortable with them, can you use them to help you teach?

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/549863/

Enjoy,

Mike

Power to Learn

Technology skills in teaching seem to be a very personal thing to most instructors. Some of us find it second nature and others dread the thought of even checking E-mail. The phenomena of actual fear among my colleagues as it pertained to using technology struck me as odd at first.

Here is a college educated person, who puts themselves in a classroom everyday with a couple dozen students and performs magic; brought to their knees by a computer, a simple household item that most kids remember aways having!

But then I figured it out, we as a profession have a very strong dislike for NOT knowing something.

As we begin our journey out of the abyss, I thought our first stop should be to a web site (yes I thought it practical we actual use technology in our expedition J ). This site, Power to Learn is sponsored by Cablevision. I thought this would be a good place to start because how can we hate TV?

You will find a variety of very helpful items about teaching with technology on this site. If you are still a little queasy about the Internet a great article http://www.powertolearn.com/internet_smarts/index.shtml is a must read.

Let me know what you think!

Mike

My own sense of purpose has been enhanced greatly by teaching and if you are reading this you are either being forced to as part of an excellent class assignment or your own interest in teaching has provided a path for you to join me here. In either case please feel welcome and jump in at any point you care to.

Many people go into teaching to make a difference in the world. All of our real life heroes as well as our real life villains have in part, among other things, been the product of all of their teachers. If we stop and think of what that means it is amazing. Most of us who have dared to teach have experienced the moments of discovery that occur when their students “get it”. That look and that feeling alone is sometimes better then a paycheck.

As I was studying for my masters in education at the University of Central Florida, I was given a fabulous chance to teach at a local high school. The opportunity was greatly enhanced by the fact that I was given the gift of several experienced teachers as mentors. What I quickly found out was that many of our most tenured teachers were remarkably behind in their knowledge of how to apply technology in the classroom. While I was there I enjoyed many opportunities to learn, but some of the most fulfilling times were spent teaching the teachers.

I think that what propelled all this excitement was the realization that if I could change the world by teaching 100 students at a time, what would the possibilities be if I could teach something to 100 teachers who were then able to reach 100 students each? THAT my esteemed friends and colleagues, is changing the world!

So by coupling my loves of teaching and learning with my other loves of gadgetry and technology I launch this blog to;

• Help myself to learn more about the needs of classroom teachers on all levels
• Provide a place to meet friends and develop professional relationships
• Enhance the skills of educators
• And yes, in my very small way, change the world
  

Thanks for coming along for the ride out of the Abyss!

MJN