In the past several years, the annual MBEA conferences that I attended have shared many Web 2.0 tools. I have tried several in my planning and added several to my classes. The reading this week from Chapter 10 covered some I already knew about and introduced me to several new ones but going into the listing of tools is Chapter 11 was exciting to me. Since starting the MET program, I have been able to learn more of the sites that I had heard about in the conferences. It takes time to learn how to use these tools and decide how to use in the classroom. I think because I "have" to use the programs as a student, I can justify spending the time it takes.
I teach a class this semester called "Technology Communications". This is our second computer class and I try to incorporate some desktop publishing, presentation sites, a little of web design and I am really kind of free to try anything that involves using technology to communicate. With that basis, the course content can be adjusted as I find new tools to add - one of the reasons Chapter 11 was exciting for me. My students are adding word clouds to their desktop publishing documents and using various sites for presentations - more advanced PowerPoint skills, PhotoStory, Prezi, MovieMaker, photo collages, Voki, etc.
After looking at the sites discussed from our reading this week, I decided I wanted to try one of the tools to be used for blogging or discussions. I've experimented with Edmodo and Moodle. Our school has Edline for class management which has a discussion option. For this assignment, I decided to try the PBWorks site. I set up a site and invited a colleague to be my "student" to see if I could get it to work. I was able to set up a discussion case study and she was able to respond. I would like to be able to get some type of discussion board set up for my Entrepreneurship class next year. I am hoping to incorporate case studies into the class and I think this would be a good real world experience for my students. We are going to try to have alumni in business work some with the class and it would be a great benefit if they could be involved in the discussion. Using an online tool like this would include all students, even those who are hesitant to participate in the classroom.
While researching uses of PBWorks, I also found a sample of a teacher who used it for online classes.
http://cappello.pbworks.com/w/page/11284393/FrontPage
Next year, I know that I will be teaching Accounting 2 as an independent study and this could be the option I need to work with that student.
Another example I found for this tool was a teacher colloboration site. Lessons were shared for all the teachers in a school on the site. This is a great way for all teachers to contribute and all students to have a variety of lessons presented .
http://mrswilchersprekclass.pbworks.com/w/page/21832740/FrontPage
Friday, February 22, 2013
Twitter Chatting
Before I jumped in and participated in a Twitter Chat, I decided to observe one a few days earlier. I observed a #flipclass chat and was surprised at the speed of the comments. It moved very quickly and seemed like there were several different conversations going on. It made it a little difficult to follow but I am glad I tried the experience as an observer before I became a participant.
The chat I choose to participate in was the #1to1techat which meets on Wednesday nights. I chose that group because I was hoping to gain some insight on being in a 1:1 classroom. This week's chat was about distractions in a 1:1 classroom and some possible solutions - exactly a topic I was looking for. It took me a while to get up to speed with the conversation. I would get interested in a conversation going on, follow it and then forget to respond or if I responded, would forget the #. I guess that is just a learning curve in using this tool. The participants seemed to all be truly encouraging about the 1:1 environment and offered several helpful ideas for me. They also talked about some of the same issues that I was concerned with, which made me think that I may be on the right track.
Discussions were about what constituted a distraction due to technology over distractions that aren't related to technology. Kids have been distracted in class forever - things are just changing. Possible solutions/consequences were shared. Most schools seem to have some type of discipline for misuse of technology already in place before the 1:1 classroom so it just involves some fine tuning of current policies. One of the main things discussed was that regardless of what causes a distraction, classroom management by the teacher is still important. Teachers with effective classroom management skills will adjust to incorporating 1:1. I picked up several ideas and will use them as I try to adjust to my 1:1 classes.
I used TweetDeck to follow the chat. I preview TwitterChat but went with what I already knew this time. I think that if I learn to use the TwitterChat site it might be easier for me to follow and respond. Also I think I just need to learn to use Twitter more.
The chat I choose to participate in was the #1to1techat which meets on Wednesday nights. I chose that group because I was hoping to gain some insight on being in a 1:1 classroom. This week's chat was about distractions in a 1:1 classroom and some possible solutions - exactly a topic I was looking for. It took me a while to get up to speed with the conversation. I would get interested in a conversation going on, follow it and then forget to respond or if I responded, would forget the #. I guess that is just a learning curve in using this tool. The participants seemed to all be truly encouraging about the 1:1 environment and offered several helpful ideas for me. They also talked about some of the same issues that I was concerned with, which made me think that I may be on the right track.
Discussions were about what constituted a distraction due to technology over distractions that aren't related to technology. Kids have been distracted in class forever - things are just changing. Possible solutions/consequences were shared. Most schools seem to have some type of discipline for misuse of technology already in place before the 1:1 classroom so it just involves some fine tuning of current policies. One of the main things discussed was that regardless of what causes a distraction, classroom management by the teacher is still important. Teachers with effective classroom management skills will adjust to incorporating 1:1. I picked up several ideas and will use them as I try to adjust to my 1:1 classes.
I used TweetDeck to follow the chat. I preview TwitterChat but went with what I already knew this time. I think that if I learn to use the TwitterChat site it might be easier for me to follow and respond. Also I think I just need to learn to use Twitter more.
Friday, February 8, 2013
Blog Post #4 - Social networking
I think this week's activity was a little more difficult for me. I know the social networking sites are extremely popular and many of my friends and colleagues use them. It is something that I just haven't got into. I don't Facebook and until this class, no Twitter. I do have a LinkedIn account but I don't use it that much. I think the closest thing that I use on a regular basis is being a member of the MBEA listserv. I definitely check in on those emails daily and correspond with other teachers by asking for help or answering requests from others.
For this assignment, I have requested to join a Ning. Something completely new to me. The Ning I joined is ipadeducators.ning.com. I am always on the lookout for any help I can get on ways to incorporate using the iPads in the classroom. Even though my request is still pending, I have been able to search through and begin to learn from others. This site has a weekly discussion and this week's topic is "What is your ideal iPad lesson?" Several people have shared activities and apps that they are using in the classroom. I am excited about what I can learn from the members of this group. Other components included are blogs, apps suggestions, tips and news articles. Several of these components offer suggestions for different types of learners.
Based on the reading this week, I am interested in the idea of creating a Ning for my classes. Thinking ahead, I could see having a Ning for the new Entrepreneurship class could be a fun and interesting way for the students to participate in a dialog about creating businesses and case studies. I hope to learn more about these so I can present the option and get approval from my administration to use it next year. We'll just have to wait and see.
For this assignment, I have requested to join a Ning. Something completely new to me. The Ning I joined is ipadeducators.ning.com. I am always on the lookout for any help I can get on ways to incorporate using the iPads in the classroom. Even though my request is still pending, I have been able to search through and begin to learn from others. This site has a weekly discussion and this week's topic is "What is your ideal iPad lesson?" Several people have shared activities and apps that they are using in the classroom. I am excited about what I can learn from the members of this group. Other components included are blogs, apps suggestions, tips and news articles. Several of these components offer suggestions for different types of learners.
Based on the reading this week, I am interested in the idea of creating a Ning for my classes. Thinking ahead, I could see having a Ning for the new Entrepreneurship class could be a fun and interesting way for the students to participate in a dialog about creating businesses and case studies. I hope to learn more about these so I can present the option and get approval from my administration to use it next year. We'll just have to wait and see.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Networked Classroom - Blog Post #3
After reading this week's lecture and chapter from the book, I tried to think of what my classroom would be like if we became networked in the ways discussed. Of the benefits listed in the text, a couple stood out to me, especially the class being collaborative and learning centered. Both of these qualities I can see as a great way to teach students to start on being lifelong learners. Using collaborative tools, students would learn to work on a team and to learn from each other. By being networked, not only could students work in teams within the classroom, but it opens up the ability to work on teams outside of the classroom.
Being part of a networked classroom can also help students to explore and learn on their own. Teachers could become more of facilitators rather than the "expert" in the classroom. I know as a business/technology teacher, my subject matter is constantly changing and I can't possibly keep up on all the changes to be the one to answer all the questions. If my students have questions, using some of these networking tools, I would be able to help guide the students on how to find the answers. Hopefully, this could lead to them asking more questions and learning to dig a little deeper than only going to Google for all the answers. It would be great to teach them how to follow business leaders in society to keep up on the economic trends. For next year, I am developing a new Entrepreneurship class to be taught and I know I will need to use a network to help me - maybe the students and I will learn together.
I still have some concerns of putting my students out online without some safeguards in place. I know they are out there on their own, but if I require an online tool for my class, I feel some responsibility for their safety. Maybe because I teach at a private school and we have the Archdiocese making some of our guidelines I feel somewhat overcautious. I think by learning to use some of the privacy options available, I would feel better. I just know how so many teenagers think that nothing bad will ever happen to them and I would really want to be sure I have done everything I can to make it secure for my students.
I guess it is all about weighing what is best for our students' learning. I want them to know there is more to the world than where they are right now and I want them to be prepared to function in a global environment.
Being part of a networked classroom can also help students to explore and learn on their own. Teachers could become more of facilitators rather than the "expert" in the classroom. I know as a business/technology teacher, my subject matter is constantly changing and I can't possibly keep up on all the changes to be the one to answer all the questions. If my students have questions, using some of these networking tools, I would be able to help guide the students on how to find the answers. Hopefully, this could lead to them asking more questions and learning to dig a little deeper than only going to Google for all the answers. It would be great to teach them how to follow business leaders in society to keep up on the economic trends. For next year, I am developing a new Entrepreneurship class to be taught and I know I will need to use a network to help me - maybe the students and I will learn together.
I still have some concerns of putting my students out online without some safeguards in place. I know they are out there on their own, but if I require an online tool for my class, I feel some responsibility for their safety. Maybe because I teach at a private school and we have the Archdiocese making some of our guidelines I feel somewhat overcautious. I think by learning to use some of the privacy options available, I would feel better. I just know how so many teenagers think that nothing bad will ever happen to them and I would really want to be sure I have done everything I can to make it secure for my students.
I guess it is all about weighing what is best for our students' learning. I want them to know there is more to the world than where they are right now and I want them to be prepared to function in a global environment.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
DC Trip
Well - I survived my DC trip. We loaded the bus at 6 on Wed, after a rally in St. Louis, finally left St. Louis at 11 pm and arrived in DC on Thursday at 7 pm. I was on a bus full of freshmen/sophomore girls. After attending speakers, 3 masses, marching in the snow for an hour, touring sites, riding the metro and finding a 4-story Forever 21 store (I think the girls' favorite thing), we loaded up the bus again Sat nite at 10 pm and got back about 3 this afternoon. My principal told me to come in late tomorrow since I have 1st period prep and I am taking her up on the offer. It will be so nice to actually lay down in a bed tonight.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Blogging About Twitter (Post Assignment #2)
I am a little ahead of the game this week, but I will be as Sheldon says "AFK" (for you Big Bang Theory fans). I leave tomorrow evening with 82 students to head to DC until Sunday (sleeping on the bus there and back). I don't have a SmartPhone and am not taking my iPad, but if I get a chance somehow, I will tweet from DC.
This week's assignment has been my first experience with Twitter. I think that this tool may be something that may take me a while to figure out the benefits. I know that Twitter is now the communcation tool of choice for my high school students - sometimes too much. Since our students can BYOD, it is difficult sometimes to keep them on task instead of using Twitter throughout class. Incorporating Twitter into the purpose of the class is a goal that I need to work on so that it is effective and not a distraction. By following the 6 Tips given in this week's reading, I think I can work towards that goal.
I really liked the idea of a Tweetstory. I can see that as possibly working on a story and projecting on the Apple TV when students receive tweets to add to the story. I see a lesson plan in my head now. Because the business world and our economy is constantly changing, I think the updates from the Federal Reserve and some of the financial education sites will help me keep my lessons current. I always try to give the students current information so when they hear the economy being discussed on the news, they can relate it to what we are doing in class.
I think for me at this point, I will probably be using Twitter more for professional connections. I know following our state department chairperson will offer me more information and connections than I have time to read. The Business Education section of the Twitter4Teachers Wiki also seems to have a lot of resources.
Setting up the TweetDeck, I can tell already that I am really going to use. With it open, I immediately see a tweet and can tell if it is something I need to follow now, or it can wait to later to follow up on. I also like the Timeline column. It just seems so much neater to me than going to the Twitter site.
Overall, I think it will take me a while to get used to using Twitter and I try to think about what I would Twitter that other people would want to know. I'm sure the more I make my self use it, the easier it will be for me to see the benefits. So I'm looking forward to adding one more tool to my teaching toolbox.
Since I need to keep my Twitter account private, please request to follow me @ebfelty and I will accept your request. Thanks to those who have already requested. Be watching for my tweets from DC. And pray that we have good weather - it's supposed to snow and be below freezing so I need to go pack my wool socks and mittens!
This week's assignment has been my first experience with Twitter. I think that this tool may be something that may take me a while to figure out the benefits. I know that Twitter is now the communcation tool of choice for my high school students - sometimes too much. Since our students can BYOD, it is difficult sometimes to keep them on task instead of using Twitter throughout class. Incorporating Twitter into the purpose of the class is a goal that I need to work on so that it is effective and not a distraction. By following the 6 Tips given in this week's reading, I think I can work towards that goal.
I really liked the idea of a Tweetstory. I can see that as possibly working on a story and projecting on the Apple TV when students receive tweets to add to the story. I see a lesson plan in my head now. Because the business world and our economy is constantly changing, I think the updates from the Federal Reserve and some of the financial education sites will help me keep my lessons current. I always try to give the students current information so when they hear the economy being discussed on the news, they can relate it to what we are doing in class.
I think for me at this point, I will probably be using Twitter more for professional connections. I know following our state department chairperson will offer me more information and connections than I have time to read. The Business Education section of the Twitter4Teachers Wiki also seems to have a lot of resources.
Setting up the TweetDeck, I can tell already that I am really going to use. With it open, I immediately see a tweet and can tell if it is something I need to follow now, or it can wait to later to follow up on. I also like the Timeline column. It just seems so much neater to me than going to the Twitter site.
Overall, I think it will take me a while to get used to using Twitter and I try to think about what I would Twitter that other people would want to know. I'm sure the more I make my self use it, the easier it will be for me to see the benefits. So I'm looking forward to adding one more tool to my teaching toolbox.
Since I need to keep my Twitter account private, please request to follow me @ebfelty and I will accept your request. Thanks to those who have already requested. Be watching for my tweets from DC. And pray that we have good weather - it's supposed to snow and be below freezing so I need to go pack my wool socks and mittens!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
EDET543 - Blog Post #1
After reading the first two chapters, I am finding a couple of things. One thing is how much things have changed since my first teaching experience in 1983. As fast as technology is changing now, I think I have learned more in the last 5 years than in all the years before. I wonder what changes those of you who are just beginning your careers will see. Will you be fighting to keep blogs and twitter accounts like some of us veterans are fighting to keep our paper copies instead of going digital? And now I want to keep a laptop instead having to do everything on my iPad too.
I feel fortunate that in Missouri, we have a very strong state business education department that is an extremely useful network of teachers. Our listserv keeps us connected daily. We share articles, websites, resources and use it daily to ask questions of other teachers around the state. Today I connected with another teacher about course offerings and curriculum that we are both working on for next year. Our state supervisor does an amazing job of connecting with us through her blog and twitter account to share resources and information about our discipline. This network is great because not only do we use technology to communicate but it is great to finally meet people at the conferences that you feel like you already know.
The tools discussed in Chapter 2 (that we are all quickly learning to use) can provide so much information. I checked the copyright of the book which is 2011 and find it interesting how even since then, Twitter has become more of the communication tool of choice for my high school students. I think they even use it more than Facebook now. Since I have set up my twitter account, it has spread all over school that I have the account! They want to follow me but I am setting my account to private. I am trying to explain to them that I can get to all of their tweets and so can anyone else. I can tell I am going to have to spend time teaching the proper way to use these tools for learning. After setting up my Diigo account last semester - I love having the lists and organization. I guess based on the length of this post, I am kind of getting into the idea of blogging. I feel like I am just "getting started" and I know that I am "jumping in". As fast as technology is changing, if you are not a lifelong learner, you may be left behind.
I feel fortunate that in Missouri, we have a very strong state business education department that is an extremely useful network of teachers. Our listserv keeps us connected daily. We share articles, websites, resources and use it daily to ask questions of other teachers around the state. Today I connected with another teacher about course offerings and curriculum that we are both working on for next year. Our state supervisor does an amazing job of connecting with us through her blog and twitter account to share resources and information about our discipline. This network is great because not only do we use technology to communicate but it is great to finally meet people at the conferences that you feel like you already know.
The tools discussed in Chapter 2 (that we are all quickly learning to use) can provide so much information. I checked the copyright of the book which is 2011 and find it interesting how even since then, Twitter has become more of the communication tool of choice for my high school students. I think they even use it more than Facebook now. Since I have set up my twitter account, it has spread all over school that I have the account! They want to follow me but I am setting my account to private. I am trying to explain to them that I can get to all of their tweets and so can anyone else. I can tell I am going to have to spend time teaching the proper way to use these tools for learning. After setting up my Diigo account last semester - I love having the lists and organization. I guess based on the length of this post, I am kind of getting into the idea of blogging. I feel like I am just "getting started" and I know that I am "jumping in". As fast as technology is changing, if you are not a lifelong learner, you may be left behind.
Here We Go!
Well, here is my first attempt at blogging. I sure hope I am on the right track. I am curious as to how this is going to work for me but excited to give it a try! Have to go grade 100 tests now - but watch for more exciting news in the near future. I can already tell that this may be something I can get into!
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