Using iPods in Education

Introduced by Apple in 2001, iPods are the top selling media devices in the United States. Many hold anywhere from 20,000 to 40,000 songs, as well as enables the owner to watch movies, videos, play games, etc... The easy to use features, along with the amount of storage capacity also contribute to the popularity of the iPod. As of late, iPods are being used in the education arena to establish their benefits as a learning tool.
In order to "encourage creative uses of technology in education and campus life", Duke University gave 1600 Freshmen 20GB iPods in August of 2004. The Center for Instructional Technology formulated a study to evaluate how the iPods were used academically and their benefits. The results of that study stated that iPods; reduced the need for physical material for both faculty and students, lessened visits to the library and labs in search of resource material, useful for recording purposes, increased student interest and participation, and "enhanced support for individual learning preferences and needs." iPods are not just being used on the college level.
Mrs. Vanessa Levin, a ESL Pre-Kindergarten teacher in Dallas/ Fort Worth, Texas. has created a web site entitled, "pre-kpages" which is geared toward educators and parents of young children. There is a page on the site, "Using iPods in the Early Childhood Classroom", where Mrs. Levins discusses ways in which the iPod is an effective tool in the classroom. Tips on how to use the iPod in various phases of the curriculum along with creative ideas are given. This is a great site to visit.

Dr. Alice Christie's Educational Technology Guide

Dr. Alice A. Christie, a President Professor Emeritus at Arizona State University. She also earned a Ph. D. in Educational Technology and Language and Literacy from Arizona State. Dr. Christie travels nationally and internationally speaking and conducting workshops on "how technology can enhance teaching and learning." Her website is designed to assist educators with the integration of technology in their classrooms. The site consists of sections with instructions on how to teach searching the web, web design, as well as a gallery of Dr. Christies' photos and her publications. The section that caught my interest was Educational Technology which aids teachers instructing K - 12. Before going any further, you are asked to view Dr. Christie's video "We Are All Co-Learners".
This video presents insight on how productive Dr. Christie's classes are. Her combination of interns, students (usually middle school), and teachers together in a class, is a brilliant idea, whereas the outcome is beneficial to all involved. I was really impressed with the fact that the students work closely with the teachers teaching them what they have learned.
The Educational Technology page, provided resources, optional links, and examples on topics such as, Discovering Art in a Web 2.0 World, Educational Portals, Emerging Technologies, Internet Safety, Multimedia, and Podcasting, just to name a few.
As a future educator, this is another useful site providing resourceful information useful in many technological ways. When needing assistance with technology in the classroom, not only will this site be of use to me, but also to my students.

Wikipedia-How reliable is it?

For those not familiar with Wikipedia, it's basically an online "encyclopedia" used by millions of people daily. Whether information is needed on a person, place, or thing, it can be found on Wikipedia. Students find this site especially useful when seeking information for reports and research papers. The question is, how reliable a source is Wikipedia?
Due to the fact that the site is maintained by its users (the general public), "anyone can edit" the information on Wikipedia, which has put the website under a microscope. The facts entered into the site are not verified. To find out who was changing the information, a graduate student at the California Institute of Technology, Virgil Griffith, created the Wikipedia Scanner. The scanner is able to trace the IP address of the person(s) changing information. It was discovered that the majority of people doing the editing, are those who have a personal interest at stake. For instance, an IP address was traced back to Walmart after someone changed information about wages and a statement made by the owner of Walmart, from negative to positive. Famous political figures along with large well known companies, have been known to change any information not in their favor, to more favorable. In light of this develop, if using Wikipedia, it is wise to consult a couple more sources to make sure the information is correct.

Randy Pausch's "Last Lecture"

Randy Pausch, a professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, passed away on July 25, 2008. Mr. Pausch's "Last Lecture: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams", has become a world wide phenomenon. The "Last Lecture", which really was his last lecture, has inspired the lives of millions. The lecture is broken down into three parts: My Childhood Dreams, Enabling the Dreams of Others, and Lesson Learned.
Throughout the lecture, Mr. Pausch speaks of the wisdom acquired through personal experiences as well as that which was obtained from others. Here are a few of the numerous valid points made by Mr. Pausch which affected me deeply.
On our quest to reach our goals, we will encounter "brick walls". The brick walls, according to Pausch, are there for several reasons. For one, "they let us prove how badly we want things. They also stop the people who don't want things bad enough". Pausch also said that "experience is what you get, when you didn't get what you wanted. Wait long enough and people will surprise you." Pausch advise to not complain and work harder. Be adamant and diligent in the pursuit of your dreams.
In reference to being an educator, he points out that roles are sometime reversed and teachers learn from their students. Let children excel. While teaching his Building Virtual Worlds course, his students didn't use text books, all projects being hands on.
These are just a few of the many valuable points touched on by Mr. Pausch. As a future educator, I hope to play a vital part in my student's lives. I want them to "believe" they can accomplish their dreams, just not here some one tell them they can. Enhance their confidence and provide them with the skills they need in order to climb over or knock down the "brick walls" they are faced with.

Customer Service

For those of you reading this blog for the first time, Karl Fisch is the Director of Technology at Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colorado. The Fischbowl is a "Staff Development Blog For Arapahoe High School Teachers Exploring Constructivism And 21st Century Learning Skills". On this blog, Karl Fisch promotes the importance of "everyone" being technologically literate. His post from Best? Post of 2007- the month of May-Best: Customer Service, caught my eye because I worked in "customer service" for a rental car company for several years.
Mr. Fisch begins by asking the reader to watch the video that inspired him to write the post. The video is basically a tape recorded conversation between a customer and a customer service representative for Hewlett Packard. Not only does the customer not resolve his issue, the call is disconnected. Basically, he received poor customer service. Mr. Fisch takes the concept of "customer service" and applies it to his position as primary tech support person at Arapahoe High School.
Because he is constantly busy, Mr. Fisch admits that when a teacher or student comes to him with a problem, instead of teaching them how to solve the problem them selves, he solves it for them. In doing so, he admits to hindering them in the enhancement of their "technological literacy".
As usual, Mr. Fisch started me to thinking. As a future educator, I began to view my prospective students as customers. In committing myself to their success, I must be knowledgeable and comfortable in the use of all tools available to enhance the learning experience.

The two Podcasts that I listened to were: "Useful Web Sites For Elementary Teachers" by Shyane Fant, Erica Sledge, and Ashley Cleveland which "[takes] a look at a variety of web sites that could be useful to elementary school teachers",and "Can You Tube Be Used For Educational Purposes?" by Adrienne Lynch, Joylyn Reese, and Brian Stevens, were both nicely done.
In preparation of my own podcast, choosing a topic that is both informative and resourceful, with accessible and manageable tools, will be the main objective. The next step will be to develop a detailed and organized method in which to present the information. Making sure I'm well acquainted with the information,having a clear concise knowledge, is important to the success of the podast.
Staying on point, and creating a constant flow allows the listener to comprehend the information being presented. Moving from point to point giving only vague details about each, leaves the listener dazed and confused. Also, important names and addresses(websites} will need to be repeated to make sure the listener was able to get them.
My goal is to inform or better inform listeners on whatever topic I choose to present. I want the listener to be glad that he/she took the time to listen to my podcast.

Podcasts

The first podcast that I listened to was "SMARTBoard Lessons 148". This episode discussed the Top 10 ways to use the SMARTBoard and other technological tools in the classroom. Ben Hazzard and Joan Badger, the host of the program, were joined by guest who were all in different cities and states. Questions from teachers who use SMARTBoard in the classroom had been sent in, and the group attempted to supply answers. The "harmless and carefree" banner that exists between the two hosts, lends humor to the podcast while delivering resourceful information. The second podcast was "Kidcast #53-Podcasting the Field Trip by Dan Schmit. I found his idea of "re-energizing the field trip" very interesting. He introduced several ideas and concepts that would enhance the experience more academically.
"Connect Learning" featured an episode with David Warlick conducting a workshop on Web 2.0 April 3, 2008. The educators present were all affiliated with a program that serviced children in an institutional or transient program. The teachers were given the opportunity to stand and give their reason for the "advantages of having technology" available to their students. The same sentiments were echoed again and again. "Students would gain a sense of "individualism" in being able to create blogs and podcast. Being able to explore using technology would enhance the learning experience give students an incentive to want to come to school. Children need to exposed to technology because of its' importance in society.
The podcast "Ed Talk" episode 19, Parents as Partners, consist of parents (all professionally employed in technological fields)discussing ways in which parents can support their children in the 21st century school setting. Tips were offered on how to better educated parents so that they may be technologically inclined. "MacBreak Weekly" episode 126 were discussing the Flash becoming available on the i-phone. along with their "Tech" picks of the week. "This Week in Photography" features topics dealing with every aspect of photography. This week's episodes discussed the Nikon SDK development kit and a senator wanting to pass a bill requiring all camera phones to click when a photo is taken.
I'll admit that I had never her of podcast until having to post this blog. Before listening to any of the above mentioned, I familiarized myself with podcast. All the podcast that I listened to were very informing and well delivered. I look forward to creating my own.

Is It Okay To Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?

"Is It Okay To Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?" posted by Karl Fisch, (photo on left} on his blog ""The Fischbowl" in September of 2007, should be read by every educator and potential educator. It's obvious why this post won the EDUBlog Award for "most influential post" in 2007. Mr. Fisch uses a "no holds bared" approach in blatantly stating what can know longer be ignored. [IT IS NOT OKAY FOR A TEACHER TO BE TECHNOLOGICALLY ILLITERATE]
Mr. Fisch composed a list of suggested standards in which he believes educators should adhere to. The first standard listed "All educators must achieve a basic level of technological capability" is not really an option in today's academic setting. The technological resources available to both teachers and students, is limitless. There are now so many innovative ways in which to enhance a child's learning experience, therefore giving teachers new ways in which to present it.
Another standard suggested by Mr. Fisch was the third one, which states "We should finally drop the myth of digital natives and digital immigrants." He goes on to say, immigrants become natives after they've been in the country for a given number of years. Personal computers have been around for nerarly 30 years. People have yet to realize that "technology is part of life, not an add-on". I feel we need to all wake up and smell the coffee. In a world that is "technologically inclined", if we don't "incline our minds", we're surely to be left behind.
Though I could go on and on, one last fact that Mr. Fisch mentions which rings true, is that the majority of people who are technologically illiterate think it's okay. I feel those people are living in a fantasy world. Not only in the academic world is it important to have "basic technological capabilities", but the average "career(s)" are based around or soon will be based around technology in some form or another.