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.

Blogs Being Used Internationally by Schools and Teachers

This blog belongs to Menengai High School located in the Rift Valley Province in Kenya. The school is located in Nakuru Town and has a student population of about 1600 students. The school does a number of subjects such as mathematics, languages, humanities, arts, etc..
The site restricts usage to members, but I was glad to know that these kids are being exposed to modern technology and the resources it provides.

Located in Bali, Indonesia the Green School at the campus of Kul-Kul, serves more than 100 students from preschool through year eight. Their curriculum combines demanding academic content taught through a holistic approach that aims to inspire and enhance all of a child's capacities. Their goal is to "foster a spirit of inquiry and love of learning that prepares children to thrive in the challenging, complex 21st century world". Each classroom has it's own blog. For instance if you wanted to look at the blog page for preschool or year1-2, they are accessible from the homepage. Another very impressive blog.

Schools and Teachers in the U.S. Using Blogs

In my search for a school are teacher using blogs in K-12th grade, I came across the Class blog for an AP Biology class at Appleton High School in Appleton, Wisconsin. The instructor, Elissa Hoffman, wanted her students to "become fluent in online learning and discussion". She and her students have posted articles, research, photos and videos. Ms. Hoffman invites anyone that has an area of expertise, research or a career associated with Biology, to share their thoughts with her students.

This next blog belongs to Marian County Day School, located in San Francisco, California. MCDS is an independent K-8th coed day school enrolling around 540 students on its 35 acre campus. The school's mission "asks children to become skilled learners and ethical human beings, motivated to make a difference in the world". This is one of the best, if not the best, blog I've seen in reference to a school. To say I was impressed in an "understatement". There is a stories section,you can also listen to African American Folk Tales told by students. You're sure to enjoy this school's blog.