Social Networking

Social networking seems to be more than a way to make friends and share personal interests, it looks to be a way to improve professional practice. I would have never thought about joining a chat group or community to talk about education.

I know I am old, but man...I am also out of touch. I went on Facebook today and set up page and an account with "I am a teacher" group. I will check back to see what the discussion group is talking about and evaluate how useful it will be to my life and practice. Keeping an open mind for now, but this could be a total time waster if not used appropriately.

Equity with Technology

Tonights class was great. I really appreciated what Steve had to say. It really made me rethink technology in my building.

We are very out dated when it comes to all manner of technology. We have no document cameras and yet somehow we teach. I would love to see new things come, but like he pointed out, without training and good tech support we would be in the same boat we are now, but only poorer for the unwise investment.

I was excited to hear about the FREE training opportunity in the summer. I think with some careful investment and a little training, we might be off in running. At least I can dream.

Until the final budgets are out, we may have to hock scrip to keep the lights on let a lone buy document cameras.

Web Pages

I am really interested in learning more about web pages. I would like to be able to do something neat with my school, but I really don't know much about it. I think I would like to do my project with something to do with a web design. It could really make a difference in the communication we have with parents and the community.

Tonight when we were using weebly, I really got excited about the possibilities.

On another note....I am starting to get inspired to make technology more meaningful to how I really work and live. Looking around and learning, I realize there are amazing tools and sites that can have a real application to teaching in the classroom, communicating ideas and inspiring children to apply their learning in creative original ways.

Wow What a Lot of Information

After tonight my head is spinning. So much was said, from Todd's rapid fire intro to Paul's years of experience and advice. I don't really know if it is all in there. I saved some nuggets by visiting a few sites when they were mentioned, but I feel like I went on over load. Maybe it has been a long week, but whew! that was a lot.

I really valued all the information Paul shared. To know so much and to be self taught really says a lot. I hope Todd provides the highlights to go with my notes!!!

One of the useful sites I saw was the Gutenberg.org web site. I can't believe all those great works are free and can be down loaded both to the computer and to the blackberry. Technology has changed so much that I feel like a dinosaur and it is information like tonight that lets me catch up a little. I don't have the time or the expertize to find this myself, so this great to be spoon fed a little!!! Thanks Todd and Paul.

The video technology presentation was fantastic! It was really great to see such expert student work. These students are not just learning the basics, they are being inspired to create and to make learning meaningful and a vehicle, not just something dry - imposed by adults who know nothing of their hopes and dreams. Incredible, students who go beyond their teachers to the point where they are the leaders and teachers!!!

Sugata Mitra Response

The Sigata Mitra video reminded me of Afghanistan, but not in the way that students presented with technology suddenly knew how to use it without learning English. In Afghanistan well meaning coalition forces and world charity organization brought computers and other forms of technology into work places with the hope that it would improve lives. For the most part, without significant instruction, they were useless dust catchers. If they were given classes and they had some English skills, they could do very limited operations. They were very smart people, but technology without guidance does nothing. Even if they saw us use it, they really did not understand how it works.

Similar to teaching them to use American weapon systems, they could aim and point, but understanding how it works and the need to maintain it (keep it clean) seemed to be lost in translation. I believe technology can help, but training and the understanding of a common language is the underlying foundation needed to make it meaningful and to change lives.

Thoughts About Technology

What I like about technology is that it is somewhat addictive and oh so satisfying for a time. I remember when I had my first computer and it was a Texas Instrument and hooked to my t.v. Well I guess even farther back my first pong game. It was exciting! It was new and I was completely horrible at it, yet I fell in love with it immediately. I was hooked and I was immediately a regular user. Yes I tried to stop, but the highs were just too good. Old TI lost it's magic and moved up to a regular computer and a printer that had paper that had to be fed from a box. It was good for a while, but I had heard about Ink Jet and couldn't wait to try it. Before long I was on to a cordless phone and a cell phone the size of my shoe, I didn't mind it was all so good and new. The trouble with that was that the fix was never enough. There was always something out there to buy or upgrade to. I was a junky. What I hate about technology is that it is totally addictive.