This final week of the course has not been difficult, but rather time consuming. I did learn some interesting information that I can currently use in my place of work. This week were asked to complete our text readings and view videos as we usually do, but also to reflect on everything we have learned in this course. Below, I will reflect on the text and video that I learned the most from.
Choice Video:
I really enjoyed viewing Big Thinkers: James Paul Gee on Video Games from Edutopia.org. Many of the ideas that James Paul Gee mentioned helped me to understand why both of my children are excelling academically in ways that I never did. He spoke of how he learned to play a video game by trying it out first and then referring back the manual if he had questions. He suggested that this is way that teachers should offer information to students. Use text books as references, not as a sole means of instruction (Edutopia.org, nd). Gee also proposed that “games do not separate learning and assessment” (Edutopia.org, nd). How true! If students are constantly being taught and assessed when the play video games, shouldn’t we ask educators also mimic this type of learning strategy? We no longer have lecture and then and out a written test. Allow their projects, collaboration, explorations and so on, assess their learning.
Choice Text:
The section of reading that I absorbed most this week was from Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works. The authors expressed that we as educators should use the instructional strategy of reinforcing effort enhances students’ understanding of the relationship between effort and achievement by addressing their attitudes and beliefs about learning (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007). They also suggested the idea of using spreadsheets to allow students to monitor their own effort and learning. I feel that this type of strategy gives our students a “wake up call” and allows them to be held responsible for their own learning. This is a concept that not only our students can use, but also us as educators. We also need to regular monitor and assess our own efforts as well.
Shawntee’ Cowan
Reference
Edutopia.org. (nd). Big Thinkers: James Paul Gee on grading with games. Retrieved on March 26, 2011 from http://www.edutopia.org/digital-generation-james-gee-video
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenosksi, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Week 4: Teaching With Technology Course Reflection
This week we were asked again to read several texts and to view video content as a part of our assignment. In the paragraphs below, I will reflect on what I have learned from my studies.
Choice Reading:
The text that most inspired me the most this week was from Web 2.0: New Tools, New Schools. As an Instructional Technologist in my district, one of my responsibilities is to help facilitate a Professional Learning Community of elementary Technology Applications teachers. It has been deeply rewarding for me to see how this type of learning benefits each teacher. Solomon and Schrum suggest several tips to help keep our community actively collaborative and thriving through members’ participation that I find very useful (Solomon & Schrum, 2007, p 106). Of these tips, the one that I personally relate to the most was the concept of “having teachers share what they are doing on a regular basis” (Solomon and Scrum, 2007, p. 106). When surveying this same group of educators, the most common response that they benefit most when they are able to share their ideas. Each meeting time, we set aside time to for them to bring resources or lessons to share that they all can potentially use. We also spend time creating lessons that they can utilize in their classrooms. Hearing Solomon & Schrum’s perspectives about PLCs help reinforce that our group is moving in the right direction.
Choice Video:
I truly enjoyed viewing Project Learning: An Overview from Edutopia.org. Since I recently changed positions from a technology teacher to an Instructional Technologist, I am able to see the perspective from both sides of the fence. This video helped me to see how other schools are using technology and project-based learning to educate their students. As mentioned in the video, it is highly important to remember that our 21st students do not learn effectively from memorizing science facts, but now they mimic the work that the scientists actually do (Edutopia.org, nd.) This type of learning is so different from the way I learned as a child. Even as a technology teacher, I struggled with know how to implement project-based learning into my classroom. Because technology is rapidly changing, it is our role as educators and future administrators to ensure that we continue to challenge our students in a way that technology-rich and student-centered.
Shawntee’ Cowan
Reference
Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). Web 2.0 New tools, New schools. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education, 106.
Edutopia.org (nd). Project learning: An overview.
Retrieved Mar. 20, 2011 from http://www.edutopia.org/project-based-learning-overview
Choice Reading:
The text that most inspired me the most this week was from Web 2.0: New Tools, New Schools. As an Instructional Technologist in my district, one of my responsibilities is to help facilitate a Professional Learning Community of elementary Technology Applications teachers. It has been deeply rewarding for me to see how this type of learning benefits each teacher. Solomon and Schrum suggest several tips to help keep our community actively collaborative and thriving through members’ participation that I find very useful (Solomon & Schrum, 2007, p 106). Of these tips, the one that I personally relate to the most was the concept of “having teachers share what they are doing on a regular basis” (Solomon and Scrum, 2007, p. 106). When surveying this same group of educators, the most common response that they benefit most when they are able to share their ideas. Each meeting time, we set aside time to for them to bring resources or lessons to share that they all can potentially use. We also spend time creating lessons that they can utilize in their classrooms. Hearing Solomon & Schrum’s perspectives about PLCs help reinforce that our group is moving in the right direction.
Choice Video:
I truly enjoyed viewing Project Learning: An Overview from Edutopia.org. Since I recently changed positions from a technology teacher to an Instructional Technologist, I am able to see the perspective from both sides of the fence. This video helped me to see how other schools are using technology and project-based learning to educate their students. As mentioned in the video, it is highly important to remember that our 21st students do not learn effectively from memorizing science facts, but now they mimic the work that the scientists actually do (Edutopia.org, nd.) This type of learning is so different from the way I learned as a child. Even as a technology teacher, I struggled with know how to implement project-based learning into my classroom. Because technology is rapidly changing, it is our role as educators and future administrators to ensure that we continue to challenge our students in a way that technology-rich and student-centered.
Shawntee’ Cowan
Reference
Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). Web 2.0 New tools, New schools. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education, 106.
Edutopia.org (nd). Project learning: An overview.
Retrieved Mar. 20, 2011 from http://www.edutopia.org/project-based-learning-overview
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Week 3 Course Reflection: Teaching with Technology
This week’s assignments and requirements were very difficult for me. I am not impressed with the structure and immense amount of work that was required. There was so much information presented, that I found it very challenging to absorb it all. When asked to read so many different texts and view various different videos and complete an extremely time consuming assignment, it is nearly impossible to feel comfortable saying this week was a time of true learning. With that being said, I will now discuss some of the concepts that I was able to acquire.
Choice of Video:
The video that made the most impact for me was “Welcome to the Digital Generation”. The video helped reinforce why my current role as an Instructional Technologist is so important. When I visit classrooms where teachers are still trapped in the “old way of teaching”, I am reminded of how slighted the students are who are the receivers of this teaching style. The concept that “kids don’t look at instruction manuals, they just learn” speaks volumes (np). Students do not want to be lectured to, they want to discover, create and collaborate. The real task now is to find and offer ways for all educators to understand and practice the “new way of teaching” to today’s students.
Choice of Reading:
One reading that I related to the most was a section in Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works titled “Classroom Response Systems”. My district has recently contracted with a company called Promethean in order to purchase many different types of interactive equipment. One type of device that many of our teachers utilize is called ActivExpression clickers. These devices allow students to answer teacher provided questions simultaneously. This system also provides data that can exported into a spreadsheet to analyze and store for documentation. Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski encourage teachers to use student response systems in order to start discussions with students, inviting individuals to defend their answers (2007). This is a way to use these devices that I never thought to use. I plan on suggesting this information to the teachers that I train.
Shawntee’ Cowan
References
Edutopia.org (nd). Welcome to the digital generation. Retrieved on Mar. 13, 2011 from http://www.edutopia.org/digital-generation-project-overview-video
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E. R., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
Choice of Video:
The video that made the most impact for me was “Welcome to the Digital Generation”. The video helped reinforce why my current role as an Instructional Technologist is so important. When I visit classrooms where teachers are still trapped in the “old way of teaching”, I am reminded of how slighted the students are who are the receivers of this teaching style. The concept that “kids don’t look at instruction manuals, they just learn” speaks volumes (np). Students do not want to be lectured to, they want to discover, create and collaborate. The real task now is to find and offer ways for all educators to understand and practice the “new way of teaching” to today’s students.
Choice of Reading:
One reading that I related to the most was a section in Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works titled “Classroom Response Systems”. My district has recently contracted with a company called Promethean in order to purchase many different types of interactive equipment. One type of device that many of our teachers utilize is called ActivExpression clickers. These devices allow students to answer teacher provided questions simultaneously. This system also provides data that can exported into a spreadsheet to analyze and store for documentation. Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski encourage teachers to use student response systems in order to start discussions with students, inviting individuals to defend their answers (2007). This is a way to use these devices that I never thought to use. I plan on suggesting this information to the teachers that I train.
Shawntee’ Cowan
References
Edutopia.org (nd). Welcome to the digital generation. Retrieved on Mar. 13, 2011 from http://www.edutopia.org/digital-generation-project-overview-video
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E. R., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Web Conference Blog February 26, 2011
Blog for February 26, 2011
EDLD 5364 - Teaching with Technology
Diane Mason
11:00 AM
The web conference was frustrating when logging on. Dr. Mason’s voice would speed up and slow down constantly. This occurred the entire time. The hour was wasted time for me because I could not gain any information from it. I had to go back later on to listen to recording which added an additional hour to the web conference. In the future, I would be highly appreciative if this technical difficulty was rectified.
The information that I gained from this web conference is as follows:
-Apply your reflections to internship activities and connect it to things you’ve learned. It is wide open as to how you want to share it.
-There are two different projects-your unit/lesson and your team’s unit/lesson.
-Use your time to make sure that everyone’s unit goes together to make one whole project.
-Look at checklist of scenario to see what needs to be accomplished each week.
-Group members need to be in the same section.
-TK20 is due on March 28. Talk to IA to get more information it is for everyone in Lamar.
Shawntee’ Cowan
EDLD 5364 - Teaching with Technology
Diane Mason
11:00 AM
The web conference was frustrating when logging on. Dr. Mason’s voice would speed up and slow down constantly. This occurred the entire time. The hour was wasted time for me because I could not gain any information from it. I had to go back later on to listen to recording which added an additional hour to the web conference. In the future, I would be highly appreciative if this technical difficulty was rectified.
The information that I gained from this web conference is as follows:
-Apply your reflections to internship activities and connect it to things you’ve learned. It is wide open as to how you want to share it.
-There are two different projects-your unit/lesson and your team’s unit/lesson.
-Use your time to make sure that everyone’s unit goes together to make one whole project.
-Look at checklist of scenario to see what needs to be accomplished each week.
-Group members need to be in the same section.
-TK20 is due on March 28. Talk to IA to get more information it is for everyone in Lamar.
Shawntee’ Cowan
Blog Web Conference for December 9, 2010
My goal was to submit this post around the same time as I actually attended it, but because of extreme chaos of my life, I did not. However, it did find the notes from the blog. The information for the blog is as follows:
Tonight I attended a web conference with Dr. Abernathy and Cindy Cummings for my Digital Graphics course. The final week of the course was discussed. We are to write our course-embedded reflection about the needs of diverse learners. We also discussed we should continue to keep up with reflections for all of our upcoming courses.
Shawntee' Cowan
Tonight I attended a web conference with Dr. Abernathy and Cindy Cummings for my Digital Graphics course. The final week of the course was discussed. We are to write our course-embedded reflection about the needs of diverse learners. We also discussed we should continue to keep up with reflections for all of our upcoming courses.
Shawntee' Cowan
Friday, December 17, 2010
Digital Graphics Course Reflection
During this Digital Graphics assignment I was able to gain new information as well as review prior knowledge. When creating a newsletter, which was a requirement in this course, I was given the opportunity to grasp a better understanding of the importance of a well planned layout. Personal branding and logos are also new pieces of information that I enjoyed learning about. LeaLea’s article titled “The Art of Self Branding” informed me that “essentially, a brand is and idea and perceived value formed by its intended audience based on a company’s culture, product, and service” (Alcantra, 2009). I discovered that the act of creating my own logo was challenging, but incredibly fun. I truly enjoyed seeing how this logo fit into my newsletter.
Another concept that I experienced more in depth was utilizing the element of alignment. Dr. John Yearwood from Lamar University defines alignment as “the attribute of arranging every element in a design to conform to some kind of horizontal and vertical visual relationship with other elements in the design” (Dr. John Yearwood, 2009). This assignment has made me more cognizant of implementing this element into all of my products.
I was able to assess my own learning during this assignment by using the rubric that was provided for this course. As I created by newsletter, I was careful to include the requirements necessary to meet the needs of this assignment.
The main three strategies that I used to complete this assignment were to first choose a topic that I was already familiar with and that I was excited about. Next, “Start by identifying your audience and determining their common needs and interests” as stated in an article titled “Planning Newsletters” (Lamb, 2005). Lastly, include my peers in the review process so that I could have insight from multiple pairs of eyes. I was able to use Skype and email as tools to collaborate with some of my cohorts in order to learn more about software that we use and give suggestions and advice for our work.
The skills that I gained during this assignment will impact my future learning. I was able to reinforce my knowledge of desktop publishing skills so that the presentations, documents, newsletters and training materials that I created will reflect the design elements and principles.
I have also established deeper relationships with some of my colleagues that I will foster in the future. Just knowing other individuals who have experienced similar experiences with graduate school, will allow me to be able to when facing challenges outside of these courses.
In this newsletter, we were asked to link our animations to the assignment. Animation is a media that I would like to learn more about. Although it is fascinating, it requires a great amount of time and precision. I would like to research and learn more about possible software and classroom uses.
References:
Dr. John Yearwood, P. A. (2009). Basic design principles and some observations on how we see. Lamar University, Beaumont.
Lamb, A. (2005). Planning newsletters. Retrieved from http://eduscapes.com/sessions/publishing/planning.htm
Another concept that I experienced more in depth was utilizing the element of alignment. Dr. John Yearwood from Lamar University defines alignment as “the attribute of arranging every element in a design to conform to some kind of horizontal and vertical visual relationship with other elements in the design” (Dr. John Yearwood, 2009). This assignment has made me more cognizant of implementing this element into all of my products.
I was able to assess my own learning during this assignment by using the rubric that was provided for this course. As I created by newsletter, I was careful to include the requirements necessary to meet the needs of this assignment.
The main three strategies that I used to complete this assignment were to first choose a topic that I was already familiar with and that I was excited about. Next, “Start by identifying your audience and determining their common needs and interests” as stated in an article titled “Planning Newsletters” (Lamb, 2005). Lastly, include my peers in the review process so that I could have insight from multiple pairs of eyes. I was able to use Skype and email as tools to collaborate with some of my cohorts in order to learn more about software that we use and give suggestions and advice for our work.
The skills that I gained during this assignment will impact my future learning. I was able to reinforce my knowledge of desktop publishing skills so that the presentations, documents, newsletters and training materials that I created will reflect the design elements and principles.
I have also established deeper relationships with some of my colleagues that I will foster in the future. Just knowing other individuals who have experienced similar experiences with graduate school, will allow me to be able to when facing challenges outside of these courses.
In this newsletter, we were asked to link our animations to the assignment. Animation is a media that I would like to learn more about. Although it is fascinating, it requires a great amount of time and precision. I would like to research and learn more about possible software and classroom uses.
References:
Dr. John Yearwood, P. A. (2009). Basic design principles and some observations on how we see. Lamar University, Beaumont.
Lamb, A. (2005). Planning newsletters. Retrieved from http://eduscapes.com/sessions/publishing/planning.htm
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Cowan Studios Newsletter
This is my newsletter for week 4's assignment. It covers many of the elements of a newsletter. I used Publisher to create this product.
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