Friday, July 30, 2010
Final Weeks
For some reason, I missed knowing that my summer course had a 'final project' and to top it off, it is a group project. I'm rushing trying to get my part done so as not to let my fellow group members down. Having two losses in the family in such a short period of time has knocked me off my game, adding to all that is the fact that I started a new job. Here's hoping that things smooth out some.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
PowerPoint Assignment
I'm not at all satisfied with my assignment. It probably is a "chicken"!! Had a hard time putting the movie into the PowerPoint correctly, but it's in there. I'll have to play with it some more.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Reading or Listening, that is the question...???????
My vote would be for reading. Listening is okay, but the problem with listening is that you have to pay attention. And many do not have a great patience for listening. Reading immerses me in the story, the lesson or the article. It challenges me to visualize the reading, to imagine it and to feel it. New technology presents many new ways to learn. Listening to podcasts will probably replace reading to some extent, but I think we would make a mistake by not encouraging young people to read.
My Education Tech Video Blurb
I enjoyed the video in my previous blog which is a brief history of technology in education, from overhead projectors to advanced computer technology. A nice commentary on where we have been, where we are and as the video states "this is just the beginning"
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Blog about the videos
My quick comments on the three videos. I really enjoyed Sir Ken Robinson's comments. I too believe we have "squandered" creativity, throughout all of education and society. There are wonderfully creative folks in the world, and only a few are ever allowed the opportunity to let that creativity reach the surface.
The film "A Vision of Students Today" was the most disturbing to me. Nothing surprising or shocking, but simply another awakening to the idea that technology has not necessarily helped us to achieve a better life. To some extent, it has taken up more of our time. Most technology, especially in the beginning, was invented to free up some of our time and take some of the effort out of our lives. But, we seem to have less leisure time now than ever before.
In "The Machine is Us/ing Us" we see a mind-boggling look at how computer information has evolved. Is the Machine us? Is it using us? I hope not. I do not think I will ever allow the computer to be who I am. There are wonderful things to do on the computer and incredible amounts of information. But, it only uses a small fraction of our natural senses. We can see a beautiful, digital photo of a mountain sunset on the computer. We can not smell the pines, touch the cold stream, feel the cool mountain air or begin walking on the path that leads us to the mountain - just by visiting it on the computer. We must always look at technology as a tool, which when used properly can do a wonderful job.
The film "A Vision of Students Today" was the most disturbing to me. Nothing surprising or shocking, but simply another awakening to the idea that technology has not necessarily helped us to achieve a better life. To some extent, it has taken up more of our time. Most technology, especially in the beginning, was invented to free up some of our time and take some of the effort out of our lives. But, we seem to have less leisure time now than ever before.
In "The Machine is Us/ing Us" we see a mind-boggling look at how computer information has evolved. Is the Machine us? Is it using us? I hope not. I do not think I will ever allow the computer to be who I am. There are wonderful things to do on the computer and incredible amounts of information. But, it only uses a small fraction of our natural senses. We can see a beautiful, digital photo of a mountain sunset on the computer. We can not smell the pines, touch the cold stream, feel the cool mountain air or begin walking on the path that leads us to the mountain - just by visiting it on the computer. We must always look at technology as a tool, which when used properly can do a wonderful job.
Watch and Listen and Create
At 51 years old, I constantly debate (within my own mind mainly) the benefits of and the negative side of technology. I know that there are benefits, those are undeniable. I use facebook to stay in touch with family and friends in a way that I have never been able to before, and more often. It helps me remember birthdays, actually it remembers them and reminds me which makes me look brilliant when I call friends and family and wish them happy birthday, on the actual day! I rely on email, rely on my cell phone and its apps (the ones that I know how to operate), rely on my palm pilot, take online courses which I would never be able to take in person and dozens if not hundreds of other pieces of technology and its many applications, software and gadgets. So, the machine is partly me and I am partly the machine. But, the machine doesn't sit with me under my shade tree in the evening and watch the sunset, doesn't assist me with my drawings and paintings, doesn't hug my grandkids, write my poetry...you get the idea.
In the video "Do schools kill creativity" Sir Ken Robinson says that today "creativity in education is as important as literacy." That is true, we must not lose creativity. Does technology enhance creativity? - do schools kill creativity? Obviously we need to rethink education and creativity and how the world operates today. Using technology does indeed enhance education. But should we eliminate "hands on" experience in education? I, as a member of the "baby boomer" club will just simply say that we need to design and redesign education with technology included, but use it to augment creativity. We need to look at individuals and try to design education that can be adopted, moved and adjusted so that it features the student, focuses on the student and not the curriculum.
We are behind the rest of the world in many ways today, but none more glaring and obvious than in education. The Michael Wesch film "A Vision of Students Today" students point out alarming statistics, but not shocking ones. At one point, the students hold up signs that say things such as "I work 2 hours a day" and "3 hours studying" and all of the hours total 26.5 hours. This to me says more than the girls sign that says she "has to be" a multi-tasker". Technology was, at least at first, being created to save time and effort for humans. Microwaves, computers, cell phones, and high-tech cars and homes were supposed to give us more free time. But, our days seem busier and our leisure time is something we grab when we can.
We must use technology wisely. It is part of our make up now, and like any tool needs to be used properly. When designing education, we need to assure that if we use technology, we use it to enhance education and not let the machine take control. It must be part of our creativity along with our imagination, dreams, and all of our senses. I for one, am not digital. I believe we are spiritual beings, moving through a physical life. And no matter how incredible technology gets, it is still a tool - and a tool used for the wrong reason, is dangerous.
In the video "Do schools kill creativity" Sir Ken Robinson says that today "creativity in education is as important as literacy." That is true, we must not lose creativity. Does technology enhance creativity? - do schools kill creativity? Obviously we need to rethink education and creativity and how the world operates today. Using technology does indeed enhance education. But should we eliminate "hands on" experience in education? I, as a member of the "baby boomer" club will just simply say that we need to design and redesign education with technology included, but use it to augment creativity. We need to look at individuals and try to design education that can be adopted, moved and adjusted so that it features the student, focuses on the student and not the curriculum.
We are behind the rest of the world in many ways today, but none more glaring and obvious than in education. The Michael Wesch film "A Vision of Students Today" students point out alarming statistics, but not shocking ones. At one point, the students hold up signs that say things such as "I work 2 hours a day" and "3 hours studying" and all of the hours total 26.5 hours. This to me says more than the girls sign that says she "has to be" a multi-tasker". Technology was, at least at first, being created to save time and effort for humans. Microwaves, computers, cell phones, and high-tech cars and homes were supposed to give us more free time. But, our days seem busier and our leisure time is something we grab when we can.
We must use technology wisely. It is part of our make up now, and like any tool needs to be used properly. When designing education, we need to assure that if we use technology, we use it to enhance education and not let the machine take control. It must be part of our creativity along with our imagination, dreams, and all of our senses. I for one, am not digital. I believe we are spiritual beings, moving through a physical life. And no matter how incredible technology gets, it is still a tool - and a tool used for the wrong reason, is dangerous.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Five Advantages to Mind Mapping
1. Unlimited Brainstorming possibilities. By beginning with a central idea and expanding on that, unlimited ideas can be created.
2. Visualizing the links. You can see how ideas and processes link together.
3. Presentation Impact! You can project or print the final mind map to show the final project and use it as a guide to problem solving.
4. My choice in software "PersonalBrain" will allow for 100,000 thoughts to be added to the original thought, and has the ability to break down each "child thought" in its own category to get detailed thoughts in place to work on projects.
5. It takes the idea of brainstorming to new levels, breaking down thoughts and forming pathways that lead to solutions to problems, displaying lesson steps or instructions for completing tasks.
2. Visualizing the links. You can see how ideas and processes link together.
3. Presentation Impact! You can project or print the final mind map to show the final project and use it as a guide to problem solving.
4. My choice in software "PersonalBrain" will allow for 100,000 thoughts to be added to the original thought, and has the ability to break down each "child thought" in its own category to get detailed thoughts in place to work on projects.
5. It takes the idea of brainstorming to new levels, breaking down thoughts and forming pathways that lead to solutions to problems, displaying lesson steps or instructions for completing tasks.
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