EDLD 5364 - Teaching with Technology - Week 1 Reflections

Web Conference Reflection – Week 1

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the Saturday, August 31, 2013 web conference due to previous engagements.  I attempted to attend the first scheduled web conference on Thursday, but then was advised that it had been cancelled.

I went into Blackboard to watch the recording of the Saturday morning conference so that I could get some clarification on a couple of questions I had about the assignment, but there was no link to the recording.  Thankfully, we have a good group on Facebook, and they were able to answer some of my questions.  Also, I know that the IAs and Dr. Abernathy are always available if I have any questions. 

Although my Internet connection works at my house, I have a hard time staying connected to web conferences or Google Hangout.  During the school year, I try to stay at school to attend the web conferences because there I have no problem staying connected in my classroom. 

I look forward to the week two web conference.

Readings and Videos Reflection – Week 1

I really enjoyed the readings and videos this week.  I finally feel justified in my teaching style.  I never knew what to call my teaching style, but after watching the videos and reading the readings, I realize that I have always tied the way I teach to both constructivism and connectivism theories.  I may have some students who would like to be cyborgs, but that theory never comes up in my classroom.

In the video, Building Knowledge:  Constructivism in Learning, John Abbott explains that constructivism means that one never learns anything from scratch.  New ideas relate to something you already have in your brain, and with this information you construct bigger and bigger frameworks of knowledge.  I am paraphrasing a bit, but when he said that it really struck me.  Because I teach Career and Technology, my job is tie my students’ learning to what they already know and help them build on it.  I use what they learn in math to make sense of the formulas and functions we use in Excel.  My favorite part of the video was at the very end.  Abbott says, “A good teacher is trying to teach a child from where they are now by expanding what they already have.” (Abbott, 2008)  This is what I try to do with my students daily.

After I watch the first video, I was excited.  I had a theory name to label my teaching style.  Then I watch George Seimens discuss connectivism. I realized I encourage this as well in my classroom.  He talked about how other theories (behaviorism, constructivism) all happen within the head of the learner, whereas connectivism takes place not only within the neural networks of our minds, but also the external networks of our environment.  “The learners themselves, the connections they form with each other, databases, other sources of knowledge is really the primary point of learning.  The network the learners create becomes the learning.” (Seimens, 2007)  I encourage my students to learn from one another, the Internet, me, other teachers, and their parents. George Seimens later says, “Knowledge is really about the distribution that occurs across an entire network.” I think if we are to be lifelong learners, we need to learn from those in our lives. I would like to do some more research about both constructivism and connectivism. 

Although I watch the video about Cyborg theory, I was a little freaked out. I almost could not take Professor Warwick seriously, but I could tell just how serious he is about what he does.  I appreciate his willingness to be his own test subject, and I do understand that there are some benefits to cyborg study, when it comes to amputees and individuals who are paralyzed or have nerve damage.  Despite my reluctance to buy into everything he talks about, Professor Kevin Warwick does make a very valid point.  In referring to humans, sometime in the near future, being able to implant a chip into our brains for improved or enhanced memory function and the reluctance or disbelief people have in accepting this, he says, “That is not something we’ve done in the past.  Humans have always gone along with progress.”  (Warwick, 2008)  He is right; we do look for the next version or the improved product.  Why would we stop with our own brains?  We enhance other parts of our bodies.  So, as weirded out as I was, Professor Warwick does make some excellent points.  Just do not look for me to have anything implanted in my arm or brain anytime soon.

I have reflected on the videos quite a bit, but I also enjoyed the readings.  The excerpt from SEDL, Learning as a Personal Event:  A Brief Introduction to Constructivism, contained some really good information about constructivism.  It helped build on what I had learned from watching John Abbott’s video.  Sometimes all these theories get jumbled up, and one never does get a clear picture or example of how it is applied in the classroom.  There were excellent examples in this article.  One thing that stood out was that “constructivist learning theory tells us we learn in a variety of ways.”  (SEDL, 1999)  This statement ties into technology in the classroom.  Not every lesson needs to include technology for the sake of including technology, but we can use technology as a tool to help students learn, discover, and build upon prior knowledge.  Further into the article is a statement that really stood out. 

Students are the stars in learner-centered classrooms. They bring knowledge and information gained from past experiences, things they've read and seen, things they have heard and talked about. Their previous understandings are the foundation of whatever learning they will glean in the classroom. Just as detectives are responsible for solving a crime, students are responsible for solving problems. (SEDL, 1999)

I think sometimes teachers do not understand what their own role is in the classroom if they are not lecturing in front of the class.  This article is very clear to state that a teacher becomes the instructional leader and provides structure for the students’ learning.

Another article that I really enjoyed and quoted in my discussion board this week was the article by Sprague and Dede, If I Teach This Way, Am I Doing My Job:  Constructivism in the Classroom.  Reading this article helped me feel better about my classroom management and my teaching style.  I think I have said that a lot in this reflection, but it is what really hit home this week.  There are multiple quotes from this article I could expound upon, but I will only pick one.  “Constructivist teachers allow student responses to drive lessons, shift instructional strategies, and alter content. This does not mean that if students are not interested in a topic, it should not be taught. Instead, students’ knowledge, experiences, and interests occasionally do coalesce around an urgent theme. When events occur that exert an irresistible pull on students’ minds continuing with preplanned presentational lessons is often fruitless (Brooks & Brooks, 1993).” (Sprague & Dede, 1999)  I change my lesson plans from time to time because I do allow my students’ responses to sometimes guide the lesson.  I know when they are trying to just get me off topic and when the need to take the other path is real.

The other articles and readings from the books were interesting this week, but these two articles were what really captured my attention.  I look forward to learning some more about constructivism and connectivism and how technology enhances these theories in the classroom.

References:

Abbott, J. (nd). Building Knowledge: Constructivism in Learning. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F00R3pOXzuk

Siemens, G. (nd). The Changing Nature of Knowledge  [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMcTHndpzYg

Southwest Educational Development Laboratory, (1999). Learning as a personal event: A brief introduction to constructivism. Retrieved from http://www.sedl.org/pubs/tec26/intro2c.html

Sprague, D. & Dede, C. (1999). If I teach this way, Am I doing my job: Constructivism in the classroom. Leading and Learning, 27(1). Retrieved from the International Society for Technology in Education at http://imet.csus.edu/imet9/280/docs/dede_constructivisim.pdf

Warwirk, K. (nd). Cyborg Life [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB_l7SY_ngI

Week 5 - Reflections

I have put this assignment off all week.  I have had time to sit down and work on it, but I was not ready to really get into what I have learned, how to incorporate what I have learned into my classroom practices, and how to continue to challenge myself to continue to learn and reflect.  Really, I just was not ready to critically reflect.

In her blog entry, “Where is reflection in the learning process?” Jackie Gerstein, Ed. D. quotes Stephen Brookfield from his book Becoming a Critically Reflective Practitioner.   In talking about being critically reflective, Brookfield says, “A critically reflective teacher is much better placed to communicate to colleagues and students (as well as to herself) the rationale behind her practice.  She works from a position of informed commitment.  She knows why she does and thinks, what she does and thinks.”  It is my responsibility to teach my students the art of reflection so that they want to continue to learn.  I start each school year going over my classroom rules and expectations.  However, I stress the following each year as well.   “I want you to learn the material.  However, I know that you won’t all get it or you won’t all try.  More than learning the material, I want you to leave my class knowing that you know how to learn.  Learn to learn!”  I realize that to help my student s develop this skill and the desire, I need to teach them how to critically reflect on their learning, as well as model that behavior and practice for them.

Throughout this course, I have been challenged, but I have also felt validated by some of the concepts we covered.  I am not an artist, and have never felt like graphic design was anything I was good at or interested in doing.  However, when we started the first assignment about C.R.A.P., I realized that this was something I did every time I designed a worksheet, spreadsheet, test, flyer, and anything else I create for my students/school.  It was nice to know that what I had always done was right, and there was actually research and an acronym for it!  Teachers love acronyms!  Contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity – according to Robin Williams in her book The Non-Designer’s Design Book, are the “basic principles of design that appear in every well-designed piece of work.” (Williams, 2008)

I thought designing my personal logo was going to be easy.  It was probably the most challenging assignment for me for a couple of reasons.  First, I had no idea what to use to design it.  I have a mental block when it comes to using Photoshop, and I do not have Photoshop on my laptop.  Thanks to collaboration and social media, one of my group members suggested I use Pixlr.  Once I got the hang of how to use it, I enjoyed it.  It is a tool I will be using with my students this year.  (I just hope Pixlr does not decide to start charging for their services!)  The second reason (and what made this assignment so challenging for me) I struggled with this assignment was figuring out how to brand myself as a teacher and person.  I really liked my final logo, but it took all week to get there.  I always tell my students that they need to make sure they represent their best selves in whatever they do – social media, behavior at school events, and even their email addresses, but I never thought about it as branding.  Between Lea Alcantara’s blog and the other readings, I really had to dig deep to think about my brand and logo.  I don’t think anyone actually likes thinking about what others think of them.  I did not want to ask my friends to describe me in three words.  Much like this reflection, the logo assignment did not let me skim across the surface to complete the assignment.  I actually had to face some unpleasantness about myself.  However, according to Dan Schawbel on his Personal Branding 101 blog, you first have to discover your brand.  “Brand discovery is about figuring out what you want to do for the rest of your life, setting goals, writing down a mission, vision and personal brand statement (what you do and who you serve), as well as creating a development plan.” (Schawbel, 2009)  I am teaching a new class this year, Career Prep, and our first project will be all about branding.  I am looking forward to helping my students develop their own brand and logo as I continue to improve upon my own.

As I go through this program and this course, I continue to learn more about myself.  I have always considered myself intelligent, but after years of not really having to challenge myself, I was not sure that I would be able to complete the work at the level I expect from myself.  I may not always give 100%, but I have surprised myself somewhat with what I have been able to accomplish so far.  A lot of my success in this program though is due to the collaboration with colleagues from across Texas and the country.  In EDLD 5363 and in this class, I worked with an amazing group on our video project on the group website.  The members of my group have all encouraged one another, been a critical friend throughout each assignment, and answered numerous questions in order to clarify or explain aspects of each assignment.  We have used the web conferences, social media (Facebook), and Google docs, hangout, and sites to get to know one another and collaborate on our different projects.  We each have different strengths and weaknesses and have used those to our advantage.   I have not always played nice with others, but getting to know the members of my group (Scott, Joseph, Lindsay, and James) and working with them has helped me want to be a better team player upon returning to work on Monday.  If you would like to look at our collaborative website, here is the link:  THE FRACTIONEERS.

When I collaborate or am part of a team, I usually try to observe to see which role I should take for that particular group.  This practice will not change.  I think by doing this, I let others see that my first goal is the success of the project/team.   Throughout my years of teaching, I have used “group projects” for several reasons, but not until the last couple of classes, did I realize there is so much more for my students to gain from learning to collaborate.  It will be a slow process, but I will help my students learn how to work together towards a common goal and why this is so important as they continue their education and begin their careers.

I will continue to research best practices in classroom collaboration as well as Web 2.0 tools that can help in classroom collaboration.  I have learned so much and have a lot of great ideas for this next school year.  I just hope I can use these tools effectively. 

I have a lab and a classroom, so I use the web consistently in my classes.  My students use the Internet for projects or career research.  I encourage my students to investigate college information, financial aid information, and other data related to their life after high school.  With some of my classes, I require them to complete “Current Event” assignments, so we look at news sites for current news stories on a variety of issues.  I use the website www.alfatyping.com to help my BIM students with their typing skills.  These are all great uses of my lab.  Earlier in the EdTech program, I decided I was going to use Edmodo for my classes this year.  However, our new technology director has purchased My Big Campus (www.mybigcampus.com) for our district, and I will be using this educational social media-ish site for my classes.  I am excited to use it and hope to be able to make a smooth transition from a paper-filled class to a paperless class this year.

Sources:

Gerstein, J. (2011, August 16). User generated education:  Where is reflection in the learning process? [Web log comment].  Retrieved from:  http://usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com/2011/08/16/where-is-reflection-in-the-learning-process/

Schawbel, D. (2009). Personal branding 101: How to discover and create your brand. Retrieved from http://mashable.com/2009/02/05/personal-branding-101/

Williams, R. (2008). The non-designer’s design book, 3rd edition. San Francisco, CA:  Peachpit Press. 

Web Conference Reflection:

During this course we were supposed to attend three web conferences.  I attempted to attend three, but I was only able to make it through the one on July 20th.  For some technology reason, I cannot stay connected on a web conference or Google Hangout.  This was a problem with our group collaboration meetings as well.  I have called my Internet provider and they have run tests on my connection, but we cannot seem to figure out what the problem is.  Once I return to school next week, attending web conferences should work better through the connection at school.  Same laptop - different connection.  That being said, I do go back and watch the recordings when Dr. A posts them and I read through the chat logs.  If there is something I didn't understand or didn't get, I will text or a call a group member who did attend or I will ask a question on Facebook.  Scott January has been great about setting up group pages for our EdTech classes, and it seems we have all benefited from these as well as the web conferences.

I attend the conferences for clarification on assignments and also to get to know the other members of the class.  I have formed some great friendships from first attending the web conferences and then geting to know my colleagues through Facebook.  During the July 20th conference, we discussed what classes we would be teaching this upcoming school year.  I think it's interesting to learn about all the different backgrounds of the people in this program.  Since staying on a conference has not worked for me, I have gone back and learned several things.  Our group got some much needed clarification on the specifics for the group site. During week one, the conference helped me figure out how to look at the ancient manuscripts for the assignment.

I hope AT&T Uverse can get my Internet issues resolved so I can better benefit from the web conferences.

Animation - The Itsy Bitsy Spider (sort of!)

This week's assignment was to create an animation using a free program.  I chose to use Stykz.  Drawing stick figures is about all the artistic ability I have unless you count my superior flower doodling skills.  Eddie Clarke sat behind me all through high school.  I seriously doubt there was an assignment of his I didn't draw a flower on :)

Since I spent a couple of days last week with my adorable nephew, the Itsy Bitsy Spider was stuck in my head.  I attempted to capture the "essence" of the popular children's song as the subject of my animation.  Let me know what you think.

Personal Logo and Self-Branding

Let me just start by saying - I did not like this week's assignment at first.  I hate having to think about words to describe me and who I am.  It reminds me of every dating site I have ever looked at :)  Since I just admitted to using dating sites, I was shocked last night when I was looking through my "matches" and one of the guys had posted the following quote.  Who knew that Maximus1808 would help me with my homework for the week?!?

Even as a finance professional, I realize it is all about marketing -- selling your brand to your target market to maximize sales and ensure customer loyalty. But, before you sell your brand, you have to know what you stand for -- it has to be more than just your product. What beliefs, convictions, or ideologies do you represent? What does your company stand for, and why does it resonate with your customers above all your competitors? This simple metaphor can also be applied on a personal level. I realize that before I can effectively describe what I am looking for in a match, it is incumbent for me to truly understand who I am and what I am looking for -and that includes the corollary, defining who I am not and am not looking for in a match.

I think he said it better than anyone else.  No - I am not interested in him, but I did message him to thank him for his insight and to let him know I would be sharing it with others :)

I am not going to go into my self discovery or rediscovery on here, but I will show you the logo I designed using www.pixlr.com.  I have always been petrified of Photoshop, and Pixlr is very similar, but I muddled through :)

Let me know what you think!

Web Conferences Reflection

During the school year, it was easy for me to attend web conferences.  I would stay at school and use the Internet connection there.  It never went out and I could always hear and see everything.  For this class, I had trouble with every conference I attempted to attend.  However, I would go back and watch the recordings and read the transcripts.  Our Facebook group for the class was also helpful.  Those who attended would post updates about the conference on the page.  This was usually to get quick help about an issue.  

 I was still in school for the first web conference for the class and unable to attend, so I watched the recording.  I must say watching the recording made me panic a little bit because I had questions I couldn’t ask, but they were answered because others had the same question.  Does that make sense?  I was on vacation during the conference on June 10 and tried to tune in, but was not successful.  I watch the recording for that web conference.  I had questions about creative commons and that was brought up.  Dr. Abernathy encouraged us to use tools like Google and You Tube to help us understand something if we did not.  In a way, she has helped me validate my own teaching methods in my technology class because I encourage my students to research and explore on their own.  Obviously, high school students need a little more direction, but I think the best learning takes place with hands-on experience.

 I attempted to attend the web conference on June 22, but my connection at home was giving me all sorts of trouble.  I would get on and then get kicked off.  Dr. Abernathy kept trying to let me back on, but it would immediately kick me back off.  I think the entire group on the conference was frustrated with me.  However, I did go back and watch most of the conference.  By this point our group was solid on our content and direction so we didn’t need any guidance there.  However, I think a lot of this conference had to do with whether or not there was a Week 4 Discussion Board and the ISTE conference (which had I not broken my leg, I would have attended!).

All in all, I appreciate the purpose of the web conference.  If I have learned one thing, it is that I must upgrade my Internet speed at home.  I also appreciate Dr. Abernathy taking the time to meet with us on conferences, but also her willingness to take phone calls and emails from us at practically any point in the day.

EDLD 5363 Wk 5

Reflection - Campus Based Intern Hours and Action Research Plan

Campus-Supervised Internship Activities – Reflection:

When I first started the program and saw how many hours we needed to complete for our internship, I thought it was going to be really difficult to accumulate 150 hours.  As I look back over the list of tasks I have completed or am in the process of completing, I have well over 75 hours.  My site supervisor is not my principal.  I am actually working with our district’s Special Programs Director.  She is the current CTE Director for our district as well, so most of my hours deal with assisting her or leading CTE monthly meetings.  Part of my assignment from her is to develop an online course catalog and course sequences for our district.  I am in the process of putting together an advisory board for our CTE department.  I am serving on the district’s technology committee.  We are developing a new Technology Use Policy for the district that will take into account the new iPads that teachers and students will have access to in the fall.  Other assignments have included coordinating and budgeting prom, attending a school board meeting, working a job fair at Sam Houston State University, observing and discussing observations with other teachers, and working with the technology and curriculum directors in developing classes for our July in-service meetings.  Working with these three directors helps me begin to create the path I want to take when finished with this program.

I have enjoyed doing school work that is not in the classroom specifically directed at students.  I look forward to more opportunities in the fall and spring of the upcoming school year.

Action Research Project Update and Reflection:

My action research project is off to a slow start.  I am also going to have to tweak some things due to CScope changes.  According to the timeline I set for myself, I should have started preliminary work at the end of April and beginning of May.  However, due to testing, UIL, Prom (which takes a lot more work than you would think), and breaking my leg, I got very little done.  I missed a week of school with the broken leg, and after that it was time for end of year procedures.  I am going to revamp my project and regroup with the intention of starting fresh in August.  One thing I have done on my project is look at state test scores for CTE students; however, I have not done the analysis I should have done.  I know that the action research project I have proposed could benefit the students at the high school so I will continue to work and research to make that happen.