I am using green in my blog today because I am feeling much easier and more peaceful with my project and with this class. I love the exploring and wandering around on the AETzone, but I am a person who needs more direction. I was so relieved to get this direction in class on Thursday night. I feel like I can do this now.....I have had my doubts because I have just been exploring without really knowing what I was exploring. Well it turns out I actually have been exploring in the right direction......I have talked with my principal and, as I have said before, he will be very supportive. I have talked with my media specialist and he will also be very supportive. I have, via email, polled my fellow staff members about what they feel the needs are with our new technology.....the SmartBoards. They feel a BIG NEED for more training and they are also interested in schoolwide broadcasts other than the intercom system. I have gotten several good web sites and I have even gotten some volunteers to help with training and broadcasts....if it comes.....NO......when it comes to that.
So where do I go from here? Well I guess I will explore the options of staff development with the SmartBoards since this seems to be the biggest area of need. And the needs are all at different levels. So......where to start? Maybe with the more digital ones helping the lesser digital ones. Me definitely being a lesser....but I am learning. I think the staff with the most needs probably need to be brought up to speed and then perhaps whole staff training would be more meaningful to all. I need to "explore" more on the individual needs perhaps. It seems as this may be an ongoing action plan to get everyone at a more desirable level of knowledge, especially as new staff members are added. Of course, the young staffers take to it much easier than some of the older. I will just have to think about all of this and discuss it with my group. (My group is really terrific!)
I found the theater today on AETzone. Watched 2 videos that made me feel really inadequate as an educator but so very excited for the students of today. I watched (I am really not good with names) the one about Digital Learners and the one about Library 2.0. I am going to do a straw poll tomorrow to see what technology my students have in their home. They talk a lot about video games and computer games but I don't really know what they have......I do have 2 students with cell phones......6 years old......who would have thought.....maybe more have them. I have only seen the 2. Funny thing though......they love filmstrips and the overhead projector. What can I say.....they are young. **and it is all in the way you introduce something.....to them it is new stuff and fun to use**
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Action Learning Project.....part 1
Well I am feeling a little edgy and slightly confused. I have so many ideas popping into my head for this project and then I start to get a bit nervous. I have a questionnaire being answered by my fellow teachers at my school now trying to narrow down my scope a bit. I really like the idea of school-wide broadcasts using our SmartBoards.....but many of the staff feel that more training and sharing of ideas and skills with our SmartBoards is also (more?) important and very necessary. It would seem that the staff would like more training but the principal wants to go straight to the broadcasts. He is also most interested in me discussing my ideas with the people from whom we got the original grant for the SBs. He feels we can receive more matching funds for our broadcast needs because my ideas are contagious and exciting. Yikes!! I would be glad to do this.....but I just don't think I am quite ready for this.....let me explore it a little more and get more feedback from the other teachers. Actually it kinda scares me to death. If I had a little scared to death icon I would put it here ______! Well good luck to me and my contagion.....hopefully I will not feel so "under duress" next blog. :-(
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Games
Happy Valentine's Day!!! This has been a big week for me. Our 5010 class learned all about the Belk Library through a virtual class online. I was so worried about that being able to actual do that but it turned out to be very successful and quite easy. I look forward to really getting to know the library and using it during my course work. (even though I hold it in great awe....ha).
I have been reading all about the using of games as an educational tool. We use lots of online type of games with the younger children in the classroom. There is so much offered online that we can use. Just today we played a Valentine game where the Cupid bops the bad guys on the head. It is a great game to help the children become accustomed to the keyboard arrows. They will need that in future virtual worlds. And they have to work out the pattern they need to use to be successful at bopping as well as figuring out the best bopping strategy. ( Oh dear, this game sounds violent but it really wasn't.....reading about challenges and censorship really makes you think about what you bring into the classroom.)
This generation of young people thrive on gaming. I watched my children with wonder as they just instinctively knew what to do, how to do, and when to do. I just don't get it. The new Wiis and PlayStations, Guitar Hero and Game Cubes just amaze me. When the GameBoy first came out my son could beat me hands down. I think he was maybe 5 or 6 years old at the time. He would play the game and figure out the way to do what you had to do by some manner that was absolutely unknown to me. It is still pretty foreign to me.....except for the 'old people' games like Tetris.
The educational potential of games is vast. As James Gee pointed out in our reading....."gaming is a new kind of literacy" and "the mind is engaged in ways that benefit other literacies" I have seen this first hand with my children and my school classes. The higher levels of thinking skills needed to figure out the strategies are being developed as they work their way through the levels. They are learning and developing these skills independently and with the repetition of the game they are practicing these skills with every move. And it is just so much fun for them!!
I agree with Gee that the lecture method of teaching as the main way of providing information is outdated. Our techno-saavy students need so much more than this. Libraries and classrooms need to look long and hard about updating the materials and the information-seeking skills used by todays students. This generation knows games and as such libraries need to use them as one important tool in education.
(I think it is just too late for me as far as games are concerned......)
I have been reading all about the using of games as an educational tool. We use lots of online type of games with the younger children in the classroom. There is so much offered online that we can use. Just today we played a Valentine game where the Cupid bops the bad guys on the head. It is a great game to help the children become accustomed to the keyboard arrows. They will need that in future virtual worlds. And they have to work out the pattern they need to use to be successful at bopping as well as figuring out the best bopping strategy. ( Oh dear, this game sounds violent but it really wasn't.....reading about challenges and censorship really makes you think about what you bring into the classroom.)
This generation of young people thrive on gaming. I watched my children with wonder as they just instinctively knew what to do, how to do, and when to do. I just don't get it. The new Wiis and PlayStations, Guitar Hero and Game Cubes just amaze me. When the GameBoy first came out my son could beat me hands down. I think he was maybe 5 or 6 years old at the time. He would play the game and figure out the way to do what you had to do by some manner that was absolutely unknown to me. It is still pretty foreign to me.....except for the 'old people' games like Tetris.
The educational potential of games is vast. As James Gee pointed out in our reading....."gaming is a new kind of literacy" and "the mind is engaged in ways that benefit other literacies" I have seen this first hand with my children and my school classes. The higher levels of thinking skills needed to figure out the strategies are being developed as they work their way through the levels. They are learning and developing these skills independently and with the repetition of the game they are practicing these skills with every move. And it is just so much fun for them!!
I agree with Gee that the lecture method of teaching as the main way of providing information is outdated. Our techno-saavy students need so much more than this. Libraries and classrooms need to look long and hard about updating the materials and the information-seeking skills used by todays students. This generation knows games and as such libraries need to use them as one important tool in education.
(I think it is just too late for me as far as games are concerned......)
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Digital Natives
The video and article concerning digital natives and digital immigrants were very interesting and thought provocative. I agree with many of the points made in both but......I think it does not pertain so much to younger children. And if younger children are introduced to books, reading, writing, and other..more tactile than virtual..things that they may retain their love and need for this type media their whole life. My kindergarteners listen with delight as I read the classics (Make Way for Ducklings, The Biggest Bear, Blueberries for Sal, anything Dr. Seuss, etc.) to them and they want to hear them again and again. They also enjoy looking at these books over and over again. They have such pride and get such pleasure in taking home books they can read to their parents. The children cannot wait to take a new book home to read for 'homework'. They enjoy writing (with pencil, marker, crayon, blood--just kidding--, paint, etc.) their own words. They need the feel of the writing to get the full learning process. They love the manipulatives we use in math and science. And what child doesn't love center activities...home center, blocks, puzzles, art, geoboards, sand and water tables. You can't get that from a keyboard or a SmartBoard. The digital media is essential but the younger children need both digital and 'the old way'.
The parents of these young children are probably some of the first digital natives but I know they get much pleasure from their children learning the old way, being taught with books, paper and pencil, manipulatives, and lots of talking and interacting with the teacher and with each other. I try to give them experiences in both worlds but in a small, rural school this can be difficult. I know they are learning...I see that everyday...and it's wonderful. Would they learn more or better in a digital world? No I don't think so. Would they have more fun in a digital world? No I don't think so. Would they miss out on a lot of interaction, social skill building, and just plain fun in a digital world? YES I do think so.
The parents of these young children are probably some of the first digital natives but I know they get much pleasure from their children learning the old way, being taught with books, paper and pencil, manipulatives, and lots of talking and interacting with the teacher and with each other. I try to give them experiences in both worlds but in a small, rural school this can be difficult. I know they are learning...I see that everyday...and it's wonderful. Would they learn more or better in a digital world? No I don't think so. Would they have more fun in a digital world? No I don't think so. Would they miss out on a lot of interaction, social skill building, and just plain fun in a digital world? YES I do think so.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
First blog.......I have cleaned my house, finished my laundry, run my errands, reviewed articles for projects, and even watched a little of the ballgame on tv.....but alas the blog must be blogged. I don't know why I approach this so reluctantly....but I do. Thank goodness I have a definite topic. I think the randomness of blogging is what makes me feel hesitant and frankly inadequate. Nonetheless, I am here and I will speak!!
My interview was with Mr. Richard Tysinger, the media coordinator of my school (Boonville Elementary). He was very cooperative and very eager to help. This is Mr. Tysinger's first year as media coordinator. He has just completed and graduated from the MLS Program. He admits to being a bit overwhelmed. He is a "wearer" of many hats and not all of them are a comfortable fit.The recurring statement from him seemed to be "there is so much to do and no time to do it". He also realizes that his program is financially limited.
He wishes to offer more training in SmartBoard tech. He wants to plan more tech skills activity for the students. He would like to have more collaboration with the classroom teachers. He would really like to work more with the actual 'hands on' library tasks such as cataloguing (which he really enjoys), but there is no time. He feels very frustated at times but he does love librarianship.
He wants to replace outdated software, keep the computers within the library in good running condition, supply each classroom teacher with good, dependable equipment, and also continue to build the inventory of books, magazines, videos, and other necessary media but there is never enough money for all on his wishlist.
He has learned much just by troubleshooting, which he remarked, (with a laugh) that has become very good at. He is very frustrated by the school's computer filter system and the system's deep freeze. He does not have the administative leave to over-ride either of these. Mr. Tysinger is frustated by there not being guidelines and/or a curriculum to follow. On the other hand he does enjoy using the USWISE Owl system and he is pleased with some improvements that have been made with the reporting of tech problems to the Central Office. There are also several computer programs being used within the school that he sees as worthwhile and successful. He thoroughly enjoys working with the students.....though he was surprised at first just how hard that can be. He admits he was very idealistic and naive coming into a public school.
He sees the need for a secure wireless system but he also understands it would be extremely costly.....other words....it probably won't happen. He also sees a very different possible future for school media centers. He fears they may one day be all digital with a traveling media specialist that would only be present part of a day or part of a week. He thinks para-professionals may have full-time positions at the schools to run the media centers.
He came into the job full of optimism, idealism, and with a love for all things 'library'. He is still optimistic, idealistic, and full of love for all things 'library'. We are lucky to have him as a part of our school family.
My interview was with Mr. Richard Tysinger, the media coordinator of my school (Boonville Elementary). He was very cooperative and very eager to help. This is Mr. Tysinger's first year as media coordinator. He has just completed and graduated from the MLS Program. He admits to being a bit overwhelmed. He is a "wearer" of many hats and not all of them are a comfortable fit.The recurring statement from him seemed to be "there is so much to do and no time to do it". He also realizes that his program is financially limited.
He wishes to offer more training in SmartBoard tech. He wants to plan more tech skills activity for the students. He would like to have more collaboration with the classroom teachers. He would really like to work more with the actual 'hands on' library tasks such as cataloguing (which he really enjoys), but there is no time. He feels very frustated at times but he does love librarianship.
He wants to replace outdated software, keep the computers within the library in good running condition, supply each classroom teacher with good, dependable equipment, and also continue to build the inventory of books, magazines, videos, and other necessary media but there is never enough money for all on his wishlist.
He has learned much just by troubleshooting, which he remarked, (with a laugh) that has become very good at. He is very frustrated by the school's computer filter system and the system's deep freeze. He does not have the administative leave to over-ride either of these. Mr. Tysinger is frustated by there not being guidelines and/or a curriculum to follow. On the other hand he does enjoy using the USWISE Owl system and he is pleased with some improvements that have been made with the reporting of tech problems to the Central Office. There are also several computer programs being used within the school that he sees as worthwhile and successful. He thoroughly enjoys working with the students.....though he was surprised at first just how hard that can be. He admits he was very idealistic and naive coming into a public school.
He sees the need for a secure wireless system but he also understands it would be extremely costly.....other words....it probably won't happen. He also sees a very different possible future for school media centers. He fears they may one day be all digital with a traveling media specialist that would only be present part of a day or part of a week. He thinks para-professionals may have full-time positions at the schools to run the media centers.
He came into the job full of optimism, idealism, and with a love for all things 'library'. He is still optimistic, idealistic, and full of love for all things 'library'. We are lucky to have him as a part of our school family.
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