Voicethread 2.0

Voicethread 2.0

I visited the site voicethread 2.0. On this site I can learn more about ways to use voicethread in my classroom. Also, I can connect with other teachers and collaborate on voicethread projects. This site creates a network of learners, therefore expanding my knowledge of voicethread through others experiences.

A Learner is like a cup of coffee

"A learner is like a cup of coffee"

Today learners are very different than even learners of the past. Even as far back as 10 years ago learners were acquiring knowledge differently than they are today. Today learners must connect with people to gain knowledge. Siemens says, “Experience has long been considered the best teacher of knowledge. Since we cannot experience everything, other people’s experiences, and hence other people, become the surrogate for knowledge. ‘I store my knowledge in my friends’ is an axiom for collecting knowledge through collecting people (undated).” (Siemens, 2005). This explains that the basis for knowledge and learning becomes experience, and while one person cannot have every experience they must connect with others to learn about certain experiences and therefore gain knowledge.

Siemens also explains in a youtube video titled "The Change of Nature" the importance of

creating a network. Siemens says, "Knowledge is about the distribution that occurs across an entire network".

He goes on to discuss networking with people to create knowledge. In the 21st century networking has become

simple with the use of computers and the internet. People today are able to network much easier than they were

even just 10 years ago.

I believe the learner is like a cup of coffee because people often connect or "network" over a cup of

coffee. Coffee is something in our world that brings people together. In America people have a hard time

meeting just to talk or "network" (and swap knowledge) they must be doing something else, i.e. drinking

coffee. This gives us a reason to sit down and network with other people.

Pay Attention

After viewing the youtube video Pay Attention, I had many interesting thoughts and questions. I loved all the information about our children learning in a technological world. The movie really peaked my interest because I want to find new ways of incorporating technology in my classroom. I loved the idea of using cell phones in the classroom, however I know its not feasible in 4th grade. However, I think it could be more of a possibility in a high school classroom. My question with this is would parents get upset about students using cell phones in the classroom? I think it is important that teachers realize that we need to do a better job at engaging students. One way to reach these students is through technology. Due to the face that technology is so "hot" right now this is a great way to take something that students already know about and love and put it in use in your own classroom.

This is the video Pay Attention that I watched:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEFKfXiCbLw&feature=related

Also, this video reminded me of another video I watched in a previous grad class. It is also about student and technology. VERY INTERESTING! if you would like to take a look, here is the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xl7yozHNHek

Internet Safety

The education of internet safety is of the utmost importance to us as educators. Its great to give children new tools to learn but these new tools also come with responsibility. Due to the fact that the internet can be accessed by virtually anyone from anywhere it is important to teach our children a few simple but important rules when using the internet.

For my children the first rule is never give out any personal information (first and last name, home address, telephone number etc.) due to the fact that they never know exactly who is viewing their blog. Also, students should never say anything through a blog that they would be considered inappropriate or that they wouldn't say in the classroom. Students need to use respect when using the internet. Lastly, students are not to use blogging as an aide to bullying another student.

My districts technology polices states that students will be provided to appropriate access of technology tools in the classroom but they will be used with a focus on educational instruction.

Using Blogging in the Classroom

I currently teach 4th grade and my mind immediately turns to how can I use blogging in my current classroom. I think that there are so many ways I could turn blogging into a useful tool. My kids would be so excited to use a blog, hopefully soon I can implement one of these ideas.

First, I think how blogging could work as a class portal as Richardson discusses in his book. By creating a class portal, all of the classroom information would be available to students and parents alike at the convenience of any internet connection. This could include student expectations, rules, homework, reminders etc. The possibilities are endless. I think that this would especially come in handy if parents wanted to check what their student's homework was for the night.

A second way I could see using blogs in my classroom is for homework assignments. Not only posting what the homework is for the night, but posting the assignment and having students virtually turn in the homework. I beginning to think of a paperless classroom! (ahhh how nice that would be!)

Another idea that I had would be to have students complete writing assignments via a classroom blog. I think that students would be excited about having a published writing assignment where their classmates could comment and respond to their thoughts. I think in my 4th grade class I might have it geared toward a controversial social studies topic such as "Do you think that our New York State government is running an effective state? why or why not?" This would allow students to post varying opinions and use evidence to support their writing. Also, students could respond back to one another.

This assignment would hit many New York State standards for both ELA and Social Studies. I believe that this would include all of the New York State ELA standards, which include:

Standard 1: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for information and understanding.
Standard 2: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for literary response and expression.
Standard 3: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for critical analysis and evaluation.
Standard 4: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for social interaction.

Also, the Social Studies Standards that this would include are:

Standard 1

History of the United States and New York

use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of major ideas, eras, themes, developments, and turning points in the history of the United States and New York.

Standard 5

Civics, Citizenship, and Government

use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of the necessity for establishing governments; the governmental system of the U.S. and other nations; the U.S. Constitution; the basic civic values of American constitutional democracy; and the roles, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship, including avenues of participation.

New Blog

I am trying this out to see if this post works.