Video Conferencing a Virtual Fieldtrip!

But better than a virtual fieldtrip it virtually is a field trip as you get linked up with an actual guide, taken to another location, and given chances to explore. I had never experienced a video conference before ours with the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller. It was strange at first as it seemed like we were just watching an educational video until he started addressing us personally like he could see us and interact with us. Which he could! Not only was I amazed with the presentation, I was also amazed by the technological quality of it as well. It’s amazing what you can do with such amazing equipment. The museum had us doing interactive games through the use of a green screen, and with the use of a high definition camera we were able to see the tiny denticles on the side of a T-rex tooth fossil, which would have been difficult to see with the naked eye. It was just such a perfect example of effective use of technology!

I am so excited to explore and find ways to incorporate video conferencing into my teaching. I can just see some many benefits to it. You can experience places that may be too far, too timely, or too expensive to take a field trip to. Visit with experts and authors who may not be able to afford travelling to visit the school but still have the time to conference with. Experience those in different cultures around the world. Both our module and our Tyrrell guide mentioned the Center of Interactive Learning and Collaboration as a great site for finding various content providers and other schools seeking a video or web conference partner. I took a browse through some of the content providers in a search of the topic of the Inuit, as I am placed in Gr.2 for practicum and teaching S.S., and was excited by the programs that I found. However I was a bit disappointed that they were all based from the U.S. I think it may be a better to idea to explore the idea of skyping with a class from Iqaluit, what an opportunity that would be! Ideally we could skype with the other two communities we are studying as well, the Acadians on the East coast and prairie folk in Saskatchewan (though we are a prairie community as well so it might not be necessary to do the last one). In reading "50 Awesome Way to Use Skype in the Classroom" I found a number of more exciting ways to incorporate video conferencing. One of my favourite suggestions was to conference with another country that speaks the language you are studying. All too often in language classes the structure and grammar of the language is the focus and though speaking is a large component it often does not get absorbed by the students. I think conferencing would be a good challange and motivator for these types of students. I also liked the idea of using skype to connect with those who are absent. The examples they had were a student who had cancer, and parents who are on a business trip for a parent/teacher conference.

Something I need to think about more before I fully grasp on to the idea of this idea is my own abilities with technology. It is really important that I get more comfortable in how to use these technologies. There is nothing worse than to have a wonderful incorporation of technology to use in a lesson and then have something go wrong and have no idea of how to fix it. In "20 Technology Skills Every Educator Should Have" I have found a few technology skills that I need to gain or work on. These include spreadsheet skills, web site design skills, and video conferencing. I hope to continue to broaden my technology awareness and skills. This course has opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities as an educator...and it’s just the beginning.

Thank-you!

Web Awareness and Web Quests

This week we focused on web awareness in class and as a result there are some pretty concrete and important items that both students and teachers need to be aware of. As a result I have created concept map to break down and clarify these issues. (Which is pictured above)

For our last assignment in creating a lesson plan using web searches to find internet resources to support the lesson I had originally planned on doing a web quest. However not knowing where to start quickly got overwhelming. I was quite excited to find out that this was one of our topics this week and to have some great examples to provide clarity and inspiration for constructing and using web quests of my own. I love that it creates an activity that is inquiry and analyzing based. Web quests are for when instead of students spending lots of time searching and sifting through websites they are provided with sites and are able to focus in on analyzing the information that is there. I think using web quests are especially beneficial for younger grades as you are able to guide and direct them to sites that are trustworthy. I think it is important though that students are not left in the dark. Web quests could be a good starting ground for discussion on how to critically evaluate and decide what is a good online source by going through the process you took as a teacher to construct the quest. Another idea could be to have the students analyze the websites you chose for indications of it being a reliable source.

First Nations of Alberta web search Activity

First Nations of Alberta

Gr. 4 Social Studies

Brief Description of the activity:

Working with a partner, each student will complete a worksheet, specific to one First Nations groups (eg. Blackfoot, Blood, Peigan, Cree, and Chipewan), which will answer where in the province they originate (by marking it on a map of the province) and the basics of their culture (food, housing, etc)

Resources used:

**Goldi Productions Ltd. (2007). The Plains People. Retrieved Oct. 10, 2010, from http://firstpeoplesofcanada.com/fp_groups/fp_plains1.html

Government of Alberta. (2010). History. Retrieved Oct. 10, 2010, from http://alberta.ca/home/182.cfm (First Nations section)

Heritage Community Foundation. (n.d.). People of Alberta. Retrieved Oct. 10, 2010, from http://www.abheritage.ca/albertans/people/index.html

Rice, Brian. (2006). Plains Cree. Retrieved Oct. 10, 2010, from http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/settlement/kids/021013-2161-e.html

GLO: 4.2 Students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the role of stories, history and culture in strengthening communities and contributing to identity and a sense of belonging.

SLO: 4.2.1

4.2.2 Students will assess, critically, how the cultural and linguistic heritage and diversity of Alberta has evolved over time by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:

-Which First Nations originally inhabited the different areas of the province?

ICT outcomes:

C.1 - Students will access, use and communicate information from a variety of technologies.

2.1access and retrieve appropriate information from the Internet by using a specific search path or from given uniform resource locations (URLs)

C.2 - Students will seek alternative viewpoints, using information technologies.

2.1seek responses to inquiries from various authorities through electronic media

Rationale: Through this activity students will take an active approach to their learning as they search and explore to find their own answers. By providing the web sites it allows the students to focus on using information rather than spending a long time finding it if I just did requested that they use the internet to find the information for the assignment on the internet. It is also a way of making learning more interactive while students discover how to navigate through websites.

Effectively Integrating Technology and Effective Presentations

So this week’s focus is presentations; PowerPoint, Google presentation, prezi, those slides that go along with lectures that are supposed to aide in your learning. We have all experienced those types of presentations where you are just overwhelmed with all of the special effects and beauty of the slides. As a student you're distracted you're not focusing on the information being given. What about those ones where there is so much information on the slides that once again you're overwhelmed? This time with information overload.

When creating presentations it’s easy to get carried away with all the options you have and all the information you want to share. However in regards to presentations it is continually emphasized that less is more, simplicity is best, your goal should be clarity. I completely agree. This last week in one of our classes we had our first, in what will be many, group of presentations. It was interesting to see that many groups really took this week’s Communications Technology and Education class to heart. They were clear, had big easy to read text, and made effective use of pictures. These were way more effective than other groups who, though they had lots of information, had too much text on their slides. With these slides I found my eyes would gloss over, and I would end up not reading much of it because there was just so much.

Anyways, to the topic of effective technology integration for 21st century learners: First and foremost I believe that in order to reach today's technology age child you must use technology to keep them engaged. This could include things like interactive instructing using a smart board, or using things like twitter to comment on learning during instruction. Using technology to reinforce learning is also an effective way one could incorporate technology. Instead of assigning worksheets use blogs to find out what the students learned. Send out links of YouTube or other movies that further emphasize your lesson. Or have the students create their own movie or YouTube blog to show what they've learned. Send links out of educational internet games that reinforce learning for the gamer students in your class. There are also many main stream games that have a historical basis or are based on biology or civilization that you may recommend. Then as a class you could discuss how true to the facts they remain and their deviations (like Spore, or Civilization). You would have to be pretty careful with this though and keep in mind the age group of you students. Effective integration of Technology also has practical applications. It teaches students how to use technology in the real world and gives them the skills of how to use it and use it more effectively (typing classes, excel etc). It also uses a wide variety of technology as using one type over and over gets tedious and does not show students the vast array of technology out there to use for work and fun. My last point is that it makes learning fun as technology is what students go home to use for their own fun.


To end off this impactful YouTube movie reminds us why it is SO essential and necessary that teachers DO incorporate technology into learning:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-ZVCjfWf8&feature=fvw


My Prezi: What is Effective Technology Integration

http://prezi.com/fmc8mrxjhrfo/what-is-effective-technology-integration-for-21st-century-learners

Blog and Ed

Alright, I guess I should get on to my actual assignment and stop fiddling around with all the little things and options that you can on blogger.

So just a little about me to start off! I'm Bethany Klassen and I am a history major here at the University of Lethbridge. I have just been able to take one big step towards my goal of becoming a teacher through gaining admittance into the Education Faculty here. Which is assumed as this is an education course! But I am still so absolutely thrilled that I am here! I was born and raised in Vancouver, BC and when I say Vancouver I actually mean Vancouver not Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, or any other GVR municipality. This has formed me into the person I am; a cultural diversity lover, beach bum, snow skiing enthusiast, adventure seeker, cat lady, empathetic humanitarian and...Well the list could go on, so I'll leave it at that! I often get asked: why on earth did you choose Lethbridge over Vancouver?! The answer is simple: the education program. I have not regretted the decision to move out here yet! I have found a new beauty here that I have never before. These include the endless starry sky on a clear night, the vast never ending quite often sunny sky, the distant Rockies on a clear morning, undisturbed champagne snow and hoar frost on a crisp winter’s day. But that is enough about me! Onto Blog and Ed!

Before I read the various articles I sat for a while after our first Ed 2508 class and thought to myself about blogging and the role it may play in education. I came up with two main points why a teacher would incorporate it into their curriculum. The first is that you have to teach it. It is required by law to be incorporated into curriculum of all subjects and not to be left to a computer science type course. It makes sense that it has become required by law to do such as it is just a reality of today's world and is an essential part our society. Today's technology is continually advancing in a fast paced world where the use of technology is forever becoming more and more relied upon. So as such educating them on technology its uses, how it works, and its dangers is a vital part of preparing students for the world beyond school with the "tools of success." I think it is also good to stay up to date and to do activities in a way that appeals to students, and that is my second point. One thing I can say for certain is that nothing is MORE appealing to boys aged 12 and beyond, than the latest gadgets in technology and "apps." Sure blogging is not the newest shiniest fad out there right now but it is something that TONS of people do. As such I do think it would be a good tool to use for assignments to get students' creative juices flowing as well as get them excited for something where they can show off all their techno-savvy skills!

Then I thought about all of the dangers, ethical, and legal issues that a teacher would have to think about when exposing students to the internet. Instead of being scared of technology and what can happen online, let’s show them and equip them with the tools to use it properly and use the internet as an aid to learning, discovery and fun. Let’s expose them to the dangers instead of just putting up firewalls. However, I want to clarify I'm not suggesting that we stop using firewalls or monitoring our students and children's internet use by any means. A teacher could also uphold ethical and legal issues around technology by holding students' work and publication with the same standards as prospective employers might. When to share and when not to share is an important lesson to learn, because there are a lot of issues with social networking due to how public the internet is and anyone can find you.

Upon doing the readings I discovered a lot of support for my initial thoughts. The article "Apply Technology Effectively" highlights the importance of using technology as a tool for both students and teachers to research, organize and communicate. Elaborates that this can be done by using various digital technologies to create a space, especially in regards to blogging, where both parties can evaluate, create, and share knowledge in a collaborative way. I absolutely loved reading "Blog Basics" it was just very neat to see how successful a blogging project could be. As well as how effective it is to give students a chance to take a lead in their own education by having them set up their own guidelines. I also really like that aspect of the activity as it has the students think on a deeper level connecting school to reality and become conscious of those realities.

I would be really excited to incorporate blogging in some way into my practicum lesson plans this semester. I have heard some really cool ways teachers have done this including a prior PSI student who set up a blog for his grade 3 class, in the Social Studies component. He wrote different profiles pretending to be people from various cultures around the world and had the students respond and reflect on his various entries. I'm quite looking forward to the various forms of technology that I will be exposed to in this class and learning/ experimenting with ways I can incorporate it into my teaching!

Oh Blogging!!!

Oh my is has been WAY too long since I have entered the blogging world! So much so that I don't even know what to do. Its a crazy thing when you go into a information tech class and realize at 22 you've been out dated... Seriously I am way in over my head! I played with templates and then when I "viewed" the blog nothing had changed! Maybe I didn't save it....I can multitask but this is TOO much! Ah well I guess I'll play around with the blog once I get home and there isn't a crazy amount of things going on. Lorraine YOU are the master multitasker!!!

Hmmm I may have figured this out...But I believe I'm supposed to be paying attention to stuff about google docs.

Okay signing off for now!

B...for Bethany!!!