Blog Reflection # 5

There have been countless "Aha's" for me throughout this semester. In the past, as I've stated so many times before, I have been terrified of technology. Since I didn't grow up as a "digital native" I have often felt so intimidated and uninformed that many times I was too afraid to ask questions or to try something new. This course has been just what I needed. So many new technologies were brought to my attention that I had no idea existed. The best part, though, is that I'm learning that most of them are very easy to use, and it has been exciting to see the creative ideas and uses for technology that many of my classmates have presented in their blogs, wikis, and ePortfolios. I have so many good ideas for using these technology apps in my library.

One "Aha" that stands out for me is the fact that today's learners often feel that their adult instructors are holding them back. The learners of today are definitely different and, in order to be effective, we eductors must step up to the plate, ask for help, become informed, and learn to apply the technology that is available. I know that I have my work cut out for me, but the exciting thing is that I've got a new outlook. Technology really is an exciting and fun way to teach and learn. While the digital divide may be narrowing, there will always be a need for people to learn how to use 21st century tools. I believe libraries will help fill that gap.

As I stated in my educational technology philosophy, I contend that students must be taught to think, that we must build learning environments that are relevant and encourage students to learn independently, and that learning should be student-centered. What better way to present learning than through technology. I see it as the way to reach the "Net Generation". Now it's up to me to become an efficient user of technology.

This class has been an eye-opener. Thank you, Dr. W.!

Blog Reflection #4

Let me begin by saying that I am not a member of the Net Generation and none of this technology business comes easily for me. I am a Baby Boomer (I won't say how old) who remembers my first encounter many years ago with a "monster" computer that was located in the computer center at my university. No one really know how to use that thing...or at least that's what I thought...I just remember those cards with holes punched in them and throngs of students waiting in line just trying to find someone who could help. I must say I have come a long way...I even have my own laptop... but I still get that nervous feeling in my stomach when I'm facing an assignment that entails new technology.

I'm amazed when I see Net Genners like "Eric" that are able to multi-task with so many "technology gadgets" throughout the day as if it were just their second nature. I see many of these enlightened kids in elementary school. As the article stated, I know that they feel that one of the biggest problems they face is the poor example that we adults set for them. This is extremely bothersome to me, and I am determined to learn as much as I can to try to change that. I will need them to help me!

I agree that it is not so much a person's generation that determines the category into which we may fall, but rather that it is exposure to technology. We all come from different backgrounds, but with patience and perseverence, we baby boomers will be able to become effective users as well.

In response to the questions posed in Is it Age or IT: First Steps Toward Understanding the Net Generation I am actually more comfortable composing a document online than in longhand. I can type much faster than I can write, and it is so much easier to make corrections and end up with a more attractive product. I have all of my phone numbers programmed into my cell phone. The downside is that I can't even tell you my children's numbers from memory. I do not yet carry a laptop or PDA to meetings as a general practice, but there are times when I use them for various reasons. I'm trying to learn to use a MacBook, but I have not had the time to master that yet. I was surprised at how different they are from a PC, but I hear from many of you that I need to keep at it. I loved the quote from the article that many members of the Net
Generation feel that the internet is like oxygen. I am logged into the internet almost continually either at home or work and make it a point to keep my cell phone with me at all times. In fact, we don't have a land line at our new home but have opted to use our cell phones instead. The only problem with that is that people sometimes have difficulty getting in touch with me if they don't have my number. Sometimes that is not a bad thing! :-)

I really have a hard time multi-tasking, so I am usually engaged in only one activity at a time. That was what was so amazing about "Eric" from the article we read. He seemed to comfortably use several devices at once. I have never been interested in video or computer games. That is probably because they weren't around until after I had kids and became a working mother. After that, who had time for games? I was lucky to get dinner on the table and maybe take a long bath.

Again, I consider myself a baby boomer, but hopefully as I become more familiar with technology, I will be able to assume more characteristics of the Generation X category. However, I don't think I will ever catch up with the Net Generation.

There is definitely a lot to be learned in order for us to teach this new generation effectively. We must pay attention to their learning styles and interests such as their ability to multi-task and their demand for fast response times. As we immerse ourselves into technology and become more comfortable with it ourselves, we will not be considered a hindrance but rather facilitators in their learning.

Blog Relection #3

After reading this week's article I'm beginning to see the real impact an ePortfolio can have on learning as well as on assessment. I'm beginning to understand that there is a difference between assessment of learning and assessment for learning and that to be effective we need to approach the usage of ePortfolios as an assessment tool created for learning. I can relate to the reluctant student who feels that it is "something done to them" and who percieves an ePortfolio as just another assignment that has to be done because the program requires it, not because they find it to be meaningful. I believe this is the key...students must see the purpose behind the assignment.

That is why I related most closely with the the Assessment for Learning principal that "AFL should take account of importance of (and foster) learner motivation". The learner must buy into the process in order for it to be a powerful learning experience. That's where the value of a learner-centered environment comes into play. I like the fact that the learner is involved and that success is focused on improvement and progress rather than in comparison to other students. The students receive constructive guidance as they are given an opportunity to tell their individual stories as they prove what they know in very creative ways. Teachers are then able to see evidence of where the learners are, where they need to be, and to assess what needs to be done to get them there.

As an elementary librarian I am still trying to make sense of how I might use this tool for assessment purposes. I definitely see it as a way to develop a place to collect and organize my professional information. The creation and development of my ePortfolio has definitely been a learning experience for me...frustrating at times, but I see that with some practice and a lot of patience, I will be able to perfect a tool that will be valuable as I continue my education. I only wish I had known how to do this when I first began work on my Master's degree. Then I would have a showcase of all the "projects" I've done.

Blog Reflection #2

After completing the quiz, I realize that although I feel that I've come a long way in the technology race, I have so much to learn. After checking my results for several of the questions, though, I realized, "Oh, I knew that!" I'm determined to learn as much as I can even though I feel illiterate and in need of a lot of help. This new technology just doesn't come naturally for me! :-(

After reading Alan November's article and completing the MAPPING activities, I am much more leery about websites that look legitimate but are not. If I have trouble discerning appropriate websites and information found in them, I can only imagine how confusing this might be for young internet users. The information presented in this week's articles and videos has taught me to check these sites out in various ways. I have bookmarked some of the resources available to help validate websites and publishers. One of my favorites is www. easywhois.com.
This information has caused me to question some of the sites I have used in the past. After being presented with this week's information, I feel better equipped to make judgements about website information from looking at the URL.

I plan to create a library wiki for my elementary kids to have a forum to discuss books they are reading, make recommendations to classmates, discuss their favorite authors, or add to a library "wish list". Since I never seem to have the time to talk to each one of them about what they are reading, this will give me a chance to catch up and give feedback. It will also give me a chance to update them on new books and upcoming events. I'm still in the planning stages, and have not begun to implement my wiki yet.

I believe this wiki will give voice to all of my students. Hopefully, I will be able to engage my reluctant readers who sometimes get lost in the crowd. They will be presented with an opportunity to express themselves in a non-threatening but personal way. It will be a way for me to keep up with them on an individual basis and get to know them better. I see this as a way to encourage them and hopefully instill my excitement for reading a good book!

I am one of the few people on the planet that has not yet joined a social network. I will do that as soon as I can find a chance to breathe! I have a new grandaughter and I understand there are really cute pictures of her on facebook. I also want to learn to use flickr to share photos.

It is alarming to think about how easy it is to be misled by information so easily accessible on the web. We must teach our students to critically analyze information rather than choosing the first sites they come across and accepting it as factual. To think that a student could be misled into believing that the holocaust never happened is terrifying. Or, for that matter, that velcro is an engineered crop made up of hooks and loops that is grown California! We must teach ourselves and our young students to be internet savvy if we're going to turn them loose on the world wide web.

I am so excited about my new Delicious account! I must admit that I have never been much of a bookmarker, and I always have to go back and try to locate sites that I have visited. Delicious provides me with a way to keep these sites organized and easily accessible from any computer that I am using. How convenient to have all of those sites at my fingertips!

My Educational Technology Philosophy

As a young third grade girl at Cypress Springs Elementary School, I was privileged to have a teacher that impacted me for life. I knew that she cared for me as a person, and I wanted to grow up to be just like her. I think of her often, and many ways I try to model her teaching philosophies. A child will not be able to flourish and grow if they feel unloved, unsafe, and unmotivated. Therefore, I make an effort to make all students feel that I genuinely care about them and that they have a safe place to express themselves and grow. This is the environment that I thrived in, and I believe every kid deserves the same.
In order to be effective, teachers must be excited about what they are doing, well-prepared, flexible, be able to handle classroom management, and be open to new ideas and change. I tend to identify most closely with the constructivist theory. I believe that we, as educators, must teach our students to think. Rather than simply reproducing information, students must construct knowledge that is relevant for them rather than merely spitting out information learned from someone else. The teacher should serve as facilitator and the learning should be student-centered.
In order for students to learn, they must be able to relate to material/experiences being presented to them. We must provide learning environments that are relevant and that encourage them to learn independently and then give thoughtful reflection about what they have encountered.I think it is beneficial to teach problem-solving in a practical way. If students can see first- hand the need for problem-solving in their own lives, it makes sense and application is made easier.
I do consider myself to be somewhat of a realist, however, so I do believe that the essentials must still be taught. The building blocks must be in place in order for learning to continue. Standards should be set high and students must be held accountable. There are different ways to go about reaching these standards and individual needs and learning styles must be taken into consideration. It is imperative that in addition to reading, math, and science, students must receive education for moral and character development.

BLOG REFLECTION #1

After rearing three children and teaching fourth grade for 15 years, I must admit that when I was given the opportunity to become the librarian/media specialist at our elementary school, I was terrified. The prospect was exciting, but I had no idea what that would entail. I agreed to become certified without fully understanding what that would mean. I love children and I love good books, so the job seemed perfect for me…except that I was scared to death of technology! I had managed to perform a few technological duties in the classroom, but I was completely uneducated and technically challenged when I assumed my new position.
Wow! That was four years ago, and I’ve come a long way, baby! I am constantly learning new and exciting ways to enhance learning and instruction with technology. This is my first experience with blogging and I can’t wait to try this with my young students. I envision a blog that my students and I can share to reflect on books they’ve read. One of my favorite things about my job is interacting with students about what they are reading, but there is so little time to do that. I see that blogging would give me the opportunity to hear their thoughts in a nonthreatening environment.
I don’t think we’ve met the potential of blogging that Stephen Downes’ article referred to. One major barrier is teachers like me who feel that they have a lack of technology know-how. We are so busy just doing what we have to do to get by that we don’t take the time to become educated about tools that available for us to use. In actuality, these technology tools would quite often make our jobs easier and much more exciting for our young digital natives.
A quote from Alan November’s article that grabbed by attention states, “Don’t teach children to use the Internet unless you’re willing to teach them to think and discriminate”. The fact that many students feel that any information found on the Internet is true is frightening. I agree that many times we are so intent on teaching them to use technology that we forget to teach the critical thinking skills that are necessary to be able to discriminate between what’s true and not true. I’m glad to learn about Alta Vista, a tool that enables one to check links and check out websites. We must pass this along to our impressionable young students.