I was fascinated by everything that I read online related to educational blogs. People in my family often talked about technology isolating people from one another, but I feel that Web 2.0 tools are really focused on connecting people and ideas.
I love how blogging gives people an opportunity to network with other professionals, share ideas for teaching, and teach students critical thinking skills and the importance of understanding all viewpoints. Everyone has the opportunity to express their ideas and opinions, receive feedback from others, and further refine their opinions. Students are able to meaningfully communicate with other students about complex topics and issues. Debates, which foster critical thinking, are started.
One of the most important skills we can teach students is the ability to analyze information. Blogging is a powerful way to do this.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Web 2.0 in a Changing World (#2)
I am amazed today by the possibilities of the future. In my short 36 years of life, technology has transformed our world.
In elementary school, we had one computer for all of the students to share. We were each given 15 minutes per week of ‘computer time’ down in a room at the end of a hall, by ourselves. Since my family didn’t have a computer, my entire time was spent in frustration, trying to figure out how to turn on the machine.
In middle school and high school, computer labs were an exercise in frustration, as I knew very little about how computers worked. It wasn’t until I went to college that I had regular access to computers. I didn’t purchase my first computer until after I was married, in graduate school, and working on my thesis. That was in 1996, and the cost for the system was $2600.00.
Throughout college, I used email, Quicken, and Word frequently, but did not see the potential for technology to increase my productivity, or to connect me to others.
Then, we moved to Texas. My company used a computer system to track patient billing, employee productivity, and set up treatment plans. I began using technology on a daily basis. Suddenly, I had to find multiple facilities in an unfamiliar MetroPlex. My husband’s GPS became an incredibly useful tool, rather than a superfluous luxury.
I had transformed in 10 years from an individual who shunned computers as an expensive toy or gadget, to someone who appreciated the functionality of technology. On a daily basis, I was using my cell phone to stay connected to family via text and talk. I was using financial programs to track spending and organize my tax returns. I used email to stay in contact with family and friends. However, I had no idea what ‘blogging’ was, wasn’t sure how to chat, and couldn’t download pictures from my digital camera.
In my work, I already use a program to track student progress on special education goals and to write IEPs. Email helps me coordinate with colleagues. The curriculum program helps me ensure my lessons dovetail with what my students are doing in the classroom for the week.
But, after my first day on the job in Mesquite, I knew I had ground to make up. My goal this year is to become familiar with all of the technology tools currently available, so that I can become more productive and communicate more easily with parents and colleagues.
I plan to become more proficient in fully using the functions of Excel, to track and compute progress of my students on their various goals and objectives. I will be learning how to download pictures from digital cameras, which will help me share events with parents. Over the summer, I plan to create my own website for sharing information and collaboratioon ideas with parents. I am learning more about all of the functions of Outlook, to continue to organize my calendar and send email to groups.
I am looking forward to learning more about all of the tools of web 2.0 so that I can enrich my lessons, engage my students, and include parents in the educational process.
My goal is to increase communication with families and colleagues, and manage all aspects of my caseload more efficiently, so that I will be more productive. My goal is to use technology to help me work smarter rather than harder.
Education and the tools we need to use in the 21st century need to be flexible and creative. Bringing technology into lessons will actively engage students, teaching them how to be flexible, adaptive learners. They will learn to virtually simultaneously acquire, organize, and apply new information. They will also gain proficiency in basic computer literacy and skills (typing, word processing, etc.) All of these skills are important keys to being effective members of the workforce in the 21st century.
Comments
In elementary school, we had one computer for all of the students to share. We were each given 15 minutes per week of ‘computer time’ down in a room at the end of a hall, by ourselves. Since my family didn’t have a computer, my entire time was spent in frustration, trying to figure out how to turn on the machine.
In middle school and high school, computer labs were an exercise in frustration, as I knew very little about how computers worked. It wasn’t until I went to college that I had regular access to computers. I didn’t purchase my first computer until after I was married, in graduate school, and working on my thesis. That was in 1996, and the cost for the system was $2600.00.
Throughout college, I used email, Quicken, and Word frequently, but did not see the potential for technology to increase my productivity, or to connect me to others.
Then, we moved to Texas. My company used a computer system to track patient billing, employee productivity, and set up treatment plans. I began using technology on a daily basis. Suddenly, I had to find multiple facilities in an unfamiliar MetroPlex. My husband’s GPS became an incredibly useful tool, rather than a superfluous luxury.
I had transformed in 10 years from an individual who shunned computers as an expensive toy or gadget, to someone who appreciated the functionality of technology. On a daily basis, I was using my cell phone to stay connected to family via text and talk. I was using financial programs to track spending and organize my tax returns. I used email to stay in contact with family and friends. However, I had no idea what ‘blogging’ was, wasn’t sure how to chat, and couldn’t download pictures from my digital camera.
In my work, I already use a program to track student progress on special education goals and to write IEPs. Email helps me coordinate with colleagues. The curriculum program helps me ensure my lessons dovetail with what my students are doing in the classroom for the week.
But, after my first day on the job in Mesquite, I knew I had ground to make up. My goal this year is to become familiar with all of the technology tools currently available, so that I can become more productive and communicate more easily with parents and colleagues.
I plan to become more proficient in fully using the functions of Excel, to track and compute progress of my students on their various goals and objectives. I will be learning how to download pictures from digital cameras, which will help me share events with parents. Over the summer, I plan to create my own website for sharing information and collaboratioon ideas with parents. I am learning more about all of the functions of Outlook, to continue to organize my calendar and send email to groups.
I am looking forward to learning more about all of the tools of web 2.0 so that I can enrich my lessons, engage my students, and include parents in the educational process.
My goal is to increase communication with families and colleagues, and manage all aspects of my caseload more efficiently, so that I will be more productive. My goal is to use technology to help me work smarter rather than harder.
Education and the tools we need to use in the 21st century need to be flexible and creative. Bringing technology into lessons will actively engage students, teaching them how to be flexible, adaptive learners. They will learn to virtually simultaneously acquire, organize, and apply new information. They will also gain proficiency in basic computer literacy and skills (typing, word processing, etc.) All of these skills are important keys to being effective members of the workforce in the 21st century.
Comments
Lifelong Learning (#1)
This year has been an incredible year of change and growth for me. I have always believed in continuing my education beyond the university experience; however, I find myself striving like never before to improve my skills and broaden my perspective this year.
My family and I moved to Texas fairly recently (approximately 18 months ago). This may seem like a long time ago to some, but when you consider that we moved from our home of 20 years, it was a tremendous shift.
We came for a better education for our children, more career opportunities for my husband and myself, and a brighter financial future. We are attaining all of those goals here, and have gained a great deal through being able and willing to embrace the ideal of life-long learning.
I have been a school-based speech therapist for 10 years. When we moved to Texas, I found myself broadening my skills into the medical field, to help my family survive economically. I spent 14 months learning and growing, expanding my skills.
Then I was able to transition back to what I truly love-working with children. But I was surprised yet again by the differences in the roles of educational SLPs in Texas, versus my home state. I gained greater appreciation and understanding of new professional perspectives. I grew in flexibility as I now was expected to become more proficient with technology, familiarize myself with new state special education regulations and requirements, and gain some of that Southern hospitality and grace via osmosis.
I now divide my time between the schools (5 days) and long term care settings (1-2 days) per week. My husband's corporate position, like many others' in this great nation, has been a casualty of the recession. I find myself grateful for the ability to support my family in this difficult time, when so many people don't have options.
My husband has used this time to reflect on his past career, and has realized that he was happiest when he was teaching. He is expanding his knowledge base of the most current teaching techniques by completing an alternative certification program. He hopes to obtain a position in the fall teaching science to 4th-8th grade students. He is hopeful that our children are realizing the necessity of lifelong learning, perseverance, and flexibility.
I am continuing to strive for improvement in my work performance, becoming more organized, learning more about technology to increase my productivity, and deepening my knowledge base of instructional techniques and programs. I am proud of the example I am setting for my own children, and for my students. I know flexibility and a commitment to lifelong education will continue to be the keys to a successful career in the 21st century.
My family and I moved to Texas fairly recently (approximately 18 months ago). This may seem like a long time ago to some, but when you consider that we moved from our home of 20 years, it was a tremendous shift.
We came for a better education for our children, more career opportunities for my husband and myself, and a brighter financial future. We are attaining all of those goals here, and have gained a great deal through being able and willing to embrace the ideal of life-long learning.
I have been a school-based speech therapist for 10 years. When we moved to Texas, I found myself broadening my skills into the medical field, to help my family survive economically. I spent 14 months learning and growing, expanding my skills.
Then I was able to transition back to what I truly love-working with children. But I was surprised yet again by the differences in the roles of educational SLPs in Texas, versus my home state. I gained greater appreciation and understanding of new professional perspectives. I grew in flexibility as I now was expected to become more proficient with technology, familiarize myself with new state special education regulations and requirements, and gain some of that Southern hospitality and grace via osmosis.
I now divide my time between the schools (5 days) and long term care settings (1-2 days) per week. My husband's corporate position, like many others' in this great nation, has been a casualty of the recession. I find myself grateful for the ability to support my family in this difficult time, when so many people don't have options.
My husband has used this time to reflect on his past career, and has realized that he was happiest when he was teaching. He is expanding his knowledge base of the most current teaching techniques by completing an alternative certification program. He hopes to obtain a position in the fall teaching science to 4th-8th grade students. He is hopeful that our children are realizing the necessity of lifelong learning, perseverance, and flexibility.
I am continuing to strive for improvement in my work performance, becoming more organized, learning more about technology to increase my productivity, and deepening my knowledge base of instructional techniques and programs. I am proud of the example I am setting for my own children, and for my students. I know flexibility and a commitment to lifelong education will continue to be the keys to a successful career in the 21st century.
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