This was by far my favorite day. I was so interested in all of the technology presented. I could feel the "wheels turning" in my mind and I love that feeling. It made me want to know more about all of the areas researched. I was in deep thought pondering about all the research possibilities, how hypotheses (plural?) could be tested, technology trends and potential in instruction, how technology is changing the platform of education, ways that our society is evolving around technology, ways that technology could be applied in physical education, ways that social media could tie into physical activity, and how I could get myself to the forefront of all of this research.
I got home late last night and had an 8hr drive to ponder on technology thoughts and reflect on class.
Over all conclusions after reflection: I'm want in on this. I'm hooked on the field of ed.tech. This week was a turning point for me.
And here I sit. Saturday. At a coffee shop. Eager to read every research study I can get my eyes on. I'm eager to make the area of ed. tech my area of research for my dissertation. The wheels are already turning, but it's like any female shopping... I have to observe every piece of clothing in the store, touch it, try it on 3 times, walk around in it a little, and look at all my options in the mirror before I can decide what to buy... or in this case what research gap to focus in on for my dissertation.
One other conclusion from reflection on my long journey home: Liberty University feels home to me. I'm more proud of this university than I am any other of my alma matars. I love the educational culture behind LU: I have developed both professionally and spiritually. For the first time my career, my professional growth, and my faith have become intertwined and it has been a great feeling. I want to be a part of Liberty University long term. I want to teach at the university level eventually, but I couldn’t see teaching anywhere but LU. I would love to be a part of other students' growth both spiritually and professionally.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Day 4 7/5/12
Today was packed full of awesome new software to explore!
PowerPoint-Review of features and how to drop things in
StoryBoard- Learned how to use it fr class projects
Photoshop-Great program and good price through Liberty
MovieMaker- My new FAVORITE fun program. I could make all sorts of slide shows of my students' events (Special Olympics, Disability Sport Activities, Field Day & More!)
Audacity- Completely new to me and want to play around with it more.
Our group spent some more time learning about Elluminate since we will be the moderators during our presentation tomorrow. I've learned a lot from Amy about k-12 outline classrooms and I'm actually looking in to becoming a virtual classroom teacher in GA. I thought I would have to go back to teaching k-5 content, but Amy brought to my attention they have PE teachers and even adapted PE teachers in cyber academies!WOW! That is so cutting edge and would be a blast to learn how to instruct PE from a virtual classroom standpoint. I was so excited about it that I actually started searching for PE job openings in GA and I found several! I was definitely inspired by all of Amy's positive input on internet classrooms and all of technology software exploration in class.
It is pretty bazaar to think about how much technology has changed our society in the past several decades. Today, we were reflecting on the fact that when we were in elementary school, we were just getting computers in the home. Now, we basically all have a computer in our back pocket or purse (our phone!). I think our future is definitely headed into the age of virtual classrooms!
PowerPoint-Review of features and how to drop things in
StoryBoard- Learned how to use it fr class projects
Photoshop-Great program and good price through Liberty
MovieMaker- My new FAVORITE fun program. I could make all sorts of slide shows of my students' events (Special Olympics, Disability Sport Activities, Field Day & More!)
Audacity- Completely new to me and want to play around with it more.
Our group spent some more time learning about Elluminate since we will be the moderators during our presentation tomorrow. I've learned a lot from Amy about k-12 outline classrooms and I'm actually looking in to becoming a virtual classroom teacher in GA. I thought I would have to go back to teaching k-5 content, but Amy brought to my attention they have PE teachers and even adapted PE teachers in cyber academies!WOW! That is so cutting edge and would be a blast to learn how to instruct PE from a virtual classroom standpoint. I was so excited about it that I actually started searching for PE job openings in GA and I found several! I was definitely inspired by all of Amy's positive input on internet classrooms and all of technology software exploration in class.
It is pretty bazaar to think about how much technology has changed our society in the past several decades. Today, we were reflecting on the fact that when we were in elementary school, we were just getting computers in the home. Now, we basically all have a computer in our back pocket or purse (our phone!). I think our future is definitely headed into the age of virtual classrooms!
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Day 3 7/4/2012
Thoughts on Secondlife:
I hate to say this, but the whole concept is just depressing to me. I am such a down-to-earth , simplistic, and nature centered girl that the thought of interacting through a computer screen and building "hypothetical" environments makes me sad. Well, not to mention, I was already in a state of sadness this morning, so video programming and sitting in a walled-up room under fluorescent lights didn't help enhance my state of mind any.
Second Life Pros: Interaction with people from all over the world= wealth of knowledge
Makes meetings and instruction possible from any location
Encourages creativity
May enhance learning through modality of environment and comfort level
Language Emmersion
Definitely an instructional tool (like the example of the psychology professor)
Second Life Cons: Creates a alter identity and can encourage one to live vicariously through the virtual reality
Addictive
Spawning ground for people who are not happy with themselves, or maybe lost
Not really safe for anyone under the age of 18. Somewhat unsafe socially, because
you don't know what kind of person is behind the avitar
I think I would be more apt to use SecondLife strictly for learning purposes. I would be interested in joining lectures and "traveling" to another country to learn the language. The Liberty University area was neat and it made me feel safer knowing not just anyone could enter in that area.
Webquest:
I got a chance to look through other people's webquest and lunal accounts. It is just another neat way to format a lesson plan and use the internet to research. I'm excited to make a webquest that I can use in my classroom!
Browsing through the webquests was addicting and it reminded me (once again) how much internet has enhanced our ability to reach out and grasp new knowledge! If you have the desire to learn about something, all you have to do is get on the internet! I know that our students live in a tech savvy world, but I still think projects like webquests can help them make the connection between the internet and learning (not just the inetrnet and mode of social communication, shopping, and music)
I hate to say this, but the whole concept is just depressing to me. I am such a down-to-earth , simplistic, and nature centered girl that the thought of interacting through a computer screen and building "hypothetical" environments makes me sad. Well, not to mention, I was already in a state of sadness this morning, so video programming and sitting in a walled-up room under fluorescent lights didn't help enhance my state of mind any.
Second Life Pros: Interaction with people from all over the world= wealth of knowledge
Makes meetings and instruction possible from any location
Encourages creativity
May enhance learning through modality of environment and comfort level
Language Emmersion
Definitely an instructional tool (like the example of the psychology professor)
Second Life Cons: Creates a alter identity and can encourage one to live vicariously through the virtual reality
Addictive
Spawning ground for people who are not happy with themselves, or maybe lost
Not really safe for anyone under the age of 18. Somewhat unsafe socially, because
you don't know what kind of person is behind the avitar
I think I would be more apt to use SecondLife strictly for learning purposes. I would be interested in joining lectures and "traveling" to another country to learn the language. The Liberty University area was neat and it made me feel safer knowing not just anyone could enter in that area.
Webquest:
I got a chance to look through other people's webquest and lunal accounts. It is just another neat way to format a lesson plan and use the internet to research. I'm excited to make a webquest that I can use in my classroom!
Browsing through the webquests was addicting and it reminded me (once again) how much internet has enhanced our ability to reach out and grasp new knowledge! If you have the desire to learn about something, all you have to do is get on the internet! I know that our students live in a tech savvy world, but I still think projects like webquests can help them make the connection between the internet and learning (not just the inetrnet and mode of social communication, shopping, and music)
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Day 2 7/3/2012
Today, I learned some of the most simple technologies tricks that will make my life so much easier in the long run. Example: I learned how to change the font and size default on Word. For so long, I have been highlighting and changing the font....It's amazing to me that I didn't think to google this or trouble shoot this sooner! It just went to show me that I am in control of the computer. It is like any other device with a manual; if I simply take the time to explore the manual I can understand the functions.
When I think about a device with a manual, I think about my car. When my 1999 model Chevy finally bit the dust, I got a fancy 2009 model with all the new digital technology and fancy buttons built in. This was amazing to me; I had never had a car with bells, whistles and so many buttons that I didn't know how to function. I was so exited to know what each one did, that I spent hours reading the manual. I liked having the power of reading a manual and understanding what each button did. That car was bought with my own hard earned money and you better believe I was going to use every button in that fine machine to enhance my road trip experiences. This correlates to how I should feel about technology and more so, software. I had no idea that Microsoft Word had so many capabilities! I overlooked all the fancy buttons at the top, just assuming they were over my head and almost afraid to mess around too much and mess something up. Wow! Did I learn a lot today.... and to think I have been wasting my money well spent on purchasing Microsoft Word because I never used half the buttons!Tonight, I think I may just click on every button in Microsoft Word until I fully understand the use of its' "magical powers."
Also on the "to-do" list of exploring magical powers in software: Explore Endnote and OneNote
When I think about a device with a manual, I think about my car. When my 1999 model Chevy finally bit the dust, I got a fancy 2009 model with all the new digital technology and fancy buttons built in. This was amazing to me; I had never had a car with bells, whistles and so many buttons that I didn't know how to function. I was so exited to know what each one did, that I spent hours reading the manual. I liked having the power of reading a manual and understanding what each button did. That car was bought with my own hard earned money and you better believe I was going to use every button in that fine machine to enhance my road trip experiences. This correlates to how I should feel about technology and more so, software. I had no idea that Microsoft Word had so many capabilities! I overlooked all the fancy buttons at the top, just assuming they were over my head and almost afraid to mess around too much and mess something up. Wow! Did I learn a lot today.... and to think I have been wasting my money well spent on purchasing Microsoft Word because I never used half the buttons!Tonight, I think I may just click on every button in Microsoft Word until I fully understand the use of its' "magical powers."
Also on the "to-do" list of exploring magical powers in software: Explore Endnote and OneNote
Day 1 7/2/2012
First day of class and of course I already had internet issues and installation issues (as to be expected). Dr. Dunn really calmed everyone's nerves and I realized that no matter how many issues I had with installing things in class, I just needed to remember that this class is a great opportunity and I need to remain patient because it won't do me any good to get frustrated.
We used a lot of class time perusing different kinds of technology forms that we use both in and out of the classroom. Some were new to me and some I was familiar with. It basically set the tone for me that we are moving into a "digital age of learning." It was inspiring and exciting to overview new programs. It is just exciting to know how much is out there in the technology world for me to explore!
As we started our group work and starting thinking out loud, I realized that there is a lot of limitations with technology due to lack of definitive research in technology, such as digital game-based learning. I think that my generation understands how useful technology is in the classroom, but the data and research isn't in place to back it up so that school boards will really "catch the fever" and dive into digital game-based learning. Our society as a whole will have to jump on board, because for digital game-based learning to be successful, the games have to be very involved. These games are no longer just behavioral based (where there is a reward slapped onto a learning content), they are cognitive and social-cultural based.
We used a lot of class time perusing different kinds of technology forms that we use both in and out of the classroom. Some were new to me and some I was familiar with. It basically set the tone for me that we are moving into a "digital age of learning." It was inspiring and exciting to overview new programs. It is just exciting to know how much is out there in the technology world for me to explore!
As we started our group work and starting thinking out loud, I realized that there is a lot of limitations with technology due to lack of definitive research in technology, such as digital game-based learning. I think that my generation understands how useful technology is in the classroom, but the data and research isn't in place to back it up so that school boards will really "catch the fever" and dive into digital game-based learning. Our society as a whole will have to jump on board, because for digital game-based learning to be successful, the games have to be very involved. These games are no longer just behavioral based (where there is a reward slapped onto a learning content), they are cognitive and social-cultural based.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
My thoughts on technology...
Technology is bitter sweet for me. It can be the most amazing thing and somehow be my worst enemy at the same time. Let me give some examples:
1) Allows me to navigate anywhere without planning ahead.... until my battery dies and then I'm more than lost
2) Allows me to keep up with all my friends' lives... almost more than I need to
3) Allows me to take endless amounts of pictures of trips... unitl they are completely lost in the blink of an eye when the camera is dropped in water and the pics were not saved.
4) Allows me to have numerous ways of contacting a loved one in Afghanistan...until I freak out when there is a internet blackout on his end or emotions are typed out before they are thought through.
4) Allows communication without talking....which I have learned is really a horrible way to communicate and tone of voice is desperately needed to fully understand what a person means. Tone of voice, eye contact, and body language in person is the best way to communicate.
5) Allows for a quick response to someone's question.... unless you really were hoping not to give a response
6) Allows for completion of online classes.... but be ready to SAVE every document
7) Allows for amazing, fun, and interactive activities for teachers to use in the classroom... just be prepared to take the time to make them:)
I look forward to having a hands-on experience in my Technology class at Liberty University! I look forward to learning how to utilize technology as a teacher.
1) Allows me to navigate anywhere without planning ahead.... until my battery dies and then I'm more than lost
2) Allows me to keep up with all my friends' lives... almost more than I need to
3) Allows me to take endless amounts of pictures of trips... unitl they are completely lost in the blink of an eye when the camera is dropped in water and the pics were not saved.
4) Allows me to have numerous ways of contacting a loved one in Afghanistan...until I freak out when there is a internet blackout on his end or emotions are typed out before they are thought through.
4) Allows communication without talking....which I have learned is really a horrible way to communicate and tone of voice is desperately needed to fully understand what a person means. Tone of voice, eye contact, and body language in person is the best way to communicate.
5) Allows for a quick response to someone's question.... unless you really were hoping not to give a response
6) Allows for completion of online classes.... but be ready to SAVE every document
7) Allows for amazing, fun, and interactive activities for teachers to use in the classroom... just be prepared to take the time to make them:)
I look forward to having a hands-on experience in my Technology class at Liberty University! I look forward to learning how to utilize technology as a teacher.
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