My Chat Comments

Note to all: *Here is a copy of an email I sent Dr. Franklin b/c I was not able to join the chat (tech. difficulties)...Any feedback would be great. Thanks. I was disappointed I couldn't join...but here is what I was hoping to contribute...still not the same w/o feedback. :-) -Anna

Dr. Franklin:
I have tried some more and no results. I forgot to mention that I never received any Chat schedule and today when I got back from work reread a previous email (ref. to Grants info. and March 10th & 11th chat times). Several days before when I read that late one night I thought that meant this week's chats were cancelled (false presumption I realize now) but then checked and saw another email referencing last night's chat...slight panic.(but it was only around 6pm). So I thought I'd just join tonight's chat at 8...you know the rest of the situation.

Still, I would like to make some comments about some of the readings and perhaps reschedule a chat w/you (or other option??? - I'm open for suggestions). Here goes: (After completing my thoughts on what I was hoping to chat about, I will save & post them in the Blogs to see if I can get any comments/feedback.)

After reflecting on all of the articles, I found myself enjoying "Multimedia Paradox" and "Blue Ribbon Technology" the most. I found myself wondering if there are teachers out there who actually teach full time and conduct research grants as they study and report on the effects/benefits of technology in the classroom. Is it done? If so, this is something I would be interested in sometime in the future. I also found myself reflecting on how "understanding" is always the "preferred outcome" and then how that understanding leads to "knowledge". I can see how the fear and truth about "too many bells & whistles" leading to students who can become distracted.

This led me to thoughts that as much as technology in the world is speeding forward at a pace that is hard to keep up with, I would like to see the educators in the public school get "up to par" w/it all within the next 3-5 years ideally. However, somehow I see the benefits taking about 10 years of time in order for teachers to find practical ways of integrating technology into the classroom w/in a certain comfort level for both themselves and for their students.

I don't feel that there is an easy solution b/c there are still schools who are far behind in the resources of technology. Unless there is a national and federally funded technology mandate to actually get the technology tools in the schools, I can not foresee the teachers really getting the needed practice. Just like anything...one needs tools in order to build. How can a school build their way into the future of technology w/out the actual tools?

There are so many schools that fall between the cracks b/c of lack of federal funding and a lack of support of school levies. How can schools who have one or two Smart Boards in the entire building compete w/effectiveness in integrating technology on a daily basis compare to schools who have one in every classroom? I'm pretty sure there will be a growing digital divide in this respect - an equity issue that really needs to be addressed. Educators can only do so much w/the tools they are given. As an educator I would do my best to get grants, but how can a school dare to compete if they lag behind (each year the gap getting larger)?

Doing all the research online to locate info. for the variety of projects sheds light that there are some communities who are really making technology a priority. I'm sure each community will have it's growing pains of the bells & whistles but that needs to be expected in the whole process scheme.

On to my thoughts about the "Blue Ribbon Technology"...I love the use of multimedia in the classroom. I can see both the benefits and the pitfalls. I have heard both positive and negative comments. One teacher commented on how too much of it can be detrimental and take away from the social aspect if there is one child to one computer. I feel this can be remedied w/more Smart Boards, engaging more children w/in the large group setting...while still leaving some time for individual time per student. I have seen the benefits of computers w/children of special needs and feel that if monitored and w/proper guidance the multimedia tools w/in the classroom can be great motivators for children to learn content (often times w/out realizing they are even learning).

I planned to ask if anyone works at a school that utilizes the mentioned..."MovieWorks Deluxe". I am very interested to hear of any 1st hand experiences about this and also about "Map Detectives". Personally, I have United Streaming and feel it would benefit children in the schools. I hope to implement the source w/in my own classroom when I have my own classroom. I also recommend that the school try get a grant to pay for a school license in United Streaming (-I may be able to help too). Finally, I was hoping to get feedback from anyone who may have experienced the website mentioned in the "Blue Ribbon Technology" article -> www.learningthroughsports.com ??? It sounds like it would be great b/c so many students (both genders) enjoy sports. I have found that in my limited experiences that both girls and boys have enjoyed math games you can find at funbrain.com (math baseball) etc. I've also recommended math and reading interactive sites to students I've tutored in previous years to find that it boosted moral, self-esteem. I had students this year get so excited about their scores in math baseball that they requested I write down their scores so they could take them home and share w/their parents! I found this also motivating as an educator. It's always great to see that spark...a great foundation for learning and hope for the future! (O.K.-I've been writing this email for one hour now. I'll send it, then copy & paste it to the blog. All comments appreciated!!! :-) -Sincerely, Anna

MS Office Ultimate

Several weeks ago I found an intriguing website with a "you can't believe it" offer. It is an offer for MS Office Ultimate Edition 2007 for $59.95. I looked into it and then tried it. I got the setup DVDs in the mail a week or so later. The offer is only good for people with valid university email addresses. Also, it is only good until sometime in April, April 1 if I remember correctly. I know this full-blown version of MS Office retails for something over $600, so it is quite the deal.

Thought I'd share this info with everyone else, enjoy!

http://www.theultimatesteal.com/home.asp

Week 5

I did not see a week 5 page. I was under the impression that my responses to Renea's comments on projectors counted as my week 5 blog. So I have copied those comments under this heading.

I feel like we've seen a recurring theme throughout many of the articles. Technology can enhance learning when used effectively. However technology alone does not improve learning. I think this fits with other posts I have made before. Since I have been in teaching a long time, I have seen this first hand. The latest greatest toy may not be the ticket to improved learning. However, how we use that toy can impact students. I like the way this was presented in the article. Although the reference to film strip projectors made me feel a bit old.

February 11, 2008 6:58 PM

Multimedia Journalism; A Classroom Tour

My Media Productions class is very much like the programs that are listed in the article “Multimedia Journalism; A Classroom Tour”. My program was until 4 years ago two separate programs. 1. Printed Media – producing the school newspaper; and Media Productions – Producing the school news program and learning the process of video productions. Our administration decided when the Media Productions instructor retired to combine the two classes into one program of study.

In some instances I am not 100% sure that this was the best for either class. The students that are interested in the printed media and have no desire to be on the school news struggle with learning the electronic process of utilizing the digital editor and being in front of the camera as new anchors. The students who have no desire or even sometimes no talent for writing articles for the “Morganna” struggle with this.

While they do learn entry-level skills in both areas I feel that they would be better served if they were able to develop further their talents and skills in their chosen area. They would be better served if there were an entry-level course in which they are exposed to a variety of journalism tracks then can choose their senior year the area that they are interested in.

Multimedia Projectors: A Key Component in Classrooms of the Future

Multimedia Projectors: A Key Component in Classrooms of the Future

https://blackboard.ohiou.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab=courses&url=/bin/common/course.pl?course_id=_23937_1

I have been using the projector in my classroom as a tool for about the last 6 years. I feel that the students have a greater recall when they not only hear the lecture but also see a presentation that contains visual data and demonstrations that enhance the lecture. This article reinforces my belief that this is true.

“When asked how multimedia projectors affected the teaching and learning experience, several areas of influence were identified, including visual aid, greater flexibility for alternative teaching methods, enhanced teacher demonstrations, heightened student awareness and customized curriculum applications.

Visual aid. Multimedia projectors allow teachers to provide diverse content to all students in the classroom at once, allowing students to have a visual and colorful learning experience during a given lesson.”

What I do find strange though is even though the teachers surveyed know that they need the technology of DVD’s and projectors to be a main component in the classroom the main equipment that is being installed is the outdated VCR and TV. How strange and limiting is that????

Week 6 Readings

I loved the article on Multimedia Paradox. It is so typical in education to jump on the latest band wagon and end up with cool stuff that no one can use. the author talks about the research questions focusing on the technology rather than the education content being taught. We have done this kind of things with curriculum, standards and tests to the point that I feel sometimes the students are just being shoved from one novel idea to another. In the last year the education department of the college in which I work has made several technological advances one of which was the addition of a smart board in class. As far as I know only a couple of people in the department use it a little and no one is using it to its fullest capacity. As a matter of fact the IT department told us we had to have it because they got a grant and them gave us a 2 hour training on the piece. It is a great tool for those who have spent the time to use it but the students are still using it as a projector screen which in the end would have been a cheaper purchase if that is all it is being used for. I guess in the end I agree with this author we really need to look at the students first and tailor the tools to fit their needs and abilities in new and creative ways.

Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling

The link Photo Composition located at the URL: http://www.coe.uh.edu/digital-storytelling/tools/photo-composition.htm that can be accessed from http://www.coe.uh.edu/digital-storytelling/tools.htm which is a link on the page “Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling” http://www.coe.uh.edu/digital-storytelling/

Although it is used as a resource for the digital story telling will be a great link that I can use in my Yearbook class. Many times the students have a difficult time understanding what type of photos are needed when they are taking photos for the yearbook publication.

It gives helpful hints as to how to take a more effective photograph and the rule of thirds.

Resources that can be used to create a digital story - Tools for Digital Storytelling

http://www.coe.uh.edu/digital-storytelling/tools.htm#Royalty-Free – Includes resources that are uncopyrighted public domain websites. Includes sites that are from US government agencies, educational organizations and companies that provide materials for students and teachers.

This is an excellent resource site.

Integrating Google Suite for Higher Education

I was very interested in the article as a link on the Evolving Technologies link located at http://www.educause.edu/EvolvingTechnologiesReports/869

Integrating Google Suite for Higher Education

http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/DEC0703.pdf

Until last quarter I had not even heard of Google Suite. Although difficult to work with at times and its limitations in maintaining formatting when editing, I feel that Google Suite of applications would offer our students opportunities and experience with software utilizing in both communication and utility tools. Many of our students although they might have computers can not afford the expensive software programs of Microsoft Office. They however are not allowable at our schools. I am not sure if it is only not allowable by our tech coordinator or is this a state wide policy due to security issues. Does anyone else’s school districts allow Google applications access?

Technology Guides Site

The web site “Technology Guides” located on http://k-12.pisd.edu/techs/train.htm provides a wealth of information and tutorial guides that are available for several multimedia programs that can be used for creating and producing the projects. It also has a link to Audacity which a audio editing software that is open source. I wish I had found this before I started working on the “My Life Journey” video on movie maker.

It also has links to resources that can be utilized in teaching your students about efficient search techniques and safe internet surfing tactics. There is a page that on Internet safety that is geared to the parents. Although I do not have access to some of the programs that have manuals on this web site, it does have several on the same site. I love finding sites that saves me search time.

Internet2

Internet2

Wow, how could this have existed since 1996 and I have not even heard even a whisper about it before this article? I found this article very interesting. Is this the future that would allow our students to connect to educational sites when they are completing research projects? Often the students are blocked out of valuable information at school when doing research projects such as abortion and other subjects that might be considered risky. Is this a possibility that we as educational institution could have access to this and not even know it.

From what I understand from this article, if you are part of a K-12 institution and are connected to the state’s educational networks it is a possibility that your school might be connected and not even realize it. I tried to run the applet to check and see if we are but either we are not or our tech coordinator has certain components blocked that will not allow me to run the applet on the school network. This is a good possibility.

Week Four Readings (for the late folks)

The first reading I found especially interesting was the article on Internet 2 and Libraries.  My mother is a librarian in a K-12 institution and I figured she might have some more information on the subject so I called her and asked her. She said she vaguely remembers hearing of Internet2 but wanted more information. We chatted about what I had read and I sent her the link to the article. I was surprised when I did some additional research on Internet2 to find the expense. A higher education facility like Ohio University would have to pay $32,000 a year for the service. I understand what they are trying to do with it and keeping it so that the main use is for Education and research but I found that figure a little staggering. 

When Internet2 isn't so new I hope that it becomes more financially feasible for public education to become a part of it so that students may access information for research and learning. I hope that it remains out of reach for individuals, not for research, so that the intent and purpose don't become skewed. 

I also was unaware of the Horizon Report, that anything like this existed. I was so impressed with the information that was presented. I was a little excited to see that it was a newer project and that I haven't been missing this for years! I will now check each year to read their review .

Week Three Readings (for the late folks)

The reading that stuck out most in my mind for this week was the article about the Gen Y class. Being as young as I am I feel that this study could have been done with me. Every comment that the Gen Yer's made like "I like to experiment, and see what happens"  to "look at what this mistake turned out to be" rang so true to me. I feel that along with the Gen Yer's that I grew up with technology and feel very comfortable with it. As far as using technology and asking for student assistance, I still feel a little uncomfortable, at times, asking for student assistance. I know as a young teacher I am not to far in age from my students at this point and sometimes find it daunting, especially with high school students, to get appropriate responses from students when I ask questions let alone ask for technology help. I think that as I grow older the technologies I grew up with have started to and will continue to change, and then I will need to rely more on my students. 

I also wanted to comment on the technology guide webpage. I have spent way to much time looking at this website. I have found some really interesting software, I didn't even know was out there, and found some great tutorials. I can't wait to share this with my colleagues at school during their inservice.

Week Two Readings (for the late folks)

I have to be honest, when I first started looking at the titles for the readings, I couldn't help but laugh as I think of a large number of educators who think that an educational video is anything  they throw in the video player to help in a time of need (for a substitute) or to keep students busy while they finish other work. 

One saying I remember hearing from my undergraduate years was "Never show a video just to show a video, don't use the time to be off doing other tasks." If we want our students to get anything from a video we must first be engaged in the video ourselves. 

I really like the table from the second reading "Media in the classroom". It is very good at describing where we should be going with how to use educational video's. I don't think that we should be substituting videos for traditional education but rather using them as a springboard for students to try and make a bigger connection to the material we are trying to teach.  Personally I like to have students make presentations including videos on a specific topic and see how they run with the ideas. Speaking from experience, we must make sure to give them some guidelines though, so that they know the boundaries they need to stay within. 

I also really enjoyed the Wiki Book about Blended Learning in K-12 environments. It was very informative in a historical way as well as new idea's like virtual field trips. My librarian was telling me about virtual field trips last year and I didn't have a clue what she was talking about but then as I started to research them I found how interesting and exciting they can be. I don't know that I have a medium for using them at the moment but I would love the opportunity to use them in the future. 

Blog Week one (for the late folks)

I though I might get started making sure that I have a blog about the readings for each week.  If you would like to join me please feel free. 

Week 1- For me the readings about digital storytelling were compelling. I have made video's like this before for personal use but never thought anything of it. I enjoy editing family photos into short video's or special occasions for friends. I now know that we can use this form of expressino in an educational setting and make good use of the information provided. 

As I have filled out many applications for employment for different school districts they all usually ask a question like: "What three things would you  like to know about your students?" I always answer: "I want to know what they know and what they are interested in, some background information on their lives, and if they have any learning disabilities." 

With the use of a digital story we could find out a lot about a student, their background, and better help them learn in our classrooms. I feel that if students are pointed in the right direction, yet given some freedom, they will tell us everything we ever wanted to know and more. 

A quote from "Digital Tools Easier to Grasp" that stuck out in my mind was; "We need these stories like food" this comes from Mr. Joe Lambert a director for the Center for digital Storytelling. I can't agree with him more. Being a people person, I know I always enjoy conversing and learning about different lifestyles, cultures, and people's habits. Another quote that I have heard Dr. Franklin mention time and time again is "Use what you have" meaning to use anything and everything that you already have in terms of photos and video. Also you don't need the most expensive equipment to be able to tell your story. 

My suggestion, as I sat through an inservice last friday this might actually help with some of the ideas for incoming students to the high school, is to have Freshman start a digital story and continue to update it once a year so on their graduation day, they might show a small clip of their trials and tribulations of their High School Careers.

Tutorials?

Hello everyone! I am sure that everyone is working up to the last minute... Lots of stuff to do this week!!!!

I just finished up assignment 5 using Camtasia- It was my first time using the software, but I found it to be rather fun. I teach 1st grade and I am planning a lesson on Arctic Animals... so thought I would take advantage of the situation and create this project around my ideas...

My question- It really isn't a tutorial- It is something that I will def. use as a lesson in my classroom! Also, I created an assessment worksheet and a rubric to go along... Does it sound like I am on the right track?

Assignment 5

With the blessing of a snow day I'm trying to get as much work done as possible, but I have a couple questions about the assignment. 1) Do we need 2 videos & 4 or more pictures since line 3 says 2 or more video clips or digital shots and then line 4 says 2 or more digital single shots? 2) What in the world do we do with the rubric? Do we make a rubric to grade the students on what they learned from the video or do we create a rubric as if they were making the same video we are?

Any thoughts or answers would be greatly appreciated.

Help

I'm not sure if you still have the email but one was sent about a free Mac version of the software and open source for those with machines other than PCs for the Assignment #5. If you know the site please reply.

Thanks,
Tom

Creative Commons

From the website "Creative Commons provides free tools that let authors, scientists, artists, and educators easily mark their creative work with the freedoms they want it to carry. You can use CC to change your copyright terms from "All Rights Reserved" to "Some Rights Reserved."

http://creativecommons.org/

chat schedule

I feel so disorganized and overwhelmed this quarter. I have everything printed and in binders but I still have a hard time keeping everything organized. Does anyone know when the next chat will be? I dont know if it was posted somewhere or not. I have looked and cant find it. I wanted to write it in my agenda so I dont forget. Thanks

Multimedia Projectors Article

The multimedia projector has changed the way material is presented in the classroom. Everyone can now see presentations or video from the Internet without crowding around a screen. The projector also works far better than a TV (at least the ones available at my school) in terms of everyone being able to see. Colorful presentations are much more interesting to today's youth than the old chalk and chalkboard approach. It keeps them more engaged and more attentive which usually leads to increased rentention of the material.

I found it very interesting that this article was written in June 2002 and that 22% of educators and AV specialists predicted that multimedia projectors would be in every classroom within 5 years. It is past five years later and most rooms at my school do not have a multimedia projector, including my own.

I love how the company CDWG provides same day shipping on all hardware, software and peripherals (even custom orders). If I could only get all of my shipments that quickly!

Assignment 4

I know this is a little late for assignment for but maybe someone is still working on it. Fair use is used a lot in education to allow teachers to show or make copies of certain works to share with their classes. When reading through copyright information for this assignment I read that this only applies to a student at a degree-granting institution. At high school this would be the diploma. So fair use does not apply to administrators or other teachers presenting at a professional development or at a board meeting since they are employees and not students. I never realized there was any difference, since in my mind I considered professional development to be an educational setting. I assumed that this would also be covered under fair use.

Assignment 4

A story that happened to me. When I was in Los Angeles this summer doing a computer camp on the UCLA Campus, as we were leaving the lab, a lady with a cameraman came running towards us. She asked the students if they would like to be in a quick movie. The students were like yes, yes!!! I said no - this is a camp and we are going to dinner. She said that it wouldn’t take long and they wouldn’t shoot the students’ heads and that if they would write down their name and address, they would mail home the release form. I said to them that if you are shooting the film now, that doesn’t make any sense. At this point I was getting a little upset and called another staff member. The lady told me it was only for a learning project, and I told her that I was in charge of this group of camp students and the parents didn't sign up for their children to be in any type of movie or film. By the way, at this camp we had a lot of high profile children because of their parent’s fame. As we were waiting for the other staff member to come, this lady totally ignored me and started telling the students what to do and said to the cameraman to "try not to" get the students’ faces. So then I really had to put my foot down and say again that we were not doing this and that she needed to leave us alone. She then took the low road and as she left told my students that she was just trying to make a movie and have a little fun and that I was being a "party pooper". I didn't say anything back because it wasn't worth it.

A great resource you might like

I found a good resource from the Web, which provides many video production examples and ideas and even how to produce videos. It also provides some information about hardware and softare. I hope it helps.
http://www.misd.k12.mi.us/technology/dig-video.html

Wei

Assignment 5 Clarification

Is this assignment supposed to teach a skill specifically related to learning a technology? From the description, it appears that we are to use Camtasia to teach a concept not necessarily a computer related skill. Is this correct? Does this mean we could do a power point with narration as a lesson. In my field I was thinking of the teacher inservice I give regularly about hearing loss. Is this correct?

Digital Documentaries

I came across this site tonight while looking for some examples of permission slips (yes, I am getting a last minute start on this assignment). This site has some tutorials for MovieMaker and iMovie. I haven't taken a look at them yet, but thought they might be useful to teachers trying to use either of these programs with students in the classroom.

http://www.atschool.org/digidocs/resources.htm#top

Teacher Shooting!

http://www.wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=34546

This just happend this morning in portsmouth ohio.... a teacher's fear!!!

Interesting Article

As I was searching for information regarding copyright and student internet safety, I found the website for The Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education at the Stevens Institue of Technology in New Jersey. There are several extremely interesting articles post, but I really liked this one. It was written by a special education math and science teacher in cleveland. It's about using the internet "in unique and compelling ways" in the classroom. I found it very interesting what these kids who have IEP's and been dubbed "below average" can do when it comes to using technology to meet the state math and science standards. This classroom sounds like a really cool place to learn!

http://www.ciese.org/papers/AERAklamar.pdf

Copyright Question?

I'm getting started on my Camtasia Tutorial, but I'm a little fuzzy on the copyright policies for photos that you get from the 'net. For the video that I want to do - I won't be able to take all my own photos - so I'll need to download some. From what I understand, as long as I cite where I got the photos from I'm okay - is this right? If so, do I cite it in the credits? Thanks in advance for anyone who can help!

Broadcast Flags

The Educause article mentions that Congress will soon pass the use of "Broadcast Flags." Has anyone read anymore information on this issue?

Professional Development & Technology