Podcast Interview

Click below to listen to a podcast of my interview of two teenage boys on the topic of the internet.
This assignment was particularly challenging as I tried to maintain a balance between allowing the boys to express their own opinions without any influence from me. I wanted to allow them to speak without any interference because I wanted authentic answers not ones that may be influenced by anything I say. As preferred by Piaget, you can learn a lot just through observation. Although, I do regret not asking more specific questions about how the internet works when they listed examples of how they use it. Nevertheless, I believe this interview gave each boy an opportunity to verbally construct their knowledge of the internet. Surprisingly, both students were very comfortable with speaking on the topic. I attribute this to Dewey's belief that the topic “fell within their interests and experiences”. Furthermore, they were free to respond without fear of being right or wrong. Consequently, I think Piaget would say their responses were sensible and coherent within the framework of their teenage mind.

After I completed the process, I realized it helped me to "see in a different way". If I had simply asked them about the internet without first thinking about specific questions or recording their answers, I may have come to a different conclusion. Recording their answers helped me to review and carefully listen to their responses as well as compare the two. Listening is important for gathering insight into what they know and to identify areas of misunderstanding.

Overall, I think these teenage boys do have a lot of information about the internet and were able to articulate this information by using examples of how they use the internet. Nevertheless, I would want to provide further learning opportunities for them to get a better understanding of the mechanics--how the internet works. In addition, internet safety is so important and both students may need more guidance in this area.

CEP 812 Reflections

Wow these past eight weeks came and went quickly! In fact, the past three courses (CEP 810, 811 and 812) have all gone by quickly. I look back to where I started and I am pretty amazed by all that I’ve learned. I learned how to more effectively use Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. I also learned about Stand-Alone Instructional Resources, WebQuests, wikis, blogging, web 2.0 technologies and various teaching strategies. In CEP 812, I felt like we were able to put all that we’ve learned together. Initially, I felt that the coursework may not apply to my circumstances (not being a classroom teacher) but this isn’t the case. Integrating technology applies to everyone not just in the classroom setting. More and more, we are being forced to work more efficiently and effectively. Inasmuch, the demands placed on us with fewer resources requires that we become more creative and I see using technology as a great tool as we all struggle to do more with less. However, one of the most valuable lessons I have learned is that technology can be a resourceful tool but only if it is used for the right reasons. We should never use technology just because it is the newest and latest gadget—it should serve a specific purpose and not take away from what we are trying to teach.

One of my goals was to learn more about wikis and I did thanks to the help of the group work by the 2.0 Techies. Together we learned about wikis and how these web 2.0 technologies can be used to motivate students. This group work accomplished two things: 1) I learned a lot about wikis, and 2) I learned the importance of teamwork. Working together as a group was a great experience. Each of us brought something to the group and we worked well together. Thank you Jess, Lindsay and Regena!!!!!

I am hoping to continue to learn more about wikis and use them (if possible) to work more efficiently. In fact, a personal goal of mine is to continue to increase my overall comfort level with technology. I know I will never be a “digital native” but I can work towards being an enhanced “digital immigrant”.

Reflections

I find it quite amazing how quickly the past eight weeks have come and gone. In fact, it seems like just yesterday that I reviewed the course description for CEP 811. At that time, I read about the required core products which included an educational web page, a stand-alone instructional resource (StAIR), a WebQuest and blogging and a panic-stricken feeling came over me as I thought I may be in over my head. Keep in mind; I could serve as the poster child for Marc Prensky’s definition of a “digital immigrant”. Needless to say, I survived and I am very proud of the finished products. Initially, I felt that the assignments may not apply to my circumstances (not being a classroom teacher) but this isn’t the case. Integrating web-based technologies applies to everyone not just in the classroom setting. More and more, we are being forced to work more efficiently and effectively. Inasmuch, the demands placed on us with fewer resources requires that we get creative and I see web-based technologies as a great tool as we all struggle to do more with less. For example, the StAIR project helped me to identify a problem within my work environment and then create a resource for educators to use as a tool to resolve that problem. This StAIR serves as an inexpensive way to communicate with thousands across the state about a very important federal mandate that has caused much frustration and confusion for educators. Furthermore, as I constructed the StAIR I learned the importance of including various teaching strategies. There isn’t just one way of teaching nor should there be. In fact, I embedded several approaches and I found that providing immediate and appropriate feedback is just as important and necessary for reteaching especially when the topic is complex.

In addition, I am relatively new to blogging. In fact, I created my first account for this class. Initially, the “digital immigrant” side of me felt very reluctant with documenting my thoughts for everyone to see and evaluate. What a difference a few weeks make. Now I enjoy blogging. I see it as a great opportunity to express my opinions and share with others as well as view what others are thinking. It truly is like maintaining an online diary documenting my personal and professional growth. Unfortunately, I didn’t make as many advances with the use of wikis. I did create an account and posted information but I didn’t take it any further. I am hoping to take the time to learn more about wikis and use them (if possible) to work more efficiently. In fact, a personal goal of mine is to continue to increase my overall comfort level with technology. I’ll never be a “digital native” but I can be an enhanced “digital immigrant”.

Online Learning Experiences

The Michigan Merit Curriculum’s online experience guideline provides good information for providing a quality online learning experience. There are many examples of potential online experiences. In my work setting, I can see the use of a WebQuest as a great opportunity to challenge special education educators across Michigan to explore their student data available via the web using the appropriate links. I recently completed creating a data Webquest. I designed the WebQuest to address the elements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The intended audience for this WebQuest is district-level special education educators in Michigan. The educational goal is designed to provide school district staff with an opportunity to focus their attention on getting to know their special education data. As a short-term WebQuest, the focus is on knowledge acquisition. District staff should be able to complete the task in about a week by working together as a team. By investigating their data they identify areas of strengths and weaknesses in special education relative to educational placements, identification and discipline of their students with disabilities. Based on these findings they review district policies, procedures and practices. Throughout the WebQuest I have embedded various pedagogical strategies such as scaffolding, concept attainment, cooperative learning and discussion and experimental inquiry. Check it out at http://www.jtrevino.webs.com/. In my opinion, WebQuests have the potential of providing a quality online learning experience.

However, I think that online field trips and projects are technologies that would not easily apply to the target audience I work with across the State. Nevertheless, there are many other possibilities. Prior to taking CEP 811, I didn’t realize the potential for using technologies like educational blogs, wikis, podcasts and the use of RSS feeds all in an attempt to communicate more effectively and efficiently with special education educators across Michigan.

Zoho Show

Zoho is an online presentation tool similar to PowerPoint. Zoho allows you to make your presentation public for collaborative work with others. The toolbar on top is very similar to Microsoft products. It is very easy to use. The knowledge I have about PowerPoint transfers easily to this product. Users of this presentation tool have some nice choices for background designs. In fact, I like it much more than the Google.docs version. I used google in CEP 810 with my classmates as we collaborated on our final group project. It was nice but I felt like it was an unfinished product that I needed to transfer to PowerPoint to get a final finished document. However, with Zoho’s Show product, I feel like I could create a final presentation and have it ready for use immediately. For practice, I created a presentation and easily shared it with my fellow O.A.K. group members.
For use in the classroom, I think of the student who may not have the software on a home computer but does have access to the internet or the students who can collaborate on a group presentation without ever having to meet. Zoho is definitely a good tool to use for presentations. However, if you want or need more advanced presentation features, you may need to go back to PowerPoint. For instance, I didn’t find action buttons or the ability to animate text. The clipart available is also very limited. These “gadgets” can be important for a successful presentation. Nevertheless, I think that the price is right--FREE. It is a great option to use when collaborating with others or simply when you don’t have access to other software packages. I’m sold on it.

Instructional Strategies with using Blogs

Instructional Strategies with using Blogs:

I believe that cooperative learning, setting clear objectives, providing feedback and scaffolding are all good teaching strategies that could work well with using blogs. Allowing students to work cooperatively as they read and comment on other classmates’ posts can really benefit student learning. By setting clear objectives and providing feedback students can adjust and self-correct for enhanced learning. Blogs provide an opportunity to scaffold additional ideas and allow students to express their thoughts for self-reflection.

On the other hand, I don’t think that the didactic or traditional methods of teaching would work as well with blogs. With the didactic/traditional method of teaching the teacher is definitely the “Sage-on-the-Stage” and for blogs I think the student needs to be given some level of flexibility. Students need the flexibility to express themselves and feel comfortable commenting on other classmates’ postings.

I don’t work in a classroom setting but I could see using blogs in my line of work as a means to coordinate with peers in other State offices to further open the lines of communication. It could provide a means for sharing and expressing ideas in the “blogosphere”—a term first coined by William Trammell. I see it as an opportunity to get diverse perspectives from people across the country. What an awesome concept!

Wikis

So let me first start off by saying that makng changes to wikipedia was very easy—too easy. In fact, I found it quite frightening how easy it is to make edits. This is definitely a reflection of who I am—not a “digital native” but a “digital immigrant”. I didn’t even realize that anyone could make changes to wikipedia. I’ve never truly undersood how a wiki works. So I really appreciated the video “Wikis in Plain English”.

I located the Michigan Department of Education on wikipedia. I made a very minor edit as shown in the screen shot below. I simply added “of Public Instruction” after Superintendent. Just another example of my “digital immigrant” status that makes me want to play it safe.

It was also very easy to create my own wiki using wikispaces.com. Here is the link if you want to check out my newly created wiki: http://trevino3.wikispaces.com/ . I played with the widget options and added a google map and a calendar. I also created a specific page for the O.A.K. group.

As you know by now. I am new to wikis and so my comfort level isn’t quite where it needs to be. It will take some time and practical use for me to become more familiar with this type of communication.