PD, Trends of the Future and Breakfast

Both chapter 9 and 10 were very interesting. I always like some of the tools that are presented in this book. Some of the tools are ones that we have discussed recently at district technology meetings, so it's nice to know that our school district is talking about and considering these new resources. This chapter presents the goal of PD as being one of not just improvement but rather transformation. What I like about this book is not only does it provide a message of what we should strive for but it also gives some specific examples of ideas and resources we can use. I also like how standards drive the content of the book because our instructional goals should always match up with those standards.

On page 266 of chapter to Egbert mentions the fact that in the future (and this is already happening) that technologies will become even more combined, mobile and wearable. There is no doubt that this is true. It's hard to really predict what the future will look like in terms of technology ("always in motion is the future", as Yoda says) but the various tools will certainly be smaller, faster, and even more mobile.

We had a good discussion in our small group this week about various issues related to technology on a school district and societal level. It seems to me that funding is always at the core of these issues. I do like the messages presented in Egbert's book about searching for alternative funding sources (p.247). Our schools have applied for and received grants from Target and the parent groups also help to purchase equipment and resources. Basically, the message in the book is one of self-empowerment. It would certainly be nice if there were larger budgets in the various school systems throughout the country but there are things we can do to help students right away.

ifilm

I watched an ifilm about a third grade class in Iowa. They were doing projects on habitats and were to create a KidPix Deluxe presentation about their selected habitat. They then presented the presentation, along with a model of the habitat, to their class and their parents. The KidPix Deluxe presentation was accompanied by narration from students. Students dressed up like an animal from their habitat during the presentation. During the project, students created their own animal or creature that might be found in the habitat they were studying. I think this project was a very good idea. It had many different learning components and certainly engaged the students.

Spreadsheets - I am a librarian so I use them for ordering and inventorying supplies and resources. I have assisted some classes in learning very simple spreadsheet skills. I haven't used spreadsheets at home, but as a result of our learning in class I can see that maybe I should. The recipe was fun and of course spreadsheets could be helpful with personal finances.

Word Processing Activity, Etc.

We've done quite a bit in our class this week, and outside of it as well. We've learned more about GoogleDocs and various search engines. The reading was interesting, especially chapter four on critical thinking. I thought the lesson on word processing was helpful. There is certainly more to a word processing program than most people consider. Best of all, there are things that we can take from this and use to help students.

So far we've learned quite a bit in our classes. We are becoming familiar with many different types of internet resources. I wasn't aware that I could so easily create a powerpoint on the internet or go to that "face" website and put my mug on someone famous.

The book "Supporting Learning With Technology" is a very interesting and thought provoking read. I am currently reading chapter four, which deals with critical thinking and I think there are many points raised from the reading that are worth pondering. Sometimes it is difficult to assess a person's ability to think critically, however I think these skills are as important as any. A democracy depends on a citizenry that is able to evaluate and analyze the information it consumes.

Hi,

This blog was created during and for the class "Introduction to the Internet" at Cardinal Stritch University. We've learned a lot so far and I am excited about the possibilies for using what I am learning in my teaching. I will be adding more posts soon.