Networked Possibilities for Teaching and Learning – Alec Couros

Last class, we had the privilege of talking with Alec Couros and it was such an eye opening discussion! He showed us so many tools that are at our disposal, half of them I didn’t even know existed! Alec introduced me to about.me pages, MOOC, network literacies, trip advisor, couch surfing… in other words… an overwhelming amount of potential tools I can use. However, this also made me question how could I ever successfully learn and keep up with all of this new technology AND learn to use them in the classroom?! It looks like it can be time consuming just knowing and keeping up with what is out there, but to actually take the time to familiarize and use the new technology, for me, is way out of my comfort zone and seems like an impossible task. 

“Don’t limit a child to your own learning, for he was born in another time”

-Rabindranath Tagore

 Alec spoke with us about the different opportunities the internet provides. He also emphasized how we (teachers) need to embrace new technology, experiment with new forms of expression, teach digital citizenship/identity, connect with others and make learning visible. Easier said than done… in my opinion. However, I know that keeping up with technology and using it in the classroom is necessary in order for me to be an effective teacher today. I don’t mean this in the sense that I 100% need technology to be a ‘good’ teacher, but I mean it in the way that students are interested in technology and it engages them and enriches their learning when used appropriately. In our discussion Alec quoted that education is “no longer about teachers being in front of a classroom,” which is absolutely true. It is not only about using technology and the web, but education today means allowing students more independence in their own learning. Technology makes this easier. 

“Wherever one is, someone is watching and recording”

-Zack Whitaker

In Alec’s discussion, for some reason the quote above stuck out the most for me. It seems like a simple enough statement (and a little creepy), but it was also really thought provoking. First thought that crossed my mind was that seeing teachers outside of school no longer means turning to your mom and saying “look there’s my teacher… weird.” Now it means taking a picture with your smart phone and posting it on facebook or twitter for all to see. My second thought was how the web allows for new possibilities, how new ideas can spread like a virus and take little to no time to spread and share this new information.   Alec talked about how technology is not only used to ‘use and consume’, but to share knowledge as well. It is a two way street.

 I’m left with two conflicting questions. 1. Do I NEED technology to teach? and 2. SHOULD I use technology to teach? To answer my first question, obviously I don’t NEED technology in order to teach as teachers have done without it for years. However, to answer my second question I say, Yes. This is me giving in and admitting that technology can be used to make my job easier.  I know it is not going to be an easy task, but I know using technology will benefit my students more than having them use textbooks, worksheets and copying notes on the chalkboard.

 

 

Until my next post… JD

Confessions of a Networked Learner - Dean Shareski

In class last Tuesday was our Skype lecture with Dean Shareski. This was my first time involved in a lecture on Skype and was surprised at how effective it was! Dean did such a great job not only stressing the importance and the usefulness of technology, but actually using a wide range of technology in his presentation as well. He made it look so easy! Dean’s lecture was very refreshing and inspiring which definitely made me more open to the idea of using media in the classroom.

 Dean began his presentation by saying how teaching is complex and that technology is the ‘new tool’ of today. Apparently this involves media being “more than uploading videos to Utube,” which I actually don’t know how to do! However I do see the point that Dean was making. Instead of spending hours trying to find information in a book, you can find it faster on the web.

“If you think the media is used to ‘look up’ stuff you’re missing the best part”

So, in addition to using technology to ‘look up’ stuff, Dean stressed how “we are in this profession to share, it’s important for teachers to blog.” He says how teachers can use blogs to reflect and other people can help/offer suggestions. Teachers need to be open and reciprocate back into the community and blogging is a way to do it. He used the example of a math teacher named Dan Meyer to stress this point. He spent 18 hours planning a lesson, shared it with 6000+ people, which made his “18 hours of cost time, much more worth the while.” This was when I had my “aha” moment. Teachers spend an incredible amount of time planning, but by sharing resources we can cut our prep time. I need to do this.

I’ll leave you with Dean’s concluding statements and by far my favorite statment:

“Maybe what’s obvious to me is amazing to someone else… point is don’t be worried about judgments, let the world decide.”

Until my next post... JD

 

New to Blogging

Hello Internet for Educators Class & Mike!

 

Welcome to my first blog post ever! I’m a little nervous as I have no idea what I’m doing… to be honest I think my 70 year old grandmother spends more time on the computer than I do! So if and when you read this, if you ever have any helpful hints or suggestions I’m all ears!

 I guess this is the point in time that I tell you something about me… Okay well I’m in my 4^th year at BU. I did a 3 year Bachelor of Science, major in math and minor in geography, and now I’m in my first year of Education. I’m, what some might say, an ‘army brat.’ My dad is in the military and we moved lots when I was younger so I’m not really from anywhere. I was born in Edmonton then when I was six months old my family and I moved to the Netherlands, where my younger sister was born. We lived there for 4 years, lived in Ottawa for 2 years, Kingston for 7 and now I’ve been in Brandon for…. 8 years, I think.

 As for blogging, I’m still a bit sceptical about it. I’m hoping this course will educate me on how to use the internet in the classroom and help me to feel me comfortable using it too. I think that’s everything for now…

 

Until my next post… JD