Voice Thread in the Classroom

In my Introduction to Social Networking post I talk about a Voice Thread link on Ning. There are many great ideas for collaboration in the classroom and using technology.

Helpful Educational Websites/Social Networks!

In my search for educational blogs I have come across some great websites…take a look!!

• EFL Classroom 2.0 I found this helpful because it provides resources, activities, and a great forum. I think the forums on these social networks can be of great assistance.
• Generation Yes Blog This is helpful with interesting updates about the use of technology in the classroom. In many cases this may help us stay more current than the schools where we may teach.
• Kairos is basically an online journal where you can go to keep abreast of current developments of teaching and using technology in the classroom.
• Learning English Free A website filled with items and ideas to be used in the ESL classroom. For example, there is a vocabulary section and a teaching English through pictures section, as well as lessons and quizzes.

Introduction to Social Networking

We each contribute pieces of knowledge guiding us to further resources of information and developing yet further knowledge when we team up with other bloggers. That is the “exponential” learning Siemens refers to in the video The Network Is the Learning. I checked out EFL Classroom 2.0 and Classroom 2.0 and found the forum topics interesting... things I would look for as a teacher. It is incredible that all the information is available and is extremely current. I did not choose to join and I also wanted to “surf” for more possibilities.
Using Voice Thread in the classroom. I have been intrigued by Voice Thread since we began to use it in this class. I found this website in Ning. It is fairly current and offered me some general ideas on what to do with Voice Thread in the classroom. There was a section titled Global Collaboration. A section devoted to Participating in a Collaborative Progressive Story Project and another Following Up to the President’s speech on Sept. 8th. These ideas proved to me that my ESL students could potentially join groups and practice Speaking, Reading, Listening, and Writing. There was also a place for Technical questions. The possibilities are endless, but I will admit although there were current participants, participation was not as voluminous as we would hope which just goes to show collaboration is still very new.
Word Surfing: online English practice, words of the day links to a free learn English webpage It is not the most current but can provide extra resources. Checking out these social websites demonstrated how the search for information and collaborators is available.

Module 4: Learning Today Is Like an Ecosystem…

A learner is like an ecosystem. I say learners are like an ecosystem because they form a community of interacting learners and the physical knowledge (tangible or intangible in the form of ideas supported by concrete reasons or simple opinions) that each brings with them. Each element in the ecosystem (similar to individual learners) cannot exist exclusively on its own; a complete knowledge is dependent upon interaction among its members. In learning, it is essential for the people of today to remain current…always keeping abreast of and sharing innovative ideas and perspectives. This is accomplished by a give and take relationship among people and databases which simulates the give and take nature of, for instance, photosynthesis or pollination in our ecosystem.

Connectivism contrasts learning theories that focus on the individual mind and the knowledge/thoughts/ideas that happen to it or are placed in it. George Siemens' theory of connectivism, on the other hand, emphasizes that learning happens through interaction with other people, databases, organizations etc…Individuals are in charge of their own learning and intermingle in a dialogue between various learning mechanisms. Learning is also never complete; there is always some innovation occurring. We, as humans owe it to humanity to try to make as informed a decision as possible; we need to be able to glean through various resources as quickly and efficiently as we can. Our job as educators will be to guide and nurture our students to embrace the reality that, “the ability to draw distinctions between important and unimportant information is vital.” (Siemens, 2005, p. 5)

The article was interesting with regards to presenting learning in a new light. It discussed content we are all aware of but have still failed to usher into the classroom with the enthusiasm it deserves. “Meaning-making and forming connections between specialized communities are important activities.” (Siemens, 2005, p. 4) We have to embrace technology as much as possible so that we can foster within our students the desire to make connections but to also remain cautious and realize the dangers of irrational connections. By irrational connections I mean it is imperative to “evaluate the worthiness of learning something” before committing to its truth value or accepting its connectedness. (Siemens, 2005, p. 3)

The concepts brought forth in the video The Network Is the Learning relates to the field of second language learning in the following way, ESL teachers cannot experience everything their students have experienced or are experiencing but we can look to “web colleagues” from other schools and countries for assistance at any time we need. “The way we are connected to other individuals is largely responsible for our ability to continue to stay current in the field.” (Siemens video The Network Is Learning) I can learn quicker from colleagues on the web than I can by waiting for a book to be published. “The network continually evolves and continually reforms itself.” (Siemens video The Network Is Learning) With students’ needs and technology changing every day we cannot afford to not keep current with the latest ideas or valuable perspectives of others. Would we want our dentist to insist on technology used in the 1970’s or lawyers to refuse to look at how a law has been amended since the 1990’s? Thus, we cannot subject students to only teaching in a manner that prepares them for what happened yesterday. We cannot remain individuals but must participate in the network. Jennifer F.

References:

Siemens, G. (2005, January). Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age. International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning, Retrieved November 20, 2005
The Network is the Learning (3:14 minutes) Retrieved September 21, 2009.

FALL IS IN THE AIR!!

Hi! I just wanted to comment on the beauthiful Fall colors I have been seeing for the past few days as I walk my dog. Although it happens every year it is just so amazing how one day a tree is all green and the next day you notice specks of different colors. It also means hockey starts.....GO SABRES!!! If you have not guessed it...I love Fall! I also wanted to practice inserting graphics!

More Reactions to the Videos...Mod 3

A Vision of Students Today is certainly interesting. I agree with many aspects of the video's message, i.e. college needs to incorporate more “real world” activities that provide students with “real world” experience. With that said, the video also tended to portray college in a negative light. I totally valued my undergraduate experience as well as my graduate experience…the truth is I would not be who I am today without having it. It is true today that students are connected to on-line activities 3 or more hours per day but that should not negate the “good” that can come out of a classroom experience when students apply themselves individually or cooperatively. Me… I limit my on-line activities, as well as, socializing, shopping, talking on the phone...etc when I am in school, and I focus on what matters to me at that moment. I think we most definitely have to incorporate digital technology in our students learning environments it is what they need to know (view also Why Let Our Students Blog? …it gives great insight into how blogging helps students), but do we have to cut everything out that resembles a traditional classroom? Is a traditional class setting really that bad if those that inaugurated the technological advancement we see today are in fact results of that “bad” classroom environment? If we were to lose the traditional classroom for a virtual one I think we would lose something. What we gain in virtual accessibility we may lose in traditional human relations. Just my thoughts.

One last thought...I promise, I enjoyed all the videos and wanted to practice linking!

The Web is Us/ing Us: It certainly is worth considering. The truth is we cannot get away from the world wide web anymore! Sure, there are those out there who may refuse to use a computer, but really…they are lost in the shuffle of a thing called life. My grandfather sees no reason to get on the Web, but he really lives in a different world than I do…Oh, it is the same physical world, but socially and mentally we are worlds apart. The future (that is the students we are teaching) are part of this different world, a world even we cannot imagine. The Web is using us…it is so easy today, we do not have to worry about how to form the computer program we just have to point and click, and we can collaborate with a friend in India or South Africa. People thousands of miles away are no longer strangers. To think about it is amazing, where it takes a written book time to be written and published the information is likely to change in some way, but information on the web is in a state of constant modification, always allowing opinions to be aired and partnerships to be forged. It is extraordinary to think of how we can work together and create harmony, and the speed with which it can be done. Makes everything just a bit smaller. Very very cool!

Module 3 My Reactions to Videos:

Did You Know? My first reaction was awe. I am embarrassed to say it, but I was infatuated with the video clip. I couldn’t say that I was/am a well versed Internet user but I do use it fairly frequently, and I guess I see it as a natural part of my daily life. I get up in the morning to check my email and check the latest news headlines, etc. Nevertheless, to put it in such terms as, "the number of MySpace users would equal the population of a third populous world nation" is flabbergasting. I also think it is sad to think how far behind American students are/will really be with technology. Being involved in the ESL field I was aware that many many more people speak English as a second language than those who speak English as a first language and also speak another language. America just has not been successful with teaching foreign languages to its youth…a problem that must be remedied. Overall, the video surely accomplished its goal to inform people of the essential role technology will play in the future and that educators need to open their minds and classrooms to it!

Keeping Current - Day 2 - Tips for Teachers

Hi! I wanted to keep up with posts so that I stay current.
I thought about the following website as being a place where teachers could check regarding ways to teach their students the good habits to form when blogging and “surfing” the Internet as well as the “bad” stuff they may stumble on and how to counteract “bad” stuff. I will link this website as soon as possible.
NetSmartz is a website created for teachers, law enforcement, parents etc…It offers the most up to date information on the use of technology by kids of various age groups and provides different types of Internet safety presentations/materials to be used in class and is geared for individual age groups. Items are available at no cost. This website is affiliated with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
http://www.netsmartz.org/
Just an idea! Thanks...Jennifer

Some Ideas for Safe Blogging: Blogging /Internet Safety Tips

It is our responsibility as teachers to do what we can to teach students what they need to know about safety. We cannot be with students all of the time but we can teach and arm them with the knowledge to make their own decisions. Actually, thinking about this is quite scary! Here are some ideas...

• Restrict Comments for the Class Blog or warn students about comments from someone whom they do not know the identity. The dangers can be more serious for ESL students because they have anxiety about not knowing the language and may feel closer to someone on-line because they do not have to perform in a certain way as they do for a teacher or parent.


• Never post any personal identifying information.


• Be careful what you post (written or photos)…they will follow you forever. Just think of a potential employer, they may question your character based on a photo you posted as a joke!


• As the Internet gives us the opportunity to access information on just about any topic imaginable it can also be extremely dangerous for our students. Teach students how to look at blogs with a critical eye such as who is the author and what is their aim…can the source be reliable?


• Be sure everyone has the proper permissions…as a teacher make sure parents are aware of what the blog will be used for and all it entails…make sure students know the purpose of the blog and their role.


• Students need to be aware of how to handle those comments they are unsure of the author and where to report a potential problem. Students should always report something out of the ordinary to a teacher or parent. Students…Never keep anything to yourself. ESL students are scared, anxious, often feel isolated, and are vulnerable to these dangers. Teachers need to teach about the dangers and ensure students know they can & should tell us anything that they feel is strange or makes them feel uncomfortable.

Three Ways I Can Use Blogs in Teaching/Learning

1.) Teaching Students How to Blog: I think this would be a great way for younger students to learn that blogging can be (and is) educational. I say "younger" students because I think it is possible that "older" students will have already created blogs, thus describing their educational use and making the transition should be easier. Specifically, I have an idea that would help younger students learn about a.) blogging b.) compose a written assignment, and c.) practice use of English. For example, I could give the students a topic for an entire week, i.e. Describing your walk/bus ride home! - these blogs would consist of new vocabulary, comparisons same as, different than, bigger than, smaller than...etc... The next week students could choose their own topic each evening. I could set a time limit...write at least 10 sentences and respond to 1 other student. This would hit personal and creativity as well as incorporate the necessities. Of course, I would have to make sure all students have access to a computer and the proper permissions have been handled.

2.) Posting Class-Related Information: I have learned how helpful it is in classes such as this one. Gone are the days of students saying I forgot what you said or I was sick and had no one who could give me the assignment. In the same vein, as a teacher I could post some detailed directions and how-to's for students to access (much like the syllabus for LAI 684). There is always a student who was not bold enough/too timid to ask in class but can benefit from a recap.

3.) Discussing Activities: I really like the idea about students discussing daily activities they did in class and telling their ideas, likes, dislikes, what they did/did not understand. I think this would be extremely helpful to someone like me who has never taught before...I will take any type of "observation" I can get in order to monitor my teaching. Reading what students feel will be one way I can monitor what I do and adjust my teaching style.

4.) The Engish Major in Me!: I also liked the ideas of creating an On-line book club or Literature circle. These are certainly in depth ways of ESL students "practicing" their new language in the written form and/or reflecting on what they are reading. Reading is soooo important and just not done enough in free time. Using a blog as an On-line book club could facilitate some much needed READING! Depending on and adjusting to the level could allow me as the teacher to pose some critical thinking questions. This would also provide a snapshot to me as to what my students understand (or really do not but they do not realize they are lost!)

The possibilities are endless but these are just a few I think I could incorporate after reading the Richardson book.

Setting Up My Blog

This has been a both frustrating and interesting experience. The Richardson book was extremely vivid in its explanations for the use of blogs in the classroom. I found myself generating ideas for the classroom as I read through the chapters, even ideas for those of us who may not be entering the classroom.
I have to say I do not consider myself a very public person and could relate to the part of Richardson's book regarding this aspect. "These technologies make more of our lives transparent to others in ways that many find unsettling." (Richardson, p. 4-5)
I look forward to participating with you all!