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Page history last edited by Carrie Thornthwaite 9 years, 11 months ago

This wiki has been designed for use in Lipscomb University's EG5523 course.  Although it is available for public viewing, postings are limited to students who are enrolled in that class.  This wiki was first created for the Spring 2009 semester.  Topics in the menu below are all related to this course, most are taught in the current semester, but several were taught in previous semesters and voted as not as helpful as others.  This wiki is updated each time that the course is taught.

 

Wiki Table of Contents


 

 

Thoughts on Learning

 

Now, why are you taking this course?  Is it because you just like to play with technology... or is it because your students like to play with technology ... or, let's hope, it's because you believe that technology can enhance learning.  Watch the video below from 2007.  It's quite famous... many of you have probably seen it before, but it remains one of my favorites:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdTOFkhaplo

 

Now, I've had a long love-affair with technology, but I still don't consider myself an "expert".  Rather I am merely continually "doing what I don't know how to do" (Educause).  Below are two excellent articles, related to learning through technology.

 

 

 

 Now, before exploring further, let me know your thoughts (200 or so words) in the discussion section below about the
video and three readings above. Post your thoughts in the Discussions Box at the bottom of this page.

 

Web 2.0

On, joyously sing the your praises to Web - two-oh!

 

Ok, how can you sing about Web 2.0, if you don't know what is it? 

 

My explanation: Initially webpages were generated only by computer geeks and could not be changed by the average user.  With the introduction of Web 2.0, users began to be able to change webpages, as well as to generate and activate entirely new pages without having to know complicated computer "languages."  This also allowed for the sky-rocketing growth of social networking.  Facebook and Wikipedia are perhaps the most famous examples of pages that can be changed by the user.  

 

Long, sophisticated. impossible to remember, but worth reading definition: "Web 2.0 is the network as platform, spanning all connected devices; Web 2.0 applications are those that make the most of the intrinsic advantages of that platform: delivering software as a continually-updated service that gets better the more people use it, consuming and remixing data from multiple sources, including individual users, while providing their own data and services in a form that allows remixing by others, creating network effects through an "architecture of participation," and going beyond the page metaphor of Web 1.0 to deliver rich user experiences." ~ Tim O'Reilly

 

Perhaps the most succinct definition: "Don't fight the internet." Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, made that statement in a conversation with Tim O'Reilly, who gave the longer definition above.  BTW, Dale Dougherty, a VP in Mr. O'Reilly's firm, is actually the man who first coined the expression Web 2.0, back in 2004. 

 

OK, so much for definitions, now check out our Web 2.0 page, to learn much more about Web 2.0.

 

 

Social Networking

 

Definition: An article in the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communications defined Social network sites  as "web-based services that allow individuals to (1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system. The nature and nomenclature of these connections may vary from site to site."

 

As with all definitions, you'll need to look at more in order to get a grasp on the full meaning.  So,  now check out our Social Networking page.

 

Cell Phones Have Class

 

The title of this sections comes from the December/January 2010-11 issue of City Educators. There was one article in there that was responsible for me adding the Session 4 assignments.  Go to our Cell Phone page to read what others are saying about cell phones in the classroom.

 

Video Conferencing

 

There are myriad advantages of using video conferencing in the classroom.  It's by far the easiest way to have guest speakers in the classroom.  Also you can develop partnerships with other schools... across the city or from the other side of the world.  Check out our Video Conferencing page to learn more.

 

Twitter

 

Definition, provided directly from the Twitter site: "Twitter has grown into a real-time short messaging service that works over multiple networks and devices. In countries all around the world, people follow the sources most relevant to them and access information via Twitter as it happens—from breaking world news to updates from friends."  ~ https://twitter.com/about#about   Check out how Twitter has been used by teachers, both in K-12 class and also at the university level.  Click here.

 

 

Blogging... AKA Web log

 

Definition: A blog (short for weblog) is a personal online journal that is frequently updated and intended for general public consumption.  

 

As blogging was included in Lipscomb's other technology course, it is not included in the Internet Applications course.  However, it's important to realize that blogging is included under the Web 2.0 umbrella.  Check out this additional information, much of which was covered in the other technology course.

 

Social Bookmarking

 

Definition: Social bookmarking is a method for Internet users to store, organize, search, and manage bookmarks of web pages from the Internet onto a personal webpage that can be sorted according to specific tags.

 

Advantages?  Wow, now you can have your bookmarks all in one place.  Before your bookmarks were only one one computer.  If you went to another computer, you couldn't see your bookmarks... now you have access to your bookmarks, even if you travel around the world... as long as you have Internet access, your bookmarks are available to you.  Also, you can easily sort your bookmarks by categories.

 

We will look at both the techniques of social bookmarking and also the uses of social booking for teachers.  So, check out our Social Bookmarking Page.

 

RSS

 

Anacronym for Real Simple Syndication.  So, you understand the "Real" and "Simple", but want to know more about what these three letters mean together?  Well, it's all about organizing your bookmarks and cutting down on the time that you spend searching for those sites that you deem to be valuable.  Learn more on our RSS page.

 

Wiki

 

Wikis are extremely valuable for teachers!  So what are wikis?  From TechTerms.com we are given the following definition: "A wiki is a Web site that allows users to add and update content on the site using their own Web browser. This is made possible by Wiki software that runs on the Web server. Wikis end up being created mainly by a collaborative effort of the site visitors."   Now let's learn more on our Wiki page. 

 

 

Flickr

 

Yes, there's more to Flickr than just making endless pages of images.  Check out the first site below that provides some excellent examples of how Flickr can be used in the K-12 classroom. Then use the Newbie's Guide to jump in and get started!

 

 

YouTube

 

OK, I know you know what YouTube is... do you really need a definition?  Don't think so... but are you using it in the classroom?  Some schools even block it... we can get around that.  Now, as one article says, " YouTube is not going away....we can stick our heads in the sand and ignore YouTube, or we can use it to motivate students." (YouTube Comes to the Classroom, Adams & Mowers, 2007).  So let's get going and learn how to motivate student with YouTube by checking out our YouTube page.

 

 

Snapshots

 

If you'd like to learn how to take snapshots of your computer screen or of images within your computer screen, check out this Snapshots page.

 

 

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Comments (13)

ewspalding said

at 4:38 pm on Mar 2, 2014

This video was interesting to me because we as Americans are taught to believe we are the best and people in other countries aspire to come to our country and live. Or at least I felt this way. But after watching this video you can see how there are many other nations that have far exceeded us in Education and population. Seems to me that we should be working harder to connect with these countries and learn from them. New generations are changing and growing and using technology far more than generations before. That means that education has to change. I liked how the connectivism article highlighted how learners have many different jobs and that these jobs are in different fields and the knowledge needed to do these jobs is not just learned in the classroom. Informal learning happens through life experiences and personal networks.

“Decision-making is itself a learning process. Choosing what to learn and the meaning of incoming information is seen through the lens of a shifting reality. While there is a right answer now, it may be wrong tomorrow due to alterations in the information climate affecting the decision.” This quote stood out to me because often times what seemed so important to learn and know 5 years ago is not as important or needed for every individual in todays world. And how true is it, that if we do not know how to do something or it seems too complicated on a computer we just wait until someone makes it easier or we just text a friend. Or at least I know this is true for me. I hate it when technology is difficult to use or a website is hard to navigate. I often shy away from those websites until they become more user friendly.

Ashlyn Karan said

at 7:38 pm on Mar 4, 2014

The video emphasized that it is really important for the US, specifically, to ensure that our students are fluent in technology so that they can be globally competitive. The articles explain how teaching kids to learn through and with technology is different from our current theories about how students learn. In the past, learning has been linear. Students have learned from books and from authority figures. However, in our current world of technology, existing and attainable knowledge is growing exponentially. I really like the phrase from the connectivism article that said we are decreasing the half life of knowledge, which really drove home for me that our knowledge is not only increasing, but it is increasing at an increasing rate, and new knowledge is being created faster than ever before.

I also loved the distinction between "know-what" and "know-where." I'm am trying to really emphasize the latter for my students by shifting from things like "KWL" to "TPE:" instead of students writing what they know-want to know-learn, in my class they respond to, "what do you think you know about this topic?" "what puzzles or questions still exist?" and "how can you explore these questions or puzzles independently?" I agree that it is most important to teach our students how to form connections and identify patterns in knowledge.

Finally, I appreciated the teacher recognizing that by rejecting technology, he is sending a message to his students that he is not a life-long learner. In order to become more fluent with technology, and show my students that I am constantly expanding what I know, I have been learning to code in Ruby and HTML with 12 of my students during study hall time. I'm hoping that we will all gain valuable knowledge and thinking skills through this process!

John Beach said

at 7:36 pm on Mar 6, 2014

I understand that the United States I behind on the educational scene not unlike our soccer team. However, I do think that we have this false bravado that we have bought into in this culture. We have become a culture that believes that we are the heroes not only a nation but of a world and that we must keep up in order to win the battle. We are the Captain Kirks, Supermen, or the Avengers of a world that is not created. I do think that technology is important and how we utilize it is even more important. Prometheus did not bring this technology to us, but we have used it and exploited it, and I do not think that we are finished exploiting it.
Technology is not the answer, it is only a tool. So often we have viewed something that has given us an edge over others is something other than tool. We have viewed it as an answer. Even when we are given an answer, we tend to view it as a tool, like someone was playing a trick on us. Our wisdom will become foolish if we keep viewing it as an answer. Think about it. Match.com, amazon.com, facebook.com, myspace.com, twitter.com, and many more have become areas where we have become gods of our own universe. We were never meant to try to keep in touch with everyone, find a mate, and keep everyone in our lives happy by “liking” things. People come in and out of our lives to enrich it, not to distract us from our own life.
I know how to turn on a circular saw, but does that mean I am a master carpenter? To my knowledge, there is only one master carpenter. Who or what should we learn from?

Carrie Macon said

at 9:48 pm on Mar 7, 2014

I appreciate how the video emphasizes the importance of why schools need to be the medium through which students learn to use technology. What came to my mind while I was watching is the technology gap we have here in the US. Most of my friends I had growing up had access to the latest technology and knew how to do tasks like type proficiently at a fairly young age. I compare that to my students, many of whom come from homes that do not have access to the internet or even a computer. I truly believe it is our education system's job to make sure students who do come from low income backgrounds have access to technology. If not, the world will keep speeding forward as the video shows, and students like mine will be left behind.

I also agree strongly with the arguments presented in the Connectivism article. In today's workforce, whether the profession is focused primarily on technology or if technology is just a side tool, collaboration and co-learning have become key components. Students must learn how to collaborate with others, both in person and through technology, and push beyond the idea that learning is an independent activity. This can be seen in the number of companies switching to open work spaces and other spaces that allow for increased collaboration. We must teach students how to take information, seek out additional information (and as the article mentions, know where to seek out this information), and be able to contribute their own ideas to shape the information in a new way.

Steve Drabyn said

at 12:01 am on Mar 8, 2014

I thought the video was eye-opening. I knew China and India had more people and were doing some good things, but didn't know the extent of it. The world is so different today than it was just a short period ago, even 10 years. There is new media, new majors in college, new professions, and many new technologies. The younger generation today has grown up on technology and need to be taught differently. They learn differently because of how they were brought up. Computers have changed how we find information and where we find information. We can control what we want to learn.

The connectivism article talks about how different we gather information today due to new technologies. Technology has reorganized how we live, how we communicate, and how we learn. Learning now is a way of being, an attitude. I like how they talked about knowledge growing exponentially, meaning that we're learning things today that didn't even exist 10 years ago.

The outsourcing article was one I can relate to, since I didn't get a cell phone until my senior year in college, which was 2004. I thought it was more of a cool thing and I didn't really need to always be accessible. But, having one is important for emergencies, for gathering information that you may need, and to learn quickly something it would take much longer to learn otherwise.

Grant Lehman said

at 9:51 am on Mar 8, 2014

I found both the video and articles to be fascinating. The video made me think about how I am preparing my students for the future. I realized that there is so much more I could be doing in my classroom to incorporate technology and allow my students to interact with it. Particularly, I want to teach my students the skill of learning on demand and the ability to both incorporate new information and share that new information with others in an effective way.

This desire relates to the connectivism article and its point about the fact that an important skill of today’s learner is not how much he or she currently knows, but his or her ability to learn new things at any given moment. I think—in this sense—adaptability is key to success in today’s ever-changing world. We see it with businesses all the time. While their model may have been successful 10 or even 5 years ago, it may not be successful today. Thus, they must adapt in order to survive. I believe the same is true with our students and us. How can we teach them to adapt and be willing to learn something new, and how can we model that for them as well?

Liz Malugen said

at 1:11 pm on Mar 8, 2014

When I was watching the video, I kept thinking that that everything that it was explaining was totally undoing all of the things that I had been taught when I was a student! Linking the video and the article that discusses the theory of constructivism made me think about the different philosophies and ideas that we use as teachers. Even at Lipscomb, we discuss the power of building on prior background knowledge and constructing knowledge within oneself. I will admit that it is also something that I tend to think of when I am teaching. I find myself thinking about the way that the students are comprehending the knowledge and information without focusing on the way they are actually interacting with it, which seemed to be one of main ideas behind the article. The most interesting way of thinking presented in the article on outsourcing to me was the connection drawn between the way technology is used to help students learn today, and Who Wants to be a Millionare. The idea that students need to figure out how to access information and that we need to be teaching them more of those skills instead of just focusing on the knowledge that they are fed.

Allison Deissler said

at 8:56 pm on Mar 8, 2014

I really appreciated the video, in particular the call to action at the end. I currently teach at a charter school in town, and next year will work at a new charter school: Nashville Academy of Computer Science. Something that I have been working with our advisory board on is finding ways to teach our scholars the necessary skills that they need in order to be 21st century learners and citizens. It's not just about TCAP skills anymore. And, in fact, it's not even just about Common Core skills anymore. Our role as educators is to ask ourselves, what do our students truly need to learn in this growing age of technology. I'm really excited that our 5th grade students next year will be learning to write computer programs, because knowing these skills will help them move from CONSUMERS to CREATORS. This an important shift, especially for minority students who come from socioeconomically disadvantaged families.

I really liked reading about the concepts relating to consuming knowledge. Years ago I wrote down a quote in my journal that I read somewhere: "We are drowning in information, but starving for knowledge." I think that this quote sums up the readings well, as we think about what it means to learn from, and gain knowledge from, the seemingly endless sea of information that we have access to through the internet.

cedelcourt@... said

at 12:13 am on Mar 9, 2014

Before reading the “Connectivism” article, I had never thought about the fact that learning is always changing and so the theories we use to describe it’s nature must develop as well. The article states, “Formal education no longer comprises the majority of our learning,” highlighting that much of our learning is not through direct instruction in the classroom. Instead, more and more our learning builds off of other people and digital information.

Connectivism as a learning theory makes sense in today’s world because information and people are constantly changing, both in their content and nature. The video we watched made these changes and the increase in information over time very easy to understand. In particular, I find the focus that connectivism places on value to be interesting. Since there amount of information available in our world grows every second, we increasingly need to be able to differentiate between what information is crucial to our understanding of a topic and what is not.

Related to this point on connectivism, I found the “Outsourcing of Knowledge” article very interesting. I think it’s true that as we create more and more technology to help us complete tasks faster, we are also creating technology that helps us to think less and know less about the world around us. A case in point: my students can master challenging levels on any game app, but have no idea what “double space” an essay means. I want to incorporate more instruction not only on the types of information available to them, but also on how to use it effectively.

Jordan Koontz said

at 11:15 am on Mar 9, 2014

After reading the articles on connectivism and knowledge outsourcing,
I think that informal learning and internet networking have blessed 21st century students and graduates with job hunting skills and job accessibility. For example, several online universities (even Lipscomb!) have “informal” learning environments for students to get their degrees through internet classes. With these tools at our fingertips, we have so many more options than our ancestors did. By having access to networking sites such as LinkedIn.com or job sites such as indeed.com, job applicants can quickly upload their resumes and apply to hundreds of jobs in mere hours. Although some people still do the old-fashioned way of entering office buildings with their resumes in tow, most people are applying to jobs from the comfort of their own homes. Through connectivism and the internet, the power of networking can created new job markets surrounded on providing jobs to internet-savvy applicants. Although LinkedIn is the most popular networking site, social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter enable job hiring staff to weed out the “good and the bad” by accessing the personal lives of their potential new hires. The internet has completely changed the definition of making connections and networking through easy access and constant updating of new job information.

Angela Watkins said

at 1:10 pm on Mar 9, 2014

It is amazing to think about how learning has changed over time. Back in the 1900s most people different finished school because they went to work on the family farm and today people are getting 2 and 3 college degrees. Even the fact we teach more than just math and reading in schools today. In reading “The Outsourcing of Knowledge” it is our responsibility to learn to day, that we can use that knowledge tomorrow. Wonder how many times, you or I have said, “ I don’t need to know this” and come to find out we did. We all learn at different rates and different ways. I thought more and more about that as I read about Connectivetism. We used to be humans that used books to get information and now we are the “digital age”, which means we just get our devices out and search the information wherever we are at. With the ever-changing world, it becomes more and more apparent that learning and teaching are changing. Teachers are expected to use more and more technology in the classroom and students are doing more and more learning from online resources. Everything evolves and that includes teaching and learning.

ejtrinidad@... said

at 5:51 pm on Mar 10, 2014

I found the video and articles to be extremely thought provoking. I video does a great job of highlighting the role that technology is placing in our current lives and how that has exponentially grown over a fairly short period of time. Knowledge has changed at a very rapid pace and we aren’t keeping up with it. The immediate access to information that we have today is nothing like it was a mere 10 years ago, when I was in my students’ seats. We can’t even being to conceive what the rate of attaining knowledge will be in the next decade.
I often look at my students and I see that what they are going through today is not setting them up for success tomorrow. There is a disconnect between what we know we need to do and what we are actually doing. At the end of the view, there were questions that sparked my interest. When we think about resources and money allocation- the emphasis has got to be on technology. I personally feel like my school is “integrating” technology but doing so in a very poor way. When we have limited resources and access to technology then the integration suffers and full potential will not be reached.

Vanessa Sweeney said

at 12:58 am on Mar 16, 2014

Although I have thought about it many times, the video did a great of pointing out the evolution of education or perhaps the lack of evolution despite the ever-changing world and need for educational reform. The videos and articles led me to thinking about the lack of technology and resources my school has and how they could benefit my students. I worry that I am not effectively preparing my students for successful futures because of the lack of resources, but I do know my school is doing their best to improve this. I try to integrate as much technology as I can, and even purchased an iPad for classroom use for my students to help with this.

Our students are growing up in a digital age where they are always “plugged in” and the connectivism and outsourcing articles had me thinking about my students’ abilities to learn something new, quickly. Technology has changed so much about the world from communication to learning. Technology provides us with access to vast amounts of information so much more than I even had access to as a high school student ten years ago or my parents many years before that. I believe it is important to use technology in the classroom and teach students how to use the information that is available effectively.

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