Hey EDIT 302,
This is my first time using a blog, sorry in advance. This class has given me many chances to use technology as a first time user. Before this class I had never used blogger, bubblus, graphic organizers from microsoft and many others we have used in this class. Being a first time user for most of these tools has been somewhat frustrating, but also interesting and hopefully wil prove to be useful throughout this course and into my career.
Frustrations such as the accelerated pace, changing websites, and technology's devotion to failing at the worst times possible have made my introduction to many of these tools a tad annoying. Onto happier blog thoughts, a lot of these tools are really useful and pretty neat once you get the hang of them. The short learning period for these tools is nothing when you have finally grasped the concept and the 'how to' part.
I have also appreciated learning real life career uses for these in classroom situations and various scenarios. These tools give everyone a better chance at learning, and create a more lively and fun learning environment. The old direct method of teaching still holds merit, but does not trump these new learner driven methods. Each classroom needs to use a bit of both, depending on the course. Yesterday when we were learning about WEB 2.0 we were told some advantages of technology in a classroom that I had not even thought about. Example of this: Having subtitles is good for hearing impaired, places where volume control is an issue and also for those learning a second language. From that it was said that if you make things broad enough to work for everyone, they will have uses that you won't have thought of.
Honstly speaking, when I heard this class was going to be 3 hours, every Tuesday and Wednesday evening, I was not very impressed or excited. Three hours is a big change from my usual 50 minute classes that I have become accustom to so far this year. The thought of sitting in a classroom for 3 hours is much more daunting than actually doing it.
The presentations yesterday were really well done; its really hard to go first and stand in front of a group of people, all of which have facebook and the world wide web at their fingertips and countless other bits of technology to devote their focus to, so for this reason I'm glad that those 2 groups that went yesterday took the initial sting out of it for me. Also, I do not present with my group until March, so this will give our group a lot of advice and tips for our presentation.
Well, my first blog entry is drawing to a close, this has been interesting and somewhat liberating.
Bye for now EDIT 302. :)
You are not alone in your frustrations! I sometimes feel that the class moves really quickly and I just can't keep up. I guess the good news is that because all of the applications are online, we can access them outside of class to work on them.
ReplyDeleteThe presentations were really well done! I think we will be fine with ours once we get going on it. Maybe we can use some of the programs to present our information, like Bubblus or Prezi (if I can ever figure it out!).
I think most of us are trying out these programs for the first time so at least there is comfort in knowing we are not alone!
Amen to both the post and the comment, ladies!
ReplyDeleteI wonder... If we were born 5 years later and attending this exact same class, would we still find it too slow?
Perhaps years later the education curriculum will revamp its requirements to accomodate the "old fashioned" learners who do better with less technology than their peers.
I introduced Prezi to my father a few days ago. With his job, he has to attend and construct numerous presentations throughout the year, and most of these tend to be on PowerPoint. I love a well done PP, but as you've noticed, I also am really keen on Prezi.
So was my father.
Imagine, a 52 year old guy being more excited about something "techie" than his teenage daughter.
While it takes him time to learn different things and his eyes don't like being on the screen for as long as mine can take it, I think my father is a true pioneer when it comes to technology and its applications. He helped design and construct a virtual training program for young and upcoming employees because his company recognized that many of them were very into videogames. Though I think he holds videogaming in contempt personally, my father saw that gaming could be the most effective way to hold these young righands' interest and actually educate them about safety on the rigs.
Never in my life would I have considered doing that, or using technology in such a way as an answer to a problem.
Maybe this class will help open my eyes a bit.
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ReplyDeleteI also never used bubblus or the graphic organizers before this classs, i never knew so many tools existed. It was frustrating for me at first too, it felt like we were doing so many things and i was not getting the hang of it. Eventually though you learn what you are doing and everything works out. I like how the websites we are learning are useful, we can use them for fun as well as when we are teaching. Since there are lots of different learning styles, these websites can be used for creativity and different ways of teaching. I felt the same way when i first heard it was 3 hours, but it has actually gone by pretty fast! I loved the presentations and i also do not go until march so other peoples advice and tips will sure be usefull :) A lot of us are in the same situation with this class, things are new and we have to learn it.
ReplyDeleteLearning technological tools is a steep learning curve for anyone at the beginning. How will you ensure all students feel supported? How would you set up your classroom to support this type of project-based and inquiry learning styles of learning? As a learner do you see the value of getting through the difficult time once you have mastered it? I am sure by now you are seeing the connections and processes and skills transfer to new learning content and it should be feeling more comfortable.
ReplyDeleteIn any classroom you will be faced with different technological skills within your students. The key is that all students walk away after the learning feeling succesful and have learned new skills in conjunction with possibly a new way to express themselves.
Thanks so much everyone for your deep reflections-stellar!