http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm
The above link is to an article that is called Engagement Theory. The author's premise is that lessons must be meaningful and collaborative with an outside focus in order to create engagement with the students. Although this is an idea that we have heard in education training programs when we learn how to create lessons, this article focuses on the need for the engagement when using distance and virtual education programs. The students in these programs can easily isolate themselves from others and not find the collaboration and meaning in a distance class that would be found in a face-to-face environment. I plan to include these principles in the creation of my curriculum. It will not always be easy to work in collaborative activities, but I would like to use them frequently within my school environment.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2001_April_18/ai_73349784
This article is about a company that received a grant to create software that would increase students' cognitive abilities. The work for this software is based upon research that the company conducted to determine how children develop effective cognitive skills. There are two problems with the rolling out of the software once it is created, though. The first being that the makers want to incorporate the software into schools in a one-to-one setting (not cost effective for schools). The other issue is that there are too few teachers trained in the program for a large-scale release of the software. The makers of the software state in the article that the plan is to increase the cognitive skills of students so they can learn in a fashion similar to those who received some pre-scool education.
I was interested to see this article. I wanted to see the results of their study on cognitive development so I could use it when I make my curriculum software. I will keep an eye out for further development of this software so I may be able to use it for my lower functioning students.
This article is about a company that received a grant to create software that would increase students' cognitive abilities. The work for this software is based upon research that the company conducted to determine how children develop effective cognitive skills. There are two problems with the rolling out of the software once it is created, though. The first being that the makers want to incorporate the software into schools in a one-to-one setting (not cost effective for schools). The other issue is that there are too few teachers trained in the program for a large-scale release of the software. The makers of the software state in the article that the plan is to increase the cognitive skills of students so they can learn in a fashion similar to those who received some pre-scool education.
I was interested to see this article. I wanted to see the results of their study on cognitive development so I could use it when I make my curriculum software. I will keep an eye out for further development of this software so I may be able to use it for my lower functioning students.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Implementing computer science in k-12 schools
We have learned this semester about ways to make technology more effective, but how much good does that do us if schools do not support the use? Here is a study that recommends the implementation of computer science classes throughout the K-12 experience. This study also provides recommendations for implementation given the current budget and time constraints many schools face. If this study's recs can overcome some of the administrators and districts concerns then maybe we can better verse our students in the use of technology for educational and informative purposes rather than for entertainment.
My background has been that I have attempted to use technology within many of my lesson plans in the past just to find that many students only know how to text or send emails but have no idea how to use Word, Excel, PowerPoint or even use the Internet to conduct research. The study I am giving the link for has four classes that the authors recommend for integration in the current K-12 curriculum. Two of the classes would be for all students (basic skills things) while the other two would be for students with more interest in possibly following an IT career or just want to know more about how to use the technology. I would love to see this integrated into my district better than the current efforts our School Board has mandated for students.
Here is that link: www.ajou.ac.kr/~edu/2003/data/k12final1022.pdf
My background has been that I have attempted to use technology within many of my lesson plans in the past just to find that many students only know how to text or send emails but have no idea how to use Word, Excel, PowerPoint or even use the Internet to conduct research. The study I am giving the link for has four classes that the authors recommend for integration in the current K-12 curriculum. Two of the classes would be for all students (basic skills things) while the other two would be for students with more interest in possibly following an IT career or just want to know more about how to use the technology. I would love to see this integrated into my district better than the current efforts our School Board has mandated for students.
Here is that link: www.ajou.ac.kr/~edu/2003/data/k12final1022.pdf
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Software standards
http://www.washington.edu/accessit/articles?206
This link supports what we have been discussing in class for the last few weeks. Software created for the purpose of education needs to adhere to certain standards for accessibility. Keyboard access, color coding, use of pointing devices, flashing items, textual displays and other items all have standards that should be adhered to for universal design. The above link actually has links to several different resources. The one resource I read the most was the Guide to Standards that outlines what to do to accomplish universal design.
As someone trying to create quality educational curriculum software, I want to memorize and adhere to as many of these guidelines as possible so the most people can benefit from my software. Some of this stuff I have never thought of and some are pretty obvious. I hope this helps you all that plan to use software in your endeavors.
This link supports what we have been discussing in class for the last few weeks. Software created for the purpose of education needs to adhere to certain standards for accessibility. Keyboard access, color coding, use of pointing devices, flashing items, textual displays and other items all have standards that should be adhered to for universal design. The above link actually has links to several different resources. The one resource I read the most was the Guide to Standards that outlines what to do to accomplish universal design.
As someone trying to create quality educational curriculum software, I want to memorize and adhere to as many of these guidelines as possible so the most people can benefit from my software. Some of this stuff I have never thought of and some are pretty obvious. I hope this helps you all that plan to use software in your endeavors.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Cool Interactive Stuff
http://www.intel.com/education/tools/index.htm
In my search for interactive educational tools (and ideas to use with my curriculum software), I found this site. Intel has part of its site dedicated to teaching tools and K-12 educational interactive software. There are free demos on the site to try out. This software would allow for great group and individual activites that allow a group to discuss some aspect of a topic then debate the findings with other groups. The site says that the software is free.
I am looking forward to finding a way to incorporate this software into my program since it allows for great opportunities for the students. I think think that each subject has a use for this software beyond the standard venn diagrams in math and science. The prioritizing activities would work in social studies, language arts and science. The seeing reasong and showing evidence would also easily be worked into each of the subject areas. If I would have known this was available in my earlier years of teaching, I could have created many more interesting lessons and (hopefully) increased student understanding.
In my search for interactive educational tools (and ideas to use with my curriculum software), I found this site. Intel has part of its site dedicated to teaching tools and K-12 educational interactive software. There are free demos on the site to try out. This software would allow for great group and individual activites that allow a group to discuss some aspect of a topic then debate the findings with other groups. The site says that the software is free.
I am looking forward to finding a way to incorporate this software into my program since it allows for great opportunities for the students. I think think that each subject has a use for this software beyond the standard venn diagrams in math and science. The prioritizing activities would work in social studies, language arts and science. The seeing reasong and showing evidence would also easily be worked into each of the subject areas. If I would have known this was available in my earlier years of teaching, I could have created many more interesting lessons and (hopefully) increased student understanding.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
The Media Equation
For those of you reading this blog who may not be taking the same class, I am going to be referring to the following reference for this post: Reeves, Byron, and Clifford Nass. 1996. "Ch 1, The Media Equation," pp. 3-18 in The Media Equation. Cambridge University Press.
I enjoyed reading this chapter. Although it is an introductory chapter, it really made some things clear to me. I realized that I sometimes attributed human behaviors to machines, but I didn't pay attention to my reactions to items coming at me on television or other such subtle items. Since I want to create my own curriculum software understanding this information, I believe, can make my software more effective in assisting the learner gain more information in the most efficient way (including eliciting emotional reactions to some subject areas to help the learner want to learn the information).
My focus has been on encouraging learning by making the educational experience meaningful to the learner. Reading studies such as this one, gives me just one more way of viewing how effective the entire virtual educational experience can be and where it can still grow.
I enjoyed reading this chapter. Although it is an introductory chapter, it really made some things clear to me. I realized that I sometimes attributed human behaviors to machines, but I didn't pay attention to my reactions to items coming at me on television or other such subtle items. Since I want to create my own curriculum software understanding this information, I believe, can make my software more effective in assisting the learner gain more information in the most efficient way (including eliciting emotional reactions to some subject areas to help the learner want to learn the information).
My focus has been on encouraging learning by making the educational experience meaningful to the learner. Reading studies such as this one, gives me just one more way of viewing how effective the entire virtual educational experience can be and where it can still grow.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
A promising report for virtual schooling
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3673/is_200504/ai_n13633250/
I have started working with Florida Virtual School as the Guidance representative for my current charter school. I have had more students who have completed courses with the virtual school to supplement what they are earning at our school so they can graduate faster. This article discusses mostly the pros (with a few cons) about virtual secondary schooling. I personally love taking my college classes on line (I think I have had one class that would have worked better in person), and I think many high school students feel the same.
In this article two state virtual schools are compared, and the report for the one in Florida seemed pretty positive. This article is encouraging to me since I want mine to be a mostly computer-based school. I plan to allow my students to take classes at the virtual school if they want something I don't currently offer - I would actually encourage it. With more school districts cutting so many positions, they may not have much of a choice but to encourage many students to seek virtual schooling whether from home or from a computer lab within the school.
I have started working with Florida Virtual School as the Guidance representative for my current charter school. I have had more students who have completed courses with the virtual school to supplement what they are earning at our school so they can graduate faster. This article discusses mostly the pros (with a few cons) about virtual secondary schooling. I personally love taking my college classes on line (I think I have had one class that would have worked better in person), and I think many high school students feel the same.
In this article two state virtual schools are compared, and the report for the one in Florida seemed pretty positive. This article is encouraging to me since I want mine to be a mostly computer-based school. I plan to allow my students to take classes at the virtual school if they want something I don't currently offer - I would actually encourage it. With more school districts cutting so many positions, they may not have much of a choice but to encourage many students to seek virtual schooling whether from home or from a computer lab within the school.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
The changing face of high schools
http://www.edutopia.org/new-way-learning
In this article, I found some inspiration. The article explains some of the ways that educational innovators have begun to change the face of high schools. One idea, which I have seen in a limited form in my district, are for schools to offer academies within the school setting. Students take their core classes, but also learn about a career. Since the governor of Florida has determined that students entering high school must choose a major, schools have begun to offer some training academies.
Another step that high schools are taking, according to this article, is to use vocational testing and training to help students determine what they want to do upon graduation. The idea is to help the students who are not planning to attend college and keep these students from falling into the cracks in the educational system. I feel this is a very important step that all students should be getting BEFORE they pick a major for high school. Many students have no idea what they want to do, but they are forced to pick something that may end up being completely irrelevant to waht they will face after graduation.
The inspiration I found is:
1. Others are starting to act on the items I have been so passionate about for years; and
2. Public high schools are beginning to act on the needs of their students to prepare them for the future.
I do plan to use extensive vocational testing and training in my school.
In this article, I found some inspiration. The article explains some of the ways that educational innovators have begun to change the face of high schools. One idea, which I have seen in a limited form in my district, are for schools to offer academies within the school setting. Students take their core classes, but also learn about a career. Since the governor of Florida has determined that students entering high school must choose a major, schools have begun to offer some training academies.
Another step that high schools are taking, according to this article, is to use vocational testing and training to help students determine what they want to do upon graduation. The idea is to help the students who are not planning to attend college and keep these students from falling into the cracks in the educational system. I feel this is a very important step that all students should be getting BEFORE they pick a major for high school. Many students have no idea what they want to do, but they are forced to pick something that may end up being completely irrelevant to waht they will face after graduation.
The inspiration I found is:
1. Others are starting to act on the items I have been so passionate about for years; and
2. Public high schools are beginning to act on the needs of their students to prepare them for the future.
I do plan to use extensive vocational testing and training in my school.
Friday, April 4, 2008
career mnded education
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5295/is_200703/ai_n21233187
To expose a little of what I am trying to do with my curriculum creation, I have included this article for some support in my argument that schools do not do enough to prepare students who do not plan to go to college for success after graduation. I have seen too many students either pushed to go to college or the military when, in fact, neither were a good fit for the student.
I have been noticing as a teacher that the focus on curriculum in schools has been to get students into college, with little thought given to the needs of students going directly into the workforce. These students may be able to read and write when they graduate, but what good do Shakespeare, Physics and Geometry do for students who are not trying to fill out college applications? These students generally buy in very little to classes they do not feel matter for what they are wanting to do after graduation. I had the hardest battle teaching world cultural geography to students who not only had no desire to go to college, but they didn't even plan to leave that area of the county.
My goal in creating my curriculum software is to make the subjects for school be challenging but appropriate for the students. If the students do not find a reason for the subject, they will struggle more with it. Make the curriculum meaningful to every student is my philosophy. With that, I feel it is my duty as an educator to make sure all of my students find meaning in what I am trying to teach them. This link, I feel, backs up my feelings on this subject.
To expose a little of what I am trying to do with my curriculum creation, I have included this article for some support in my argument that schools do not do enough to prepare students who do not plan to go to college for success after graduation. I have seen too many students either pushed to go to college or the military when, in fact, neither were a good fit for the student.
I have been noticing as a teacher that the focus on curriculum in schools has been to get students into college, with little thought given to the needs of students going directly into the workforce. These students may be able to read and write when they graduate, but what good do Shakespeare, Physics and Geometry do for students who are not trying to fill out college applications? These students generally buy in very little to classes they do not feel matter for what they are wanting to do after graduation. I had the hardest battle teaching world cultural geography to students who not only had no desire to go to college, but they didn't even plan to leave that area of the county.
My goal in creating my curriculum software is to make the subjects for school be challenging but appropriate for the students. If the students do not find a reason for the subject, they will struggle more with it. Make the curriculum meaningful to every student is my philosophy. With that, I feel it is my duty as an educator to make sure all of my students find meaning in what I am trying to teach them. This link, I feel, backs up my feelings on this subject.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Hypercard article
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/80/17/a5/a9.pdf
Sorry this is so late in the day. The time really got away from me today.
The link I am posting today is an article written by someone that gives step by step directions on the use of a software programming tool that you do not need to be a programmer to use. I can really use a lot more instructional articles such as this if I choose not to buy the expensive software. I would like to continue searching for the Hypercard that the author talks about. I am curious how much this item costs. If I can find an affordable version, I would like to get it now and begin working with it to see if I can create something close to what I am wanting to use. I will let you know more as I search for this item.
Sorry this is so late in the day. The time really got away from me today.
The link I am posting today is an article written by someone that gives step by step directions on the use of a software programming tool that you do not need to be a programmer to use. I can really use a lot more instructional articles such as this if I choose not to buy the expensive software. I would like to continue searching for the Hypercard that the author talks about. I am curious how much this item costs. If I can find an affordable version, I would like to get it now and begin working with it to see if I can create something close to what I am wanting to use. I will let you know more as I search for this item.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
trying to find a video or clip to use?
http://www.azcentral.com/business/consumer/articles/0326biz-TeacherTube-26.html
I loved watching movies about classroom topics as a student. As a teacher, I enjoy showing movies to my students, especially when it can deliver the content in a way that really drives the information home to my students. I know I have not posted my Learning Theories ppt. on the class forum yet, but in it I included short videos about a few of the learning theories including interviews with some researchers and the theorists. It can really teach a lot in a short time and make a concept appear more real when you can see it in use.
The link I have included here is to an article that explains two YouTube styled sites that feature videos for use in the classroom made by teachers or by students. I plan to use these sites to include in my software for some subjects. The article cautions that accuracy does need to be checked, as with all things posted on the internet. Think of the possibilities that these sites can offer for a classroom teacher. If the firewalls allow the download or if you can bring it in on a portable storage device to show your students, you can greatly expand the video library available to you for use with your students and for free! Nothing is mentioned about any accompanying assignments so you would have to tailor the use of the video to your class and create the rest of the assignement (questions, essay, discussion, etc.), but I think it's a great beginning. I can't wait to see how students react when they see a video created by students to teach them a topic. Enjoy and happy viewing!
I loved watching movies about classroom topics as a student. As a teacher, I enjoy showing movies to my students, especially when it can deliver the content in a way that really drives the information home to my students. I know I have not posted my Learning Theories ppt. on the class forum yet, but in it I included short videos about a few of the learning theories including interviews with some researchers and the theorists. It can really teach a lot in a short time and make a concept appear more real when you can see it in use.
The link I have included here is to an article that explains two YouTube styled sites that feature videos for use in the classroom made by teachers or by students. I plan to use these sites to include in my software for some subjects. The article cautions that accuracy does need to be checked, as with all things posted on the internet. Think of the possibilities that these sites can offer for a classroom teacher. If the firewalls allow the download or if you can bring it in on a portable storage device to show your students, you can greatly expand the video library available to you for use with your students and for free! Nothing is mentioned about any accompanying assignments so you would have to tailor the use of the video to your class and create the rest of the assignement (questions, essay, discussion, etc.), but I think it's a great beginning. I can't wait to see how students react when they see a video created by students to teach them a topic. Enjoy and happy viewing!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Another posting about software
http://www.wids.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=85This is a link that offers curriculum software development. The program is over $1200 for one user, however, it offers a lot of support to the user. I tried to look at the samples of pages, but it did not offer pages for the online course work that I would want to create. I saw more information on this company in an earlier part of this search. Apparently, the company was formed by a university as a result of a project. The company also operates as a non-profit (I never heard of that in software development!). People can also buy attendance into a training session for $400 or more. I would love to attend, but I am sure these are only offered in Wisconsin. Some of the schools they have done work for are listed in the presentation on the site, so I will check out those schools' level of satisfaction with this company before I look into it any further. I really think this is the route I need to go since I really need very specialized curriculum for the school I'm trying to open.
I am enjoying doing this research since it is making me research something that I need to be looking into. The more research I conduct, the more excited I get about opening my school. I hope these posts are helpful to someone else also.
I am enjoying doing this research since it is making me research something that I need to be looking into. The more research I conduct, the more excited I get about opening my school. I hope these posts are helpful to someone else also.
Friday, March 21, 2008
this site can be helpful to all of us
http://www.donorschoose.org/about/about.html?zone=312
This is a link to a site named Donors Choose. It is not directly related to my project, but it may help fund some of what I want to do and could be helpful to some of you who may need some funding. This site acts as a medium that connects student centered projects in schools with people who want to donate to education. It does state that they notify the principals of the schools for projects that have been posted. Because of this, I would highly recommend making sure you have your administrator's approval before posting a request.
I wish you all lots of luck in implementing your projects and I hope this can help.
Tobie
This is a link to a site named Donors Choose. It is not directly related to my project, but it may help fund some of what I want to do and could be helpful to some of you who may need some funding. This site acts as a medium that connects student centered projects in schools with people who want to donate to education. It does state that they notify the principals of the schools for projects that have been posted. Because of this, I would highly recommend making sure you have your administrator's approval before posting a request.
I wish you all lots of luck in implementing your projects and I hope this can help.
Tobie
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
This was a comfort
I have guessed for quite some time that teachers that are not satisfied with the current available software. I am not suprised to read that teachers have tried to create educational software (even with their limited amount of available time). The website I am presenting today felt like it was written for me! The author offers guidance on ways that educational software can be created or at least improved. The final section of this article walks the reader through how to start a PowerPoint for an interactive educational tool. In all honesty, I wish I had found this before last week's assignment was due (it would have helped me a bit).
Even with all the time I spend on the computer, I still find more ways to use the programs that I use everyday. I still get so amazed at all the things even the most common programs can do! Thanks to this author, I now know the names of some software programs that can possibly assist me with creating the software I know I will need for my school.
Here is the link: http://www.nald.ca/connect/v3i5/db/techtips1.htm
Even with all the time I spend on the computer, I still find more ways to use the programs that I use everyday. I still get so amazed at all the things even the most common programs can do! Thanks to this author, I now know the names of some software programs that can possibly assist me with creating the software I know I will need for my school.
Here is the link: http://www.nald.ca/connect/v3i5/db/techtips1.htm
Sunday, March 16, 2008
The US Dept. of Ed. technology practice
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/os/technology/reports/help-pract.pdf
The above is a link to a 93 page document put out by the Department of Ed. One thing I did not see is how personal support is offered to students taking online classes.
Personally, I see the need for the online classes within districts due to teacher shortages and budgets, but (especially in foreign language classes) students may need personal assistance to answer questions as they arise. I use foreign language classes for an example because it is important to hear and use language as part of learning.
I believe that the companies that create the online curriculum should have certain standards they have to follow throughout the nation such as having pieces that require human interaction and providing for the needs of students who require more practice or more in depth discussion/explanation.
I know this posting may sound contradictory to the purpose of this blog, but I really feel that human interaction in education is important to facilitate further learning and greater understanding. Technology can do much toward a child's education, but the human element can not be denied. I believe the two can compliment each other to the students' benefit.
The above is a link to a 93 page document put out by the Department of Ed. One thing I did not see is how personal support is offered to students taking online classes.
Personally, I see the need for the online classes within districts due to teacher shortages and budgets, but (especially in foreign language classes) students may need personal assistance to answer questions as they arise. I use foreign language classes for an example because it is important to hear and use language as part of learning.
I believe that the companies that create the online curriculum should have certain standards they have to follow throughout the nation such as having pieces that require human interaction and providing for the needs of students who require more practice or more in depth discussion/explanation.
I know this posting may sound contradictory to the purpose of this blog, but I really feel that human interaction in education is important to facilitate further learning and greater understanding. Technology can do much toward a child's education, but the human element can not be denied. I believe the two can compliment each other to the students' benefit.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Another interesting site
http://www.keypress.com/x5521.xml
This site is advertising something I would have loved in high school and college. The information I have read about this program is much closer to what I want to create, except for all high school subjects. Let me know what you think about this.
BTW, I know we are not supposed to post on the last three consecutive days, but this week it was unavoidable. Tomorrow's post should be in the morning to allow for comment and next week will be better spread out.
Thanks for reading,
Tobie
This site is advertising something I would have loved in high school and college. The information I have read about this program is much closer to what I want to create, except for all high school subjects. Let me know what you think about this.
BTW, I know we are not supposed to post on the last three consecutive days, but this week it was unavoidable. Tomorrow's post should be in the morning to allow for comment and next week will be better spread out.
Thanks for reading,
Tobie
Friday, March 14, 2008
Some online curriculum that my place of employment use
The following is a link to one of the online programs that the company I currently work for uses for one level of curriculum. It is alone the lines of what I want to do, but I want to be more user friendly and up-to-date. There are a few other things that I would like to do, but I can get into that later. http://www.apexlearning.com/
We use two other programs at different learning levels, but I think they are proprietary to the company.
We use two other programs at different learning levels, but I think they are proprietary to the company.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Introduction
Hello fellow bloggers.
My name is Tobie and I am in the process of getting an Ed. Specialist degree in Teacher Leadership through Educational Technology. Outside of those classes, I am a full-time ESE teacher and working toward creating my own private school. As part of my school I plan to have very specialized curriculum. I expect I will have to create this software on my own, so I look forward to learning how to turn my dreams into reality.
I am anxious to see how much this blog will assist me. I look forward to working with each of you and reading your posts.
My name is Tobie and I am in the process of getting an Ed. Specialist degree in Teacher Leadership through Educational Technology. Outside of those classes, I am a full-time ESE teacher and working toward creating my own private school. As part of my school I plan to have very specialized curriculum. I expect I will have to create this software on my own, so I look forward to learning how to turn my dreams into reality.
I am anxious to see how much this blog will assist me. I look forward to working with each of you and reading your posts.
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