Another snow day today, which gives me the chance to plug "Ted.com" once more. If you did not get a chance yesterday, give it a look today.
One of the more famous "Ted talks" in recent weeks has been Sugata Mitra's work on what technology can do in the slums of India. His philosophy, that education is a "self organizing system" revolves around "Instructional Robotics" where computers facilitate learning for kids using the internet. Mitra's "hole in the wall" experiments began in places where teachers were hesitant to go. They represent true integration of technology into the curriculum and have shown many positive results in places where good teachers are hesitant to go.
As I watched his talk for a second time this morning, I thought, what if kids had this same integration of technology in their classes in a place like Lake Orion, where so many creative minds want to teach?
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Something to do on a snow day
If you've already shoveled the drive, or find yourself waiting for the last flake to drop before heading out, you might be looking for something to do. Ted, a website dedicated to short talks about ideas, is some "mind candy" to keep you thinking as you wait for the roads to clear.
Check out Ted!
To get you started, one of my personal favorites, Daniel Pink on what motivates people:
Stay warm today!
Check out Ted!
To get you started, one of my personal favorites, Daniel Pink on what motivates people:
Stay warm today!
Monday, January 31, 2011
What's the internet?
This video, from and episode of the "Today Show" in 1994 is a clear picture of how far technology has come. Take a moment today to consider all the changes we've seen in the 17 year span since this aired. Special thanks to the Oakland Press for featuring this information on their website this afternoon.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
The next wave of chalkboards.....
Remember chalkboards? In the 8th grade, I was the lucky student who got to stay after school to wash them for the teachers. As an added bonus, on Fridays, I’d get to clean the erasers by hitting them against a brick wall behind our school.
When I began teaching in Lake Orion, my classroom had been updated to move from chalkboard to white board. My former students can tell you that I went through my fair share of dry erase markers writing notes, examples, and even drawing some rather mediocre pictures.
The next generation of boards are interactive. They are synced to computers and offer a variety of tools for educators as they teach classes. A recent study by the Marzano Research Lab is a clear indication that interactive white boards generate growth and improve student learning.
A few items to read about interactive white boards:
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
According to the ISTE
The International Society for Technology in Education has recently published their "priority list" for 2011. This group, which represents countries, individuals, and corporations with a mission of "advancing excellence in learning and teaching through innovative and effective uses of technology."
This year, their goals include:
1. Dedicated Ed. Tech Funding leads to student success:
While policymakers have set aside funds for school technology, this money has often been diverted for other uses. Ensuring that the technology budget is used for technology is a major initiative this group plans to take on.
2. Technology in education remains the backbone of school improvement:
This group will continue to advocate for education technology as the backbone to state and federal initiatives.
3. Broadband for all is a national priority:
Closing the digital divide by ensuring access to the internet for all students is vital to our national interest.
In addition to writing about their goals for the year, they also state that "education technology is the strongest investment policymakers can make in our classrooms."
Check out their work for yourself at:
The International Society for Technology in Education
ISTE goals for 2011
This year, their goals include:
1. Dedicated Ed. Tech Funding leads to student success:
While policymakers have set aside funds for school technology, this money has often been diverted for other uses. Ensuring that the technology budget is used for technology is a major initiative this group plans to take on.
2. Technology in education remains the backbone of school improvement:
This group will continue to advocate for education technology as the backbone to state and federal initiatives.
3. Broadband for all is a national priority:
Closing the digital divide by ensuring access to the internet for all students is vital to our national interest.
In addition to writing about their goals for the year, they also state that "education technology is the strongest investment policymakers can make in our classrooms."
Check out their work for yourself at:
The International Society for Technology in Education
ISTE goals for 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
A website, a news development, and a report
A variety of topics for your reading pleasure today, including:
Scholastic publishes a great website for kids and adults, and gives us an idea of what the textbooks of tomorrow may look like. The link will take you to some science information available to teachers and students.
GM is adding a new, high level position. Today’s Free Press had a story about the new key task at one of the big three, a Technology Chief.
The MacArthur Foundation published a report in 2008 detailing the findings of the Digital Youth Project. The link will take you to the executive summary, which contains information about youth media use, as well as the need for schools to integrate technology.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
What do THEY say?
An interesting piece came my way recently that focused on student responses to the need for technology in classrooms. Their words are powerful and thought provoking.
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