T.H.E Journal
Problem Solvers
By Neal Starkman
JEREMIE MEYER is an inspirational teacher that we all could learn a lot from. He came up with an idea that has truly worked and is very practical. This teacher is an instructor in mechanical engineering and manufacturing at a high school in Wisconsin. He came up with the idea to create a hands-on class that teaches real-world mechanics in areas of science and technology. The school board approved his request and now his students are making national news. He assisted his students in engineering a vehicle on their computer based CAD system and then they manufactured it in the adjoining machine shop. The students use this model car they built to encourage corporate sponsors support. Meyer’s idea is catching on around the nation because it satisfy’s the critical areas that the U.S. is lacking in compared to the rest of the world- STEM, aka Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is an organization that is creating programs for schools to improve their real world practicality in the areas of STEM.
1.) How could I convince my school to incorporate some of these ideas at the middle school level?
Answer: I could suggest that we research the PLTW and adopt some of their ideas and actually incorporate their ideas into the curriculum. They have a website, they have published results, and they have programs that are very do-able. I understand the importance of improvement in the areas of math science and technology and I want to do everything in my power to encourage this in my students.
2.) Where does the funding come from for these programs?
Answer: The PLTW helps schools find corporate sponsors for funding and walks them through the set up process. They serve as a supporting intermediary between the school and the school board and the corporate sponsors.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Journal #4
Virtual Schools as Hotbeds of Reform
By Anita McAnear
L & L with Technology
October/November
According to this article, online learning is becoming a model for school reform. It highlights the positive aspects of having online courses be incorporated into the high school level. Those benefits are: highly interactive courses, more self-paced, individulized learning, flexible, student centered, and additional support. The article does not point out the possible downsides of online learning or virtual schools. It does say that regular attended classes could be supplemented with online tutorials and availability of class texts and syllubus. If nothing else, this provides students with an opportunity to utilize technology with their learning.
1.) What are some of the downsides of online courses?
Answer: I think that the lack of personalization can cause some learners to get lost and lack the passion for the material. It may be hard to hear back from a teacher when needed in time and this could cause some students to get lost in the material. I know if I were taking classes online in high school instead of in person, I may not have had the motivation to work hard for that good grade.
2.) The article said that 75% of the teachers who taught online courses said that they changed the way they taught. In what ways specifically?
Answer: Well, it doesn't say but I assume that since they aren't using their voices and talking face-to-face, they have to have really good internet ettiquette. They need to figure out how to communicate effectively through a keyboard and email. The article didn't say whether the changes they mad were good or bad, I guess we have to draw our own conclusions!
By Anita McAnear
L & L with Technology
October/November
According to this article, online learning is becoming a model for school reform. It highlights the positive aspects of having online courses be incorporated into the high school level. Those benefits are: highly interactive courses, more self-paced, individulized learning, flexible, student centered, and additional support. The article does not point out the possible downsides of online learning or virtual schools. It does say that regular attended classes could be supplemented with online tutorials and availability of class texts and syllubus. If nothing else, this provides students with an opportunity to utilize technology with their learning.
1.) What are some of the downsides of online courses?
Answer: I think that the lack of personalization can cause some learners to get lost and lack the passion for the material. It may be hard to hear back from a teacher when needed in time and this could cause some students to get lost in the material. I know if I were taking classes online in high school instead of in person, I may not have had the motivation to work hard for that good grade.
2.) The article said that 75% of the teachers who taught online courses said that they changed the way they taught. In what ways specifically?
Answer: Well, it doesn't say but I assume that since they aren't using their voices and talking face-to-face, they have to have really good internet ettiquette. They need to figure out how to communicate effectively through a keyboard and email. The article didn't say whether the changes they mad were good or bad, I guess we have to draw our own conclusions!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Journal #3
The New Gold Rush
Establishing Effective Online Learning Policies
by Ferdi Serim
This article discusses the good and bad features of the fastest growing form of technology- online learning. Some of the good things about online learning are that it is student-centered, available 24-7, and available at any pace. A bad feature of online learning is that it can replace highly qualified and skilled people to teach the material. A society that thrives on cost savings and consumerism wants to move to this more automated form of learning. The article suggests that the best form of teaching technology with an online system would be to offer an integrated face-to-face program with online tutorials and enhancement. The article uses Taos, New Mexico as an example of how incorporating technology with learning can be an exhaustive yet very beneficial tool. A school district there needed a building to house their computer lab but didn't have the funds to do it. The students and parents came together and hand constructed bricks to build the building with. It was a very collaborative effort that payed off for the whole community.
1.) What could I do to incorporate online learning into my lesson plan?
Answer: I could set up a class blog with a link to an online tutorial called ALEK, which the students could get extra credit for participating in.
2.) What could I do if I worked for a school that needed to house a computer lab but didn't have a building for it?
Answer: As in New Mexico, I could set up various fund raising efforts, but most importantly I could take ideas from my students. When you empower students to take this issue into their hands, they feel mature, responsible, and effective. It could be a great way to teach community service, volunteerism and collaborative learning.
Establishing Effective Online Learning Policies
by Ferdi Serim
This article discusses the good and bad features of the fastest growing form of technology- online learning. Some of the good things about online learning are that it is student-centered, available 24-7, and available at any pace. A bad feature of online learning is that it can replace highly qualified and skilled people to teach the material. A society that thrives on cost savings and consumerism wants to move to this more automated form of learning. The article suggests that the best form of teaching technology with an online system would be to offer an integrated face-to-face program with online tutorials and enhancement. The article uses Taos, New Mexico as an example of how incorporating technology with learning can be an exhaustive yet very beneficial tool. A school district there needed a building to house their computer lab but didn't have the funds to do it. The students and parents came together and hand constructed bricks to build the building with. It was a very collaborative effort that payed off for the whole community.
1.) What could I do to incorporate online learning into my lesson plan?
Answer: I could set up a class blog with a link to an online tutorial called ALEK, which the students could get extra credit for participating in.
2.) What could I do if I worked for a school that needed to house a computer lab but didn't have a building for it?
Answer: As in New Mexico, I could set up various fund raising efforts, but most importantly I could take ideas from my students. When you empower students to take this issue into their hands, they feel mature, responsible, and effective. It could be a great way to teach community service, volunteerism and collaborative learning.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Journal 2
Building Technology Facilitators and Leaders
A Standards-based Approach
By Jo WIlliamson and Traci Redish
Learning and Leading With Technology
August 2007
This article is about the installation of technology standards for technology facilitators and instructors. The article points out that there is a familiarity of NETS for students, teachers, and administrators, but it suggests that there is a need for standards for instructors of technology because they are in charge of relaying all relevant information to the schools and districts. According to the article, "Facilitators are expected to have in-depth knowledge, while leaders are expected to have advanced knowledge." This suggets that there is more responsibility on the facilitators in regards to technology knowledge and advancement witin the learning environment. All together the TF/TL Standards (technology facilitation and technology leadership) are divided between nine categories all addressing areas of operations, concepts, teaching, learning and assessments.
1.) What are some of the benefits of the standards?
Answer: They were intended to influence and university prep programs as well as inservice professionals. Without them schools and school districts might miss some important modern technologies for learning.
2.) What are some ways to enact the standards?
Answer: Study the Rubrics, Provide standards to colleagues and stakeholders, ensure the local university is aware, reflect on your own current levels, reflect on current practices, and review job descriptions.
A Standards-based Approach
By Jo WIlliamson and Traci Redish
Learning and Leading With Technology
August 2007
This article is about the installation of technology standards for technology facilitators and instructors. The article points out that there is a familiarity of NETS for students, teachers, and administrators, but it suggests that there is a need for standards for instructors of technology because they are in charge of relaying all relevant information to the schools and districts. According to the article, "Facilitators are expected to have in-depth knowledge, while leaders are expected to have advanced knowledge." This suggets that there is more responsibility on the facilitators in regards to technology knowledge and advancement witin the learning environment. All together the TF/TL Standards (technology facilitation and technology leadership) are divided between nine categories all addressing areas of operations, concepts, teaching, learning and assessments.
1.) What are some of the benefits of the standards?
Answer: They were intended to influence and university prep programs as well as inservice professionals. Without them schools and school districts might miss some important modern technologies for learning.
2.) What are some ways to enact the standards?
Answer: Study the Rubrics, Provide standards to colleagues and stakeholders, ensure the local university is aware, reflect on your own current levels, reflect on current practices, and review job descriptions.
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