Friday's class was amazing. Not only did we listen to four former MACers, but they were all so technologically advanced. Even Andrea (who was not the head tech person at her school) was using online resources like MOODLE on a regular basis. At first I was scared, I have always been able to find my way around technology, but I had never heard of the resources they were discussing. I became very afraid that I would not be able to handle educational technology in the classroom.
Then after the discussion I went up and talked to Microsoft Mouse Mischief guy, and he alleviated a lot of worries. He explained his view on technology in the class - technological literacy is just as important as our traditional content literacy. He said in my spare time look up new resources and ask around then spend about 10-15 minutes in a class teaching the students how to CORRECTLY use the media the way that we want - build on their prior knowledge to develop correct procedural knowledge. The emphasis on technology is part of what it means to be a professional.
On the whole, this class has been far more valuable then I would have thought. I was skeptical about this class when I came into: what technology do they have to teach that I don't already know how to use, can technology be taught without being a distraction? While I still have some reservations, I think for me the answer is definitely yes.
Whew that the term wasn't a wash!
ReplyDeleteI agree that the more we are explicit about our expectations with students, the better the outcome. And also looking at tech tools in terms of time investment vs. output. For example, Photoshop is an amazing tool, but if it takes a week to learn so that you can make an avatar, probably not the best use of instructional time.
Enjoy your break -- we look forward to seeing you again in September, Ishamel.
No, Moby Dick reference at the end---what??
ReplyDeleteI agree that Friday was a nice way to end the semester. I found myself jotting down notes about the different technologies being mentioned. (I hadn't heard of them either) I appreciate when I'm told the specific ways to use certain technologies in the classroom. I'm interested in exploring the differences between moodle and wikis...oh, and I love that all this stuff is free!
Microsoft Mouse Mischief Guy (aka Kevin) was awesome! Now I am going to hunt around my school for smart boards that are not being used so that I can make my classroom supertechy/helpful. I agree with you that technology can be taught without being a distraction, and I think this class is going to help us do that. Although aside from physically transforming myself into an Ipad for my students to communicate with, I don't yet know how.
ReplyDeleteNice usage of the taxonomy! I agree - Friday was a great class! I too have been a bit intimidated by these technologies and have found ways around it! The only reason I have a Facebook is because someone else made it for me. And why I have a Twitter - EDUC 504! I too appreciated Kevin's points about using technology in the classroom and actually taking them time to show students how to use it and to be a model example.
ReplyDeleteEveryone was so impressed with the concept of Moodle! I thought that was...interesting. It's basically like Ctools, it seems a little more advanced in some ways and less personalized/organized and harder to navigate. I took some classes at another university that used it and I was just missing Ctools the entire time :( Maybe my professor just didn't really know how to use it or organize it well though! I know a lot of high schools use Blackboard now, too, which is basically the same thing.
ReplyDeletePicking up on Kristen's observation of no Moby Dick reference, did you know, Ahab, that they are doing your life story over on Encore this week?
ReplyDeletehttp://tv.nytimes.com/2011/08/01/arts/television/william-hurt-in-moby-dick-on-encore-review.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Matt,
ReplyDeleteCall me Ahab. For I have decided to courageously venture out of the familiar water I troll in Cohort 4 seas to see what adventurous challenge I can find on your side of town. Or some nonsense such as this.
I enjoy your site Matthew (creative use of the H20 motif by the way) and reading all your blogs. Okay I lie, I only read your latest and partially skimmed a few others. But I didn’t need to read them all you see, because I can tell from only a few lines that you’re a fine writer, well spoken and thoughtful – and every once and while even quite humorous. You set a high bar for us Matt, and that’s a good thing. I appreciate and agreed wholeheartedly with what you said about this course and the technology issue in general. You’re right, embracing and incorporating technology into our teaching and learning is about professionalism. I liked that. I like imaging myself a professional at something. Always been a childhood dream – to be a professional something. When I was a kid I wanted to be a professional Motocross rider. Then I crashed my mini-bike one too many times and lost interest. Many times I dreamed of being a professional golfer but, well, that was just a dream. All this reminiscing takes me back to one of my favorite Honeymooners episode Matt, surely you’ll recall. It’s the one in which Ralph wants to buy a Hotdog stand but doesn’t have the cash to buy it and so asks his wife (Alice – you’ll also recall) for the money. She refuses of course because it’s just another silly Ralph dream. But Ralph is bummed, really bummed. So he goes on a bit of a rant. “Thanks a lot Alice, really, thanks a lot. Do you always have to shatter my dreams Alice? Do you? You’re always shattering my dreams Alice. That’s it, shattering my dreams. All my life’s been nothin’ but shattered dreams. When I was child all I ever wanted was a pony. But my mother wouldn’t buy me one. Said we couldn’t afford it. That was a shattered dream. I call that my shattered pony dream. And now, now you won’t lend me the money to buy a Hotdog stand. Well I guess I’ll call this my shattered Hotdog stand dream. Thanks Alice, thanks a lot. You’re really something,’ aren’t you Alice?” And on it goes.
But this, this dream of being a professional teacher, well I just refuse to let this one go to the dustbin. So thank you Matt, thank you for not being an Alice.