How Teachers Learn to Teach

In theory, this all sounds compelling, accessible, and interesting, and who's not in favor of professional development? This week's readings were safe enough with Ongoing Assessment, Collaborative Communities, and How Teachers Learn to Teach with New Technologies. BUT, in practice, getting everyone on the same page is not so easy and requires a major commitment. Without getting into specifics here, changing norms discussed in chapter 7 and the "learning culture" in chapter 8, is no small task. In addition, good teachers are always evolving by trial and error to improve how they teach and what they teach and are flexible to the needs of their students to assess their understanding and knowledge. Coaching experienced teachers to redesign their curriculum can be met with resistance and fear. Less experienced teachers are already overwhelmed and overworked. Chapter 8, Understanding Goals for Teachers [p. 119] acknowledges teachers' frustrations but not how to address the problem.

Also, I missed something! The text refers to terminology I am not familiar with like "framework elements".

WebQuest

Did anyone notice last week that WebQuest San Diego is Obsolete? Even the updated version is OLD. Last news on main page is from last year! Wow! Broken links and dead ends. Lots of them. Versions change and can't keep up. Risky business if you have work at risk. Half my Bookmarks on my toolbar are already GONE! I need to do some housekeeping.

I am a skeptic so I wait for second generation hard and soft ware to let the dust settle and to see if I even need it. BTW: I have noticed that among my OLD friends many keep their AOL accounts active (as do I) which I guess puts us in a different category like a grey badge of courage.

Hey, whatever works!

Generative Topics

I found this terrific site that provides resources and tools to introduces, explains, and implement key features of Generative Topics for curriculum building. I love that it builds and builds on connections and interrelatedness of ideas. Sounds easy enough but really needs further class discussions to better understand how this works. It is rather all encompassing much like using a concept map but rather calling it an idea web.

http://learnweb.harvard.edu/alps/tfu/info3c.cfm

The pros for webbing is that it lets you think more broadly and deeply about 'generative topics' but as I see it, the cons is that it may be too much information and not enough time. In my experience, some students need more structured learning, scaffolding, and/or are not comfortable with open-ended thinking. Where to begin?

The Human Network

Am re-reading this week's assignments and this is the first chance I have to blog. I enjoyed Cindy's post re: SNS but seems to me any information older than last week is already old. I was really curious about The Tag Within in "The Human Network" which was posted Oct 2006 and had elicited one response. This page was created in January 2006 with what seemed like a slow start and apparently is picking up speed. It's most recent "article", The Digital Education Revolution was entered October 1, 2009 but didn't seem to have anything to do with the title. Have to read again.

I thought the author, who apparently lives in San Francisco, writes quite well (no Typos) about current topics in information communication technologies and issues. I plan to follow his blog which now has quite a following. Check it out.

Thinking

I was thinking. Students with high verbal intelligence do well in a real time classroom environment. Others require knowledge building in order to comfortably articulate meaningful learning. Still others can utilize structured online asynchronous forums and resources to pace themselves to their own intentional learning styles without the intimidation and fear of face-to-face discussions. I used to hyperventilate just waiting to be call on in class as a kid. Sometimes I still unconsciously hold my breath. Mind tools can help learners to think and to better express themselves.

There are also obstacles to thinking; such as fear of public speaking, cultural differences and customs, processing delays, and "poverty". Poor students may not have basic technologies (like cell phones or computers) or internet access. Just some additional things to think about. This sounds like a dumb question but do you need a digital camera to use Flickr? Or can you just view and upload from the internet? I am sensitive to the special needs of students.

Mindtools: Wikispaces and Blogs

In our frustration over using mywebspiration, I looked into other education sites we might use and got a few great ideas after this week's reading assignments. Chapter Six (p. 117) discussed educational use of blogs created by experts, teachers, and students. I went to Edublog's site and thought it was useful. Has anyone any experience with this blog site or any of the ones mentioned in this chapter [i.e., Kidlink]?

This chapter also discussed how blogs can be used in the classroom. It was helpful to know that a teacher can preview a student's post for errors and inappropriate content before publishing. And that registering names only can provide some security. And blogs can be linked to wikis and vice versa. I also found another blog that RATES educational blogs and from there found other useful Wikispaces and Blogs. Here's one that was particularly useful to model which I hope to try out: http://thereadingworkshop.wikispaces.com/

Other questions I have, I guess I should just fool around to TEST how blogs can be previewed, edited, deleted, and used as an interactive [vs. collaborative] library resources "mindtool". Our text gave me some great ideas but do I how to move on to next step of implementation in a traditional curriculum "mindset"? Many teachers are intimidated by Wikispaces and Blogs.

Something Different

Here's a snapshot of the moon at it's closest point in Alaska Wanted to test how images upload. Don't know how to do this yet in the class wiki and concept map.

I am finding that there's a lot of information posted to various mindtools. Do users evaluate for relevancy and reliability? Is anyone else challenged by too many usernames, passwords and login/logouts? Where does all this clutter go when no longer needed?

Wikispace in Classrooms

Has anyone used a wiki in an elementary school setting? One that is intuitive to use for kids and teachers? Free? Practical problems? Recommendations? I am hoping to create one for a class project.

Blog into Wiki

I was determined to get this done and on the way learned a few new things. Two things users take for granted: security and upgrades. I encountered issues such as spyware, worms and viruses, trojans, ID and credit card thefts, etc. Unfortunately, I panicked and purchased FAKE anti-virus protection but caught myself and canceled my credit card. Even the experienced fall victims to malicious software. So far, no FATAL errors! A Blogger helped me remove PAV.exe spyware which found its way into my computer and I was able to download free anti-malware after reading another Blog about which is the best FREE software to protect my computer. Finally, I was able to link my blog into our class wiki!!! It's intuitive even to someone like me. SO LET'S TALK!!!

Rogue Spyware

I've resisted putting myself out there for privacy reasons. Short of email, work, information access, research, and the occasional purchase or payments, I almost NEVER set up anything that might compromise my personal identity. Now, I have to set up a blog and wiki and a few other things and ran into trouble with upgrades and rogue spyware and such. While working remotely, Personal Antivirus installed itself onto my laptop with annoying pop ups and found 241 FAKE threats, worms, trojans!!! I thought my computer was infected! I fell for it! Then I discovered other bloggers who helped me get rid of PAV. To be safe, I have already canceled two credit cards!!!

Live and learn.