Kids Privacy & Cell Phones February 11, 2008
Posted by Matthew Woolums in 21st-Century, Articles/Videos.add a comment
Here is an example of how kids toady are very cell phone oriented. 9News, the local NBC affiliate, is running a segment on tracking kids cell phone use. The promo for the spot is indicative of how emotional kids can get, and also how they probably place too much emphasis on privacy, when confronted with the idea of parents checking on what’s on their cell phones. I wonder how many of these kids actually pay for their own phones?
http://wm.kusa.gannett.edgestreams.net/news/20080211-PhoneTNT30.wmv
Flickr Guide February 11, 2008
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos, Tools.add a comment
Langwitches has posted a very helpful teacher’s guide for using Flickr. Digital storytelling holds much potential for transformative learning in the classroom, and this post explains how tools like Flickr in conjunction with other mashups, can be used to extend the simple PowerPoint presentations or research project presentations so prevalent today.
http://www.langwitches.org/blog/2008/01/12/flickr-use-for-teachers/
Cha-Jing! February 11, 2008
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos, Tools.add a comment
I hope this tool remains free. Probably my favorite new tool these days is Jing, a project from TechSmith. If you have ever wanted an easy way to create flash-based screencasts, Jing is an intuitive screen-capture-flash-video-creator. I’ve used it to create some simple tutorials on how to use Manila, the content management system currently used by our district to host school web sites, but Jing could be used for just about any computer based training. I expect that this tool will generate an increase in screencast publications. Here is a nice review of Jing from “I’d Rather Be Writing.”
http://www.idratherbewriting.com/2008/02/11/as-a-technical-writer-you-can-benefit-from-jing/
Sky Still Falling February 11, 2008
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos.add a comment
In addition to the under sea cables being cut, today my Blackberry stopped receiving email. As I have several other ways to access my email from work, this isn’t much of a problem, but still, all of these outages seem to be accumulating.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/11/technology/apee-rim.html
No Wi-Fi For You February 10, 2008
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos, Opinion.add a comment
Andy Carvin has posted an interesting article on the PBS Teachers Learning Now site about legislative efforts in Utah to block wireless access for teens. I’m not even sure how that would be possible. Imagine, coffee shops that currently have open wi-fi networks might have to restrict their clientele the same way bars do, or card their customers in order to provide a code to join their network. What about a home network that isn’t restricted? Would you be breaking the law if a teen connected without your knowledge or consent? What about in your own home? How would this impact Internet access on cell phones? I can’t see this working out well.
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/learning.now/2008/02/utah_bill_would_block_wifi_acc.html
Drawing the Line February 10, 2008
Posted by Matthew Woolums in 21st-Century, Articles/Videos, Opinion.add a comment
Students 2.0 continues to provide an interesting perspective from the point of view of the connected student. A new post from Sean ‘The Bass Player’ poses the question of whether or not lines should be drawn between students and teachers in their online interactions. It is an important question, one that potentially brings up a lot of emotionally charged issues. The comments below the post illustrate some of those issues.
I’ve always found it curious when kids are surprised that their small circle of friends are not the only ones they are connecting to when they choose to network online. This isn’t restricted to just online contact, but more importantly or at least more personally, cell phones also play a role in this discussion. Many children would be very angry if their parents were to read their text messages or online chats as seen in this recent PBS episode of Frontline (Growing Up Digital.) Sean clarifies the question this way:
The reason I find this a difficult question to answer is that although in a traditional school environment this type of communication (especially that outside of the school walls) is discouraged (at least on a relatively large scale) we are proposing change to this system, and a big change at that.
For me, the Internet has always been about tearing barriers down, barriers of geography, of time, of language, and of economic status. Maybe that’s why I support network neutrality. Maybe that’s why I continue to blog.
Two final thoughts. First, younger people who are upset at parental types stopping in to visit them in a social network misunderstand the exposure in which they are participating and need support and education to empower their digital lives. Second, change isn’t easy, and the barriers between ages are in place for good reason. We should be intentional about lowering that barrier in a responsible manner that benefits those of us in each generation.
http://students2oh.org/2008/02/10/where-do-we-draw-the-line/
Blog Example #21 - Blogging About the Meaning of Blogging February 9, 2008
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Edublogs.add a comment
I’m not sure if it is the most common topic of blog posts, but it is certainly common for bloggers to write about what it means to blog. This self-reflection activity, like this series of blog examples, is well captured by one of the students in this Learning is Messy post by Brian Crosby.
Students should blog because they can tell people what happens at there school and outside of school. If anyone takes the privilege of blogging away from students. I will fight for blogging until we get it back.
http://learningismessy.com/blog/?p=412
A Sobering Reminder February 4, 2008
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos, Opinion.add a comment
Technology is all about realizing the possible. While this has one possible outcome of benefiting everyone, making our lives easier or more connected for example, another outcome springs from the failure to ask if we should, not if we can. Technology is morally neutral, not intrinsically ennobling the human condition. Take for example the article linked below from MSNBC outlining hacker attacks on electrical utilities. Networks allow us unprecedented access and control, but that access and control itself is a point of vulnerability. Sometimes solving one problem exposes underlying problems we have yet to solve.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22734229/
Blog Example #20 - Parent Support February 2, 2008
Posted by Matthew Woolums in 21st-Century, Edublogs.add a comment
Mrs. Ross’ Second Grade Class is an example of a blog that provides support for parents. This is especially helpful when schools are slowly transitioning to something completely foreign to the experience parents had when they were in school.
This blog was created to ease your homework stress and give students extra support at home through various websites and activities.
http://mrsrossclass.blogspot.com/
Blog Example #19 - Humor February 2, 2008
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Edublogs, Humor.add a comment
The PrincipalsPage is an anonymous blog that provides an outlet for a K-12 administrator. It is important to laugh, and also to pass along those benefits to others. If you are in need of a lift, try the PrincipalsPage.
