Let’s Get Small February 28, 2009
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos, Hardware.add a comment
I know technology is progressing toward smaller and smaller form factors, but at some point the consumer will miss being able to recognize the computer. I’ve seen that happen already when teachers look at the current version of iMacs. “Where’s the rest of it?” is a common question. Here are a couple of other contenders for the same question.
Asus keyboard computer – Looks like Asus will someday introduce a computer in a keyboard. I know it’’s been done before, but not as cool looking as this one.
Asus reveals 512 GB SSD, keyboard computer and other prototypes at CES | Gear Diary
A name that is new to me in the computer industry is Marvell. Not to be outdone by anyone else, they have introduced a wall plug computer. It looks like a power adapter that plugs in to the wall. This one will definitely leave people wondering where you are keeping your computer.
Masses to Marvell at tiny wall plug computer? | Crave – CNET
At what point does small become too small? Is there something comforting or reassuring in a box with lots of cables sticking out? Do we need to see our computers at all any more?
Image from http://www.flickr.com/photos/danorbit/346563918/sizes/o/
Computer Hardware in Plain English February 26, 2009
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos, Hardware.add a comment
I am a fan of Lee Lefever’s CommonCraft videos. He has a great format to simplify complex subjects. This new video covers computer hardware, relates hard drives to basements, RAM to closets, and the CPU to a butler. This video adds to the growing collection of quality CommonCraft productions.
An Open Source Conversation February 21, 2009
Posted by Matthew Woolums in 21st-Century, Conference Sessions, opencolearning.add a comment
http://colearning.wikispaces.com/Roundtable+Conversations
Why (or why not) are you using open source solutions?
- District processes are complicated or hidden.
- If I want to know how to do something, what do I do? Train teachers how to search Google for self-directed PD.
- Start teachers with the basics, like calendar, quizes.
- Posting materials first to Moodle has reduced paper/duplication costs.
- Increased parent participation.
- Open source relies on a community of practitioners.
- Maybe tighter budgets make open-source more viable.
- Gallery for a flickr alternative.
- http://opensourceschools.org.uk/
- Format and organization are important, especially when providing services at a building level. Consistency at the teacher level helps the learner.
- Agreed upon tag for presentations is #opencolearning when used in delicious, slideshare.
- Geogebra, a java-based geometry sketch pad that includes a filter for Moodle.
- http://moodle.legendtitans.org/ instance of moodle
- http://learningischange.com/now/ instance of Wordpress multiuser
- Be careful about the tools we pick on Tuesday, because we’ll need them to be available beyond that. Google notebook is a good example.
- you need to be able to get the data back out of a system, interoperability.
Student Panel February 21, 2009
Posted by Matthew Woolums in 21st-Century, Conference Sessions.add a comment
The following quotes are paraphrased from a panel of high school students responding to questions posed by attending teachers and administrators:
- It isn’t about the teaching style as it is about being effective with your style.
- You need to be in charge of your own learning and not just regurgitate what the teacher tells you.
- You can’t avoid using the Internet.
- Students use iPods and cell phones. It would be great if teachers were creative enough to embrace those. Exmaple of students texting answers to a question, projected up on the board for classroom discussions.
- People learn in different ways.
- Technology is a necessary part of work and school.
- Be more flexible and embrace new technology.
- Strike a balance between the new and the traditional. There is a place for both.
- Your students might be in a job that doesn’t exist until tomorrow.
- Constructivist learning goes hand-in-hand with technology.
- Technology Rocks!
Embracing Failure February 21, 2009
Posted by Matthew Woolums in 21st-Century, Conference Sessions.add a comment
http://colearning.wikispaces.com/Embracing+Failure
What are the consequences of only focusing on the one right answer? What if that isn’t enough? What happens when you come to a roadblock, something new?
Moving from ‘writing a paper’ to ‘provide evidence of learning’, students wanted to stick with what is safe and chose to write the paper. Take the ‘paper’ option away. The students wanted to be right more than be interested or interesting.
10 minute conversation about “What are the ways in which critical thinking are supported in your educational spaces?”
Suggestion, when running a ‘fish-bowl’ or back-story, project it for everyone to see as the class continues.
5 minute conversation around getting passed standardized testing fervor. Establish a relationship to build trust, present clear critiera, de-emphasis of the answer and focus on the thinking. Reminds me of Wii-fit center of balance. What’s your answer and how did you get that answer?
Games include high degrees of failure with low cost to the individual. Encourages risk-taking.
Shifting Literacies – A Learning Conversation February 21, 2009
Posted by Matthew Woolums in 21st-Century, Conference Sessions.add a comment
http://colearning.wikispaces.com/Shifting+Literacies–A+Learning+Conversation
Make use of the discussion tab on the wiki to collect the back-channel.
Starts with a change on the part of the teacher, shifting from teaching classes to teaching students. The next step was teaching critical thinking. Staff development (pedagogy and methodology) on 21st Century Learners set the stage for the conversation that allowed for the shift to happen. Once you take this on, the classroom becomes transformational and the students won’t want to go back.
Examples of the tools, and more importantly, why they are used.
* Blogs – Extending the classroom, writing experiences, growing the audience, removing barriers between classes, grades, borders, age groups. Blogs are asynchronous, so time is a different challenge (time zones instead of bell schedule). Take opportunities when they happen to learn about what is appropriate or not instead of just removing the outlet. Fishbowling – inner circle participates face-to-face, outer circle reflects, live-blogs, also called back-channel (http://smith9h0708.blogspot.com/2007/10/fahrenheit-fishbowl-25-40-period-2.html) 238 comments from the fishbowl on a blog, or use coveritlive, moderated by the group because they establish the conversation norms previous to the class.
Practice parts (tools) before they are used independently. Captured fish-bowls provide evidence to assess after the conversation. Reflection is also important, posted publicly so they can respond to each others’ reflections. All students are added to tbe blog with ability to post. Scribe posts are done on laptops and students ‘post’ the notes or work of the class for that day. Students sign up ahead of time so all dates are covered.
Personal learning networks replace book reports. Set up Google Reader with feeds from the world around them. Students reflect on the feeds in their reader on their own blog with reporting out to the class on Fridays. Example of students raising funds to help a school in another country as a result of a response by a student to a feed about a school with a tire iron to call students in to class.
* Wikis – Previously organized around a central question for each book. How to capture every student instead of just those interested in the question posed by the teacher? The questions have to come from the students. Shifted from a question to a personal philosophy statement and the use of a wiki. PPS is an idea from a student that they truely believe in. Can be from anything, a book, movie, or whatever.
PPS becomes lens to view any contenct for the class. Seed PPS development with broad philosophical statements. Example of a student (photorapher) who experienced difficulty with reading and writing, but communicated through visual expressions. First page of each students’ wiki is an explanation of their PPS. Previously contained in a notebook. Wiki page with a letter to the reader about the PPS. Page about text connections. Page for a creative project expressing their PPS. Wikis added to throughout the year.
Not much technology teaching. Can be done as a collection in one wiki, or each student keeping their own wiki. Can be used as a bridge for Internet Safety. School working toward cross-curricular opportunities. Elementary teacher uses these tools with third through fifth graders. Make use of stdents as teachers when there is a need to show how to do something technical with the tool.
The PPS is done along with formal (traditional) assignments. Rubric evaluation didn’t really fit whit PPS. Used 10 minute individual interviews with students. Discussed positives, opportunities for improvement. Conference with every student 3-4 times each semester, minimum of once each semester. Conferences (mandatory) come at the end of the semester, option conferences at any time.
Vinton Cerf on Evolution of the Internet February 19, 2009
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos, History.add a comment
WebProNews has a nice 19 minute video interview of Vinton Cerf, also known as the father of the Internet. At one point, he describes the initial work on the Internet as just solving a problem of getting interconnected networks to connect in a consistent way. Looks like we’ve come a long way!
Siftables February 14, 2009
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos, Hardware.1 comment so far
I wish every child could have the sort of experience the MIT Media Lab provides. The latest idea is called Siftables by David Merrill. I’ve embedded the video below. Siftables embody all that technology should be in education. They are computer block that are adaptable, simple, intuitive, small, and provide a wide range of interactions. While it is difficult to put into words, it makes a lot of sense once you see the video. This is too cool.
David Merrill demos Siftables, the smart blocks | Video on TED.com
