ASSIGNED READING - BLOG POST #3:

BLOG POST #3 – Week 6

Reaction to Chapters 6: “The Social Web: Learning Together” (Twitter and Social Bookmarking).

It is pretty amazing when you think about how much the world has changed in just a few short years.  People are able to converse, communicate, and collaborate in ways that were unimaginable 20 years ago.

Todays students can use “The Social Web” to collaborate using tools like Twitter with computers and handheld devices as well.  It is pretty crazy when you think about how fast this communication takes place.  Whether it is for personal or professional use, no one can argue that it can be a very valuable tool.

Unfortunately, there are always going to be some negative aspects with emerging technology.  I have been witness to many students who have chosen to use many of these social medial tools to demean and demoralize others, for whatever reason.  The unfortunate thing is that many high school aged students don’t understand that once something has been posted, there is no taking it back.  There are too many ways to save that information.  As a result, cyber-bullying is becoming more and more of a problem in the school setting.  If I were to pinpoint one possible issue that I have with using twitter in school, this would be it.  Regrettable, there is little we can do about the things students post outside of school, but I do think that we need to tread lightly with this technology until we can find a way to figure this issue out. 

Nonetheless, I think Richardson said it best in his closing for this chapter when he stated, “…Regardless of how you do it, the idea that we can now use social networks to tap into the work of others to support our own learning is an important concept to understand.  It’s another example of how the collective contributions created by the Read/Write Web are changing the way we work and learn” (2010).

Reference: 

Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms. Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin.

ASSIGNED READING - BLOG POST #3:

BLOG POST #3 – Week 6

Reaction to Chapters 6: “The Social Web: Learning Together” (Twitter and Social Bookmarking).

It is pretty amazing when you think about how much the world has changed in just a few short years.  People are able to converse, communicate, and collaborate in ways that were unimaginable 20 years ago.

Todays students can use “The Social Web” to collaborate using tools like Twitter with computers and handheld devices as well.  It is pretty crazy when you think about how fast this communication takes place.  Whether it is for personal or professional use, no one can argue that it can be a very valuable tool.

Unfortunately, there are always going to be some negative aspects with emerging technology.  I have been witness to many students who have chosen to use many of these social medial tools to demean and demoralize others, for whatever reason.  The unfortunate thing is that many high school aged students don’t understand that once something has been posted, there is no taking it back.  There are too many ways to save that information.  As a result, cyber-bullying is becoming more and more of a problem in the school setting.  If I were to pinpoint one possible issue that I have with using twitter in school, this would be it.  Regrettable, there is little we can do about the things students post outside of school, but I do think that we need to tread lightly with this technology until we can find a way to figure this issue out. 

Nonetheless, I think Richardson said it best in his closing for this chapter when he stated, “…Regardless of how you do it, the idea that we can now use social networks to tap into the work of others to support our own learning is an important concept to understand.  It’s another example of how the collective contributions created by the Read/Write Web are changing the way we work and learn” (2010).

Reference: 

Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms. Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin.

RSS FEED - BLOG POST #2:

BLOG POST #2 – Week 6

“3 Strategies to Promote Independent Thinking in Classrooms”

In this article Margaret Regan explains how “teachers can utilize three strategies to cultivate improved focus: Sequencing Instruction, Recovering from Mistakes, and Setting Goals” (2013).

 “Sequencing instruction is one method for promoting students' sense of discovery” (2013).

 “Learning from past errors also provides capacity for continued student learning” (2013).

 “If students can be motivated into exploration and discovery in any subject, they will set certain goals for themselves in the classroom” (2013).

I agree with the goals that Regan goes through in the article.  It is important for all educators to spend a bulk of their time setting goals for their instruction, planning for proper execution of those goals, and reflecting on their teaching after the fact.  As an educator for the past ten years, I can confidently say that using these strategies helps to improve the teaching process.  There are some lessons that I am still teaching today that have changed immensely through careful consideration and reflection.

Reference:

Regan, Margaret. “3 Strategies to Promote Independent Thinking in Classrooms.” Edutopia. Gannet Digital. 22 Nov 2013. Web. 29 Nov 2013.

RSS FEED - BLOG POST #1:

BLOG POST #1 – Week 6

“Refining the Writing Process with iPads”

Beth Holland has done a great job of explain how the use of recent technology can help all aspects of the writing process.  Holland calls this realization “Writing 3.0” (2013).  She goes on to explain how modern students can use the iPad for organizing and drafting, collaborating and feedback, and the creation of their final products.

I found this article to be extremely useful because not only did Holland explain how the iPad could aide in the writing process, but she also went on to list 15 VERY COOL APPLICATIONS as well!  I would definitely check this article out if you are interested in using this tool for the purpose of writing.

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/redefining-writing-process-with-ipads-beth-holland

“With iPads, once we begin thinking beyond the confines of a page, anything is possible” (Holland, 2013).

Reference:

Holland, Beth. “Refining the Writing Process with iPads.” Edutopia. Gannet Digital. 26 Nov 2013. Web. 29 Nov 2013.

RSS FEED - BLOG POST #3:

BLOG POST #3 - Week 5 

Common Core in Action: How One Art Teacher is Implementing Common Core

“We know that the literacy standards are content neutral… content can be vehicle for learning critical reading, writing, listening and speaking skills, even in ART” (Miller, 2013)?

“I think art teachers by nature include literacy as well as other academic subjects into their lessons because they are a natural fit . . . Reading and writing within your own subject area is the easiest way to incorporate literacy” (Miller, 2013).

“Although literacy is important to every subject, teachers are still responsible for covering their own subject matter, and that has to remain the focus of the lessons” (Miller, 2013).

I definitely agree with this article, it is extremely important for every teacher, regardless of the discipline, to find a way to incorporate reading and writing into the curriculum.  Students need to be exposed to the way that these skills are important for every aspect of life, regardless of the subject. 

“We know that the literacy standards are content neutral… content can be vehicle for learning critical reading, writing, listening and speaking skills, even in ART” (Miller, 2013)?

“I think art teachers by nature include literacy as well as other academic subjects into their lessons because they are a natural fit . . . Reading and writing within your own subject area is the easiest way to incorporate literacy” (Miller, 2013).

“Although literacy is important to every subject, teachers are still responsible for covering their own subject matter, and that has to remain the focus of the lessons” (Miller, 2013).

I definitely agree with this article, it is extremely important for every teacher, regardless of the discipline, to find a way to incorporate reading and writing into the curriculum.  Students need to be exposed to the way that these skills are important for every aspect of life, regardless of the subject. 

In art class, we strive to have the students read and write with every unit of study throughout the year.  This is a great vehicle to ensure that the students are learning about art history.

Resource:

Miller, Andrew. “Common Core in Action:  How One Art Teacher is Implementing Common Core.” Edutopia. Gannet Digital. 13 Nov 2013. Web. 19 Nov 2013.