A couple things for you to ponder - For those who have seen this at any meetings or at any other time, I appologize for being repetitive.
As for those who have never seen? Check it out.
an interesting video.....
The Web is Us/ing us.
For those of you who feel this way....I do not blame you.....
Learn the Book - humorous video (Medieval Helpdesk)
Monday, November 19, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
What should we move towards?
Technology education is typically left up to a select few who have an interest in it. But the idea behind this whole system is to encourage and help build abilities and skills in technology so our classroom teaching can be integrated with technology. This will allow our students the chance to succeed in the society they are soon to enter, which is exremely technology based. The areas of the work force that do not require much technology are likely in the future going to be moving towards integrating technology.
Therefore, we need to start the students off at a young age to develop skills in computers and technology so that once they get to middle years and high school, they will have a strong basis to build from and the depth of technology teaching can be done in a variety of specific areas and not just an overview of a couple areas. Students could learn from programs that would specifically apply to them and their job futures.
I know it's a heafty task but I believe that this is where we as a society and as a school system need to move towards. I think that if we could accomplish even a fraction of these things that our students will have a much more higher rate of success after graduation by recieving the higher wages, better jobs and leading happier, more fulfilled lives.
What do you think?
Therefore, we need to start the students off at a young age to develop skills in computers and technology so that once they get to middle years and high school, they will have a strong basis to build from and the depth of technology teaching can be done in a variety of specific areas and not just an overview of a couple areas. Students could learn from programs that would specifically apply to them and their job futures.
I know it's a heafty task but I believe that this is where we as a society and as a school system need to move towards. I think that if we could accomplish even a fraction of these things that our students will have a much more higher rate of success after graduation by recieving the higher wages, better jobs and leading happier, more fulfilled lives.
What do you think?
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Digital video, Digital image makers, etc.
Today my IP 10's were given time to browse many of the image manipulation, image building and video applications that are free on the internet. They found slideshows and music players and many other interesting items that they are able to use and create different things to input on their websites. The personal use of these applications was appealing to them as well. Being able to have time to check out a variety of tools available on the web was a novel thing for them and they had not been able to do much of that in previous years (or so they tell me!), which made them really excited to be allowed the time to play around and create some neat items in which they can be used for things not only in computer class. Presentations, home use and portfolios are just a few other things that these applications can be used for.
Some of the websites they explored today were: Image chef, Animoto, Flickr, Flixin, Image generator, and Slide, just to name a few.
Teaching the students to use them properly and safely is key. So let them explore, but make sure to set down ground rules first!
Some of the websites they explored today were: Image chef, Animoto, Flickr, Flixin, Image generator, and Slide, just to name a few.
Teaching the students to use them properly and safely is key. So let them explore, but make sure to set down ground rules first!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
I am glad to see some people have taken the time to check out this blog. Posting comments can help both me and you, so I really encourage you to do that as often as you can.
On another note:
Kids these days seem so much more technologically literate than we are. Even myself being as up to date as I am, I still find students figuring out answers to questions that I have no clue how to answer! My IP10 class is making websites and there have been a few times that I have been shown up by a couple of my technical students :-) which is great! I am glad to see them excelling beyond my own abilities. That is what it's all about!
If we can allow them to utilize and grow with the technology that is out there, then I believe they will be much more successful in the future when they enter the workforce, start their own business, or wherever they may go after high school.
On another note:
Kids these days seem so much more technologically literate than we are. Even myself being as up to date as I am, I still find students figuring out answers to questions that I have no clue how to answer! My IP10 class is making websites and there have been a few times that I have been shown up by a couple of my technical students :-) which is great! I am glad to see them excelling beyond my own abilities. That is what it's all about!
If we can allow them to utilize and grow with the technology that is out there, then I believe they will be much more successful in the future when they enter the workforce, start their own business, or wherever they may go after high school.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Internet Search Engines
The other day I was observing my students trying to research for a report in computer class, and noticed that their instantaneous response to searching for information was Google. It was as though that was "the all mighty", as though there were no other search engine that they could utilize and find credible information from!
The thing about Google - I mean don't get me wrong, I use it, too - is that the first ones highest up on the list of websites when you look up something is typically a company that has paid lots of money in order to be the top one on the list! Therefore, not making it the most credible but the most looked at because of money contributed to the company Google!
So lets encourage our students to look beyond Google, not forget it, but have more search engines available for their uses.
More Search Engines:
The thing about Google - I mean don't get me wrong, I use it, too - is that the first ones highest up on the list of websites when you look up something is typically a company that has paid lots of money in order to be the top one on the list! Therefore, not making it the most credible but the most looked at because of money contributed to the company Google!
So lets encourage our students to look beyond Google, not forget it, but have more search engines available for their uses.
More Search Engines:
- http://www.altavista.com/
- http://www.webcrawler.com/
- http://www.hotbot.com/
- http://www.yahoo.com
- http://www.gigablast.com/
They are not limited to these of course, and if you have your own you use then please post a comment on here to add to my list.
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