Reflective (3technology)
Technohappy
My happiest moment with technology was when I figured out that I could figure it out. I was a long term substitute, at a local school in which no one would help me with the “grade machine” program. I found a manual and began to ‘play’ with the different aspects of the program. I realized quickly that nothing was permanent until I clicked save, or save all (I can’t remember which it was because we have moved to a new program since then). I could figure it out. I breezed through the grades for each of seven classes. And when “the tech guy” came to make sure everything was in the right place to print, he was surprised to see it actually was. He could verify the print without any further hassles. I believe that he was a bit shocked that it could be done without his ‘all knowing powers’. What he does not realize is that if the manual had not have been so user-friendly, I may still be afraid.
It does not shock me when others approach the keyboard with trembling hands. I remember that feeling. I was just determined not to let them beat me-them refers to those people that would not help me, initially. To all the tech savvy people who are willing to take that few moments and help, without judgment, THANK YOU! Sharing what you know makes others less apprehensive and change becomes something that can be handled. Like the video said, ’shift’ happens and now we can’enter’ that ‘alt’ world while ‘control’ling our fears.
Technology and Research (6/18/07)
Technology makes research a much sweeter,although larger, pill to swallow. We no longer have to look through stacks and stacks of books for that single line. We can Google or Ask and poof, we have many sources from which to chose. Mr. Triplett has guided us through, and given us permission to use, his weblog page to start our searches. We live in a time where instant gratification is a must. We want answers and we want them now. The ironic thing is, the same technological advances that gave us these tools, has made us impatient. We have found the way to work faster and with the same results. Someone else has done all of the foot work and compiled it into this neat space that is accessible to all, if your school does not block you. Certain sites will even narrow your filed for you. As he said, “It is not that our kids can’t find any information, it is that they don’t know what or how to use all the information that is out there.” I can use Mr.Triplett’s site to “play around with” and get a start on what and where my students should go.
My students and I are going to embark on new and exciting things in 07-08. (They just don’t know it yet.) My students are required to research about their hometown and later, career options. Mr.Triplett’s suggestions will lend a great hand in getting the material that is relevant and ‘real’ to my students. They can Google maps of their neighborhoods as well as go to Boolean for careers. He suggests that as dot coms go, Google, Yahoo, Ask and Boolena are creditable sites on which to search and by linking us there through his site, it is no fuss access. I appreciate him for giving of his time to be with us today and showing us some interesting/safe places to take our students for research purpose.
My experience(s) with the blog (6/13/07)
Blogging is a ‘do’ not a ‘read about’ process. My first thoughts were, “Just another thing that we are going to do during a summer program that we will NEVER be able to apply in class.” Boy, was I wrong. We may not be able to use this exact site, but we can keep in contact with our students electronically.
We are in an electronic age and we are learning techniques that we can eventually apply. I am not sure I agree with the ‘paperless classroom’ as stated in the WEB TOOLS book by Will Richardson but I can see where we could head in that direction. –If you teach in a school like mine, paper is precious; but too it is a way to help ‘Save the Planet’.
After many emails of panic, I posted. It is very interesting seeing that we have similar entries, only in different words. Blogging is a good thing and as teachers (who are supposed to know everything about everything) this is a tool that can keep us current -and in touch. I am anxious to see the applications of RSS as well as WIKIs in the classroom. I can/have “read all about it” and still not understand. If I am put in a situation where I “do” I will feel much more comfortable. Aren’t most students like that? They can trudge through the reading of a process and barely get the understanding. If, however, they get hands-on experience, they soar and the understanding level becomes second nature. We, as educators, need to implement more electronics and less pencil/paper in our classes. Our learners are electronically inclined, so why are we shoving paper work after paperwork, worksheet after worksheet down their throats? Old school ways need to be revised. Like the button at the bottom says, “Save and continue editing”.
