Week 12 Final Reflections

I am glad this quarter has finally come to an end. I really enjoyed learning from all of you guys. I can honestly say that this course has provided me with a lot of knowledge in which I can actually use. The technologies discussed were both relevant to my teaching and to my personal learning. For example, I learned of a phenomenal book mark called del.icio.us in which I can save all the articles and websites I view. This is better than the paper trail I have been collecting since I started this program. I enjoyed blogging and will continue to do so because, even if no one else sees my blogs, it helps me reflect on meaningful events in my life and in the classroom. I have introduced a few of my students to blogging and they love it. I guess the most meaningful experience I gained from this class is that these new emerging technologies are becoming more teacher friendly than ever. They allow teachers to use constructivist strategies for teaching and learning such as collaboration and active engagement. All of which can be done through software such as wikis, blogs, game simulations, and more.

Forgive me, but I have to share the following news with you guys because I never heard of this technology before. A few weeks ago we discussed ways in which schools can ensure that students are using the Internet effectively. Well, last weekend I worked Saturday school at one of our local high schools and the students had to go into the computer lab to work on one of the assigned learning websites such as Compasslearning. The lab was huge so I was not able to see what all the students were doing at once. However, a media specialist came in and informed me that I could use the software installed on the teacher's computer called SynchronEyes to view everyone's computer screen at once. I was excited about this new technology because it enabled me to monitor the browsing and activities of each student. It also enabled me to send a chat or a message to anyone who needed help or was off task. I happened to find a student using My Space and I was able to zone in on only her computer and sent her a direct message telling her to get back to one of the learning sites she was supposed to be on. She was shocked that I could do this and immediately went back to work. The software includes other features; the teacher can take pictures of the webpage being viewed by students and offer assistance to anyone that may be struggling. All this is done in a discreet manner without upsetting the entire lab.

I have enjoyed chatting and reading the blogs of all of you. I wish you luck in the rest of your courses and any future endeavors. May we be be virtual classmates again or meet at a residency!

Best regards,
Denise

Week 11 Reflections

All I can say is whewwww! This has been a challenging week for me as I have tried to juggle course assignments for my two classes, work, and unexpected family visitors. I am glad to be finished with the 10 page academic paper which is due today. Initially, I loved the idea of having to do a 10 page paper, but as I gathered all my articles and other resources together and tried to synthesize the information, I found it challenging to get it all in 10 pages. I constantly had to go back and delete some information while making sure my paragraphs flowed logically. I am not sure if I was successful at this because my eyes became a little blurry after 4:30 a.m.

I regret that I did not get the chance to chat with any of you this week. I am sure you were just as busy as I was trying to complete your papers.

I loved our discussion on gaming and simulations this week. I was so inspired after reading the assigned readings, that I had to change one of my topics to include gaming and its implications in K-12 classrooms. I hope Dr. Green doesn't mind that simulation gaming was not in my original outline and realize that I was driven by enthusiasm to take it upon myself to change one of my topics. I also learned a lot from some of the simulation and gaming websites you guys posted. I bookmarked several that I found relative to my teaching. Thanks a lot!

Well, only one week remains. I look forward to chatting with you all and reading and responding to your postings.

Denise

Week 10 Reflections

I am soo glad we are on the downside of this quarter. I have really enjoyed learning about these new technologies and using Blogger, Wiki, and IM, but I am drained from having to do these in addition to other assignments. Although I have read all the required readings and completed my posts on respositories, learning objects, and LCMS, I am still a bit unsure of how I might refer to these things in a conversation. The definitions I found seem too simple to provide me with in-depth insight as to what they actually are. I learned more from reading the post of a few of our classmates. Either Christine or Kristy broke the meaning down and even provided a few links to examples of these technologies; this helped a lot. I must admit, sometimes I overanalyze things and make them seem harder than what they actually are, so the example sites gave me a better understanding.
To Shane, if you read this: I had to go back and look through your multimedia presentation on learning objects because it also helped me gain a better understanding of what learning objects actually are. Thanks, Shane!

Denise

Week 9 Reflections/IMessenger

MSN Messenger has served as a helpful tool for this course. In fact, it would be nice to have it availabe and as a requirement for other courses. It was helpful to see the faces of my classmates (some of which I have had shared many courses with before) because sometimes these online courses can be intimidating--seeing the face along with the posts helped realize that we are all human. During the chats, I learned about many resources and applications for class material and topics. A few times I was engaged in helpful discussions on how to use the Whiteboard of MSN Messenger; I believe Kristy showed me how to upload a file and draw on the Whiteboard. It was either Kristy or Meredith who upoaded a picture of one of her sons playing soccer. Shayne, and a few others and I once started a group chat; this was easier than I realized, but it reminded me of being in a conversation in which everyone is talking simultaneously--I found myself responding to or trying to keep up and respond to everyone's comment--which was fun. One student even shared some information on free web sites for teachers--Moodles was the one, which I had never heard of before then. I was even able to get information on how to set up and enhance a web log. Overall, the Instant Messenger by MSN Live was very helpful in that it allowed me to collaborate on various applications for these new technologies in which we have been studying and it has given me opportunities to learn from my peers. I was even able to catch Dr. Green on-line to ask him a question. The only thing I have not been able to do is engage in audio chat and that is because I cannot find the setup disc for installing my microphone. Using the IM has been a wonderful experience; one in which I intend to keep going and use it as a learning tool. The MSN Messenger would also be a wonderful tool for use in K-12 education as teachers, parents, and students would be able to communicate.

Reflections for this week: It has been interesting viewing the remaining multimedia presentations. Although there is no use crying over spilt milk, each time I view a presentation, I cringe at my own. Many are so captivating and professionally done that I feel so small. The good thing about all this is that I can take what I have learned from other presentations (e.g., design, style, information) and improve my skills.

Week 8 Reflections

I really enjoyed looking at the multimedia presentations this week. Each one I viewed was so well prepared and included not only a wealth of information, but a lot of audio, video, and interactive buttons. I was so impressed. After seeing these presentations, I want to redo mine. I used my wiki space to present my presentation, but it is not attractive to look at and does not include much audio or video. In fact, I was so tired when I recorded my voice for the PowerPoint on Sharepoint that it (my voice) sounded cracky and too deep so I did not use it.

The webliography and Doc Sharing tabs located in our course forum made it easy to access multimedia presentations. I initially emailed everyone the url to my presentation, then read the email Dr. Green sent about posting it to the webliography. This should have been made clear from the beginning. I put the Sharepoint PP in the doc sharing folder just because I saw that others had placed their PPts there. I could not get my entire wiki presentation there so I just listed my url.

I was awed by the many ways wireless technologies have been used, according to the online article, Campus Technology at http://www.campus-technology.com/article.asp?id=17563. I am from Georgia and I just learned from another student in another course that Georgia is at the top of the list in regard to technology in K-12 classrooms. The web site with this information was provided to show me evidence, but I would have to go back to my other course to get the url. I did check the informatin out and was astounded to learn that Georgia (my state) is among the top in terms of technology inclusion. I reside in Augusta and don't see much of this (at least not in my particular school). I would love it if our district designed an infrastructure for the use of wireless technologies. Students would love this too as many of them have iPods, cell phones, and other handheld devices. At this point, students are not even allowed to bring any electronic devices to school--not even electronic dictionaries. And because many mp3 players look like memory sticks (thumb drives), students are not even allowed to bring these (memory sticks) to middle school. Although they are allowed in high school. The idea of having wireless technologies, such as wi-fi, available for students to use for wireless devices would optimize teaching and learning. I don't believe that having wireless technologies would mean that schools are focusing on technology as opposed to the curriculum. These wireless technologies would just make teaching and learning so much more engaging, as well as accessible.

Week 7 Reflections

I am exhausted from this week's assignments. I am nearly done with my multimedia presentation and would have been done already, but I was indecisive in determining how to present my presentation. I started out with google page creator (but it does not allow a lot of flexibility), then started a PowerPoint presentation and was not interested b/c I have done so many powerpoints before. I wanted to explore something different so I put my presentation on my Wiki Space at http://deniseogden.wikispaces.com I am not completely finished yet, but will be before midnight tonight. There are so many cool gadgets to use with wiki (although I realize this is not a collaboration project, I just wanted to try it out. It is very simple to use and insert images and pictures. I am not good on the audio yet. I did try recording my voice, but it sounded so gragly and tired that I deleted the audio files. I was able to get some audio and video tutorials on wiki features, so I hope this counts.

Learning about asynchronous and synchronous learning environments was interesting. As I responded to one person's question as to which I prefer, I must admit that I prefer asynchronous learning environments b/c I am shy by nature and traditional classroom settings have always been nerve wracking for me. I enjoy learning at my own pace in the comfort of my own home. I am self-motivated and I tend to work better alone than in groups. When I work with people I am familiar with, I end up being less productive b/c we usually converse about unrelated information rather than the topic at hand. When I collaborate with someone I am not familiar with, there is always the feeling that I am not doing my part; there have been cases in which I was left with all the work.

Have a great week.

P.S. I experimented with the whiteboard on MSN Live Messenger, but did not understand how it can benefit learning. If anyone knows, please give me some insight on how the whiteboard can be a useful tool.

Denise

Week 6 Reflections

Wow! Learning about ITV and Podcasts was enlightening. I have heard of podcast but never saw how they can be used in an educational environment. I was so curious about how podcasting works that I actually took the advice from Richardson (2006) and downloaded the free software called Audacity. It is very simple to set up, but I had a difficult time trying to save my casts to the accompanying software used for storing your podcasts. I loved playing with it. My son read a story and loved hearing his voice; we later tried adding sound affects to it, which made it even more interesting. I see a lot of potential educational use in podcasting.

Interactive Television is definately a new phenomenon to me. I read several articles on ITV and the one most interesting made a few points in which I can relate to. One being that most often TV is a medium in which one relaxes and enjoys the comfort and simplicity of not having to do anything other than watch or listen. I don't watch much TV--only a few episodes of Seinfield or Martin when I need a good laugh. The TV must be already turned to these shows because I find our remote control too complex to use. I can imagine how complicated a remote control would be to an ITV. Sometimes all the blows and whistles that iare supposed to make technology easy and more interactive is simply a turn-off!