Technology - Is it good or bad for the environment?

Con:

Technology, by its name, doesn't seem related to the great outdoors. Sitting inside in front of a computer doesn't allow you to appreciate the environment, since you aren't there! The more technology we get the less we think about the health of the environment.

Pro:

Technology has a natural connection with the environment. Virtual learning, shopping, paying bills, and bringing videos to you all contribute to using less resources. We use less gasoline, less paper, and are able to see all around the world with virtual reality.

Taking it all in.

Reading blogs about the new technology, about using more technology in class and how it fits or doesn't fit into teaching in the 21st century makes me realize that if I hadn't been taking these classes would I just be "clueless" or happy to be "clueless". I'm able to answer technology questions my students have, talked about creative commons and how it works for us all, and even helped my husband with some technology in his job. The ability to be able to even understand some of the terminology has helped me a lot.

The imovie

I've been struggling with this one. Not sure how to embed the movie- and if it even is saved on the internet archive. I see my name and the title but I can't get it to play. I'm freaking out just a bit.

podcast

I was relieved when my podcast was able to actually be heard on my wiki page. I was surprised how much I enjoyed learning about it.

Future of online learning?

The Edutopia survey about where we think online learning will be in 20 years brings to my mind the cartoon The Jetsons where everyone was flying around in their own personal power-pack on their back. Well, perhaps we are actually moving as fast as the predictions made in the 60's. This relates to our 3rd issue of social networking with our students. Technology is changing so quickly that perhaps in another 10 years we'll be laughing about the concerns about social networking with students. Perhaps we'll be communicating almost exclusively through virtual education- won't that add to the blurring of lines with communication with students. I'm only beginning to grasp the potential for technology in all aspects of life, including education.

Assessments

Since we're going to be taking the next class which is about assessments I paid more attention to blog posts having to do with just that. I do think that a simple test isn't really all there is to knowing if a person understands the subject. How to use the information, to analyze the information given and then use this information an act on it is real critical thinking assessment. The science portion of the ACT is an example of that- yes it is a test but doesn't really test that they know specific science facts as much as testing their ability to analyze data given, read graphs and tables, read closely and compare information given. President Obama's call for richer assessments will make us rethink the test taking mentality of teachers, we need to be flexible and creative to develop new innovative ways to assess student understanding.

Moodle

I just got signed up for a moodle account at my school. I haven't actually used it yet but I think I've got the courage to try! As our textbook said we needed to feel comfortable on our own using this new technology before we try to introduce our students to it. I know there are teachers at my school that already use it so some students will be familiar. I also think the wiki feature on the moodle would be a good method for collaborative work.

Evolution

I've come across several blogs on Edutopia about teaching evolution. Glenn Branch from the National Center for Science Education- Defending the Teaching of Evolution in Public Schools

keeps us up to date on news in the teaching of evolution. As a biology teacher, evolution is a natural explanation or connection in every topic I teach. The separation of church and state has been upheld so far. Darwin Day is approaching and the teaching of evolution is sure to be discussed for on Edutopia- always gets my attention!

Music DNA

This article posted on Read, Write, Web caught my eye because of the DNA and because I love music. This new technology brings liner notes back, the lack of has been a big downside to digital music especially for a person that grew up looking at vinyl albums, covers, liner notes. Sounds cool cause the information about the song, writers, musicians is interesting. You might recognize a drummer's name that also plays on another of your favorite artists. So, I guess for me it makes it more like what's familiar.

Distance learning in science

I read the position statement from the National Science Teachers Association on E-learning. I use to think science always had to be hands on, and how could they possibly learn any science on the computer... Over the years I've found and incorporated many online assignments, virtual labs, interactive tutorials, and online quizzes into all my science classes. Of course not all learning at the high school level should be online but as science technology advances it is impossible to keep up with it in a high school classroom. I learn a great deal from these sites, they have current research and findings that I am able to understand better and thus pass this on to my students. This week I did have one student tell me she didn't feel like she was able to learn from these assignments, I'm glad she told me. Students should get exposed to a variety of learning opportunities, not just one even if it is technology. I'm glad I'm learning more methods to incorporate technology in my science classroom, perhaps some won't work as well as I thought and others may surprise me with their value.

Subscribe, follow, post.....

I'm confused about the terms that I think all do the same thing but perhaps not. They don't all put you on that person's home page, right? If we click on the Follow and click to follow on google, do we click the "public" or "private"? Some of the Wikis can only be viewed if you are invited. As for the delicious account, I think I have that!

RSS

The RSS subscriptions I've made for science websites have been a wealth of information. The read/write/web has information for anyone, not just educators so I haven't really gotten much science education use out of that one. The subscriptions for science websites are sure to come in handy, I need to find some more that are for science lesson plans as well. Practice, I know I need a lot.

Wikis and blogs and webpages

On Edutopia "Harness your students' digital smarts". Wow, what an impressive video! The students did seem so engaged. This makes me want to grasp my use of the blogs and wikis so I actually can use these with my students. I've only tried Google docs, as our textbooks said has wiki features. I need to use it more. Practice practice practice.

Student choices

I read the article on Edutopia "Liven up your lessons by giving students choices". We all get tired of the same old same old and I find the students to be the same. There is a level of keeping things interesting that is a constant challenge but it also keeps me on my toes. Looking at a lesson in a different way does help understanding. I need to be more creative with technology I know, hopefully I will be soon.

Blog questions

As I read through the assignment and how to subscribe, I'm confused. What is the difference between subscribing and following? Is the sites I've joined the same as subscribing to? Where do we get notified about someone posting to their own blogs? Is there a difference in the 2 Posts that are on a blog page, the one with the icon and the one with Post(atom)? So many questions, but perhaps someone knows the answers. I'm a bit clearer on what a blog can do than I was for the first class we took. I'm building up the courage to set up my wiki- I think its cool that its a Hawaiian word, I just feel like I should maybe be playing the ukulele. Thanks to anyone that may see this! Phyl

Cheers to all in 2010

Getting ready for another fun ride.