When researching for this weeks assignment I came across this Blog from Element K. Basically it is a blog about e-learning. From what I gather, they find various e-learning sites and then introduce and comment on them. It does not appear that postings take place with any regularity; however, the postings that I read were relevant and full of information and links leading to other sites and blogs. I probably spent more time examining the blog than I should have (I kept clicking the links and reading the other blogs) but it was sort of addicting due to all the information.
Blogs have the potential to redefine learning as we know it. Learners could be introduced to a whole new world of open discussions and thoughts. However, I think it is very important for learners to enter the world of blogging cautiously. Many blogs tend to be based on personal thoughts and biases. Many times a blog will not even include a pertinent link, it will pretty much consist of one person's rant without any facts to back up the opinion. I think links to facts is one of the most important factors in blogging. Whether or not you agree or disagree with the cited article is probably less important than getting the reader to at least see the article and to begin to form their own ideas and opinions. As learners it is up to us to be critical, as instructors it is up to us to make sure learners are taught to question opinion.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
A Very Important Lesson for All people
As we continue to get more and more friendly with technology we have to remember to think before we post. There are people out there that are just waiting to take advantage of us and we are unwittingly helping them. It is so important that we be careful about what we say and report on our myspace, twitter, facebook, etc accounts. Others have come up with ways to make a seemingly innocent post such as "I'm going out with friends" into an opportunity to rob and steal from you. It is important that people remember that these are "public" sites and a lot can be learned about your activities by following your profile.
99 out of 100 people are not looking to harm you...it's that 1 you have to worry about.
99 out of 100 people are not looking to harm you...it's that 1 you have to worry about.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Mellennials and training
"Team members from Signature Worldwide, a training and marketing company that specializes in the hospitality industry, recently went into a typical hotel training session like they would any other. But this time they found a marked change: Trainees were text messaging, talking and seemingly not paying attention to the lessons. At first, (the trainers) thought it was just rude, said Lisa Kalmar, instructional designer at Signature Worldwide. Soon after, they discovered the trainees were a different kind of group -- one that required extra mental stimulation, more group interaction and increased technology. The trainees were millennials -- those born between 1980 and 2000. As Signature's trainers found, millennials require more stimulation, which can be achieved in part through technology." (Hanna, 2009)
What is wrong with kids today? I say nothing! The above scenario is one that plays out every day in various settings. Some educators hold the opinion that their students are rude, don't care, or are just inconsiderate. However, the truth may be that they are just bored and the usual way of teaching is not visually stimulating. Educators today have to be cognizant of the differences of the way people are learning today. Today visual stimulation is all around us and for the generations growing up in the age of technology it has caused a rift between them and their parents and educators.
It is important to for the older generations to accept that learning styles are changing. Rather than trying to force the student into the molds of yesterday, it might be better for the adults to learn from the kids. Take a moment and figure out how we can use technology to stimulate the learner in ways never possible before. Like it or not technology is here and is not going away. As the years progress, so will the ways we use technology to teach. The techno age is exciting and is opening windows and doors into a new world...let’s not run from it, let’s run to it full speed ahead!
References:
Hanna, E.. (2009, March). New tactics needed to train Gen Y workers. Hotel and Motel Management, 224(3), 1. Retrieved February 15, 2010, from ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry. (Document ID: 1671725931).
What is wrong with kids today? I say nothing! The above scenario is one that plays out every day in various settings. Some educators hold the opinion that their students are rude, don't care, or are just inconsiderate. However, the truth may be that they are just bored and the usual way of teaching is not visually stimulating. Educators today have to be cognizant of the differences of the way people are learning today. Today visual stimulation is all around us and for the generations growing up in the age of technology it has caused a rift between them and their parents and educators.
It is important to for the older generations to accept that learning styles are changing. Rather than trying to force the student into the molds of yesterday, it might be better for the adults to learn from the kids. Take a moment and figure out how we can use technology to stimulate the learner in ways never possible before. Like it or not technology is here and is not going away. As the years progress, so will the ways we use technology to teach. The techno age is exciting and is opening windows and doors into a new world...let’s not run from it, let’s run to it full speed ahead!
References:
Hanna, E.. (2009, March). New tactics needed to train Gen Y workers. Hotel and Motel Management, 224(3), 1. Retrieved February 15, 2010, from ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry. (Document ID: 1671725931).
Monday, February 8, 2010
EDU 651 Week 2-Wikis, Tweeting, and Blogging...OH MY!
Week 2 has been an interesting week and it is forcing me out of my comfort zones into the world of wikis, tweeting, and blogging. Being a product of a public school educational system of the 70's and 80's, my educational experiences primarily consisted of a teacher writing on a blackboard (yes, kids there were no white marker boards or PowerPoint presentations for us) and lecturing us while we took notes. Sure, there was the occasional project here and there but generally the educational experience did not change much day to day. I admit that this type of education was effective for most, but it could become boring and lead to a less than enthusiastic classroom audience.
Technology is changing the classrooms of today. Tech savvy instructors are learning how to make courses interactive and more fun for the students. A teacher's toolbox to help learning, has grown substantially and enables an educator to customize the lessons to not only appeal to the classroom's varied learning styles; but also allows the lecturer to create a lesson that is based on their teaching strengths.
This week's assignments focused primarily on the use and creation of Wikis. Most people are familiar with wikis because of the very popular and successful site Wikipedia. There are varying schools of thought on the accuracy of information on Wikipedia; however, because of its ability to be edited quickly and by many different people it can be a very useful source to use for gaining beginning information and developing a direction on a particular topic. Wiki's are also seen as a very powerful learning and teaching tool today.
One of our assignments for this week was to begin a creation of a wiki for a potential lesson for our class. We will be using a free wiki hosting site at www.pbworks.com to create our particular learning wiki. As I begin to create my wiki I can see how this collaboration tool could be an exciting gizmo for students to explore and use. As an adult working within the corporate world, I cannot tell you how many times a collaboration project has been a nightmare to the participants involved. Generally, the project required many meetings that could be help on or off site and required that all members of the committee attend. When dealing with people with busy professional and personal demands it can become almost impossible for all the participants to make and stay involved in the meetings. After learning more and beginning work on my wiki, I can see how this could help keep the project on track, on time, and on point.
In a corporate setting this could practically eliminate the dreaded meeting, because the participants can post their finding directly to the wiki for the others to review and comment on. Also, speaking for myself, I tend to get moments of brilliance and clarity at the oddest times. By using a wiki, I can post the thought and any supporting evidence almost the moment I think of it. No more scraps of paper or small tape recorder to hold on to and present at the meeting. Also, feedback and brainstorming can begin at any given moment and time. Let's not even get into the time and money it can save when the participants are not located close to each other.
As far as an educational setting, a wiki can be created as a homework assignment and would use up very little classroom time. This would allow for the teacher to cover more topics and also help the student hone their research and writing skills.
The use of wikis is definitely something I am interested in learning more of and using them in a learning setting.
Technology is changing the classrooms of today. Tech savvy instructors are learning how to make courses interactive and more fun for the students. A teacher's toolbox to help learning, has grown substantially and enables an educator to customize the lessons to not only appeal to the classroom's varied learning styles; but also allows the lecturer to create a lesson that is based on their teaching strengths.
This week's assignments focused primarily on the use and creation of Wikis. Most people are familiar with wikis because of the very popular and successful site Wikipedia. There are varying schools of thought on the accuracy of information on Wikipedia; however, because of its ability to be edited quickly and by many different people it can be a very useful source to use for gaining beginning information and developing a direction on a particular topic. Wiki's are also seen as a very powerful learning and teaching tool today.
One of our assignments for this week was to begin a creation of a wiki for a potential lesson for our class. We will be using a free wiki hosting site at www.pbworks.com to create our particular learning wiki. As I begin to create my wiki I can see how this collaboration tool could be an exciting gizmo for students to explore and use. As an adult working within the corporate world, I cannot tell you how many times a collaboration project has been a nightmare to the participants involved. Generally, the project required many meetings that could be help on or off site and required that all members of the committee attend. When dealing with people with busy professional and personal demands it can become almost impossible for all the participants to make and stay involved in the meetings. After learning more and beginning work on my wiki, I can see how this could help keep the project on track, on time, and on point.
In a corporate setting this could practically eliminate the dreaded meeting, because the participants can post their finding directly to the wiki for the others to review and comment on. Also, speaking for myself, I tend to get moments of brilliance and clarity at the oddest times. By using a wiki, I can post the thought and any supporting evidence almost the moment I think of it. No more scraps of paper or small tape recorder to hold on to and present at the meeting. Also, feedback and brainstorming can begin at any given moment and time. Let's not even get into the time and money it can save when the participants are not located close to each other.
As far as an educational setting, a wiki can be created as a homework assignment and would use up very little classroom time. This would allow for the teacher to cover more topics and also help the student hone their research and writing skills.
The use of wikis is definitely something I am interested in learning more of and using them in a learning setting.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Open your mind to technology
I find it funny and interesting (and disturbing) that a large amount of the population are still only using their computers for email, computer games, and online dating. As a society, we are so fortunate to have such a powerful tool in our corner to spark interesting and passionate conversations with people all over the world.
Never before have humans had the opportunity to see current events and world issues from such a varied perspective. Today, the world is literally our oyster, and we have the opportunity to see, interact, and learn from others both in our back yard and across the planet. This fact alone tends to helps us understand and empathize with one another. Modern day technology has changed the way we think, feel, and react. It is a very powerful medium in shaping decisions and opinions.
So, I ask you...what aren't we using the world wide web to its fullest potential? Why are so many people not taking advantage of the voice they now have? Why isn't everyone blogging?
I am writing today to encourage people to use their voice to help teach and educate others next door and around the world. Share your experiences, ideas, and life stories. What better way is there for a country boy to learn about city life than by reading the blogs of someone living in New York City. What better way is there to get the word out that you created a better mousetrap. What better way is there to understand other cultures than to read about their trials and tribulations first hand...many times we find we are not too different from one another, we all bleed red.
How else can the world of blogging be used to make us better. Teachers require students to create blogs and respond to their classmates. This will foster peer-to-peer tutoring and also help to improve writing, spelling, and grammatical skills. Educators can also use it as a way to keep the class on the same page by posting assignment, their due dates, and any special criteria needed to complete the task. How many times have we left a class only to find we forgot our notebook or didn't write the assignment down correctly.
The opportunities are endless for the impact that blogging in education can make. It can provide students with a creative outlet in designing their pages. It can also help improve computer and keyboarding skills. The opportunities and potential for greatness are endless.
I now call on all educators to create a blog and let their students experience all the positives of this type of medium. I realize most kids have blogged on various peer web services but they are all very informal and do not challenge our children to find excellence. Educators have to teach our kids that there is more to blogging than who is dating who or who said what about who. We need to help them to experience all the greatness the web provides and try to keep them steered away from the trash.
Never before have humans had the opportunity to see current events and world issues from such a varied perspective. Today, the world is literally our oyster, and we have the opportunity to see, interact, and learn from others both in our back yard and across the planet. This fact alone tends to helps us understand and empathize with one another. Modern day technology has changed the way we think, feel, and react. It is a very powerful medium in shaping decisions and opinions.
So, I ask you...what aren't we using the world wide web to its fullest potential? Why are so many people not taking advantage of the voice they now have? Why isn't everyone blogging?
I am writing today to encourage people to use their voice to help teach and educate others next door and around the world. Share your experiences, ideas, and life stories. What better way is there for a country boy to learn about city life than by reading the blogs of someone living in New York City. What better way is there to get the word out that you created a better mousetrap. What better way is there to understand other cultures than to read about their trials and tribulations first hand...many times we find we are not too different from one another, we all bleed red.
How else can the world of blogging be used to make us better. Teachers require students to create blogs and respond to their classmates. This will foster peer-to-peer tutoring and also help to improve writing, spelling, and grammatical skills. Educators can also use it as a way to keep the class on the same page by posting assignment, their due dates, and any special criteria needed to complete the task. How many times have we left a class only to find we forgot our notebook or didn't write the assignment down correctly.
The opportunities are endless for the impact that blogging in education can make. It can provide students with a creative outlet in designing their pages. It can also help improve computer and keyboarding skills. The opportunities and potential for greatness are endless.
I now call on all educators to create a blog and let their students experience all the positives of this type of medium. I realize most kids have blogged on various peer web services but they are all very informal and do not challenge our children to find excellence. Educators have to teach our kids that there is more to blogging than who is dating who or who said what about who. We need to help them to experience all the greatness the web provides and try to keep them steered away from the trash.
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