Twitter chat #edtechchat (Don't blink!)

Tonight I entered my first Twitter Chat with #edtechchat.  I used the link provided by our instructor to find a chat that interested me; I choose one dealing with technology not only because I am a technology educator, but because this is a always-changing topic that I will forever need to be on-top of!  I liked this chat topic because I work in a computer lab setting; technology is what I do everyday. The content was listed on the link I provided above; the participants listed themselves when the chat began - it was fast and furious!  I was glad I wasn't the only one who thought the chat was going at a rapid pace - one guy tweeted "Is this chat going fast or am I having a heart attack?"

Toward the end of the chat, Q5: What are some tools and resources that could be used for professional development? There was a link provided that had google docs on-call so everyone could add their favorite PD tool.  This blew me away! Not only are we tweeting various tips and resources and talking about technology, but now we are using the tools and collaborating our ideas into one fluid document.  Amazing! 

I ended up following five people from the twitter chat and also gained my own followers!  I found it challenging to keep up with all the posts.  They were entered so fast and then the next, followed by the next...it was never ending!  I did like how the moderator set up the guidelines beforehand; I will post questions such as Q1 and Q2 and you can respond using A1 and A2; this was easier for me to follow.  I had a couple of shout-outs and a couple of participants retweet my response.  I think the only thing to improve my experience would be to chat more often using Twitter to get used to the experience and flow of the responses. All in all, I really liked it! 

Web 2.0 tools: Glogster

I use the free Web 2.0 tool, Glogster, in my Word Processing class when we work through our career unit.  I wanted the kids to try something other than PowerPoint (yawn) and even beyond Prezi.  I was looking for an online tool that would allow my students to create a collage with images and text and stumbled across information on Glogster.  The educational version of Glogster will allow a teacher to sign up a course and enroll 100 students for free.  Students will create their profile which consists of a username, email address and other generic questions.  Once enrolled, students can click "create glog" and a blank canvas appears.  They can add animated images or regular clipart, videos, text or upload images from a saved file into their glog.  I have my students create a career collage and look up facts and figures on their future career.  Glogster is very user friendly and FREE!  Once students are finished adding their required text to their glog, then they can change the background, change font color, style, size, etc to personalize their glog.

Glogs can be paired with google, uploaded to edmoto or embedded into a webpage.  Below is an example of one of my student's career glog.

Here is a link to Glogster:  http://edu.glogster.com/

Digital Presentation

So this week we are working on a presentation for a group of teachers.  The topic can range anywhere from Digital Citizenship, Copyright Laws, Fair Use, Digital Citizenship, etc. 
We are to use Web 2.0 tools to create our presentation and I tried GoAnimate for the first time.  Set up was easy; just created an account using my email address and created a user name and password.  There are templates to choose from, although most you have to be a subscriber to use; only basic ones are available to non-subscribers.  I was able to choose my character for the video from 4-5 options; again, only subscribers have more options.  I typed in what I wanted my characters to say and then click "preview" and was able to view what my final video would look like.  Click here to see my creation:  Go Animate Video

Social Networking

Social Networking

Social networking resources that would be helpful for working with diverse students could include sites such as Facebook and Twitter; two of which I am becoming more familiar with using.  Let’s look at the facts: there are 750 million Facebook users worldwide and 100 million Twitter users worldwide.  40 percent of those Twitter users do not actually tweet, but sign in to read others’ posts.  The current value of Facebook rests at $80 billion (The Fiscal Times 2011).

http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2011/09/12/The-Social-Media-Explosion-By-the-Numbers

More and more, teachers are at least making an effort, in my opinion, to become familiar with these social media sites and some even include them into the lesson planning.  Our district uses Twitter for updating sports scores during game coverage and tweeting reminders and announcements.  We also have a school spirit Facebook page that any club, organization, sports team, etc can post information regarding student recognition and/or accomplishments, school-wide announcements or information that the student body would need to know.  Of the two, I think our students interact more with Twitter than Facebook.

I strictly use Facebook for my personal, family use. I have not tried to use it for educational purposes, although I do have a Facebook PowerPoint lesson plan (see attached) that could be used to illustrate a public figure in our history. 

Twitter, in my opinion, would be very easy to integrate into the classroom.  A teacher could set up a class hashtag and each student could add information and tag the class; sort of like what we do for this course. We all use the hashtag #STJedutech – check us out!

Networked Classroom

What is a networked classroom?  With the availability of Web 2.0 tools, useful websites for classroom and lesson planning, blogs and podcasts the classroom of today might also be called a networked classroom if online communication and collaboration is being used largely for the interaction of the class participants.  There are some advantages and disadvantages of a networked classroom.

·         Disadvantages include:

o   Online safety of students

o   Technology integration into the classroom with students who may not be comfortable with new media tools

o   Students want to “try” the new, emerging technology without actually having to “learn” how to use it correctly

·         Advantages include:

o   Offering choices with online resources; giving students options to complete assignments with various tools to choose from depending on what the student may already be familiar with using

o   Communication with students can take place at anytime and anywhere.  Using online tools can allow teachers and students to chat, text, blog, email and communicate through any of the online tools available.

A teacher can slowly transition their classroom to become a networked classroom by first knowing what is available, how it can become beneficial to the class and understanding how the tool/resource will be integrated into the classroom.  Knowing what resources are available is the first step in becoming a networked classroom.  Keeping up with the trends can only help educators to discover what new technologies are available; one step further, teachers must know how to use these tools before they can introduce them to students.  One of my biggest pet peeves are teachers who assign web page design, for example, without first knowing how to design a web page themselves.  It will be harder in the long run for educators to lose sight of emerging trends with online resources when most of our resources are in fact, online. 

So once we become aware with what is available and understand how to use it, we then need to decide how it will fit into our curriculum.  Just because something looks neat does not mean it will fit into our needs in the classroom.  For example, in the article online, 7 Ed Tech Trends to Watch in 2014, a digital textbook is #4 on the list.  For my courses, a digital textbook isn’t always the best option.  My students are using Photoshop and InDesign software programs and having a digital textbook to learn these software programs would not have worked well with the assignments.  I found it easier to show them how to use the software on the overhead so they could follow along with me on the overhead projector.  To my point, just because a digital textbook is an emerging trend does not mean it will work for me in my classroom. 

A networked classroom may address the diverse needs of all learners, especially if you have visual learners in the classroom. The online tool being used could coincide with written directions to enhance the lesson.  Also, the idea of completing the work at anytime and anywhere may encourage learners with additional needs to work at their own pace and not the pace of the traditional classroom setting.  Keeping the class safe in this online environment needs to be the top priority with the integration of technology adding to the enhancement of the lesson and encouraging all students to collaborate in this new, digital setting.

Photo courtesy of: 21st Century Learning Lab Blog

Twitter for Education

There are many reasons why teachers should use Twitter.  This is another means of social media and networking with teachers across the globe.  Asking one question on Twitter can yield hundreds of responses within minutes.  It is free.  Teachers are often looking for additional tools but do not have the means financially from their district to implement new ideas in the classroom.  Not only do you get immediate, free information but the information is up-to-date and relevant for today’s classroom.  I have found you also get variety when it comes to Twitter. You may have one idea for your classroom and by posting this idea on Twitter; you could get another perspective from a different community that may fit in well with your students.     

I enjoy using Twitter; especially for the immediate feedback responses. I never thought of it as “building a reputation” but I recently read an article and some teachers were questioned on using Twitter for the classroom.  One teacher said, “Twitter has helped me to build a strong professional reputation. Because the content that I share is seen as valuable by a large number of followers, my voice is recognized and respected. That ability to develop a reputation as an expert is something that many teachers working with traditional tools in traditional classrooms don't ever have. I've always known that I was the intellectual equal to those working beyond the classroom. Twitter gives me the chance to publicly prove that.”   That is a great point and will give me something to work toward.  I would like to increase my followers and find more educators to share resources and tools to hopefully create my own online reputation as an expert.  Follow me @doyel79

Here is the link to the article. Several teachers were surveyed on their Twitter use in the classroom:  http://jolt.merlot.org/vol7no3/alderton_0911.htm

Personal Learning Networks in the Classroom

I like the idea of using Google Hangouts in the classroom as a way for students to collaborate outside of school.  Google Hangouts is an online tool for instant messaging and video chats.  It is very easy to set up and can be used on a computer or digital device. Click here to learn more about how to set up a Google Hangout Prezi on Google Hangouts.

Image courtesy of Google Hangouts

Another Web 2.0 tool that is useful in the classroom and used as a PLN is Twitter.  I know several teachers in our building who use Twitter as a means of communication when (1) the teacher is absent (2) the student is absent or for (3) short, quick responses needed for an assignment outside of class.  Twitter is also a good way to network with other educators in your field by searching for specific hashtags (#).  Here is a link for beginning Twitter users: Twitter Tips & Tricks

Image courtesy of toptenpk.com