Stages of Technology Integration

I can't comfortably state that I am in just one stage of technology integration. There is always room for improvement. Uses for technology as a learning tool are always changing. I struggle with learning new technologies and I'm concerned about lack of time to use technology with students -- in my role as a library media specialist. I hope I mostly fit into the Invention stage. I am very open minded about using new technologies in the school. As I stated on the first day of class, I see technology as a tool to help students become critical thinkers and effective users of information. As librarian, I don't give students the answers. I give them the tools and the skills to access, evaluate, organize, and synthesize information.

What I Have Learned

I am looking forward to planning many new learning activities that involve technolgy. This class was a great opportunity to spent time using different Web 2.0 apps with two experienced technology scholars.

I think the following quote applies to what I have learned in class.
"If in the last few years you haven't discarded a major opinion or acquired a new one, check your pulse. You may be dead." Gelett Burgess quoted in Michael LeBoeuf's Imagineering

Education is not dead. Major changes are on the way.

My goal is to offer new technologies and services that will help students succeed in the 21st century. I plan to write my professional goals for the year with Vermont's Transformation of Education in mind. From what I've learned, the library media center is the perfect 21st century learning environment for students. School libraries are the place where students can be creative, innovative, and effective users of information. Vermont is headed in the right direction.

Comments on Alan November Interviews Angela McFarlane podcast

This interview is a bit old (May 8, 2007) but I was interested in hearing it because Angela McFarlane discusses meaningful work for students and the use of technology. I agree with Angela McFarlane's statement that students need to recognize the difference between an evidence based argument and opinion. With all the information that is available on the Web, I am concerned that students don't fully understand that many information sources are biased and that it is necessary to evaluate information before using it.

Comments on the Project Based Learning Articles

I chose to read the Houghton Mifflins Project Based Learning Space: An overview of the basics of Project Based Learning and Handbook: Introduction to Project Based Learning on the Buck Institute of Education web page because I am not very familiar with Project Based Learning. After reading these articles, I see my role as a library media specialist as a professional who could assist a classroom on a Project Based Learning project. I see the library as a place that students could use for investigations. I could help students find and use print and online sources. Students could use many Web 2.0 technologies in the library media center to faciliate communication with people outside the school. Presentation and data manipulation tools are also available in the library media center. Students can use a variety of technology tools such as slide shows, multimedia presentations, datadases, graphing software, audio editing, and video editing software. My role would be to help students succeed by offering a variety of services to help them acheive their project goals .

My Independent Project - DCF Book Blog for VUES

I've added a link to my other blog that I am creating for this class, in the My Blog List section. I've created a DCF Book Blog to use with students in grades 4-6 at my school. I may invite other schools to use and comment on this blog too. This blog was designed after a state wide DCF Blog that was available for last year's DCF books. I wanted to duplicate this with my school. My hope is that student will learn how to write thoughtful comments and responses to books on this blog, and that other students will read and use these student comments to help them select independent reading books.

Notice that I already have one comment from a student! My daughter agreed to write the first comment for the book, Jellaby.

Linking to a Podcast using Podbean

Here is my new post.

Here's my same test podcast. This podcast doesn't automatically repeat.


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Just a Test Post of an Audio file.

This is my first attempt to post an mp3 file to my blog using gcast.

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Blogs that Relate to Educational Transformation

The first blog added to "my blog list" is Kathy Schrock's Kaffeeklatsch . Kathy posts are relevant to my interests to use technology with students. I just spotted an older post on her blog, Google Apps for Education Overview (June 14, 2009) that I plan to go back and read after I've finished my homework for Tech4Teachers. I like her friendly, informal, and humorous approach to her blog - very "user friendly".

Kathy Schrock Promoting Educational Change

Kathy Schrock is changing education by helping school teachers (all grade levels and subjects) use technology in the classroom. Kathy has an amazing website where she shares her knowledge and resources. She has slide show presentations on a variety of topics such as Effective Search Strategies and One-Computer Classroom Survival Guide that she allows to be viewed, downloaded, and used. Kathy also shares resources and handouts from her presentations. Kathy Schrock's Kaffeeklatsch is her blog where she writes on her ideas and discoveries related to information technology. You can find almost anything related to using technology in the classroom on Kathy's site. Her resourses are useful and effective.

For more information about Kathy Schrock visit http://kathyschrock.net/

Reflection on 2020 Readings

After reading the documents on the vermont2020.pbworks.com wiki, I feel encouraged that Vermont schools are headed in the right direction in educating our students for the 21st century. The Transformation of Education in Vt and the Vt Educational Tech Plan documents make me hopeful that school communities will shake off some old habits and ideas that may not be working for today's students. Educators are embracing the idea that change is necessary if we want to successfully educate all types of students and learners . The focus on student-centered learning acknowledges that technology in education is necessary to the 21st century learner. Using technology as a tool for learning will: 1) help students compete in a global economy, 2) help to engage and excite students in school, and 3) allow students to learn outside the walls of a traditional school building.

This is another post of the same math photos. These photos are in Bubbleshare Slider.

BubbleShare: Share photos - Play some Online Games.

Math Related Photos

The following math related photos were taken in and around Vergennes Union High School.

BubbleShare: Share photos - Easy Photo Sharing

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Transforming video assignment August 10th

I chose this video after looking at several that related to transforming education. The girl in the video uses media (technology) to help communicate her ideas with her class. The video relates to the Transformation of Education by showing how a student can become engaged and creative by using technology.