kwl

I am a multimedia, photographer, dj, photoshop, tekkie.  I know how to work programs and produce an output.  I know my way around a computer.  I know how to create.

I wanted to know how to incorporate this better into my health and even my pe curriculum.

I learned I was only on one level of creating.  This class has opened me up to more than just clips from YouTube and handwritten Journals!  I learned to create environments and push the envelope on where my kids will go in the future.  I am excited to continue to work on my wiki I started for my final project.  I cant wait to be more skilled in designing and structuring it.  I think the kids will be totally into learning on their terms.  I am excited to be able to spend some extra one on one time with my students who tend to fall behind.  


Thanks for such an awesome class.  Everyone has shared so much and hopefully we all have learned a little from each other! 

WEBINAR

I had to take a webinar for IMPACT Certification.  IMPACT stands for Increased Mastery and Professional Application of Coaching Theory.  This was a two day webinar that was offered/required through USA Volleyball and I had to pass to have coaching eligibilities.  Some of the class was boring, but other areas sparked good questions and conversations in the sidebar.  There were a few main speakers during the webinar and it was hosted by the head of our region, Jimmy Peden.


This is the second time I have taken IMPACT, but was my first experience on Webinar.  I liked that I could be at home, doing whatever I wanted, wearing whatever I wanted and commenting whenever I wanted.  Some of the topics included: Coaching Principles/Foundations, Motor Skill Learning Theory, Communication and Feedback, Ethic and Legal Duties, Fundamental Skills, basic Games and Drills, brief overview of Offensive/Defensive Organization of systems, brief overview of Practice and Drill design.


My favorite part of these clinics is learning new phrases and wording that may help a player who just doesn't get it the way I say it.  It also talks about some motivation and expectation techniques.  

Pay Attention

I love this video. I think it wraps all of my thoughts and ideas into a short, digital, summary. My hope is that our school can continue to move forward with technology equipment and professional development. I have already approached the admin a few times about this issue. They are well aware of it and are on our side. Hopefully the board can budget this into our new site.

I like this video because it shows you how simple this can be. Texting is just one basic way that we can use technology in our classrooms and engage our students. I would say that 95% of my eighth grade students had a cell phone.

I am definitely looking forward to doing some sort of wiki or blog with them this year. Hopefully if it goes well in 8th grade, I can move it into my 7th and 6th grade classes as well. I think once the admin and my curriculum advisor sees the potential and the excitement the kids will have, it will not be a battle.

INCLUSION VIDEO

This video is moving.  It is incredible to see an educator, and a man, care so much.  He is a powerful teacher and everything I have watched on him is positive!  Think about that little girls experience if this were 10 years ago.  She would probably not be so lucky.

We actually had the reverse happen at my school.  We had a teacher who was "allergic" to our building.  She would actually skype in to teach her higher level math students.  This may be the first time I, the PE teacher, was jealous of how another teacher got to dress.  She would just be hanging out on her couch in her jammies!

Technology has taken us to new levels and I can only imagine what school and education will be like for my great-grandchildren!

week 11 - Chapter 5

There was an excerpt in Chapter 5 from the US department of Ed which concluded: We have not realized the promise of technology in education. Essentially, providing the hardware without adequate training in its use - and in its endless possibilities for enriching the learning experience - meant that the great promise of Internet technology was frequently unrealized.  Computers, instead of transforming education, were often shunted to a "computer room," where they were little used and poorly maintained.  Students mastered the wonders of the internet at home, not in school. Today's students, of almost any age, are far ahead of their teachers in computer literacy. (p. 10)
I can only speak from my experiences, but this rings very true at my school.  Actually, this year was even worse.  There wasn't even a computer lab to go to, because our temporary facility didn't accomodate it.  Unfortunately our district isn't very friendly to us, a small charter school, so we also lack in the professional development classes that our offered to the county employees and are left to find opportunities on our own.

Luckily I have found new resources in this book that I am able to share with my staff and hope they will take the time to look it over.  This along with workshops and conventions will help our staff move forward with technology and all that it has to offer.

Week 11 - my pln

I had a makeshift PLN in place for myself before this class, but it wasn't organized or solid.  This class has shown me more efficient ways to create a PLN.  I was hired at Bridgewater before I actually finished my degree work.  I already had a masters, but neither degree was in PE.  I was pursuing my second undergrad.  Lucky for me, Charter schools can have a percentage of teachers not certified.  That being said, I had to create some sort of learning opportunity for myself.  I am the only PE and Health educator in my school.  I do not have anyone to help me plan or to collaborate with.  I go to AAHPERD conferences, but I needed something year round.
Now I have more sophisticated ways of using that network.  Using tools like Diggio help me access my information at school as well as at home.  My bookmarks tab was getting a bit ridiculous on my iMac.  Now I can continue to add sites without wondering "do I really need to add this to my bookmarks tab?'  I can add it to diggio and if I use it, great! If I don't, who cares.
I am a tekkie.  I am on top of the technology in my personal life and will continue to push for our school to do the same for our children.  I have found new ways of "connecting" to my students and athletes.  I have a separate Facebook page just for my athletes and students to friend me.  I create groups for the different teams I coach so we can "connect" just with our teammates.  I use to be that person who said, NO I will not be your friend on Facebook!  That is inappropriate! Now, I am the person who sat at the computer for one hour and created a whole new network of communication.  I had the most successful season of volleyball this year.  Yes we won at our final tournament, but that wasn't where the success happened.  This team struggled to find their voice, on and off the court.  At the close of the season, these kids had opened up, began to work as a unit and most importantly felt like they were part of something bigger than themselves.  They felt they belonged.  They had pride in themselves and their team.  One week after the tournament I logged on to that account and the team was still and is still involved in team conversation.  That group site continues to have posts and pictures added.  If I can take this team on a journey of trust, respect and inclusion through this site into next season, watch out.  They will be a team beyond the court.

week 9 - Brian Crosby

I want to have the resources that Brian Crosby has and wished my teachers had lessons like that when I was in Elementary School!  He is obviously a teacher praised by students, parents, fellow teachers and people that he doesn't even know, like myself.  I would like to think I am innovative and am always trying to find new ways to teach things, but resources are scarce and time is always escaping me.

I hope every kid out there has at least one teacher experience like the ones Mr. Crosby gives his kids!

Week 9 - tool kit

I believe schools should unlock the tool kit!  I can actually relate to Antero Garcia when he says "Sooner or later someone is going to expect my students to be able to quickly and effortlessly post to a blog, add to a wiki, or collaborate via some sort of social-networking protocol. And once again, my school will have failed to prepare them for such a task." (see my last post)  
If we want our students to be productive in our society, these are the tools they will need to be familiar with.  If schools approach this the right way, with the correct monitoring, it can be hugely successful.  we can help the future generation with digital citizenship and guide them safely, instead of throwing them to the wolves to learn it on their own.  
This kind of reminds me of my Sexual Education Class.  You want me to teach abstinence..... which is great, but not necessarily the trend already happening.  Why cant I teach them how to protect themselves and be honest about the whole situation?  This is why the teenage pregnancy rate in SC is so terrible.  We do not prepare these kids with the necessary tools.  


With the right vision, training, support and technology we can prepare the future generations correctly.

Week 9 - Chapter 8 Thoughts.

I know that chapter 8 is about systematic issues, but it made me think more about the issues my students are going to face when they move on to high school.  This year was rough for our school.  we were sent into a temporary facility because our loan had not gone through and our new building was not ready.  We have little to No technology for our teachers and even less for our students.  These kids have been dis-serviced.  I believe in our school, i believe in our charter, but we just plain had a bad year!  These kids will be blown away by their peers coming in from other schools.  It is not fair to them.
They do not know what an electronic portfolio is.  They havent been exposed to a computer lab this academic year.  As the book was talking about authentic assessments, I could only imagine our students reactions to these foreign words and concepts.
We as a staff are deeply saddened by our current condition and have gone to the board in an attempt to be heard.  We demanded to be moved into a better location to start our year off right next year.  We demanded technology in our classrooms.  We demanded the best for our students.  We cant even think about systematic issues with no system to run on.  Sorry for venting, it was a rough meeting last night.  Our charter is up for renewal and the district is on our backs.  It is a scary place to be in an economy like ours.

Week 6 - Thoughts on Chapter 3

Chapter 3 was a fun read for me, and I do not like to read!  These tools are literally breaking down the walls that once limited our students working only during the school hours.  I also enjoyed reading about Jeff Utecht, who we got to do a live Skype segment with.

I really like the example for bookmarking on page 59.  That really gave me a look into why bookmarking online is a better route for our students, and for us!  I am a "specials" teach and lack the ability to stay in one room.  I was using my personal laptop, which was helpful for bookmarking, but now I am using the teachers computers in their room and see the benefits of accessing my bookmarks from any computer.

Unfortunately, at the moment, our school is stuck in a temporary site that lacks the technology for me to be able to implement this with my students.  I look forward to next year in our new building, where this may be a better possibility!

Podcast - flat stanley

This was a project I did for my cousin, Brett.  It is quite long, 14 minutes, so skim through if you would like.  Just so you know, he got an A! If you are not familiar with flat stanley this video kind of shows you how it works. I went a little above and beyond and took him on a trip toFlorida as well, but the idea is to send flat stanley to a relative who doesn't live near you. Then the relative takes pictures of flat stanley all over the city.  Then you send it back so that the kids in his class can learn about other parts of the country.  Enjoy!

week 8 - Skype

The skype call didnt happen this week, but I did skype one of my classmates to ask if he knew anything about the skype call, which he did not either.

Instead I am writing about the struggles with collaboration.  I often dread the group projects that are assigned, whether the class be online or in the classroom.  I am a team player, and athlete, and a coach and yet I dread working as a team.  Why? The main reason is that I am super busy ALL the time.  I am not complaining, I like it that way, but it does make me a bad partner because I do not have a lot of flexibility in my schedule.  I work three jobs and go to graduate school.  If that weren't enough, I also play adult volleyball and do races. Next weekend I will be running in a mud run for the humane society.

It is nice to have new opinions and ideas to ponder. That part is interesting and can help to create something great.  That is the positive side of collaborating. For me, the negative feelings and stress out weighs the positive!  There is always the chance that you will have that one know-it-all who just will not consider your thoughts and feelings..... welcome to the real world!

Week 8 - Connectivism and constructivism

They say that Connectivism is a learning theory for the digital age. Learning has changed over the last several decades. The theories of behaviourism, cognitivism, and constructivism provide an effect view of learning in many environments. They fall short, however, when learning moves into informal, networked, technology-enabled arena.


George Siemens is a theorist on learning in a digitally based society.  In his article, A Learning Theory for the Digital Age, he says:
“One of the most persuasive factors is the shrinking half-life of knowledge. The “half-life of knowledge” is the time span from when knowledge is gained to when it becomes obsolete. Half of what is known today was not known 10 years ago. The amount of knowledge in the world has doubled in the past 10 years and is doubling every 18 months according to the American Society of Training and Documentation (ASTD). To combat the shrinking half-life of knowledge, organizations have been forced to develop new methods of deploying instruction.”  


I thought this paragraph was very interesting.  I had to go back and read it a second time.  It sounds similar to buying a computer/camera/camcorder and the fact that it is obsolete before you even get it home to unpack it.  


I often wonder if there will ever be a generation not afraid to embrace change.  Ultimately that is what it comes down to.  Are we ready to transition our teaching/school system into this digital age that we have found ourselves in?  Some of us are ready and willing, but some will never be willing.  I know a third grade teacher who only uses the computer in her room to put her grades in online, which we have to do, otherwise she wouldn't use it at all.  She had the opportunity for a mimio and turned it down. Will she ever be open to the digital age? Probably not. 


While I remain hopeful, in my optimistic mindset, the truth is, I am afraid school systems are not catching up quick enough.  I know it is a process, but by the time we think we are getting better, we are just further behind.  

Week 6 - Tech and Standards

The question is to determine if the technology drives the project or is it the project that drives the technology.  According to Sean Capelle, and I agree, it has the be the project that drives the technology.  If we develop the project with an end goal, based on standards, then we can decide what technology would be best.  If we are just creating a blog or a wiki for the sake of doing it, there is no end goal or "real" purpose to it.  The expectations would be blurry and the children would feel lost.   We don't assign work for the sake of being busy, we assign for the sake of learning.  
In the article,  It's Not About the Tool, Capelle refers to Richardsons' Blogs, wikis, podcasts and other powerful Web tools for the classrooms book.  It states: "These tools, when implemented in classrooms, will prepare students for comprehending new literacy mediums and new challenges that the future holds."  This is exactly what I have been preaching to my administration/board.  We need to prepare these students for the future, which includes all technology, and the schools need to evolve with the world around us.  It is probably hard to swallow coming from the Health/PE teacher, but they are not receptive to my complaints on the food we feed our students either, so I suppose it doesn't really matter what my field is. 
On Richardsons' wiki he quotes "It is not the strongest species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change" – Charles Darwin.  His site is worth checking out.  I enjoy his interpretation of technology and the quotes he uses to spark conversation about the future. 

Week 5 - Social Bookmarking - my thoughts

I often use the web for ideas on new lessons.  P.E. Central is one of my favorites. I am excited to meet other professionals in my field through these social bookmarking sites to expand my research base.  I consider my self to be "tech" savy, but this class is proving my to be "tech" silly.  I had no idea what most of these sites did, or how I could use them. For example, when I hear the word delicious, I think food, not social bookmarking on the web.  According to Marc Prensky I would be in the middle of digital immigrant and digital native.  I say that because I know that I know more than most of my colleagues, yet less than necessary for mastery.  My school is definitely in the "immigrant" stage, although we are working to change that.  

Technology in MY WORLD

Two interesting topics in this post.

1. Tech @ Regionals

2. Virtual Choir

1. My volleyball team played at the regional championships in Charlotte, N.C. the first weekend in April.  We were in the championship match for Power Bronze for the 15's division.  When you are playing on the opposite side of the court from the scoreboard, it is nearly impossible to see.  This young man, probably high-school age, was sitting in the seats across the court from where our team was standing, holding an iPad.  On the iPad was a program for keeping score.  He kept score during the entire match, even when his team was on the side of the court where they could see the court.  I thought that was awesome, because it was less stressful for me not trying to see the score throughout the game.  One of my parents, who could see the official scoring, yelled out that the score was wrong.  I immediately asked for a score check knowing the correct score from the boy with the iPad who I was watching the entire match.  Sure enough the score was wrong and we were owed two points.  Just and interesting example of how technology can help out even in the most unlikely situations.

2. A friend of mine shared this video on Facebook and I thought it was amazing.  Check it out if you have a minute.  Just the idea of it seems overwhelming to me.....

Eric Whitacre: A virtual choir 2,000 voices strong | Video on TED.com

Week 3 - PBS video

The PBS video was interesting.  One of the themes was power of play.  Teaching from a P.E. background I absolutely believe in this idea. However, the video only showed all of the fancy classes and hands on learning with problem solving skills.  I would be interested to find out about the other classes taught there, like English Science and Math.  How do they incorporate these classes into this setting?  I guess I want the full picture.  I would also be interested in graduation rates and achievements.
They say that the need to memorize is a 20th century skill.  The need to navigate through a buzz of confusion and to figure how to trust the info that you find, then the world is yours.  These two statements are true to the ever changing world we live in.  Are we literate if we can not navigate digitally?  In 2020 they say you might not be.
Teaching styles need to be evolving with the world around education.  The basic model of public schooling shuts the door on technology.  It is like an alternate universe from our real life.  Technology is the future and it is growing by the minute.
On a personal note, I would have thrived in a school like the ones they showed.  I have a Masters in Multimedia and carried a 4.0 in that major.  I am a hands on learner.  That degree is now a hobby and I use those skills for fun in school and also to head projects like the yearbook and all multimedia for our programs/graduation/assemblies.

week 3 - portal to media literacy

I think Michael Wesch is teaching these kids far beyond what a book and lecture could.  His class mixes in all elements of teaching styles: lecture, web 2.0, hands on, visual....ETC  I accept this challenge and will do what it takes to touch on all of these learning styles as well. Michael says we have to move from closed to open, from control to enabled, from structure to platform and finally from knowledgeable to knowledge-able.  That really stuck with me and it reaffirms my stance on education.
I can remember how bored I got in class as a student, and we weren't as overwhelmed with technology the way this generation is.  I can only imagine how they are feeling listening to teachers all day long.  I have always tried to plan interactive lessons, games and activities.  I think they learn more that way.  I come from a P.E. background so I always try to keep the kids active and moving instead of sedentary the entire hour they are in my classroom.  The results have been positive.  Test score are better and the kids participate well.  I cant make every class like that, but I do try more often than not.
In the nutrition section of health we do an interactive food log online.  They each get to put in the food they logged and compare the results with each other.  Then I take them to my log through Body Bugg.  This shows them my food breakdown and my caloric breakdown.  This gives them a visual of calories out and calories in.  It is probably my favorite lesson to teach.

I say the more technology the better.  These students future depends on it.  They are moving into a digital world and need to be comfortable using these products.  I am always excited when kids are excited to come to my class.  That's how I know my methods are successful.  When enthusiasm meets standards!

On the Debbie Downer side, it depends on how you use the technology for it to be successful.  Lessons still need to be planned in advance and with reason.  The students need to be able to connect what they are learning, not only by topic, but also to their life.  This will help make technology effective in the classroom.

week 3 - Shifting Ground

Chris Lehmann

I really enjoyed reading this Shifting Ground essay by Chris Lehmann.  I printed it out to take with me to school tomorrow and will share with my staff!  The first paragraph had me hooked and laughing because of the authenticity of the statement.  It is very true, even at the middle school level.  The kids head out to traffic circle with their phones in hand or nooks open or the i pods in their ears. They cant wait to leave the pen and paper world and digitize the rest of their day.  I completely agree with the idea of teaching for the new world of digital content, but how do you do that with the lack of technology and support in the school system.  I work in a public charter school and monies are tight. While I believe most of the staff would agree, or at least be open to the possibility of a technical education, I believe resistance from our board would hold up any enthusiasm.  I really believe that the age of the board members would be a major cause in the decision.  It is a different world from when I was in school, let alone when the board members went to school!  I think the age only makes the battle tougher.

I also was intrigued by the ideas of engagement vs empowerment.  I never really thought of it that way.  While engagement is important, the expectations should be higher than just engaged.  The empowerment part transcends the classroom and leaks into "Real Life," after the dismissal bell rings.

Can there be a cross over, or a blend between the two extremes?  Absolutely.  Will it happen over night? Never.  It takes time.  If we can introduce it in small amounts, not only to our students, but to our administration and board of directors, it may be a better transition.  This process will be easier if we approach it with small steps instead of giant leaps, which could create anxiety on all ends. Learning is a life long process, but society is changing, and so should our academic environments.

week 2 - footprints without feet?!?!

Chapter One of the web 2.0 text already has me wanting more, and I don't even like to read. (It's kind of ironic that this course and what it is trying to convey has an old school text book)  There were a few specific statements that kept me reading on.

The first was found in the introduction of the book.  It states: As you will see, the world has changed; our students have changed, and traditional schools are no longer up to the task of educating young people for the future(1). Then on page 3 it states: It (new schools) has to have at its core and interest in helping its students be successful in the 21st century - in work and in play, and in all other aspects of living in a world that promises only change as the norm.  These statement were important to me, because the underlying theme is so important.  Our world is changing, all of the time.  Shouldn't our education system evolve with the change.  We are dis-servicing our students if it is not.  Change and progression is the norm.  We need to embrace that and run with it.

The second statement that intrigued me was: In the future, how we educate our children may prove to be more important than how much we educate them(10). That is an innovative statement.  It use to be that you just needed that diploma and the more education you had the better.  Today you need the skill set to go along with our digital world. Technology is changing every part of our world; work, business, personal, education, etc.

While I understand that we all have a digital footprint, I can only imagine the next generations footprints.  They are being born into a digital society.  My generation grew into it.  I would love to see the difference in our digital footprints when they are my age.  The video was interesting, I shared it on facebook, along with the did you know web 2.0.  I got a few responses with those.  I actually forwarded to my administration and am asking to show it at the next staff meeting.

I already know that technology is the future.  That is why my first Masters degree was in Multimedia.  I would like to know how to use this in my classes; P.E. and Health.  I know there are things I could be exposing my students to in an attempt to help them in their future endeavors, whether in education, business or personal areas of life.