Greetings companions.
I just met with the remaining Elite Team members who have either survived or avoided the power of the e-world.
We have reluctantly decided to disband...
Our findings were recurring in the sense of alluding to the amazing potential the e-world offers.
Captain Chris was right from the very start in his first blog entry where he suggested if you cannot beat them, join them. Ultimately, that is what we are doing.
Our apologies go to all of you who were aspiring to join our cause.
Even though we are sorry, we know it is for the best.
It is hard to reflect on what Captain Chris so perfectly touched on. So I presume the best I can achieve is to recap his vision.
Each of the technologies Captain Chris and I have analysed over the last few days would be effective in the contemporary learning environment.
While I would personally only employ some on a regular basis, due to the constrictions of the secondary disciplines I teach, all would be beneficial. Of the twenty or so technologies, both delivery and student-centred, the ones I will most definitely strive to implement in my units are blogs, wikis, PowerPoint, YouTube, and Voice Thread.
I favour these ones in particular as they entail a higher degree of learner interaction and engagement.
For instance, blogs offer a communal atmosphere of using the e-world as a backdrop. They encourage contribution and consistency, two ideals that Captain Chris held close in relation to his education beliefs. Blogs also strip away some of the formal, ritualistic styles of the average day classroom. While this may sound alarming, it is actually engaging for the learners. Blogs can be great vessels of communication that produce effective learning. Another, crucial quality about blogs is that one can integrate many other technologies on their page. These can range from video to images, as well as website links to quizzes and games.
Wikis are very much the same. However, wikis can be established with the outcome of assessment. During my mission I encountered a virtual textbook that a Modern History class had to create using a wiki. This task was an assessment that required learners to collaborate and utilise a variety of different technologies to express the knowledge in a format suitable for all learning styles. In effect, by catering for this need the learners were able to reflect on their own learning style and personality, and thus develop as a lifelong learner. Furthermore, the greatest reward of all this was the final product, a virtual textbook that is still available for use by all who seek it throughout the e-world.
Likewise, PowerPoint constantly serves as an effective delivery tool that can appeal to all learner types. Originally, this technology was a closed system program, however now an individual can upload, in addition to download, presentation slides using the correct websites. This results in teaching being more efficient and connects the education world under one motive and purpose; to manage the learning of 21st century students.
YouTube was a much of a choice of the Captain's as it was mine. The fact alone that it has a branch off, TeacherTube, demonstrates its ability and popularity. This is a technology that will continue to grow as a force to reckon with! I recently had a lesson that predominantly focused on anti-drug campaigns using YouTube to stream an abundance of videos. The lesson was one of the most well-received and reciprocated, I have ever experienced. Video is powerful, especially to a visually inclined generation. Visual connection also demands high levels of engagement hence when learners are 'watching' something are usually learning more than if they were 'writing' something.
The final log of Captain Chris was submitted through Voice Thread, which he deemed his favourite technology of all that he explored. The notion of learners constructing their own learning appears to be the principle when it comes to Voice Thread. I would describe it as a merging of several technologies the Captain and I analysed. This is proven by the selection of how one desires to express their commentary. Voice recording, video upload, image manipulation, and basic typing were four of the predominant features. Similarly, this technology supports learner and teacher interaction with each other and possibly the world!
So in conclusion, the e-world is an entity that will only continue to advance and weave its way into the complexities of the physical world. If we can harness this ability and use it to teach our students, then we are gearing them for their encounter with the technological universe when they finally leave the classroom. However, the e-world facilitates a head start for this transition by networking resources, school, and even countries. They are digital natives. Let us digital immigrants not impair that. It is not about them confroming to us, but us conforming to them.
The whole time the Elite Team was concerned about the future yet no of us knew until now that we are in it.
And so are YOU!
This is Sarah Conn...bler.
Signing out for the the last time.
I'm sure we will meet again. Probably on some social networking system like Facebook.
Until then; Farewell.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
References
Aldred, S 2009, Module 2: active learning, course notes, CQUniversity Moodle (FAHE11001)
BdBlackwood n.d., iTunes becomes self aware, nukes mankind!, video, 6 October 2008, viewed 20 August 2009, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7OJazI30l4&feature=player_embedded
Common Craft 2009, Wikis in plain English, video, 29 May 2007, viewed 23 July 2009, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnL00TdmLY&feature=player_embedded
RagingRoy n.d., Angry teacher destroys student’s phone, video, 12 May 2009, viewed 20 August 2009, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPbMpadn9ZA
Jsdt4 n.d., Pay attention, video, 4 April 2007, viewed 14 July 2009, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEFKfXiCbLw&feature=player_embedded
Earth Image
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aussiegall/759309122/
PowerPoint Photo
http://www.flickr.com/photos/garethjmsaunders/748083829/
RSS Aggregator Diagram
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pollyalida/491540129/
Terminator Image
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29745871@N08/3251756747/
BdBlackwood n.d., iTunes becomes self aware, nukes mankind!, video, 6 October 2008, viewed 20 August 2009, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7OJazI30l4&feature=player_embedded
Common Craft 2009, Wikis in plain English, video, 29 May 2007, viewed 23 July 2009, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnL00TdmLY&feature=player_embedded
RagingRoy n.d., Angry teacher destroys student’s phone, video, 12 May 2009, viewed 20 August 2009, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPbMpadn9ZA
Jsdt4 n.d., Pay attention, video, 4 April 2007, viewed 14 July 2009, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEFKfXiCbLw&feature=player_embedded
Earth Image
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aussiegall/759309122/
PowerPoint Photo
http://www.flickr.com/photos/garethjmsaunders/748083829/
RSS Aggregator Diagram
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pollyalida/491540129/
Terminator Image
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29745871@N08/3251756747/
The End?
Greetings Companions.
I am not Chris but rather his replacement as leader of the Elite Team.
My name is Sarah Conn...bler. Sarah Connbler. Yes, that is ahh...my name. Always has been. Always will be. Sarah Connbler.
Unlike Chris, who was focusing on delivery technologies my attention was drawn to student-centred technologies. I am most certain he would concur that the two share a somewhat, overwhelming deal of commonalities.
Take for instance, PowerPoint. PowerPoint can be used by the learners just as much, if not more than, the teachers. It supports the theory of engagement and enables learners to construct their own learning in addition to any peers. This is also the case with blogs, quizzes, Flikr, and wikis. Overall, these technologies are susceptible to a diversity of users regardless that they may hold alternate motives. To illustrate this point, these motives would be to teach or to learn.
Digital Storytelling is also an effective medium to engage learners. This technology is fundamentally student-centred as it is student-created! Of course, I would not expect teachers to get involved, as creative writing is only for learners...
...............................
For my next entry I will debrief both Captain Chris' and my own missions. Before that occurs though I came across a YouTube clip that, while alarming invoked the beginning of a process that I believe is called a change of heart.
I'm sure throughout your individual journeys, you too would have seen it.
I am not Chris but rather his replacement as leader of the Elite Team.
My name is Sarah Conn...bler. Sarah Connbler. Yes, that is ahh...my name. Always has been. Always will be. Sarah Connbler.
Unlike Chris, who was focusing on delivery technologies my attention was drawn to student-centred technologies. I am most certain he would concur that the two share a somewhat, overwhelming deal of commonalities.
Take for instance, PowerPoint. PowerPoint can be used by the learners just as much, if not more than, the teachers. It supports the theory of engagement and enables learners to construct their own learning in addition to any peers. This is also the case with blogs, quizzes, Flikr, and wikis. Overall, these technologies are susceptible to a diversity of users regardless that they may hold alternate motives. To illustrate this point, these motives would be to teach or to learn.
Digital Storytelling is also an effective medium to engage learners. This technology is fundamentally student-centred as it is student-created! Of course, I would not expect teachers to get involved, as creative writing is only for learners...
...............................
For my next entry I will debrief both Captain Chris' and my own missions. Before that occurs though I came across a YouTube clip that, while alarming invoked the beginning of a process that I believe is called a change of heart.
I'm sure throughout your individual journeys, you too would have seen it.
Special Guest Appearance
The Justice Team and I crossed paths yet again today.
They were protecting the world as usual. And I was saving the world as usual.
We have a lot in common. HA! Pun. Common. As in Creative Commons! Wow, sleep deprivation is really kicking in. Saving the world requires a lot of energy. No wonder the e-world is such a dominant foe. It does not require sleep! Damn my physical body! Maybe I should become a cyborg?
...
I cannot believe I just said that. What is happening to me?! Clearly I only have a matter of hours left before the e-world consumes me. Before that occurs let me debrief you on using music in the classroom.
Music has the ability to invoke relation, stir emotion, and grant inspiration. So why is its presence lacking in the learning environment? I guess one reason would be copyright infringements although with technologies like INCOMPETECH, a sidekick of Creative Commons, such boundaries are alleviated. Personally, I would implement music when presenting slides of some form and mainly for background sound when the learners have been assigned to a task. Likewise, I would use it as stimulus pieces for evaluative responses and reflection.
If it will engage the supposed unengaged, then use it!
They were protecting the world as usual. And I was saving the world as usual.
We have a lot in common. HA! Pun. Common. As in Creative Commons! Wow, sleep deprivation is really kicking in. Saving the world requires a lot of energy. No wonder the e-world is such a dominant foe. It does not require sleep! Damn my physical body! Maybe I should become a cyborg?
...
I cannot believe I just said that. What is happening to me?! Clearly I only have a matter of hours left before the e-world consumes me. Before that occurs let me debrief you on using music in the classroom.
Music has the ability to invoke relation, stir emotion, and grant inspiration. So why is its presence lacking in the learning environment? I guess one reason would be copyright infringements although with technologies like INCOMPETECH, a sidekick of Creative Commons, such boundaries are alleviated. Personally, I would implement music when presenting slides of some form and mainly for background sound when the learners have been assigned to a task. Likewise, I would use it as stimulus pieces for evaluative responses and reflection.
If it will engage the supposed unengaged, then use it!
And Then There Were...
Just when I thought my new ally, old nemesis PowerPoint could not be topped; it is.
Just when I start investing in the ideal of USBs; they become inadequate.
SlideShare and MediaFire are two similar technologies that coexist in the e-world and could eventually be harnessed to benefit the learning of this contemporary knowledge-based economy, you people live in.
I have had previous experience with SlideShare and even used a presentation for one of my Ancient History lessons. Fast and easy is a real bonus about this site. Moreover, I am sure you can imagine that for someone with the paranoia I thrive on, MediaFire is an intimidating concept. Maybe it is the word "fire" that disturbs me. Regardless, I did not endeavour any further into the site yet thoroughly read its self-proclamations. It sounds promising. I think I will consider revisiting it once I have successful cleansed the e-world from the dangers it fosters.
By the way, I am nearly the end of my mission.
Members of the Elite Team are starting to be exposed! I had not heard from a ranking officer since the publication of a recording one of his students uploaded recently. I can only assume the e-powers that be have taken him. He will be remembered...
I can feel the e-world closing in on me.
It may only be a matter of time now that, I too, am disposed of.
I must go into intensive hiding.
Until next time...
Just when I start investing in the ideal of USBs; they become inadequate.
SlideShare and MediaFire are two similar technologies that coexist in the e-world and could eventually be harnessed to benefit the learning of this contemporary knowledge-based economy, you people live in.
I have had previous experience with SlideShare and even used a presentation for one of my Ancient History lessons. Fast and easy is a real bonus about this site. Moreover, I am sure you can imagine that for someone with the paranoia I thrive on, MediaFire is an intimidating concept. Maybe it is the word "fire" that disturbs me. Regardless, I did not endeavour any further into the site yet thoroughly read its self-proclamations. It sounds promising. I think I will consider revisiting it once I have successful cleansed the e-world from the dangers it fosters.
By the way, I am nearly the end of my mission.
Members of the Elite Team are starting to be exposed! I had not heard from a ranking officer since the publication of a recording one of his students uploaded recently. I can only assume the e-powers that be have taken him. He will be remembered...
I can feel the e-world closing in on me.
It may only be a matter of time now that, I too, am disposed of.
I must go into intensive hiding.
Until next time...
The Be All and End All
Aside from the reputation that would deviate from this act, I think it is amazing that a person can go to one site alone to research an entire topic.
While this is not recommended, this technology would be ideal to gain background knowledge before enduring the exhaustive quest of sifting through the knowledge laden e-world, as well as the physical one!
Wikipedia is a well received site that is usually one of the first that learners visit when researching for an assignment or an in-class exercise. Convenience reigns supreme here.
Furthermore, as it is essentially a wiki, Wikipedia encourages contribution and consistent update. This enhances its worth as a resource in the classroom.
The other day I was venturing through the site and someone asked me what I was doing. I replied "Wikipedia-ing." Has it really come to that? Now that I consider it, last night I did a fair bit of "YouTub-ing."
I got lost along a few tangents before finding the following article. And after you read it, I'm sure you will agree that Wikipedia is overseen by a small band of the Elite Team, who strive to keep humanity alert about the e-world. Therefore, I have marked it safe and effective. This technology would be a great tool in the learning environment, particularly when the teacher needs to introduce a foreign skill or topic. Here is the link -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_2009_cyber_attacks
While this is not recommended, this technology would be ideal to gain background knowledge before enduring the exhaustive quest of sifting through the knowledge laden e-world, as well as the physical one!
Wikipedia is a well received site that is usually one of the first that learners visit when researching for an assignment or an in-class exercise. Convenience reigns supreme here.
Furthermore, as it is essentially a wiki, Wikipedia encourages contribution and consistent update. This enhances its worth as a resource in the classroom.
The other day I was venturing through the site and someone asked me what I was doing. I replied "Wikipedia-ing." Has it really come to that? Now that I consider it, last night I did a fair bit of "YouTub-ing."
I got lost along a few tangents before finding the following article. And after you read it, I'm sure you will agree that Wikipedia is overseen by a small band of the Elite Team, who strive to keep humanity alert about the e-world. Therefore, I have marked it safe and effective. This technology would be a great tool in the learning environment, particularly when the teacher needs to introduce a foreign skill or topic. Here is the link -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_2009_cyber_attacks
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