e-Learning has come a long way from correspondence study, whether it be the "regular post office mail or electronic mail" (text, p. 95). It was interesting to see how e-learning has evolved through prerecorded media, two-way audio, two-way audio with graphics, video, and now to technologies used for online instruction. Web 2.0, used for sharing information, is commonly used to connect people in more ways than one. The abundance of resources available to use such as different E-mail sites, Blackboard, Blog sites, Dotsub, Wikipedia, Google Docs, Facebook, Youtube, DimDim, Skype, VoiceThread, GoAnimate and more open an array of communication possibilities. Using Web 2.0 has become a craft. One must discipline themselves on using these resources for a purpose and be able to explore in order to use these sites to its potential.
Being the technology liaison at my school, I've had the opportunity to bring some of these resources to our staff meeting. We used Comic Life to create yearbook pages for each classroom, iWeb for making on-site web pages, and Go Animate to show how standards can be shared in a fun way through animation. Although the interest was there for my colleagues at the meeting, the motivation to continue to use them was not there. Sometimes technology at my site has to be a forced issue. The two forms of communication that our staff does use daily is e-mail and iChat. There is even a divide within our staff with the amount of technology that is being used for learning. Teachers are having trouble getting onto the Internet and don't know how to troubleshoot the problem. Instead of learning to fix it or getting it fixed, they dismiss the use of Web 2.0.
This "digital divide" filters into the students at my school. Our main resource for computers is to type, create PowerPoint presentations, take reading tests, or go on educational websites. One reason for this is the firewall that blocks a number of sites that could be used for communication. Not only is there a lack of computer use at our school, but there is a lack of computer use in the homes of our students. Many of them do not have computers, or they have computers but don't have the Internet. I know our school has to do a better job exposing our students, but it makes if difficult when we only have computer lab time once a week or our laptops are being stolen out of our rooms (okay, enough complaining from me).
As for using Web 2.0 for my own personal use, taking the ETEC classes has really exposed me to many different resources for communication. I've used e-mail, have made a web page for family and friends, and consistently use Facebook to communicate. But putting together a blog, using Skype, DimDim, Goggle Docs, exposure to Go Animate, Camtasia, Blackboard, Podcasting, etc., was only done because of the classroom requirements. I am not one to search around for different communication resources. I usually check something out by reference. But just by exploring all the different Web 2.0 samples, it makes me realize how much I am missing out on.
The potential of these technologies for online learning is limitless, but like I said before, one must know the potential of the resource and have a purpose for its use. The sample that caught my attention was Dotsub. What a great resource to be able to translate videos through subtitles. My school would definitely benefit from this because of the amount of Spanish speaking parents and students we have. I also enjoyed the demo for VoiceThread. I can see that being used for student discussion in any content area. What a powerful tool to be able to see what the discussion topic is about and comment on that topic in a variety of ways. I also thought it was clever that one could even share through drawing.
Using Web 2.0 for information sharing is definitely "student-centered learning." It does promote "activine learning, collaboration, mastery of course material, and student control over the learning process" (text, p. 232). I can't wait to see what great resource someone is thinking of right now to support e-learning.
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I can relate to your frustration with about offering training to your staff and having them seem so receptive at the training, but then not really following through with the technology in their classrooms. Robert and I have experienced this same thing with our staffs. Imagine the frustration in our district. They wrote a grant that gave every teacher a laptop computer for attending training. They expected these teachers to take this training back to their classrooms, but that only happened in a few classrooms. All I can say to you is keep trying. You will gain a few people each time you put on trainings and some will come along when they need something and remember they saw you doing it. I have created a web page with many things for first and second grade. I have had almost 57,000 people who visited this site in the past year and a half. I can guarantee you that most of those people come from schools other than mine.
ReplyDeleteI remember you said that you were going to create a DVD for your classroom. This is the same project I did for my Thesis project. I soon discovered with the exception of 2 students my parents found a way to have their children view the DVD over and over. When parents are trained and understand how valuable the lessons are they will find a way. Many have a grandmother, uncle, or even the public library with computer access, or a DVD player. Good luck on your venture and keep offering the training.
I appreciated this assignment because of all the good resources and recommendations that people are giving us. I am reading everyone’s blog to get these suggested programs. I am anxious to try Comiclife, Go animate, and Dot.sub. Thanks for suggesting them.
I think on idea to improve the spread of training is to follow up the training offered with meetings with grade level groups or departments and the request that they plan together one learning activity that uses a Web 2.0 tool. You might even plan it with them. If they plan together and then try it out you can also reward those who try with recognition. Here at CSUSB the Office of Distributed Learning recognizes Outstanding Originators and Donna Shea was given this award last week. I'm excited to be in a class with someone who is trying these things out in classes! I just got a Summer Teaching Resource Grant to put a some credential program classes on-line by the fall. I'm looking forward to trying some of these new ideas out! Anyway I think one-time trainings really don't work well. I took a voicethread workshop in the fall and then got busy and didn't use it. They offered a part two voicethread workshop and after that one I was able to identify a couple projects where I could try it out. And I succeeded!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments and encouragement. I think a follow up training would be great, but we only have technology staff meetings once or twice a year. I've tried to have technology meetings in my classroom to help teachers integrate different programs into their lessons, but no one hardly shows up. The people that do show up are the ones who are very techie and interested. I will keep offering to my staff...maybe I should have food. That's always a way to lure people in!!!
ReplyDeleteKathy...for the DVD, it's great to hear that a positive outcome came out of the DVD. I really geared the presentation towards the parents, but it really is something for the students to watch just as well. I hope it will have some effectiveness with my parents and students next year.
I would tend to agree with Kathy's frustration about teachers being receptive to technology training, but then not following through. They have all this enthusiasm going in, and they come away with all these great ideas and resources but somehow they never come to fruition. There seems to be a lack of motivation at the other end. I can honestly say that at times I am one of those teachers. But, I also understand the potential and possibilities that these new technologies have in communicating and learning in new ways.
ReplyDeleteI believe all school sites should have a technology expert. A person who could collaborate,inspire, mentor, motivate, and be there for teachers in every way so that they become more comfortable and confident in using different types of technology resources and tools. Technology shouldn't just be done at the district level.
Schools need to be places of innovation, invention, and creativity. Students today are definitely learning in new ways. Don't you think it is about time that we give them the tools and resources they need. Why is there this need to supress knowledge and information at its very basic level? Students need these resources and tools to not only communicate, but empower themselves to create new meaning in their own lives. There comes a time where students need to be inspired to take value in their own learning.
Keep up the good fight Heidi!
We as teachers are definitely models in every aspect, both positively and negatively. If we don't embrace this new way of learning, how do we expect kids to think outside the box and explore through what you said "innovation, invention, and creativity." We lead by example, and if teachers don't step up to all the resources such as Web 2.0 or any technology in general, we are setting them up for failure as they enter secondary education or higher education. These kids need to be exposed and gain experience in this area because this is what they will be using in the future. This new way of learning is not going away. Thanks for your comment.
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