WHY TECHNOLOGY?

During our Elluminate session on November 29th, I would like you to come prepared to discuss, "Why Technology? ~ Why is it important? ~ Why do our students expect it? ~ Why should we stay current in our instructional practices? Read the statements below and watch the video. Then, begin to pull your thoughts together. I am expecting a lively discussion!

As Georgia begins to make the transition to the Common Core GPS (CCGPS), our goal is to graduate students from high school who are "College and Career Ready". What does this mean? In order to be ready for college, workforce training, and life in a technological society, students need the ability to gather, comprehend, evaluate, synthesize, and report on information and ideas, to conduct original research in order to answer questions or solve problems, and to analyze and create a high volume and extensive range of print and nonprint texts in media forms old and new. The need to conduct research and to produce and consume media must be embedded into every aspect of today’s curriculum.

Today we must expect that our "Students will use engaging technologies in collaborative, inquiry-based learning environments with teachers who are willing and able to use technology's power to assist them in transforming knowledge and skills into products, solutions, and new information."

Following is a statement made on November 15, 2011 by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan:

"Children live in an ever-more interconnected world where their success in competing for the jobs of tomorrow will increasingly depend on their ability to understand, operate and adapt to computer-based technology and online environments. And, we are seeing that smart use of technology can improve the opportunity to learn for people of all ages. Applying technology to our entire education system can have a cascading impact on improving student learning, expanding effective practices, using data to support decision-making and encourage continuous improvement."

Here is a great video that helps us begin to think about technology from the perspective of our students.

WEEK 13

As always, I loved being with all of you in class.  I enjoyed your presentations and always enjoy our conversations.  This week we talked about upcoming assignments.  Here is a recap:

1.  Your blog ~ Once you have created your blog, email me the url (hyperlink) so that I can view your blog and so that I can share a link to your blog from here.  Remember, you are going to select a template  for your background (found in the settings).  You are going to add at least one post, and if possible, add the "gadget" that allows people (like me!) to be a follower of your blog.  That is a fun feature and will allow all of you to continue to share ideas after the semester is over. I would love it if you would also try to add a graphic to your post.  The graphics are just a fun element that makes the blog more visually appealing to visitors.

2.  Your final paper ~ Integrating Technology into __________ (fill in your content area).  This is an APA paper that should be 6-8 pages long.  Please include a cover page and a reference page.  I expect a minimum of five CURRENT (less than 3 years old) references. I want them to be very current because technology becomes outdated so quickly.  Remember that I am a stickler for correct spelling, grammar, and conventions; please PROOFREAD before sending it to me. Teachers are held to a higher standard and you are expected to communicate in an error free manner.  Please also copy/paste your paper into our Discussion Board (do NOT attach).  Click on the page here on this blog to access information to help you if you are not sure about how to format a paper in APA style.

3.  Annotated websites ~ Check out the template that is loaded in Course Documents.  Also, click on Examples of Projects here on the blog to see a sample.  Choose 10 GREAT websites in your content area to share with your classmates.  This will help us all build up a terrific collection of resources at our fingertips.  The "annotated" part means that you are providing a description of what your classmates and I can expect to find at each link.  Be specific so that we have a clear idea of what the website can do for us.

As always, please call or text me if you have questions.  Remember, I cannot access BPC email while I am at work during the day.  I will be out of reach on Wednesday evening before Thanksgiving and all day Thanksgiving as I try to set aside that time for my precious family.  Other than those two times, you can always reach me.  I am never too busy to help you get to a place where you are feeling confident and set up for success.

On a personal note, I want each of you to have a perfect Thanksgiving holiday filled with food, fun, friends, and family.  Continue to pray for our little EDU309 family and I will do the same.  I am so lucky to have the opportunity to work with future teachers and to do so in such a wonderful Christian atmosphere here at BPC. Please know that when I count my blessings, you are among them.

Fondly, Dr. W. 

PRACTICE POST

This is us practicing how to add a post to a blog.  Posting is a lot like using Word; they icons are the same.  Posting is easy and quick.  You can add a picture with a simple click and suddenly your post looks like a lot more fun.  You can also add video clips, and hyperlinks.  You can change the color of your text if you choose.

Week 12 Updates

Congratulations to Linda, Matt, and Teresa for getting some great projects posted on our Examples of Projects page.  Nice work, everyone.  It is always hard to select one from all the great samples you produce!


This week:


We will NOT meet in Elluminate on Tuesday.
Work on your technology-rich lesson plan.  Post your lesson plan on Wednesday, and email it to me since I am still unable to open any attachments on CourseSites.  Read your classmates' lesson plans and comment with constructive ideas and suggestions.
Begin working on your final paper:  Integrating Technology into ___________ (fill in your assigned content area).  
Email your reflection to me on Sunday.