Is my online life organized? Not exactly...

Today's post, as I understand it, is supposed to be about organizing my online life; more specifically, my presentation to two of my classmates about Evernote, and to theirs about BlendSpace and Google Drive.  It was quite interesting, because while I like Evernote, after listening to my classmate's presentation about Google Drive, I was sold that using it would help me out tremendously. Ironically, when I was giving my presentation about Evernote, she became convinced that it was what SHE would use most often. I also enjoyed learning about BlendSpace, but had some concerns about how to use it and still have the things that I post to my class (like quizzes, tests, and lecture notes) be secure.

I really enjoyed this opportunity to learn more about what's available to help me become more comfortable with technology and to help me become more organized. The thought of having multiple classes and students to keep up with as a teacher makes me a bit apprehensive. It's hard enough for me to keep up with ME and MY STUFF; how in the world will I be able to handle the work of one (or many) classes of 30 students? Knowing that there are programs and applications to help me make me feel a lot better about my ability to manage a classroom...and my life.

So, I could tell you about the advantages of Evernote. I really like the fact that it automatically saves everything that you post, so you don't have to go looking for it or worry about losing it. I can tell you that you can post and/or organize everything from pictures to recipes. I could also tell you that it is a great way to communicate and store communications with students and other teachers. However, I think that there's definitely more to this assignment than that.

I really enjoyed giving a presentation to my classmates in this manner, because of a formal lecture, it was more of a friendly conversation. It promoted a spirit of collaboration and collegiality, and took quite a bit of pressure off of me. At the same time, it was quite daunting, because I really had to know what I was talking about in order to explain the advantages of Evernote in a clear and concise manner. What made it easier to do, however, was being able to do this with my peers, who were very supportive and helpful (thanks guys). I look forward to being a teacher and having this type of atmosphere with other teaching professionals, and it helps to know that I can use technology to assist me in this process.

School as a video game...

Why can't school be like a video game?

In the James Gee article, Good Video Games and Good learning, the author makes very thought-provoking arguments about video games providing good learning principles. Many of the points that the author makes reinforce the argument that video games are designed to stimulate learning. If that is indeed the case, why can't school be like a video game? Can some of those elements that make a video game enjoyable be applied to classroom learning?

Gee uses biology instruction as an example to show that it is a "game" in which it is important to play the rules; is not school the same? Are there not certain practices and norms that are required in school in order to be productive and successful? If our schools are not producing successful learners, then perhaps some of the rules and practices should change in order to have students that are successful in school also be successful in life. If indeed we learn by doing, then maybe we should "do" things in school more like the way they "do" things in a video game.

One of the principles of video games that may help schools have more successful students involves giving students the opportunity to fail, so that they are not afraid of failure and so that they can LEARN from failure. In life, there are definitely more failures than successes. In school, however,  failure is not appreciated as a pathway to success. It is important for students to feel comfortable enough in their school environment to not allow a fear of failure to keep them from taking risks. It is only through risk-taking in life that students, business owners, and people in general are able to achieve success.

Yet another principle of video games that the author highlights and that I was struck by is the principle of performance before competence. This is in direct opposition with the current school learning model, which insists upon having some level of expertise before even trying. How discouraging and daunting of a task is this? If that pressure is removed, perhaps more students would, again, not be afraid to try unfamiliar tasks and would develop persistence and cultivate natural curiosity about learning. Perhaps students would become better learners...

Technology in the classroom: if you have it, why not use it?

John Dewey and the cell phone dilemma

     This blogpost is devoted to making a case for using cell phones and other technology in the classrooms by students and teachers. Why, do you ask? I think that I'll start with my own personal story:

     When my daughter turned twelve, there were two things that she wanted almost, it seemed, more than life itself: a dog (which she'd begged for since the age of eight), and a cellphone. Not a smartphone, she would say; a little one. She wanted to be able to call her family (many of whom she LIVES with, mind you) and her friends. Although I was staunchly against it, my husband relented, and I must say, it has helped us all tremendously. She's been able to have more responsibility and communication because of it. 

      Now, keep in mind, this was on top of the Kindle Fire, the computer,  and the Nintendo Wii that she ALREADY had for her own personal use. All of this technology was great: it allowed her to communicate with family and friends, and opened up a whole new world for her. She also used an augmentative communication device, which has helped her not only connect with her teachers and peers, but complete her assignments and become an integral member of her classes. As great as all of that was, thing got even better when her middle school was able to procure a mini-IPad for her to use at school. The increased capability that she has to interact with her school work and to let her teachers know how much she really knows has been wonderful. 

While some, like one of the authors of the assigned articles, would argue against having smartphones and perhaps other small technological devices in the classroom environment, I'm all for it. From the assigned Dewey articles, it appears that perhaps he would have been also, as long as teacher instruction was enhanced, and not compromised, by their use. As far as technology has advanced, it almost seems criminal not to utilize it for the enhancement of the learning environment for all students.

It's showtime

Welcome to ToxicSpace- the space for science education and everything else under the Sun! This is my first attempt at blogging, so brace yourself...