Monday, January 7, 2008
FETC Conference, Orlando, FL
Use this entry to reflect on the FETC Conference on January 21-25, 2008 attended by Crystal, Jacquii, Shelly, Andrew, Dorit, Sheila, Arlene, Beth, Frances, Winnie, Christopher, Phyllis, Mitchell, Valrie, Julet, Brad, Celine, Jim, Sherif, Allison, Lois, Susan, Lia, Denise.
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15 comments:
Gary Becker is a copyright expert from FL. When in doubt about whether you can post something legally he has the most current information. At the podcasting session I attended they mentioned that (according to Becker) it is alright to post podcasts of students reading entire books.
Podcasting for Staff Development Session
This was video podcasting session.
Sample product was video directory of school staff--neat idea but not Staff development. Proposed taking inexpensive flip cam (from Amazon) or other mini video cam into classrooms to record best practices for other teachers to view.
Recommended Camtasia Studio which is about $300. This was for showing teachers how to use specific programs creating a gradebook with excel and attendance programs.
Open Source version is called CamStudio and can be found on SourceForge.net. Also check out the free version at jingproject.com
Planning is the key. What can I video to help others with PD and their teaching?
They did record 3 teachers' ideas from the audience and made the podcast during the session to show how easy it was. Added music and transitions using Microsoft Producer.
Second life session. The one example that I had found to be most interesting is "meet the immigrants" webquest that is now available in a second life format. As an avid fan of webquest activity, this one was a home run. Here's a link to a wiki with information about second life in education. http://sleducation.wikispaces.com/educationaluses
Another well worth mentioning session was "How web 2.0 Tools are transforming learning and knowledge". The presenter was Chris Dede from Harvard University. FETC should have in the near future a link with his podcast and PowerPoint.
A fascinating film with a follow up disscussion was The 2 Million Minutes
About the Film:
Produced by entrepreneur and venture capitalist Bob Compton, the film tracks students from India, China and the United States as they are completing their high school diplomas and competing for entrance into top-rate universities. It presents compelling evidence that America’s schools are not preparing students to compete in the global economy and invites viewers to engage in a much needed and vigorous discussion about this important issue.
“This film is a wake up call for America,” said Executive Director of ED in ’08 Marc Lampkin. “It exposes an educational system entrenched in mediocrity and causing us to lose the educational arms race. It is a crisis that must be addressed by leadership at all levels, and the presidential candidates must show the courage to rise above special interests and ideological obstacles to provide American students with the education they deserve.”
”The simple fact is, global education standards have passed America by,” stated Bob Compton. “When it was Finland who was winning, it wasn’t such a concern. But now that our K-12 students are being outperformed academically by China and India – the two highest populated countries in the world with the fastest growing economies and with cultures that embrace intellectual challenge – it is cause for serious concern.”
Brad's FETC Impressions:
Ticketed Workshop: Gaming for Students
This is consistent with what we're doing in iLearn--using Scratch and Game Maker to create animations, sound effects and games to enhance education. A good opportunity for me to try hands-on activities and hone my Scratch knowledge.
Cultivating a World-class Work Ethic--Alan November
Alan's presentationa are always provocative, especially when we get to actually use some of the new technologies available to students and teachers. We used Activote clickers from Promethean to take surveys, which were instantly recorded, and charts were automatically generated to demonstrate the results. Alan's message remains important--our curriculums must adapt to the changing world; our pedagogies must evolve to allow students to truly compete in a global marketplace.
The Lessons of Chaos--Stevan Kalmon
This workshop reinforced the idea that students today are very different from previous generations in that they're growing up as digital natives (with inherent advantages and disadvantages). Traditional pedagogies are ineffective; we can no longer treat students as passive recipients of information. Instead, we must encourage them to create and disseminate content, then use available technologies to shape and give focus to "creatoration" processes.
Leading the Leaders: Strategies for Technology Leadership--Chris O'Neal
This was a practical workshop that focused on specific tactics to influence school and district leaders to integrate technology into their classrooms. A few sugesstions: keep up with and be able to relevantly quote research, schedule specific times to read and write blogs and keep abreast of important developments, and be visible...put yourself into meeting agendas to effectively influence policies.
Making a Video in 10 Minutes--Ruston Hurley
This workshop, while entertaining, did not teach me anything new. Sure, we can create digital videos very quickly with our students, but I believe that quality is more important than speed, so more time needs to be spent to ensure that the content of student and teacher-made videos is truly educational.
Copyright: Your Questions Answered--Gary Becker
Even educators must receive written permission to use digital content created by others. We can show videos are play audio files, but we cannot duplicate or share these files. Becker showed us several websites that contain allowable content, and encourages teachers and students to create their own, rather than using copyrighted materials.
What Next for No Child Left Behind? --Alexander Russo
No changes will be made during 2008, since it's an election year, but despite the fatc that we'll (finally) have a new president next year, NCLB will likely remain. Apparently the seeds of NCLB were planted during the Clinton administration, and refined by the Bush admin. States that don't comply will lose federal monies, which are needed to maintain schools. Numbers can be manipulated, but if schools opt out of NCLB, what alternatives will they implement?
The Revenge of the Digital Immigrants: Revise Teaching with Media Technology--Hall Davidson
This was a very entertaining and informative workshop. The main gist supports the idea that traditional classroom practices no longer apply to 21st Century students. Use short videos, podcasts and other digital media to reach students who are used to sitting in front of screens. Use their input, energy and tech-savviness to develop new curriculums and new methodologies.
Fran says:
The iTeach team has written a newsletter summarizing some of the courses we took at FETC. Hard copies will be distributed at the Wednesday OIT meeting. To view the newsletter online, please go to iteachpublic.wikispaces.com.
Thanks!
Mitch's Reflections:
Overall excellent conference--very inspirational and motivational. Educational technology and it's uses seems to be multiplying exponentially! So many new, creative and innovative uses and ideas...
Some of the highlights for me where:
- Digital Portfolios in education offer a real-life "picture" of where students are currently at. These portfolios help students to be more self-reflective (i.e. see what their strengths are and where they need improvement) and help them to be more self-directed. Most importantly, they allow students to positively answer the question: "Do you simply want me to tell you the right answer? Or would you like me to tell you the right answer and let you know what I really think?
- Web 2.0 technologies for PD...We need to be constantly asking outselves: "Are we using and modeling the applications, and practices that we are asking our students to use and do?" It is so important to always remember that we are teachers, however we are at the same time students, always learning new things. Therefore, we need to show students (including teachers when we offer PD that we do not know everything, that we are constantly learning as well and that we actually use the blog, wiki or other technology that we just taught them about...)
Using 2.0 tools does not just mean knowing how to create a podcast, use iMovie, creat a blog etc....Our job is not to use these new technologies to the same old pedagogical things, but the challenge is to use these technologies to re-imagine teaching and learning focusing on the student, rather than on the teacher. "Do different things---instead of----Doing things differently!"
-Flash based video...It was suggested that this will be the format of choice in the coming years. It is very portable (small files), easily downloadable, manipulable, stable and versatile.
Adobe Creative Suite (specifically Premier Elements and Encore) are the primary tools to convert almost any video format to flash.
Currently 80% of all web video is Flash. Can work across platforms and is so eash to publish. For more info on all aspects of Flash video conversion and production check out: www.tinyURL.com/33jgxp
Interesting web applications I discovered:
1. 41411.com (SMS response system)
2. Screencast.com
3. Jingproject.com
4. Weebly.com
5. Twitter.com
6. Pounce.com
7. moodle.com
8. ning.com
9. schooltube.com
Cool new hardware:
1. Gradecam (Student performance scanner in the shape of a document camera) www.teachertek.com
2. Lexmark Education Station (Multi-function color printer (4 way) with test grading function and worksheet form files. All accessed by a very large touch screen. www.lexmark.com
3. Supacam (SD Memory Card based video and still camera) Big LCD screen good functions, solid quality, very long battery life, cheap (more of less) 310-664-1505
4. Any of the numerous wireless student response systems--predict that they are going to be an essential part of every single classroom within the next few years!
Kathy Schrock -- Get A MUVE On: The Power of Synchronous Online Environments
The goal of the session was to provide new insight to synchronous online environments to support teaching and learning, and to understand the common components of Second Life. Participants could examine how a multi-user virtual environment can both impact their own professional practice, as well as their students. Second life allows you to create your own space with your own agenda, whether to educate, market, promote, etc. For example John Edwards has a second life space that asks you to join the campaign as you leave. There are libraries and sites for research within second life. Frapp is software that allows you to create your own video gaming environment. For example you can take a work of art in second life and make it a 3D image so you can see into and beyond the painting. NOAH is on board with second life.
"Report From the Policy Front: What's in Store for Ed Tech in '08"
Presenter Hilary Goldmann
Topics on her agenda included NCLB Reauthorization, ed tech funding and election year politics will make 2008 a key year for impacting technology resources for the classroom. she is ISTE's Director of Government Affairs. News to me; bush has repeated vetoed ed tech funding, and his upcoming budget will likely be with same with 0 funds for ed tech. In all likelihood, his budget will prevail for next school year. She is willing to share her presentation, but as I recall, it is so different from last year -- with graphics illustrating the minimal allocation of the federal budget for education.
Forget About the Future, It’s the Present that Concerns Me
David Thornburg
David Thornburg is an award winning author and educational consultant. He conducts research and provides staff development on ways that telecommunications and multimedia will change the face of learning, both at home and in the classroom.
He emphasized in his presentation that we need to prepare students for the world as it exists today. Some interesting handouts are posted on this website http://www.tcpd.org/Thornburg/Handouts.html
Leading the Leaders: Strategies for Technology Leadership
Chris O’Neal
It is crucial for administrators to have buy in from the staff. Some suggestions were:
1. Survey teachers about time management and offer suggestions such as Google calendar.
2. Establish what types of workshops are needed by teachers before designing them.
3. Align technology efforts (George Lucas – Edutopia http://www.edutopia.org/)
4. Use social networking
More resources are listed on his website: http://www.edutopia.org/spiralnotebook/chris-o-neal
Podcasts for Coaching and Professional Development
Randall Deich
Teachers feel that they don’t have time for their own professional development. A two minute clip can be used as a resource for learning and coaching. This resource can be available 24/7 on the web. Randall Deich felt that podcasting is about capturing what is occurring the classroom. He spoke about utilizing podcasts as a coaching resource for teacher development. He suggested using Garageband for podcasting.
Embedding Instructional Technology into Leadership Training
Kristi Bordelon, Marilyn Barber and Mike Aubin
Some ideas presented were:
1. Support and reward teachers who try to use technology
2. Provide opportunities to share with others
3. Encourage teachers to use technology to communicate with parents weekly
4. Encourage teachers to create and use a class website
5. Train teachers to use a learning management software to measure student achievement
6. Use data to create online professional development
7. Encourage teachers to explore for Best Practices
8. Use survey monkey to create quick data for supervisors
Susan Scott
Videogame Play and Videogame Making for Teaching and Learning presented by Richard E. Ferdig, Meredith DiPietro and Jeff Boyer begins by chronicling how videogames have been portrayed negatively in the media; citing crime, childhood obesity and poor student achievement. This is then countered by research which delves into how videogames actually have a positive impact on student learning and achievement. The presenters do a great job of setting the framework for understanding videogames, game play and their design. Scratch and Game Maker are the two programs used here. Resources for this presentation may be found at http://ferdig.coe.ufl.edu/gaming
Ocoee Middle School: Florida’s Technology Demonstration School
The physical building is very deceiving from the outside and looks like a typical suburban M.S. It becomes obvious though when you enter the building that the technology begins in the design of this school. There are of course the technology equipment; computers, Promethean boards, projectors etc. and the technology rich curriculum but the layout of the space is what makes this design so smart.
Some of the features are:
• Audio enhancements mounted in the ceilings in all the classrooms. Teachers wear wireless microphones
• Classroom layout has a collaborative design; 2 classrooms comprise a team and share a common space. The walls have glass panels, are sound proof and are flexible as they open up to allow for more classroom space into the common area and the second classroom.
• Students use keyless ID card, which are color coded by grade level, to gain entry into and around the building.
Get it and Go! Podcasting Professional Development
This is really vodcasting. 10 minute or under videos that goes straight to the point of the topic. The idea is clever, however can’t replace the human interaction involved in professional development. I like the idea of vodcasting best practices (model lesson, model sites).
Adobe Premiere Elements Integrated Classroom Projects
This workshop provided hands-on experience using the Adobe Premiere Elements 4.0 to create 2 short videos. The instructor shared some valuable resources and allowed us to share our resources as well. I found this program to be user friendly more sophisticated than Movie Maker on the PC Platform and would recommend it to upper elementary and middle school students. Students could produce videos that range from very simple to very advance using this program. I would recommend this software for our schools.
The Media Evolution
Scott Kinney showed various statistics on how the media greatly affects the lives of our students. The research shows that students are exposed to 8.5 hours of media each day. He states that our students want to be active participants and are leading the wave of collaborative communication technologies with the educators behind them. Educators need to embrace the new technologies before they fall further behind. We have much work to be done!
Using Games and Simulations to Teach and Motivate Today’s Students
The panel was in agreement that gaming and simulation activates higher order thinking skills; allows students to experience various concepts/events that probably would not have been possible; creates competitiveness amongst peers; allows for collaboration; and creates decision making situations. Research shows there is an increase in test scores, motivation, higher order thinking skills, leadership, teamwork and the quest for additional knowledge. Another result is that practice is seen as more fun and students practice more often and more willingly. If gaming and simulation can yield these results, why aren’t more teachers using it?
21st Century Tools for the Classroom
Howie Diblasi looked at the various technology tools- blogs, wikis, Photo Story, Lintor Books, podcasts, Shutterfly, Scratch, collaboration projects, Frames and others. He also provided projects for tools mentioned. Like many of us, Mr. DiBlasi believes teaching needs to change, because everything around us is. This new global economy of digital natives is forcing us to think differently with so many 21 century tools. School leaders need to use technology and set clear expectations for integrating technology into teaching and learning.
Software to Consider
iSupport Learning, Inc. - knowledge and skills in programming are delivered through their interactive software and curricula.
Curriculum At-A-Glance
Video Game Design
Music Video Production
Cartoon Animation
Web Game Design
Robots & Invention
Artificial Intelligence and Mobile Robotics
Resource CD
Project Overview
Worksheets
Rubric
Standards
Tutorial videos
Hardware to Consider
Promethean Interactive Board
ePals
SchoolBlog™ and SchoolMail™ are now FREE.
Inquiry-based Learning Using Realistic and Sophisticated Virtual Environments presented by Brian Woodfield from Brigham Young University.
The science department has created software to simulate various virtual environments covering chemistry, physics, physical science, and earth science labs. The graphics were realistic and quite sophisticated. I found the presentation of the software quite impressive. It was a fine example of how technology can be used as a tool to support learning, reinforce concepts and exploration as well as creative learning. Using virtual software allows students to think and have a real life experience. These simulations are not meant to replace class instruction or real lab experiments. The benefit of virtual laboratories allows students to make errors and without getting hurt and becoming more diligent in the real life lab. This software is available through Pearson Curriculum.
Using Podcasts to Keep Parents and the Community Informed presented by Robert Boltz Director of Technology
ELCO School District in Pennsylvania.
In this session Robert Boltz explained how they are using podcasts to keep the parents and the school community informed on their district’s website. Examples of podcasts posted were the Superintendent’s Message, Strategic Planning, Principal’s Message, Daily/Weekly Announcements as well as Teacher Podcasts. He suggested taking time to test with a practice podcast, keeping it short not longer than three-five minutes. Using note cards or a written script is helpful as well as not to worry about mistakes during the recording. Items needed were Podcast Recording Software, Microphone and XML Code Generator. It is a low cost way, easy, innovative method to reach all members of a school community.
As walked through the exhibit hall these are some interesting web applications and software I discovered:
www.cabri.com
Interactive geometry software (3d)
www.pbsteachers.org
Multimedia resources for professional development
www.epals.org
Student e-mails and blogs with built-in translation for global learning (free)
http://turnitin.com
Plagiarism prevention
www.weebly.com
Free and easy way to create a website or blog
www.iRespond.com
Student response system
www.ascd.org
Educational leadership
www.wizcomtech.com
Scan text, store and send
Lia
Voice Threads is a free software for educators where you can narrate photos/videos and invite others to record an voice comment of add a text comment to your work. This lends itself to another vehicle of how digital natives continue to be social and thrive on the comments and opinions of others. To sign up go to www.voicethreads.com
Be sure to click on the educator button on the bottom in order to get the free account. Once you are a member you will have access to the Ed Voice side of the resources opened only for educators. This portion serves as the safety measure for educators to work with their students.
Another free tool is www.skrbl.com
It serves as an interactive web based white board. It is not effective in a large group as it only saves what the last person wrote and can be easily over written.
Learning to Speak Native: How Education is Being Transformed in 140 Characters or Less
by Steve Dembo
This workshop was about learning how to communicate to digital natives, the group identified by Mark Prensky as those who never knew the time before the internet. In the 21st century the amount of information continues to increase while the barriers to accessing it are decreasing with the digital natives being the instigators of new modes of communication. Steve highlighted some new web2.0 communication tools that are opening new avenues of communication like twitter, live blogging, curriki, and ustream.
But the focus is on Twitter which is a micro-blogging technology that is based on short (140 character or less) communications. The edtech community has been enamorized by Twitter because of its ability to create spontaneous learning opportunities. Through twitter, you can share new ideas, invite people to experiment with new ideas, ask questions to your network, and simply share what you're doing. Those who follow you (or a keyword) will "hear" you through their computer, widget, or cell phone, and have the ability to respond. The edtech visionaries can't say enough about this technology and Alan says he gets more useful information by asking his Twitter network than by asking google!
Try it out! My twitter id is jpmcde (or jmcdermott I can't remember)
Jim McDermott
“Create a Video in Ten Seconds” removed any doubt how easy and worthwhile creating videos are. The presenter Rushton Hurley made a case for using student created videos to provide evidence of content mastery and assist students in creating their own knowledge. In addition, student created videos address the many learning styles of our learners, while providing reluctant learners with renewed self confidence and self esteem. His current project, building a library of student created videos, focusing on different global communities will be wonderful resource for students and educators.
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