The Computer Delusion

This article by Ted Oppenheimer brought up a lot of interesting points about the purpose and presence of technology in our schools. I was surprised to see that his findings showed that several teachers thought that students' understanding of technology was more important than their knowledge of more traditional subjects, ie: history, sciences, etc. Oppenheimer also stated that school districts are putting so much money towards new technology programs, that other things are being dropped such as music and art programs. Shop and home economic classes are practically extinct due to the rise in offered technology courses.
Now don't get me wrong; I am a huge advocate in providing students with the most up to date technology available. I also believe that educators using technology to support lessons is essential in today's visual world. However, I think there still needs to be a balance between the use of technology and the teaching of practical life skills and the arts. The two creative outlets need to work hand-in-hand and students need to be given the opportunity to choose which they prefer.

We're halfway there!

My favorite "technological" things learned so far:

1. FotoFlexer
2. Digital Stories (IMovie)
3. Wordle
4. Setting up this blog!

I can't believe we're already at the halfway point of the semester. In September, I started class with a pretty good handle on technology and my way around a computer. But I have to say, I have really enjoyed learning about several new programs, skills, etc. It's always hard during the school year to actually sit back, relax, and enjoy what's being taught in a graduate class, but I have found myself looking forward to working on my projects, and then carrying over my knowledge to work on projects in my classroom. For example, we just finished our digital story and I knew that it was something I definitely wanted to use in my classroom. Right now, I am working on a movie of "Our First Grade Community" and allowing the students to do the voiceovers to accompanying pictures. I have also been asked to do a tech session at an upcoming TA meeting because my peers are also interested in learning how to create IMovies.

I've also learned a lot about myself in the last few weeks.
1. I try to perfect every project I work on.
2. It's even better when it's perfect on the first try.
I'm trying to not be so OCD about my projects, for example: my website. But let's face it, I think every educator has some sort of struggle with perfection and I need to learn how to work on something, but then take a rest if it isn't coming out the way I'd like it to.

With this blog, I have been inspired to start a personal one and have found myself spending sometime on blogspot reading others. I really enjoy this one: The Preppy Pink Whale.
I was never familiar with the "blog world" but now that I've entered I can see how beneficial it could be for networking, staying in touch with old friends, etc. I would really like to setup another personal blog, so that family and friends can read up on my adventures in teaching and life in my 20's.
Until then. I have setup this blog to display the necklaces that I create and sell. I look forward to see what's ahead in the remaining weeks!

Wordle

I recently used the program, Wordle, to make a colorful arrangement of all the students' and teachers' names in my classroom. The kids loved it and I would definitely recommend it to other educators!

Check it out:
*My Wordle Creation*

Copyright Implications for Educators

Many teachers believe that under "fair use" they are protected to use copyrighted material in their classrooms. However, with many of the new copyright laws--it is making it difficult for educators to know it they're following the law. On Education World, there was an interesting article questioning "fair use" and if it truly was just a license to steal. This website was a great resource for me, and I will definitely be able to refer to it when using images, music, video in my classroom, future graduate classes at Fairfield, etc. After discussing some of the violations in class, I have come to the conclusion that copyright laws are an extremely complex issue. Educators will either shy away from using technology for fear of breaking the law, or proceed using materials that they do not have permission to use.

These are some other useful resources to help educators with copyright issues:
Creative Commons
Stanford University Copyright & Fair Use

Interesting article about copyright issues and Creative Commons can be found at the PBS Teachers: Learning Now blog

Webtastic

under construction:
www.students.fairfield.edu/s_eholzberg

FotoFlexer is AMAZING.

Andy Warhol would be proud:



and Bronx Zoo BFFs...


I really enjoyed using FotoFlexer in class today and I think it's a useful program for both educators and students. It allows individuals to express their ideas by using their creativity and imagination. I was surprised to see how many different projects are possible using FotoFlexer. For example, a teacher could use the program to manipulate pictures of his/her students in the class to use for holiday projects, classroom artwork, parent newsletters, etc. It's also a valuable resource for adapting images for use during lessons. FotoFlexer was so user friendly, that even students would be able to manipulate images and have fun! I think it's a great website, and will definitely be using it again for professional/personal use.

Universal Design for Learning

This is a concept map of a reading on Universal Design for Learning. It shows some of the essential characteristics of this educational theory. I decided the most efficient way to display the information I read would be to make a diagram breaking down the four main sections in the chapter.





*created on Inspiration software