Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Delicious/ Chapter 1 Trends and Issues in Instructional Design and Technology
Delicious is an excellent bookmarking site that helps to organize information. Prior to delicious, if I had to use another computer I did not have easy access to sites that I have bookmarked on my personal computer. Since I have created an account with delicious, I now feel comfortable knowing that there is a site where I can retrieve my favorite bookmarked sites. Fascinating enough, this site even allows me to share with friends the sites that I have bookmarked. This is an excellent tool that I would use as an educator. In the past, I referred numerous parents to sites that would help with certain issues. Now that I have knowledge of Delicious I can direct them to my site, which would allow parents to choose which links they prefer to retrieve information. This site is not only useful for parents to receive information it could also serve as a learning tool for students. For example, if my class were studying Africa, I would post links on the site directly related to the topic. This would allow them to retrieve endless amounts of information. Delicious could also be used to create a community of learners. Students could create their own Delicious site, which would allow other students to share and post links that they found helpful.
After reading Chapter 1 of Trends and Issue in Instructional Design and Technology, my viewpoint has changed. When I entered this program I thought Education Technology was a program that would only teach me how to implement current technology media into my classroom. This meant that my personal definition coincided with the 1970’s definition that was described in the book. I realize that Education Technology, which is now called Instructional Technology, is much broader than implementing media into a classroom. It holds an array of definitions, like all professions. According to the authors, instructional technology encompasses the analysis of learning and performance problems as well as the design, development, implementation, evaluation and management of instructional and noninstructional processes and resources intended to improve learning and performance in a variety of settings. Their definition helped me realize that instructional technology is the same as teaching. As teachers we regularly analyze our student’s learning and performance to determine where the problem lies. We design, develop and implement new lessons daily. We also strive to improve students learning and performance, which makes us evaluate our methods daily. Therefore, I conclude that instructional technology and educational instruction are one, with the exception of one having an emphasis on technology.
I now believe that no matter what minor you choose in education the major is still instruction (education) and there will probably never be just one definition because practices and theories change daily.
After reading Chapter 1 of Trends and Issue in Instructional Design and Technology, my viewpoint has changed. When I entered this program I thought Education Technology was a program that would only teach me how to implement current technology media into my classroom. This meant that my personal definition coincided with the 1970’s definition that was described in the book. I realize that Education Technology, which is now called Instructional Technology, is much broader than implementing media into a classroom. It holds an array of definitions, like all professions. According to the authors, instructional technology encompasses the analysis of learning and performance problems as well as the design, development, implementation, evaluation and management of instructional and noninstructional processes and resources intended to improve learning and performance in a variety of settings. Their definition helped me realize that instructional technology is the same as teaching. As teachers we regularly analyze our student’s learning and performance to determine where the problem lies. We design, develop and implement new lessons daily. We also strive to improve students learning and performance, which makes us evaluate our methods daily. Therefore, I conclude that instructional technology and educational instruction are one, with the exception of one having an emphasis on technology.
I now believe that no matter what minor you choose in education the major is still instruction (education) and there will probably never be just one definition because practices and theories change daily.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Wiki Experience
Wiki has the potential to be a valuable technological tool. Initially it was difficult working in Wiki. My group members were able to provide assistance with working in Wiki. The first problem I encountered was signing into Wiki. I was able to create a Wiki account. After creating the account I was informed via email that Dr. Horvick created an account for our class. There was some confusion regarding which account to use for posting and editing information. It took a couple of days but I finally resolve the problem. The next problem I encountered was linking the various sites. I have experience linking sites but for some unknown reason, I could not easily link sites on Wiki. However, after conversing with my group members we were able to overcome the obstacle of linking sites. There was also the issue of editing information in Wiki. To my surprise only one person can edit at a time, which made me become conscious of idle time while on the site. I was not completely in agreement with the idea of others having the authority to change information posted on the site. However, my group members were conscious of others thoughts and input so conversing prior to making changes was helpful. Time restraints also could produce a problem with everyone having different schedules. I am a late night worker which can sometimes be unfair to group members but this assignment is helping me control my problem with procrastination.
As for how I would use this in a classroom, I am sure Wiki would be an excellent tool for high school students. I strongly believe when students reach this educational level they will value and respect the opinion of their peers. Wiki could be an excellent tool in helping to create a community of learners by allowing students to work on group projects without being in the same location. It would also allow students in different classes two work together on the same projects. For example if students where researching the Presidential Election, you could have students from different classes to first chat and then gather on a Wiki site titled Senator Barack Obama or Senator John McCain . The students can then create a debate on why they support their candidate for President.
With all the problems that occurred in the initial start-up, I think that Wiki is a great technological tool. Wiki has proven to be a resourceful tool in helping me with my group project. I am fortunate to have great group members because without them I would have not been able to navigate through Wiki. I truly appreciate how each where able to contribute to this assignment.
As for how I would use this in a classroom, I am sure Wiki would be an excellent tool for high school students. I strongly believe when students reach this educational level they will value and respect the opinion of their peers. Wiki could be an excellent tool in helping to create a community of learners by allowing students to work on group projects without being in the same location. It would also allow students in different classes two work together on the same projects. For example if students where researching the Presidential Election, you could have students from different classes to first chat and then gather on a Wiki site titled Senator Barack Obama or Senator John McCain . The students can then create a debate on why they support their candidate for President.
With all the problems that occurred in the initial start-up, I think that Wiki is a great technological tool. Wiki has proven to be a resourceful tool in helping me with my group project. I am fortunate to have great group members because without them I would have not been able to navigate through Wiki. I truly appreciate how each where able to contribute to this assignment.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Past and Present Educational Resources
After reading both articles, I am not only aware of educational technology advantages but also the drawbacks of its many uses. While technology provides convenience, it also creates limited means to an end. As a child, we had dictionaries and several set of encyclopedias in our home library that were always in use. By the time I become a young adult, I vaguely recall anyone using any of these sources due to the home computer that also occupied space in our library. No one referenced the many books shelved along the walls. The desktop computer that required two large floppy disks to boot-up was the main source for research purposes. It was not long before the desktop computer was replaced with a more lean design. The new and improved laptop is now easily found in most American homes. Due to the constant evolution of technology, laptop computers may one day be replaced by another new and improved medium. Then the cycle repeats itself and starts over.
Due to the position of the Postman article as well as the recollection of my personal experience of continuous technological based methods, I will commit to promote diverse technologies and methods. I must admit that laptop computers along with high speed wireless internet capabilities are grand luxuries. However, other technologies and methods should not be disregarded. I now realize the importance for students to build upon the technology base. As students progress from kindergarten to 12th grade, they should be encouraged to diversify technology methods instead of replace one method for another one.
As little children we are taught, through hands-on learning activities, and trial and error until they have successfully completed the necessary requirement to move on. As they progress and have learned to read and comprehend on their own they are encouraged to read books to gain knowledge and make it applicable to life skills. As the students advance much further this is where the ideas in Reigeluth and Joseph’s article would appear more valuable. At this level the student should be less dependent on teacher guided instructions. According to the article the teacher has to be more of a “guide on the side” rather than a “sage on the stage.”
It is my belief that we blend the two methods using teacher-student collaborative learning techniques and technological based instructions. This will alleviate the skeptic views of posed by Postman but also encourage ideas expressed in Reigeluth and Joseph’s article. Instead of solely relying on technological methods, I recommend that we not lose sight of our early childhood educational lessons. As Robert Fulghum suggests everything a student needs to know is learned as early as kindergarten. Do to the change of time and technology evolution, newer methods should be incorporated. To arrive at an end, the use of several roads is valuable. Today’s households should dust off old dictionaries and encyclopedias and revert to the use of these resources. Collaborative techniques, reading skills and technology avenues should all be employed to facilitate learning.
Due to the position of the Postman article as well as the recollection of my personal experience of continuous technological based methods, I will commit to promote diverse technologies and methods. I must admit that laptop computers along with high speed wireless internet capabilities are grand luxuries. However, other technologies and methods should not be disregarded. I now realize the importance for students to build upon the technology base. As students progress from kindergarten to 12th grade, they should be encouraged to diversify technology methods instead of replace one method for another one.
As little children we are taught, through hands-on learning activities, and trial and error until they have successfully completed the necessary requirement to move on. As they progress and have learned to read and comprehend on their own they are encouraged to read books to gain knowledge and make it applicable to life skills. As the students advance much further this is where the ideas in Reigeluth and Joseph’s article would appear more valuable. At this level the student should be less dependent on teacher guided instructions. According to the article the teacher has to be more of a “guide on the side” rather than a “sage on the stage.”
It is my belief that we blend the two methods using teacher-student collaborative learning techniques and technological based instructions. This will alleviate the skeptic views of posed by Postman but also encourage ideas expressed in Reigeluth and Joseph’s article. Instead of solely relying on technological methods, I recommend that we not lose sight of our early childhood educational lessons. As Robert Fulghum suggests everything a student needs to know is learned as early as kindergarten. Do to the change of time and technology evolution, newer methods should be incorporated. To arrive at an end, the use of several roads is valuable. Today’s households should dust off old dictionaries and encyclopedias and revert to the use of these resources. Collaborative techniques, reading skills and technology avenues should all be employed to facilitate learning.
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