Comments on: How does your school system use technology in creative ways (other than instruction)? http://drmarkstock.com/?p=410 A little of this and a little of that. Education, humor, satire and the view from the ivory tower! Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:59:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Brian Ashton http://drmarkstock.com/?p=410&cpage=1#comment-187 Brian Ashton Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:33:34 +0000 http://drmarkstock.com/?p=410#comment-187 I have a great administrator at the middle school level that introduced me this week to pod-casting. He has presented his work with pod-casts at different conferences around the country, but as of yet, not many in the district have utilized his knowledge. After getting a few basic pod-casting tips from him, I introduced the concept to my class. All newer macs come with an installed software program called Garage Band that has a very simple pod-casting application. We did a mini lesson on pod-casting to give a brief overview of the Constitutional Convention. What surprised me was not that the students were excited; anything new in a classroom generates a higher level of excitement in students. What surprised was that the new technology somehow engaged all of the students. In fact, the mini-lesson went so well, the students wanted to create their own entire pod-cast. Now the students are going to act as pod-casting reporters that have just experienced the entire Constitutional Convention as a "fly on the wall." Their job is to create a full pod-cast that reports to their home state (one of the original 13 colonies) all about the convention and the changes that the Constitution will bring to the new nation. They have to analyze the information and events, create a script, and utilize the pod-casting technology to finish their project. These same students that a week ago were struggling to get through this history unit are now excited and engaged in the lesson. It really is funny how new technology has helped students study and enjoy history that is over 200 years old. I have a great administrator at the middle school level that introduced me this week to pod-casting. He has presented his work with pod-casts at different conferences around the country, but as of yet, not many in the district have utilized his knowledge. After getting a few basic pod-casting tips from him, I introduced the concept to my class. All newer macs come with an installed software program called Garage Band that has a very simple pod-casting application. We did a mini lesson on pod-casting to give a brief overview of the Constitutional Convention. What surprised me was not that the students were excited; anything new in a classroom generates a higher level of excitement in students. What surprised was that the new technology somehow engaged all of the students. In fact, the mini-lesson went so well, the students wanted to create their own entire pod-cast. Now the students are going to act as pod-casting reporters that have just experienced the entire Constitutional Convention as a “fly on the wall.” Their job is to create a full pod-cast that reports to their home state (one of the original 13 colonies) all about the convention and the changes that the Constitution will bring to the new nation. They have to analyze the information and events, create a script, and utilize the pod-casting technology to finish their project. These same students that a week ago were struggling to get through this history unit are now excited and engaged in the lesson. It really is funny how new technology has helped students study and enjoy history that is over 200 years old.

]]> By: Doug Mercado http://drmarkstock.com/?p=410&cpage=1#comment-116 Doug Mercado Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:37:57 +0000 http://drmarkstock.com/?p=410#comment-116 I love the article. To start, The implementation of technology is the classroom is vital to the success of students in this ever shrinking world. education has been slow to integrate new technology for reasons I just can not comprehend. It seems to me that the schools fear the growth of technology and are years behind the technological skills of their students. I find that the firewall that schools employ here in Cheyenne is archaic and a waste of time. I know several students who have actually demonstrated their ability to bypass any block on the school network!!!! Kids these days are so wired that we as educator must keep up if not surpass them. One tool I find is most helpful is the idea of webcasting/podcasting instruction. This allows Administrators to monitor, audit and observe without the traditional drop in session. In addition it affords the students a way to rehash or supplement their class lectures at home and offers parents an inside view of the classroom. Instant grade posting is another important tool which we c an use in schools. If there is a parent or student who is insistent upon knowing their grades ASAP, then we can utilize applications like twitter, or text messaging to send out grades as soon as they post. All this can happen instantaneously as the grades are submitted into the computer. Multi-class/multi-school collaboration can also be utilized via video conferencing using software like Skype, ding, or even networks like Cisco offers. I feel that the next generation of schools must be intergraded with built in computers in each desk, while closely monitored by the administration, each student can explore their tech skills and have a truly personalized learning experience. In addition, Schools can now go virtual. Why can we not allow for students to attend call and participate via the web or more outside the box, have class in Second life? These are a few ideas that I feel need to be incorporated into the classroom in order to aid in the technological advancement and marketability of our students in this new and ever changing world. I love the article. To start, The implementation of technology is the classroom is vital to the success of students in this ever shrinking world. education has been slow to integrate new technology for reasons I just can not comprehend. It seems to me that the schools fear the growth of technology and are years behind the technological skills of their students. I find that the firewall that schools employ here in Cheyenne is archaic and a waste of time. I know several students who have actually demonstrated their ability to bypass any block on the school network!!!! Kids these days are so wired that we as educator must keep up if not surpass them. One tool I find is most helpful is the idea of webcasting/podcasting instruction. This allows Administrators to monitor, audit and observe without the traditional drop in session. In addition it affords the students a way to rehash or supplement their class lectures at home and offers parents an inside view of the classroom. Instant grade posting is another important tool which we c an use in schools. If there is a parent or student who is insistent upon knowing their grades ASAP, then we can utilize applications like twitter, or text messaging to send out grades as soon as they post. All this can happen instantaneously as the grades are submitted into the computer. Multi-class/multi-school collaboration can also be utilized via video conferencing using software like Skype, ding, or even networks like Cisco offers. I feel that the next generation of schools must be intergraded with built in computers in each desk, while closely monitored by the administration, each student can explore their tech skills and have a truly personalized learning experience. In addition, Schools can now go virtual. Why can we not allow for students to attend call and participate via the web or more outside the box, have class in Second life? These are a few ideas that I feel need to be incorporated into the classroom in order to aid in the technological advancement and marketability of our students in this new and ever changing world.

]]> By: Ryan Allen http://drmarkstock.com/?p=410&cpage=1#comment-112 Ryan Allen Thu, 05 Feb 2009 03:50:48 +0000 http://drmarkstock.com/?p=410#comment-112 Technology has been a big push in the classroom but has only begun to make a presents outside the class. We have in our schools a telephone system that we can leave running on weekends and nights etc... that will deliver a message to the students and parents enrolled in our school. Our administrators record a message and the computer will call each family and play the message. Blogs and web space are available for each teacher and school tp post what is going on and news items, however our school has not made efficient use of them as of yet. We have just opened our library up for a family night in which parents and students can come and utilize our computers to look at grades and other web info if they do not have access. For me this is a big step for our school. Both opening our doors to parents and making the technology we have available. Ryan Allen Technology has been a big push in the classroom but has only begun to make a presents outside the class. We have in our schools a telephone system that we can leave running on weekends and nights etc… that will deliver a message to the students and parents enrolled in our school. Our administrators record a message and the computer will call each family and play the message. Blogs and web space are available for each teacher and school tp post what is going on and news items, however our school has not made efficient use of them as of yet. We have just opened our library up for a family night in which parents and students can come and utilize our computers to look at grades and other web info if they do not have access. For me this is a big step for our school. Both opening our doors to parents and making the technology we have available.
Ryan Allen

]]> By: matt hoelscher http://drmarkstock.com/?p=410&cpage=1#comment-108 matt hoelscher Wed, 04 Feb 2009 22:27:11 +0000 http://drmarkstock.com/?p=410#comment-108 I think our district, TCSD, does a very good job of educating teachers in new technology applications, ranging from clickers to atomic learning to virtual classrooms, however, it is up to the individual teacher to take on this learning. Some do, some don't and some, like me, try to do a little of this and a little of that. I don't think we do very good job of educating students within a technological curriculum. This may be changing with the adoption of Project Lead the Way, a first-year program that is geared toward the integration of science, math, and technology. On a side note, I did just come across a good website that scientifically examines the impact of social networking and critical thinking skills. Check it out at http://www.cdmc.ucla.edu/ I think our district, TCSD, does a very good job of educating teachers in new technology applications, ranging from clickers to atomic learning to virtual classrooms, however, it is up to the individual teacher to take on this learning. Some do, some don’t and some, like me, try to do a little of this and a little of that. I don’t think we do very good job of educating students within a technological curriculum. This may be changing with the adoption of Project Lead the Way, a first-year program that is geared toward the integration of science, math, and technology.

On a side note, I did just come across a good website that scientifically examines the impact of social networking and critical thinking skills. Check it out at http://www.cdmc.ucla.edu/

]]> By: Carnival of Education: 209th Edition! | Steve Spangler's Blog http://drmarkstock.com/?p=410&cpage=1#comment-106 Carnival of Education: 209th Edition! | Steve Spangler's Blog Wed, 04 Feb 2009 06:05:19 +0000 http://drmarkstock.com/?p=410#comment-106 [...] Dr. Mark Stock, of the Stock Mark Report, would like to know how your school uses technology.  [...] [...] Dr. Mark Stock, of the Stock Mark Report, would like to know how your school uses technology.  [...]

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