Prezi Presents - Going Social in Education

Online presentation tools are valuable for classroom teachers because they provide an easy alternative to Microsoft's PowerPoint program.  Students may not have access to PowerPoint at home or the version might not be compatible with software available on school computers which can create difficulties.  However, when students use online presentation tools such as Prezi, these accessibility issues are negated.  Prezi touts itself as an easy-to-use, intuitive program with many templates and tools to customize presentations for virtually any occasion.  While the tool did take some adjustment for this user, the value of using and having access to online presentations wherever internet access is available cannot be overlooked.  This is definitely a valuable tool for a 21st century teacher's toolbox!

In the Prezi presentation created for this example, the issue of interaction between students and teachers through social media is explored.  In at least five states and the New York City school district, teachers have come under scrutiny for online and phone interactions with students.  Additionally, teachers have been criticized for comments posted on social media sites that some have determined to undermine their positions as educators.  This is a timely topic for teachers in a democratic society that values the rights of the individual.  As teachers, we must find the balance between beneficial use of technology, students' rights to privacy and safety, and teachers' rights and responsibilities as leaders within their communities.  View my Prezi below and consider the questions for discussion.

Future Educational Technology - Let the Games Begin!

We stand on the brink of profound changes in education.  Within the last few years, the United States public education system has undergone a paradigm shift from factual and skill-based learning toward more complex problem and situational-based learning.  This fact is reflected in the Common Core Standards for K-12 education that have now been adopted by 45 states.  These standards focus on concept building, collaborative work, creating, and analyzing thus enabling our students to be better critical problem-solvers.

As we consider what a 21st century classroom should look like, Dr. James Gee, education researcher, states that educators must not discount the power of computer gaming in developing students with the aforementioned skills.  His research has determined that the type of games currently being used recreationally by our students actually work to create "situated and embodied learning" that constructs a complex learning environment.  Use of this technology is predicted to be two to three years away, but as educators we must embrace whatever tools necessary - especially those already developed - to aid our students in developing those skills they so desperately need to be successful in an ever-changing world.

Watch Extended Interview: Dr. James Gee on PBS. See more from Digital Media - New Learners Of The 21st Century.

AT In the Classroom Is As Good As An ATV

Sometimes, the classroom environment is so difficult to maneuver students with special needs experience exclusion.  Assistive Technology (AT) in some instances can act as an ATV (all-terrain vehicle) for those students who need a "vehicle" for effective communication and interaction.  Historically, when students have been unable to attend school in the classroom, they fall behind their peers and have been at risk of failure or dropping out of school. There have been huge strides toward attempting to include students who struggle with physically attending class in the school building. Assistive technology (AT) is at the forefront of enabling students to attend class even when their circumstances keep them distanced from the school building.



One such technology is called The Pebbles Project. This technology consists of a set of high-tech, interactive robots and was designed to meet the needs of students who miss school for extended periods of time due to physical limitations such as lengthy hospitalization for serious illnesses. These robots are capable of transmitting audio and video as well as documents using high-speed communication links. One child-sized robot is placed in the classroom while the second robot is with the child. The camera screen in the classroom displays the child’s face and enables him or her to communicate with the teacher and classmates. It is controlled by the student using the technology, allowing him or her to interact with peers by looking around the classroom and having conversations with them. The robot also features an electronic “hand” that the student can raise to gain the teacher’s attention and giving the student what Pebbles’ creators dub “a virtual presence in the classroom”.

While it is not every day – or even every year - that I have a student with needs such as this, I have experienced the situation where a student is absent for extended periods of time and it would be extremely beneficial for that student to have the capability of attending school virtually. While this blogpost features the Pebbles Project, there is also a Boise, Idaho-based company that has a goal of using robotics in a similar fashion to give students in rural / remote schools opportunities to attend classes not currently available to them in their small school districts. Reach-In has developed robotic technology currently being used in animal shelters for virtual play with pets. The company is hopeful to gain attention and use of this technology within the field of education. One thing is clear, students who are able to attend class – whether physically or virtually – are far more likely to succeed in academics than those who cannot.

Playing Around With Playlists

Video playlists are an innovative tool that can introduce content to students while they are out of the classroom. In the past few years, we have seen an explosion of video material available on almost every topic imaginable! If you don't know how to complete a task, there is most probably a video of some sort available on YouTube! With this great influx of information, playlists are a great way to take advantage of all the information out there using a focused method. A playlist is simply a compilation of video files gathered into one place for a specific purpose. 

 My playlist has been created using YouTube. I have also created a personal video introduction. I have created this playlist for my students at the beginning of the school year. At Discovery, we are making a concerted effort to highlight character education. We have developed what is known as the ABC's of Discovery. In this playlist, I highlight the character qualities that are encompassed within our ABC's. As you view my playlist, see if you can discover what those character qualities are and also think about how you could use this tool yourself.

 

Poster Projects - No Glue Needed

Digital posters are easily created using a program called Glogster.  A digital poster is a highly interactive tool that allows the user to display images, written text, video, and audio content as well as linking that content to internet sites with relative ease.  The poster can then be viewed online by anyone with the URL link to that poster.  It can be likened to research or scrap-booking on steroids!

The uses in the classroom are truly limited only by one's imagination.  For this example, I have created a biographical sketch on a famous person from American history.  In 5th grade, students in our district participate in a formal research and presentation project on an American historical figure.  Creating a glog is a great way for students to communicate their information while demonstrating skills necessary for the success of 21st century learners.  Click on the image of my poster or the link at the end of this post to view my glog on Rosa Parks.

These posters could also be created by teachers to introduce concepts.  Students could view them as homework for a flipped classroom effect.  Educators could create glogs for their peers as teaching tools or as collaborative efforts.  Administrators could use glogs to convey important professional development information or for parents as an introduction to the school.  Whatever the intended use, the engagement level of the user is bound to be extremely high, holding interest far beyond the abilities of the posters of yesteryear.

So long, construction paper and paste - hello Glogster!

Rosa Parks Glog

Professional Development - Out of Budget, Not Out of Reach

Professional Development - on the minds of most educators and cut from the budgets of most school districts.

This statement is a harsh reality to teachers but the real cost is paid by students. Not willing to allow my students to fall behind because I lack skills or knowledge, one of the best resources for professional development is as close as the click of a mouse. The internet is changing everything about our daily lives - including how our students are educated. It is a fantastic way to connect with experts in our field in a time when attending national conferences and seminars is simply beyond budget constraints.

Click here or on the image below for a short list of websites that contain blogs, newsletters, e-zines, and archived resources helpful to anyone in the field of education. Some sites are specific to educational technology that are useful to keep busy teachers abreast of this very fluid field. Others are specific to content area, research in educational theory and practice, as well as behavior interventions. Use of sites such as these allows educators to regularly evaluate and reflect on current research and apply promising practices for using existing and emerging tools as well as providing teachers with opportunities to actively participate in local and global learning communities. Enhancing these skills as teachers builds our knowledge base to ultimately improve student learning.

PD Sites - Out of Budget - Not Out of Reach

Educational Websites

When working on the internet, it is helpful to check out other sites that have been created for specific purposes.  I have identified a list of sites that are useful for specific audiences.  Some are for students, some for parents, and others are for teachers.  There is a plethora of sites created on almost every topic imaginable and surfing through all of them can be very time-consuming.  Click here or on the image below to see my short list with brief suggestions for each site.