I am excited about this class. This is something akin to the "everything you wanted to learn about technology, but was afraid to try for fear of breaking a gadget or crashing a program" mode.
I not only want to know how such gadgets work on a basic level, I want to catch the hint on some advanced methods as well. I know something about digital cameras; I want to be sure when it's all said and done.
I always wanted to blog, but wondered if voicing my opinions are worth the effort. So I guess my inquiry is what are the benefits operating this, wikis, and other methods of communication. Do they have merit?
How much of this can we expose the students to? How can we teach with these? Can we still resort to old methods if we have to? Will this be information overload to the point they cannot process simple problems without the use of computer, calculator,or cell phone? They are learning to multitask (talk on the phone, watch TV, and work their laptop all at once);is that good, or will it be detrimental to their mental state of being? These are legitimate issues we will face. It's in our interest to discuss them now while we are in the student mode.
Mona:
ReplyDeleteYour posting is wonderfully reflective and insightful. You raise some valid questions that I hope you will be able to answer at the end of the course.
However, the instructions for your first blog post indicate "Your first blog entry should outline your goals for this course. What do you already know and what do you want to learn? Explain why you chose these goals? Be specific. Don't include ideas such as learn as much as you can or learn about the computer. These are too vague and don't allow you to judge whether you actually have met these goals."
The advantages of more specific goals is that it makes it easier to create an action plan on what you will do to meet those goals and to determine whether you have met those goals at the end of the course. Please rethink about what you already know and can build on to succeed in this class--both about technology and pedagogy--and post an update to your goals. You can post a new post or simply click to edit the current post.
I look forward to working with you to meet these goals.
I think that you will do well in this class because you seem to know what you want out of this class and I think that you will find all of the answers you need to be a better teacher. Are you at a center or school where the children have access to the internet?
ReplyDelete