Archive for October, 2009

DORK

{ October 23, 2009 @ 1:36 am } · { Uncategorized }
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I just had to do this quick post. Has anyone ever been in a room of people and found that they were the only one laughing (or close to it). A professor has been kind enough to let me sit in on his Computer Information Systems (CIS) 101 class for the next two weeks. I am observing a program he is teaching to the freshmen/sophmores in the class.

The story: I take a seat to the far side of the class to try to keep the curious youngl’ns from stare’n at me. While he is going over past work and so forth, I pull up my Alice (software) program. I begin to work on my alien scenario and am manipulating the legs of my robot when the Prof. announces that they are going to discuss the issue with the knight falling off the horse. I turn my attention to the big screen to observe. As the knights ride toward each other, the Prof. quotes some piece of historical literature (can’t remember now). I bust up laughing. I was the only one laughing. He meant it to be funny and it was. The entire class looked at me like I was nuts. Someone should have just taken a big black felt marker and wrote DORK across my head. I just couldn’t stop giggle’n. What made it worse, is when the Prof. hit play and said the quote again…I started laughing even harder. I was grinning the whole class period, because of that. Guess that’s what I get for being a Language Arts component, but I would never take it back. I love every giddy moment of being an educator and student. :-)

Failure in its Finest :-)

{ October 20, 2009 @ 10:09 am } · { Uncategorized }
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This is just a personal update on my studies and life posting.

I have spent all weekend, hours upon hours, perfecting an action research proposal (EDUC 611). The topic: Reading and Technology. Star Reading to be precise. I went to propose my idea to the appropriate people and kaboom!- disaster! They were very open minded and would love to have let me carry it out, but I just didn’t have the “stuff” it takes to convince them that I could do it in four weeks. As all my work on that proposal seems to have gone to waist, they offered several solutions and contacts as to how I may reshuffle the research project. Like I said before, they were very accomadating.

In the end, my original project had made an impression in all the right places and I will be looking forward to making a presentation to the Tech. Committee. Wish me Luck :-)

As for my personal endeavors and I know many are asking where I find the time, I want to run my own Action Research Project. That is what I will be confronting the Tech. Committee about. I have jabbered endlessly to many about the Alice System. For those interested in further readings on a program that can enhance Reading, Mathematics, and Computer Literacy…here is the Preface to the Instructor.

I am also using Alice for my game development in my EDUC 688, Gaming and Simulation class, to create a video game. This is going to be a toughy. I have yet to be fully schooled in Alice, so I need to teach myself the software and it’s a pretty thick book. – but fun –

EDUC 685 has kept me busy with my readings and contemplating the qualitative value of an online teacher. A lot of work goes into forming a personality of a person behind the keyboard. Of course the development of the course is very key to a successful and smooth running course, but an open communication is what I believe to be top priority. Speaking of 685, I need to go finish reading Chapter 10.

Good night classmates and congrats, were to week 9 :-)

Hit the Screen Wk 8

{ October 16, 2009 @ 11:02 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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In the article “Teachers and Students meet in the Middle: As Learner!” the reader discovers the role of the student is also the role of the teacher. A joy of the author, Jim Moulton, is seeing the teacher willing to become the student as they learn from the students. The school children are much more efficient at times with computers, laptops and miscellaneous gadgets then the teachers at times, that they become the educators.
When it comes to a “know-it-all” or “teacher’s pet” student, I think it’s time for them to do a project on netiquette. It is an odd way to go about it, but proven. Shaming people into doing what is right without embarrassing them. Even I will admit my embarrassment at reading Chapter 5. My netiquette skills need to be worked on. No one really has explained them to me. The very first one – Keep messages short. Yikes!!! I busted that one to pieces. So, I will work on #1 one anytime we have our class group chats. #5- Avoid sarcasm. I love humor and I am never rude, but I guess I could see how a pessimistic person may take an optimistic person’s love of life and turn it around. Humility, candidness, with a slight note of understanding is the order of the day then. Anyone else’s thought on appropriate behavior as an online educator or even a student?
Putting together an Online Course:
The chapter begins by discussing what it would take to make an online class, whether it is from the beginning or from an existing class. When creating a class, Kearsley recommends that you always start with a class that is already well structured. That way you will only have to worry about the issues that were previously considered major factors from Chapters 5 – learning activities and Chapter 6 – interactivity and student participation. Course documents discussed in Chapter 7 (syllabus, lesson plan, and study guide) are developed after Chapter 5 and 6 decisions are made.
The hardest part for most educators is dealing with the idea that they no longer will be lecturing in front of a class. I have a tendency to want to communicate all the time and have even wondered how well I would do without a class to talk to. There should not be any doubt in my mind as to my abilities to communicate as an educator online. I have spent most of my last five years glued to a computer. That doesn’t sound like much time, but before that, all I did was gaming. It wasn’t until five years ago, that I realized how truly fascinating the web was and still is. Almost nightly my eyes grow fuzzy looking at a computer screen. The power to dump more enlightening knowledge into my mind just does not cease and not enough hours in the day are available to complete my undertaking. Educators who are use to lecturing or have a pure enjoyment of moving about a classroom will spend an extra effort trying to enhance the online experience. – Probably more so then it should be.
A great deal of the chapter discusses getting connected, software, and money. Much of these decisions are left up to the Tech. Director, Committees, and Administrators. Typically, teachers have very little say as to what occurs with any of the previous 3 mentioned subjects. Most would consider this wrong and think that all faculty and staff should have a say, but honestly, if all the staff were handed a brand new laptop, state of the art educational software, and asked to give their opinion on it…who is going to say it is a wonderful idea. Half of them probably would not even get the disk in the laptop. (That’s happy sarcasm.) I will use me as an example of total embarrassment for this. The first time they brought Macs to MSU (A few years back). I had to raise my hand and ask how to turn it on. I also had to ask where to put the disk in at – and this was me…the gamer nut. I had no idea how to operate this Machine or any of its software. I stayed after class to toy with it for about 4 or so hours just to learn how to open and close programs. Which, brings us to the final part of the chapter, Troubleshooting. It’s an essential part of online teaching. Know it, do it, keep up with it.
The End!

The Role of the Teacher

{ October 16, 2009 @ 10:10 am } · { Uncategorized }
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I have searched through several blogs and have not really found much on the changing role of teachers. There was one paricular post that I found interesting in which the author, a classmate and an online teacher, said they would not trade their profession for bricks and mortar. The brick class room has a tendancy, in there opinion (and mine) to sometimes override the family. With online teaching, it allows the family and friend structure to be a little bit more stable. I will need to research more into this topic, but the topic seems pretty clear cut to me. The online class does require a little more educational professionalism out of the teacher with less time from physical family interactions. The role of the teacher has become more mental than physical.

Chapter 5 Online Learning (Wk 7)

{ October 16, 2009 @ 7:10 am } · { Uncategorized }
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With this week’s discussion of the difference in the classroom between f2f and online, Kearsley gives us our best solution through the Engagement Theory: suggest that learners must be actively engaged in meaningful tasks for effective learning to occur. This is where every teacher reading this blog will say that should be occurring in a f2f classroom also. Sorry, it just doesn’t happen that way. Most of the time, and I do mean most, students finish in sporadic times and a teacher will have them all doing worksheets for busy work while others finish up until the bell rings. I have yet to see a well constructed lesson plan executed in a f2f class. It’s just not possible. I’m not saying it is a bad thing. It’s just that as teachers, we need to realize that student’s are individuals. Yes, we are taught that continuously in our undergraduate classes, but no one ever really seems to grab the concept. With online education, student’s can take the next step in education. As educators we can take the next step and move from the Instructionist to the Constructionist. As a constructionist the students will be actively engaged and will become the effective learners we are so eager to have in our class rooms.

As for the relationship between the teacher and student: E-mail, discussion forums, and conferencing are key factors in maintaining the students’ motivation. Online education is still relatively new and does take a lot of encouragement, support, and mentorship in order to maintain enrollment/success. The retention levels for online classes tend to be low, but with proper communication, the problem can be rectified. One of the best things to remember is Netiquette…always be respectful of others. I have even had my moments of anger, but I realized my mistake quickly and asked for advisement. Netiquette is very important.

I believe the role of teacher is something that is a sole responsibility in which one should assume, but it will be imposed upon a person by their students. It’s not a matter of insult, but a matter of someone reaching out a hand in request of mentorship. Look at it as an honor.

Day-Dreaming

{ October 12, 2009 @ 2:47 am } · { Uncategorized }
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On a good note…

On the way back from Cincinnati this Fall Break, I was staring out the window, thinking of what I would do if I won a few 500 million or so dollars. First thing I envisioned was building a futuristic building structure for that hybrid high school I can’t shut-up about. RCHH. Not really a ring to it, but it will do for this post. As much as everyone cherishes the look of the brick building around here, the prison walls will have to go. I have envisioned white walls / glass walls, silver rails (have to change colors for academic purposes), and light grey marbled steps (office atmosphere). Below is a picture of an art school in Singapore that I found on flickr. I like the edginess of it, but I would not use such a design in a 6-12 school probably.
edesign

Futuristic Looking

Lunch Room is totally all High School. Football Field, Tennis Courts, Baseball/Softball Fields, Track and Field, etc……Auditorium, A place in which the Drama and Dance clubs/classes can put on plays and dances can be held. A quality Gym. All the indoor parts of the extracurricular activities would also be able to adapt to hi-tech equipment for concerts or professional developments, assemblies.

Students would attend online classes and f2f according to their learning styles. Every classroom will have a teacher, even the ones meant for just online. The instructor in there will be either the teacher themself or an aide to monitor. That is about as far as I have got in my day-dream so far.

I did envision myself in it. My hair was still dyed blond to a point that it wasn’t noticeable, so I must still be in my 30s…lol

Midterm STRESS

{ October 12, 2009 @ 2:10 am } · { Uncategorized }
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I checked my email.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

I have emails from two professors. One puts me in a panic, and the other one just makes me want to throw my hands up a yell “Why Me!” So, I check my panic grades and nothing is there. That is the 6th sense part of it. How am I supposed to do anything if I have no grades to even gauge whether I am doing anything right? The panic is that it’s a major assignment and the first part is due today and I didn’t even know about the assignment. It’s like they are coming from thin air, but I know they are not. I knew about this assignment coming, but I thought we were on a different assignment that requires a lot of work. Now we have two full blown assignments for this one class that is due in sections starting today through whenever. Am I supposed to just read minds and know how I am doing? I am going to assume the worse and it’s probably true for this class, since I can’t seem to get the reading done before another email pops up that reminds me that an assignment due date is being fiddled with. Another class, I did the final for the midterm (that took real brains). He is okay with it, thank goodness. Two of my professors seem to have a good online personality. The other professor doesn’t really talk at all. As for this class, every time I make an effort to catch up to the required blogs, something happens to my computer, or an emergency pulls me from my computer room. This time it was my modem frying and today it is another class’s surprise assignment. But, I am going to post this, because I need to.

I read in my books about how team work and team collaboration is suppose to be stronger with online classes, but the last 3 weeks seems to have gone kaboom. My experience with online classes has diminished dramatically in the last 3 weeks. I have three professors all together and I find that all three are very good. Two that always give me migraines are very busy. The other one, he may be busy, but he doesn’t let on. Classmates talk and everyone has given their opinion on them, but as adults, we love them all. In the end, everyone has there own favorites and not one is favored over another. It is much different then when in undergraduate studies or f2f.

This is my stress post for things I have had bottled for awhile, but I was hoping would straighten out. Now that I have gone a bit deeper into my grant, I realized that the situation is not going to rectify itself. The advising I may need this semester may not be available. This is going to be a tough semester and it’s already half over.

There is a contract due today for a class project. I just pulled the assignment up off my computer less then an hour ago. My modem is also toast. It has been that way for over a week. My Cable Company is coming out to replace it Monday. I’ll be lucky to finish this post, before I lose connection again.

Fall Break

{ October 12, 2009 @ 1:36 am } · { Uncategorized }
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Where to start.

It is FALL BREAK – Yeah! Oh, wait… I have to clean house, attend a family in-law birthday party and experience baby’s first night out!

I managed to get the living room to sparkle the family drove up toward the Cincinnati area for a surprise birthday party. I do love my in-laws though. I even packed along my EDUC 688 and 685 books with me for the 2 hour drive up there. Between the kids, radio, and hubby, I wasn’t going to get any reading done. An attempt was made, but after a few near hits and misses, my heart was beating so fast, I couldn’t concentrate to read. It is amazing what all people can do while driving and speeding at 80 down an Interstate…even if they are continuously crossing the lines and cutting everyone off. – Have to love the holiday weekend. To make it worse, they were all young female drivers, so my husband made sure to mention that. The birthday party we were at was my brother-in-laws, which he is a police officer; therefore a majority of the guests were male officers. Of course they got a kick out of it…all is fair in love and war…the wives had snide remarks in return.

Due to there being so many people visiting for the party, we decided to rent a room. Baby’s first time out of the house. She screamed until 6:00 am in the morning. I’m surprised management wasn’t called on us. My husband went down in the morning to get breakfast and someone was requesting a different room, but we don’t know if that was our fault. When I retrieved ice at 12:30 am, there were two adolescents running up and down the 2nd story hallway. This was a newly remodeled hotel with two wedding parties staying in it that night that we new of. It was total chaos. I did think about how we take technology for granted early this day, at check in. My hubby thought it best we stay in the car, because it was raining, and the lobby was packed. He went to check in. He had to go some distance to check-in due to a silver mini-van blocking the road. The mini-van had a family in it that all needed assistance due to their weight, but the hotel put their rooms on the 2nd floor (no elevators). Rooms had to be changed around. We ended up with a room on the 2nd floor, at the very end. A nice spot, but caring everything up the stairs was a nightmare. I pulled a muscle on my left shoulder while carrying the baby in her carseat up the stairs. No big deal. I have done it a million times over the summer. I just haven’t had to carry the carseat that much since the school year has been in.

Needless to say, we were able to visit with the in-laws for about 6 hours on Saturday. We slept for 2 of those hours. My husband and I were exhausted. Eventually we started the 2 hour trek home. I managed to summon up the energy to cook dinner and we all sat down and watched a family movie together “Inkheart”. I loved reading the book. I think the 2nd book is better than the first one. Just my opinion though.

Chapter 6 and Wishful Thinking

{ October 5, 2009 @ 6:22 am } · { Uncategorized }
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How does your knowledge/skill with the tools from the two toolboxes influence your choice of design?
When designing a course, is it better to use a lot of tools? Or just a few?
Course objectives: Fact of life? Or wishful thinking?

The tools that I chose for my classroom are basic communication tools for any web user. Forums, Yahoo Messenger, Email, etc… are set forms of communication as much as slapping a stamp on an envelope for purposes of sending a message snail mail. I personally prefer to use few tools and have a mastery of those select. There is also less likelyhood of the students having issues with less tools, such as coming up with less excuses for not turning in assignments or getting messages. Technical problems do happen, and that problem can be resolved by just having a few reliable sources and not a chaotic bundle of possible ways to communincate.

Fact of Life? or Wishful Thinking?
This tem is what a lot of people would deem as a double edge sword. I referenced Chapter 6 for another project of mine. The content explains the importance of teaching methodogly when using computers in the classroom’ which is applicable to my research. So, I got to think on this subject a bit. I only read it a week ago and highlighted the entire chapter, but it has escaped my memory on what was important on the difference between Fact and Wishful. I will need to re-read the chapter. I just can’t get a break.

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