Tech Forum

Last Friday, I attended Tech Forum, a day of networking and discussions about technology in education. Here is a link to my notes from the various sessions I attended. Some great presenters; Meg Ormiston, Sheryl Nussban Beach, Steve Dembo and nore...
http://tmurdach.pbwiki.com/Tech+Forum+Notes

Take a look at the picture and then read what it is about
http://www.educationfutures.com/2008/04/25/owatonnas-model-for-the-21st-century/

There would be so much to do/consider for any school district to get to this point. It would be neat though. Talk about what is best for student learning in the 21st Century.

Being Googley

I recently read from Google about their design and thought it could connect to teaching and learning. Here is a list of ten design principles that will guide Google's work and define what makes their products “Googley“. What are my thoughts are in itallics

1. Focus on people—their lives, their work, their dreams. Our students
2. Every millisecond counts. The teachable moment
3. Simplicity is powerful. What is the goal - how simple to get there
4. Engage beginners and attract experts. Collaborative groups learn from each other
5. Dare to innovate. Web 2.0, Learner Teacher, shift in roles
6. Design for the world. The kids need to be prepared for the world
7. Plan for today’s and tomorrow’s business. Dynamics of teaching have changed - teach as if it was tomorrow not as if it was yesterday
8. Delight the eye without distracting the mind. Engagement; Focus
9. Be worthy of people’s trust. Advocate for your students - what is best for students
10. Add a human touch. Approachable, flexible, compassion

Think about it...how do you think it relates to teaching and learning???

Technology Integration Best Practices

Researching technology integration best practices, I came across this informative website from PBS Teachers. I recently subscribed to this site and highly recommend it to others.

"How does the integration of technology and media improve instruction and student learning? Our collection of recent research and best practices provides answers and can help you plan the best approach for your students." The link is live in this post title.

Key Seeker

GREAT keyboarding tool for Kindergarten; integrates letter recognition and picture-letter connection! Cool enough to warrent it's own posting! The page is linked in this posting title.

We Think

Here's a nifty video by Charles Leadbeater, author of We Think: The Power of Mass Creativity.

Bloom's Taxonomy in a Digital World

Found this from my twitter contacts. I usually do not repost but this is so important, I felt it necessary to share.

Blooms in a Digital World
"educators have a basis by which to compare digital techniques to the more traditional standard that Bloom created" and "But today’s educational landscape is vastly different from that of yesterday rendering a lack of clarity as to where the levels of the taxonomy fit. As education heads into the digital world, many teachers struggle with where to place many of the new technology tasks within this long-standing hierarchal guide to teaching and learning."

I am going to go and get this book and I am sure that I will have some interesting thoughts to share and questions to ask.

Which do you know....

Top 100 Tools for Learning Spring 2008
Final ranking as at 31 March 2008
http://c4lpt.co.uk/recommended/top100.html

The list is compiled from the contributions of 155 learning professionals (from both education and workplace learning) who shared their Top 10 Tools for Learning both for their own personal learning/ productivity and for creating learning solutions for others.

How many of these do you know? Utilize in your professional development? Integrate into your classrooms? Maybe pick out one or two and decide to learn something new?

Fear

Great conversation going on in Twitter originated by smeech(smeech.net)

"What would or does an administrator fear more? Inappropriate posting online by students or vandalism of their school building? Why? Always variables to consider in my? Point: I feel as if admin has more "fear" of tech related issues than general building problems? Fair?"

What do you think?

Stuff

In a conversation I had yesterday about technology in education, the question came up about how we implement technology and its' tools into the curriculum. I responded that it is not about the tech "stuff" you have; how many computers, latest gadgets, it is more about what your students will be able to accomplish with that "stuff". It means to me that the engagement and authentic use of technology is so much more important than the bragging of what equipment you have. Don't get me wrong, it would be great to say you have the latest and greatest, but if the latest and greatest sits under utilized, what good is it anyway? Providing teachers with training and resources in order to best utilize what technology they already have will provide a more authentic and goal-oriented outcome for the students.

Here are some resources I found while investigating this question on my own

Wikibook - Instructional Technology/Utilizing Technology for Meaningful learning

Wes Freyer's Tools for TEKS

Technology and Multiple Intelligences

Awesome Library - Technology Integration

Google Font Creator

So cool! Click the title link and create your own free google font!