Reflection~"Who is that girl I see? Staring there back at me..."

Reflect on what you have learned in the class and how you will use it professionally as both a lifelong learner and an instructional systems professional:

                 The Instructional Systems program has provided me with such a wide variety of experiences, but EME6414 has been one of the best opportunities so far.  I cannot begin to express how daunting, challenging, frustrating, fulfilling, and fantastic it has been learning about Web2.0 tools.  One tool would lead to the next site and the next idea, etc...I am not an expert on any one tool, but now I have ideas and room to grow.  I have learned that anyone can feel confident contributing in an on line academic environment.  Just the mere sharing of ideas is richer when a variety of voices are heard.  Working in reading research, we are always looking for new ways of designing professional developments for teachers (and others).   Part of my overall plan is to help create a tool for teachers that will allow for differentiated instruction.

                Some of the tools I had used prior to this class, but I have now learned  to value them in different ways.  I have spent hours and hours on more new tools than I can count!  I now believe that it is not as difficult to keep up with blogging and extending networks of 'friends' if you just set up realistic expectations of time/what you hope to accomplish during that time.  The amount of talent and experience in the eme6414 group is dizzying.  I was constantly impressed by the constant flow of ideas.  Dr.Dennen is easily one of the best professors at FSU;  a talent I hope stays at the school for a long time (as I have seen so many transient professors).  I really wish this course was all summer long as I feel it would have given me more time to grown and develop the sites I created.   I am proud of the work I have done and hope that I can incorporate them into my studies as a natural extension of my learning process.

Conferences, Workshops, Events...Tis the Season!

Google’s Got Its Own Lean In, Teams With Politico And Tory Burch For “Women Rule”        

Women Rule is a new programming and event series to recognize female leaders and bring them together to give advice to women in politics and business. The joint partnership between politics blog Politico, Google, and women’s support network The Tory Burch Foundation will produce an online media hub and four-part event series in Washington, D.C., that explore the challenges female leaders face.

I think this looks really interesting.  I am going to make a 'new school year resolution' this year to attend more conferences and workshops (both virtual and f2f).  FSU offers so many unique opportunities that I haven't even taken advantage of and I wouldn't even have to leave town!  I think as part of this blog (or my PLN) I am going to add a calendar for some of these events around Florida.   Anyone know of any conferences they plan on attending?

Social Learning Platforms

"No more pencils, No more BOOKS,
no more teachers' dirty looks..."


I saw a lot of articles today about grockit, but I thought this was a particularly good one...


http://techcrunch.com/2013/07/31/grockit-sells-social-learning-platform-to-kaplan-goes-all-in-on-learnist-a-pinterest-for-education/

It will be interesting to see how this effects gamification in test prep. 

Anyway, this got me thinking about something slightly unrelated:

How long until there are no books at school?  I know there are some school districts in Florida in which every teacher has an ipad (compliments of the district) and I think some schools/classes are similarly enabled, but I am not aware of any districts in Florida that have gone completely digital.  I'm curious what the cost/benefit analysis has shown, I may have to look into this and repost :) 

Fun Resource for Teachers

 

 

Check out Edcanvas and

start the year off with creativity!

 

 

 

 

 

Student assignments

Web quests, project-based learning and class presentation

          

Flipped classroom

Easily gather and annotate online resources

          

1:1 environments

Share content using just one link

          

Dynamic presentation

Make your class come alive with rich multimedia

How do you judge the value of expertise on the Web? 

Does it differ from your notion of expertise in face-to-face settings?

In both environments, we have the opportunity to obtain an individual’s background and areas of expertise.  On the Web, many experts who were before all but unapproachable, or unavailable, in the past has made it easier to obtain credible information that would have taken ages to ascertain.  For example, a Harvard professor that does work that I find inspirational and informative would not have been available to me unless I sat in on his lecture.  Now, I can view it on line.  Information that may be delivered by a credible source in a face to face environment may be correct, but may also be antiquated.  I find it is easier to access more timely information on the Web.  Sites like Academia and Research Gate, amongst others, provide research and opinions from experts all over the world.  I don't think that seeing these individuals 'live and in the flesh' makes their knowledge and perspective any more or less credible.  The onus is on the reader to  determine the value of the expertise.

What do you think?

Children: Learn Computer Skills, Unlearn Racism

 

  "In the 21st century, the ability to communicate and work with people from different racial and ethnic groups will be as essential as computer skills. The United States is already one of the most diverse societies in the world. Our children will inherit an even more diverse society. We need to help them learn to live and work closely with people whose race, religion, or culture may be different from their own."

 

http://www.civilrights.org/publications/reports/talking_to_our_children/

 

 

My mind has been preoccupied this week with the release of the movie Fruitvale Station (which was released on Friday).  The movie was written by Ryan Coogler (his first feature film) and is about Oscar Grant, a young man who was killed by a Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer in Oakland, California.  It chronicles the last day of his life.  It is a tragic story of racism, emotion, and a culture of violence.  It is also a moving tribute to the life of Oscar Grant and those who love him.  The film won awards at both the 2013 Sundance Film Festival and the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.  It is showing in my area at both Tallahassee movie theaters (yes, all two of them!)

 

My question is this:  how will we (or future generations) ever be able to experience all of the wondrous capabilities of sharing and collaborating online (or otherwise) if we limit those with whom we will communicate?

So, what do you want to talk about?

 

Happy Summer!

 

I recently just 'promoted' my blog a little bit, just for kicks...

 

If you are visiting this site, welcome! 

 If you have anything in particular that you'd like to talk about (specifically instructional systems, design, reading, cognitive psychology, educational neuroscience, Common Core etc...), let me know by leaving a comment. 

Even if you just want to talk about current events or 'what not', it's all good.  Someone mentioned that they want to discuss reading across the content areas,

so I think that may be next up!  Thanks for stopping by :)