Three Technological Blogs from Classmates

Podcasts (Heba Sami)

http://lincs.ed.gov/publications/pdf/technology_paper_2010.pdf

Heba Sami spoke about podcasts and their direct impact on learning languages. He states that it allows learners to listen to various audio materials and allows them to become familiar with the sounds and pronunciations of word (2016). With the widespread growth of mobile device users, people can tap into a body of knowledge and gain instant information. The ability to access multiple applications has become a thing of the norm and a level of connectivism has made communication and interactions between people countries away, possible (Tamarkin, Rodrigo, et. al., 2011).

This particular technology is very helpful for individuals learning languages as it provides an opportunity to listen to sounds properly. Language is learned by mimicking, repetition, practice and podcasts allows for continued rewinds and redoing which listeners can uses to mimic sounds and pronunciations of words and phrases. This can come in handy because the students can go home or practice at their convenience from any device that can access the particular application so when they do get in classes or have to speak they would have been listening and mimicking the sounds properly from these podcasts.

References:

Sami, H. (2016), Technologies to Enhance Adult Learning, Retrieved from: http://elgourbaguiheba.blogspot.com/2016/03/1-blogs-as-foreign-languageteacher-i.html

Tamarkin, M., Rodrigo, S., & The 2011 Educause Evolving Technologies Committee. (2011). Evolving technologies: A view to tomorrow. Retrieved from http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/evolving-technologies-view-tomorrow

Digital Citizenship – Using Technology Appropriately (Nancy Brown)   

http://www.digitalcitizenship.net/Home_Page.html

As children we were to be taught values and proper behaviors from our parents. The values we have now should extend into our classroom set of rules and a general understanding of what you are expected and how you are expected to do things, should be set. Nancy Brown highlights that it is important to create boundaries and rules to assist us in maintaining a positive level of communication to minimize possible offending (2016). This particular site expounds on this point for proper guidelines for developing reasonable expectations for decent digital behavior.

“Our intelligence tends to produce technological and social change at a rate faster than our institutions and emotions can cope with. . . . We therefore find ourselves continually trying to accommodate new realities within inappropriate existing institutions, and trying to think about those new realities in traditional but sometimes dangerously irrelevant terms.” (diFilipo, 2011).

We are in a constant state of change and some once accepted norms might become obsolete and offensive. It is important in classes to be clear as to the guidelines of what you want done and how you want students to behave for the best interest of developing a positive container and heightening participation and inclusiveness.

References:

diFilipo, S. (2011). Connecting the dots to the future of technology in higher education. Retrieved from http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/connecting-dots-future-technology-higher-education

Brown, N. (2016), Digital Citizenship- Using Technology Appropriately, Retrieved from: http://nbrownwaldenedu.blogspot.com/2016/04/be-good-boys-and-girls-play-nice.html

OER Commons (Yanmei Meng)

https://www.oercommons.org

If we are to advance in higher education, we will need to incorporate technology on a larger platform than we do now (Tamarkin, Rodrigo, et. al., 2011). We need to maintain and develop technology that will enhance the increased improvement of education and Open Educational Resources helps students and educators avoid the wasted time for searches and take them directly to the material they need (Meng, 2016). This particular search site allows you to search over 50,000 high quality resources and it is structured to be very user friendly. Open Educational Resources (OER) are learning an detaching materials that are free of cost and can be used and reused without the extra hassle of authenticity.

Students and teachers are in a constant need for materials, lessons, examples and the like to make what they do inspirational and authentic. I have struggled through site after site looking for simple examples to use in classes to help my students and OER’s help to cut the research time drastically and allows for authentic information to be used. This is indispensable for teachers and for students who need to find information on lessons, practice material or project information.

References:

Meng, Y. (2016), Open and Distance Education for Learning, Retrieved from: http://yanmeimeng.blogspot.com/2016/04/open-and-distance-education-for-learning.html

Tamarkin, M., Rodrigo, S., & The 2011 Educause Evolving Technologies Committee. (2011). Evolving technologies: A view to tomorrow. Retrieved from http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/evolving-technologies-view-tomorrow

Technology and Digital Citizenship

Digital etiquette in Education

https://www.brainpop.com/technology/digitalcitizenship/digitaletiquette/fyi/#tab=0  

This topic has been a very controversial topic for many scholars and educational systems. The use of texting and net vernacular has always been a particular point of consternation for educators and parents as they believe that it compounds the issues with their writing skills of children. However, like personal etiquette it is important that people participate in a manner that is positive, proper and relevant with the time. It is like speaking without the sound and certain rules apply that can improve the tone of messaging in any setting and to anyone. Whether it is knowing when to use the “caps” button or posting the proper emoticon, it is important that we have a grasp of how to speak to people over our net device.

I chose this particular technology because we live in a world where regular manners have become deplorable and people do not know how to talk to one another without sparking controversy. As well many people have become sensitive to everything and it is best that certain accommodations in messaging be known. We have numerous scenarios where we can have multiple people discussing controversial topics and a certain language should be used with supporting net emoticons. Schools have now adopted group work through the internet as a viable practice for education and learning opportunities for many different people from across the globe, so tensions can run high if a certain etiquette is not followed and misunderstandings can arise if people are not conscious of the use of this etiquette.

This particular site has a host of activities that make learning about digital etiquette fun and interesting. I think that a program like this at the beginning of your on line group centered class could help prevent many issues throughout the term of your course.  Just like the traditional classes where you have to put down rules for engaging in class discussions and group work, this site lays the rules for digital manners in digital settings. I find it to be non-threatening to egos and easy to understand for individuals who might not be as tech savvy as others.

Safety on the virtual playground

http://www.edutopia.org/article/digital-citizenship-resources#graph1

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/tool-weapon-addressing-cyberhate-classroom-jinnie-spiegler

                I found this topic to be very interesting as it highlights many things wrong with the use of social media and how people communicate. This site is about teaching people how to manoeuvre through and use strategies to handle cyber bullying and hate. This is a part of netiquette but I have to focus on it because our social sites have become a hotbed for flaming and postings degrading people. This site gives you a list of strategies and courses of actions on how to deal with and not support cyber hate.

                In our world of social media it has become very difficult to not see the constant defaming and bullying of people or groups of people. Many individuals have committed serious acts because of the bullying and hate being spread across these sites. In a classroom that uses internet groups it can be the same thing. A wrongfully framed post to severely criticize a comment by another student might cripple that first student’s drive to want to participate in the class.  It is just as easy to post a criticism in a positive tone as it is to do so in a negative one.

                This is very important in the classroom whether it be traditional or internet based. It is important to spread a sense respect for yourself and others when talking or messaging in discussions. This not only is useful in classroom settings but in personal development for the real world. Many jobs require personal interaction and a positive set of manners can be the difference between having a job or not. Plus in cases of bullying, we can learn strategies for handling events and not allowing them to affect us as they would normally have and at the same instance giving us an outlet as to how to prevent it from happening or continuing.

Technology in Open Education

Television in Open Learning Education

http://tojde.anadolu.edu.tr/yonetim/icerik/makaleler/23-published.pdf

                The television plays a large part in open learning classrooms as it is not only a valuable piece of audio visual equipment it provides other needed services for the learners. The television programs allows learners to gain instruction about difficult concepts in courses, provides for audio/visual presentations and communicate messages to learners in a more natural way than radio or written instructions. This type of medium also allows for a friendlier atmosphere for students who need a face to speak or learn from and motivate them. Downes states that we need to have symbiosis that allows us to share information and resources. That the killer of education and open minds is the stagnation of knowledge (2011).

                We are in the generation where the internet seems to have over taken the television like the television outsourced the radio, however the audio visual properties of the television, regardless of internet accessibility, has allowed it to remain a major player in how people learn. Young children watch Dora the Explorer and other children oriented programs and adults can watch programs that affect their knowledge on the television. Many of these programs spark motivation and arousing the attention of people to want to see more and learn more. Most people in the world might not have access to internet but most have access to a television and by having this it allows programs to be spread across a large range of geographical areas at the same time overcoming the problem of equality and imbalance as it allows instructors to reach a large amount of students at the same time.  

                I like using the television in classes as it provides a visual stimulation that could not be replicated on the blackboard. I have used it to play Shakespeare movies that if being read for the first time are extremely difficult to understand but by watching and listening to actors perform these plays, instruction and understanding becomes easier. Utilizing this medium is also efficient for presentations as it allows students to work together and produce an artistic work that should be self-explanatory.

References:

Downes, S. (2011). Free learning: Essays on open educational resources and copyright. Retrieved fromhttp://www.downes.ca/files/books/FreeLearning.pdf

Skype in Open Learning Education

https://education.microsoft.com/skypeintheclassroom

                Skype like many other programs has taken the place of regular telephone calls. This technology allows you to have real time conversations and share real time experiences over the internet. This particular program allows for teachers to do a host of activities for a class or classes of students. From virtual field trips to having guest speakers from across the globe participate in the educational process, this program inspires inclusion and a wide array of opportunities for learning to take place for both educators and students. Programs like Skype are soon about to render the telephone call obsolete (Downes, 2011).

                In a world where our students are used to instant access and response, skype provides an opportunity for this quick hitting, virtual classroom environment to happen. Students have plugged in to the internet world and skype provides multiple applications in the open education classroom.

                This program provides an opportunity to have classes in the “now” time and interactions happening between learners are similar to a real class. This video chat places a face on names and can inspire inclusion in shy students. This is a perfect tool to transmit presentations or share materials, cultures or any information pertinent to the development of the learner.

References:

Downes, S. (2011). Free learning: Essays on open educational resources and copyright. Retrieved fromhttp://www.downes.ca/files/books/FreeLearning.pdf

Video Games to enhance Education

NBA 2K16

https://www.2k.com/games/nba-2k16

     The NBA 2K16 franchise is focussed on bringing the best true to life NBA experience. You can create your own player and go through that mode, create your won franchise and manage your team or even play on line and improve on your skills as a manager or player. With specialized effects and true to player movements this game is expected to be the most authentic NBA game out there.


     This game has become so realistic that to play it successfully you have to have sound knowledge of the basics of basketball. How to defend against screen and rolls, setting up plays and attacking lanes, boxing out and rebounding, all are at the very center of of the game. Seeing as I am a coach of basketball I find this game and most of its predecessors very informative and entertaining. Not only do they manage to get special moves and features of real players you are able to design your own.

     I have seen where this game has simplified my coaching job. By teaching in the gym and then going to play the game, I have noticed that they have a natural unconscious understanding of how the game should be played. So what I have done is teach them in the gym then show them in the game. This not only becomes fun and competitive but they begin to see how the game is really played and how ingenious the creators of the game are.

Assassin's Creed Syndicate

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassin%27s_Creed

   
     Assassin's Creed is an action-adventure game series that spans across nine individual games and many different consoles. The games are played in a fictitious history in real world events and stays true to the line of Assassins fighting for freedom and justice against the Knights Templars. This game is played in the third person on an open world setting where you have free will to explore and they span from England to Italy during varying eras.

     This game has high quality for geography as it supplies a wide array of locations and maps to be discovered. I found it to be very action packed yet it allows for analytical skills to be show cased when solving how to assassinate or retrieve important documents. This game also expects the player to flex their creative ability to think outside the box as situations are more than likely structured in a way that forces you to think like an assassin.
 
    As for educational purposes, this game helps teach how to read maps and can even improve comprehension skills. Being set in eras that we study in history and do not pay attention to, this game allows us to see bits and pieces of historical truths and locations. In my class this game would be very interesting as they provide a written pop up for every voice transaction. It also expects you to read maps and documents to solve puzzles necessary to complete tasks given. You have free reign to explore and converse with people of all natures.

Mobile Learning Technology

iPads in the Classroom

http://www.securedgenetworks.com/blog/31-Reasons-You-Should-Be-Using-iPads-in-the-Classroom

With access to over sixty five thousand educational application programs and the ability to utilize all the different types of media, the iPad is fast becoming the device of choice in the classrooms. With apps like Nearpod, teachers have the ability to directly send quizzes, videos or information to students devices. These students can access the information, respond and leave their work in the teacher's inbox.

With the ever increasing technological field and accessibility by students to these devices it is only prudent that we begin to use them in our classrooms. Many students complain about classes being boring and one dimensional so as educators we need to get with the times. Today's students have been using mobile devices from as early as one year old so by the time they get to school their ability to maneuver through the devices and its functions is almost second nature.We have to use devices and activities that allow us to align their education with how they interact and communicate. So to increase inclusion the use of the iPad in classes is one such step.  This device is very interactive and allows for students to do a variety of actions, from recording video to downloading graphs, books or audio.

The iPad is a small light weight device that is not as distracting as a tablet and seems to be less thief proof as the device can be kept on person. I like the option that the iPad gives for teachers to grade work. This could be very useful if I were to have quizzes using this device. As well It has apps that allows the teacher to structure and create special lesson plans for individual students with disabilities or who have had setbacks due to illness, injury or transfer.

Cellphones in the Classroom


http://www.isteconnects.org/docs/excerpts/CELUSE-excerpt.pdf

Cell phones are probably the simplest form of mobile device, however they have become faily powerful. These devices can access the internet and can be used for group discussions via text messaging of voice messaging. Most phones have cameras that can take pictures or record videos and these can be very useful for projects or audio and visual examples. These mini-computers have become more than just a means of communication but a direct source for interactions with internet services.

This is the easiest device for most students to get as many are inexpensive. It is also a small device and easy to cart unlike larger devices that are a bit bulky. Students are constantly on them so we might as well utilize them. There is an on going battle concerning the use or distractions created by these devices but if the teacher can structure and organize educational content and activities using these devices it will be easier to reach today's student. We would be speaking a language they understand as most of these students have grown up having access to these devices.

These cell phones are mini computers as they allow you to interact with the capability of a lap top. The speed which people can text is similar to how an experienced typist types. I think this device is the most efficient for online classes or seminars. It allows someone to be able to access groups while being almost anywhere where there is access to the internet. I can send assignments through specialized social network groups and my students can receive that information even if they are not in the country.  It is extremely useful for the person who travels for work and might not have the down time to get the lap top out for class. This is the instant "pop tarts" breakfast to the education world and as an educator I would use it as such for assignments to be handed in or class memos that need to be shared.

Social Networking in education

WhatsApp Instant Messaging 

http://eujournal.org/index.php/esj/article/viewFile/3909/3700

     WhatsApp is an instant messaging, cross-platform smartphone messenger that utilizes users’ Internet data plan to help them network socially in real time (WhatsApp, 2010). This particular social network allows its users to send and receive a large cross section of media like pictures, videos and audio messages. This APP can be utilized on numerous devices and is applicable for a variety of software and allows access to creating special social groups.

     This is a simple reality that people spend more time on their phones and internet friendly devices so it is a matter of convenience and practicality that we should use this type of option to enhance education. Then there is the ongoing battle of getting these devices out of the classroom because of the negative impact and uses while in the classroom. However, if used properly these apps can be a very efficient and inclusive tool for teachers to use.
   
     This app provides an unlimited number to the amount of messages you can send to each other so this is a very practical, mobile possibility for education. At convenient times for each student, they can exchange text messages, voice notes, images, videos and discussions in a social group up to eleven persons. A teacher can create a group for his students and throw out discussion topics that might add to what could not be completely discussed and explained in the classroom. For the student who has problems expressing themselves in that tight unit of classroom time this allows for a longer think on topics as well as the student who is afraid of speaking in class, this allows an impartial, non threatening opportunity to speak.


References:

WhatsApp. (2010, November). Retrieved from BlackBerry App World:


SKYPE in the classroom

http://www.skype.com/en/about/

     This technology allows for face to face interactions between individuals through the internet. It allows you to text, create voice and video so that people can share experiences regardless of where you are on the planet.  You can have a meeting with work partners by using the video group option or you can have individual conversations. This app is accessible on your phone, computer or even televisions with the particular specifications to support the app.

     The accessibility of this social network technology allows for a more than one dimensional interaction. We get to see who we are talking and who is speaking. It creates the atmosphere for positive personal interactions without being present and allows for students who need to see and get that instant answer, to get that.

    Using Skype in the classroom can be very convenient especially if you want to have a guest speaker that might not have the time to go to your classroom in their schedule but might have the time to do a skype for some minutes. This app also allows you to take virtual field trips and explore different locations that might be financially impossible or logistically difficult to get to. This virtual field trip is also very convenient as it allows you to take your students on an educational journey without having to take all day.

Talking Text books and synthesis

http://www.cited.org/index.aspx?page_id=106

     This particular technology bridges a gap in certain classrooms that was difficult to cross. It is digital texts that can be read out loud by utilizing the recorded voice or specific speech programs. It also allows for the educator to create segments where feedback can be given or to advance the level of literacy, no highlighting of texts. For the visually impaired or the student who does not like or the student who finds reading difficult, this technology creates the opportunity for the paged texts to be heard which in turn supports the growth of key literacy skills like reading and comprehension, fluency and positive engagement and motivation. 

     We have too many students who are afraid to read because of varying reasons but that should not be the source of their anxieties and fears. This technology can alleviate some of the fears that can arise when reading aloud in front of peers. This is also a very positive method of identifying accents and proper pronunciations of words if you are in the ESL/EFL courses or someone who just wants to learn another language.

     The applications for this technology are boundless as it supports the growth of language on a whole. I would use it in my literature classes to help students who struggle with reading and understanding the written word. It comes with the action of “follow along” like karaoke words and this can be used to increase the speed of a student’s reading. As well for the ESL classes where mimicking the sound of the words is important, this program can be used to help them with reading and sounding of words.

Youtube/ Online videos

http://www.edutopia.org/youtube-educational-videos-classroom

     This has been a very confrontational topic because there are many videos on this site that are inappropriate for class use and so schools tend to block this site. However, the use of videos can improve the quality of the learning experience and Youtube.com provides a specific service that allows educators to register and set up a video list of materials from the educational video sites provided and use them in their classes as well as have students access them. 

     The way how students learn has evolved to a point where videos and video games have become second nature for them. So teachers have to compete with this ever expanding array of new tech and by utilizing videos they are able to reach out and in a sense connect with the millennium student. Having this connection is key to the learning process as it helps with inclusion, retention and motivation.

     I have used videos in my classes before and they have brought to life the works that students found difficult to understand by reading. The poetry recitals and stage presentations of Shakespeare triggered a positive response from the students because they are able to see and hear the differences instead of imagining them. I think that allowing students to video and present their own performances is an excellent way to bring them into the work they are doing. It allows them to treat the texts like it is their work and inspires creativity.

Smart Board (http://k12teacherstaffdevelopment.com/tlb/using-smart-boards-in-the-classroom/)

     This technology allows the teacher to produce a document or work on the computer and project it onto the white board. This information can me manipulated and erased with the use of specially designed accessories. So students can go up to the board with the specialized pen and add information onto the document or erase and make corrections making this tool highly interactive. 

     As adults we tend to want to over look the importance of simplicity and basics. This particular technology seems to be geared towards children in primary school because of its interactive capabilities and possibilities however I believe this is just as effective a tool for adults as it is for children. Adults still need interaction and technology like this can make things easier to the concepts of English or Literature.

     As a  teacher of English I think that this particular Smartboard technology can be extremely useful in the writing process. You can directly produce a piece of work that can be manipulated by students. Imagine writing essays and being able to put it on the board for editing by the class. If you are teaching proper sentence structure you can actively include students in the identifying and corrective process so that they can see and do corrections or recognize what is the proper structures for writing. Another positive activity this board can have in my classes is for the breaking down of poetry, Shakespeare or other literatures. It can provide an opportunity for students to actively identify, literary devices, mark translations or interpretations for all to see.

E-Books ( https://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/how-english-teachers-use-ebooks-in-classroom)

     This internet based technology allows you to access books online. With the continuous demand for new books and a variety of them, these programs allow students to access them from different devices at their leisure. So it becomes a matter of when and where, when they are ready. For those students who cannot afford the text books or devices, some students are kind enough to share their devices and in a class where there are few of these devices, if the screens are large enough they can share between a few students.

     In my country resource materials are hard to find and e-books would be a beautiful answer for the student who cannot find the book because all have been sold out, none available because they did not order any or the book is extremely expensive and the family cannot afford to spend the money for it. Many students start the school year and continue throughout the year without text books for these various reasons and I believe if they had access to this program then they would and could use it. 

     There is no doubt this is useful technology in my country. I believe some students already have access to such tech in our classes and it is extremely handy because they can access texts online an download them for later use if they want to. Just like text books, these devices can be shared if a student feels kind enough. Now everyone does not have the excuse of not having their books.