Tag Archives: edtech543

Reflection on EdTech 543

When I first registered for courses this summer, I was first enrolled in Mobile App Creation. This class, however, only concerned apps having to do with Android devices. Ultimately, this would not have been very useful for me since our school only uses iPads. So I was a little unsure what to expect from EdTech 543 and I did not have a great deal of expectation leading up to course. Having taken the course, I very much grateful for having had the opportunity. I learned a great deal and made some powerful connections with students in my PLNs. I look forward to implementing some of the skills that I have learned and practiced in the fast approaching school year.

The course began by asking us to connect through Facebook, Twitter and WordPress. I did not expect to be spending so much time in this class on Facebook. At first, it was overwhelming signing up for so many different services. I already had a Twitter and Facebook account, but I mostly used it to gather information, connect with friends and sharing some content and media. This is how, I assume, most people use it. I was not tapped into the powerful capabilities of social media networks for my professional benefit. I previously assumed that social media networks having to do with my professional life were exclusive to sites like LinkedIn, which are specific to developing your online social media presence within professional networks. However, I now feel very much adept at using social media to connect professionally with outside world. I also feel experienced at using social media in the classroom. It is amazing how in such a short period of time I can develop such a different and more complex relationship with the online world. I consider it a blessing to have been required to connect with so many different communities online. I think that I have been using the internet for leisure and entertainment only for too long. Now is the time to use it to it great potential. I feel that I am now a much more efficient user of the internet.

After the course, I also have a much stronger conceptual understanding of the different theories that validate our use of social media in the classroom. I especially enjoyed learning about connectivism, communities of practices and Web 3.0. The idea of the augmented reality has been coming up a lot recently, since I have become aware of it through this class. Interestingly, it coincided with the release of Pokemon Go, which is a new way of seeing and interacting with that reality. At my school, there has been a bit of a backlash concerning Web 3.0 and students’ use of the iPad. Many educators believe that students are spending too much time on their devices and losing sight of the value of real-time person to person communication. This movement in the school is coming from  studies that are showing that techie-teens are less empathetic than previous generations. My opinion on this subject is that the only absolute in teaching is that aging teachers have always been reticent to adopt changing pedagogy and technology and I believe that if educators do not work with and for the growth of technology in this world they will find themselves obsolete. Our public schools are not improving and peoples personal and professional lives are finding themselves more and more on the web. The next generations of students may never set foot in a classroom. Or they may only set foot in a classroom part of the time or for seminars. Whatever model may take shape in the future, one thing is certain, technology will play a central role.

Concerning the importance of technology, we must also consider the importance of our digital footprint in this age of the augmented reality.  I understand now that our digital identity can be a deal breaker concerning our employment.  I also now plan on buying up web space to  start creating my online brand. I just am curious how I can make my brand marketable. During the online Twitter Chats, I found several very inspiring educators who have branded themselves and create content more than just share content. I see many ways that education can develop and grow and become more accessible to different groups. One of the most powerful aspects of technology is the ability of its tools to level the playing field and allow students of different economic levels to access online courses cheaply and have meaningful experiences without needing to afford costly tuition. MOOCs  like Code Academy and others create learning opportunities for students a little more no cost. There is then the idea that possibly internet access should be a human right like access to drinking water, clean breathable air and quality education. I believe that the current president sees this as something to work towards. I hope that future leaders see how important this is also.

Social Media Policies

The follow are guidelines for creating a safe and productive environment for using social media in the classroom. Students are Sophomores and Seniors and very much adept at using social media. The goal of these guidelines is to foster appropriate and responsible behavior respecting the power of social media and the worldwide web.

Religious Studies Classroom Social Media Policies & Guidelines

Mr. Elorduy uses social media as a tool to engage students in learning using technology as a part of our 21st century learning plan.  The following information is intended to supplement school-wide policies contained in the Parent-Student Handbook.  Parents and student should be familiar with this document as it is required reading for attendance at this school.

Social media is a platform that allows individuals to communicate, share and create content in real-time or asynchronously through direct messaging, and public and group posts. It allows users to track hashtags and search for specialized content. Social media is a very relevant and useful tool for modern life. However, with that usefulness come certain responsibilities that need to be understood and taken into consideration before posting publicly or privately. Digital information in the form of your digital footprint can be available for a very long time. Users must exercise judgement to ensure courtesy, respect and kindness. They also must consider social media as a tool for serious learning. One’s online presence should be considered a serious reflection of personal character.

As a 1:1 iPad school, Christian Brothers High School of Sacramento requires that students bring their devices with them to every class. In your religion class this year, you will be required to have your iPad charged and ready for class. Along with your iPad, occassionally other devices are permitted for use in class when approval is given by your teacher. Such devices are:

  • Smartphones
  • Video Recording Equipment
  • Laptops

The following are guidelines which apply when devices are used in class. They are not meant to replace or supersede good judgement and responsible use policies stipulated by the school administration:

  • Students should be carefully transparent and honest online to facillitate good discussion and sharing
  • Students should be mindful of professional and personal use of social media use separate accounts whenever necessary
  • Social media interaction inside and outside of class should be respectful and appropriate
  • Appropriate language is to be used at all times, however, grammar and conventional language mechanics do not necessarily apply
  • Students should be aware of privacy settings and use discretion with posts
  • Any form of bullying or harassment is grounds for being reported to the Dean
  • Students are to be mindful that they are representatives of the school and should uphold school values at all times
  • Students will gain much more from their social media presence if they maintain a positive and constructive presence online
  • Occasionally, students and teachers make errors when posting online. Please respond respectfully to constructive feedback.
  • Students should be conscious of the type of media posted publicly online, especially concerning video and photos of school students

Mr. Elorduy’s religion class is designed to be a productive and positive learning environment. The quality applies to student interaction inside and outside of class. Students are to be mindful of the policies listed above, but also practice good judgement. If a student is unsure of how to respond to questionable activity online, that student should never hesitate to seek the help of Mr. Elorduy or another adult.

References:

Click to access Social%20Media%20Guidelines.pdf

http://socialmediaguidelines.pbworks.com/w/page/17050885/Student%20Guidelines

Click to access edutopia-anderson-social-media-guidelines.pdf

Curation Complete: Scoop.it and EdTech’s Effetiveness

Curation for EdTech 543 on Scoopt.it

It took quite a while to narrow in on a topic in Scoop.it. The platform is very attractive and works very well. But it was difficult to find content in specific areas within the Scoop.it search tools. However, I was able to focus on how 1:1, BYOD and education technology are working together in research and studies, either official studies or anecdotal evidence from teachers around the country. In the body of evidence collected in this curation overwhelmingly it appears that schools need to focus on PD and innovation. And teachers need to organize their tech integration for fluidity. Regardless, this subject opened up a lot of content published to online education journals and personal blogs.

See our PLN’s criteria below.

Criteria for Curation

Assessment:

Relevance: When considering the relevance of content in curation:

  1. Has a niche/theme been identified and does the curated piece fit that niche/theme?
    • Each resource fits within the identified niche. 
  2. What is the value of the curated piece in relation to the theme?
    • Each piece of content fits into the theme of trying to assess the effectiveness of Education Technology as it is implemented today. My insights point to directions for further success in addressing challenges in the future. 
  3. Has the piece been filtered for originality and quality?
    • Some resources have been re-Scooped from other Scoop.it users, but otherwise each piece is relevant and unique to the topic and drawn from reputable resources. 
  4. Is there evidence of inquiry in the piece? Going beyond the surface of the theme?
    • I’d like the reader to be presented with a variety of opinions on the subject-matter. So that they can make their own determination on how effective education technology can be in the classroom. 

Authority: When considering authority:

  1. Is there proper attribution in the piece itself?
    • When necessary, each resource is properly attributed. Some pieces are original and do not require attribution.
  2. Does the curated list reference both the presenter and the original creator of the content to the best of the curator’s ability?
    • All resources show proper attribution and are taken from public websites. 
  3. Does the list contain pieces from recognized authorities or creators with credentials or experience?
    • The pieces come from notable authors in the field of education, teachers, bloggers and researchers. 

Purpose: When considering if curated content has a specific and useful purpose, consider the following thoughts:

  1. Is there evidence of editorializing to provide context for the curated content?
    • The selection of each resource adds dynamics to the theme by creating substance and outlining alternative perspectives. 
  2. Is there a summary that provides rationalization for a resource’s inclusion in a curated list?
    • My insight added to each article provides a brief summary and commentary, which highlight the reasons for inclusion. 
  3. If the curator uses a social media site like Twitter to share resources, have they included their own perspective?
    • This post and posts on the Scoop.it sites are posted using #edtech and #edtech543 hashtags. 
  4. Does the information fit into a clearly identifiable theme?
    • All content in the curation fits to the theme of how education technology is working or not working within a school setting.

Presentation: Strong content curation tools must be easy to use, simple, and straightforward. In order to assure that your curated content is presented and shared effectively, think about the following questions:

  1. Has the curator chosen an appropriate presentation tool for its intended audience?
    • Scoop.it is an attractive and focused website used for content curation. 
  2. Does the curated list address the needs of the intended audience?
    • Each piece is intended for educators or administrators who are trying to understand how education technology can be most effective. 
  3. Has the curated listed been organized in a clear, concise, and easy to understand manner?
    • The resources are labeled with accurate titles that point to the meaning of the article. If a title was misleading, I provided insight to clearly identify summary the true content of the article. 
  4. Is the list easily sharable by its users?
    • Scoop.it allows all users to share and re-“scoop” content. 
  5. Is the chosen format updated regularly with new information?
    • Scoop.it allows you to find new resources every time that you login in to the site. 

EdTech 543 First Post

  • What are you initial reactions about joining these social networks for use in this course?

I look forward to seeing how this class can enhance my use of social networking in education. I have been using social networks for sometime, but I know that there is a great deal of potential for this platform that I have not explored.

  • What is your experience in using social media for your own professional development?

At school we use Schoology, a facebook-like platform for interacting with students and posting assignments. I have offered students the opportunity to create a twitter account, blog post or tumblr site based on a specific assignment.

  • What is your experience in using social media as an instructional strategy in your learning environment?

I think that is it provides students with an engaging platform of expression. Students just like the rest of the world is intrigued by social media, so being able to use it in the classroom is a huge boon.

  • What are your expectations for this course?

I really do not have any expectations. I like the writings and digital imprint of the Professor and I look forward to seeing how technology can be used to increase students’ access to material across social and economic divides.