Emerging Technologies

Sharon shared that she broke her teeth on a Swedish rye cracker. Some finnish... (OOOOWWWWWW!!!!!) Sharon, if you read this remember - DO NOT DO THAT AGAIN!!!! IT HURTS!

She shared new website landmark-projects.com. Gonna show everyone in the house hold this website for doing bibliographies. What would be even better would be if it alphabetized and let you print from his website, but it is still pretty cool. Certainly a perspiration saver!!

Presentations
Assistive Computer Technology
Use of social stories to help students visually prepare for new situations. Boards. Voice Recognition. Kurzweil is an OCR program with voice output. The OCR program certainly looks neat. Have to check out the price. Would be curious if price changes if there is a prescription or a school orders it. That would be a potential money saver if there are any problems paying for it.

Virtual Universities
Nice vanilla presentation. Didn't see anything to indicate any coming major changes in that just yet. The savings in "living there" didn't strike me as a very valid argument. For example, in Hawaii, if you live there a year, you are considered a state resident and no longer pay the higher, exorbitant out of state tuition. And the prices listed on the website for tuition seemed more in line with the out of state charges. Looks to me as though right now the universities are seeing this as a "cash cow" and NOT a wave of the future. I know that the Navy supports correspondence courses, but I don't know how they would feel about the Virtual Universities. With correspondence courses, the Military always tried to get their mail delivered, and as often as a Carrier for example, requires COD deliveries, mail will get through. In a war against a capable opponent, the Navy practices Emissions Control - NO transmissions of any kind, including radar. This is also often done during training or exercises, and that would prevent sailors from accessing their online universities. Part of my thinking is that the US Navy would otherwise have a lot of people interested in virtual courses, but who can't use it. Pity really.

Virtual Schools k-12
Another nice vanilla presentation. Big surprise there was the information on Florida Virtual School - especially it's being free of cost. Makes me wonder how anyone could "sue". Coming up with a better, cheaper product is usually not grounds for a successful lawsuit, otherwise the whip makers could have sued Henry Ford out of existence (a horseless carriage doesn't need any kind of whip). Especially given Sharon's point about the new law that will be closing down most special education separations. Wonder what's going to happen when the parents finally catch on that maybe the problem isn't the teacher, it's the other parents and their kids (parents not backing having kids do homework or behaving properly) and start lawsuits on that basis. Ah well, till then, the video phone and daily log is your friend... ;). This that is just away to help foster and force school voucher programs. We shall see....

On the Fly Assessment

Interesting presentation. Been aware of the software side of the technology for 15 years. Interesting to see that there is now software to help set it up. Initially it looked like a programming nightmare. Felt sorry for the guy with his partner having dropped the class.

PDA
Another vanilla presentation. I have personally used a PDA and just did not find it worthwhile. That may change later, but right now, I'm just not that interested. I find the graffiti daunting as I have poor handwriting to begin with, and don't need the hassle of learning yet ANOTHER alphabet/font. I've used the keyboards, and while in some ways they are nice. Especially for taking notes. Though, have to wonder if that is the future of laptops at some point. Think they won't take off until the have an input device that is a lot more workable. Maybe voice. That would be an interesting blend of technologies. As test taking devices, again that has possibilities, but not sure how that will work out regarding costs. Good for multiple guess/choice, but don't see that working out with essay exams. Unless they come up with a better input system.

Ours was sliced bread...........not.... That one lady student in the corner asked a good question. I hope we answered her well in terms of so what about keeping charts, etc.. Sometimes things are obvious to me, and I can't remember that they aren't to others and I need to take the time out to formulate an explanation. Sigh.... Though I must say that given the way our presentation was done that it was perfect as the last one. I would have HATED to have had that as the first one of the night. I think that would have been hard for people to go after. It wasn't anything to do with the amount of thought that went into presentations, but the sheer gonads of putting some humor in.

Lecture by Sharon

I have a friend who designed the first vampire gauge for medications. If you see someone wearing a device on a belt that is delivering medications from a syringe like object on a timed basis, I know the guy who built the first one. For himself, so he didn't have to stay home 48 to 72 hours hooked up to an IV system on a pole with wheels. That line of technology is fascinating just for the cleverness of thought that has gone into a lot of it. The voice recognition stuff, once we get it figured out will be great. The whole notion of adaptive technology is the point - that technology be used to serve our idiosyncratic needs. I suspect that the AI personal assistant programs will be the next big step in that. Meanwhile, Sharon's comment of voice recognition for kids requiring 30 hours shows that the software is just not quite there yet. That's this year. G-d only knows what could happen by the end of next year. Also, need to watch how the improvement in desktop computers influences the technology (better and larger algorithms for example) may lead to a sudden improvement.

Overall felt like the message tonight was mostly of technologies to be aware of and keep an eye on. The Virtual Universities and the Florida Virtual school can also be thought of as activities for accommodating gate kids. Without really being able to see the Florida Virtual School it is impossible to see if it could be used as an extra aid for kids who are otherwise behind. That could be an interesting use. Also the notion of using something like Florida Virtual School for kids who cannot otherwise survive the "normal" or standard classroom environment bears keeping in mind. The Assistive technologies seems to be something to keep in mind for asking questions when running into physical limitations.

Multiculturalism

Banks and Banks is my favorite definition, that the aim of multicultural education is to create equal educational opportunities for students from diverse racial, ethnic, social class and cultural groups. They further state that technology transcends culture and language. I think that the film El Tacoyo best illustrates the point. The film is bilingual, and should be equally compelling to both Spanish speakers and English speakers. Probably the biggest investment for this project was assuring access to technology for ESL students and students from the lower end of the economic strata.

This last point is one of my greatest concerns. While I'm aware that my children have plenty of access to technology, easily spending two hours a day with a computer, I am equally aware that there are plenty of kids who can't get two hours a month on a computer. It is these students who I am in greatest fear for. Frankly, with two children of my own, I am not going to go charging off on the weekends to teach classes. I know for a fact my wife would object. What I am willing to do is to work with parents to convince them to obtain lower end, internet capable machines. I will try to turn my parents into a community that will donate older computers to children who will otherwise not have access to technology. The nice thing about email systems such as Yahoo is that students do not have to have printers in their own homes. They can email their work to others who do have printers - including the school or their teachers. At $9.95 a month for internet access, very few students should have difficulties gaining access. But the sad reality is there will be families that can't even afford that much. Though I wonder if somehow, for a low price, an account with multiple email accounts couldn't be set up. I have emailed Earthlink as a start to see if they have any programs or suggestions. IF they do, then I would be in a position to negotiate with parents, Home and School Clubs and the Principal. The computers should be easy as both business's and individuals update computers on a regular basis. I would just need to find the stream for that and set up the donation stream.

As for equal access all the websites discussed tonight would be great for ESL students. Even if there is no translation capacity on Epals Classroom, ESL students could find students who DO speak their language. BICS/CALP is quite categorical in it's statement that practice in the native language accelerates learning in the second language. That in itself is a help. Another thought (yes, I took two aspirin), if I have a class of with two or three language groups I could set up a situation where my students communicated in another language, using the ESL students as translators. That would give them the experience of being a linguistic expert, and give my native English speakers an opportunity to experience what it is like to be the one who needs help. I know for a fact that my experience living in Napoli, Italy, has significantly impacted my thoughts and my feelings in favor of multiculturalism. And I definately was NOT a native Italian speaker.

Given all that we covered, I thought the Digital Camcorder was a good example of synchronicity. Between El Tacoyo and the general topic of multiculturalism and the inherent issue of ESL students, the digital camcorder fit right in. For me, one of the key issues is its use as an alternative medium for students who for whatever reason may not be the greatest at the written language. As a tool for the story teller - fiction, factual or even documentary format, it is simple and easy to use, not to mention extremely portable. As a homeowner, it would be easy for me to get a camcorder insured. With time, and help from parents et al for money, it should even be easy to get one that is a bit on the robust side for handling. I've seen reporters drop cameras (expecially combat photogrpahers) and I know that those cameras were not spec built for them. Those cameras were just naturally robust. Biggest problem there will probably be finding reviews that talk about robustness/hardiness. Again, it was nice to see a couple of women prove once again that gender has nothing to do with technical ability.

Inspirational Notes

Visited Kathy's website and added to favorites. Visited. Lots and lots of goodies. Still find the tapes/DVD's WAY to pricey. Wonder what it would take to get a "Netflix" video/DVD rental system? That way teachers would have access to materials, but not have to spend so much money purchasing them. I know from my wife's trials and tribulations that getting schools to pay for movies (and they were the ones who ASKED her to do a Film class....) is nearly impossible. Lots of other goodies though like the lesson plans. Fairly complete set of them too... Added the site to my favorites, and will be pointing out to Sandy.

Which leads to web portals. The only part of the webportal I'm not sure about is whether I'm setting them up, or they are already out there. Some seem to be there (did a quickie search). As a concept for development, this would mean alot more work on my part in terms of becoming better at website development. In terms of being able to use as a set up for classroom research, parent teaching aids etc., it would appear to be a wonderful adjunct. All sorts of uses, from posting all worksheets, homework assignments, clues as to where to research subjects (as in actual web sites), links to games that might be helpful or fun. All the public info that a teacher can post. Using the school website, would be very easy to have a one two punch, with a link from the school website, and maybe one from the webportal going back. Have to think about the security on that one.. Should be safely doable.

The Ebooks presentation was interesting and rather vanilla. Course, that is a personal reaction. I am a luddite when it comes to reading. I want the book in my hands. Looking at it from a students perspective, and that changes. If the notion is ACCESS, then anyway I can get a student interested in reading is fair game. First and foremost, I wonder sometimes if the "gameboy" generation might be more interested in reading if presented in digital format. The readalong and increased font size for the visually impaired is also an important factor. Given my concerns about student access to technology, getting a couple of readers for my class would allow students an additional access to technology that they might otherwise miss. Another thought is that getting away from the readers, to be able to have texts in my computer and do a quick word search, could have interesting applications - quickie look up of quotes, word useage, science and math texts, history texts etc. I must admit I got a kick out of seeing a 1950's original paperback cover for Space Cadets - my copy has long since fallen apart, and I LOVE the book. Off the top of my head, am not sure I'm going to be real gung ho on this technology. At first. As my teaching career becomes somewhat more stable (after I get a permanent placement for a couple of years), I can readily see myself coming back to this technology and adding it to my "bag of tricks". I think I'll be more into getting grants for interactive whiteboards initially, and setting up DVD presentations (and basically beta testing them as I get a clearer chance to see what they are like...).

The instant messaging stuff was old news to me - I have a 13 year old daughter. I now the yahoo sounds by heart... "Heather - you got one!!". My initial response was that the technology is too problematic for school use, but then it struck me that is not the issue. The issue is do my students know and use the technology? That will influence how they see writing and written communication. Based on the presentation it is very easy for me to foresee at some point getting from some student in a book report "String of Unfortunate Events is a very good book. LOL every chapter."..... Can even see myself pointing out that the MAO in ROFLMAO is NOT suitable for use in a school setting. This would also be a good indicator of the student's access to technology at home - physically present but very short leash, present with no leash, not present, etc. Especially as I want to be teaching in middle school.

The Inspiration demo was interesting. Again, like Ebooks, I don't see much of a personal use for it as yet. Two thoughts immediately come too mind. One, actual experience teaching may change my thoughts on that. Being able to insert photos/jpegs and make connections might actually be quite worthwhile. The second thought is "enough about ME...". For students this may very well be one hell of a program, giving them a chance to communicate how they see the world around them connected. It's another media, for students who think differently then me to find a way that WILL communicate with me. I can see that for some students, Inspiration may be the next best development after sliced bread. I was talking to Bryan, and he has many uses for such a program. Looking to the future, I'll be keeping my eye out for this and similar programs. This leads to another thought. While in some ways, I understand that students are "digital natives", that does not mean that they have been exposed to everything. Makes me wonder about the worthwhileness of taking a week out to just sit down with students and computers and explore all the ways that they can be used to communicate. I need to masticate on that some more....

The programs for remote editing was interesting. Think that goes in with the Inspiration pile. I foresee some problems with it. Need to be able to monitor to make sure students not using it as an alternative to AIM technologies otherwise blocked at a school. But the abilities for groups to work together to collaborate on a report or other text project look rather enticing.

I would like to take this opportunity that during our presentation to the class, I AM NOT Bryan nor am a I responsible for him. If the class righteously decides to nuke him in retaliation, I am planning on moving out of blast range!!!

My new mantra for the week ---- I AM NOT Bryan!!

Video Conferencing

That was fun watching the video conferencing tonight. In terms of educational implications......

Get a guide to take a vid camera, a wi'fi'd laptop, and show us the sights - Museums, parks, monuments, other things.... I know that there are lightweight rigs for doing this.

Talk to the specialists. Place and time not a problem is some ways.

Get international connections and WIDEN a student's world.

Get international connections and larn them student's pruper Ainglish....

Get national connections and DEBATE issues.

Get national connections and share ideas regarding books, projects, etc....

Conference with other like minded teachers and set up a TLC group.

Talk to parents.

Talk to people making the news. Do an earth science unit on the Solar System and get Dr. Hawkings to video conference. How cool can that be? Get one of our Senators (I'd prefer Feinstein) on line. See if we can't get the Governator on line for 15 minutes. If you don't ask, you won't get for sure, but in this day and age I don't think that certain politicians would want to have it leaked out that being SO into education and modernization that they turned down meaningful chances to talk to students. Especially as a video conference would guarantee that time issues and security issues would be virtually nil.

Ultimately, this is the vid phone we have seen in science fiction for years. With the ability to do this on a laptop, you can literally put one in your bedroom, and have to remember NOT to turn on the light when you answer the call.

Was nice to see the presentations. Especially the first one on audio books. Her name escapes me, but I remember her as being very 'new' to computers and rather nervous about them. It's interesting to see that as "emerging technology" when the text book "Words Their Way" talks about tape recording books, and having k-2 students "read along" as well as for assisting ESL students. It is emerging technology, just the synergism represented was interesting. Especially the comments that the textbooks all have audio tapes available. For students whose fluency I would like to improve, I would wonder if one way to do that is to have them do audio tapes for books that lower grades use, as a community work/help project. And if there are any copyright issues - a) I don't care and b) don't want to know. Ignorance is bliss.

The video conferencing was nice. Only problem with it being on the same night as our covering video conferencing is that I feel that my thunder was stolen for my blog. See above. I think they made most, if not all the points that I made.


Seeing the final was informative. Based on the TLC, with two projects, not sure which way to go. Could do a vanilla PowerPoint then MovieWorks as a one-two punch. Or could do a PowerPoint and then a collaboration project. The idea is give a faculty the needed info, then push them to use and work together. Interesting thoughts either way.

FileMaker = Flashback to the past

For a variety of reasons, I reached class in a rather frustrated state of mind. NOTHING like Sharon's day. Was just in a bad mood to begin with. Then FileMaker......

Trying to work FileMaker, was like working on my first computer, and HP 2000 mainframe in 1976. Error messages that were non helpful..... "Does not compute". People who were not 'helpful' (understood that the instructor was making a point) who said look it up in the manual. At least the manuals in 1976, unreadable as they were, tried to give some hint. And I did learn Benton Hardin Extended Basic. Heck, I still remember the commands for the line editor for writing programs. (shudder).

What was obvious from the presentation is that FileMaker is a very powerful program, and there is a distinct learning curve there. As to whether I would ever use it, I don't know. At this point, I rather doubt it. Except for the report card, I did not see anything that I couldn't get from either Excel or Access. Nothing I can think of needing today requires the fine font and layout control that the Sunnyvale report card requires. At $400.00 a pop, I can live without that fine control on a personal level. As an example of a program to avoid with my students, it was a wonderful program. Excel has a better online help manual then FileMaker does. And will serve as a database program, on top of Access. By the way, Access is usually bundled with MicroSoft Office (as is excel), which can usually be in included in the purchase of a new computer. Window's lacks the presentation software that AppleSoft apparently includes.

This makes me wonder about after market books for FileMaker. The reaction when I asked about it last night was luke warm to say the least, but when I've played with relational databases in the past, such books were very helpful. My experience with such programs is start small, learn how various parts work and then work your way up to a formal report card. Once you get the hang of how the programmers envisioned the program working, then it's much easier to deal with, the error messages start working, and the little help that the online manual gives actually turns into something useful, as you've learned what the online manual keeps leaving out.

As someone who has bought MUCH cheaper software from companies like Intuit, I would have to say that FileMaker has fallen down on the job. At $190.00, QuickBooks does a much better job of relaying what the program can or can't do with their online manual. At $400.00 I would expect an EXCELLENT manual, that matches the sophistication of the program, which is NOT what I got. gr........

Movie Works, digital stories....

Well the big thing was Movie works. Very impressive program. Looks like it can be anywhere from very simple to very complicated. Frankly, I think he has a replacement for power point. You can do the powerpoint type presentations in it, and you can do very complicated stuff with it. Haven't played with it yet, as am trying to do other homework before I get lost in that program. The one thing power point does that Movie Works doesn't do is allow notes. I suspect before opening the program that there are two ways around that. One is put in a button that will go to a screen with notes. Put the button in the "credits" section or on the last scene. If you don't hit it, you don't go there. Keeps the notes hidden. A second way is to put in a last scene and put notes there. My suspicion is when rendering, you can specify the scenes to render, just leave that one out, and the production movie has no notes, but the original production file has the notes.

The digital story telling looks great. Can have 1st graders put together a story board and then assist them in getting it on the computer. By 5th grade at the latest, can use movie works tutorial to teach them to do every thing from presentations, to reports, and even digital stories. This has GOT to be great for ESL students as they can use voice instead of text. Partner them up with someone and they can add their own text. Burn it all to individual CD's or DVD's and they can show/keep all the stuff for life. Heck, can do a class picture and have everyone add stuff and hand out at the end of the year - instant year book for the class!

The USB port for audio looks like it gets past Hollywood's encryption schema. Very legally too, as ultimately the AV output signal is what the consumer pays for. Where it lands is the consumer's choice. This puts things back in the hands of consumers where it belongs. As 10% of a work is usable for class presentations, I can record two scenes from Saving Private Ryan, and show a class what a "human wave infantry attack" looks like from both sides (Allied rushing the Germans, Germans trying to shoot the Allies), then record a scene from Enemy at the Gates for comparison. And yes, I'm sure I can come up with other side by side comparisons.

My wife and I have a number of documentaries, many of which would put a class to sleep. But with the Movie Works and the USB input, can cut any documentary down to key scenes. Not only that, but in effect can make one's own documentary, specifically tailored to class content and in a fashion to not put a class to sleep. With the possibilities for covering EVERY subject, I think my head is going to pop. Can use to come up with a direct instruction presentation, so if you come up with a great way to demonstrate a concept, can keep it from year to year. If there's a problem with it, can easily modify it and use it the next year.

As for marketing, hmm...... I think he's missing a major point NOT marketing it as a replacement to PowerPoint. If he added a notes section, I can't think of anything that anyone would have left to complain about. IF he added a PowerPoint to AVI or QuickTime converter, I think he would have a legacy component that would make PowerPoint devotee's willing to leave PowerPoint as they wouldn't lose the use of prior work. Additionally, with his Scene format, I can't but think that anyone who learned PowerPoint would be other then comfortable making the switch. I certainly am. I know Bryan is. And judging by the number of programs he sold, the rest of the class looks downright comfortable. I'm curious how many class presentations are going to use Movie Works instead of PowerPoint. I know I'm considering approaching other teachers and asking if I could do Movie Works instead.

The only other thing that PowerPoint has that Movie Works doesn't have is the ability to print up the slides. Though considering what you get, I'm not sure that is necessarily a minus. I've never been that enamored with what PowerPoint prints up. And without further examination of Movieworks, I could be wrong about that. Ah, more to look for.....

On the home front, my father is very much into genealogy, and he has family photos going back to about 1870. I have most of them scanned and sitting on a CD. It would be easy and interesting to go from scan to movie with music. Making one's own family history movie would be interesting. Hmm, have photo's from when Sandra and I went to England for 10 days. Could turn that into a movie rather easily. See, I got to get the rest of my homework done before I load up the program and turn troglodyte...........

This Bloggers TLC

Phase 1: Awareness

The biggest thing that has come to my awareness is the time spent on using technology in the classroom setting. Especially PowerPoint (tm). Every week we see one or more PowerPoint presentations, projected onto a screen for the whole class to see. What I have been aware of is the great disparity of technology available to teachers in the school setting. I do not know of any teacher who has access to a projector unless they personally have paid for and bought one themselves. Some classes have computers, some do not. Some have only ONE in the class.

Phase 2: Exploration and Filtration

The technologies I want to explore cycle around the notion of how to take powerful learning tools such as PowerPoint and find ways to use them in a lower technology setting. This can include the use of something like the Movie making program that was demonstrated in our classroom, or it could be how to get a video card with a VIDEO in connector set and transfering stuff to a VHS tape. OR the the otherway around. Given the lower cost of DVD players today, I would like to use a DVD burner as the final tool to getting stuff back into the classroom as a starter. I'll start my exploration with the easy make a movie program. Out there somewhere are also programs that will convert a PowerPoint to a movie format. Will need to explore that after playing with the movie making program, as an earlier email from the instructor pointed out that the PowerPoint converters may be highly technical, and not supported by every DVD player.

Phase 3: Learning

My favorite way of learning is to have a project in mind. I would learn to use the product by putting together a presentation. I could either do a new presentation, or I could take a previously made one and see what it takes to convert it to the new format. As a 143 B student next semester, I would have plenty of opportunities to come up with lesson plans, hence, lots of opportunities to have something to make a presentation for. This would also give me a circumstance for getting feedback on the usefulness of such presentations from observing teachers. Another thought about making the movies, is could give a copy to a master teacher ahead for time for comment, and then use the feed back to fine tune the presentation.

Phase 4: Personal and Professional Application

The personal and professional application to me would be the use of the above technology to set up classroom presentations at home and show them in the class on a regular basis. Further application would include finding ways to incorporate movies and movie clips so that I could then use them as part of the presentation. The need here is the use of audio visual projects that fullfil the needs I have in instructing my students in a meaningful and engaging way. Another application would be to allow students to make movies as part of project, which would a) get the students involved in learning in new and interesting ways and b) teach them about technology - killing two standards with one eraser so to speak.

Phase 5: Sharing and Reflection

Reflection to me is a standard task. Did I make the best use of the technology? Have I gotten the time factor down so that it is economical for me to use the technology in class? It will do me little good if it takes me 200 hours to make a 20 minute presentation. Was the presentation engaging? Did it in fact help students learn anything, or were they too busy paying attention to other parts of the presentation that were in fact NOT what I wanted them to pay attention to (Neat graphics Mr. Saidak! Do that again!). Or were the presentations so boring that I cured 30 cases of insomnia before it began?

Sharing is not something I have previously given alot of thought to. I'd be happy to share anything I developed with other people. I suppose I could look for a website where I could upload things to, and share that way. THis would also possibly lead to more feedback for improving things. I know I would let other teachers in my school know what I was doing and how easy it was.

As for adding more technology, that would depend on a number of things. IT is not so much would I add more technology to my "bag of tricks", so much as where and when I finish on the presentations technology, what was emerging then, and what the needs of my students were. It would also depend on who I was sharing with. If I was in a school with a bunch of technophobic teachers, I would have to find someway of finding a pool of teachers who were NOT technophobic. This could be anything from starting a blog to develop my own community, to finding a ready made community such as a "Technology for the Classroom" Association and magazine. Associations and magazines each have their own agenda's, and that agenda would end up influencing my next choice, I'm sure.

I think both my approach in class and work to date has demonstrated that I am not a luddite, and that I can quickly pick up on any technology when I see a need to do so (want an A? or it actively helps me do what I need to do...).