After reading much information concerning the level of trust one should have when citing Wikipedia.com as a valid source of information, I have decided that I will use other sources of information (instead of Wiki) from now on - such as ACTUAL ENCYCLOPEDIAS (hardcover). Throughout my time as a college student, I have used Wiki as a valid source of information (with permission from my instructors/professors, of course). Though at this point, I have no choice but to find more substantial sources of information for future research.
Perhaps one day, Wikipedia may follow the path other "trusted" web-based encyclopedias have traveled for many years (such as Britannica or World Book) - instead of allowing just about any Tom, Dick, or Sally to edit information any way he or she sees fit. Just because something is free, doesn't mean its guaranteed (in this case, factual information). Even though Mr. Griffith developed the Wikipedia Scanner - which indeed is a step in the right direction for the site - I feel that Wikipedia.com should follow in the footsteps of its previously mentioned fore bearers. If they should accomplish such a feat, perhaps they to will begin a legacy as a "trusted" source of information.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Randy Pausch's Last Lecture: Achieveing Your Childhood Dreams
This post is about the final lecture of Randy Pausch - a professor at Carnegie Melon University who passed away from pancreatic cancer on July 25, 2008. Though, at the time, Pausch had only a few months to live - the professor decided to do something uniquely inspirational with his remaining time. That "something" was to convey to the masses his thoughts and experiences on "achieving childhood dreams". Throughout the lecture, Pausch talks not only of his accomplishments in realizing his own dreams - he also discusses how a person can "enable the dreams of others". According to Pausch, "The inspiration and permission to dream is HUGE".
During the lecture, Pausch talks about how he pursued his own dreams (such as playing for the NFL, authoring an article for World Book Encyclopedia, and being an "Imagineer" for Disney). Though one of his childhood dreams wouldn't come to fruition (his wanting to play professional football for the NFL - though he would attribute the unfulfilled dream as being one that "got him where he is today"), Pausch's other dreams would not only be accomplished (to include his working on the Disney production of "Aladdin") - they would be actual testaments to possibility of dream fulfillment. Paush also talks about his overcoming "brick walls", which often stand in the way of a person trying to make a dream into a reality. According to Pausch, "Brick walls are there to show us how badly we want something".
In the latter half of the lecture, Pausch talks about how others can reach their childhood dreams. He mentions getting his university students to create "virtual worlds" filled with endless possibilities, his founding/implementation of the Dream Fulfillment Factory and ETC (Entertainment Technology Center) - which utilized a "project-based curriculum", and an "infinitely-scalable" way to teach computer programming to the masses - known as "Alice". Pausch also cites parents, mentors, and other students (peers) as having a massive influence on a person hoping to reach his or her childhood dreams.
In the final part of the lecture ("Lessons Learned"), Pausch gives his final thoughts on childhood dream accomplishment. He tells his audience to "never lose the child-like wonder". He also tells them that they should "help others" to accomplish their dreams and goals, as well as "find the best in everybody". After a brief recap of the lecture as a whole, the last thought Pausch gives to his audience (known as the "head fake") is that "it is not about how to achieve your dreams - it is about how to lead your life". He concludes by saying: "If you lead your life the right way, the dreams will come to you".
(Afterthought) After watching such a lecture, what can one say? Perhaps Pausch wants the viewer to say "little" and do "more" - especially when it comes to he or she realizing his/her own dreams, as well as the dreams of others.
During the lecture, Pausch talks about how he pursued his own dreams (such as playing for the NFL, authoring an article for World Book Encyclopedia, and being an "Imagineer" for Disney). Though one of his childhood dreams wouldn't come to fruition (his wanting to play professional football for the NFL - though he would attribute the unfulfilled dream as being one that "got him where he is today"), Pausch's other dreams would not only be accomplished (to include his working on the Disney production of "Aladdin") - they would be actual testaments to possibility of dream fulfillment. Paush also talks about his overcoming "brick walls", which often stand in the way of a person trying to make a dream into a reality. According to Pausch, "Brick walls are there to show us how badly we want something".
In the latter half of the lecture, Pausch talks about how others can reach their childhood dreams. He mentions getting his university students to create "virtual worlds" filled with endless possibilities, his founding/implementation of the Dream Fulfillment Factory and ETC (Entertainment Technology Center) - which utilized a "project-based curriculum", and an "infinitely-scalable" way to teach computer programming to the masses - known as "Alice". Pausch also cites parents, mentors, and other students (peers) as having a massive influence on a person hoping to reach his or her childhood dreams.
In the final part of the lecture ("Lessons Learned"), Pausch gives his final thoughts on childhood dream accomplishment. He tells his audience to "never lose the child-like wonder". He also tells them that they should "help others" to accomplish their dreams and goals, as well as "find the best in everybody". After a brief recap of the lecture as a whole, the last thought Pausch gives to his audience (known as the "head fake") is that "it is not about how to achieve your dreams - it is about how to lead your life". He concludes by saying: "If you lead your life the right way, the dreams will come to you".
(Afterthought) After watching such a lecture, what can one say? Perhaps Pausch wants the viewer to say "little" and do "more" - especially when it comes to he or she realizing his/her own dreams, as well as the dreams of others.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
A DIFFERENT KETTLE OF FISCH - Two More Blogs From "The Best of the Fischbowl 2007"
Happy Valentines Day Readers! Today, I will be writing about two blogs from "The Best of the Fischbowl 2007". These blogs were written during the month of April, 2007. The first blog, entitled 180 Days?, is by Karl Fisch. The blog discusses the timetable (180 days) U.S. classrooms use to teach/educate students. In the blog, Fisch mentions Barry Bachenheimer's video concerning the use of this timetable as an accurate measure (lengthwise) to determine students' educational success. Fisch mentions that he made his own video (a model of Bachenheimer's) as a means to "facilitate conversation" within his own classroom. Overall, the blog poses the question: "Should U.S. schools abandon the traditional curriculum timetable - in favor of one that could be more beneficial to their educational needs?".
The second blog, entitled Blogging 1984 - With Parents, is also by Fisch. In this blog, Fisch writes about the ninth grade honors classes of teachers Maura Moritz and Anne Smith. According to Fisch, both Moritz and Smith had their classes blog about the great dystopian classic - 1984 (by George Orwell). What is so unique about this blogging experience is that the teachers asked parents to get involved (in order to provide a different approach to understanding the novel - which was written around 1949). The teachers also helped to illustrate the ideas and principles within the great work by using modern-day advertisements/commercials, which-in my opinion- are blatant (if somewhat "petty") attempts to "mimic" various themes and situations covered in great detail and complexity by the novel itself.
The second blog, entitled Blogging 1984 - With Parents, is also by Fisch. In this blog, Fisch writes about the ninth grade honors classes of teachers Maura Moritz and Anne Smith. According to Fisch, both Moritz and Smith had their classes blog about the great dystopian classic - 1984 (by George Orwell). What is so unique about this blogging experience is that the teachers asked parents to get involved (in order to provide a different approach to understanding the novel - which was written around 1949). The teachers also helped to illustrate the ideas and principles within the great work by using modern-day advertisements/commercials, which-in my opinion- are blatant (if somewhat "petty") attempts to "mimic" various themes and situations covered in great detail and complexity by the novel itself.
Podacasts With........Um.........Class!!
After listening to 2 podcasts by former students of Dr. Strange's EDM 310 classes (Fall 2008), I felt much more confident in what to do with my own podcast (in terms of format and content) - as well as what not to do (which I will address in the next paragraph). The first podcast ("Youtube For Educational Purposes"-Graham, Shipman, and Kelly) focuses on using Youtube (a popular web-video site) as not only a way of watching music videos, comedy sketches, and movie trailers - the podcast demonstrates how the popular site can be used in online educational intruction (yet another way of bringing education to the masses). The second podcast ("Facebook In An Educational Setting"-Midgette and Bethel) discusses the use of Facebook as a way of meeting tutors and instructors by viewing user profiles and networking. According to Wikipedia. com, Facebook is "a free-access social networking website". Both of these podcasts provide in depth information on ways to implement both of these highly viewed sites as bridges between education and technology.
Though both podcasts are well organized and informative, I felt that the words "uh" and "um" popped up way to much during the recorded sessions. Used sparingly, these words aren't quite as bothersome (as an occasional vocal "pause"). However, the two podcasts overuse the words - making the podcasts sound somewhat annoying at times. By eliminating such words from future podcasts, perhaps listeners will be more attentive to the content - rather than to the mere "delivery". When I begin to make my own podcast, I will apply what I have learned from the two previously mentioned podcasts - in hopes that my final product will be better than my predecessors'.
Though both podcasts are well organized and informative, I felt that the words "uh" and "um" popped up way to much during the recorded sessions. Used sparingly, these words aren't quite as bothersome (as an occasional vocal "pause"). However, the two podcasts overuse the words - making the podcasts sound somewhat annoying at times. By eliminating such words from future podcasts, perhaps listeners will be more attentive to the content - rather than to the mere "delivery". When I begin to make my own podcast, I will apply what I have learned from the two previously mentioned podcasts - in hopes that my final product will be better than my predecessors'.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
My Response To...."Is It Okay To Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?"
In his blog "Is It Okay To Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?" (thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2007/09/is-it-okay-to-be-technologically.html), Karl Fisch expresses his frustration with teachers/educators who aren't motivated to learn about educational technology. In the blog, Fisch proposes a list of standards (concerning technological literacy) that he feels all educators should adhere to. Fisch also points out that many teachers/educators feel that it is "okay" to be technologically illiterate (perhaps this can be attributed to laziness or complacency). In the final part of the blog, Fisch sums up his concerns on the subject - by writing:
In order to teach it, we have to do it. How can we teach this to kids, how can we model it, if we aren’t literate ourselves? You need to experience this, you need to explore right along with your students. You need to experience the tools they’ll be using in the 21st century, developing your own networks in parallel with your students. You need to demonstrate continual learning, lifelong learning – for your students, or you will continue to teach your students how to be successful in an age that no longer exists.
Fisch concludes the post with one final sobering message (specifically aimed at technologically illiterate teachers):
If a teacher today is not technologically literate - and is unwilling to make the effort to learn more - it's equivalent to a teacher 30 years ago who didn't know how to read and write.
Though many may feel that Fisch's comments are "harsh" or "over the edge", the fact of the matter is that he is right - regarding his statements on technological ignorance. If a teacher/educator chooses to remain closed-minded about new and better ways of educating students through technological advancements, what will become of the students? How will they compete in a world market that is constantly breaking new technological ground? How will they adapt to future technological changes and advancements without having some type of fundamental knowledge of basic technology? Perhaps more teachers and educators will wake up to these notions - and realize that they just don't concern their futures, but the futures of their students as well.
In order to teach it, we have to do it. How can we teach this to kids, how can we model it, if we aren’t literate ourselves? You need to experience this, you need to explore right along with your students. You need to experience the tools they’ll be using in the 21st century, developing your own networks in parallel with your students. You need to demonstrate continual learning, lifelong learning – for your students, or you will continue to teach your students how to be successful in an age that no longer exists.
Fisch concludes the post with one final sobering message (specifically aimed at technologically illiterate teachers):
If a teacher today is not technologically literate - and is unwilling to make the effort to learn more - it's equivalent to a teacher 30 years ago who didn't know how to read and write.
Though many may feel that Fisch's comments are "harsh" or "over the edge", the fact of the matter is that he is right - regarding his statements on technological ignorance. If a teacher/educator chooses to remain closed-minded about new and better ways of educating students through technological advancements, what will become of the students? How will they compete in a world market that is constantly breaking new technological ground? How will they adapt to future technological changes and advancements without having some type of fundamental knowledge of basic technology? Perhaps more teachers and educators will wake up to these notions - and realize that they just don't concern their futures, but the futures of their students as well.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Educational Podcasters Unite!
Teachers, educators, and students are utilizing technology to reach out to people all over the world - to share ideas, inform, and explore. In addition to using online blogging, teachers and students are using podcasts. According to Wikipedia.com, a podcast is, "a series of audio or digital video media files which is distributed over the Internet by syndicated download, through Web feeds, to portable media players and personal computers". By using podcasts, in conjunction with online blogging, technology-based education can be even more accessible. The following are excellent examples of educational podcasting (they can be found in the iTunes store - under Education/K-12):
SMARTboard Lessons, a Canadian educational podcast series, is hosted by Ben Hazzard and Joan Badger. Their podcast series is dedicated to helping teachers and students (or anyone else for that matter) to learn more about smartboards, especially in terms of function and purpose. Hazzard and Badger conduct their podcasts using a radio station-style format, in which the two "podcasters" act as disc jockeys (at times, they even inject corny jokes and weather stories). In their podcasts, Hazzard and Badger discuss a variety of topics concerning smartboards - such as The Nicolas Felton Report, smartboard/whiteboard software upgrades, collaboration projects (such as the Freedom project), and answer frequently asked questions (such as "What does a smartboard do?").
Kidcast: Learning and Teaching with Podcasting is an educational podcast series hosted by Dan Schmit. In Episode # 58 - The Medium is NOT the Message, Schmit begins by describing his Thanksgiving weekend (from this past year). By using an editorial type format (much like the style of Andy Rooney), Schmit makes observations on student content within podcasts (students focusing on "the act" of creating a podcast, rather than focusing on "content quality"), as well as offers his own solutions (suggests that students form a group- one in which the students share a common interest. Next, the students brainstorm a topic. Finally, the students research, organize, polish, and record their topic - thereby making a well-informed podcast). Throughout the episode, Schmit often conveys constructive thoughts on students creating podcasts (such as: "Academic content is the message", "Podcasts let kids have an extended academic conversation", and "Continuation and depth are the key"). Schmit concludes the episode by asking the audience for their input and thoughts on the topics covered, via email (www.intelligenic.com/blog/).
Connect Learning is an an educational podcast series hosted by David Warlick. In Episode 96 (recorded April 3, 2008 in San Diego, California), Warlick conducts a live podcast before an audience of over 9000 teachers and educators. In this episode, Warlick notes that his audience (and their schools) are of a "peculiar" nature (court community/ day school programs - students are enrolled an average of 45 days). In the episode, Warlick also talks about the implementation of weblogging and podcasting within the student population (as an educational "bridge" between students and motivational learning through technology). During the podcast episode, the live audience members are encouraged to ask questions, as well as give feedback to various topics. EdTech Talk is an educational podcast series hosted by Maria Knee (a Kindergarden teacher from Deerfield, New Hampshire). Knee describes the series as one which "welcomes conversation, encourages discourse, and enjoys discussion" about anything related to education within technology. In Episode # 25 (February 1, 2009), Knee talks with Lisa Priesty (a 5th grade teacher from Long Island, New York) and Shelia Adams (a 7th grade science teacher) about the EduCon 2.0 conference (January 23-25, 2009).
The last two podcasts of interest (though they are not education based) provide much useful information into getting the most from your technological devices. MacBreak Weekly, hosted by Leo Laporte (Episode 126/February 3, 2009), dicusses various information/topics regarding technical information, updates, and viewpoints (interviews) about "all things MacIntosh". This Week in Photography, hosted by Alex Lindsay and Scott Bourne(Episode #067), discusses digital photography topics, such as HDR (High Dynamic Range imaging) and "Showing Off Your Assets (web-based photography applications)".
SMARTboard Lessons, a Canadian educational podcast series, is hosted by Ben Hazzard and Joan Badger. Their podcast series is dedicated to helping teachers and students (or anyone else for that matter) to learn more about smartboards, especially in terms of function and purpose. Hazzard and Badger conduct their podcasts using a radio station-style format, in which the two "podcasters" act as disc jockeys (at times, they even inject corny jokes and weather stories). In their podcasts, Hazzard and Badger discuss a variety of topics concerning smartboards - such as The Nicolas Felton Report, smartboard/whiteboard software upgrades, collaboration projects (such as the Freedom project), and answer frequently asked questions (such as "What does a smartboard do?").
Kidcast: Learning and Teaching with Podcasting is an educational podcast series hosted by Dan Schmit. In Episode # 58 - The Medium is NOT the Message, Schmit begins by describing his Thanksgiving weekend (from this past year). By using an editorial type format (much like the style of Andy Rooney), Schmit makes observations on student content within podcasts (students focusing on "the act" of creating a podcast, rather than focusing on "content quality"), as well as offers his own solutions (suggests that students form a group- one in which the students share a common interest. Next, the students brainstorm a topic. Finally, the students research, organize, polish, and record their topic - thereby making a well-informed podcast). Throughout the episode, Schmit often conveys constructive thoughts on students creating podcasts (such as: "Academic content is the message", "Podcasts let kids have an extended academic conversation", and "Continuation and depth are the key"). Schmit concludes the episode by asking the audience for their input and thoughts on the topics covered, via email (www.intelligenic.com/blog/).
Connect Learning is an an educational podcast series hosted by David Warlick. In Episode 96 (recorded April 3, 2008 in San Diego, California), Warlick conducts a live podcast before an audience of over 9000 teachers and educators. In this episode, Warlick notes that his audience (and their schools) are of a "peculiar" nature (court community/ day school programs - students are enrolled an average of 45 days). In the episode, Warlick also talks about the implementation of weblogging and podcasting within the student population (as an educational "bridge" between students and motivational learning through technology). During the podcast episode, the live audience members are encouraged to ask questions, as well as give feedback to various topics. EdTech Talk is an educational podcast series hosted by Maria Knee (a Kindergarden teacher from Deerfield, New Hampshire). Knee describes the series as one which "welcomes conversation, encourages discourse, and enjoys discussion" about anything related to education within technology. In Episode # 25 (February 1, 2009), Knee talks with Lisa Priesty (a 5th grade teacher from Long Island, New York) and Shelia Adams (a 7th grade science teacher) about the EduCon 2.0 conference (January 23-25, 2009).
The last two podcasts of interest (though they are not education based) provide much useful information into getting the most from your technological devices. MacBreak Weekly, hosted by Leo Laporte (Episode 126/February 3, 2009), dicusses various information/topics regarding technical information, updates, and viewpoints (interviews) about "all things MacIntosh". This Week in Photography, hosted by Alex Lindsay and Scott Bourne(Episode #067), discusses digital photography topics, such as HDR (High Dynamic Range imaging) and "Showing Off Your Assets (web-based photography applications)".
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