Traci Redish

I explored the use of Picnik – http://www.picnik.com/ . Picnik allows you to edit photos free on the web. I’ve been looking for a tool that I could use rather than continuing to upgrade expensive software editors. Most of the features were very basic, but I could still use them for many, many functions. It also included the ability to upload the pictures to places like Picasa Web albums so the pictures could be shared “socially!” Soon, we will use ALL online tools and NEVER have to buy software again…Amazing!

I am soooooooooooooooooo excited about the K12 Online Conference…As the chair of GaETC, I’m so busy I don’t have as much time to attend sessions as I would like…So, this conference is like a gold mine to me!!

The session I was most excited about is entitled, Facilitating Technology Integration: A Synthesis of the Research by Jon Becker, an assistant professor of educational leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University. Jon explored the small but growing body of empirical research on facilitating technology integration in schools. This presentation brings together that research in the form of a critical synthesis. I happen to be co-teaching a doctoral level class next semester, entitled ITEC 9410 Instructional Leadership and Technology Facilitation. This presentation is a PERFECT resource for that course!!!!

I can see using sooooooooooooooooooooo many of these presentations and resources in my work at the ETC and my work in the Educational Leadership Department at KSU….Off to listen to more presentations!!!

Photo by courosa

http://flickr.com/photos/courosa/2922421696/

I enjoyed my Flickr experience. I think I need more time to explore to really get a good feel for all is out there to use for educational purposes. I wasn’t sure what theme of pictures to use, so I chose to search on teacher and professional learning. I prefer to use the advanced search and click on Creative Commons…Otherwise, I have to take the time to seek permission from the author..Time I’d rather spend doing something else. I have experience with Picassa and this activity reminded me that I need to go upload my latest pictures online to ensure I have a backup!

Over the past year, I have begun to notice the CC on websites. Because I’m usually in a hurry, I did not take the time to explore and understand it….Then, I bumped into Shelly Paul at NECC who asked me if the KSU ETC would be interested in offering her Web 2.0 online course at the Center…Enters, Creative Commons! She explained that we could remix and make changes as long as we gave credit to the original work…I still wasn’t quite sure what it really meant, and proceeded to type up an agreement for her to sign making sure we had permission to use the content….Too funny!!! I finally took the time required to go to the Creative Commons website and read and apply the information to this situation and realized my formal agreement was totally unnecessary!!!! So, I guess you could say that Creative Commons has indeed impacted my professional life as it has resulted in the KSU ETC offering this cool class to teachers in our service area!!!

Now that I’m aware and understand Creative Commons, I notice the CC sign all the time…:)

I’m exploring the wikis, but it’s taking me some time to find some examples that I liked. Several of the ones on the list confused me when I went to visit them. They jump right into the topic without providing an informational page to explain what the project is about, etc…. Code Blue is really cool but I was confused as to what they were doing at first…Took me a few minutes to realize they are simulating medical advice..

I really like the Holocaust Wiki Project and Let’s Go West!. I think it’s because the instructions were very clear—that’s the teacher in me! I am very impressed to see that you can embed all types of graphics into a wiki–including timelines and concept maps.

Since I work with adminstators a great deal, I’m trying to think of ways principals might use a wiki. If any of you have some good ideas, please pass them along.

Initially, I can see using wikis to collaborate with my colleagues at the other ETCs. We often use Google Docs to collaborate on documents, but I think I’d like to try a wiki!!!

As I was reading through the articles in my reader, I came across an article by Will Richardson entitled, It’s the Parents’ Fault. Not.  I agree that we must begin to teach students how to use the internet safely, rather than block every site that might cause a threat. Apparently, the government thinks so as well, because a law is about to be passed requiring schools to teach kids Internet Safety. I’m sure we’ll all hear more about this real soon as we gear up to deliver this training…I know GaDOE is working on a course, as we speak, that schools will be able to offer….The ETCs will likely be delivering this course for many districts to redeliver…..stay tuned….

I really enjoyed adding new feeds to my Google Reader, but what I really need is to continue working on developing a daily ritual of “reading” my feeds. This is a HUGE source of PD, so I’ve got to make this a habit!! I enjoyed an article from the Tech for Learning feed, entitled, Wow with Google Earth. A second grade teacher was “wowing” her 2nd graders with the wonderful views available in Goodle Earth. I was struck by the comparison with a globe and all the “verbs” that were used to contrast Google Earth from the globe…Here’s a direct quote:  

“It looks kind of silly over there in the corner, collecting dust, while students huddle around the computer manipulating, constructing, interpreting, designing, “mashing”, customizing, navigating, and dissecting with this new “globe.” Oh yeah… and don’t forget the flying.”

Wow! Web 2.0 is transforming education one “WOW” at a time!

I really enjoyed reading about the “Ripe Environment.” I agree with the author that I am also tired of hearing about the tools. It’s time to move (or push gently ) everyone to the next level–tear down walls, collaborate with each another, and question the traditional role of technology in the classroom. I am looking forward to the author developing his 10 prerequisites for collaboration as a way of creating The Ripe Environment in the classroom. These prerequisites will help us at the ETC to articulate to school leaders and other educators what the next level is….

As I read through the blogs, I became overwhelmed with the amount of good “stuff” out there in the blogsphere…I have got to find a way to manage all these blogs and find time to read on a regular basis…..cognitive dissonance sets in…..ouch, it hurts!

I think Web 2.0 has the power to TRANSFORM education as we know it today. It has the power and capability to change the fundamental ways we teach and learn. I’m taking this class so I can get up-to-speed on all the Web 2.0 tools and then begin to “model” to others how these tools can be used to make learning more relevant to today’s digital learners.

As I think back to the days of InTech, it makes me want to revise and update InTech to include all the Web 2.0 tools and call it – InTech 2.0……This course would help teachers learn how they can use and integrate these technologies in their classrooms to make school more relevant and meaningful to their students….Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm……