Recently while doing research for a graduate class, I found an excellent web-site that does a phenomenal job of making "complex ideas easy to understand using short and simple videos." I strongly recommend that teachers, principals, and instructional technologists view Common Craft's videos on wiki, blogs, pod casting, and RSS in Plain English. These videos will help teachers become familiar with Internet technologies and their importance. With the push toward integrating technology in the learning environment, it is imperative that become Internet savvy. Professional learning communities like school faculties will benefit not only by integrating these tools into their instruction but also by using them to collaborate.
Check it out!
http://www.commoncraft.com/
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
A great overview of the new NETS for Students
ISTE's Implementing the Refreshed NETS•S
Online Line Professional Development: The NETS•S in the Class Room.
http://moodle.iste.org/course/view.php?id=17
This online professional development provided by the International Society for Technology in Education, ISTE, under a grant from the Hewlett-Packard Company is an excellent workshop and resource for teachers. It covers two topics: the refreshed National Education Technology Standards for Students, and the Essential Conditions for implementing these standards. As part of the requirements for a graduate class, Instructional Leadership in Educational Technology, I worked through the online workshop and found it to be help and of a high quality. Afterwards, I rated the site using the rubric shown below.
Navigation & Design
1. Easily navigable- 4 of 4
2. Clearly labeled, working links- 3 of 4
3. Easy page-to-page movement- 4 of 4
4. Interactive with question capability- 4 of 4
5. Appropriate page format- 4 of 4
6. Easily located information- 3 of 4
7. Visually appealing (good use of color and graphics)- 4 of 4
8. Loads quickly- 4 of 4
Content
9. Proper title(s)- 4 of 4
10. Correct, current information- 4 of 4
11. Additional resource links- 4 of 4
12. Clearly stated purpose(s)- 4 of 4
13. Content that challenges reflection and discussion- 4 of 4
Appropriateness
14. Useful for research- 4 of 4
15. Audience appropriate- 4 of 4
16. Appropriate vocabulary- 4 of 4
17. Related to professional/student objectives- 4 of 4
Authenticity
18. Contact/ author’s name- 4 of 4
19. Contact/author’s email address- 4 of 4
20. Website host’s name- 4 of 4
21. Date of creation- 4 of 4
22. Updated information- 4 of 4
23. Reliability- 4 of 4
24. Validity- 4 of 4
Total Points (Is this page a reliable, valid source of information?) 94 of 96
After the introduction, the workshop establishes the purpose by asking the question, "Why standards?" Essentially, our world is becoming one community linked via the internet. Global citizens must be proficient in using computer and internet associated technologies. Next, the workshop established the focus for the workshop on cognitive and learning skills, as well as creativity and innovation. The six standard areas are: Creativity and Innovation; Communication and Collaboration; Research and Information Fluency; Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making; and, Digital Citizenship Technology Operations and Concepts. Each of these areas is divided into indicators and is described in detail.
The workshop further defines these indicators by reviewing profiles that highlight important types of learning activities. These examples help bring the standards to life and show the variety of activities possible. The profiles are divided into four grade ranges.
The successful implementation of technology is directly related to supports. The online workshop labels these supports as Essential Conditions and include the following: shared vision; implementation planning,; consistent and adequate funding; equitable access; skilled personnel; ongoing professional learning; technical support; curriculum framework; student-centered learning; assessment and evaluation; engaged communities; support policies; and supportive external context. This section includes a survey to help a teacher evaluate their school's essential conditions.
The next section of the workshop provides videos that show schools successfully implementing educational technology. Teachers taking the online workshop then reflect on the videos to identify the standards being implemented in those schools.
At this point in the workshop, the teacher should have a good understanding of the standards and is provided the opportunity to create their own technology-supported lesson plan that will be posted in the ISTE database for access by other teachers. Upon completing this lesson plan, the teacher is then allowed to access the database to view other lesson plans created by other teachers.
Teachers not familiar with the new NETS will benefit from this workshop. Teachers already familiar with them will also benefit by having access to the lesson plans of thousands of other teachers working to change the class room into a 21st century classroom. -Keith C
Online Line Professional Development: The NETS•S in the Class Room.
http://moodle.iste.org/course/view.php?id=17
This online professional development provided by the International Society for Technology in Education, ISTE, under a grant from the Hewlett-Packard Company is an excellent workshop and resource for teachers. It covers two topics: the refreshed National Education Technology Standards for Students, and the Essential Conditions for implementing these standards. As part of the requirements for a graduate class, Instructional Leadership in Educational Technology, I worked through the online workshop and found it to be help and of a high quality. Afterwards, I rated the site using the rubric shown below.
Navigation & Design
1. Easily navigable- 4 of 4
2. Clearly labeled, working links- 3 of 4
3. Easy page-to-page movement- 4 of 4
4. Interactive with question capability- 4 of 4
5. Appropriate page format- 4 of 4
6. Easily located information- 3 of 4
7. Visually appealing (good use of color and graphics)- 4 of 4
8. Loads quickly- 4 of 4
Content
9. Proper title(s)- 4 of 4
10. Correct, current information- 4 of 4
11. Additional resource links- 4 of 4
12. Clearly stated purpose(s)- 4 of 4
13. Content that challenges reflection and discussion- 4 of 4
Appropriateness
14. Useful for research- 4 of 4
15. Audience appropriate- 4 of 4
16. Appropriate vocabulary- 4 of 4
17. Related to professional/student objectives- 4 of 4
Authenticity
18. Contact/ author’s name- 4 of 4
19. Contact/author’s email address- 4 of 4
20. Website host’s name- 4 of 4
21. Date of creation- 4 of 4
22. Updated information- 4 of 4
23. Reliability- 4 of 4
24. Validity- 4 of 4
Total Points (Is this page a reliable, valid source of information?) 94 of 96
After the introduction, the workshop establishes the purpose by asking the question, "Why standards?" Essentially, our world is becoming one community linked via the internet. Global citizens must be proficient in using computer and internet associated technologies. Next, the workshop established the focus for the workshop on cognitive and learning skills, as well as creativity and innovation. The six standard areas are: Creativity and Innovation; Communication and Collaboration; Research and Information Fluency; Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making; and, Digital Citizenship Technology Operations and Concepts. Each of these areas is divided into indicators and is described in detail.
The workshop further defines these indicators by reviewing profiles that highlight important types of learning activities. These examples help bring the standards to life and show the variety of activities possible. The profiles are divided into four grade ranges.
The successful implementation of technology is directly related to supports. The online workshop labels these supports as Essential Conditions and include the following: shared vision; implementation planning,; consistent and adequate funding; equitable access; skilled personnel; ongoing professional learning; technical support; curriculum framework; student-centered learning; assessment and evaluation; engaged communities; support policies; and supportive external context. This section includes a survey to help a teacher evaluate their school's essential conditions.
The next section of the workshop provides videos that show schools successfully implementing educational technology. Teachers taking the online workshop then reflect on the videos to identify the standards being implemented in those schools.
At this point in the workshop, the teacher should have a good understanding of the standards and is provided the opportunity to create their own technology-supported lesson plan that will be posted in the ISTE database for access by other teachers. Upon completing this lesson plan, the teacher is then allowed to access the database to view other lesson plans created by other teachers.
Teachers not familiar with the new NETS will benefit from this workshop. Teachers already familiar with them will also benefit by having access to the lesson plans of thousands of other teachers working to change the class room into a 21st century classroom. -Keith C
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