7.4 Google Apps

   I think that the use of Google Apps in schools is a great way to collaborate and create useful things that can be shared instantly.  With the way the world works today, it's imperative that students learn how to use different Apps in order to communicate with all types of people from all over the world.  I love using Google Documents in order to share information with colleagues and love that you can edit work and make comments throughout a document easily.  Students would do well to learn how to use this in order to share ideas with peers and give and take constructive criticism on work.  When I think of Google Apps the one word that always comes to mind is "collaboration" because many of the apps seem to be designed specifically for that purpose.

   When it comes to using Google Apps for teacher PD, I honestly wish we used them more.  I think that there is such a huge disconnect for teachers when they are done with their meetings because they are left with the question of what to do when they actually get into their classrooms.  If we used more Google Apps in order to collaborate and edit ideas, we would all be much more comfortable to use technology and more confident to teach them to students.  Something I've noticed is that teachers aren't resisting technology, they are just nervous to use it and getting rid of the nerves has to start with PD.  I would never want to teach in front of my students without knowing the ins and outs of what I was using to deliver my lesson.  I wholeheartedly believe that teachers would be willing to learn more about technology and use more technology in their classrooms if they were comfortable with the basics of Google Apps.

5.4 Social Networking

   Most schools today do not allow social networking to take place because there is a fear that still surrounds this type of technology.  While there are still concerns about using social networking in schools, there are many positives that may outweigh the bad.  Many great things can come from using social networks in schools, like collaboration, questioning, and staying caught up on work.  The main benefit I see to using social networking with students is the opportunity it gives us to teach them how to be responsible users.  I believe the main problem among social network users today is that they have no idea how filter what they put on the internet.  Teaching students about proper netiquette is, to me, the most important part of teaching with technology.  When students have learned what is appropriate and what isn't, it makes it easier to allow the use of social networking within assignments.  Then students can blog, do peer reviews, catch up on missed assignments, watch or listen to educational videos and/or podcasts, and share information with others.  This type of work mirrors what students will one day do in their jobs, which is great for them to learn early so that they will be able to transition into the work world easily.

   The downside to using social media in schools is that it will, at some point, be abused.  Unfortunately, behaviors on social networking can't always be monitored and can lead to some serious offenses like cyberbullying.  This is the most common and scariest trend that social media has seen recently and sadly, it's fueled several suicides over the last few years.  I think this is the biggest reason that many are scared to use it because it's hard to keep track of what students do outside of school.  It's easy for students to continue to bully a child after school hours without anyone knowing what's going on.  Another concern is that students will gain access to inappropriate material and share it instantly.  We live in a society where information can be shared and spread very quickly in a small amount of time, which can also compound bullying issues.  Another concern I have is that adults will abuse the very tools they give to students.  If students see adults abusing technology, they are more likely to do it also.  So, while there are some great benefits to using social media in schools, the negative effects could cost someone their job or life if not monitored correctly.

3.4 Discussion

   When I first thought about what a personal or professional learning network is, I was only thinking that it was something that people did to help others.  For some reason I didn't think about how it could help me.  I also didn't realize that Facebook and Twitter were considered PLN's.  The podcast was very informative and helped me to realize exactly why PLN's are great for teachers.  A PLN is something that can continuously improve pedagogy because teachers are learning new ways to teach students.  They also offer a great way to collaborate with other teachers not only from the United States, but from all over the world.  I think that this is an extremely important detail about PLN's because of how connected the world is today and how much we are encouraged to learn about different cultures and ways of thinking.  This could be great in order to find new ways of reaching students that may be working well in other countries who are seeing promising results.

   Another thing I learned about PLN's, that was quite obvious looking back, was the fact that learning can happen from anywhere at any time.  Plus, by customizing your PLN, you don't really have to search for the things you're looking for.  Facebook always has a way of keeping me interested by bringing the information to me so that I don't have to look for things that I'm interested in or needing.  In a way it's kind of creepy because of how they cater to your likes and tastes in things, but it's also kind of neat how it's just right there at your fingertips.  It makes it much quicker to find the tools and resources we need as teachers while also allowing us to reflect upon our own teaching constantly.  This is something I need to do more of and think that by creating a Twitter account and trying to connect to more educators looking to help, I will be able to expand my knowledge of what will help my students to succeed and how I can become a better educator overall.

2-2 Discussion

   I can honestly say that I haven't really given much thought to my digital footprint, but after watching the Digital Dossier video, it is kind of mind blowing to think about.  When I think about the tracks I've left online, it makes me wonder how mine compare to others.  Then I think about the younger generations who are more immersed into social media than I ever was at their age.  Sometimes this bothers me because I think of how easy it is to make mistakes online, even as an adult.  When you get behind a keyboard, it's easier to say whatever is on your mind without thinking about the repercussions of what you might be saying.  Anonymity makes it easy to be hateful or say too much without taking any responsibility.  Now, more than ever, we need to be educating our students on how to become responsible users on the internet so that they don't make mistakes that will follow them for the rest of their lives.
 
   I believe that students need to be educated on this as young as possible.  Kindergartners, obviously, will not need the same education as older students, but I think it's best to start teaching kids how to use the internet when they are young.  I remember talking to a group of 6th graders once about things they post online and many of them hadn't even given it much thought or realized how much it could affect their lives or the people around them.  It has to be extremely hard to grow up in this social media crazy society because it seems like everything gets documented.  I would be a nervous wreck if I had to do high school all over again in this day and age because I'd constantly be afraid that something very embarrassing would end up on YouTube that would follow me forever.  The fact is that there is proper etiquette that should be followed online and someone has to teach kids this because, for the most part, we're still testing out the water on many things and it's best to know what that etiquette entails so that those big mistakes can be avoided. The module overview this week gives great examples of rules to follow like, respecting yourself and others and protecting yourself.  While we don't want to scare kids so much that they are afraid to use the internet, they do need to know the dangers of being naive about certain things.  Unfortunately, common sense isn't so common and we need to make sure we give students the tools necessary to be productive and responsible while creating their own digital footprint.

1-3 Discussion

   From what I've learned in previous courses, I believe a technology integrator is someone who can work with teachers one on one to find technology that will enhance their lessons and engage students.  I also think that a technology integrator should have the knowledge to help others make smart choices about technology implementation programs or virtual learning and be able to pull various resources for all types of learners and subjects.  I have learned that a technology integrator does much more than just find some technology for a lesson, instead we need to be able to work collaboratively with others so that technology can become part of the curriculum, but not overshadow the learning.

 I absolutely love what David Warlick said in his blog post about technology and how teachers view tech integrators (Warlick. 2010).  He says that "21st century learning is about the experience, not about the tools you are using," and I completely agree.  So many times I hear teachers complain about having to integrate technology and want to either make excuses or push it off on someone else.  I think that for the most part, teachers are just scared to try something that they don't trust to help engage their students or make things easier in the long run.  Unlike their students, teachers don't use technology as frequently or to the same degree.  Our students have grown up with technology in almost every aspect of their lives.  We have to decide if we want to fight it or learn how to use it so that it can benefit our kids.  While teachers may use technology at school, I doubt they are using it as much as the students outside of school.

   Education is changing all the time partly due to new technology that has come out and partly because of research being done that has lawmakers constantly questioning what is best for students and then updating or reworking the standards.  I think that in the future, teachers will have to start doing more to keep up with what students are using outside of school just to be able to relate to them.  I can already see a disconnect that is occurring when teachers have no clue what students like or are into outside of the classroom.  If teachers can get to the point where they are comfortable using different technologies daily, they will be able to focus on the experience of 21st century learning, rather than the tools.  Ultimately, that is what it's all about.

References:

D. Warlick. (2010, August 16). Technology for 21st Century Learning: Part 1. Retrieved from http://2cents.onlearning.us/?p=2712