Welcome to Summer 2011 of EDAD 536

Welcome to the Summer 2011 version of EDAD 536 at Lewis & Clark College!

My hope for you in this action-packed week is to "expose and engage" you to a taste of the many tools available in the world of educational technology, then sort out its value in your particular school or district context. We'll be looking at educational technology from 30,000 feet, as well as considering the efficiency and value of a "right-click"! Since the course is only a week long, the pace will be quick, but will be personalized enough to bring you along at a reasonable comfort level.

I look forward to our time together! See you on Monday, July 11 at the Dubach Mac Lab in Templeton! Let me know by email if you have questions. tfrimoth@lclark.edu.

Pushed to limit today!

I felt I was leading you to the near frustration point with all that was presented today -- and it was only half of what I had planned! Please slow me down if I'm racing down the track too fast. Thanks for being patient and taking your time with this learning.

What I didn't tell you is that Sugata Mitra returned to the TED conference this last Fall and presented a follow up. I've posted it on the class website, but also below. (I learned how to embed this into my blog just tonight! I'll show you if you're interested. Pretty easy.)



I'll be in touch with our change of schedule. Thanks for flexing with me on Feb 22. Remember, we won't have class for sure that evening, and we're looking to use eLuminate, the web collaboration software that Gary has access to.

Have a good week and we'll be in touch, soon!

Go to my survey

In the Trenches with Technology

I received an interesting and hopeful email from a colleague today who works with my TeacherSource web project (something I'll share with you later on). Part of the deal is she was given a MacBook laptop and 8 iPod Touches and some software and a bit of training (though not much), and was asked to report back how she's using these tools. She teaches MS Literacy to mostly underachieving middle school students in a school loaded with high achievers. She's found the going a bit tedious and frustrating since our district wireless network is a throw together of consumer-based and old Apple Airport devices (you've seen them--they look like a flying saucer!). Mobile devices have stretched that network in ways we couldn't predict, but now are in the process of turning it over to an enterprise wireless system--one that's industrial-strength, as it should be for a school district our size.

Though frustrated that the devices won't work just like she'd like them to, her hopefulness and great attitude shines through. She says:

"I'm not one to jump to technology as the be-all end-all - I believe strongly in the simple technologies, pencil and paper. Too often technology is used as glorified worksheets, developing only skinny knowledge. But I see this technology as a way to develop and access higher-level thinking skills: analysis of their own data, self-evaluation/reflection. I have been stunned at how the kids are really "hearing" their miscues and understanding them. Most reading assessment is "hidden" - we listen and give feedback, but they can't "hear" it. "

This teacher is a veteran, in-the-trenches middle school teacher. She's seen the wave of "new this and new that" come into her classroom--and she's dealt with it. Some good, some not so good. But this kind of technology seems different and deeper.

She sums up her email simply and succinctly:

"...sorry to ramble on - I am having fun figuring this out."

That's all I needed to hear.

Tuesday's Class

Dear Class,

I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday evening! Remember to try and get a post on your blog reflecting on our first class together. Thanks to those who have done so. If you can figure it out, also try to "Follow" each other. You can see everyone's blogs by clicking HERE.

Also, try to take the EDAD 536 Pre-Assessment. No worries if you don't know any of the terms. Take you BEST guess...have fun with it!

Lastly, be thinking of some technology integration you've seen in and around your school--both the good and not so good. Come ready to share.

Let me know if you have questions.

Spring 2011 Class Welcome!

What a pleasure it was to meet all of you today and to learn a little of your background in education and in your comfort/use of technology. Like you, I'm going to keep up with some blogging throughout our time together, and possibly beyond if it seems helpful.

My apologies for not asking you to bring your laptops today. I'm hoping to get the lab for future classes, so stay tuned if there's a change.

The class dates and times, won't change as far as I know.

Be sure to email me your Blog Title so I can post it on our class page.
http://frimoth.com/EDAD536-Spr2011/techclass-4.html

Remember to be exploring TED.com and completing your EdTEch Pre-Assessment when you have time. Also, watch for tech integration in your building! See you on Tuesday, Feb 1 at 5:30!