A) I will use the technology tools learned in these "Things" in many ways.
In the area of Productivity Tools, I have always used tools like Google Docs and the Google Calendar. However, the Zamzar media converter was new to me and I like it. In the past, I have use an array of different tools to make the conversions that I needed to make, but I find this tool to be much less messy than some of those options. Also, I think that students will find this tool useful too. I know that our video classes occassionally have a need for a tool such as this.
In the area of Professional Learning Networks, I have expanded my horizons a little. I have not used the Macul Space much in the past, but it does have some good information in the Forum area and it seems like a nice place to ask questions as well. Additionally, I have never really seen a use for Twitter until now. I now know how useful it can be for sharing professional information and keeping up to date on new educational tools. I will be using it to follow other professionals in the future.
Along this same line, I found the information about RSS feeds and other tools to stay informed very useful. Though I have worked with them in the past, I have not used all the tools in iGoogle and the Google Reader before.
In this unit I found the online databases like MEL and the information about Online Learning to be useful. Though I have heard of MEL before, I often forget about it as a resource and it does have some great information. Also, I think that Online Learning is going to be a key type of education in the future. I plan to do some collaboration with other schools in the future.
Lastly, I think that Visual Organizers and Screencasting are great ways to teaching students. I know that I always find learning easier if I can see an example of what is being discussed or if the information being discussed is presented in a logical format. Tools like Gliffy or Bubbl.us are great for organizing information. Also, tools like Jing, Camtasia, or Screecast-o-Matic are great for walking someone through a topic or process. I think they are both great ways of teaching information.
B) Many of the key teaching and learning strategies explained by Marzano are addressed in these "Things".
I find that in addition to teaching students to analyze questions, cues, and graphic organizers, tools like Gliffy are great for analyzing similarities and differences. The logical structure and formatting tools allow users to compare information very easily. These tools are also great for Non-Linguistic Learning.
Screencasting is also a great way to increase value in Homework and Practice. By giving students the ability to watch and rewatch good information at home, it increases their ability to understand the material. Furthermore, it gives teachers' new possibilities like "flipping the classroom".
Virtual classrooms and Professional Learning Networks also help to get at the topic of Incorporating Cooperative Learning Effectively. Students now have the capabilities to learn with other students outside of their school's walls. Also, teachers have the same possibility of cooperating and learning online from other educators through the use of PLN's like MaculSpace, Twitter, etc. Virtual classrooms and professional learning networks are also great places for both students and educators to Set Objectives and Provide Feedback.
I feel that the tools in the section are great for 21st Century Learning and they will only become more and more essential as we move forward with online learning.
C) One of the "Things" that from this section that I am going to use in the future is iGoogle, Google Reader, and Blogger. I have decided that for a Computer Essentials class that I teach, I am going to use these tools in the future. Currently, I am using Google Docs as both a collection and collaboration tool, but I think that I want to branch out into some of the other products which are easily found within Google. I would like to have students use the iGoogle page as more of a home base for working within Google. I figure that if I teach them to use the connected tools within iGoogle for class, they might also find them useful for their personal and future professional lives. Next year, I plan to have my students submit work to Blogger similar to what we are doing in this class. Also, I am going to incorporate the use of the Google Reader to have students customize their iGoogle with RSS feeds.
These changes to my current class will also help to meet the following MI Technology Standards
9-12.CC.1 (identifying various collaboration technologies and describe their use) and 9-12.CC.2 (using available technologies to communicate with others on a class assignment or project) By using a blog for classroom activities students will both learn their definition and useage while at the same time learn how to use them for collaboration.
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