Global Cooperation

This unit is the most exciting for me to date because it contains sites I can easily use with my students.  I found the sites all similar with projects and ways to connect with other teachers and students around the world.  The Global School House was organized into a very teacher friendly site.  The information under each heading was clear, and informative.  I liked having the background information, because it gave me a sense of validity.  The ability to participate in projects or to find contacts for projects I would like to do seemed to be easy.

The Epals was another site I liked.  Again I was pleased to see how well it was organized, and how easy it seemed to access information about the site and projects, as well as to connect to students around the world.  I thought the section on common questions helpful because it brought to light questions I had not even considered, but would encounter if I started participating.  This site is based on e-mail and blogging which made connections to other classrooms and students more accessible and i think could be a very personal connections for students, which may allow more interaction between students.  In the previous unit I researched Skype, which could be added to this tool, and allow visual, and audio to be included in the connections.  I think students would be very excited to use this tool, along with Epals.

Many of the projects available are cultural and scientific, I would probably like to start by becoming involved with a pre-exisiting project.  Once I am familiar and comfortable, and can better anticipate any complications, I would like to have my students create art trading cards to share with students in classrooms in different places around the world.  Art trading cards are original works of art the same size as traditional sport trading cards, and they are meant to be shared, and traded.  I think the entire project could be developed and Epals would be the best place to start sharing and trading.

videos

The video unit was interesting because of the variety of videos, and sites to choose from.  I thought the general inspirational videos could be used as motivation for my students.  Many had information that was surprising, which the students would catch the attention of students.  I chose to post two art videos on my blog.  This quick introduction to a specific artist would have a direct connection to curriculum, and provide a short visual introduction to a lesson.  

twitter

A quick note about the tweets- I like the quick short reaction to information or statements.  Sometimes it seems like I am listening to a conversation between other people, which I guess it is.  I found some of the tweets that provided more information or referenced other sites were of greater value to me as I just browsed.  I can see how this can be fun and useful as the followers have more contact with each other.

In the classroom, I am sure that as I become more active with this tool I would see more applications, but right now it seems that it would be a great way to get each and ever student involved in a topic of discussion.  Art is a  discipline that wants the viewer to bring to the discussion their personal experiences and interpretations- this would be a great way to do it.

Analogy redo

I did view several postings from classmates after the analogy assignment was posted and realized I did not answer the question in the assignment.  I was very impressed with what I read.  After some thought I wanted to find an analogy that reflected my feelings of this whole new way of learning.  I remembered a book I have read to my grandchildren- a child's version of Who Moved My Cheese ?  If you know the story it is about change, and embracing change.  As a mature person I can say I have had to experience change throughout my life, as we all do.  It is always difficult because we are afraid- just as in the story- we just don't want to go out there.  The question posed in the story is "what would we do if we weren't afraid"?  Things will change, and sometimes we need to let go of the "old"  in order to find the "new".  Change can be good and it can bring about something better and when we stop being afraid we can feel good.  I am treading cautiously into this new technology maze, and hoping that once I gain more experience I will see the possibilities it will open up to me and my students- and ultimately  have fun with it.  

rss feed

I added several educational feeds to my blogline which I think will be useful.  The Art Knowledge News seemed particularly interesting because it has more than 34,000 subscribers, is an on line art news magazine sponsored by the Art Appreciation Foundation.  It contains news about art, museums, exhibits, artists, resources and commentaries.  The variety and world wide focus of the information will be very interesting and helpful because it is unusual to find all of this information in one place.

social networking

I joined http://brooklynartproject.ning.com/ and http://artandartist.ning.com/

I am concerned about " signing up" - What makes you decide a site is valuable and secure? I looked at many sites but each seemed to raise questions for me.  

The statements made by George Siemens (2005), challenges prevailing learning theories and forces us to re-evaluate our teaching strategies.  The process is interesting, valuable and frightening depending upon your experiences and comfort with digital technology.  It also separates teachers from students.  Wilkinson (2006), states students are far ahead of their teachers.  They are much more comfortable turning to web for information.  Today's students have parallel cognitive structures and tend to "leap" around.  Schools and teachers approach learning in a more linear progression.  

In questioning learning theories Siemens states:

Learning theories are concerned with the actual process of learning, not with the value of what is being learned.  In a networked world, the very manner of information that we acquire is worth exploring.

In  a series of on-line discussions the author compares internal and external learning, stating "The network becomes the learning".  Learning does not take place "in the head".  Connections become the learning and there is a basic need for humans to externalize thoughts.  Blogging and other methods of communicating facilitate learning as a result of forming networks with each other.  Connectivism allows students to externalize, increase contact with professionals, and continue to increase learning, as new information increases and changes.

These theories and strategies raise many questions.  Are the learning strategies employed in schools today obsolete?  Are teacher training programs utilizing technology?  Is there a developmental component that needs to be examined?  Will students acquire a depth of knowledge to allow them to make informed judgments about sources and content?  There is no doubt that teaching methods will need to change as a result of technology.  There are many obvious benefits to many new digital technologies, the question of how to integrate these into the schools will be challenging.

Siemens, G. (2005).  Connectivism: a learning theory for the digital age. Retrieved January 5, 2005 from http://www.itdl.org/Journal/Jan_05/article01.htm

Siemens, G.  (2009).  The changing nature of knowledge. Retrieved January 10, 2009 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMcTHndpzYg&feature+Playlist&p=3E43054A8703F57A&index=0

Siemens, G (2009). The conflict of learning theories with human nature.  Retrieved January 10, 2009 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTgWt4Uzr54&feature=Playlist&p=3E43054A8703F57A&index=2

Siemens, G (2209).  The impact of social media on learning.  Retrieved January 10, 2009, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grI_h88vs3g&feature=playList&p=3E43054A8703F57A&index=3

Siemens, G (2009).  The network is learning. Retrieved January 10, 2009,from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpbkdeyFxZw&feature=PlayList&p=3E43054A8703F57A&index=4

Richardson, W. (2006)Blogs,Wikis,Podcasts, and other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms. Thousand Oaks, California, Corwin Press