EDMS 550 - The Best and Worst of Tech and Topics

In general, I have learned a lot about incorporating technology into the classroom and using various different technologies to benefit student learning. I have gained a lot from the hands-on activities we have completed using technology from creating and maintaining a personal blog, to researching and presenting on Web 2.0 tools, to editing a personal website with our own work. Mr. Becksfort did a great job of explaining various technologies and demonstrating how to practically use them in the classroom.

I am not sure how to respond for the "worst" part of tech and topics. There was not one class period or one assignment that I did not benefit from or feel that was useless. The video editing was by far the most challenging project, primarily due to the tedious nature of the editing process and the difficulty I had manipulating the video editing software. However, the use of video may come in handy in the classroom and could be an effective method for delivering a lecture or leading a class without being physically present in the classroom. So I did see the value in the video editing project.

Overall I had a great experience with the Educational Technology and Topics course. I learned a lot about technology and look forward to using technology in the classroom.

EDMS 550 - Does Technology Change The Way We Teach?

I believe technology can change the way we teach, but only if the teacher chooses to use technology in the classroom. The technology can exist, but if it is not used how can it change the way someone teaches?

For those teachers who do use technology in the classroom, I think it does change a teacher's strategies and methods. First, a teacher has to determine what s/he wants students to learn and then has to decide how to incorporate technology to help students achieve the desired instructional goal. The teacher also needs to consider the individual needs of each student and determine if the technology being utilized is beneficial in aiding a student's learning. Using technology for the sake of using technology is not effective if it does not meet the educational needs of students.

EDMS 550 - Web 2.0 Technology Presentation Overview

I decided to use Historypin for my Web 2.0 project. On the Historypin website you can upload your own photographs and "pin" them to a specific location on a map. You can even zoom in to the street level on the map. The idea is to compare what the area looks like today with a photograph showing the same area at a different time. For example, you could upload a photograph of you in the house you grew up in and compare it to what the house looks like today.

The website was relatively easy to use. My only complaints are that I had some trouble with loading photographs from the Internet and I had trouble finding the proper street level view on the map that I desired. I tried to show a picture of an historic park in Cincinnati when it was built to what it looks like today and the only street level view available for the address I entered into the map showed the street running alongside the park and not the actual park entrance that I wanted to show.

The few disappointments notwithstanding, I like what the site does and I can envision using this website as an educational tool in the classroom.

EDMS 550 - The Value in Learning from Fiction

Initially, I thought the prompt "Is there value in learning from fiction?" was going to be easy to answer. But the more I think about it, the more reservations I have concerning my my initial answer. The majority of my learning experiences, particularly in elementary school, involved fiction in one way or another. I learned to read by reading fiction. I learned math by solving fictional math problems. So, I guess there is value in learning basic, elementary skills from fiction.

But as I progressed through high school and into college, more and more of my learning was derived from non-fiction sources. A majority of my learning in college involved real-life case studies and examining the business practices of real companies. My intended content area, social studies, is almost entirely based on non-fiction. However, I do see learning possibilities in social studies by having studies consider "what-if" scenarios and having them respond to questions such as, "What if Nazi Germany and the Axis Powers had prevailed in World War II?" So, I guess that I do believe there is value in learning from fiction, but I think the value declines the older and more advanced the student becomes.

EDMS 550 - Video Edit Critique

It was somewhat strange looking and listening to myself on video presenting a lesson to my fellow classmates in my Technology and Topics course. My initial reaction to watching myself present the lesson was that my movements were a bit awkward and I moved my hands way too much when I was speaking in front of the class. However, each time that I watched myself on video, I became more comfortable watching and evaluating my presentation. After watching the entire video three or four times, I noticed that my delivery was much smoother and more relaxed starting approximately halfway through the video through the end of my presentation. Also, I was able to get over the initial shock of watching myself on video and was able to clearly critique my presentation.

I learned a few things about myself while doing the video editing of my presentation and my plan is to apply what I observed and improve upon my presentation skills and appearance. My first priority is to relax. At the beginning of my presentation, it was apparent that I was not very confident about what I was saying, but as I went along in my presentation, I saw a noticeable change in my demeanor as I became more comfortable and confident. I believe I would have started off more relaxed if I was more confident that I had accurately completed the assignment and had rehearsed my presentation before class. I did not think that was necessary since I had given the presentation two days earlier for another class. Still, after seeing what the previous presenters did for their lesson plans, I was concerned because my lesson plan was different from the others and this caused me some anxiety. Once I got into the content portion of my presentation, I was more confident because I knew the information was accurate and the attention from my classmates gave me comfort they were engaged and interested in what I was saying.

The second thing I want to improve upon is my movement during a presentation. Having to be near the computer to advance my Prezi presentation, I was rooted in one place during the entirety of my presentation and repeatedly looked and motioned at the projector screen. From information learned in communication courses, I know it is important to move around during a presentation to engage the audience. However, since I had to be near the computer and, not wanting to walk in front of the projector and block the audience’s view of the screen, I stayed behind the podium in front of the computer the entire time I was speaking. For future presentations, I will consider the layout and arrangement of furniture in the room and make appropriate accommodations to ensure that I move around the room without distracting the audience.

The third thing that I need to improve is the tone and volume of my voice. I have a mild and it is difficult at times for me to be heard, particularly when I am speaking in a large room. This was evident during my video critique. At times, my voice was barely audible, particularly when I turned my face away from the audience to look up at the screen. This happened too frequently during my video and may cause me to lose the attention of some members of the audience. In addition to the volume of my voice, I struggled with the tone of my voice. There was very little inflection in my voice resulting in a dull monotone while I was speaking. With proper preparation and practice, I believe that I will be able to adjust the volume of my voice and the tone of my voice to enliven my presentation and better engage the audience.

 Finally, I also want to improve my posture and eliminate some of the fidgeting and hand movement that was prevalent throughout my presentation. I believe most of the body movement during my presentation resulted from nervousness due to a lack of preparation. When I paused to gather my thoughts and continue speaking or at transitions in my presentation a moment of panic from the silence of not saying anything contributed to the excessive body movement and hand gestures. With the proper amount of practice and preparation, I believe I will have less body movement and hand gesturing.

EDMS 550 - The Value of Portfolio Assessment

Portfolio assessment has the potential to be a valuable instructional tool that can significantly enhance student learning. There are several benefits to portfolio assessment in comparison to other forms of assessment such as standardized testing. First, portfolios can demonstrate a student’s learning over a period of time rather than just at one point in time. Second, portfolios can assess student learning utilizing a variety of assessments allowing students to use various intelligences and/or abilities to demonstrate learning. Third, portfolios should ensure that students are actively participating in their learning and assessment. Finally, educators can review student portfolios at various points in time to adapt instruction to meet individual student needs. Along with the benefits, there are also potential drawbacks to portfolios. The most apparent is developing a consistent and objective rubric to grade student portfolios. Care must be taken by the educator to ensure that all student portfolios are graded equally.  

EDMS 550 - Presentation Critique

At first, it was somewhat strange looking and listening to myself on video. After watching for a few seconds, it was obvious to me that my movements were a bit awkward and that I move my hands quite a bit when I am speaking in front of a crowd. However, each time that I watched myself on video, I became more and more comfortable watching and evaluating my presentation.

There are a few things I learned about myself while doing the video editing of my presentation. First, I need to relax and start my presentation in a more comfortable manner. Second, I need to move around the room more often so I am not rooted in one place constantly talking and motioning to the screen. Third, I need to work on the tone and volume of my voice. I have a mild voice and was very monotone during the presentation, neither of which result in a dynamic presentation that will maintain the attention of the audience. Finally, I need to improve upon my posture and eliminate some of the fidgeting and hand movement that is prevalent when I am speaking. I believe most of the body movement is caused by nervousness and anxiety and can be corrected with practice and preparation before the presentation.