Reflection 12

I finally got the guts to register for a Second Life account after the presentation last week. I tried to register for an account but was unsuccessful. I mean this was a big hassle. The one time when I was successful in choosing a name that was not taken, I forgot the silly name. I didn't receive an e-mail confirming my account or anything. I don't' understand why it was a hassle to sign up for an account. Maybe I will try again, but I still think Second Life is kind of spooky.

Reflection 11

In my search for articles for my research paper, I found an interesting online journal, http://www.innovateonline.info/?view=issue about technology. The journal is an open access, bi-monthly peer reviewed journal published by Fischler School of Education at Nova Southeastern University. Well, if you are interested in keeping up with information technology field, you should subscribe to Innovate journal of online education.

Reflections #10

I loved the presentation about Second Life, but I am not for sure how much I really like the idea. I can understand that Second Life has various educational uses, but I find the idea to be really scary. Second Life is just a little bit to realistic for me. It is bad enough that we have so many crazy people in the real world, but to provide these "fools" with a virtual world where they can lose their minds is ridiculous. I understand that safety measures have been developed to protect those within Second Life, but this does not prevent them from being victims to crazy people. Second Life is a wonderful excuse for people to lose their identity and become victims of their own unconscious thoughts. At this time I don't know if I would use this as cognitive tool within my class. I will have to learn more about Second Life and its safety policies.

Reflections #9

After reading the article on participatory culture, it was really interesting to see how it correlated with pop culture. The participatory culture is composed of the same component a pop culture- media influences. One of the drawbacks of this participatory culture is the gap that it produces for some of its participants. May the popular culture (participatory culture) is not so popular. What happens to the students who do not have access to this media technology? How do these students compete with privileged students who have access to this knowledge. How do teachers design instruction to meet the needs of all learners without oppressing the already disadvantage learners? These are additional issues we have to consider when discussing participatory culture.

Reflections 8

The speaker's presentation on open source software was really informative. I don't think I had ever thought about it, or even realized that I had used it before. What a great way to get students involved with technology- just give it to them for free with no hassles. This idea will help to close the gap between tech users and nonusers. I want to use Skype and other open sources such as online chats to facilitate learning within my classroom. These are all really cool tech tools.

I wanted to go back and recap on Web 2.0 tools a little bit more. I found a website (http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/oreilly/tim/news/2005/09/30/what-is-web-20.html) offered by O'Reilly that helped me to understand the concept better. If you have a chance review the comparison chart and concept map, it really helps distinguish Web 2.0 components. Web 2.0 is "serious stuff" that is rather cool. Web 2.0 allows its users to be participants. You can share open source projects on SourceForge.net, use Craig's list, listen to Pandora radio, or even participate in product reviews on Amazon because of Web 2.o. tools. I really like this idea and how technology allows use to be an engaged user.

Reflections #7

Class on last Thursday was both informative and engaging. The guest speaker provided the class with very detailed information about Web 2.0. Although the lecture was very informative, I wish it could have been presented in a manner that was more engaging. I really enjoyed the online chat, it was the most exciting part of class. I would like to use online chats in my instruction to collaborate with other classes who are studying the same topics. This will be a great way to get students engaged in learning. My only concern lies in how to keep students on task during the chats. I don't want the students to get off topic and turn the chat into a gossip room that that detracts from the learning. I will try out the online chat with small groups of students before using it with the class as a whole. Students will have to be given rules and guidelines to follow in order to participate in the chats.

Reflections Class #6

OK, back to this constructivist thing again. After reading this article, I have even more concerns about trying to use the constructivist theory. I support this theory in that it employs students to become active participants in learning; however, I still have some concerns about using the constructivist theory. My first problem is that this theory has to be applied in a gradual process. A gradual process meaning students can not handle using computers and the constructivist approach without defined boundaries and training. I could probably implement the entire theory by second semester of school- this is with hard work. My second concern is what happens when my principal walks by my class and the students appear to be misbehaving. Will I be evaluated as an ineffective teacher because the students are talking and I am only observing. What approach or theory will be utilized to change traditional thinking of the administrators who do not understand the constructivist approach? This is a concern because the teacher with the loud class is usually considered to be the teacher who lacks classroom management. Now honestly, no one wants to be stereotyped as that teacher.