Conclusion

In conclusion, it is vital that in our 21st Century Digital Globalized culture it is crucial to keep our students current in technological advancements. On pages 172-173, in Jacobs book she included the Cloud Institutes' framework for students and the following are vital to our students growth:

• Cultural Preservation and Transformation
• Responsible Local/Global Citizenship
• The Dynamics of Systems and change
• Sustainable Economics
• Healthy Commons
• Living Within Ecological/Natural Laws and Principles
• Inventing and Affecting the Future
• Multiple Perspectives
• A Sense of Place

The digital age has changed more than classroom dynamics and environments it has literally changed contemporary society - where we live, work, and learn. We must be ready to face change, and teachers must be willing to accept it, and then act upon this change by adapting and re-structuring their lesson plans. Both the information and access to it have grown exponentially through the Internet and World Wide Web - we must use varied resources for digital instruction and digital learning. Teachers need to optimize available resources and prepare students to learn in resource-rich environments. Our students must be able to excel in the 21st Century globalized digital technological world that we live in!

Diigo

Blogging

The ISTE standard that I used is: http://www.iste.org/connect/iste-connects/blog.aspx
Includes:  Communication and collaboration; Research and Information; Critical thinking; Connects Blogs


Blogging can be reflective and give us new meanings with content. Blogging makes collaboration and learning connections for us that otherwise wouldn’t happen. As Richardson states on page 33 of our book, "Blogging across the curriculum offers students and teachers not only the ability to infuse writing into all disciplines, it facilitates connections in ways that plain paper cannot." The link below can get students and teachers blogging in the classrooms and at home for 24/7 learning. One caution is to teach students how "to evaluate them [blogs] for accuracy and trustworthiness," Richardson, page 37.

http://www.blogger.com/

Digital-Age Teaching

iPods

 iPod in the Classroom: is Apple's collection of lesson plans for teachers who want to use their iPod for classroom course work.  The iPod is a new model in "continuing education," as it is available 24/7 in a portable and accessible fashion for students. The iPod is easy to use and has many applications for all students' educational needs.  There are huge technological advantages which an iPod affords students, teachers, and parents.  It is possible to incorporate downloadable podcasts to just-for-iPod study guides and applications, learning on the go.  Check out several different ways you can transform your iPod into a learning device.

 

This is an easy way to keep track of all your Notes and endless study guides. You can use these programs to upload study materials onto your iPod.

1.    Spark Notes: Long considered a busy high school or college student's best friend, the online study guide database now offers users an iPod-friendly version. Get summaries and analyses of books like A Tale of Two Cities, Beowulf, Hamlet and more.

2.    iPREPpress: This website provides study guides, travel guides and foreign language training, all compatible with iPods.

3.    Raybook: This company has turned popular study guides and flash cards like Cliff's Notes and Netter's into iPod-compatible study sessions. Programs use video, audio and interactive media to help you learn more effectively.

4.    VangoNotes: College students can browse this website for audio downloads in subjects like Sociology, Nursing, Business, Computer Science and other disciplines to access textbook study guides.

5.    NotePods: Currently offered for just $1.99 each, these iPod-compatible study guides give summaries on Jane Austen novels, Shakespeare plays, works by Tolstoy and more.

6.    WorldNomads Language Guides: Prepare for your next vacation by learning Spanish, Thai, French, Hindi, Arabic, Italian, Japanese, Chinese or any of the other languages offered here.

7.    CramSession: Computer and IT students studying for professional exams can find audio study guides here, ready to download.

8.    SparkCharts: This designed-for-iPod study charts help students prep for tests in biology, anatomy, chemistry, algebra, calculus, Spanish and other subjects.

9.    SAT Vocabulary Builder: Get test taking strategies and access to a flocabulary hip hop audio session that will help you remember tricky SAT vocab words.

10.  Cisco Study Guides: Students and professionals studying for Cisco exams can access iPod-compatible study guides here.

Mindmeister Creates Mind Maps

Mindmeister Creates Mind Maps

• Mindmeister is a mapping tool that teachers can use to help students initially create projects collaboratively.
• A mind map is also a visualization tool which helps you think and learn more proficiently.
• A graphic diagram used to represent your thoughts and ideas, tasks, or other items linked to a central key idea or theme. It is used to generate, visualize, structure and classify ideas.
• Mind maps are used as an aid in study, organization, problem solving, and decision making.
• Mind Mapping is the most effective, "brain-friendly" way for you to turn your unorganized, linear, fleeting ideas and thoughts into a structured, visual "map".
• Mind Map represents the best of both worlds by resembling the visual aspects of a flow chart and the organizational structure of an outline.

This site has a multitude of different diagraming maps to choose from, which should fit all teachers' course work.  It is wonderful for students to be able to collectively create an outline of the project that they are working on.

In the pre-digital age a student would have gotten out a piece of paper and pencil, and then created an outline of the lesson - by hand.  But now with the latest technology this free web site is a resource offered to students and teachers, which they can utilize digitally.  By students using collective ideas and creativity this comprehensive mind map encourages students to use Higher Order Thinking.

http://www.mindmeister.com/maps/public

Wiki Your Way to Success

Continue Reading

Let The Learning Begin

Let The Learning Begin

iTunes U brings the power of learning to your handheld device or laptop and it is accessible anywhere at anytime.  It downloads directly to your device. Since it is a very intuitive program to use it is good for many digital learning applications for parents, teachers, and students. You can watch video content or listen to audio content based upon the lesson plan.

For many students who are visually impaired this device is a real plus, because there is a voice over feature that works with iTunes U on both Macs and PCs.  Students that have disabilities such as poor motor skills or other physical challenges can pace themselves while working in their own environment. Additionally, using this technology can bring lectures to life for students and foster local or global learning communities that would otherwise not be developed for them.

Google - Your Way to the Top

Google Tools have many advantages in today's classroom and the link below, Welcome to Google Educators, will help get you started on your digital classroom set-up.  With the tools showcased below you can begin getting your classroom ready for the incoming students. Some of the tools available on the link below are: classroom activities; classroom posters; Google teacher academy; and teacher community.

http://www.google.com/educators/index.html

Another great link: Guide to Going Google, which also let's you use either the University version or the K-12 version of Google - you get to choose! On the link below Google allows you to view the 6 Steps to successfully going Google. These steps include: Technican Integration; Outreach plan; Professional Development; Get the word out; Launch; and Stay up to date. These guidelines and tools are useful tips on getting your students, parents, teachers, and alumni  ready for the digital connections that they will be making and experiencing during the school year.

https://sites.google.com/a/googleapps.com/k12-guide-to-going-google/

21st Century Curriculum

"If we develop a 21st Century curriculum and continue to fuel it with innovation and new knowledge, then we must keep turning the platform that we share with our learners to explore that curriculum," Jacobs, page 61.

This powerful statement says it all when it comes to teaching students in the digital era that we have entered. Our curriculum must be updated to include the technology needed to stimulate students learning curiosity and engagement. Below is a link to a web site that shows "Mapping the Global Classroom of the Future."

http://www.curriculum21.com/home

Let's Go Global

21st Century Pedagogy