ECOO 2007 TD 16 Capitalizing on the Web Conferencing Craze in Education :: Blog

Well, I have started using my new GPS and I have had some unsettling feeling about it.  I have long prided myself on my ability to recognize landmarks, remember them and use them when traveling to ensure that I don't get lost and take the best routes possible.  This navigtion ability came about from growing up in the country, where not all roads were found on the maps.  I still used maps, especially for finding back roads that would make my drive shorter or more pleasant.  So when I started using the GPS, I assumed it would be like using a road map, but I have found out I am wrong.

I started out by plotting where I was going and using the GPS to, what I felt, was blindly guide me there.  I ended up getting to my destination, but when I looked at the route the GPS took me on, it was a round-about way that I would not have taken if I used my handy map.  I went on another trip a few weeks ago to the ECOO board meetings and took a route that I used to take to my cottage.  I programmed in "via points" and off we went.  Well, wouldn't you know it we ended up in a subdivision about 2 miles from our intended destination.  On the way home we followed the route the GPS calculated and ended up taking another round-about way that I would have never have taken...GPS navigation saver...not yet!

 So I started thinking about this problem and started thinking that this technology might cause our students to lose the sense of navigation that has helped us navigate through the years.  But then I started seeing similarities with other tools when they were first introduced.  I wonder if people felt the same way when calculators were introduced?  Did they think people would lose their reasoning and mathmatical skills...I know they felt that way.  How about the computer.  Did people feel that they would "run our lives' and we would not want to do anything for ourselve?  I bet that was the case.  In both of these examples, when the initial dust settled, it is obvious both of those tools did not cause us to lose our skills, but instead enhanced them and allowe us to reach further into the future by allowing us to build on our already established skills and enhancing them with technology.

 I suspect the same will be the case with the GPS...but for now, I still check that map to see if the route is the best one to take!

 

/shawn

 

The WorldWide Telescope

Microsoft research has just release an application that is social networking for the sky.  It looks an amazing application that allows users to take a tour of the universe in an uncluttered, easy flowing environment.  The best part is, there are ways to create "tours" and share those tours with other users, in a social-networking type of way.  In fact, the WWT developers are encouraging the use of these tours to "tell the story" of the universe.  They really believe that, through social networking and sharing of these "tours" that students, educators and all people can benefit from the "story telling" of the universe.  This is another example of how the world really is at not only our fingertips, but our students' fingertips.  We are very shortly going to facilitate learning, instead of being the conduit for learning, as educators.

 It really looks like an amazing tool, and once I get it downloaded and set up, I will report back.  I can't wait to use it and let my little guys try it! 

http://www.worldwidetelescope.org/

/shawn

ps The system requirements for the use of the application are very intensive, so make sure your system requirements can handle this.

Here is a TED video describing the WWT

 

The ECOO Secondary Multimedia contest deadline has been extended until May 16th, 2008!  Your students can win $ and the teacher involved will be invited to showcase their project @ the ECOO 2008 Conference!

For more details go to:  www.ecoo.org

Please pass this on to any teacher in Ontario who might be interested!

 Thanks,

 

/shawn

 

I read a great article today on students today and how we are not meeting their needs.  http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9928174-7.html?part=rss&am

 

This research confirms exactly what we all have been believing the last few years.  Students believe in instant gratification and they are ever becoming producers of content and expect others to view it, comment it and expand on it.

 

Our profession needs to increase its technology skills to better meet the needs of students, or at least use our students' knowledge to increase our own knowledge, thereby empowering our students to take control of there own learning...and if we don't...dinosaurs come to mind, but then again, I am preaching to the converted aren't i?

 

/shawn

ps here is a great video take off of "Student's Today" by Digital Ethnography, it is "Student's Today K-12"

 

Adobe has re-entered the realm of web-based apps with their Photo-shop express offering.  It has an easy to use and slick interface that is very similar to their new interfaces on their elements products.  It was easy to sign up and get an account and easy (though slow) to upload and has tons of functionality.  It requires adobe flash player 9, but the download is worth it to use the app.  It appears to have more functionality than flickr or photobucket (which offers the Adobe video editing online tool).  It will be interesting to see if Adobe does the same thing with the video remix software it offers in Photobucket as it did with Photoshop Express.  This may have huge implications on education as now there is a quick, easy way to use effective online software to edit/share/enhance and post photos.

Very soon school boards may not have to purchase apps that ensure their students are getting the just below-industry standard software that will allow them to learn how to utilize tools to move ahead into higher education.  These types of applications are paving the way for full curriculum delivered via web-based applications, which can be a saving to any school board (though an increase in bandwidth usuage will occur).

 Well done Adobe, this app looks awesome!

https://www.photoshop.com/express/index.html

Are you teaching a Comm Tech course, a Media Studies course or a World Studies course (or any secondary course for that matter) and want to explore using video to address expectations or course curriculum?  Well ECOO has a contest for you!

By creating a video relating to curriculum expecatations and then uploading it to teacher tube (www.teachertube.com) you are eligible for the 3 prizes of $300 each! As well, as the teacher involved, you will be invited to share your experiences in an ECOO conference session in the fall!

For contest rules, please see: http://www.ecoo.org and click on the Secondary Media Contest link or view the attached file.

 

Secondary media Contest 2007 2008.pdf

 

It was interesting reading the article in the Globe yesterday about the student using Facebook to not work independantly (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080318.wfacebook0).  It was very interesting to see the reaction of his professor and the outpooring of reaction to support his facebook community that was supposedly a "study group". 

This type of issue is going to be happening more and more frequently with students understanding and using social networking sites such as Facebook to their advantage.  It will not be very long, and in fact I am sure it is happening in K-12 without folks even knowing, until we are faced with similar dilemmas in K-12.

Weather we like it or not educators are going to move, slowly maybe at first, but quicker as these technologies get more pervasive, into being faciliators of learning instead of those who impart learning.  Being a big believer in Project Based Learning, I believe that this can be a good thing, but we also need to ensure that students can learn in a multitude of ways including  lecture, experiential, project-based, discovery to name a few.

It will be interesting to see how the first school board in Ontario deals with a similar case to this Ryerson student...it really is only a matter of time!

  

Reaching new heights in educational videoconferencing

August 24-27, 2008  Banff, Alberta

Conference Website - http://www.vcalberta.ca/elevate2008

 

You are invited to register for ELEVATE 2008, a landmark conference on educational videoconferencing in the scenic Rocky Mountains.  Join participants from around the world in exploring future directions in the use of videoconferencing and related technologies to support teaching and learning. 

 

ELEVATE 2008 will feature:

·         Leading edge keynotes

·         Hands-on workshops

·         Discussions with key industry leaders

·         The latest in videoconferencing and related technologies

·         Top educational content providers

·         Meaningful collaboration and networking opportunities

 

Register now to be part of Canada’s biggest K-12 videoconferencing event!

 

ELEVATE 2008 Conference Update

1.    Early Bird Registration Rate Extended

2.    Keynote Presenter Update

3.    Workshops Announced

4.    Call for Presenters Extended

 

Take Advantage of Early Bird Discounts Now!

Early Bird Registration Rate Extended

By popular demand, the early bird conference registration rate of $275 CDN has been extended to January 31, 2008.  Space is limited to 350 participants, so you are encouraged to register soon to reserve your spot.  Please register online at http://banffcentre.ca/conference_registration/2008/elevate08/.

 

 

Keynote Presenter Update

Elevate 2008 will feature four leading-edge keynote presenters:

	·         Dr. Etienne Wenger - Etienne Wenger is a globally recognized thought leader in the field of communities of practice and is co-author of the “Technology for Communities” weblog (www.technologyforcommunities.com).
	·         Carol Daunt - Carol Daunt is an experienced educator and businesswoman who has been a visionary in the design, application and effective use of eCollaboration technologies. She is currently the Executive Officer for the Learning Technologies User Group (www.ltug.org).
	·         Julia Shildmyer-Heighway - Julia Shildmyer-Heighway is the Director of Content Services for the Centre for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (www.cilc.org) and works with over 140 organizations that deliver educational programming to schools through videoconferencing and supportive technologies.
	·         Ted McCain - Ted McCain is Associate Director of the Thornburg Centre for Professional Development in Chicago, Illinois. With 25 years of teaching experience in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Ted is an innovator in technology education and has authored and co-authored books on the future and effective teaching with technology.

 

 

Workshops Announced

The following workshops will be offered at Elevate 2008:

	·         Developing and Delivering Teacher Professional Development Across the Curriculum Through Videoconferencing - 2Learn.ca Education Society   In this workshop, participants will learn how to plan for and deliver effective and meaningful teacher professional development experiences across the curriculum using videoconferencing and supportive technologies.                   (Please note that pre-registration is required for this pre-conference workshop.)
	·         Instructional Design for 21st Century Learning Through Videoconferencing and Supportive Technologies - Galileo Education Network Association   Delivering courses through videoconferencing presents unique challenges and opportunities that need to be planned for. In this workshop, participants will learn how to engage students in a videoconferencing environment using effective instructional design methods and a blend of technologies.                   (Please note that pre-registration is required for this pre-conference workshop.)
	·         IVC: Challenging Students and Educators to Learn, Collaborate and Celebrate – Julia Shildmyer-Heighway and Monica Cougan, Centre for Interactive Learning and Collaboration     In this workshop, participants will explore the use of videoconferencing in their schools to utilize multitude of resources and cross-curricular programs that engage students and enhance curriculum.  Participants will also focus on developing student-led projects and problem-based approaches that connect students in cross-cultural conversations, creating global interactivity and decision-making in the classroom.
	·         Designing Quality Interactive Classroom Projects for Videoconferencing – Janine Lim, TWICE   In this workshop, participants will learn how to design interactive videoconferencing projects for class-to-class collaborations.  Using activity structures and formats that have been used in popular national videoconferencing projects, participants will learn to develop projects which focus on meaningful educational activities such as sharing a science experiment, solving a mystery, or exchanging information.

 

 

There is Still Time to Submit Your Presentation Proposal!

Call for Presenters Extended

By request, the deadline for the Call for Presenters for Elevate 2008 has been extended to Friday, January 25, 2008.  Presentations will be given one free conference registration.  To submit a presentation proposal, please visit http://www.vcalberta.ca/elevate2008/call.cfm.

 

For more information about Elevate 2008, please visit the conference website at http://www.vcalberta.ca/elevate2008 or contact Danny Maas by e-mail at Daniel.Maas@gov.ab.ca or by telephone at (780) 415-0820 [toll-free within Alberta by dialling 310-0000 first].

Another sub $400 PC enters the market this week available through Walmart in the US and ZaReason.com - Cloudbook.  It has some great hardware specifications.

 

Additional Preinstalled and Linked Software
Mozilla Firefox, gMail, Meebo, Skype, Wikipedia, GIMP, Blogger, YouTube, Xing Movie Player, RythemBox, Faqly, Facebook and OpenOffice.org 2.3 (includes WRITER, IMPRESS, DRAW, CALC, BASE)

Hardware Specifications
1.2GHz, VIA C7®-M Processor ULV, 512MB DDR2 533MHz, SDRAM, 30GB Hard Disk Drive, 7" WVGA TFT Display (800 x 480), VIA UniChrome Pro IGP Graphics, VIA High-Definition Audio, 802.11b/g, (1) 10/100 Ethernet Port, (1) DVI-I Port, (2) USB 2.0 Ports, (1) 4-in1 Media Card Reader, (1) .3MP Webcam, (1) Headphone/Line-Out Port, (1) Microphone/Line-In Port, (1) Set of Stereo Speaker, (1) Touchpad, (1) 4-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery

 

http://www.everex.com/

http://www.teachinghacks.com/2007/12/11/professional-development-vod

Every member of Ontario Teachers Federation is invited to access in-depth professional development workshops from leading educational producers. There are hundreds of hours of Professional Development streaming video content available here.  The programs will be available from early November 2007 to November 30th, 2008.

There is no registration to access the materials at this time, although the registration process will be simple enough for any educator to access the content.

http://www.iriseducation.org/b2b/otffeo/

One can only speculate why this information is not more widely known to educators in Ontario, or promoted by other organizations under its umbrella.  So spread the word!

---Related Articles at Teaching Hacks.com:

Viral Video 101 for Educators

Digital Learners Video

The 10 Keys to Effective Professional Development

VStream and The Imposter Syndrome

Commun-IT - Building a K12 Social Network in Ontario

Accessing Streamed Satellite Channels for PD