TEACHnology . . . and Filtering.

The other day I mistyped the word technology with "teachnology. I found this very ironic how this simple mistake made me think about teaching. With respect to the education profession, should we begin to refer it to "TEACHNOLOGY?" To me, this implies that educators across all curricular areas utilize teachnology for improving learning - daily. Its an education system totally infused with technology to improve learning. Consequently, once we ponder this question another arises. How long would this take? Would Districts advocate this idea and support it?

My guess is it won't happen until this generation becomes teachers; 20 years?. The students have a better grasp of today's technology than many of their teachers - I am probably included in that group. Students today have grown up with this technology, therefore will learn to use it for learning many different things and in many different ways. They will be able to use various social networking sites to assist learning, web-based applications for communication and tasks rather than desktop programs. They are the wave of the future. I think we are in transition now, but it may take 10-20 years before "TEACHNOLOGY" could be curriculum wide on a daily basis.

Finally, I would say that Districts would support this in the years to come as well. Right now its being advocated for in some districts across the U.S., but its not wide-spread. We are still Filtered to an unbelievable extent inside schools, teachers and students alike. Will Richardson's blog is on "Filtering" http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/filter-fun/ is on point in my opinion. When today's students become administrators I think then we would more support the idea of "TEACHNOLOGY." They would allow us to use tools (unfiltered) to make us a competitive world economy again - starting in grade school. Grade school penpals would evolve into Skype pals - we can communicate, collaborate and learn with others around the world.

See you next time . . .

Skyping and Tweeting

Do you remember the idea of Pen Pals?  When I was in school we would have pen pals, students in other cities or countries.  We would write back and forth for a while and get to know eachother.  Somehow, it never really worked.  Now it does and it is called social networking.   Communicating with family, friends, colleagues, or any other VIP has never been easier thanks to the internet and web 2.0 technology.  Everyone knows about My Space and Facebook, but there are other sites that offer unique services for communication too. 

The first is Skype, an internet phone service that allows you to place free phone over the internet to other users currently on-line.  There is no cost, it is free and works with your ISP.  You can make regular calls and video calls.  This is a great way to keep in touch with family and friends that live out of town.  Did I mention it is FREE?  Once you download it you can begin connecting with others.  That is where I am at - trying to create my network via my address book.  So, my user profile is "JillandJeremy"  give me a test call once you are online!

Second is Twitter.  When you use this site you are "tweeting."  Basically, this site is an instant/text message service.  You can text message now on your PC or Mac.  You again create a user profile, then start finding and connecting with friends.  You may experience capacity issues because so many users are utilizing this service.  Don't hesitate, check into this and look me up "jnielsen."  

Happy skyping and tweeting. 

Education Today - what are the trends?

I recently viewed a video on You Tube regarding how education is performing - or underperforming - for the students of today.  The title of the video is "A Vision of Students Today".  Try to view this through the lens of education, from your personal background and experience.  

I'd also suggest to view it through a teaching lens.

There is already good comments on you tube, but I'd like to continue the thoughts on this video here as well.  See you soon.