CEDO 520 Musings #1

I am excited to begin my study of internet learning resources. One of the hopes for my graduate studies was that I would be exposed to many different tools and resources that can be used to streamline my classroom instruction. Clearly the old way of teaching must evolve to include internet resources. I still consider myself a blank slate when it comes to the internet in general, and I am open to exploring any ideas concerning building my teaching arsenal. To this point, my excitement towards technology in general has been tempered by the struggles I have had with implementation. I had a smartboard installed in my room about a month ago, and it still has that new car smell. A class that I took showed me how Senteo software would be a nice addition to the smartboard. I used Senteo last year, although I didn't really utilize the power of the software. Now that I know more about how Senteo works, I have been frustrated with the program not working properly. On top of that, I have gotten students excited about using Senteo, only to tell them that it is not working on the designated day. I spent probably eight hours troubleshooting and installing Senteo 2.0 while updating my smartboard drivers to work properly. Hopefully there is a glimmer of hope with the fact that I was able to use Senteo after all the fuss. It seems to be a great tool, but if it is not time effective, it shall remain on the shelf. Time will tell.
I want to learn as much as I can about where to find internet resources that I can use in my classroom. More importantly, I want to be sure that the technology that I introduce to my students will be used safely and effectively. I was hot to trot concerning Second Life when I was introduced to it, but upon investigation, I found that it wouldn't serve my needs. I originally thought I could create a virtual classroom for my students, but I know that they could and would investigate the less savory parts of the virtual world. I didn't want the fact that I introduced students to that site on my ledger at this point in my career, so I have not gone any further with my investigation. But Second Life has furthered my thinking about the possibilities of the internet. I think and hope that resources will be developed that will do a better job of restricting and monitoring student activity.
Student safety is paramount to me, and I want to make sure I understand the internet to the point that I can protect them to the best of my ability. That point is especially important with my own children, and I need to learn how to keep them safe when using the internet. The internet is a powerful tool that should be utilized, but it is important to learn how to make wise decisions concerning its use. I hope that this class continues my education on how to provide internet tools and resources to my classes and children while keeping them safe from themselves and others.

Blog #4 The Course Itself

There is no question that the content of this course is useful to me. At the same time, I have felt a level of frustration throughout this course equaled only by my morning gaze into the mirror. I have worked hard to understand the inner workings of computer systems, and I believe that I have started to get a "clue" when it comes to what makes a computer tick. I started this course with a blank slate, which I expected to be filled with computer knowledge to rival any IT professional. I thought this way in an attempt to psych myself up concerning the pursuit of content that I knew nothing about. In a conversation with the LMC director at my high school, I lamented the amount of time I have spent trying to acquire this information, and the fact that I felt that the investment in time didn't yield the strongest return. But this conclusion is not reached because of an ineffectiveness of the course. Instead, the issue at hand is the fact that I knew nothing about the guts of the computer. I can proudly say that I currently know slightly more than nothing. As I was describing some of the assignments, I realized I was using terminology that weeks earlier was foreign to me. So even though this has been a difficult journey for me, I know that this knowledge will be an excellent bridge to other courses within the program.
Prior to taking this course, I would have never thought about purchasing computer components in order to build a computer specifically designed for my needs. Now I am happily looking through component catalogues in order to design the super, dream computer. Since money is no object for a change, it has been a fun task to design this computer, albeit only in my dreamworld.
It is remarkable the transformation in my attitude and knowledge concerning computers throughout this course. To illustrate this point, I will tell of a dove, who in the last couple of days decided to nest in a planter outside my back door. As I went outside this morning, I was greeted with the mother watching over a new egg. The mother dove sits diligently on the nest, presumably ensuring that no harm will befall her unborn offspring. I would like to say that I represent something noble in this analogy, but I am relegated to being the egg. In this fledgling stage of my computer education, I need to be watched and nurtured because I can't do it all by myself. :)
I know that I will not be ripping apart my MacBook to see how it works any time soon, but I do have a better idea about how the whole process works. There shouldn't be anything changed concerning this course, because even though I struggled throughout, I know that I will be stronger in other areas of study. I look forward to building upon this foundation in future courses.

Personal Computer Failure

If my personal computer failed I would lose.........nothing. Everything that is stored on my hard drive is also kept in online storage. Had you asked me this question prior to January of 2009, I would have had a totally different response, but my reaction would be the same. Even if I would not have my files stored online, I would not be too concerned if my personal computer failed. I am reminded of when my father retired from Menomonee Falls high school, just about the time the guidance department was moving data from filing cabinets to computers. My father had a system that had worked for so many years that he wasn't willing to relearn a new system. His filing cabinets were neat and organized, and he was able to exist very efficiently with that system. Although my father was unwilling to adapt to a new way of doing things, I have found that I do not rely too heavily on personal computers. I like what they can do for us, but at the same time, I was not raised with this technology. I had to learn to do my work the "old fashioned" way, and I could easily go back to that system. It would be an interesting study to compare the responses of the older generation to the younger when asked the question concerning computer failure. When I ran a restaurant, everything was computerized. When the computers failed, we still had to stay in business, which meant servers would have to physically write tickets. Many of them panicked to the point of having to leave the floor. They had no concept of how to write a ticket by hand and figure out the sales tax. I have never gotten too attached to technology because I know that there will always be the chance that it will let me down. Perhaps I am also identifying why I struggle with technology, because I haven't developed the trust to allow the relationship to flourish. Although it would be sad if my computer failed, like any other disappointment, I must simply go on with my way of life.

Future of desktop computing

I would probably be the last person you would want to ask concerning technology trends for the future, but in this blog, I will take a stab at the future of desktop computing. Because I don't have the gift of prophesy, I have been asking people at my school who are paid to have a clue about this stuff. In general, most people that I asked felt that the growing collaborative trend and active participatory culture created by the internet will lead to cloud computing. We will not have a need for a desktop operating system. Instead, all that will be needed in our homes is a input device (keyboard, touchscreen, touch coffee table, or our voice). The future will be devoid of operating systems.
Although I would agree with input devices evolving and allowing users to access the web with futuristic splendor, I have trouble suggesting the demise of operating systems. Perhaps a shift towards cloud computing will dominate the majority or users, but there will still be the generation that has trouble abandoning the security blanket that is an operating system. My assumption is based in large part on the current state of online computing. As I understand it, cloud computing has not currently developed to the point that it is reliable enough to tear users away from their current operating systems. This might be naive on my part, but I would feel more comfortable with companies having more time to work out kinks not yet discovered with online computing opportunities. Like we have seem with the development of the personal computer, there are many companies who have a specific strengths concerning online computing, but to this point, no one has fully grabbed the reigns and taken the lead with this technology. I think there are also still concerns with security with online computing. It is probably still safer than any current method for storing data, but the perception of personal data floating around in cyberspace for savvy hackers to grab is difficult to quell. In the end, these issues will probably be resolved and more people will be drawn to the idea of online computing.
As I said earlier, I think there will always be a market for operating systems, although they will be constantly evolving to stay current. Certainly Bill Gates will be trying to corner the market with online computing because he knows the financial upside will be staggering. As more big names come into the game, the popularity of online computing will grow exponentially. Who knows, perhaps I too will commit fully to this idea of online computing, but I maintain that I do not have the prophetic gift. :)

Computer History for Ryan Adameak

My experience with computers or technology in general is rather limited. Growing up, my house was the last to get the color television, cable, or even a VCR. We never had a computer or any type of gaming system. I am not trying to blame my parents for my stunted technological knowledge, but they didn't feel that those items were essential for the Adameak household. It wasn't until about two years ago that my parents got their first computer, and to this point, they connect to the internet through their phone line. Obviously, as a child, I enjoyed going to my friends' houses because they had evolved from the stone age into a world which included technology.
My first experience with computers involved the use of a Commodore 64. It was used to play Taipan and Castle Wolfenstein. I wouldn't say that it changed my life in any significant manner, although it did manage to occupy my time during the early morning hours. I didn't know the first thing about computers, so I would say that it served my needs at the time quite nicely.
When I got to college, the computer lab was stocked with Apple IIe computers, and I only used them to create documents. Did this alter my life in significant ways? I suppose, in a sense, my life was changed in that I could save my papers on a big floppy disk rather than using a typewriter. I still had trouble abandoning my IBM typewriter due to the fact that there were limited hours for the computer lab. I also felt fairly efficient with the way I was producing papers, and I didn't want to change what had developed into a good system.
When I got out of college I purchased an IBM Aptiva. This computer significantly lightened my wallet at the time, but allowed me to access the internet. The Lotus suite software was used for word processing, and AOL provided my internet access. When I started teaching, I was able to save my teacher files on this computer, and it was easy to revise my work as I improved my craft. I wouldn't say that I spent significant amounts of time using this computer, and in retrospect, I am not sure that the computer was worth the money. My Aptiva now resides in the basement and is home to an assortment of spiders and other creepy crawlers.
Computers have become more significant to me as I have continued in education. I still struggle with the time it takes me to produce quality work on the computer compared to the way that I have been doing work for years. I am sure that this fact will need to change if I intend to stay in education, and that is arguably the main reason that I am in this program.

Pearls of Wisdom

As I look back at my past blogs, I am all too aware of a common theme that runs through each entry. This theme centers on my fledgling knowledge of technology in an era that is rich with technological tools. Throughout this class, we have been introduced to tools that can be utilized in the classroom to improve student engagement. I would say to improve student learning, but the jury is still out on that point. It stands to reason that if technological tools improve student engagement in the classroom, then student learning would also be measurably improved. Now the key for me is to spend time getting to know these technological tools and deciding which can be used in my classroom.
To further this idea, I need to look back at why I became a teacher. I remember all too well what it was like to survive in the blackboard jungle. I was bored as a student, and as a teacher, I wanted to provide my students with an engaging experience that allowed them to be freethinkers rather than robots. The classroom environment that I was exposed to was drastically different than the environment of classrooms today. Technology as we know it now was not available when I was a student. I remember the often heavy-handed approach taken by my teachers to make sure I was given the information that I needed to be successful. Teachers would spew information that students would later regurgitate on assessments. Although that approach may have worked to some degree in the past, it certainly doesn't work in today's classroom.
The sad point in this reflection is that I am a hypocrite and a product of my environment. I think that my classes are fun and encourage freethinking, yet my delivery is not much different than that of the teachers I had. This issue will hopefully be resolved throughout my graduate experience, and the very reason I enrolled in the program. I want to find, through technology, ways to get students excited about learning, and part of that might involve the semantics of what learning means to students.
Students often associate learning with work, and my students don't associate work with any future benefits. I think that technology can help change this perception by allowing students to learn without it being considered work. The introduction to technology tools has given me a framework to rebuild what I do in the classroom, and in the end, help students learn with enthusiasm.
Arguably the greatest lesson that I learned so far in my studies is that technology implementation by itself is not enough. The appropriate technology must be chosen to enhance the content being taught. At this point in my learning, I could use technology more frequently, but I think that I would be using it for the sake of technology. I don't know enough yet to be able to determine how technology could be used to enhance learning. What I do know is that there are a multitude of technology avenues that must be explored and hopefully utilized in my classroom.
I have often toyed with the idea of creating a paperless classroom, but to this point have not felt confident with implementing that plan. I think that by using a Ning or Moodle to give students access to class information, and by using Google Docs for word processing, I would be well on my way to achieving my goal of a paperless classroom. More important than that, by using a Ning or Moodle for class information, students would have 24 hour access to my class. By utilizing these tools, I would be able to eliminate the walls of my classroom and the hours of the school building. The possibilities of Google Docs also will allow my students to collaborate together, for we all know that misery loves company. Hopefully, technology will take misery out of the equation, and we will be left with meaningful learning experiences.
I am also encouraged by all of the online tools that we have utilized in our studies. Prior to our class, I had never given consideration to using online tools, and as a matter of fact, I never knew online tools existed. I think the greatest advantage of these tools is that work can be completed, either individually or collaboratively, wherever one has access to the internet. No longer are we separated into Mac and PC user groups. Using online tools, we can all access the same information, regardless of the platform we use. Now that I have been introduced to these online tools, it is important that I spend time researching the best online tools for my students.
Times certainly are changing, and I think that I am preparing for this future by being involved in this graduate program. I have already started to transform my classroom because of the information we have learned in class, and I look forward to continuing this metamorphosis as I further build my knowledge concerning technology. I am excited about building this knowledge base so that I can provide and exciting and engaging classroom for my students, and hopefully have them develop a love of lifelong learning.

Week Five

Egad! After going through the assignments this week, I have reaffirmed my greatest fear in teaching; I have become an anachronism. Had I been teaching 30 years ago, I think that my feelings of self worth would be in good standing. As it stands, I have found my teaching style seriously out of touch with what my students need. After taking the learning with technology profile, I am reminded that I work in a school district that does an excellent job providing technology and training for technology used in the classroom. At the same time, the graph demonstrated how inadequate my use of technology has been, and more to the point, how I am not meeting the technological needs of my students. Ouch. I have always been one that wanted to be told exactly the way it was, but in this case, I was hoping that some magical fairy could skew the results of the survey and show how great I was at implementing technology in the classroom. But unfortunately, the data tells no lies and uses no euphemisms.
I believe that self assessment has two purposes: the first is to point out weaknesses, and the second is to exact some sort of change for the better or worse. I am currently facing the proposition of choice. I can choose to be bitter about the results, claiming that they are irrelevant, and continue to teach in my current manner, or I can embrace the results and realize that I must take steps to improve classroom instruction. Fortunately for my pension and my marriage I will opt for the latter choice.
Throughout this course, I have realized how little I know concerning technology. There is no question that I am a digital immigrant who is at best somewhere in the entry level stage of the technology professional development process. I might even be considered at the pre-entry level stage if there is such a level. I can't believe how fast technology has passed me by. Although I could lament for hours, weeks, or months how unfortunate it is that I am in this position, I would rather dust off my ego and get back on my feet. My next step is to figure out how to become "one with technology."
I think the information that we have been studying in this class has developed my curiosity about technology. I never realized how much information was out in cyberspace concerning the use of technology. I have now been given tools to go find this information, and ultimately use technology in the classroom. I know that the journey will be arduous, but I have always maintained that student success has been the only reason that I entered teaching. With that in mind, I want to have newfound technology tools supplement my content knowledge to provide the best experience for my students. I want them to be excited about coming into my classroom, not because of me, but because they are excited about learning.
My hope is that other teachers in my district get excited about learning and subsequently implementing technology in the classroom. As in any district, we probably have many teachers who are set in their pedagogical methods, and are perhaps counting the days until they are put out to pasture. It is difficult to get students excited as juniors in high school who have no passion concerning learning and no clue what they will need to do for success in the future. This is not an excuse, for I cannot control what anyone does but myself. I look forward to continuing my education and applying the skills I obtain to allow my students become prepared for whatever they encounter in the future.