Randy Stall is one of the "big wigs" in my district. Littleton Public Schools is well respected in Colorado for using technology in the classroom. I am enrolled in a cohort program with my district called "flipping the classroom" and "inspired learning." Mr. Stall conducts these professional development opportunities within our district and is well respected because he makes "house calls" and will help teachers create meaningful lessons using the technology resources that we have available.
It was a pleasure to interview him and ask him about what his job entails. I learned that he has been in the educational technology field for 23 years and is a lifelong learner. He is constantly researching new endeavors in technology and knows that technology is ever changing. He and his team are current in all the trends of technology.
Since I am in the BYOD group, I felt that it was a necessity to stray away from my interview to pick his brain about this particular topic since I work in the district. Or neighbor, Englewood Public Schools are participating in the 1:1 program/BYOD for reading. Another neighbor district participates in BYOD but have no purpose and leave the devices at school. Randy thinks that BYOD will only work if there is purpose and meaning behind the 1:1 program. The students should be allowed to bring their device to and from school in order for this to be truly effective.
Ever since I have started this program, I have argued against distance education for primary elementary students. I have also feared that distance learning may replace teachers and maybe subconsciously I have chosen this program to solidify a career in education. When I spoke to Randy it was comforting to know that technology won't replace teachers and distance learning should be age-appropriate. I appreciated this advice from a veteran professional and discussing this topic put my mind at ease.
In terms of a career in educational technology, I feel that if I play my cards right I could work for Randy and the technology team. I feel that Randy knows that I have a lot to offer and I would provide primary teachers valuable professional development experiences.
Here is a link to our interview:
Randy Stall and Maggie Ward's interview
Please advise there were some background noise and the camera angle is weird....I need to work on editing!
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
EDUC 639- Meet Maggie Ward
Maggie Ward's introduction
Hello!
I am looking forward to working on BYOD (Bring your own device). I am hoping we can figure out how to close the digital divide with this topic. I have taken a course from Dr. Courduff and she is great, she will keep you on your toes!
Hello!
I am looking forward to working on BYOD (Bring your own device). I am hoping we can figure out how to close the digital divide with this topic. I have taken a course from Dr. Courduff and she is great, she will keep you on your toes!
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
EDUC 633- Week 8d
Distance learning is an effective way to educate adult learners so that adults can work, have a family, and get an education at the same time. Distance learners have the opportunity to educate themselves in a way where it best suits their needs. Instructors seem to be readily available as easy as a quick email or text message. Resources seem to be available online and communities can be effective with discussion boards or collaborative projects. Lectures can be viewed online through videos or presentations while the learner can break up the sessions and take notes in their own time.
However, many arguments are created against distance education because it lacks face to face (F2F) interactions with their peers. Parviz (2002) argues that distance education isn't appropriate for "heavily dependent on experiential teaching, laboratory exercises, role-playing, group dynamics, body language, and other educational objectives that involve interaction-based observations". I would agree that some distance education isn't the best for learners. In the primary classroom, social interactions are so important in child development that distance learning almost "robs" a child of the on site school experience.
In Australia, distance education has been proven to be effective even in the primary classroom. I would love to field experience an online primary learning environment so that I could get my head around what the process and paradigm actually looks like. Downes (2013) researched a particular Australian school that involved parent supervisors in the primary classroom. I felt this experience was much like a home school situation than an actual interactive online learning environment. Parent supervisors are parents that help their child learn in the home environment. Most of these parents have no certification in the education field but rely on teachers to put packets of curriculum with explicit instructions so that their child can be part of the education program. Downes (2013) found that most parents struggles to understand the directions but also felt successful when they saw the actual progress of their child's education. While homeschooling is another topic that certainly can be discussed, I feel this article addressed this topic more than an online learning environment.
Parents and distance learning in the Downes (2013) article inspired me to explore the opportunities that parents have in their child's education in a distant learning atmosphere. Sorenson (2012) took surveys from parents and collected their thoughts on their children's education in an online environment. When parents were asked about their thoughts on what happens to be the most challenging prospect on their child's education, most parents answered, motivation. Motivation is such a key factor for any age in an online learning environment. If you are a lazy student and are not intrinsically motivated this environment won't be conducive from an educational point of view. Some parents were extremely positive about their child's experience. Some parents said that they felt teachers were more hands on than the regular classroom. Students were able to work at their own pace and allow more critical thinking (Sorenson, 2012). Depending on the child, distance learning can be effective. If parents are supportive, a child is intrinsically motivated, and the child is socially intelligent I do believe distant education can be truly effective in the primary grades.
Downes, Natalie (2013). The challenges and opportunities experienced by parent supervisors in primary school distance education. Australian and International Journal of Rural Education. 23 (2), p.31. Retrieved from: http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA344155476&v=2.1&u=vic_liberty&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&asid=9adf42d83006803ca5e87642d6130563
Parviz, R. F.(2002). Distance education. Cost Engineering. 44 (6), 9-11. Retrieved from: http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/docview/220436825
Sorenson, C. (2012). Learning online at the K-12 level: a parent/guardian perspective. International Journal of Instructional Media. 39 (4), p 297. Retrieved from: http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA311499606&v=2.1&u=vic_liberty&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w
However, many arguments are created against distance education because it lacks face to face (F2F) interactions with their peers. Parviz (2002) argues that distance education isn't appropriate for "heavily dependent on experiential teaching, laboratory exercises, role-playing, group dynamics, body language, and other educational objectives that involve interaction-based observations". I would agree that some distance education isn't the best for learners. In the primary classroom, social interactions are so important in child development that distance learning almost "robs" a child of the on site school experience.
In Australia, distance education has been proven to be effective even in the primary classroom. I would love to field experience an online primary learning environment so that I could get my head around what the process and paradigm actually looks like. Downes (2013) researched a particular Australian school that involved parent supervisors in the primary classroom. I felt this experience was much like a home school situation than an actual interactive online learning environment. Parent supervisors are parents that help their child learn in the home environment. Most of these parents have no certification in the education field but rely on teachers to put packets of curriculum with explicit instructions so that their child can be part of the education program. Downes (2013) found that most parents struggles to understand the directions but also felt successful when they saw the actual progress of their child's education. While homeschooling is another topic that certainly can be discussed, I feel this article addressed this topic more than an online learning environment.
Parents and distance learning in the Downes (2013) article inspired me to explore the opportunities that parents have in their child's education in a distant learning atmosphere. Sorenson (2012) took surveys from parents and collected their thoughts on their children's education in an online environment. When parents were asked about their thoughts on what happens to be the most challenging prospect on their child's education, most parents answered, motivation. Motivation is such a key factor for any age in an online learning environment. If you are a lazy student and are not intrinsically motivated this environment won't be conducive from an educational point of view. Some parents were extremely positive about their child's experience. Some parents said that they felt teachers were more hands on than the regular classroom. Students were able to work at their own pace and allow more critical thinking (Sorenson, 2012). Depending on the child, distance learning can be effective. If parents are supportive, a child is intrinsically motivated, and the child is socially intelligent I do believe distant education can be truly effective in the primary grades.
Downes, Natalie (2013). The challenges and opportunities experienced by parent supervisors in primary school distance education. Australian and International Journal of Rural Education. 23 (2), p.31. Retrieved from: http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA344155476&v=2.1&u=vic_liberty&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&asid=9adf42d83006803ca5e87642d6130563
Sorenson, C. (2012). Learning online at the K-12 level: a parent/guardian perspective. International Journal of Instructional Media. 39 (4), p 297. Retrieved from: http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA311499606&v=2.1&u=vic_liberty&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w
Saturday, October 5, 2013
EDUC 638_Week 6
What a week to reflect on technology! Let me tell you it's a bittersweet one. This week I was driving up to Vail, CO for the weekend. I put in the destination's address into my "normally" trusted GPS system for the hotel I was going to stay in. My GPS started to take me the route I was familiar with, but then wanted to take me a different route to avoid strenuous traffic. I decided to let the device configure the distance and move on, and why not I would love to see some amazing scenery in the Rockies. As the GPS toke me through the most amazing windy rode, I drank in the beauty of the color changing aspen leaves and recently fallen snow, almost forgetting the unfamiliarity.
Enjoying the view the device told me to go down this somewhat rocky rode. I was skeptical at first but trusted the technology device. Before I knew it I was making my Ford Explorer a work horse or some extreme adventurer on an off-roding expedition. Before I knew it, I was in a narrow ravine with boulders and a river running through the middle of my car. I was then cursing my (now untrusted) GPS system and trying not to roll my car. The only way for me out of this situation was to go through because turning back wasn't an option. The floods in Colorado which was two weeks ago cause this rode to be even more damaged...shocking I know because it technically wasn't a rode to begin with (but according to the GPS signal it was???) was washed away showing an antique aqueduct about 4 feel deep. I decided to try and go over the side of this aqueduct, and it became stuck.
Extremely angry with technology I started to cry, curse, pray, problem-solve, survive, etc. Me, now stuck in the middle of nowhere is wondering what I can do next. I decided to let technology redeem itself by using my phone to call 911 and get a tow truck to help me. Still having an argument with technology because my cell phone service keeps cutting out unless I stood on on foot and leaned my head a little to the right. I managed to save myself with limited technology service. I was rescued by 3 tow truck drivers and a sheriff and off I went back home, missing my Vail weekend.
The point being is that technology isn't always reliable but when it is it can save your life.
Enjoying the view the device told me to go down this somewhat rocky rode. I was skeptical at first but trusted the technology device. Before I knew it I was making my Ford Explorer a work horse or some extreme adventurer on an off-roding expedition. Before I knew it, I was in a narrow ravine with boulders and a river running through the middle of my car. I was then cursing my (now untrusted) GPS system and trying not to roll my car. The only way for me out of this situation was to go through because turning back wasn't an option. The floods in Colorado which was two weeks ago cause this rode to be even more damaged...shocking I know because it technically wasn't a rode to begin with (but according to the GPS signal it was???) was washed away showing an antique aqueduct about 4 feel deep. I decided to try and go over the side of this aqueduct, and it became stuck.
Extremely angry with technology I started to cry, curse, pray, problem-solve, survive, etc. Me, now stuck in the middle of nowhere is wondering what I can do next. I decided to let technology redeem itself by using my phone to call 911 and get a tow truck to help me. Still having an argument with technology because my cell phone service keeps cutting out unless I stood on on foot and leaned my head a little to the right. I managed to save myself with limited technology service. I was rescued by 3 tow truck drivers and a sheriff and off I went back home, missing my Vail weekend.
The point being is that technology isn't always reliable but when it is it can save your life.
Hall, D. (2008). The Technology Director’s Guide to Leadership . Eugene: ISTE.
Picciano, A. (2011). Educational Leadership and Planning for Technology (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson.
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