The I in PICKLE

The "I" in PICKLE, also the information using was such an eye-opener. This reading made me reflect on how we get our information. There is information everywhere and so easy to access from anywhere in the world. Information that pertains to you and information that pertains to someone across the world. No matter where you live you  have access to it in form of newspaper, magazines, journals, encyclopedias, news show, telecast, radio discussions; it's all around us. Little did I know that I was self filtering not only the amount of information I read or listen to but also the type of information I wanted that interested me. I never thought of myself as a filter but when I scroll past headlines that may interest someone else, I am acting as a filter.

Similar to how we get information on the world, I find myself doing the same thing when getting information about effective teaching strategies, latest curriculum, project based learning, and even student seating. No matter how you look at it, it is all information that is mostly opinion based. Now I'm sure the research done behind each topic is legit, but again it is filter in a way that backs up their selling point. I find my self being consumed hours and hours at a time by a good article, then linked to similar articles. As discussed in class, our devices then learns what we like and only shows information that would interest me. When in fact I need to look at the pros and cons to each subject or topic being researched. I alwys look up the benefits to new ideas, very rarely do I look at the negative side to it. I don't want to see the ways it can go wrong!

We need to teach our students how to avoid spending to much time consuming. With everything in life we need balance, we need to teach our students a balance when consuming information. It is a school requirement to teach common sense media lessons. These lesson teach students how to use the computer responsibly and appropriately. We can also use this opportunity to teach them how to be healthy consumers of information. Teaching them that not everything you read is "healthy" on the internet. I too can do a similar activity in the classroom, 12 rules with a tangible, to help students remember their jobs as 21st century learners and the importance of a healthy and balanced information diet. And not only with technology but this can be used for a lot of concepts. We are currently doing famous Americans, this idea can be modified so I can have the class come up with 5-10 words that describe a Famous American and come up with a tangible that represents each one. So many ways to spin this! I am excited for class 2!

affordance analysis and the fifth design principle

I really enjoyed putting together the design document. I was excited to create and design something that was outside of our traditional box, and integrating our 21st century skills. But then again it was all exciting and made sense in my head. It was much harder to organize and put all the elements under the right categories when putting it on paper. So I was excited to be able to revise it and come back to share all our wonderful ideas. Hopefully I am a little more on track.

The osmos and bots were a fun brain break we could use to explore with. But sometimes as teachers we over look the new era of using technology in class and sometimes forget to step back and see is this actually useful or is this just a brain break (pacifier some call it). My first grade team last year decided to use our PTA funds to buy one osmo per class and some were brave enough to spend $100 of their own money to have several. When we watched the tutorial online about it, it seemed super cool and the decision was made in 2 minutes. When trying to get 7 ladies to agree on the best option, you kind of pick your battles. Instead of just going with the flow and keeping my thoughts to myself, I ask myself when will I use this in the classroom. Mine is still in the packaging and collecting dust. Most teachers wouldn't even put out the "cool gadget" because they didn't trust their kids to use it properly........WELL WHY BUY THEM?! Anywhooooo.....back to my original point.

  I have been contemplating back and fourth with myself about buying iPads for the class. After class I need to step back and really assess the affordances and constraints it contributes for what I intend to use the ipads in my classroom. When deciding new technology, as teachers, we need to ask ourselves does this enhance and provide useful value to instruction or does this replace something I can already do or have with a cooler version?  (I do that a lot when looking for cute resources on TPT) I wish my team was with me in class  to see how silly it was to buy those things. But I definitely will apply this to my planning and learning to be flexible and think outside the box with resources.

The Victorian Internet

So when I first started reading this book, I was complaining to almost anyone that would listen about how I was reading a book about the history of the telegraph and how silly it was. At first I did not understand why this related to education let alone my personal experience. Later after reading the assignment, it made sense haha. I learned not only will people be people by taking advantage, being greedy, and looking for the next best thing. I also learned that people will be people by trying to abuse, misuse and find loop holes whenever possible.

While I agree that technology plays a huge role in our lives, I learned from the in class pickto chart activity that technology comes with a huge pool of problems of its own. Technology is a great tool when used in partnership with PICKLE. Evening discussing troubleshoots and things that may go wrong while using the technology provides as extra step that will save you your sanity when the same pop up window to download flash player comes up! There is only one teacher (two if your lucky) and teaching the class to PICKLE through troubleshoots is an option I did not think about until after this activity. I usually just run over and click a few buttons and send them on their way.

The Victorian Internet is similar to education in many ways. The educational system has many founders and builders along the way. Many people who have left their mark on education, some that still have effect on our current practice. Others, that are simply a joke or have faded away. Education is constantly changing and looking to adapt to the culture or the 21st century. Similar to the reading, people are always looking to improve and come out with the next best things, that may be more efficient, personalized and adaptive to everyday lives. On the other hand, people are always finding the silver linings or "crime" to the education system. One size fits all lesson plans, print and go, no prep, all the work is done for you just buy and go- just a few of the taunting time saving slogans. All though it may seem to benefit the teacher, it does more crime to the student when they grow up and go into the work with out PICKLE skills to back up their education. I am very excited to get into the technology aspect and discover more gadgets to use in the class!