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Showing posts from February, 2014

Reflection and Upgrades

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This week has been fun.  Reading and trying to apply it to my daily work.  When I was reading the Living with New Media  section, I began to wonder about the ones that don't fit in to these groups.  One project I am involved in at school is Mac and iPad Management.  I use a Mobile Device Manager, (Casper Suite) to assist students and faculty with these devices.  We deploy out software and updates on demand, via the Mobile Device Manager.  There are many kinds of learners out there, and some are not the "messing around" or "geek-out" type.  What about the more apprehensive group, the ones who fear change?  What I am concerned about is the resistant to move with the times crowd.  The "too scared" to try.  The more cautious, that have to be forced to update software.  The unorganised that never have a backup when their computer fails, or "lost" that assignment.  The ones who get upset by the "new" Facebook.  Mired down in the

An App for that...

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Image Source Are all technologies in the classroom created equal? Well no.  There are many models to discuss what is a better use of technology in the classroom. Revised Blooms and SAMR discusses the difference between the types of technology that can be used, and the levels of achievement in these areas. Revised Blooms SAMR https://sites.google.com/a/msad60.org/technology-is-learning/samr-model Both look to simplify how we approach technology in the classroom.  Giving us a prescribed App vs Higher order thinking method to the madness of the use of technology in the classroom. When we look at use of technology, be it iPads, computer labs, smart board, laptops... We need to look towards the lesson plan and the unit plan, rather than that of the tool. Higher order thinking can be shown in almost any application or with any tool, as well as low level thinking can be shown with poor planning and lots of resources thrown at the problem.  The simple pencil with p

Minecraft in Education

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This week I have been teaching about Minecraft to teachers in my job as an EdTech Specialist.  If you haven't used it, its a pretty interesting little game.  If you have a child that is between 7 and 15, just ask how interesting it is.  The presentation below is of my work mate, David Lee , who is an Elementary Tech integrationist, and wrote the training we presented to staff members at Korea International School.    In this entry, I am going to explain how this new media game, relates to our course objectives. In the reading, " Living and Learning, a New Media Report " from the MacArthur foundation, a few main types of online communities are described.  These types are: "Hanging Out", "Messing Around", and "Geeking Out". In "Hanging Out" one extends their real world to an online community, extending themselves across distances (or in the same room).  Messing around is best described as "... young people begin to take