Something I am learning about technology is…
This is both and easy and a tough question, for while I’m being shown new programs and I am excited about how they work, I am really learning that technology doesn’t necessarily make life easier. I’m finding that there needs to be a balance between the new and the useful. And sometimes something that is “cool” is just that, “cool,” but nothing else.
Something I’m learning about learning is…
I am an impatient learning. I prefer to have some guidance and then explore things at my own pace… which is usually quicker than what a classroom setting moves at. I don’t mean this to sound conceited, but I am very comfortable with technology and I have a clear view of what I want my classroom to look like. Now I just need the time and resources to make it happen.
Something I’m learning about teaching is…
I haven’t gotten it right yet.
Something I’m learning about myself is…
I LOVE using technology. Though I guess I already knew that. What I’ve really learned is that my goal really focuses around two aspects. First, I want my students to be engaged by my lessons and actually learn something about making film. Secondly, I want my life (job) to become easier over time, not harder. I think the integration of technology is key to both of these.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
My Tech Kids...
Who are my digital kids?
My digital kids are the ones who jump at using the computers and editing their films. They are the ones that are willing to do more work for their group just because they enjoy doing it.
How do I know?
They make themselves known. They are always eager to show what they can do, and they are the ones who really listen when I teach some of the more advanced editing stuff.
What can they teach me?
Students teach me all the time. Mostly it’s with their ideas and creativity. Reminding me that students bring a lot to the table and that I don’t need to show them “everything” but rather show them how to figure it out. That makes me want to continue to “figure it out” on my own too.
My digital kids are the ones who jump at using the computers and editing their films. They are the ones that are willing to do more work for their group just because they enjoy doing it.
How do I know?
They make themselves known. They are always eager to show what they can do, and they are the ones who really listen when I teach some of the more advanced editing stuff.
What can they teach me?
Students teach me all the time. Mostly it’s with their ideas and creativity. Reminding me that students bring a lot to the table and that I don’t need to show them “everything” but rather show them how to figure it out. That makes me want to continue to “figure it out” on my own too.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
My Learning… a digital Story?
Alright, where did this whole journey begin? Well, for me it started a while back when I finished the PDP program and swore that any schooling I took from then on would be only content of interest…
When I began looking into graduate programs to upgrade my TQS I looked high and low for a master’s degree that would meet my needs while at the same time allow me to continue teaching full-time. It quickly became apparent that I was not going to find what I was looking for… so what now?
Luckily, the LTT program re-opened. You see, I really wanted to make sure that I was going to be taking something that was more than just a pay upgrade, and instead something that I would find useful both in my career and in my private life. Technology fit that bill.
So what has my journey been looking like? Well so far its on track. I’ve been turned on to several really cool sites and programs that I have already started to use in the classroom. Unfortunately, I’ve also discovered that simply using the technology is not enough. Having a class site with resources and tutorials will sit unused if I don’t make it a part of the learning in my classroom. And that has been a bit of a hurtle for me. I’ve battled the idea of making tutorials and sending kids to view them rather than show them myself, but I’m thinking that I need to make that jump so that the students learn to pursue information on their own. So that I am their as a guide and safety net rather than the fountain of all knowledge in the room. Students need to see the site as something useful and a place to turn to first. Otherwise, it remains unused and a big waste of my time.
Now this may seem a bit negative, but not so. I’m actually very excited about what the classroom will look like. I’m a strong believer in self motivation and I think that that is what I will be teaching above event he content of the course. And I’ll be there to help those students who need more direct teaching, while those who excel will be free to work ahead at their pace. Fingers crossed, that’s the plan anyway…
When I began looking into graduate programs to upgrade my TQS I looked high and low for a master’s degree that would meet my needs while at the same time allow me to continue teaching full-time. It quickly became apparent that I was not going to find what I was looking for… so what now?
Luckily, the LTT program re-opened. You see, I really wanted to make sure that I was going to be taking something that was more than just a pay upgrade, and instead something that I would find useful both in my career and in my private life. Technology fit that bill.
So what has my journey been looking like? Well so far its on track. I’ve been turned on to several really cool sites and programs that I have already started to use in the classroom. Unfortunately, I’ve also discovered that simply using the technology is not enough. Having a class site with resources and tutorials will sit unused if I don’t make it a part of the learning in my classroom. And that has been a bit of a hurtle for me. I’ve battled the idea of making tutorials and sending kids to view them rather than show them myself, but I’m thinking that I need to make that jump so that the students learn to pursue information on their own. So that I am their as a guide and safety net rather than the fountain of all knowledge in the room. Students need to see the site as something useful and a place to turn to first. Otherwise, it remains unused and a big waste of my time.
Now this may seem a bit negative, but not so. I’m actually very excited about what the classroom will look like. I’m a strong believer in self motivation and I think that that is what I will be teaching above event he content of the course. And I’ll be there to help those students who need more direct teaching, while those who excel will be free to work ahead at their pace. Fingers crossed, that’s the plan anyway…
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Who am I as a teacher?
Who am I as a teacher?
Who am I trying to be as a teacher?
These are two things that I think on often. Why did I become a teacher? Why am I still a teacher? Was it simply to get my summers off? Or is there something more. Do I really even enjoy teaching? And what part of teaching is it that I can look forward to every day?
This year has been a very big year for me in terms of figuring out some answers to these questions. In part I think this is because I am now teaching something that I really love to learn and share with the students… film. At the same time, I think I’m becoming more comfortable with myself and my place in the classroom.
I have, in the past, and likely still to some degree, been a different person at “work” than I am when I am not being a “teacher.” As I have said before this is because I have felt that there needs to be some distance between myself and the students so that the respect and authority is there.
I’m not sure that this is right.
Over the past few weeks, since the start of the most recent term, I’ve let more and more of my own personality creep into my teaching practice. Rather than playing the role of authority at all times, of taking a moral high ground, of being the disapproving older, more mature teacher, I’ve begun to, for lack of better words, lighten up a bit and, at least on some level, connect with the students more. If something is funny, I’ll laugh. I might follow it up by saying “that is so inappropriate,” but rather than getting mad, or rather, pretending that I’m mad – because that’s my role as a teacher, I’ll be myself. I think the students have responded well to this.
Well, now that I’ve ranted on a bit I realize that I really haven’t answered very many of the questions. I guess who I want to be as a teacher is someone who enjoys going to work everyday. That’s it. I want to wake up and look forward to spending time with my classes. How I get to that point is what I’m working at. I don’t expect that every student will love my class, nor do I pretend that I’ll even like all of my students. But what I do hope for is a classroom where I feel comfortable to be myself and where I am able to share with students, with people, what I know and what I want to learn about.
If you have any ideas on how I do this, please share them…
Who am I trying to be as a teacher?
These are two things that I think on often. Why did I become a teacher? Why am I still a teacher? Was it simply to get my summers off? Or is there something more. Do I really even enjoy teaching? And what part of teaching is it that I can look forward to every day?
This year has been a very big year for me in terms of figuring out some answers to these questions. In part I think this is because I am now teaching something that I really love to learn and share with the students… film. At the same time, I think I’m becoming more comfortable with myself and my place in the classroom.
I have, in the past, and likely still to some degree, been a different person at “work” than I am when I am not being a “teacher.” As I have said before this is because I have felt that there needs to be some distance between myself and the students so that the respect and authority is there.
I’m not sure that this is right.
Over the past few weeks, since the start of the most recent term, I’ve let more and more of my own personality creep into my teaching practice. Rather than playing the role of authority at all times, of taking a moral high ground, of being the disapproving older, more mature teacher, I’ve begun to, for lack of better words, lighten up a bit and, at least on some level, connect with the students more. If something is funny, I’ll laugh. I might follow it up by saying “that is so inappropriate,” but rather than getting mad, or rather, pretending that I’m mad – because that’s my role as a teacher, I’ll be myself. I think the students have responded well to this.
Well, now that I’ve ranted on a bit I realize that I really haven’t answered very many of the questions. I guess who I want to be as a teacher is someone who enjoys going to work everyday. That’s it. I want to wake up and look forward to spending time with my classes. How I get to that point is what I’m working at. I don’t expect that every student will love my class, nor do I pretend that I’ll even like all of my students. But what I do hope for is a classroom where I feel comfortable to be myself and where I am able to share with students, with people, what I know and what I want to learn about.
If you have any ideas on how I do this, please share them…
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The Plan
Well we had to come up with a "plan" for our own learning, and since I've been working on a number of things... mainly trying to find stuff that engages the students and holds their interest, as well as making my life easier rather than harder. Here goes...
C:\
cd\the plan
C:\The Plan
/dir
...
1. Learning Goals/Objective:
A. To develop and implement a course website
i. Video tutorials
ii. Course content for parents
iii. Daily lesson plan for students to review missed work
iv. Links to course related materials
v. Message board to generate online discussions
B. To create Video/podcast tutorials from lessons
i. Learn to use:
a. Jing
b. Vixy.net
c. Miro.net
2. Resources:
A. Internet tutorial sites
i. Creative Cow
ii. Video Apex
iii. DVXuser.com
iv. XSlimits
B. Mike Schoenhals (Film teacher at Heritage Woods)
C. Jodey Udell (Multimedia teacher at Glen Eagle)
D. Spencer Dunlop (Tech. at Port Moody Secondary)
3. Implementation:
A. Research various options for a course website:
i. Sharepoint (via district)
ii. Wiki's
a. wikispaces.com
iii. Website
a. Create my own (html, dreamweaver, etc...)
b. Free hosting/creating site
- googlespaces
- others?
B. Become an expert on Jing (free version... too cheap to purchase full version):
i. Download program
ii. Install program
iii. Watch online tutorials at jing.com
iv. Play around with program until comfortable with it.
C. Find online resources and useful links/sites:
i. Pay attention to all the cool sites talked about in LTT
ii. Stay in contact with my Resource people
iii. Search the internet
a. google
b. RSS feeds
c. message boards
/dir
C:\The Plan
cd..
C:\
Shutdown
...
C:\
cd\the plan
C:\The Plan
/dir
...
1. Learning Goals/Objective:
A. To develop and implement a course website
i. Video tutorials
ii. Course content for parents
iii. Daily lesson plan for students to review missed work
iv. Links to course related materials
v. Message board to generate online discussions
B. To create Video/podcast tutorials from lessons
i. Learn to use:
a. Jing
b. Vixy.net
c. Miro.net
2. Resources:
A. Internet tutorial sites
i. Creative Cow
ii. Video Apex
iii. DVXuser.com
iv. XSlimits
B. Mike Schoenhals (Film teacher at Heritage Woods)
C. Jodey Udell (Multimedia teacher at Glen Eagle)
D. Spencer Dunlop (Tech. at Port Moody Secondary)
3. Implementation:
A. Research various options for a course website:
i. Sharepoint (via district)
ii. Wiki's
a. wikispaces.com
iii. Website
a. Create my own (html, dreamweaver, etc...)
b. Free hosting/creating site
- googlespaces
- others?
B. Become an expert on Jing (free version... too cheap to purchase full version):
i. Download program
ii. Install program
iii. Watch online tutorials at jing.com
iv. Play around with program until comfortable with it.
C. Find online resources and useful links/sites:
i. Pay attention to all the cool sites talked about in LTT
ii. Stay in contact with my Resource people
iii. Search the internet
a. google
b. RSS feeds
c. message boards
/dir
C:\The Plan
cd..
C:\
Shutdown
...
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Defining Assumptions
1. An assumption I have about teaching and/or learning is:
That students need structure in order to stay focused and on task; to learn, to feel comfortable and safe enough to explore. If they don’t see a clear “leader” they will not step outside of their comfort zone.
2. Because I assume this to be true, when I create a learning environment I pay attention to:
The layout of the classroom, seating plans, and who works with who. I also make sure that students will be put into “uncomfortable” situations (ie. away from their friends) so that they can succeed on their own. I don’t tolerate disrespect.
3. Because I assume this to be true, when I create a learning environment I do not pay attention to:
The benefits of connecting on a personal level with the students. I often focus on the “this is what we need to get done” side of things and I don’t pay enough attention to getting to know the students. Part of this is that I am still learning to be comfortable with being “myself” around the students and finding the balance between being a “teacher” and being friendly. I put distance between myself and them because I worry that I will lose their respect if I’m just the “guy who tries to be cool.” I know that I need to bring more of my personality into the classroom, but I throw up walls and fall back on what I know… how to get things done and get others working on a task.
That students need structure in order to stay focused and on task; to learn, to feel comfortable and safe enough to explore. If they don’t see a clear “leader” they will not step outside of their comfort zone.
2. Because I assume this to be true, when I create a learning environment I pay attention to:
The layout of the classroom, seating plans, and who works with who. I also make sure that students will be put into “uncomfortable” situations (ie. away from their friends) so that they can succeed on their own. I don’t tolerate disrespect.
3. Because I assume this to be true, when I create a learning environment I do not pay attention to:
The benefits of connecting on a personal level with the students. I often focus on the “this is what we need to get done” side of things and I don’t pay enough attention to getting to know the students. Part of this is that I am still learning to be comfortable with being “myself” around the students and finding the balance between being a “teacher” and being friendly. I put distance between myself and them because I worry that I will lose their respect if I’m just the “guy who tries to be cool.” I know that I need to bring more of my personality into the classroom, but I throw up walls and fall back on what I know… how to get things done and get others working on a task.
Learning on my own...
Okay, so part of the LTT program (a big part) is reflection on our learning. Great. The program is also about self directed learning, and that means thinking about past learning... past self directed learning. So...
The last thing I taught myself to do was a demon face morph in After Effects. I came across a tutorial online that showed me what to do and I was quite successful. I’m going to be using it and various other effects I’ve been learning in a short movie. Hopefully its scary.
I think the coolest thing about learning this, and other things, on my own is that you really feel successful when finished. The sense of reward is greater, I think, when you succeed at something that you chose to pursue, took it upon yourself to struggle through, and finally mastered... or at least finished. This was a first draft... the second version was better, but I don't have it on my laptop... if you want to see it, let me know.
The last thing I taught myself to do was a demon face morph in After Effects. I came across a tutorial online that showed me what to do and I was quite successful. I’m going to be using it and various other effects I’ve been learning in a short movie. Hopefully its scary.
I think the coolest thing about learning this, and other things, on my own is that you really feel successful when finished. The sense of reward is greater, I think, when you succeed at something that you chose to pursue, took it upon yourself to struggle through, and finally mastered... or at least finished. This was a first draft... the second version was better, but I don't have it on my laptop... if you want to see it, let me know.
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