Implementing Technology

Applying knowledge in the real world is an integral part of the learning process. This becomes even more applicable in the area of instructional technology. Throughout the SLIS instructional materials course we have been introduced to a variety of technologies. Many of us have found these Web 2.o skills both exciting and challenging. The challenges will continue as we find ways to implement them into our workplaces. I have several implementation plans as I begin a new career working in higher education.

As an essential skills advisor in the GED Academy, a special drop out recovery program offered at North Central Texas College, my duties will be both instructional and motivational. I am presently working on a wiki page to celebrate the accomplishments and successes of GED students. At first I planned to publish Success Stories in a weekly GED Academy newsletter. Instead, I am working on a wiki page that would accomplish this goal. Drop outs are used to looking at themselves as failures but the opportunity to post major and minor successes statements will allow them to overcome the failure image and focus on their success. The first wiki page will be devoted to Celebrate Success where students can post one sentence that describes a personal accomplishment. I hope that they will be able to see small success in their lives, like getting up at the first ring on the alarm clock. Additional pages will discuss goal setting, time management, and team work.

During the course, I found two specific sites, Glogster and Wordle, that I knew would be implemented in my instruction. Students in the program will be required to complete a journal and the Wordle will assist them in the creation of a personal web cloud poster. This will become their journal cover. The use of word clouds will will also incorporate instructional preparation for the writing portion of the GED. These posters have the potential of bringing inspiration to students that strive to accomplish personal goals.

The Glogster site will create a photo poster and will be used on graduation day. The GED Academy is funded by a TEA grant and requires placement in career/technology training. The goal of GED Academy is to develop a connection to higher education and to facilitate this goal a cap and gown ceremony will be conducted. The Glogster site will create a special graduation picture that will be a visual reminder of their success and a motivational tool to help them reach their next goal.

Student drop out rate has the attention of politicians and lawmakers throughout the state of Texas . I believe the implementation of new technology might attract those students who do not succeed in a normal classroom setting. The obstacles and poor choices made in the past can be overcome, and perhaps the implementation of social networking, wikis, blogs, and other Web 2.o technologies will make a difference in their lives. I hope so!

Classification and Tagging

The advent of tagging internet data by ordinary users has created a new level of classification. This relatively new phenomena is creating taxonomy as we speak; or more precisely, as we communicate. In the past, one of the most time consuming aspect of the Web was trying to find saved data quickly and efficiently. It was a bit like looking for the proverbial "needle in a haystack". When WEB 2.0 arrived it allowed us to tag information according to our needs, making retrieval easier.

One of the most useful tagging sites is del.icio.us. Instead of hundreds of sites marked in a favorites list, we can tag it under del.icio.us. The data is saved in categories of our choice, using the language and wordage that is useful to us. In addition, it will allow us to see what others are collecting under similar tags. This is collaborative learning at its best!

No longer are our favorites list on just one computer. Del.icio.us allows us to publish them for online use. Personally, this is the ultimate advantage because I often work on various computers. My home has three computers that the family uses interchangeable. As a teacher I may find myself working on my school assigned laptop, one of the library computers, or the technology classroom computers. Having data available no matter where I am is a lifesaver.

When I created the tags for the assigned project, I was not very satisfied with the outcome. As with any new experience it will take getting used to before I can say I am pleased with the result. Perhaps it was the websites that I randomly chose to complete the assignment; I was not too excited about them. Instead of giving 100% on the assignment, I was thinking of my antiquated favorites list and deciding how to tag and classify the hundreds of sites. Categorizing my own data will be a challenge but well worth the time and effort. If I do not get around to the ol' favorites list, I know that I will tag my collection of new sites.

The Machine Is Us- Using Us

Professor Welsh has created an interesting title for his YouTube video on Web 2.0. The title for the video, "The Machine Is Us- Using Us" lends itself to an interesting discussion. As Nancy Courtney pointed out in Library 2.0 and Beyond, Web 2.0 "facilitates collaboration and social connection" (p. 6). The computer is a machine that is about us because it connects us together. With the advent of RSS, we are now able to share so much of our lives. We have become a blogging community. We use videos, Facebook, Flickr, wikis, and a myriad of other communication options that help us connect to friends, families, and even compete strangers. The world is a smaller place as we meet others through the use of a machine that has become a part of us.

The machine is also using us. With every piece of information we enter, the machine becomes "smarter". Wikipedia now has thousands of editors that can create additional information for each entry. Each time we make an entry on the machine, the machine can store it, and so in a sense it is "using us".

Personally, I believe the words that hold the greatest meaning are "us using us". The machine is still just a machine that depends on the human mind. In reality it is our human desire for connection that has paved the way for the success of Web 2.0. As we continue to strive for that human connection, we will more than likely be using a machine to facilitate this need and desire. I am excited to see what lies ahead as we continue this partnership between people and machine.

Hand-Held Devices: Library Purchases

Given a budget of $10,000 I would purchases several handheld devices for the library. I would select 10 EBook Readers for $4,000. The EReaders, IRex or Sony, would be small devices that would be used in several ways. Two of the devices would be housed permanently in the library and would store reference works. This purchase would eliminate the need for many of the reference materials that take up valuable shelf space. In addition, the EReaders would be used as check out book for reluctant readers. Students that do not like to read might be drawn into reading given the electronic format of EReader. A third use of the EReaders would be an ongoing Book Club. Students would be selected for a school wide EReaderBook Club. They would read a designated book from EReaders, and then post blogs or chat discussions about the book. Being an EReader Book Club would be a privilege and honor. Students selected for the EReader Book Club would build enthusiasm and generate library interest for the whole school. EReader Book Club would also have a Teacher Edition.

My next purchase would be for 6 IPhone at a cost of $3,000. Phones would be serve as face-to- face conferencing between our school's three separate buildings and the administration. A designated lead teacher from each of the buildings would be given an IPhone and serve as liaison. This would eliminate the outdated intercom system and would free up duties of the secretary that often has to walk to various points on the campus to reach one of the teachers.the IPhones would also provide a means of quick communication for emergencies and security issues. The additional IPhones would be used for camera and video capabilities. The yearbook teacher and staff would have access for photos and the technology teacher and class would use the video ap for podcasting. Any teacher on staff would have access to check out the IPhones for filming or picture taking during field trips or classroom activities. Presently teachers must use personal phones when taking kids off campus. The IPhone allows instant access while away from school. One IPhone would be given to the teacher that writes an essay that explains how they will utilize the IPhone in their teaching. The teacher with the winning essay will be given the IPhone for that year. Documentation of use will be required and this will be stored as part of library portfolio. Portfolio would be used for future grant writing that targets the purchasing of additional technology for the school.

The remaining $3,ooo would be 5 Portable Media Players. These would be used for teacher listening stations in the early childhood classroom. Since they have a larger screen they are better suited to classroom use for the early grades. I would like to purchase the PMP that have capacity to record video. Having these available in the classroom for quick use by teachers, would provide material for open houses, parent conferencing, and marketing production for our school. The tech class could also use the video gathering from classroom PMP for our school WEB site.

Technology: Strengths and Weaknesses

I am a newcomer in the area of technology. Five years ago, I was still writing out report cards by hand and averaging grades on a calculator. Our school moved into the technological era and so did I. I have completed a previous masters course online at Walden University and learned a lot from that experience. That previous experience increased by knowledge and could be considered a strength that I will carry with me in this course. Additional strength is my natural curiosity about things and life in general. I am a middle school science math and science teacher and curiosity is my middle name.

My weaknesses in the area of technology are many so I will only name two. I am not sure what podcast, wiki, blog, facebook and all the other social networking is all about. I know the terms and have a vague idea of their meaning but my knowledge of them is limited. Another weak area is the vocabulary terms associated with technology. I realized this weakness when I took the required assessment before applying to master program at UNT.

I will address both my strengths and weakness in this course. From the syllabus, I will be gaining new information on some of the social networking technology which will fill in a weak area. I have a copy of the tech terms from the preassessment for grad school and my goal is to add one new definition a day. I am a newcomer to technology but find it exciting and challenging. My curiosity will help me learn more and I hope to share this new knowledge with others at the school that has only recently joined the technology age.