Made to Stick (Makeup: June 30, 2010 Chat session)

My first impression of the introduction was “how does this apply to this class?”. As I continued to read, I was pleasantly surprised with what I was reading and was able to form mental images. I was familiar with the majority of the examples that the author used, especially the urban legends and the proverbs.

The unexpected reaction that I had was that I would actually continue to read this book beyond what is required for this class. I am interested in reading more about “SUCCESs” and how it may assist me with my training skills. The question I am left with at this point is: How do I present formatted, clear cut information in a SUCCEsful way?

I am not a traditional educator. I am an

instructor on a mobile training team (MTT) for the military. I am often in a different state each week with new personnel attending each class session. On average, I instruct two two-day sessions covering the same material each time. The software application that I teach is standardized and cannot be changed unless the software developers change it. There are seven types of reports that this software application will produce. All of the information entered into this report as well as who, what, when, where and why is governed my military regulations and policies. So, how can I present information such as this in a more SUCCESsful way?

The material I cover is somewhat boring to many, almost like chemistry to those who have not been previously exposed to the application. I have so much information that I must cover during to the two-day session so I must admit that I sometimes sound like a recording. Other times, I may sound like a walking talking regulation simply because I must quote/give the official answer from the policy or regulation to many of the questions that I am asked. This book, Made to Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath, will be read in its entirety to seek and possibly get an answer to: How can I present dry, boring as many students say, material in a more SUCCESsful way?

2009 METS for Students

I reviewed the Michigan Educational Technology Standards for Students in grades 9-12. After reading them, they appear to be somewhat advanced skills that they are asking the high school students to acquire prior to graduation. Do the same requirements apply to the educators? There are many educators who cannot perform these skills themselves. Are these requirements to be met by each student? From a personal standpoint, the same should be required of all educators, especially if they are instructing students. The more students learn at this level, the more equipped they will be for college and the future of technology. How to determine whether the information is fact or fiction, as well how to properly site a source should be learned at the high school level. Learning how to cite sources properly prior to college would be most beneficial because many adults, like myself, struggle with how to properly cite a source, specifically information found on the internet.

The requirement to complete at least one online credit, course or online experience should be increased to a four hour requirement. Students should be required to take a one hour course each year to build upon what was learned in the previous year. This allows students that may have not been exposed to technology previously an opportunity to learn at their pace and get what information they need to succeed.

Overall, from a technology perspective, I think the goals that Michigan’s education system has set are great. Ensuring that students are aware of the fundamentals of technology, such as file types/formats, gives them a greater knowledge base and chance of succeeding in college as well as the workplace. The more information students are equipped with prior to entering the workforce is an advantage for them as individuals expected to know how to use a computer and perform various functions.

2010 Michigan Educational Technology Plan

The plan is starting out with the “right frame of mind”. The first goal is align and integrate the standards of the three systems. Once the standards are aligned, the groups can then begin working towards a common goal. As with the National Technology plan, in theory it is a great plan to ensure that all students have access to the same technology but realistically can it be it implemented and how will it be funded.

Goal 2 is a great utilization of the resources that the State has access to at all levels of government, as well as public and private institutions. Goal 3 seeks to enable the transformation of teaching and learning to improve student achievement. By incorporating technology standards and requirements into licensure, certification and endorsements ensures that teachers meet certain technology requirements. Will all educators be required to complete technology requirements or only those pursuing certifications and/or endorsements?

Goal 4 seeks to ensure that all interested parties are informed. Communication is key within any organization or community. Although Michigan is planning to make sure that educators, policy makers, and communities understand the inclusion of technology and all the data is available, they must also ensure that the audience is familiar with the technology and what they data means for them as a stakeholder.

With Goal 5, the States plans to simplify the process of gathering data via a decision support system. Decision support systems simply the reporting process and alleviates the need to request duplicate copies due to misplacement. Assigning Unique Identification Numbers allows one to obtain data without knowing who the individual is; therefore, a student is not subject to having their information displayed for others to access.

The plan lays a great foundation for the inclusion/continued use of technology.

Review of National Educational Technology Plan

The National Educational Technology Plan has set some very aggressive goals for the American Education system to work towards achieving. In order to achieve these goals, it will require all parties to be very diligent in doing their part to assist in the transformation of American education.

As I continued to read the plan, I realized that the concept and plan sounds great but wondered, “Where is the money to achieve this goal coming from?” I recalled an encounter with a teacher at Wal-mart during one of my business trips (maybe in TX); she was purchasing two boxes of composition notebooks for her students with her personal funds. If school districts cannot afford to assist their students with basic supplies, how will they equip the schools with the vast amount of technology that would be required to implement a plan of this magnitude?

The plan addressed the need to build the capacity of educators. As we have learned/are learning in this class, our educators need to be learning what technology is available as well as how to utilize it effectively. Offering online education to the educators ensures that those located in less suburban areas will have access to the information.

Education is an urgent priority under the Obama administration. In order to achieve the goals that are set forth, as stated in the plan, everyone involved must embrace innovation, implementation, regular evaluation and work to continually improve the education process. As with any system, to include the education system, all parties or the majority must be willing to work to achieve a common goal. Overall, it is a good plan and is achievable with dedication, willpower, endurance and accountability among other things. Most of all, the government must assist tremendously in financing a plan of this magnitude, especially in economically deprived areas with very little access to technology.

7th Standard (Technology) of the Professional Standards for Michigan Teachers vs. EDU 590 Objectives

The 7th Standard and EDU 590 both emphasize the use of technological tools, operations and concepts to enhance the learning experience, personal and professional productivity and communication among students. In EDU 590, our assignments are structured so that we will have to use the technological tools that are available (Blackboard, media, software applications, etc). The creation of a blog post enabled each student to become familiar with the concept of blogging as well as communicating with our peers and others to relay information in a forum outside of Blackboard’s discussion board (7g). This allowed the students of EDU 590 an outlet to express our views on various subjects and solicit the feedback of others (7b).

The research paper assigned requires that the students evaluate an educational technology plan, curriculum, website and software application which ensures the understanding of the various issues surrounding the use of technology in K-12 schools (7a).

Having to develop a technology based lesson plan and have it evaluated ensures that the students are aware of how to create and evaluate an online learning experience so that students would be able to achieve the same quality and level of education in a traditional environment (7c/7e).

To ensure that the students understood how to apply technology to assess and evaluate assignments, we were required to submit a 2,000 word essay (Plagiarism assignment) to “Safe Assign” for evaluation. The software application evaluated our work to determine if it was plagiarized or our own work (7f).

Incorporating a presentation allows each student the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge that was learned in class and present it to others utilizing many of the methods that may have been learned in EDU 590, if they had no prior knowledge.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is when a minor (child, teen or preteen) uses the Internet, cell phones, or other digital media devices to harm another child. It is only considered bullying when minors are involved on both sides, the bully and the one being bullied. Children sometimes do things that they think are fun and consider it to be playing or a joke, not realizing that they are actually causing harm to another individual. It is essential that these types of things are explained to our children, especially when they have such free access to so much technology.

I often express to the minors that I mentor that they should be aware of their actions towards others and in public. What may seem insignificant to them, such as a negative comment made as a joke, may be taken out of context by someone who overhears or reads the message (text/email) sent. Once a text, instant message or email is sent, it cannot be taken back. Although they may have sent it to one person does not mean that the person it was sent to will not forward it on to others for their review. With a few keystrokes, what was meant for one person is now seen by anyone they choose to send the message to. With so many phones having features that allow one to record audio and video, anyone can record the actions of others at anytime without their knowledge. Embarrassing moments are posted to websites in a matter of minutes. Some phones allow posts directly to websites such as Facebook, Utube, Twitter and others. The best way to prevent cyberbullying is to talk to minors about the serious effects that it can have on them and the other individual.

To learn more about cyberbullying, visit:
www.stopcyberbullying.org
www.stopybullyingnow.hrsa.gov
www.wiredsafety.org
http://kids.getnetwise.org

Cyber High Schools

I was not aware of cyber high schools until I began looking for information to review for this blog assignment. Based on the sites that I have visited and the information reviewed, I have not gathered enough information to form a well documented opinion on a cyber high school. Based on the information I reviewed, it seems that cyber high schools are fairly new and are becoming increasingly popular. According to the sites, cyber schools are having a significant amount of success. Any alternatives that are made available to assist students with school, especially the completion of high school is a good thing. Students today are faced with a declining job market requiring skills beyond a high school education; therefore, it is essential for all students to graduate high school. The cyber high school gives them the opportunity to continue pursuing their education and gain basic computer skills that are essential in today’s environment.

There are positives and negatives to attending school online. Attending school online allows me to complete my course work around my work schedule and other things that are going on in my life. However, the downside is that it easy to miss deadlines and get behind in class because you do not have to attend classes and meet at designated times throughout the week. It is challenging as an adult to manage my time and would be equally as challenging for a high school student, especially if they have to work. There are many students who are unable to attend due to circumstances in life, such as helping the family financially, teenage pregnancy, and/or illness. Overall, offering students the ability to continue their education is essential to their success in the future. If a student is able to accomplish their high school education online, they may be inspired to pursue higher education online as well.