Augmented Realities

Ok, so I am several years behind this trend. I have been busy climbing things, improving my golf game and ensuring I am healthy outside of school. However, I want to learn how to program augmented realities and I want my students to learn how to program their own augmented realities (especially with items they have created in Geometry class). Obviously, there is a fascination with the 3D image. What attracts me most, though, is the complexity of making the 3D image appear wherever you want. I want students to wrestle with ideas of this magnitude.

Marco Tempest at TED

Augmented Reality For Education

Augmented Reality Geometry

The Future of Education (Ara Pacis)

Augmented Reality In Your Classroom
Augmented Reality with FlarToolkit

The Perfect e-Storm Survival Guide

The movie, The Perfect Storm (2000) recounts the story of the Andrea Gail which in 1991 while at sea encountered three storms (including Hurricane Grace) which combined to create the perfect storm. The boat and crew did not survive.

In 2004, Dr. Curtis J. Bonk made an analogy to the story of the Andrea Gail and the collision in education of emerging technology, learner demand, enhanced pedagogy and budget issues. Hence, The Perfect E-Storm, Parts 1 and 2.

The inevitable will happen. Actually, the e-storm is already happening. How can we survive this deluge of intense want from so many different directions? Survival will not be easy, but YOU can do it! Consider the following suggestions:

[1] Never become completely satisfied with your teaching. Always seek to improve the delivery and assessment techniques used in your classroom.

[2] Unite with others to weather the storm. Form a study group with colleagues, take an online class, and ask your students to demonstrate the new technologies they use outside of school.

[3] Enjoy the journey. Walking in the shoes of a student can make you a better teacher. Find ways to make the experiences fun.

Here's a sample of what's out there...

Augmented Reality: GE's Ecomagination

Digital Libraries: Oxford Digital Library

Games and Simulations: Shodor's Interactivate
e-Learning: Michigan Virtual University
Reusable Learning Objects: Texas A&M Repository

Bonk, C. J. (2004, June) The Perfect E-Storm. Retrieved March 26, 2012 from www.publicationshare.com.


Resource: Concept Map for teaching surface area and volume of Geometric solids.

Just Say "No" To Blogs

What do I mean by posting Just Say "No" To Blogs? on a blog. Has 'the simple teacher' guy lost the plot? Probably, but that post is for another day.

As we manage the dynamics of a Web 2.0-based classroom, the integration of the tools available to us must not overshadow the development of the learner. If a blog will enhance the learning process, then blog. If not, then choose a different tool or, better yet, let the students choose the tool. Remember "You do not need to bring in an elephant to teach the color grey." (Liz Dunham, c.1990)

We must also make the permanence of the Internet very clear to users. Once comments, pictures and videos are posted, they are in cyberspace for anyone and everyone to see. Check out the Once Posted You Lose It video which brings home the point of permanence.

As with any tool, its effectiveness is determined by the users. Choose your tools wisely, provide a structure for safe usage, and support authentic learning. 


Resource: Teacher Challenge: Setting Up Your Own Blog is the first lesson in a series to help set-up and run a blog for your classroom.  

Emerging Practices of Online Assessment

The virtual modality is a reality.  As with the auditory, visual, and kinesthetic modalities, learner participation and satisfaction is grounded in stimulation. As more and more online resources become available to both students and teachers, the selection and use of these resources to support a student-centered classroom as well as authentic assessment are paramount. The tool, whether crayon or computer, is but a vehicle to stimulate the learner to pursue knowledge and understanding. Its proper use, though, is the fuel which will actually ignite cognitive growth.

Resources: Blogger allows users to create a blog while PBworks supports users with creating a wiki. Wiki example provided by University of Wisconsin-Stout Assessment in E-Learning course.

Chariots of Fire

The opening of the movie has a group of British athletes on a training run along the coast. The theme song, written by Vangelis, draws from the runners the very emotion and passion of what lies ahead. The lives of Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams are highlighted in the movie as they journey to glory in the 1924 Olympics. It is their passion, though, for a complete life which makes this movie relevant. Listen if you dare to be inspired...Chariots of Fire.

What "music" or "stories" from your classroom will inspire learners to glory?

Why Is Assessment Important?

Assessment is important because the process of knowing allows one to become a better provider. As we learn what our students know and do not know, then we can better facilitate for them what they need. The learner becomes more interested because their needs are being met on a regular basis. The class dynamic improves because the group of learners become interested in participating in what happens next. Classroom activities should be designed to satisfy assessment for learning. These activities, both formative and summative, should not represent the end but the beginning of the next adventure.

Resource: SurveyMonkey allows users to create an online survey. 

Time

Teaching is decision-making. As teachers, we make daily decisions about course content and management with the purpose and intent to create memorable learning experiences for our students.

Take a moment to reflect on your classroom. Is there any event which negatively impacts student learning? 

Take time to teach your students how you want the event to be managed and you will begin to "buy back" time.