STSD+CFF+Coursework

=Welcome to the CFF Embedded Learning Course Page!=

For our ten meetings together we will be studying the coursework for //Teaching in the 21st Century: The Need for Change.// This coursework will challenge us to consider the way we teach in comparison to the rapidly evolving world around us. The course is not a "how to" course on technology, but rather a "what should we do?" course on teaching in the 21st century. As you study the coursework I ask that you please keep an open-mind. Some of the information in this course may challenge your current beliefs about education. For all of us to grow and learn it is important that we maintain a positive outlook on what we are learning. If information strikes dischord with you, please consider why it does and use the dischord as a springboard for positive discussion with the other members of the group. Negative feelings are allowed as long as they are expressed towards a positive outcome.

My goal for this course is to facilitate discussions about teaching, technology and the two together. I intend to incorporate technology training into our days together so that you can finish this coursework with technology tools and an understanding of how they can be applied to the 21st century classroom for improved student achievement. As we work through the coursework remember that as teachers we should always ask ourselves WHAT we are teaching, HOW we will teach it, and WAS it learned. Technology is just a tool for "how" we teach. Last year Bill David called it "A" way to teach not "the" way to teach. Please keep that in mind as we learn.

You are divided into two groups: AM group will be called "Cherry" and the afternoon group will be called "Barry".

=Day 3: Agenda= Today we will be working to finish unit 2. Please continue to visit the discussions and read what others have to say. It is important to understand the many perspectives we collectively share about teaching and learning. For the final unit 2 sync point discussion today please post only a brief thought as we will be discussing the unit verbally as a group.

__Two sites for your own musical enjoyment:__ [|www.pandora.com] enter a profile, pick a style of music, and it plays a list of music that it thinks you will like. Give each selection a "thumbs up or down" to refine your profile and the selections brought up!

[|www.mixwit.com] allows you to create a virtual "mix tape" of music to be shared and listened too.

Here is the link to the google doc - [|Webkinz Google Document]
 * At some point today** we will take a look at a true digital native and the work he/she engages in on a regular basis. While viewing this we will collaborate on a google document to create a list of pros and cons surrounding what we observe at [|www.webkinz.com] Please click the link below to access the document. We will learn more about the many tools available through Google in one of the next sessions.

Our technology component for today will be presented by Sarah Brion. She will be showing us Blended Schools at [|www.blendedschools.net] Our district pays for an account with Blended Schools. It is available to every teacher in our disrict. To set up a class you need to e-mail Brenda Freeman at bfreeman@southerntioga.org providing the name of the class you wish to have and a list of all students in an excel document with first name, last name and year of graduation. You can attach the document to the e-mail. Dr. Freeman will notify you when your class is set up and ready and you can begin working. I can be available to assist with your set up from there.

=Day 2: Agenda=
 * Welcome back!** Today we will start with another video. Please use the discussion tab above to discuss under Cherry 2 or Barry 2.

while you are getting ready here are a few sites to explore: Math - [|www.mathway.com] English - [|www.thisibelieve.org] SS - http://archives.gov/ Science - [|Scientific Notation] [|www.go2web20.net] [|www.mywebspiration.com] [|Createagraph] Online Rubric Creator - [|Rubistar]

Todays Tech Tool is Skype: SKYPE is an online communication tool. By downloading SKYPE (free) you can connect with other users and communicate with them anytime anywhere in the world. Communication methods are voice, video and text. Great for....... 1) Guest Lecturer from Germany or Spain or Harlem or ????? 2) Emergency help from a friend or tech coach? 3) Group discussion tool while learning. 4) Communicate with family, for free. 5) All for free DEMO

Download SKYPE at [|www.skype.com] Create an account, search for users, connect and start Skyping!

Unit 2 of the coursework is expected to take 10 hours. At this point you should have 2 1/2 hours of it complete. Use today to move through the unit. Start with the technology survey prediscussion activity. Enter a brief post in the discussion board and reply to three classmates. By the end of today you should be at section 2.2 Don't forget the Promethean training if you finish early. Please ask if you need help.

Day 1: Agenda
Web 1.0 vs Web 2.0 - **The Online Discussion** as a learning tool. Blogs, Wikis, Forums and online discussion boards. Samples at http://haflettsroom.blogspot.com/ Craig Hafletts Blog and [|www.consumermath.wikispaces.com] Mr. Burleighs Math wiki discussion. Here is an example of a 21 classes blog http://ewingj.21classes.com/ Here is a web article with more info on [|Blogs in Education]
 * Intro**

Silent discussion All students respond simultaneously Recorded discussion Easily graded Students respond to each other Excellent for use during videos or presentations Use for debates Use for Bellringer Use for posting lab results Promotes reading and writing skills || **Cons-** Need computers Loss of human contact within a standard verbal discussion Words lack tone, concern for misinterpretation Set-up time involved Immediate control of discussion by the teacher On-Off task responses ||
 * **Pros-**

Lets participate in a **discussion**. Please click the "discussion" tab above, then select your group to read the question. Type an answer in the text box and click "post" when you are done. Here is a link to the video [|A Vision of Students Today] for future reference. Here is a similar video called //A Vision of K-12 Students Today// geared more towards elementary teachers. media type="custom" key="2674419"


 * The Coursework** go to http://www.embeddedlearning.com/ Log in to your account using the name and password provided. We will start together. Everything related to the coursework is there. Please work today until the last 15 minutes of our time.

[|Promethean Planet Website] - please go to the site and create an account. Bookmark it or e-mail its link to yourself. Lots to explore here.

[|Promethean Learning Tutorial] - click this link to go to the online free 5 hour Promethean training. Highly recommended as a prerequisite to having the board. If you finish working early, work on this next. The site remembers where you left off. Not sure if same account as above applies? May need to create another account for this site.