Some Food For Thought...

In May of 2008, Sony BMG featured this video at a conference. It fits in beautifully with the major themes around 21st century learning. We included this as part of the materials for the September PA Day, which focused on differentiating instruction for the 21st century learner.

iPods in Education ... iLike!

Skeptics of the world, hear me out... I know what you're all thinking. We don't need to give our kids yet another excuse not to pay attention in class. I know that this idea will take a little getting used to be it actually makes so much sense.

When I was at When Faith Meets Pedagogy on Friday, I attended a session called iTouch, iLearn. It was hosted by Rob Policicchio of Apple Canada. The focus of the presentation was how to incorporate iPods in education. He has been working with a number of schools who are using the various iPod products for a whole host of different reasons. Here are a few:

-audio books
-uploading tests with audio files for Special Ed. students to follow along
-video books
-podcasts - both teacher- and student-created
-assessing fluency in reading

If you think about it, the combination of viewing text and hearing increases retention and understanding. That's useful to ALL students, not just those who struggle at school.

Rob pointed out that iTunes (a free to download software), is loaded with free downloads for educators and has a wealth of audio books and podcasts that are appropriate for the classroom at both the elementary and secondary level. As well, there is a lot material for professional development for teachers (e.g. podcasts on how to podcast - I thought this was funny, but after further research, I learned that the number topic in podcasts in education is podcasts in education...).

Apple Canada is not paying me for this endorsement, but I couldn't help but add my two cents worth about this worth while opportunity that I think can be afforded to students.

Jesus the Blogger?

First off, I mean no offense by this image. I thought it was hilarious that I could actually find something like this, so I suppose nothing is impossible with Google...

Yesterday, I presented at When Faith Meets Pedagogy. I held a workshop on the Literacy Prism and it went so well. I can't emphasize enough how relieved I was. When it was all over, I was completely wiped out but so satisfied. But that's not what this posting is about. I got to attend some breakout sessions. I was thoroughly intrigued by the title of an offering called "What would Jesus blog?" I thought it was an absolute hoot! Turns out that it was right up my alley. The gist of this session was that all the technology that is available today is a gift and we as Catholics have a responsibility to use this technology ethically for the benefit of others, for the common good. EVEN THE VATICAN GETS THIS!!! This is so ironic isn't it... The Church has been slow to move on many an issue, but of all the popes in history, Benedict XVI is challenging his priests to get in touch with their followers using this technology. Boggles the mind, I know. The session was run by Michael Redfearn, IT Consultant with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. He showed participants Pope 2 You - a website that contains links to a Facebook profile and a wiki set up by the Vatican. I strongly encourage people to read the message that prefaces the whole existance of this website, "New Technologies, New Relationships: Promoting a Culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship." It emphasizes that technology is a gift and it acknowledges that the generation that the Church is trying to reach most communicates in a new way. It was so refreshing to read:

The accessibility of mobile telephones and computers, combined with the global reach and penetration of the internet, has opened up a range of means of communication that permit the almost instantaneous communication of words and images across enormous distances and to some of the most isolated corners of the world; something that would have been unthinkable for previous generations. Young people, in particular, have grasped the enormous capacity of the new media to foster connectedness, communication and understanding between individuals and communities, and they are turning to them as means of communicating with existing friends, of meeting new friends, of forming communities and networks, of seeking information and news, and of sharing their ideas and opinions. Many benefits flow from this new culture of communication: families are able to maintain contact across great distances; students and researchers have more immediate and easier access to documents, sources and scientific discoveries, hence they can work collaboratively from different locations; moreover, the interactive nature of many of the new media facilitates more dynamic forms of learning and communication, thereby contributing to social progress.

The words of the Pope, people! I'll be honest that I didn't have a whole lot of faith in the pope after the passing of John Paul II, but I have to say that I'm pleasantly surprised to say the least. All this said, however, the message also includes that Catholics are obligated to use this new technology responsibily to promote the common good.

So while I was sitting in this session, I began to wonder. Has Jesus been on earth in human form today, would he have used technology to get across his Good News? I couldn't help but think that he would have. Back in the day, he walked. That's what people did. Could you imagine how much more quickly and effectively his message of love and peace could have been disseminated had he had access to the Internet? Imagine, using the Web for good instead of evil... So we as Catholic educators do have an obligation to our students to teach them the ethical use of technology. I know people are afraid of it. I understand, but it's time to get our heads out of the proverbial sand. Technology doesn't ever go away. It only becomes more sophisticated and those who choose to ignore it only fall further and further behind.

Take a look to your left... I've added a poll. What do you think Jesus would have blogged about? (I give full credit to Michael Redfearn for this. He did the same poll on Twitter, and I'm curious to see what responses I get.)

Just how fast are we moving?

In an in-service on teaching literacy across the curriculum, my partner Cathie shared this anology with the group, and I thought it was so relevant and terrific:



60 minutes = 5000 years that people have had access to writing systems

On this scale, there were few significant media changes until about 7.5 mins ago -printing press came into use in Western culture.

2 minutes ago - - - the telegraph, photograph, and locomotive

1.5 minutes ago - - - telephone, phonograph, rotary press, motion pictures, automobile, airplane and radio

1 minute ago - - - talking picture

In the last 40 seconds - - - the TV

In the last 6 sec - - - the computer

Last few - satellites, laser beams, translation machines, interactive telecommunications, Internet, video games

We're always playing catch-up...

Are You Ready?

I'm learning more and more about the emergence of what is being called SPOT (Smart Personal Object Technology). It's the brainchild of Microsoft (no surprise there) to create software and hardware to personalize household electronics and everyday devices to make their uses more versatile. This includes everything from watches to coffee makers. Take a look:







Crazy, ain't it!! I just wonder how long before these sorts of gagets start appearing in our classrooms, and how ready we're going to be...

Some Funnies (or so I thought...)