Comments on: My Basic Toolbox http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2006/09/my-basic-toolbox/ Technology is neither the problem nor the solution. Thu, 04 Feb 2010 10:18:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: lowell http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2006/09/my-basic-toolbox/comment-page-1/#comment-11765 lowell Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:18:24 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/?p=30#comment-11765 If all we were doing was aggregating the class, yes, certainly. But the aggregator is your window on the larger world outside the class. it's where you can tune and tweak your information flows to pick out the streams you want to pay attention to. As such, they're much more valuable than a Ning in terms of managing one's personal learning network. If all we were doing was aggregating the class, yes, certainly.

But the aggregator is your window on the larger world outside the class. it’s where you can tune and tweak your information flows to pick out the streams you want to pay attention to. As such, they’re much more valuable than a Ning in terms of managing one’s personal learning network.

]]> By: Joseph Aldrich http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2006/09/my-basic-toolbox/comment-page-1/#comment-11764 Joseph Aldrich Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:15:14 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/?p=30#comment-11764 I was wondering if you thought that a site like ning could replace the aggregator on your list. If each person in a class is in a group, they could simply post their blogs on the website. I was wondering if you thought that a site like ning could replace the aggregator on your list. If each person in a class is in a group, they could simply post their blogs on the website.

]]> By: Sandra James http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2006/09/my-basic-toolbox/comment-page-1/#comment-11749 Sandra James Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:58:20 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/?p=30#comment-11749 Mr. Lowell, Back to the PowerPoint comments I made... I should clarify my previous statement. Like you, the district I previously worked at, felt that PowerPoint was too expensive a program to be using so we switched to OpenOffice and I had my 4th graders create a slideshow presentation on Simple Machines. Again, like you, I agree that often times too much information is presented per slide and too many slides per presentation. As a class, we discussed what makes this tool effective, so students were aware of the requirements for a a good slideshow and they were given a rubric that followed most of Nate's 5 Rules. The end results were pretty amazing for 4th graders. Their focus on content was pretty exceptional and their perception of the fact that a "good" presentation contains minimal information to "cue" the presenter during the presentation. I felt that it was an effective teaching/learning tool Mr. Lowell,
Back to the PowerPoint comments I made… I should clarify my previous statement. Like you, the district I previously worked at, felt that PowerPoint was too expensive a program to be using so we switched to OpenOffice and I had my 4th graders create a slideshow presentation on Simple Machines. Again, like you, I agree that often times too much information is presented per slide and too many slides per presentation. As a class, we discussed what makes this tool effective, so students were aware of the requirements for a a good slideshow and they were given a rubric that followed most of Nate’s 5 Rules. The end results were pretty amazing for 4th graders. Their focus on content was pretty exceptional and their perception of the fact that a “good” presentation contains minimal information to “cue” the presenter during the presentation. I felt that it was an effective teaching/learning tool

]]> By: Deborah Robbins http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2006/09/my-basic-toolbox/comment-page-1/#comment-11748 Deborah Robbins Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:15:08 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/?p=30#comment-11748 Based on my experiences, I don't think you were exaggerating much. :) I was so bored in the basic computer class I had to take as an undergraduate. As you mentioned, we were never taught how to do a good presentation using PowerPoint. We basically learned how to change bullets and font. I guess some people need to start with the basics because they don't know how to change bullets and font, but at some point you need to move beyond the basics and learn to do something useful. I hated the class. I felt like it was a waste of my time. If I ever get to teach, I hope I make learning enjoyable and worth while so that my students don't feel like class is a waste of their time. Based on my experiences, I don’t think you were exaggerating much. :) I was so bored in the basic computer class I had to take as an undergraduate. As you mentioned, we were never taught how to do a good presentation using PowerPoint. We basically learned how to change bullets and font. I guess some people need to start with the basics because they don’t know how to change bullets and font, but at some point you need to move beyond the basics and learn to do something useful. I hated the class. I felt like it was a waste of my time. If I ever get to teach, I hope I make learning enjoyable and worth while so that my students don’t feel like class is a waste of their time.

]]> By: lowell http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2006/09/my-basic-toolbox/comment-page-1/#comment-11746 lowell Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:37:05 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/?p=30#comment-11746 See <a href="http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2006/09/why-powerpoint-is-evil/" rel="nofollow">Why Powerpoint is Evil</a> for my take on it. The main arguments are: - Powerpoint is an expensive product. OpenOffice is free and has a tool called "Impress" that has all the functionality required to do presentations, but schools don't use it because "Everybody uses Powerpoint." We can't afford to spend that kind of money to outfit school computers when free, high quality alternatives are available. - Powerpoint is taught as tool and not concept. Instead of focusing on "how to do a good presentation," people focus on "how to change your bullets in Powerpoint." (yes. i'm exaggerating but only slightly. This is wrong thinking. We should be teaching large ideas not small (and expensive) tools. - Powerpoint is often used as a benchmark diagnostic for "technology integration." This is a poor metric, but it's easy so it's used. See the post for my full argument against Powerpoint. See Why Powerpoint is Evil for my take on it.

The main arguments are:

- Powerpoint is an expensive product. OpenOffice is free and has a tool called “Impress” that has all the functionality required to do presentations, but schools don’t use it because “Everybody uses Powerpoint.” We can’t afford to spend that kind of money to outfit school computers when free, high quality alternatives are available.

- Powerpoint is taught as tool and not concept. Instead of focusing on “how to do a good presentation,” people focus on “how to change your bullets in Powerpoint.” (yes. i’m exaggerating but only slightly. This is wrong thinking. We should be teaching large ideas not small (and expensive) tools.

- Powerpoint is often used as a benchmark diagnostic for “technology integration.” This is a poor metric, but it’s easy so it’s used.

See the post for my full argument against Powerpoint.

]]> By: Sandra James http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2006/09/my-basic-toolbox/comment-page-1/#comment-11738 Sandra James Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:26:46 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/?p=30#comment-11738 No doubt e-mail is a necessary tool. Since my first online class it's pretty clear why discussion boards are important to distance learning. However, there seems to be a great deal of problems with BlackBoard. I am in agrrement with the rest of your tools, but like a few others, am surprised at your views about Powerpoint. I feel that it is a great entry level tool for student created presentations. I have students create one slide show presentation each year. They create their own presentations using a combination of textbooks, comprehension from hands on activities and demonstrations, as well as online sources. These are created during computer lab time at school so it's with my supervision. As 4th graders, they take a great deal of pride in their work and like to share their work with ohters. I definitely think Powerpoint is overused and I don't personally use Powerpoint to teach a concept very often, but have found them useful if interactive. I would also like to add the use of podcasts and webcams to my toolbox. No doubt e-mail is a necessary tool. Since my first online class it’s pretty clear why discussion boards are important to distance learning. However, there seems to be a great deal of problems with BlackBoard. I am in agrrement with the rest of your tools, but like a few others, am surprised at your views about Powerpoint. I feel that it is a great entry level tool for student created presentations. I have students create one slide show presentation each year. They create their own presentations using a combination of textbooks, comprehension from hands on activities and demonstrations, as well as online sources. These are created during computer lab time at school so it’s with my supervision. As 4th graders, they take a great deal of pride in their work and like to share their work with ohters. I definitely think Powerpoint is overused and I don’t personally use Powerpoint to teach a concept very often, but have found them useful if interactive. I would also like to add the use of podcasts and webcams to my toolbox.

]]> By: miruka holbrook http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2006/09/my-basic-toolbox/comment-page-1/#comment-11737 miruka holbrook Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:04:51 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/?p=30#comment-11737 I agree with your list for your toolbox, however, I was a bit surprised by the removal of powerpoint, not that I disagree. I rarely use it, since I have a smartboard and its tools at my fingertips within the classroom. I have had many instructors post powerpoints for students to view throughout my online classes experience began. (I am glad to see the lecture ware marked as removed. ) I agree with your list for your toolbox, however, I was a bit surprised by the removal of powerpoint, not that I disagree. I rarely use it, since I have a smartboard and its tools at my fingertips within the classroom. I have had many instructors post powerpoints for students to view throughout my online classes experience began.
(I am glad to see the lecture ware marked as removed. )

]]> By: Deborah Robbins http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2006/09/my-basic-toolbox/comment-page-1/#comment-11722 Deborah Robbins Sat, 19 Sep 2009 00:34:06 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/?p=30#comment-11722 I'm with you on getting rid of integrated gradebooks and lectureware. Grades just cause problems. Instead of focusing on learning, students focus on making the grade. Wouldn't it be nice if for once people would allow teachers to throw out grades and really focus on helping students learn? I think it would be great. As for lectureware, I do not see the point. If you make us sign on to the internet to watch you lecture, I'm going to have to find something else to do while listening to you lecture. I don't know that I should admit this, but I talk on the phone, chat with other people, etc. during our class chats. Although it makes things more difficult, I still manage to keep up, so I don't see it as a problem. The telephone is the biggest problem because I can't hold the phone with my hand and still be able to type. I’m with you on getting rid of integrated gradebooks and lectureware. Grades just cause problems. Instead of focusing on learning, students focus on making the grade. Wouldn’t it be nice if for once people would allow teachers to throw out grades and really focus on helping students learn? I think it would be great. As for lectureware, I do not see the point. If you make us sign on to the internet to watch you lecture, I’m going to have to find something else to do while listening to you lecture. I don’t know that I should admit this, but I talk on the phone, chat with other people, etc. during our class chats. Although it makes things more difficult, I still manage to keep up, so I don’t see it as a problem. The telephone is the biggest problem because I can’t hold the phone with my hand and still be able to type.

]]> By: Angie http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2006/09/my-basic-toolbox/comment-page-1/#comment-11712 Angie Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:04:05 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/?p=30#comment-11712 My projector in my room has been connected to our cable television line, my document camera, my computer and my dvd/vhs player. I do use mine quiet a bit because of this. I no longer have to use my overhead unless I choose to do so. But I can incorporate a lot more "technology" into lessons because of this new hook up in my room. Plus I got to get rid of that big tv and tv stand that took up space and looked hideous! My projector in my room has been connected to our cable television line, my document camera, my computer and my dvd/vhs player. I do use mine quiet a bit because of this. I no longer have to use my overhead unless I choose to do so. But I can incorporate a lot more “technology” into lessons because of this new hook up in my room. Plus I got to get rid of that big tv and tv stand that took up space and looked hideous!

]]> By: phaedrus » Blog Archive » Basic Tools http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2006/09/my-basic-toolbox/comment-page-1/#comment-11710 phaedrus » Blog Archive » Basic Tools Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:03:15 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/?p=30#comment-11710 [...] I posted mine in 2006 and the list hasn’t changed much. [...] [...] I posted mine in 2006 and the list hasn’t changed much. [...]

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