*JohnSeibert

John Seibert ACPS Allegany County Maryland

K-5 Art

I enjoy making art and helping others learn to think creatively.

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Reflections for Monday, July 9th, 2012 The 2012 Zest For Tech conference is in full swing and off to a great start! This morning began with a sense of optimism and expectation that carried through the afternoon. Dr. Kim Rotruck discussed changes on the horizon for educators with a confident, positive outlook. Dr. Minnie Ladores encouraged us and made the point that despite difficult times, teachers are still appreciated and valued, and that this conference is for us! Dr. John Bowman made a great point about the ability of technology to bring people together and not isolate them. He went on to describe the evolution of technology from a non-essential to essential instrument of education. He stressed the point that educational institutions ought to embrace technology well, not simply have it. There is little doubt that Dr. Palardy inspired many participants with his message about his love for what he feels to be emerging freedom and promise in new technology. He made some great points to ponder, namely that we ought to be protective of our learning, have an active, explorative attitude, and step out and take risks. Dianne Coyle made a great point that social networking is interacting, not just playing games. A point of irony is that while social networking can connect you to others around the world, it may also disconnect you from the real world! Safety issues involved with social networking remind us that technology requires discernment. Web 2.0 encourages the growth of valuable skills that employers love (collaboration, communication, creativity, etc.), creating communities, reinforcing learning goals, and expanding curriculum. In regards to various learning styles, Pinterest is an example of a tool that will appeal to visual learners, through the sharing of images and videos. Indiegogo may revolutionize the way schools view fundraising. Goodbye candy bar sales and fun fairs? Jason Huber discussed the significance of My Big Campus, including the way it allows students to blog and view videos in a controlled environment. Wikis can be useful to teachers in that they are free and can be made simple and easily accessible, appropriate for various learning styles.

Reflections for Tuesday, July 10th, 2012 Another action packed day at Zest For Tech was filled with discovery and exploration of possibilities available for educators. Dr. Jim Lerman gave a FANTASTIC presentation regarding the big picture of educational technology. I agree with his emphasis on the importance of promoting students equipped with 21st century skills. He helped us to understand that the internet is the fourth era of human communication in history, which made for an interesting context. He spoke of the internet's global effect, creating a flat, equalized world. He spoke of Martha Payne, a little girl who's own blog raised money to buy a kitchen for people in Africa, an excellent example of what may be when technology meets character and creativity. He made a profound point regarding regenerative vs failed solitude, and that as the result of some technology, some of us only know how to be lonely when we're alone, a point whereby we may mix technology and philosophy. He also emphasized the importance of and advised us on making ourselves indispensable to employers. Teachers need to take responsibility for their own learning environments and technological knowhow, always moving ahead to avoid falling behind. It's okay to make small steps of progress. as long as they are consistent. Mr. Stephen Schawalder helped me to realize that technology, once learned and embraced, can make for an efficient, paperless learning environment. It may be time to purchase an ipad! As a longtime watcher of Youtube, it was interesting to finally post my own video, however small. It's also intriguing to realize that with technology, anyone may become a participant in the game. Mr. Chuck Trautwein's presentation on all things Google was very informative. His friendly personality and love for the material was obvious and made for a pleasant learning experience. I recognize the educational worth of Google sites. They supplement everything from math, geography, art and spacial relationships, to writing and collaborative efforts.

Reflections for Wednesday, July 11th, 2012 The midweek morning began with a Google review, plus more useful features. Talking Tom Cat encourages students to talk. Google Goggles makes for efficient research-If you take a photo it will provide information about the image! Embedding an album saves you from having to email one photo at a time. To be tech-oriented is not simply to know which buttons to click, but also to imagine possibilities. Many of us were inspired by Eddie Hampton's presentation on Edmodo and Manga High. His determination to tackle technology has provided him with an efficient, paperless classroom and his students with a motivating and effective learning environment. His philosophy on student motivation includes a case for classroom competition and student choice. He illustrated a point in which a student's excitement about an activity led to his mastery of 15x tables! Dr. Jennifer Rankin's presentation was fun and informative. She offered an honest, candid view regarding how to react to an abundance of new technology, and that is to start with "Just one", and gradually increase learning. It seems that educational technology is most effective when it is not only fun but also addresses real world situations. The Smart workshop led by Tara Mattingly and Jason Huber proved to be a time of exploration and learning by doing. The speakers were helpful and kind, establishing a comfortable learning environment. No doubt many of us managed to remember Dr. Rankin's advice and remember "Just one."

Reflections for Thursday, July 12th, 2012 Dr. Ladores began the morning with an encouraging message about the importance of being patient while learning new technology. Her message was especially meaningful to me, as I consider myself to be very low on the technology totem pole. If I learn just one thing here and there, and remain consistent, I will continually add to my knowledge. Setting unrealistic expectations for too much too soon will result in frustration and failure, while small successes will fuel steady progress. As we acquire a proper attitude and patience with ourselves, we will have patience with technology. Steve Jobs made a point that was profound due to its simplicity. If the Ipad didn't do some things better than a laptop or Iphone, it didn't need to exist. Technology is not made to get in the way, but to clear the way. Necessity is the mother of invention, but uselessness is the mother of junk. Michelle Saville discussed early childhood adaptations for students with autism and other delays. She supplements her students' learning through engaging activities, building background knowledge, and fine motor activities. Boardmaker is a great example of the power of picture symbols to represent abstract ideas made concrete for better understanding. Dianne Scott explored the idea of the Ipad as a helpful device, demonstrating several apps that may provide sound instruction, light-hearted fun, and behavior reinforcement. With the loss of chalk boards and board games and the adoption of touch screens, are students losing tactile awareness and other motor skills as well? This afternoon's activities with ipads and Smart boards contained a plethora of new options for educators. The learner centered format enabled us to wander to different stations according to our needs and interests. It seemed fitting that the day ended just as it began-with a discussion about having a right mindset towards technology

Reflections for Friday, July 13th, 2012 We have arrived at the final day of Zest For Tech 2012, only scratching the surface of technological possibilities. Dr. Ladores began the morning with helpful hints about remembering passwords. Sometimes we overlook the simple things we can do for ourselves, because we are fixed on tackling the complicated things. Digital storytelling is a powerful medium. Students are deeply engaged in areas of critical thinking, communication, creativity, and personal empathy. "Choose Your Own Adventure" is a good analogy for learning technology. Nick Glass stands by the importance of reading in all disciplines. He cares more that you are reading than what you are reading. It was fun and educational to experiment with visual Web 2.0 tools. The enjoyment caused me to become deeply engaged, and retain more information. This is an important point to remember when planning for students. I agree that technology should not replace but supplement reading. Technology is designed by people for people, and it seemed appropriate to attend a technology class with people. As the week progressed, we became more comfortable with one another, and strangers became classmates. This is the way it is with learning new technology. The unfamiliar becomes the familiar, by means of personal interaction.

Closing Reflections For Zest For Tech 2012 As educators, how do we respond to changing technology? If we stay on the sidelines, we will be left behind in a world that is determined to move forward. This week we have seen that technology doesn't replace education but serves as its supplement. If we are committed to doing things the old way, who knows what sort of possibilities we and our students are missing out on? We owe it to ourselves and our students to make an effort to become aware of the technology available to us, and learn a little here and there, according to what is needed. It seems responsible to consider, "What are my goals for my students, and how may this or that form of technology supplement my instruction?" If it does nothing to supplement my instruction, I am right to leave it behind and consider something else, but at least I've looked into it. And so what can we do if we have even the smallest desire to learn new technology but feel reluctant? Become determined to sit down and do it. Ask questions. Accept the fact that technology intended to make things easier may take time to learn. Begin with small tasks, and build on them. Have clearly defined goals in mind, so that you will see and feel your successes. Don't think that you have to absorb everything overnight. Just learn a little, and then a little more. Before long you will notice that you are building your skill set. Tasks that once required much thought will become second nature. As you build competence you will build confidence and motivation to learn more, maintaining and increasing your skill set. Technology will be continually advancing and therefore continually requiring us to learn. Nobody "finally learns" technology. It seems nothing is more necessary for obtaining a sound technological skill set than a sound personal mindset! I ought to remember that.

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