During the course of this class I have been exposed to many new forms of eLearning tools that may serve as educational tools in my classroom. The use of social bookmarking, WebQuests, blogs and hypermedia formats are beginning to integrate in classroom instruction at an increasing rate. I believe that students will benefit from these types of differentiated instruction. Educators have the flexibility to adapt many of these freeware tools to meet state, national, and organizational standards. The evolution of eLearning tools will continue to develop requiring me to stay current as an educator and personally in my pursuits as a life long learner. The material that was presented in the class exposed me to many useful tools that I had no idea existed prior to the course. Discovery learning is a new pedagogy that will be incorporating into my instruction. I welcome these tools into my classroom and excited to observe the student outcomes after accessing them. Further discovery programs such as this would highly interest me in the future.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Vendors, Multimedia, Technical Information, Organizations/Networking Resources
This webliography was created with the intentions of assisting first year Technology Education Teachers. Providing them with information/resources covering topics such as: Vendors, Multimedia, Technical Information, and Organizations/ Networking.
These sites are not the end all be all of the field, but a starting point to get someone who is new to the profession started in the right direction.
VENDORS
MSC Direct
MSC has been around since 1941, and is considered the industry standard for quality, selection and customer service. The company is under New York State Bid contract, with that being said no other Bidding is required for an item exceeding a set dollar amount with the financial department of the district. The bid contract is set with the state and supersedes any local school district budget code or regulation. Meaning 9/10 times the price will be the lower than the competitors, and the selection is graded on the quality/cost the consumer is willing to pay.
The site offers multiple search inquiry methods, which makes for a fast and accurate search. All pertinent information that is necessary for a requisition is available on the page for the intended item, such as: Manufacturer part number, MSC part number, Catalogue page number, Price, Available stock.
PITSCO
PITSCO is considered one of the premiere STEM- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math product suppliers. The company offers a broad array of product categories that include: Aerospace, Engineering, Teacher Resources, Math, Physical Science, Robotics, Structures, Sustainability Energy, Tools and Material. The company is under New York State Bid contract, with that being said no other Bidding is required for an item exceeding a set dollar amount with the financial department of the district. The bid contract is set with the state and supersedes any local school district budget code or regulation. Meaning 9/10 times the price will be the lower than the competitors, and the selection is graded on the quality/cost the consumer is willing to pay.
The site offers multiple search inquiry methods, which makes for a fast and accurate search. Categories are broken down and new-featured items are displayed on the home page. The site also offers a search bar that refines your search by commonly searched or common consumables in the field.
KELVIN
KELVIN, like PITSO, caters to the STEM market. The company specializes in developing affordable solutions and encouraging new innovations and activities brought to them for re-sale to the market. The company best attribute is its selection of bulk packaging of kit materials that gives the instructor the freedom to customize the activity to the facility he or she has.
The customer service and reliability of the company is second to none. Although, the company is not always the lowest cost, negotiations and price adjustments are welcome. The company has a genuine care for the field and hosts open houses often to encourage networking between the company and the school districts as well as district-to-district.
Multimedia
KissYouTube
Ever have an educational video on YouTube but couldn’t access it from the schools server? Here is the solution! This site allows you to legally save the YouTube videos. Now accessing these videos in the classroom is possible. This resource is invaluable to Communications/Filmmaking courses where raw video footage is necessary.
The site is easy to use, and offers many different formats to save under, so no matter the platform you are using the videos can be saved and accessed.
Delicious
My user name: MrDdaviesTech (http://www.delicious.com/MrDaviesTech)
This site is a social bookmarking site that allows the users to interact with the database of bookmarked webpages. For instance, You would like to find a page on Ohm's law: simply type in Ohm's Law, and all the pages including those words and the keyword tags of those pages will be accessible. Once you have created an account surfing this site and adding pages to your bookmarks is a few clicks away. A vital tool for obtaining information and may even serve to be a good site to have your students obtain research from (other than clicking Google).
Technical Information
THIS OLD HOUSE
This site offers a wide variety of tutorials, industry information and general guidelines and codes for entry-level carpentry and home improvement. Provides step-by-step information that is detailed and in vibrant multimedia formats including slideshows, tutorials, and instructional videos.
As a user of this site it compares well to any textbook money can buy. Providing weekly updates and innovative new products one cant go wrong by checking this site out.
HOW ITS MADE
Online Database of instructional videos on how regular items are made.
Great site to show a quick informational video to gain background on subject area.
DO IT YOURSELF NETWORK
An online database of home improvement and how to projects. Provides multimedia tutorials and step-by-step instructional reference for both student and instructor.
Great site to allow the students to research particular content covered in class (processes), or used as demonstration material.
Organizations/Networking
New York State Technology Education Association
NYSTEA works to ensure the technical literacy of the students within New York Schools. Membership creates and encourages opportunities for professional development and collaborative competitions to showcase student achievement.
As a member of the organization, I strongly recommend any new teacher entering into the field to become a member. There is strength in numbers, and at a state level it is important to have a voice for the field and to keep mandates on Middle Level Technology in place.
International Technology and Engineering Educators Association
ITEEA is the professional organization for technology, innovation, design, and engineering educators. The mission of the organization is to promote technical literacy for all. ITEEA strengthens the profession through leadership, professional development, membership services, publications, and classroom activities.
As a member of the organization, I strongly recommend any new teacher entering into the field to become a member. There is strength in numbers, and at an international level it is important to have a voice for the field and to keep innovation and standards held in high regard.
Technology Student Association
TSA’s mission is to strengthen leadership and opportunities in technology, innovation, design and engineering. Members apply STEM concepts through co-curricular programs.
Involving your district in programs like these expose you and your students to other districts and allow a place for them to compete and demonstrate their achievements and mastery in the field.
STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Goal of the coalition is to improve awareness to students, teachers, professionals, and government to the integration these four key subject areas. It is an educational initiative that is supported at both the national and state levels, from governments to foundations and scholars alike. Using Technology classroom as the vehicle to use hands on activities to give validity to the classroom instruction.
This is the future of the field so defiantly catch up on the materials, and adopt the principles in your classroom and curriculum.
STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics
The STEAM movement is about integrating learning and most effectively preparing students for the 21st century challenges we as a society, and as individuals face. By fostering creative thinking, innovation and communication using tools provided to them. Successfully teaching these needed skills can come only from exploring intersections between arts and technology, of which the media arts are an integral component.
Possibly the most exciting movement to our field and validating more aspects of integrating multimedia outlets. More subject areas incorporated in your school shows the students that the school is working together, so they will network the same.
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