Looking Back, Looking Ahead

Did Web 2.0 turn into Web 3.0 and nobody told me? I feel like I'm in a technology marathon racing toward the finish line of my technology course. Of course there is no finish line … technology will just keep evolving. So why fight it?

Source: theguardian.com

When I first started this course just seven weeks ago, I couldn't even imagine what “integrating technology into the curriculum” could possibly mean. Suffice it to say, I am now enlightened to the fact that technology does indeed have a place in the classroom. First and foremost, however, the question must always be asked - what is the learning goal at hand and will this technology tool help. 

After learning about QR Codes, Glogster, Tagxedo, ThingLink, YouTube, Blabberize, BibMe, Curriculet, and Prezi, to name a few, I can see how today’s learner would embrace these tools. A field-test validated my opinion on this. Perhaps it's to be expected that digital tools, in general, appeal to the digital generation of learners. Some of these tools seem to be geared more toward helping the teacher organize and share content, but they also serve to engage the students. A short list is Popplet, Polleverywhere, Wikispaces, and Prezi.

Source:haydenwilcox.edublogs.org

I also found there is an opportunity to use technology when differentiating learning. This is especially important for students with learning disabilities and other special needs. For example, if a student struggles with handwriting and copying notes, it would make sense to provide the opportunity to do this on a laptop. If students are reluctant to write down assignments in their planner or notebook, the assignment can be posted via a QR code. The student scans it, and it will be on their phone. It really surprised me how easy creating a QR code is. Before this class I saw them as mysterious secret messages created by a large corporations, something akin to a UPC code.

I have a list of no less than 30 technologies we covered in the past seven weeks. Many of these technologies were the subject of my blog, or I used them to create this blog. Since I have a professional web site now (smile) I can point you in the direction of the Cool Tools tab if you want to check some of these out for yourself. 

There's a saying, "Take what you like, and leave the rest." How do you know what you like if you don't keep an open mind and consider the possibilities?

What is ThingLink?

Have you ever heard of ThingLink? No, it’s not a Dr. Seuss character (remember Thing One and Thing Two?) Although, a student could use ThingLink to do a report about Dr. Seuss. Or just about anything else for that matter.

ThingLink Logo

ThingLink is a free, web based tool and has mobile apps for iPad and Android. Simply upload an image to ThingLink, then click on the image itself to insert text, links, videos, music, and more. The image or photo, once static, becomes interactive. When using this in the classroom, it enables a student to show what they know and have learned about a topic by creating content to go with the image.

ThingLink was a topic for the ICE (Illinois Computing Educators) Wednesday Webinar series; it was moderated by Nicole Zumpano, Dominican professor, and presented by Sue Gorman, professor at the  University of Wisconsin – Parkside.

The many examples in the webinar included using ThingLink for book reports – students can insert text to demonstrate their knowledge of characters and the plot, link to a website to provide more information discovered about the topic, and embed a video to show a visual representation of a topic.

One such book report was done by a student named Gavin, on the book Wonder by R.J. Palacio, that was tweeted out by ThingLink.

Image from @ThingLink_edu on Twitter

http://t.co/JiNelh9K12

During the webinar, Sue provided an energetic presentation on the benefits of using ThingLink. It can provide (digitized) differentiated learning, increase collaboration, and ultimately increase learner engagement. Any technology tool, when it’s the right tool for the task, can help students amplify their thinking in this digital age. 

SAMR model developed by Dr. Ruben Puentedura

Sue demonstrated how using ThingLink in the classroom fits with the SAMR Model, and allows for teaching “above the line”. The SAMR Model (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, Redefinition), developed by Dr. Ruben Puentedura, offers a method of seeing how computer technology might impact teaching and learning.

More about Sue – she is a Google Certified Teacher and an Apple Distinguished Educator and a kind friend you definitely want to get to know for your Personal Learning Network (PLN). She introduced several members of her own PLN and shared many real world examples of how these talented professionals are using technology effectively in the classroom. To follow Sue on Twitter, you can find her at: @sjgorman. 

Be sure to visit www.ThingLink.com/featured to see some imaginative ideas. You may even want to sign up and get started yourself.

As far as webinar learning goes, I like the format. Since it's recorded, I will likely go back and refer to it in the future since it is loaded with information relevant to what I'm learning at Dominican.