2020 Schools » Global Perspectives

WEB 2.0 Tools

steven3985 — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:57:48 +0000

Web 2.o tools are changing the world. If you didn’t believe that we live in a digital world the short video below will demonstrate that you may already be using Web 2.0 tools and not even know it. Many of the networking tools Wiki’s, Blogs social networking services such as Twitter and Second Life are connecting the world in ways never thought of 24/7. Time zones and location are no longer barriers for sharing digital media. Sites like De’lic’ous and Pageflake let you access your bookmarks for favorite sites wherever your are. GOOGLE Reader and RSS feeds let you be updated on news and information that you are interested in automatically 24/7. WEB 2.0 good or bad allows us to live our lives in real time. The video below reminds us that we are using our machines to make all this possible; or is the machine using us? You decide.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gmP4nk0EOE

The More Things Change The More They Stay The Same

steven3985 — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:06:57 +0000

Over 68 years ago educators were grappling with the same issues we are working on today. How to engage students in learning, make learning relevant, how to work collaboratively and be open to change. I’m sure that the video below was out on the edge for it’s time. You can easily substitute some of the issues we are grappling with today. The difference is the world is changing far more quickly due to the technologies available to us. We will need to harness those technologies to create the schools of the future. Our students are ready and we must rise to the challenge.We must not be afraid of change or new ideas, they are our future.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opXKmwg8VQM

Did You Know?

steven3985 — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 01:31:10 +0000

I was just reviewing a video that was introduced to me at a workshop this summer called “Did You Know?” Truth is that much of the information was surprising. Whenever I feel that we can move slowly about change in education I watch this video. It reminds me how flat the world has become, how others are envious of our educational system and standard of living. They know the secret to success, a strong educational system that has high standards and the flexibility to compete in a digital world. When the Russians launched Sputnik into space they beat us into a new frontier, space. President Kennedy seized the moment early in his presidency to throw down the challenge of putting a man on the moon before the end of the decade. The challenge seemed impossible but became reality before the end of the decade. It took collaboration, ingenuity and hard work to achieve the impossible. We need to put these characteristics to work to challenge our schools to stay the finest in the world. We need to see the challenges and rise to meet them. Watch the clip below. What do you think?

http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=1b425a7717504bca103d

Open Source Software

steven3985 — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 16:55:49 +0000

Wow this is a great site to try out all types of different software that’s free. The mapping software is particularly interesting. Kudos to the people in London that have put this site together. Try it and tell me what you think.

http://www.osliving.com/

NYS Distance Learning and Video Conferencing Workshop

steven3985 — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:57:49 +0000

Was lucky enough to participate in a two day NYS Distance Learning Workshop at Monroe BOCES I. The event, people and technology were incredible. The power of collaborating with eight sites across the state was as comfortable as talking to people across the room. So many good ideas were presented and built upon. A real foundation was laid for work in the future. Students talking to students and educators talking to educators is powerful. We were able to see programs that connected students with countries around the world talking about common issues in real time. We witnessed an example of something called a “Poetry Slam” and went on a number of “Mystery Quests.” The real benefit of these two days was the energy and commitment at all the sites to use technology to further flatten the world to help students learn.