Kevin's presentation repeated several times that the importance of Intenet technologies is to recognize that you need a good teacher or it's just expensive toys with bad teaching.   I COMPLETELY agree!  So, how do we help teachers become fearless in embracing this technology?  There are a TON of great teachers who want to embrace technology but don't know how, and don't have the resources to suuport them when they do have the technologies.  Also, all of these classes provide us with great links and opportunities that we don't have the time and opportunities to find them all. How do we get these resources to teachers?  As Lisa talked about, professional development isn't neccessarily the best way that we can possibly do it.  Maybe schools need to have an interschool Twitter feed or something to help teachers gain access to what is best for kids.

Article critiques and new resources in technology

While writing my article critiques, I kept relating to other issues I've researched/read about .  I believe this is a danger of being in the dissertation program.  :)  You become so passionate about what you are researching, that it makes you want to read more, and keep going on a topic that was originally just "an assignment."  Today we learned about Dartfish, which I think could be an amazing resource, especially for classrooms that have aids or co-teachers to help coordinate the functions of technology with the needs of the humans the technology is serving.  I hope that education will be driven by technology that requires smaller class sizes to meet the needs of all.  As technologies emerge that give us the ability to serve individual needs, society will demand a movement towards smaller classes that can be served.  Or, an increase in staff (which can deliever that one on one technology use).  I am excited about the next 25 years, and hope that we actually do use our resources to benefit our society, profession, and mostly, our students. 

Here is one article of many on multi-tasking.  this one is pretty good becasue it offers actual advice you could share with your student's parents.  Just "google" 'dangers of multitasking' to find lots of adult-oriented links too.

http://www.scholastic.com/resources/article/the-perils-of-multitasking

This one is specifically addressed to educators.  I think it is worth reading too. 
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/blog/expert-article-kids-and-multitasking

Even if kids aren't overwhelmed by multi-tasking, it doesn't mean that it is good for them.

Today we are learning about education data systems.  I often wonder how my being "out" of the loop of education, and being in a private setting limited my knowledge.  It turns out that I am at a disadvantage, in tech speak, at least.  Having taught in a Catholic Schools with limted technology embracing administration=less technology, and lack of professional development, as well as teacher fears prevented us from using what we did have.  I have never written a wiki, but am more excited to find the ways to use these resources.  Now all I need is to find more time in my day!!!

I am excited about the conference today!

Today in our Technology class, we covered sites and resources that could be useful in class.  My favorite link was Inspiration, even though I had already used it before.  I hadn't used it in such a long time that i had forgotten how useful it could be.   I am also excited to get more deeply knowledgeable about how to use applications and web sites that pertain to education.  While it was made clear that the course is not intended to make us experts at specific programs, I like the renewal of resources for my own personal and professional use.