Is Technology Just a Tool?

This week has been one of those 'perfect storms' for learning. Four days of conference breakouts, five keynotes, the combination of online and face-to-face networks, considering different perspectives that challenged my thinking and making valued new connections to continue the conversations. Also preparing my contributions to conference breakouts can provide some of the most powerful reflection for my own learning even before the conference begins.


This post continues a conversation (with @rachelboyd @annekenn @MtManaia) in response to a tweet I posted after hearing the statement "technology is just a tool", referenced in more than one keynote this week.

I appreciate that this idea may have different meanings in different contexts however, I try to stay tuned to its use in rhetoric. It's very easy to say! What do we mean when we refer to technology as "just a tool" and how might this be interpreted?

If I default to technology as 'just a tool' I don't believe I am recognising the complexities that surround its use to support learning. That is:

• The professional learning and inquiry educators invest in to improve their ability to integrate new technologies as effective pedagogy. 
• The increased opportunities for students to learn, create and share new knowledge and thinking when they not only have access to 'the tools' but also the support of teachers who are skilled and confident professionals. 

My analogy to the ukelele was in response to watching a clip of Jake Shimabukuro playing his ukelele in combination with a quote from Jason Ohler when he suggested that technology could be akin to giving bad guitar players bigger amplifiers.

"... although multimedia can act as an assistive technology, it cannot take the place of vision, talent, or skill, whether developed or inherited. We will always need to tell a story with our art and to tell it with honesty, depth, and detail if it is to survive as more than a transient, disconnected thought. For this reason, teachers will become more important as technology increases in power. More than ever, students will need teachers for their wisdom and knowledge to help navigate a purposeful path through the glitz and distraction".  (Jason Ohler)

I originally used the video and quotes as a prompt in a breakout I facilitated at Learning@School in 2006.  I had been wondering what might result if we explored this statement as a question and considered the actions of the teacher or the student, and how these actions might impact on the concept of technology as "just another tool".  

In the hands of Jake Shimabukuro the ukelele is an amazing instrument. What does this say about his approach to learning?

What does your use of technology say about your learning?

Just another tool? from Fiona

"The ukulele itself, and those like Jake who play it so insanely well, represent both the struggle and the inspiration and delight that comes from blowing away other people's low expectations of you through your own hard work, unbridled passion, and dedication to excellence." (Presentation Zen, 2010: Jake Shimabukuro wows TEDxTokyo)

Apple Tools sMACdown #uLearn12

Crowd Sourcing

Crowd sourcing the uLearn12 conference at the Apple Tools sMACdown. 

Established at uLearn10 this breakout is hosted by a team of enthusiastic Mac users... but it is also sMACdown and everyone is invited to participate.  

uLearn12 was no exception with a host of top tips, resources and Mac geekiness from a great group of participants.

I also enjoy browsing the participant contributions on the Google form and the archives from previous years in the sidebar...like finding $$$ in last season's jacket pocket.

 @brettcribb Ka nui te mihi!

GoogleFest #uLearn12

This post supports my contribution to GoogleFest at uLearn12.

Kiwis @ Google Teacher Academy Sydney 2011

CyberSmart Curriculum
Exploring how to deliberately teach Digital Citizenship within a context that is relative to students specifically in a 1:1 netbook class. For example all students from year 5-8 with a netbook have a blog. Students learn SmartFoot Print and SmartValues in a context of learning how to write a quality blog comment. These are two of  ten categories we have identified as important to a cybersmart curriculum. 

This Google Doc includes a process we have used to introduce blog commenting to students. Students save a copy of the document in their Google docs. Teachers provide multiple opportunities for students to practise and reflect on their blog commenting. Initially students leave comments on blogs in their school as teachers can monitor these comments through the Teacher Dashboard.

CyberSmart: Private and Personal Information

This Google Doc was used to explore the difference between personal information that is safe to share online and what is private. Students write a personal profile for their blog which is initially posted as a blog post with a link from their blog side bar "About Me" widget.


Using Google Apps for Education (GAFE) to support learning with primary sources
Using primary sources as a context with the aim of demonstrating how I select and organise digital content to support learning using GAFE. It also includes some new thinking that I am exploring around using primary sources to teach Digital Citizenship.

"Getting My Google On" - In this blog post I share my top take-a-ways from GAFEsummit 2012 and my resources from my breakout "Integrating GAFE to support learning with primary sources."

Chrome Apps: Hootsuite
Twitter - some of the best free PD. If you are serious about building your PLN you need to get serious about managing your social networking. With Hootsuite you are able to set up multiple tabs, searches and organise your social media dashboard. Set up on your laptop and when you log in to your iPad/iPhone App, Hootsuite will automatically sync. Enables you to easily follow current events using a #tag or Twitter handle.

Click to zoom

Getting My Google On

I participated in New Zealand's first Goggle Apps for Education (GAFE) Summit yesterday. Masterfully organised by the EdTech Team and our own Dorothy Burt it was a day full of opportunities to learn, valued conversations with my PLN and just the right balance of Google geekiness. My top take-a-ways from the day included:

YouTube in the Classroom: Jim Sill (@mistersill)
YouTube often gets a bad rap but in just 60 minutes Jim was able to skillfully demonstrate how this resource can be a powerful learning and teaching tool. I would recommend exploring Jim's site, especially YouTube for Teachers, which includes some valuable recommendations for finding and organing the best of what YouTube has to offer including TED-Ed Lessons Worth Sharing.

GoogleChrome Breaking the Seal: Tony Richards (@itmadesimple)
I have been skirting around Google Chrome for a while but have found the ability to set up multiple users has made a huge difference to my work flow this year across multiple school sites, GAFE admin accounts and school Blogger accounts. I have created a Screenr to demonstrate and would recommend setting this up even if you are switching between 2-3 accounts during your day.

Tony's Google presentation is a treasure trove of useful tips for managing your setting, apps and extensions and is worth investing the time exploring. It has definitely improved my ability to personalise Chrome for my needs.

Integrating GAFE to support learning with primary sources
In this session we explored integrating GAFE to support learning with primary sources. I used primary sources as a context with the aim of demonstrating how I select and orgainse digital content to support learning using GAFE. This is shared as a Google Presentation which I have also embedded in a GoogleSite as there are links to examples of how content might be organised within an online learning environment. It also includes some new thinking that I am exploring around using primary sources to teach Digital Citizenship.

More presenter resources can be accessed on the GAFEsummit site and also #GAFEsummit on Twitter.

There are only two types of people in this world...

A few years ago a guest speaker at work tried to persuade us that there were four types of people in the world …powerful, peaceful, precise and party.  No surprises what type I was ;-). A decade ago I guess I did approach decision making with some precision… I had a plan! Not sure whether it is as simple today. Change is fast and there are a lot more unknowns. So maybe there is another type of person…a person with 'pull'.

The power of pull is a concept that resonates with me and has helped me make some sense of navigating this rapidly changing world. From the book The Power of Pull: How Small Moves, Smartly Made, Can Set Big Things in Motion ( Hagel, Seely Brown and Davison, 2010) pull is described as:

"… the ability to draw out people and resources as needed to address opportunities and challenges. Pull gives us un-precedented access to what we need, when we need it, even if you are not quite sure what "it" is. Pull allows us to harness and unleash the forces of attraction, influence and serendipity."

How are you "harnessing your ecosystems?" How are you scaling up your connectivity and attracting the people and resources you need to find your potential?

One place you might want to start is EduCampNZ. Harnessing the power of connections and conversations, EduCampNZ is an e-learning un-conference where you can harness the power of pull… but that's up to you.

Visit the EduCampNZ wiki to find out how you can participate and harness the power of pull.

By the way, to paraphrase Robert Benchley, there are only two types of people in this world, those who think there are two types and those who know better.

Navigating New Networks

Navigating the Panmure Roundabout - click for a birdseye

It has been an exciting couple of weeks. Joining a new team, visiting new schools, new learning and giving my Google Maps App a daily workout navigating new routes...and the notorious Panmure Roundabout!

I'm thriving on the new learning opportunities as a result of growing my professional learning networks. Lots of learning for us all including 1:1 Netbooks, Google Apps for Education, Teacher Dashboard and some new Mac users too!

Below are some resources I have shared over the past week. Your recommendatiosns appreciated, use the blog comments to share more.

• Interesting Ways - A series of Google Presentations crowd sourcing ideas and resources, including Google Apps.
  
• Snapshot of learning for Google Forms - Contributed by Joy Paton, Panmure Bridge School, Panmure
  
• MasterChef Google - explore this Google site created to support a breakout at uLearn2011
  
• Google Apps for Education - Another uLearn2011 Google site created by Shaun Wood sharing how he is using Google Apps
  

• sMACdown - Loads of top tips for getting the most out of your Mac.
  
• Recommendations for building your PLN...where would you start?
  
• Enabling e-Learning Newsletter - Sign up here, lots of useful reosurces shared each term. February 2012 issue is recommended! 
  
  

  Google Reader

  A must for keeping track of your favourite blogs and news sites.

  From my Google Reader this week : Keeping Students Engaged in a 1:1 Project-Based Classroom

Learners leading learning

I valued the opportunity to collaborate with teachers in 2011 to develop and edit snapshots for the Software for Learning site with a focus on eportfolios and mlearning.

Image Source: Lenva Shearing

The process, especially the learning conversations, facilitated some great opportunities to explore how learners are utilising ICTs for learning.

While each snapshot is unique I believe common messages are evident throughout including the relevance of:

• context and responding to the needs of diverse learners
• teachers actively inquiring into their practice (Teaching as Inquiry)
• learning focused relationships (Assessment Online)
• elearning and pedagogy (NZC Online)

Snapshots of Learning are framed to reflect the Teaching as Inquiry cycle and reference links to other TKI community resources i.e. NZC Online, Assessment Online, Literacy Online, NZMaths. They can also be utilised by school leaders to plan and support professional learning for their staff and school community. 

This Google Doc identifies components of Software for Learning, including the snapshots and describes how they might be used by teachers and schools to build their e-learning capacity through sustaining a professional e-learning community and professional inquiry into e-learning.  

A key motivation for writing this post was to recognise and thank the inspiring teachers and students who shared their learning and their practice. I have linked directly to their individual snapshots below plus all snapshots are can be browsed from the Software for Learning website.

Google Apps, Teacher Dashboard and 1:1 Computing

How ePortfolios and student-owned mobile devices have been used to increase student ownership of their learning.

Contributed by Lenva Shearing, Bucklands Beach Intermediate School, Auckland

MyPortfolio and Ultranet

Developing an ePortfolio approach

Contributed by Erin Sawyer, Fairfield Intermediate School, Hamilton

Learning Journals 

Learning Journals enable students to become more active partners in the learning process. 
Contributed by Amanda Grimsey, Cornwall Park District School, Greenlane, Auckland

iPod Touches and iPads 

Implementing the use of mobile devices to support learning 
Contributed by Cameron Lockie, Kaipara Flats School, Kaipara Flats

MyPortfolio   

Establishing a learning environment to foster student collaboration and ownership of learning

Contributed by Fiona Burns, Mount Roskill Grammar School

MyPortfolio and Google Apps

Utilising an ePortfolio approach to increase opportunities to learn

Contributed by Jon Bowen, St Peter’s College, Palmerston North

mLearning Capability Project

How student owned mobile devices have been used to enhance the relevance of new learning and enable students to take greater ownership of the learning process.

Contributed by Nathan Kerr, Howick College, Auckland

Jogging Digistore

I have been organising web content for upcoming PD sessions and remembered this useful web tool JOG THE WEB which I discovered last year and used to create the following tour. With JOG THE WEB you are able to group and organise web content plus include comments and feedback.

If you are new to Digistore this tour created in JOG THE WEB  is designed to highlight some of the key features and support material to get started.

Click to view Digistore Jog

Recommendations for building your PLN...where would you start?

I have had requests lately from educators looking to build their e-learning PLN and asking for recommendations on where to start. Rather than respond individually I have shared as a post.

Connected

This may be a bit of a brave new world for some so I have gone for less is more and what I hope provides a range of options (especially for those who may be starting out) to connect quickly through existing professional learning networks and communities.

Please comment if you have other recommendations that may be curriculum or subject specific.

1. Twitter: there is a very strong group of New Zealand and international educators using Twitter. #edchatNZ - NZ Educators and OZ Educators on Twitter
   
   Useful tips for getting started on Twitter:
   Twitteraholics guide to tweets, hashtags and all things twitter
   The Ultimate Twitter Guidebook
   Using Twitter to build your PLN
The Ultimate Guide to using Twitter in Education
2.  Tweeting for Teachers: A new report published jointly by Pearson and NoTosh recommends that teachers should use Twitter, Facebook and other social media tools to improve their classroom skills.
3. EduCampNZ Wiki: a series of e-learning un-conferences that provide a valuable opportunity to connect with like minded educators interested in e-learning and education. Explore the wiki to connect with other participating educators at each of the EduCampNZ events. 


4. EdBlogNZ  has an online directory of blogs written by teachers and other professionals in New Zealand’s education space.  Use blog comments to connect with others who share your interests. 


5. Online Groups and Communities:

• Google Educator Group GEGs are independently run communities of educators who inspire and empower each other to meet the needs of our learners through technology, both in the classroom and beyond. 
• The Virtual Learning Network (VLN):  A range of professional learning groups from early childhood through to tertiary.
• Google Apps in NZ Schools Group:New Zealand schools keep you up to date with the latest news and technology available for Google Apps for Education
• MLE Reference Group: Discuss the software and digital content that support learning in New Zealand schools. 

"Fantastic turnout for #EduCampAKL" via @lenva

Posting to organise and record some of the excellent contributions from EduCampAKL yesterday. Ka nui te mihi to everyone who participated and contributed, you continue to inspire me.

Also thanks to our hosts @ClaireAmosNZ and the IT team from Epsom Girls Grammar who worked wonders with the network when around 80 of us (with multiple devices) descended for the Smackdown at 10am.

For those of you who like to take time and explore, the EduCampAKL wiki includes a multitude of links and resources shared on the day. I have also summarised and book marked contributions in My Delicious below.