Current Issues Class - Week 1

As I settle in to my Current Issues in Instructional Technology course--a little late--I am finding that the class is very rapidly moving ahead.  I am trying my hardest to catch up and keep up!

I am excited about what I may learn about in this class.  I feel that my technology usage--like most teachers'--is behind the curve of what is available.  I am hoping that discussing the "Current Issues" may push me forward into applying new and exciting technologies (like Web 2.0 tools) with my students.

I am apprehensive, but excited, to see that the majority of our coursework will be in a PBL format.  I feel that this format can be difficult, but is much more engaging and has potential for stronger learning outcomes.  In my math classes, we started using a book titled Connected Math a few years ago.  It's format is a derivative of problem-based learning and I feel that it is very well designed and a great learning system.  Hopefully, the PBLs in this class will prove to be the same!

Our first discussion is on the Big Issues of ITEC.  I think that the big issue is technology usage in education.  While most people tend to point to funding for technology leading to low-usage of technology, I think that there is more to it than this.  I feel that, even when the funding is found, the technology is under-used, because teachers have little time to learn and implement new technologies.  With better planning for training, continued professional development and comp. time school districts can get technology implemented in a way that is more cost-effective because the teachers will use the technologies more often and more effectively.

Other issues discussed in the Big Issues discussion that interested me were the use of Wii's--my wife and I have one and have so much fun with it, it could be a great Phys. Ed. tool--and the use of Engrade--I discovered this free gradebook program during my summer school class and thought it was very easy to use and efficient.

I am also excited to take this class in Palace, as we did in ID.  I enjoy having opportunities for synchronous meetings and like using Palace better than programs using video or voice like LearnLinc, which we used in Distance Education.  I like that Palace is easy to use and can be used on an Apple computer (unlike LearnLinc).