Social Media in Education

Wow--this says it all.

The Use of Social Media in Schools infographic by obizmedia.

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The SAMR Model

All educators know we need to incorporate technology into our teaching. However, many do not know where to start. The SAMR model is a good place to get guidance as you travel down the techie path--no matter if you just started or have been at it awhile. One of my students shared a link to someone else's discussion of the SAMR Model: http://gettingsmart.com/2013/07/the-samr-ladder-through-the-lens-of-21st-century-skills/ Please take some time to look at the graphic describing the different levels to the SAMR model.

Screen time for kids

My 7-year-old grandson was just here for a week. He spends all the time on a screen he is allowed to do. Of course, as grandma, I question whether this is good or not. Is it too much time? Is it educational? Why isn't he up and moving outside or doing something else? He watches a lot of YouTube videos and enjoys them immensely. At this point, he does have a lot of physical activity in the form of swimming, gymnastics, and outside activities when it is provided. I just wonder what he will be like as a teenager? I also wonder what technology will look like when he is a teenager. Lots to think about.

Happy, happy, happy

Traveling to Oklahoma and back, we listen to books on CD. Our daughter loaned us their copy of Happy, Happy, Happy. At this point I have never seen an episode of Duck Dynasty, but we are listening to their story. It starts out with a very dismal view of any technology from cell phones to computers. They do live a simple life and have been very successful doing it. Does that mean we should all ditch our technology and opt for tech-free lives? There are many people who spend way too much time with technology--I totally agree with that. Young people spend too much time with video game--I totally agree with that. I do not agree that it is all bad, however. My smart phone has been a marvelous tool! The jury is still out while we finish the book on how simple I want my life to be! (I know I don't want to wait for my husband to kill dinner before we eat.)

Google's Virtual Tours

The virtual tours on Google are amazing. Before you know it, you will be able to see anything in the world virtually--not just a picture but a 360 degree virtual tour. For those people in the world who by poverty will never leave the town where they live to be able to see any place in the world they want to see. Technology is truly amazing!

A visit to my past

What a delightful time I got to spend at my alma mater in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Christian University this week. I visited with the IT department about what was going on in their higher education world. Amazing how close we are in trying to move toward technology. They don't have some of the age restrictions we have in the K-12 arena but they have the same issues of how to meet the educational needs of students using the most efficient technology. Google Docs is everywhere but also the training issues are the same. It was so good to be there. Maybe I will return some day on their staff.