Getting Things Done

Over the past week, I have been looking at stream lining my workflow.  In the CEP-810 class I am taking at MSU, we have been given an overview of a book by David Allen Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity (2001).  Allen gives a simple method of creating a to-do list, but with the twist of then adding actions steps to that list.  After creating this list you review your steps and prioritize those items that can be acted on now, or delegate time to items that need to be acted on later.  Even with early experimenting with this process, I have already found this method to be very helpful. In the past, I have created to-do lists and used those to help with time and project management, but I never used those lists to plan out my next steps.  Using this single list with actions to track all my projects has helped me to feel more organized and prepared.

http://www.evernote.com

The class also encouraged us to look into on-line options for creating and managing lists.  Personally, I looked at both the Evernote and Springpad web services.  While I could see the value in these tools to help with organization, I struggled with them due to the lack of access. In my current work environment, I do not have access to a device that would easily travel with me to meetings for note taking.  The effort I was trying to conserve in note taking ended up consuming double the time due to the fact of having to transcribe my hand written notes into the web tool. Without the proper access to technical tools, I feel I was losing the efficiency of these web service tools.

http://www.springpad.com

For the moment, I am still creating my to-do lists in “low-tech” fashion with a pen and paper. I do believe I am more organized due to Allen’s tip of adding action steps to these lists. Going forward, I am still looking at the possible uses of Evernote, and may in the future transfer my organizational list when I have the proper technology for support.

Striving for Fire

I am training myself how to start a fire without using matches or a lighter for a project in my Teaching for Understanding with Technology class at MSU. My research has lead me to two methods. After spending quality time gaining a deeper understanding of these methods, I knew it was time for some actual trials. Time was spent gather materials for the testing.  A long weekend of camping was planned over the holiday and I knew I would have some quality time near a fire pit. With the family longing for a snack of roasted marshmallows, it was time for some real research and testing! The first method tried included a 9-volt battery and steel wool. The first trial was an instant success! We have fire!

The second, less successful method called for polishing the bottom of a soda can until it had a mirror finish, which then was to be used to reflect the sun and focus the light onto a flammable material. This method proved to be unrealistic due to the amount of time and effort it consumed to polish the can. The polishing medium suggested in my original research was a chocolate bar. This is what I used and frankly wasted in the first trial. Further online research stated it could take at least 30 minutes of polishing to create a useable mirror. In this video, it took even longer.

Considering I hope to use these methods as quick solutions when fresh out of matches, I went back to my research for an alternative method that may be quicker. Over the next week, I plan to find another method and run some tests. I have no intent to keep the family waiting long when they are in search of fire-roasted snacks!

Here is a short video of my efforts to this point:

Reflection on Social Media

I have always had a love of technology. As far back as I can remember I longed for the latest new “tech toy” that was being unveiled. This was the case up until social media came on the scene. I had no interest in viewing videos of people’s cats,

pictures of what others are eating for dinner,

http://www.neatorama.com/2013/01/24/Should-Restaurants-Ban-Food-Photography/

or numerous other things that seem to consist of babbling. I have managed to avoid any type of involvement in social media simply because I thought of it as nothing more than a waste of time. Well, that was the case until I signed up for the CEP810 course at Michigan State.

In the past few days, my eyes have been open to the true potential of social media. As part of the course I was required to create a Twitter handle (@BBeck39 if you would like to follow me) and I have found a wealth of knowledge really does exist if you look in the right places. Specifically, I have found valuable information on Twitter related to the topic of educational technology. I have discovered EdTechTalk ‏ (@edtechtalk), Tom Whitby (@tomwhitby), and others that provide useful and insightful information on a daily basis. If you prefer to information be packaged in more than 140 words check out blogs sites like Edutopia and Doug off the record, which offer a more in-depth look into a variety of topics.

As the world of social media hatches before my eyes, I am beginning to see the value. I am just scratching the surface of the wide selection of options before me. With the brief exercises as part of my coursework, I can truly say I have already expanded my professional learning network. I now see it is much more than a “novelty” and social media is here to stay.

Personal Learning Network Visual

The graphic below gives a visual representation of my Personal Learning Network or PLN.  A PLN is where one goes to gain knowledge and understanding in their professional work.  PLN’s can contain anything from websites to colleagues to anything else we use as a reference.

 

You can click on the image to enlarge.

To create this image I used a free website called Popplet.  I found this tool to easy and fun to use.

I’m now on Twitter

You can also follow my Twitter Feed @BBeck_39.

Click the follow button in the right column.

Network Learning Project

When I was a Cub Scout there was one skill that I wanted to learn but never had the opportunity to master, how to start a fire without matches. As an adult, my family and I enjoy camping and I believe this special skill will prove useful.

My plan is to learn two different ways of starting a fire without matches or a lighter. To accomplish this goal I will research the topic using on-line help forums and YouTube videos. My beginning research has started with basic Google searches that lead me to many web sites dedicated to this topic. I am currently sorting through these sites to increase my understanding. Secondly, I will select the two methods of fire starting I would like to learn. The third step will be building or acquiring the tools I need to accomplish this goal. The final step will be to experiment with the chosen types of fire starting until I have truly mastered the two different methods.

At the end of this mission, I trust I will always “Be prepared”-especially if I find myself trapped on an island with the Skipper and Gilligan.

 

Learning & Understanding

When I signed up for a class called Teaching for Understanding with Technology, I anticipated a brief introduction to theory as a foundation.  With my technical background this is the first I have been exposed to this type of theory.  I was unaware of how significant a part learning theory plays in our everyday life!  At every moment, we are being influenced with information.   How we assimilate that information, comprehend it and turn it into knowledge for later use is a fascinating process.

Our learning is influenced by many aspects of our life, our preconceptions, cultural backgrounds, and life experiences (Bransford, J.D., Brown, A.L., and Cocking, R.R., 2000).  A key goal as educators is to find that connection that links students to the information being presented.  The more we have an understanding of who our students are the better chance to make that connection.  When we develop that deeper understanding of our students, we give them and ourselves a greater chance for success.

Learning must be more than factual memorization.  Although it does begin with providing a basis of introduction to a subject, we must then guide the learner to use this rudimentary information to grow in both knowledge and understanding.  This type of pedagogy allows learners to develop “metacognition” – self-knowledge of one’s own level of knowledge-(Bransford et al., 2000) and helps lead to the development of an expert level of knowledge.

Stepping beyond learning, we need to help the student transition to understanding.  Often times it is difficult for students to connect the concepts they are learning and how that information is applied outside of the classroom.  As educators, we need to demonstrate how the material presented has practical application.   Bransford, Brown and Cocking (2000) found that students taught in a contextual environment were “more likely to abstract the relevant features of concepts and develop a more flexible representation of knowledge” (78).

How does this apply to a course in educational technology?  For any of us to be a successful educator, we must understand that our students come from varying backgrounds; we must guide them to be self-aware learners and offer them contextual environments in which to learn.  Technology gives educators the ability to interact with students in many different ways, create appropriate assessments, and  adapt to learners preconceptions.  With these tools, we can give learners the best opportunity to transfer knowledge to the place it is needed most- the real world.

References

Bransford, J.D., Brown, A.L., and Cocking, R.R. (2000). How People Learn Brain, Mind, Experience  and School Expanded Edition. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.

Hello

Welcome to the What the Beck Blog.  I’ll be using this site for course work in the Educational Technology Master’s degree program at Michigan State University.  This blog will also allow me to post my thoughts on technology and its correct uses in and out of the classroom.

Thanks for visiting.