Happy Fall!

Here in Arizona this week marks the "official" arrival of Fall at least for me. It is well below 100 degrees at night...finally. My blood is so thin now as soon as the temperature hits 80, I am freezing. I am wearing a sweatshirt today and it is 85 degrees outside. It is weird. I am admitting it!

Anyway, it's been another fantastic week learning about Educational Technology. I am currently enrolled in the MED program at Arizona State University. I'm working on some research for a paper I'm writing and came across a really cool website. Please check it out at Viewzi. You search on a term and it returns the results in different visual formats that you get to choose. For example, I searched on Chicken and selected the recipe view. I think the layouts make it easier to see the results and you don't get as tired reading as fast as you can all the text in a regular browser! I especially think the video results layout is cool. I have watched some very fun videos on YouTube. I have been working on incorporating more multimedia into the class I teach on computer literacy. Any suggestions are welcome.

I am involved in teaching several classes right now and keeping the students engaged through interaction throughout the class is the only way real learning occurs. I also often learn from the students by turning or part or whole sections of course discussion to them. I provide time for them to do some prepartory research and then ask them to lead discussions by providing their insights to get the class off and running. It is very rewarding to see the students get excited about the material and to come up with incredible ideas. I am really loving being involved in teaching and the changes that are coming to the way teaching and learning occur. The lecture method just will not cut it anymore!

Below are links to articles and blogs from teachers that are helping me understand this concept better and make essential changes in my teaching process.

Flint to Spark

Serendipity 35

Affect

A Difference