EDTECH 501: RSS in Education

RSS when used in education can be a valuable tool for both teachers and students alike. RSS feeds have the ability to provide content to both students and educators, in a timely, organized fashion, that is extremely beneficial. This technology allows for the collection and aggregation of a diversity of information. Content collected can create phenomenal learning outlets for it's users, by engaging them in up-to-date relevant information.

I really enjoyed this assignment for a variety of reasons. The assignment challenged me to gain  more in-depth knowledge about a technology that I was familiar with, but not proficient in, and challenged me in the process of creating a video tutorial.

The majority of my learning that took place, was not in the RSS technology, or how it can be used, but with the video tutorial I created.  I struggled with creating a video for my peers in this course, and also creating a video for the audience that I work with. I reconstructed the video multiple times with differing personal opinions. I currently work with a staff of veteran teachers who are not as familiar with educational technology as those represented in this course.  I feel that my video is lengthy and has a slow pace. This pace could be representative of my skill level, and the skill level of my peers in this course. When I subconsciously think about my audience, this thinking impacts my choices and decisions in the video. The staff that I work with have an extraordinary background on pedagogy, and what works best for students, but they lack the skills needed to use technology in a effective manner. When I try to justify the pace and length of my video tutorial, this factor plays a role. The peers at my school need more information on how to use and navigate applications. Once they have gained that knowledge, they can then take their current educational knowledge and apply it in a effective manner.
In conclusion, I feel that I  made a video that represents the current climate and culture that I teach in. This video may not be suitable for all audiences, but can give a solid background on RSS use and it's ability in education.

Here are some video references:
0 - 1:29 RSS Definition
1:30 - 6:27 How to navigate RSS
6:28 - 10:06 RSS Education

EDTECH 502: Typography on the Web

This week I developed a page that I could use for my particular audience on the proper behavior that you use when working online. This is called netiquette.  The netiquette page that I created this week is designed to provide a group of learners with information and tips for polite communication on the Internet. This can include e-mail, discussion forums, or any other type of electronic communication. This netiquette page will give my students proper background knowledge to successfully navigate in a virtual world.

This week I will also learned some new CSS code for floating elements to position them on a Web page. This approach makes a page that is far more accessible to users who rely on screen readers to read the content to them. As I am learning new skills I am returning to previous assignments and updating them as well. I will continue to  add the original 502 assignments page link below so that you can link to the new assignment from there.

This weeks assignment is "Netiquette":

http://edtech2.boisestate.edu/chadkuhlman/502/netiquette.html

EDTECH 502: CSS in Dreamweaver

This week I worked with CSS to format the basic Web page created last week. CSS allows us to separate appearance from the HTML structure. It makes websites easier to update and supports accessible Web design. It is already very enjoyable to see the weekly progression of learning as my web site gets more detailed and I learn new techniques and skills in web design. There is a marked difference from last weeks plain page to this weeks CSS formatted page. See link below, then compare it to last week.

http://edtech2.boisestate.edu/chadkuhlman/502/502.html

EDTECH 501: Elements of Educational Technology

The following link is my discussion of  Elements of Educational Technology:

Link: Elements of Educational Technology

Reflection

Anytime I read  literature relating to education, it always takes me longer than planned. I find myself continually pausing, and getting lost in reflective thought about my current practices within the classroom. I will share some of those thoughts in this reflection.

As a teacher in a high school classroom I am continually striving to create a learning environment where students are exploring, discovering, problem solving, and reaching solutions with only supportive guidance from the teacher. I have found that this is a lot harder than it sounds. Students don't like to struggle, they want answers, and they want to be led to the finish as quickly as possible. It is way easier to just give them answers than it is to let them struggle. But this is not what is best for students. The challenge of this type of learning is striking a balance between letting students struggle, but also setting them up for success. I work in a high school where there are a number of traditional, veteran teachers, who believe that content is king. This at times can create a culture of learning that is in conflict. You have teachers that "facilitate learning" and teachers that "control learning". I think that students should drive the content, not that the content should drive the students. I am fortunate that my content area of science lends itself to inquiry activities, and labs that do a great job of creating learning environments that support a facilitating style of learning. The article on the definition of educational technology didn't change my perception on learning, but did validate the benefits of educational technology for learning. The using and facilitating of educational technology through the selection of appropriate tools, and resources is a great way in which I can further create learning environments that support a learning style that is  most beneficial for students. This course has been a great example that type of  educational technology learning environment. I really look forward to learning even more new technology platforms, mediums, and resources on top of what I have already learned these first few weeks. 

EDTECH 502: Dreamweaver and HTML

The project this week was to create a Web page with a list of projects created in this class. Eventually, this will turn into a project list page used to link to my 502 assignments. I started off with learning some background information on HTML code. Next, I began a basic introduction of Dreamweaver. I created my site definition, learned basic Dreamweaver navigation, code validation and how to upload my web site to the edtech2 server. Below is a link to my plain502 assignment page.

http://edtech2.boisestate.edu/chadkuhlman/502/plain502.html

EDTECH 501: Welcome!

Learning Log

This blogger account will serve as my learning log while I works towards earning my master's degree in educational technology. It will include my experiences, growth, and development in the field of education technology through the artifacts that I create during my time in the program. I hope to showcase my personal ideas, thoughts, and progress as a learner and an educational professional. 

Present

I am excited to be a part of the education technology program and look forward to learning individually, and as a community. I hope my progression from outdoor educator, to classroom educator, to educational technologist will be full of experiences that will strengthen me as an educational professional. 

Background

My path to becoming an educator and teacher seems surprising to me at times. Once I finished high school, I had no desire to pursue post secondary education. I worked a variety of jobs for a number of years, trying to find my place in this world. One job that was most influential in my life was when I moved to Alaska, and worked in the commercial fishing operations on the Pacific Ocean. This job sparked my interest in the natural world. When I returned to Colorado I enrolled in Colorado State University and obtained a bachelor's in biological science. During my time in college I began working for the Colorado Outward Bound School instructing, and course-directing mountaineering courses for youth. These were powerful courses that used the mountains, climbing, and outdoors as metaphors for personal growth, and development. I felt like I was making a difference in young peoples lives and wanted to continue that process. I then obtained my teaching certificate and have been happily teaching secondary science for the past seven years. 

I currently live in Fort Collins Colorado teaching grades 9-12 at Fort Collins High School, and teach a variety of different science topics. When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my wife, and 2 year old son. We enjoy cycling, climbing. running, and spending time outdoors together.