Does virtual reality belong in a seventh grade classroom? No. Not yet. Students have not yet learned the social etiquette of navigating the real world, so I do not feel that they are ready to be let loose in a virtual reality. Even with the technology that is available to them, students have (among other things) used technology as a mask. The mask (whether an email, a social networking site, or a blog) is used as an attempt to say whatever is on their mind and feel as if they are "hidden". At this point in the age of the developing adolescent, an avatar might empower them to bring cyberbullying to a whole new level.

Using virtual reality to role play historical events is an interesting idea. As an educator, I would be concerned about what the avatars might do or not do. Would I have control over where the students went or how they interacted with each other in this virtual reality? I know where the students are and what they are doing when they are physically in my class.

I can see the possibility of using virtual reality for science in the future. It would allow the avatar to "play" with science to learn.

Perhaps in the future I will change my mind if I feel that it is a safe place for students to go. For now, I feel that students will learn best from interacting with people from our actual world.

Here is a link for this week's lab:

http://wdgvmath.ning.com/

A Ning site (a social networking site) could be used in the classroom with the private setting enabled. Ning could be used to connect students to each other's ideas outside the physical walls of a school. It could be used to post short videos or pictures of a class field trip for parents and students to view. Knowing that the site is monitored by a teacher might inspire students to practice digital citizenship, as well.

Blog link #2

http://http://ictcenter.blogspot.com/2010/02/cyberbullying-and-electronic-finger.html

NETS

Integrate a variety of file types to create and illustrate a document or presentation. (Creativity and Innovation, Technology Operations and Concepts)

Students incorportated this standard over the last few weeks as they prepared for their student led conference this evening. Students planned and created a power point presentation for their parents/guardians. Students learned how to plan a presentation and add clip art, audio clips, and dramatic visual effects. All of the presentations were unique and most of the parents were impressed!

Online Learning

Online learning has its pros and cons. It has been extremely convenient. I am writing this early in the morning on a snow day and don't have to battle messy road conditions to get to class. I've used the internet browser on my phone to participate in a small portion of the online learning while waiting at sports practices. I read the discussion topics and then use the next 24 hours to think about them before responding. From what I've learned about the brain, processing a discussion topic for an extended period of time helps me to retain the learning - a good thing!

The only drawback to online learning is getting used to the lack of face to face time. Am I missing an idea that might have been expressed in a classroom? Would online learning work in my subject areas (math/physics)? This is my first primarily online class, so I am still evaluating this question. It helps to have posted pictures of classmates when reading their thoughts on a topic. It has been extremely beneficial to have our professor interjecting ideas throughout discussions.

The convenience and professor's careful attendance to the online class more than make up for the reduced time in a classroom. I would definitely take an online class again.

Blog link

http://edtechlady.blogspot.com/2010/01/podcasts-enhance-math-learning-at.html?showComment=1265563951762_AIe9_BHEpNfhnKIm_R4lXVjsbOL-Uor6VOWlU82oN47y89022GogeVCVd49fWTi_nUUQ5oUjN86GY26_zkAYNYRu1-4Ehr2IicPaBdZAGuj5pq8HGi2fMZDCmPTBPWM_qL-lVE6dYeyFEwxE2Cy0Cf9TXnqkoVNX0vokm-6eOPZniBPJvGnu51zEVNMLhqy-POX7Zt9nmlKnKxL9ul7CepFhi15isf25hfbPC_s3KpRf7f1romncjVU3Erp0c_4wsd3Y2bjMhxfJ#c493966101392118479

Trial

This is a trial.