Week+3+Criticisms+of+Diffusion+Research

//**Response to Shannon:**// Hi! In my heart, I really wanted to do my project on citation generators, being an English teacher, but I couldn't find any diffusion research to substantiate it. I decided to use the mobile phone because I feel that in a college-level classroom, it could serve several purposes: Tweeting homework assignments through Hoot, posting to discussions via Blackboard, email, and completing surveys. I am still researching how other teachers are incorporating it in the classroom, so I'll report back as soon as I gather a bit more info. (**Elaine)** //**Response to Deb:**// That's a great question, I really was looking toward college usage rather than K-12. I think having applications that are compatible with basic web functions (Podcasts, Tweeting, Blackboard) makes it more accessible to the group even if someone doesn't have a cell phone. Those applications are available through any web connection. Recently in one of my classes, I polled how many of my students had a cell phone and it was 100%. I then polled how many had Internet access from their phones and the number dropped to 75%. When I asked the reasons why, most stated cost of service to upgrade to web. But, 100% had texting packages of some sort, with over 80% with unlimited texting. So, I think if I keep to chat/text based applications, I would have a good chance of success. **(Elaine)** //**Response to Milton:**// Thank you. I have recovered well from my first surgery and am ready for the second surgery on Thursday. I will be back home on Saturday morning and will catch up with any missing postings then. I loved participating in the residencies. I am hoping to attend the Paris, France one in June 2011. It falls on my 20th Wedding Anniversary, so my husband said he would take me. I am very excited! As I stated above, college level students in my target area.(**Elaine)**
 * Elaine**: It sounds like you will have an interesting project. How are you going to recommend that the mobile phone is used in the classroom? //**(Shannon Gray)**//
 * Elaine**: It would seem that the schools could provide the other technologies mentioned, but not the cell phone. The cellular phone is more of a personal item. How would every child have access to that technology? //**(Deb Forest)**//
 * Elaine**, I hope you are feeling much better. I am commenting from the San Diego residency, which is going great. I noticed that you have selected mobile phone over the other two innovations, stating your reasons, but to which level of learners would you be targeting this device? Is it elementary or middle/high schools, or is it college? I asked this question because below the college level, the school districts tend not to allow students to use mobile phones in school, much less to use it as an educational tool in the classroom.//**(Milton)**//
 * Elaine:** I think you might of hit on a good point in you response to Deb, you could focus on the Apps. for the iphone for your presentation. Surely there are some apps that would cost some money that would be useful for your classes. Can you present to a Board at the college level or will you have to focus on High School. It sounds like you make great use of technology in your classes! (**Shannon Gray)**

//**Nicholas:**// The only part of blogging that I'm not crazy about is that I don't really have time to read blogs extensively. There are so many out there, that I feel like it is like searching through a needle and a haystack. I tend to get my information from either the radio, TV, or the homepage of my local cable provider because it offers local news. Blogging is often very personal opinion based and I feel strange reading about a stranger's personal lives. However, I do like the discussion boards in our class. I don't have to search everywhere to find relevant content to what I'm working on in class and I like to read everyone's opinions and ideas. Do you think Blogs are impersonal? We had to do a Blog for 8842 and I went crazy trying to get to everyone's Blogs to post. The wiki seems more "group friendly", I don't have to visit 8-10 different websites to work with my group. How do you plan on using Blogging in the future? **(Elaine)**
 * Nicholas**: I have really learned to like blogging for class. I have often thought about starting a personal one. How do you plan on presenting it to the board? What are you going to gain their support for? //**(Shannon Gray)**//
 * Nicholas**: Blogging, like this wiki, are concepts I am trying to grasp. However, your points about little software and expenditure needed make a good arguement in support of blogging. From a parent perspective how is it monitored?//**(Deb Forest)**//
 * Nicholas**. I’m commenting on your wiki post from the San Diego residency. I hope your holidays are great. As I read your post, I wondered about the other two innovations you worked with in the first.week of class. You did not mention them. Why did you choose blogging over them? //**(Milton)**//

//**Milton:** I really don't mind at all. I cut and pasted that piece. I have been struggling with learning how to work with wiki. Was the issue grammar or spelling? I checked it after this comment and some of the spelling mistakes were quotes; however, I need to review the APA. Hope you are having a great time in San Diego. (Deborah)//
 * Deborah**: I like your focus on the technologies. I was an intervention specialist for our years and I am currently starting to teach gifted education which is set up very much the same way in Kansas. Communication is important when working on IEP’s and services. Which device do you think would meet your needs the most? //**(Shannon Gray)**//
 * Debby.** Commenting on your wiki from the San Diego residency. You have some good points. You defended well, however, you need to be a bit more cautious with your spelling. Spell check on the computer would be a good place to start, even before you use Turn-it-in. I hope you don't mind me saying that, but as a community of learners, I think we need to look out for each other. //**(Milton)**//
 * //Deborah://** //Do the netbooks have enough RAM to run Microsoft Word applications or are they just bare bones Internet tools? Will this make a difference in your choice of tools? (**Elaine) Elaine:**// Excellent point. No the minis I use do not have enough memory. We have an external disc drive and hard drive. The portablility is the primary benefit, along with the ability to connect through the 3 or 4G networks, or internet. For the storyboard project I was considering using Google documents so I can work between home and the road.

//**Milton:** What research will you use to substitute for the lack of diffusion studies regarding your product area? What would you recommend to the teacher who does not have an electronic gradebook? (**Elaine)**//
 * Milton:** It sounds like the GradeCam would be a beneficial innovation for you. In our district, a teacher received a grant for the ipad only to find out that the school could not support the systems due to the fact that they are Window’s based. How should teacher’s deal with the lack of technical support as they adopt and introduce innovative technology? //**(Shannon Gray)**//
 * Reply to Shannon**//**:**// GradeCam is always good for any school district. Before a teacher sought out technology, he/she should do background research to determine the usability of the product within the school. In so doing, the type of technical support that is needed would be offered by the seller, such as software and professional development. The school administrator would have no direct contact, only administrative knowledge that the product will be in operation to benefit the students. //**(Milton)**//


 * Milton**: In support of your innovation anything that gives teachers back time to interact with the students seems noteworthy. Is this item for each teacher or is it shared? //**(Deb Forest)**//
 * Reply to Deb:** This innovation is for each classroom teacher, because it's relatively inexpensive. The students can also use it under the supervision of the teacher.//**(Milton)**//

//**Deb:**// Virtual Worlds are being utilized at the college level. I have a video I put together on my blog, http://sgray1204.blogspot.com, that can give some background information. This is not something that I have seen used in the classroom, but there is research on children using Virtual Worlds. One world designed for students is Atlantis Quest. Students work on projects related to standards on this site. For my dissertation, I would like to create virtual world field trips. The idea would be to build background knowledge and vocabulary for students. Especially low income students since they come to school with a significantly lower vocabulary. Research shows that this has an impact on learning throughout the school career. You can access Virtual Worlds from any computer, but you do need a good graphic card and good connections. **(Shannon Gray)** //**Deb:**// Thank-you for explaining! I am starting a job in gifted ed on Monday and will be once again in the intervention field and traveling from place to place. I may have to get some advice from you! This topic seems good to be a part of your dissertation focus. At the residency we are speaking quite a lot about dissertation. Where are you in your focus? //**(Milton)**//.
 * Shannon**: I am going to use the nonacademic language in response to your assignment post. Wow! I had to visualize in dimensions to grasp the virtual worlds and the levels of diffusion. What is your dissertation topic? Are these "worlds" currently being used in classrooms? Does this type of learning occur more with the online schools that are an alternative to the classroom or both? I am feeling very removed from teaching especially as I read through all of these. Very interesting. These worlds would be innovative technologies. It needs the technology devices to be used. The user needs to be proficient in the devices and the innovation. Are the educational settings k-12 putting this subject matter in the curriculum? (//**Deb Forest)**//
 * Shannon**: As far as the needs of my students I have used the iPad and iPhone more often; however, as far as my documents and communication to the entities I use the netbook or the iPhone. I think that is why I was using the three in a cluster. I travel to peoples homes and do not work in a set place. The technologies are more beneficial to me and the parents. As the assignment narrows I will focus on an individual innovation.//**(Deb Forest)**//
 * Shannon**. I am commenting on your wiki post from the San Diego residency. It’s been great so far. I like your project. Virtual world appears to make things become real. You mentioned the different kinds of virtual world on the web, but had no reference for connection. Why? The other two innovations that you threw out seem quite interesting. To what grade level are you gearing this project?
 * Milton:** I have been unable to get my references to post, I am not sure why! They show up when I paste them and then they are gone. However, I am not sure I put websites down. I will work on getting a list to put on my wiki page. I am a couple years from my dissertation, however, I am focusing on some of the research in my KAMs. I am actually gearing my dissertation to Early Childhood Education. I would love to have a "Virtual RV" with computers for kids to go on their virtual field trips. I would like to model and guide and then move the technology into the classroom. I know, I would need a really big grant, lol! Hope your residency is great!! **(Shannon Gray)**
 * Shannon:** In virtual worlds, do you have to purchase "space" to participate? Would that be cost prohibitive? I haven't been able to investigate Second Life, but I've been told that "land" in Second Life can sell for hundreds if not thousands of dollars. How does cost fit into your plan? **(Elaine)**
 * Elaine:** You actually use Lindon dollars in Second Life. Today, the exchange rate is 261 Lindon dollars for 1 US dollar, so for 10 US dollars you would have 2,610 Linden dollars to buy land. You can exchange in several currency's. For Active World, the program that I want to use, it is about $1,500 dollars for the number of users and the amount of land I would like to use. I plan to ask the "Board" to purchase this land using parent involvement money. If the data shows that there is greater parental involvement using this technique, then it would show that this technology may be a better use of money if it serves more parents. You can participate without having space, but you can not build or create private entrance unless you purchase land. I wanted to add that you can build in sandboxes and may be able to build in some other places just by participating. It depends on which world you are participating in... **(Shannon Gray)**