Comments for ED C&I 831 Ken Meredith's Blog http://merek.wordpress.com ED C&I 831 Blog Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:07:52 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on We need assessment data. by tammysillers http://merek.wordpress.com/2008/03/31/we-need-assessment-data/#comment-169 tammysillers Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:07:52 +0000 http://merek.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-169 Hey Ken, I actually missed the Chris Lehmann presentation, but had the opportunity to have a skype conversation with him last week, and was quite frankly shocked when he indicated he wasn't that concerned with data. I'd agree with you, data is important - but I think what Dean points out is also important - we need to ensure we're using the right data for the right purposes. Data is tricky stuff - it can appear deceptively straightforward, but there always seems to be another angle that could be looked at. I'm hopeful we won't travel the path the Americans or even other provinces have gone down...but I don't think we can throw it out the window entirely. Hey Ken,
I actually missed the Chris Lehmann presentation, but had the opportunity to have a skype conversation with him last week, and was quite frankly shocked when he indicated he wasn’t that concerned with data.
I’d agree with you, data is important – but I think what Dean points out is also important – we need to ensure we’re using the right data for the right purposes. Data is tricky stuff – it can appear deceptively straightforward, but there always seems to be another angle that could be looked at. I’m hopeful we won’t travel the path the Americans or even other provinces have gone down…but I don’t think we can throw it out the window entirely.

]]> Comment on Second Life – Opinion by Kirk Kezema (Jeff Kurka) http://merek.wordpress.com/2008/03/16/second-life-opinion/#comment-168 Kirk Kezema (Jeff Kurka) Sun, 13 Apr 2008 18:36:42 +0000 http://merek.wordpress.com/2008/03/16/second-life-opinion/#comment-168 Ken...it was great having you along for the tour. I think you are on the right track with your comment, "this is a really neat application for distance education." In time I believe 3D virtual environments will become a wonderful tool for distance education. Ken…it was great having you along for the tour. I think you are on the right track with your comment, “this is a really neat application for distance education.” In time I believe 3D virtual environments will become a wonderful tool for distance education.

]]> Comment on 831 in a nutshell by Shaun Loeppky http://merek.wordpress.com/2008/04/03/831-in-a-nutshell/#comment-167 Shaun Loeppky Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:43:45 +0000 http://merek.wordpress.com/2008/04/03/831-in-a-nutshell/#comment-167 I found that in many of our discussions the backchanneling was sometimes the forum for our agreements/disagreements which I found to be really worthwhile. I have always wondered if this course should have been developed as a full class. Something tells me we would still only have scratched the surface! I found that in many of our discussions the backchanneling was sometimes the forum for our agreements/disagreements which I found to be really worthwhile.
I have always wondered if this course should have been developed as a full class. Something tells me we would still only have scratched the surface!

]]> Comment on Can I recommend Open Source? by Laurie http://merek.wordpress.com/2008/03/22/can-i-recommend-open-source/#comment-164 Laurie Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:08:20 +0000 http://merek.wordpress.com/2008/03/22/can-i-recommend-open-source/#comment-164 I see the opensource tools as a huge benefit. I use them myself and my students can use them also and they can use them even if they use a MAC in school and a windows machine at home. I am currently using many of these tools in classes that I teach. Each unit utilizes more of the tools. I sure do want more machines available to students in my school and if the opensource tools means we spend less money on software, then perhaps this will happen. I see the opensource tools as a huge benefit. I use them myself and my students can use them also and they can use them even if they use a MAC in school and a windows machine at home.
I am currently using many of these tools in classes that I teach. Each unit utilizes more of the tools. I sure do want more machines available to students in my school and if the opensource tools means we spend less money on software, then perhaps this will happen.

]]> Comment on Can I recommend Open Source? by Kimberly Brown http://merek.wordpress.com/2008/03/22/can-i-recommend-open-source/#comment-163 Kimberly Brown Sun, 06 Apr 2008 21:12:30 +0000 http://merek.wordpress.com/2008/03/22/can-i-recommend-open-source/#comment-163 I rely on many opensource tools for my classroom. I have begun to use wikispaces to host all of my teaching resources and units. I use classblogmeister for my writing program. I also use schoolnotes for my home to school communication. I've recently begun to use VoiceThread for digital stoytelling and project reflection. Our school system is also supporting the use of open source online versions of Inspiration, ComicLife and Imovie. The system is also close to introducing Google Documents to all students in our system. The system has received Google Apps Education Edition free of charge for use in our school. I think we're going to see a move towards more opensource software and use the money saved to purchase more hardware. I rely on many opensource tools for my classroom. I have begun to use wikispaces to host all of my teaching resources and units. I use classblogmeister for my writing program. I also use schoolnotes for my home to school communication. I’ve recently begun to use VoiceThread for digital stoytelling and project reflection. Our school system is also supporting the use of open source online versions of Inspiration, ComicLife and Imovie. The system is also close to introducing Google Documents to all students in our system. The system has received Google Apps Education Edition free of charge for use in our school.
I think we’re going to see a move towards more opensource software and use the money saved to purchase more hardware.

]]> Comment on We need assessment data. by Dean http://merek.wordpress.com/2008/03/31/we-need-assessment-data/#comment-161 Dean Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:20:03 +0000 http://merek.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-161 Ken, I'm going to echo your thoughts and those of Shaun's. I agree that data is needed to drive change. My concern would be the quality of the data would direct the quality of change. I think that the people in the decision making postions need to try to make sure that quality data can be collected. If not I wonder no change would be better than a poor change. Ken, I’m going to echo your thoughts and those of Shaun’s. I agree that data is needed to drive change. My concern would be the quality of the data would direct the quality of change. I think that the people in the decision making postions need to try to make sure that quality data can be collected. If not I wonder no change would be better than a poor change.

]]> Comment on We need assessment data. by Shaun Loeppky http://merek.wordpress.com/2008/03/31/we-need-assessment-data/#comment-160 Shaun Loeppky Tue, 01 Apr 2008 02:10:15 +0000 http://merek.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-160 Although I loathe this data centered pendulum we are on at the moment, but right now I completely agree that some type of measurement is needed to validate, if anything, the resources needed to not only maintain but improve our education system. I just despise the fact that we as educators are struggling to find many different teaching tools to reach our students, and yet our students can only respond with a pencil and paper standardized test. Multiple Intelligences (a favourite mantra of mine) is completely thrown out the window with these type of summative assessments. Although I loathe this data centered pendulum we are on at the moment, but right now I completely agree that some type of measurement is needed to validate, if anything, the resources needed to not only maintain but improve our education system.

I just despise the fact that we as educators are struggling to find many different teaching tools to reach our students, and yet our students can only respond with a pencil and paper standardized test.

Multiple Intelligences (a favourite mantra of mine) is completely thrown out the window with these type of summative assessments.

]]> Comment on Distributed leadership by Angie Balkwill http://merek.wordpress.com/2008/03/26/distributed-leadership/#comment-154 Angie Balkwill Sat, 29 Mar 2008 02:55:29 +0000 http://merek.wordpress.com/2008/03/26/distributed-leadership/#comment-154 Ken, I whole-heartedly agree with you. If change continues to be "top down" we will see more fizzle and less sizzle. In the classroom we want our students to take ownership of their learning, now it's time for staff to take ownership of their leading. Ken, I whole-heartedly agree with you. If change continues to be “top down” we will see more fizzle and less sizzle. In the classroom we want our students to take ownership of their learning, now it’s time for staff to take ownership of their leading.

]]> Comment on Can I recommend Open Source? by Dan Schellenberg http://merek.wordpress.com/2008/03/22/can-i-recommend-open-source/#comment-146 Dan Schellenberg Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:53:25 +0000 http://merek.wordpress.com/2008/03/22/can-i-recommend-open-source/#comment-146 I've got two gripes with your post, Ken. Reason #1 suggests that open source software is worse than proprietary. I agree that this is true for some software, but certainly false for others. For example, the Firefox browser is completely open source, and is a much more secure and reliable web browser than its main competitor (Internet Explorer) which is proprietary. The key is to judge each application on its own, not toss out a blanket statement that open source isn't ready. Reason #2 doesn't refer to open source at all. I completely agree with your idea of spending cash up front to get the best hardware you can. However, open source deals with software. One great benefit of using open source when appropriate is that you free up budget dollars to spend on the hardware infrastructure. I’ve got two gripes with your post, Ken.
Reason #1 suggests that open source software is worse than proprietary. I agree that this is true for some software, but certainly false for others. For example, the Firefox browser is completely open source, and is a much more secure and reliable web browser than its main competitor (Internet Explorer) which is proprietary. The key is to judge each application on its own, not toss out a blanket statement that open source isn’t ready.

Reason #2 doesn’t refer to open source at all. I completely agree with your idea of spending cash up front to get the best hardware you can. However, open source deals with software. One great benefit of using open source when appropriate is that you free up budget dollars to spend on the hardware infrastructure.

]]> Comment on Can I recommend Open Source? by Shaun Loeppky http://merek.wordpress.com/2008/03/22/can-i-recommend-open-source/#comment-145 Shaun Loeppky Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:29:24 +0000 http://merek.wordpress.com/2008/03/22/can-i-recommend-open-source/#comment-145 I remember when Apple did cater exclusively to education. However, the push to Microsoft in education was powered by those that perceived that the platform in school should mimic business. I have always believed that our OS should not matter, it is how our students can adapt to change. In the end for many divisions, money will be the decision maker, and there are many products that can offer access to web based services/open source without proprietary licensing costs. Microsoft and Apple are the answer for some, if you are willing to invest the cash. I am thinking in the world of web 2.0, linux platforms with a browser is more than enough for today's students needs. I remember when Apple did cater exclusively to education. However, the push to Microsoft in education was powered by those that perceived that the platform in school should mimic business.

I have always believed that our OS should not matter, it is how our students can adapt to change. In the end for many divisions, money will be the decision maker, and there are many products that can offer access to web based services/open source without proprietary licensing costs. Microsoft and Apple are the answer for some, if you are willing to invest the cash. I am thinking in the world of web 2.0, linux platforms with a browser is more than enough for today’s students needs.

]]>