Week+2+-+Jan+18

**Reflection(class room learning)** We were introduced to SRS and Google apps.We learnt a great deal about google applications. We created something for google doc, presentation and forms. **Introduction to SRS(Student Response System)** 

The introduction to SRS (Student Response System) is another thing I feel is immensely useful. As Richard had mentioned that in a classroom, sometimes, The students are hesitant to answer questions, this is a good technique to know the responses from all students. As a teacher, I do see myself using this piece of technology a lot in my class room. Science, especially physics can be quite intimidating. This is a fun activity to know the understanding of students. **Introduction to Google Applications(Google docs, power point, and forms) ** 

__Example of Google docs: __ The introduction to Google apps was excellent. Most of us have already used Google docs for our assignments in the program. This, I found, is an excellent way when sometimes arranging the group meets become difficult. Also the changes made by another group member with whom the document is shared for editing, is an excellent feature of google docs.The activity we did in class to get the idea on google docs was fun and engaging. The limerick resulting from everyone's thoughts was indeed hilarious! **The link for the limerick:** Limerick**.**

__Example of Google forms:__ The surveys (using Google forms) can be quite useful. In one of my classes I remember browsing through the website of a teacher who had the engagement survey on the home page. The main idea behind the survey was to know which activity in the class was most engaging; which part of the lesson did the students find difficult, etc. This can become a very important factor in determining how many students understood certain lesson.This along with SRS can be useful tools to know about the knowledge base of students. **Here is the link for the survey form that I created as part of the learning activity:** [|Survey for high school students]

Playing around with Google forms, I realized few things I missed while creating my form. This was creating a link to add names. I sent my Google form to my colleagues but without having them fill in their names, I am not sure who completed the form and who didn't. I guess this happens in the learning stage!

__Power point presentation:__ Another similar activity was creating a presentation using Google applications. This was later shared with other people. Playing around with wiki spaces, I also found how we can save these blog entries in the form of a pdf file. This is pretty neat stuff!

//Understanding Digital kids - II  I started reading Understanding digital kids - II before I finished reading the first part. I found this article very engaging. As I was reading this article, I was reflecting on my experiences. I don't belong to the category of digital generation but I am aware of all the steps that brought us to the present technology. I agree with Mike Josiah that secret to success in a classroom depends on engagement and motivation. When we follow a different approach (traditional or not so technology oriented as the current generation) as an educator, there definitely is a big gap between teaching and learning when learner is a student completely focused on the technology.
 * Reflection (Readings)

The papers outlines __seven major changes__ //// for the educators to keep up with the adjustments necessary to communicate with the digital generation. //** It's time to bridge the gap of digital divide. As long as we are comfortable with trying new ideas and not hang on to the old one, we can face this challenge successfully.
 * It's time for educators to become learners and catch up with the education and digital culture. I really liked the ideas mentioned about updating yourself in terms of technology and do things like blogging, using Flicker, iTunes etc. These are easy to do things once you get the idea but if they are never tried, I can see the difference in the learning style of an educator and the student.
 * Teacher must teach the whole mind. It's true how teachers see their success through the top 1/3 students instead of the rest 2/3. The assessment approach mentioned here is very traditional whereas the digital generation faces restrictions to the use of tools they are aware of. To incorporate the traditional learning and new technology, it's important that as an educator we keep pace with the new tools and use them in our classrooms.
 * It's important for the educators to shift their instructional approach. The focus now a days is on discovery learning. We did this during our school time in a different way. Digital generation multi tasks, networks simultaneously, learns in a different way. Therefore, as an educator we should empower them to become independent thinkers. Educators should keep in mind Edger Dale's Learning Cone. If relevancy is added to the context, it will improve retention.
 * We need to let student's access information natively. The historical facts listed here were impressive and they are so true! Every time there is new technology, tendency usually shifts to the old one which we think is tried and tested instead of taking up the challenge to use the new one. It's important that schools allow digital and social networking tools as one of the learning resources instead of blocking them.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Letting student's collaborate goes way beyond the traditional group collaboration. Multi tasking is the highlight of this generation and by letting them use every possible technology tool might lead to unique end product that we can't get with our traditional approach.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">We need to let students create real world digital products.The examples of word processor compared to paper draft, or publishing are good examples of technical skills that should be encouraged to get digital outcomes.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">We must re-evaluate assessment and evaluation. If the teaching and learning approaches differ, the evaluation criteria should also be re-evaluated. Knowledge of content doesn't imply competence but the application of that knowledge in some useful way reflects understanding of the concepts. Therefore, encouragement to try and do things with all possible technology tools to create different and unique end products will reflect their knowledge.

Here is a brief presentation by Ian Jukes on digital kids (Source: YouTube- //<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The info Savvy group //<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">) media type="custom" key="5218647"

//**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Reference **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-style: normal;"> Ian Jukes, Understanding digital kids-II (21st century fluency series) Presentation on YouTube by Ian Jukes //