EDT+674+Discussion+Questions

**__Discussion Question 1 - completed during Weekend One __**
What do you know about using technology with students? What do you want to know about using technology with students?

I have a good basic understanding of using technology with students at the post-secondary level. I teach using Black board supported classes and also do a class that is all on-line. I am always looking for new ways to engage students and make learning easier for them. I am especially interested in using hand-held devices and further utilizing Bb.

**__Discussion Question 2 - completed during Weekend One__ **
Look at the Essential 21st Century Skills List - Select one skill and discuss how you already meet this skill via your current instruction. Select another Essential 21st Century Skill that you may NOT already touch upon and project how you might be able to meet that need in future instruction.

** Critical Thinking and Systems Thinking ** —Exercising sound reasoning in understanding and making complex choices; understanding the interconnections among systems.

In classes at the technical college level, critical thinking and systems thinking/integration is what we do. Employers demand it, so it's really at the forefront of our instruction. Following Bloom's Taxonomy all the way through a particular course of study to the point of analysis and synthesis is usually the level of competency we attempt to have students achieve. Particularly in Automotive Technology, any body can train a monkey to replace parts; but only good technicians can successfully diagnose intermittant problems in complicated systems. In all my classes we start with memorization and identification then get to operation, and finally to diagnosis, repair and verification of that repair.

• **Interpersonal and Collaborative Skills**—Demonstrating teamwork and leadership; adapting to varied roles and responsibilities; working productively with others; exercising empathy; respecting diverse perspectives.

I think I can do a much better job of developing students' collaborative skills by assigning more team or group based work. I already do group work in the lab (by necessity) but I could certainly assign more group research and presentation projects... and integrate technology into the requirements.

** __Discussion Question 3 - to be completed one week after the Weekend One__ ** Find a TeacherTube/YouTube video that you could use for instructional purposes and copy and paste the address of the video for others to view. Explain how you would use this with your students.

NOTE: Since there are so many videos to choose from, please avoid any repeats.

View two other students’ videos. media type="youtube" key="pVKcdS7ijRU" height="192" width="242" align="center"

I am starting a new course on March 22, called "Engines Diagnostics"... it is the last semester of the students' 2-yr. program. In it we cover different methods of diagnosis for engine issues; both mechanical and electronic / fuel delivery / driveability. This is something that most students haven't been exposed to yet; and I can show it in the classroom, we can discuss it, then I can give a demonstration of how to do it in the lab... then the students will have to do it in a real diagnosis situation; and document their results/verify their diagnosis with me. 

__Discussion Question 4 - to be completed Saturday/Weekend Two__
To complete the KWHL- what have you learned from the readings, activities and discussions from this course about using technology with your students?  Every time I do this type of assignment, I develop more empathy for my students... "What have you learned?" can be a pretty loaded question. It generally takes me a couple of hours to really "decompress" and reflect on a class before I can submit a complete answer; but here it goes.   Aside from the obvious chapter information learned by observing and listening to other students in the class during the review; I learned a lot about the section, or part of a chapter, that I reviewed and reported on. The second half of chapter one, “What Will Students Learn?” was very interesting to me. There is much of the text material that transcends age variations of students within the classrooms where the material is practiced. Being in post-secondary education, I am looking for material that I can apply to an adult-oriented class setting. This section did just that.  The //Web Resources// section of chapter one has relevant subject matter that I am using, but am now going to refocus on implementing more extensively in my current classes. The KWL charts are something that I had only done a long time ago, but am likewise going to use much more after this “refresh” of their efficacy. The use of WIKIs is something else that I am getting more and more comfortable with. I think this is through the continual use of them for course material in these classes. Likewise, the use of collaboration and thought mapping applications is helping me get more and more comfortable with them. All of the above examples can be evidenced in my lesson plan assignment on “GM Two-Mode Hybrid Transmissions”.  The second weekend was an unexpected, yet very satisfying, learning experience. I did not expect the claymation experience; but then again, I didn’t expect the Legos either. It was good to get back into using Excel, Mail-merge, and Movie Maker. I had some experience with them before, but rarely go outside of my comfort zone while doing work; afterall, who makes time to experiment? The sharing of the Web Resources by the instructors and students alike, builds a great atmosphere of networking and collaboration. I am really enjoying the experience thus far!