Brainstorm


 * 1) Start an "initial brainstorm" of ideas on the topic you might wish to suggest for Assignment 2. To help you focus on a possible design of a TELE, think about:
 * Sharing your ideas for a possible topic. What is a pressing problem, a new perspective, or a challenging topic in science and math that might interest you? What provokes you to explore this area?
 * Are there commonalities among the group that may form a joint problem space

CrysCP CrysCP Brainstorming for Topics! Friday, 3:15 AM EST Hey guys. We can use this thread to try to brainstorm for topics.
 * [[image:http://c2.wikicdn.com/i/user_none_lg.jpg width="1" height="48" caption="CrysCP" link="http://www.wikispaces.com/user/view/CrysCP"]] || [|CrysCP] ****

My framing issues assignment is dealing with technology as an equalizing force in today's classroom. (i.e. laptops, scanners, and programs like JAWs to help students with visual impairments, fine motor difficulties, dyslexia, etc.) Does that sound interesting to examine at all?

awelsh6 awelsh6 RE: Brainstorming for Topics! Friday, 2:40 PM EST Hey there,

Just thought I would take this moment to refresh you as per my interests. My research at UBC relates to gender equity within the undergraduate science classroom. I am researching different technologies that may be used to increase student interaction and enjoyment in lectures.

As for the TELE assignment, I am open to any possibilities. If anyone has a burning desire, question, or concern that they're interested in pursuing further, by all means let us know. Crystal - I think your topic is extremely intriguing and is an issue that would be valuable to my own research. Have you come upon any interesting articles or conclusions? Posted Monday, 11:57 am - [|[delete]] || Hi Crystal & Ashley,
 * [[image:http://www.wikispaces.com/user/pic/1232585279/johnstringer-lg.jpg width="1" height="48" caption="johnstringer" link="http://www.wikispaces.com/user/view/johnstringer"]] || [|johnstringer]

It seems that all 3 of us are interested in similar topics (I'm guessing Samia probably did this on purpose!).

I am interested in looking at how students from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds approach the use of technology in an English only mathematics classroom teaching a Canadian curriculum and the challenges this poses for teachers and how integrating technology into the math classroom can help bridge these issues and create a learning environment that caters to the diverse needs of a multicultural classroom.

However, I'm also interested in gender or disabilities as this is also something that needs to be addressed in my school. Posted Monday, 4:33 pm - [|[delete]] || I guess now we just need to hear from Philip! As this is due tomorrow though, perhaps we should just pick one tentatively for now.
 * [[image:http://c2.wikicdn.com/i/user_none_lg.jpg width="1" height="48" caption="CrysCP" link="http://www.wikispaces.com/user/view/CrysCP"]] || [|CrysCP]

John, have you invited Ashley to join? I don't see her as a member yet, but it could just be me. Posted Tuesday, 11:04 am - [|[delete]] || Hi Crystal,
 * [[image:http://www.wikispaces.com/user/pic/1232585279/johnstringer-lg.jpg width="1" height="48" caption="johnstringer" link="http://www.wikispaces.com/user/view/johnstringer"]] || [|johnstringer]

I just invited her now. I didn't have her e-mail but she requested approval. Philip send me a message on Vista. He won't have much internet access until Friday so I think we should go ahead and pick a topic as well... and a name.

I do like the the first sentence of yours "My framing issues assignment is dealing with technology as an equalizing force in today's classroom." This kind of encapsulates all the brainstorming posts. Could we use that as our focus and come at it from three angles (gender, culture, disabilities)? Or would that be to broad?

John Posted Tuesday, 4:21 pm - [|[delete]] || Hi John,
 * [[image:http://c2.wikicdn.com/i/user_none_lg.jpg width="1" height="48" caption="CrysCP" link="http://www.wikispaces.com/user/view/CrysCP"]] || [|CrysCP]

I saw that she wasn't a member yet, so I found the invitation thing this morning and sent her the invite, I guess she got it :)

I emailed Phil on Vista asking him about it, I'm glad you found out he won't really be available until Friday.

Navigating this wiki is spinning me in circles and I'm starting to get dizzy! But I'm trying :)

I don't know re: the topic, it might be too broad, but for now that might be a good thing. We can always narrow it down afterwards, when we can discuss with Philip and pin it down. What do you think Ashley? Posted Tuesday, 4:25 pm - [|[delete]] || Don't worry - I'm alive!
 * [[image:http://c2.wikicdn.com/i/user_none_lg.jpg width="1" height="48" caption="awelsh6" link="http://www.wikispaces.com/user/view/awelsh6"]] || [|awelsh6]

I have been driving around Southern California this past weekend for a frisbee tournament and finally have a minute to myself in the hotel room. Here are my two cents:

I think that perhaps gender, culture and disabilities may be too broad. We could present our idea to Samia and say that once we have a better understanding of the specifics, we will let her know. She may even have suggestions for us too.

We could perhaps focus on a particular technology and examine how its effects on students of culture, with disabilities and gender. Based on our framing issues papers we may have a general idea as per the pros and cons of introducing educational technology within the classroom.

Could anyone suggest a possible technology?

Let me know what you think - I'll be online most of the night.

-Ashley Posted Tuesday, 7:18 pm - [|[delete]] || Hi Ashley,
 * [[image:http://c2.wikicdn.com/i/user_none_lg.jpg width="1" height="48" caption="CrysCP" link="http://www.wikispaces.com/user/view/CrysCP"]] || [|CrysCP]

Yes, that's what I thought. Too broad for a final topic, but it should be good for now, and we can narrow it down afterwards.

As to a specific technology, I don't mind. My research looked a lot at laptops particularly, there just seems to be a lot of data out there on laptops / computer programs. A lot of children that have ld's don't like reading text, or writing it out, and so using a computer that can read the text to them, and where they can either type or speak and have the computer type for them is great for bringing them back and getting them interested in school again.



- Crystal PS - Ashley, you going to drive up here and see me? ;) I'm about an hour south of San Francisco. Posted Tuesday, 7:54 pm - [|[delete]] || Hey Crystal,
 * [[image:http://c2.wikicdn.com/i/user_none_lg.jpg width="1" height="48" caption="awelsh6" link="http://www.wikispaces.com/user/view/awelsh6"]] || [|awelsh6]

I am in San Diego until Thursday - but the first weekend in March I'll be playing another tournament at Stanford (much closer to you than San Diego).

John - do you use any programs that provide vocal aid for the students in your classroom?

If so, perhaps we could discuss how audio technology may assist students with disabilities and/or students learning a secondary language.

Just trying to make some connections.

-Ashley Posted Tuesday, 8:04 pm - [|[delete]] || Audio technology sounds good to me.
 * [[image:http://c2.wikicdn.com/i/user_none_lg.jpg width="1" height="48" caption="CrysCP" link="http://www.wikispaces.com/user/view/CrysCP"]] || [|CrysCP]

And darn! Stanford's about 5 minutes from me, but I'm heading back to Ontario this weekend for about a month, to finish up wedding details etc.



- Crystal Posted Tuesday, 8:17 pm - [|[delete]] || Not really. We are a Mac school so some of the ESL students use the built in software to help them pronounce words... but it's not great as it talks like a robot and doesn't put the correct stress on syllables.
 * [[image:http://www.wikispaces.com/user/pic/1232585279/johnstringer-lg.jpg width="1" height="48" caption="johnstringer" link="http://www.wikispaces.com/user/view/johnstringer"]] || [|johnstringer]

However, I could see how the software would be good for students with visual impairment. Voice commands, computer voice over, etc. I haven't really done much research into it...

John Posted Tuesday, 9:24 pm - [|[delete]] || John, my research wasn't pc or mac specific, so I don't think that would be an issue.
 * [[image:http://c2.wikicdn.com/i/user_none_lg.jpg width="1" height="48" caption="CrysCP" link="http://www.wikispaces.com/user/view/CrysCP"]] || [|CrysCP]

Would you be interested in pursuing software for students with various disabilities? (ld's, visual problems), or looking at gender equity, or culture?

Crystal Posted Tuesday, 9:41 pm - [|[delete]] || Hi Crystal,
 * [[image:http://www.wikispaces.com/user/pic/1232585279/johnstringer-lg.jpg width="1" height="48" caption="johnstringer" link="http://www.wikispaces.com/user/view/johnstringer"]] || [|johnstringer]

Personally, I'd like to look at culture, but there isn't a whole lot of literature related to math or science out there... but I think we might have better luck with software programs.. we can always change later.

So our topic might read something like:

Group A's Telewiki will deal with technology as an equalizing force in today's classroom. More specifically we will be researching software that has been designed for students with various disabilities (ld's, visual problems). Posted Tuesday, 10:43 pm - [|[delete]] || Hi John,
 * [[image:http://c2.wikicdn.com/i/user_none_lg.jpg width="1" height="48" caption="CrysCP" link="http://www.wikispaces.com/user/view/CrysCP"]] || [|CrysCP]

Ok, that sounds good. I think it should say TELE though in the proposal, not Telewiki. If you want to use a wiki for the project that's fine. I haven't used a wiki for that before, just for communication, usually while I build a website for the final project. :)

If you want to submit that, that's fine by me. Ashley, is that ok with you? Then we just need a name. Posted Tuesday, 11:07 pm - [|[delete]] || Ok. So I'll change it to TELE and if you're okay with that Ashley I'll submit.
 * [[image:http://www.wikispaces.com/user/pic/1232585279/johnstringer-lg.jpg width="1" height="48" caption="johnstringer" link="http://www.wikispaces.com/user/view/johnstringer"]] || [|johnstringer]

How's Team Equal for a name?

I don't think it's great but I can't think of anything else.

I'll submit it at around 8pm tomorrow (BC time) which is noon here in China.

John Posted Yesterday 5:44 am - [|[delete]] || Hi John and Crystal,
 * [[image:http://c2.wikicdn.com/i/user_none_lg.jpg width="1" height="48" caption="awelsh6" link="http://www.wikispaces.com/user/view/awelsh6"]] || [|awelsh6]

Sounds good to me. Do we perhaps want to include why we came about the topic? To make it a little more personal, we could say that by discussing our Framing Issues papers we realized our interest in ensuring technology as an equalizing force amongst students. Once we have researched this topic further, we may pinpoint a particular technology and course subject to analyze (math or science). Perhaps we could focus on math seeing as though that is John's interest.

Just a few suggestions,

-Ashley Posted Yesterday 9:25 am - [|[delete]] || Hi Ashley,
 * [[image:http://c2.wikicdn.com/i/user_none_lg.jpg width="1" height="48" caption="CrysCP" link="http://www.wikispaces.com/user/view/CrysCP"]] || [|CrysCP]

Good idea :)<span class="smgrey" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 80%;"> Posted Yesterday 10:50 am - [|[delete]] || Sounds good to me. I'll submit the topic later today and CC the group.
 * [[image:http://www.wikispaces.com/user/pic/1232585279/johnstringer-lg.jpg width="1" height="48" caption="johnstringer" link="http://www.wikispaces.com/user/view/johnstringer"]] || [|johnstringer]

John<span class="smgrey" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 80%;"> Posted Yesterday 3:56 pm - [|[delete]] || Thanks John!<span class="smgrey" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 80%;"> Posted Yesterday 4:30 pm - [|[delete]] || Agreed :)<span class="smgrey" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 80%;"> Posted Yesterday 4:38 pm - [|[delete]] || **1**-**19** of **19**
 * [[image:http://c2.wikicdn.com/i/user_none_lg.jpg width="1" height="48" caption="awelsh6" link="http://www.wikispaces.com/user/view/awelsh6"]] || [|awelsh6]
 * [[image:http://c2.wikicdn.com/i/user_none_lg.jpg width="1" height="48" caption="CrysCP" link="http://www.wikispaces.com/user/view/CrysCP"]] || [|CrysCP]