My Knowledge Sharing/Tracking Project Background

This project is a small thank you to my Mom, who has always been by my side. She is also an amazing culinary magician who can whip out delicious treats. Please join my Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173684861407705. Thank you so much!

I have grown up in the former Soviet Union, with both of my parents working hard but barely making enough to raise the family, due to the communist policy of equal pay for anyone, regardless of their effort. Most of the time, the only way to get something was to bribe someone with something they wanted.

My Dad was able to get a plot of land to build our house because of his amazing carpentry skills. He helped an official and was granted a land permit. He then built the house, with his own hands, from foundation to the roof. It has taken several years and we lived in a small trailer in the meantime. Because of our own plot of land within the city limits, we were able to grow all kinds of vegetables and fruit in the backyard: potatoes, onions, carrots, garlic, tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers, eggplant, squash, apples, cherries, apricots, pears, peaches, grapes, raspberries, strawberries, etc. We were also raising chickens, ducks, and even a pig! Because my parents worked all day, all of the chores had to be completed early in the morning and late at night. I can't even imagine how hard my parents worked...

Yet, Mom always cooked delicious breakfasts and suppers, mostly using homegrown ingredients because grocery stores had limited items and were expensive. For example, one of the famous Russian salads (will post recipe soon!) requires canned sweet peas. It was a luxury and finding a few cans was difficult! Can you imagine that? I sure can't... That's why this collection of recipes is a special tribute to my Mom's hard work and ingenuity for making do with whatever she had, with delicious results.

Why Do People Join Certain Communities?

I have been wondering about the reason(s) certain communities thrive while others stagnate. I believe one of the major factors is the level, quality, and frequency of interaction between and among members. This belief is based on Wenger’s (1999) definition of a community of practice (CoP): a group of people sharing a common goal or passion and learning together as they actively and regularly interact with each other.

For my Community Norms assignment, I followed two Facebook groups for several weeks and was amazed by the level of support and care. This week, I decided to check out another group that caught my attention previously, as it is a subgroup of the larger group, with a specific mission of helping students who are finalizing their dissertations and need writing support and feedback.

This post exemplified the interactions in this group. I think this is why this group is thriving.

Wenger, E. (1999). Communities of Practice: Learning, Meaning, and Identity. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511803932.014

Think Before You Create Your Email Address

I can't make this up! 😁😏 That's why I always tell my students -- think before you create your email address. What does it say about you?

Here goes... We rent part of our house to students and I received this "gem" of email today:

Thank you, Joe, for your interest, but please go love your wine elsewhere. 

Note: Since we are discussing privacy issues this week in class, I made sure to hide this person's name and email provider.

Padlet Classroom Application

I love Padlet and use it frequently in my classes for discussions. It is such an easy and fun way to have classroom discussions. Students truly enjoy sharing as well. I save our discussions in PDF format and post for future reference (e.g., students who are absent that day).

One of my favorite first week of classes activities is mapping class cultural heritage using Padlet Map template. Our student body is very diverse and so we usually get pins all over the map. I start with sharing that I was born and grew up in Izmail, Ukraine. It is a great ice breaker and students truly enjoy sharing their backgrounds.

Would YOU like to share? :) I would love to see YOUR pin!

https://padlet.com/tpashnyak/zp1jf9uwnv2xkqn9 

 

This week, we are discussing networked learning activities. My post is a bit of a stretch and a bit long (skip to the networking part, if you like), but I will give it a try.

My school system has a program that allows employees to earn up to $200 for the annual physical and then two phone consultations for healthy habits, like weight loss, stress management, etc.  It's a great perk since one of the benefits is free HMO health coverage and so there is no charge for any clinic visits.

But... Ha-ha, you knew it was coming, right? That $200 goes on a debit card that is managed by mynetspend.com. Not sure why this awful company has been selected... surely $200 could be added to paychecks? Who can fathom the murky waters of bureaucracy?! My card has expired and apparently sending a replacement card automatically, like most card companies do, is beneath this company. I got a call from our human resources and was asked to get a replacement card, so my reward can be deposited. 

So I naively thought, no big deal, will just take a few minutes,  and called the phone number provided... and entered my card number... "Your card is invalid. Please call back later." Phone disconnected. What the....?! 😡Called back, thinking maybe I entered the card number incorrectly... "Your card is invalid. Please call back later." Phone disconnected. 😡😡

Dialed the third time... selected an option (the only other option) for Lost/Stolen card. There was a stern warning not to select this option if I have the card. I ignored it. 😜 After about five minutes, got someone on the phone who insisted that I need to go through the automated system to verify who I am. 🙄 Silly me agreed... "Please enter your card number." OK "Your card is invalid. Please call back later." Phone disconnected. 😡😡😡

Dialed the fourth time... went straight for customer service... waited another five minutes... "I will connect you to the automated system to verify." "NOOOOOOOOOOOO! Surely there is a better option..." "No, you must use the automated system." "Your system does not work." Repeat several times... Exasperated, I asked for a supervisor. Waited about 15 minutes... "You must use our automated system." "Surely there is another way..." "Yes but you failed the validation with my employee." "What validation? Please allow me to validate with you." "You must use our automated system." "Didn't you just say that there is another way?" In a robotic voice, "You must use our automated system." Beyond exasperated, I just disconnected. 😡😡😡😡😡

Dialed the fifth time... went straight for customer service... got another customer service rep... Lo and behold, this one was pleasant, knowledgeable, and was able to process my card replacement in just a few minutes. I told her about my experience and she apologized. I asked to speak to her supervisor, commended her for great service, and reported other employees. 

Out of curiosity, I Googled this company's ratings... Ready? One -- yep, 1 out 5. Some comments? "I have nothing good to say about this company." "Absolutely horrible!" "Despite frustrating communication with illiterate employees, I have not been able to get help." "Customer service is a joke!" "If I could give a zero rating, I would." "I hate your company." 

Now for the networking part... Networking is an important part of our lives as we often make decisions based on information gleaned through networking and make choices on whether or not join (or remain in) the network. In this class, we mostly focus on learning through networking but there are wider implications, as illustrated by my example. 

Many of us are working on creating our own repositories of resources this week. While our project is not focused on popularity, just technology application, I am still thinking beyond this class... why do people come back to certain repositories of resources and not the others? I think it is because of quality. Thus my business example... Online ratings can make or break the company.

What are your thoughts on this?

Digital Native: Informal/Social vs Formal/School Settings

Crook, C. (2012). The ‘digital native’ in context: tensions associated with importing Web 2.0 practices into the school setting. Oxford Review of Education, 38(1), 63–80. https://doi.org/10.1080/03054985.2011.577946 

I read this article with great interest and its results and conclusions and two points truly resonated with me as a high school teacher. First, we often overestimate our students' technology skills. Two, we often create artificial environments that are not conducive to learning and applying technology skills.

I also found another article, illustrating the same points.

Flaherty, C. (2018, March 6). The Myths of the Digital Native (Part 1). 3 Geeks and a Law Blog. https://www.geeklawblog.com/2015/10/the-myths-of-digital-native-part-1.html.

I already touched on both issues in THIS post, where I argued that "digital natives need to sharpen their skills through authentic learning experiences." In my opinion, the main characteristic that differentiates digital natives from digital immigrants is an innate ability to quickly learn how to navigate the new digital tool. Yet, ability does not equal fluency. I have both witnessed and been a guilty party of the many technology fiascos, when students were asked to perform an academic task while learning a new technology. Not. a. good. idea!  As Crook (2012) states, technology use in school settings can be stressful and frustrating, to both students and teachers, when used inappropriately. The author argues that there is a false assumption that just because "young people are readily engaged by these [Web 2.0] technologies, it might be expected that Web 2.0 communication would be eagerly appropriated into educational practice." 

I am by no means an expert in the use of Web 2.0 technologies but have found two successful practices that work in my own classes: allowing students to suggest/pick various tools and introducing new tools, so students can explore and learn the basics, before adding any substantial assignment requirements. For example, I cycle through various review tools, like Kahoot, Socrative, GimKit, etc. and let students pick the tool of the week. They love it because we don't get in the same "rut" and students like that their input is invited. Before, I introduce any tools, I go through a quick tutorial and let students play with that tool, such as writing their own questions. This approach is especially important for my AP and honors students who are extremely competitive and not doing well on any review assignments because they struggle with figuring out how to use an app would be very stressful. Many students have commented over the years how they enjoy using various tools more when they are comfortable with different functions.

If you are a teacher, what are your best practices? If not, what is your perspective as a student? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Digital Detox Challenge

It has been a rough week, as I already wrote in my post earlier this week. Because I had difficulty concentrating, it has taken me much, much longer to finish an assignment that would have probably taken a few hours otherwise. I was very frustrated as I have fallen further and further behind. Thus, as soon as I submitted my missing assignment, I immediately began working on this week's module. Then I saw this challenge... and immediately thought -- no way, I am too far behind to complete this challenge, even for 24 hours... but maybe I could?

Because I was not feeling well, I was not very active in the online world for almost a week but it was a very different experience... I could not relax and enjoy the break... On the contrary, I was more worried than relaxed.

A challenge is not a challenge unless it is challenging, so I decided to go into digital detox at 11 am yesterday, for 24 hours. Here is what I did instead:

St Augustine Beach, before thunderstorms rolled in...

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, rocky beach

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, so peaceful... 

This book has been on my reading list for some time... only read a few chapters before I fell asleep but enjoyed it...

Results? Yes, I am refreshed and reenergized, making good progress on my remaining assignments for this week. So glad I accepted the challenge!

Phew, I had a rough weekend health-wise... pretty scary and very unproductive but feeling a bit better. If anyone ever dealt with migraines, you know it's often like trying to stop a runaway train. 

Trying to get back on track and resume blogging, so I don't fall even further behind. Found this gem as I went over my community norms log notes yesterday. Enjoy! 😂

 I love Animoto and K-12 teachers get an enhanced account, yay! Here is a sample video I created for my online students:

It's super easy:

1. Create (or reuse/tweak) a PowerPoint presentation.

2. Save all slides as images.

3. Upload images and select music, design features, timing, etc.

4. Share, embed, or download!

Embed Hint: If you are using Blogger or WordPress, go to HTML view and paste the embed code. In Canvas, there is an option to embed -- just select and paste, done. 

EME 6414 Bonus: Please note my image attributions! ;)

Twitter Chat Challenge

I have truly enjoyed participating in #resiliencechat on Monday, June 7th, at 10 pm. Wow, I will definitely keep an eye on this live chat from now on as Sara and participants offered thoughtful comments, advice, and tips on how to succeed with our personal and professional endeavors.

Pinterest Vision Board Challenge

You can find my vision board HERE! :)

My graduation gift to myself will be a trip to Antarctica. Why? I have been to every continent except Antarctica. I have done a lot of things in my life but finally earning a PhD is a huge milestone and so is traveling to Antarctica. It will be a celebration of pushing through all kinds of things and overcoming all challenges. Antarctica is not very hospitable, yet it is teeming with life. PhD journey is not easy, yet I will cross the finish line.

Note: All graphics are from the public domain. I used Canva to create my vision board (www.canva.com). 

Monday Reflections on my Renovation Adventures and Technology Applications

UPDATE: He finished by Wednesday, woo-hoo -- he is amazing! 💗

My Dad is replacing the old ugly carpet in two bedrooms at my house this week, with this beautiful hardwood flooring: 

Technology Application #1: I used user ratings and comments to select this product.

After ripping out the old carpet, he discovered a bad leak... and it went downhill from there... Turns out, the leak is in the wall and possibly the ceiling, as this room has an adjacent bathroom and there is another bathroom upstairs, above this room, so copper pipes and potential corrosion. Why do plumbers use copper pipes anyway? Like, duh?! It's 2021 so surely there are better materials? Ah, don't get me started as plumbers are still insisting on commodes with wax rings...

Technology Application #2: I went to my Facebook local community group with a problem and asked for solutions (crowdsourcing, ya'll). Community members shared their own experiences and suggested I get a quote for replacing all of copper piping and recommended plumbing companies.

Technology Application #3: I checked several recommended companies for Google reviews as well as searched other companies with high ratings. Then I began calling... and my mood grew darker with every quote... Over $5,000 to replace a few pipes, in a few hours, seriously? That's a lot more than monthly gross pay and I have been teaching for 20+ years, so my salary is above average. Maybe I should forget teaching and open my own plumbing company. Based on the waiting time, they sure are busy.

Since I don't have this kind of money, Dad will attempt a DIY repair tomorrow.

Technology Application #4: YouTube video that shows how to replace copper pipes. Enjoy! 👀😁

#SumItUpSunday Summary

It was fun coming up with a new tweet every day and then checking what my classmates have tweeted. I was somewhat disappointed that my tweets did not get much traffic but it takes time to build connections.

#MemeMonday

#ToolboxTuesday

#WonderingWednesday

#ThrowBackThursday

#FollowFriday

#ShoutoutSaturday

Five of My Favorite Classroom Tools: Create-A-Pin Challenge

Maybe you are a brand new teacher or not... My hope is that you will find something on this list that sparks your interest and maybe even shows up in your classroom. I am mentoring another teacher this summer, who is not new to teaching but definitely a digital immigrant, and thus a reason for this list. 

1. Nearpod: I use this tool frequently in my classes because it is easy to set up (quickly create slides or even upload slides and tweak), helps me to keep students engaged via critical thinking discussions and trivia game style review questions, can be assigned to any students who were absent that day, and ability to quickly assess any weak points I need to reteach.

2. Kahoot: Who said reviewing the material should be boring? On the contrary! My students look forward to our Kahoot days and study the material because they want to win! It is a trivia game style approach to go through review questions, easy to set up, and so much fun to play!

3. Flipgrid: A fun way to have interactive discussions! Awesome for my shy students who may not speak up in class but thrive online. Students respond to a prompt using a short video and then respond to the classmates' videos. 

4. Seesaw: A cool way to present project ideas and collaborate with classmates. It is an awesome alternative to the typical written project. Students can use a variety of formats and their creativity shines through. It becomes a digital portfolio throughout the school year.

5. Padlet: It is an alternative to boring LMS discussion boards as students can respond to prompts via text or pictures, see what others have posted, and respond to their classmates. 

There is a growing interest in business and technology certifications and many Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs are funded based on the number of credentials earned. For example, Business Technology program at my school is doing really well, because my colleague and I are working hard to prepare our Digital Information Technology (DIT) students for Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) industry certification. Florida Department of Education allocates funding for CAPE certifications. More information is here: http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/cape-secondary, if you are interested in learning more.

I am very proud of my students this past school year, even though all of my DIT students were 100% online. The pass rate of 80% was a bit lower than usual but we have experienced all kinds of technology issues and struggled to find online proctors, as availability is very limited and appointments must be scheduled well in advance.

Next year, I am launching Entrepreneurship and Small Business (ESB) certification, as it was finally approved by FL DOE for 2021-2022 school year! 

However, I want to make sure my students are well prepared, and so I am super excited to add badges to my business course. Micro-credentials via badges will gradually build towards ESB certification. I think badges are extremely beneficial because they increase student engagement and offer skill and knowledge scaffolding. 

Here is a great article on this topic: Brauer, S., Korhonen, A. M., & Siklander, P. (2019). Online scaffolding in digital open badge-driven learning. Educational Research, 61(1), 53-69.

I teach AP Computer Science Principles so crowdsourcing is a familiar term. However, my students often confuse crowdsourcing with brainstorming. I usually share this article with them: https://innovationobserver.com/2017/03/06/dont-confuse-crowdsourcing-with-brainstorming/. Brainstorming is about throwing out an idea and asking people to comment. Crowdsourcing is about throwing out a problem and asking people to come up with creative solutions.