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When Worlds Collide -- How Can We Do Better?

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This week I have been knee-deep in the real-world application of Kayla’s dilemma of integrating technology and not wanting to repeat the same expensive mistakes of integrating technology that is not used and learners find irrelevant (Kang, 2021).  We are looking to replace Smartboards that are aging out with flat panels.  The issue is that the Smartboards were barely used beyond the substitution level on the SAMR model (Hilton, 2016).  It is so frustrating that so much money has been spent attempting to integrate technology to have such a low return on investment. I was fascinated (and agree) with the advice to use the admin take on of “try not to react to but lead digital transformation” (Kang, 2021) as this is what is needed for sure.  We are reacting to the aging out of technology.  We are taking small steps to improve in that we have surveyed staff to learn their needs and wishes and are planning a much more extensive roll-out of professional development....
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When Wisdom is the Goal

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  Image from pexels.com “ Digital wisdom is a twofold concept, referring both to wisdom arising from the use of digital technology to access cognitive power beyond our innate capacity and to wisdom in the prudent use of technology to enhance our capabilities.” (Prensky, 2009) This quote from Prensky is powerful and deserves an entire blog post.   I found this concept so intriguing because it seems to remove the digital native vs. digital immigrant divide (Prensky, 2001b).  Yes, I am a digital immigrant in many respects, but I am a digital native when compared to my parents.  My daughter certainly seems to be a digital native when compared to me, but then compared to her younger cousins, she is an immigrant.  I definitely acknowledge the two and completely agree that an instructor needs to consider this transactional distance and work to mitigate it (Moore, 2018).  There are clear implications for teachers to ask students what technologies are useful....
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Deep Soul Searching

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  This week has seen me doing quite a bit of soul searching. I seem to be responding negatively to technology and it’s use.  Why?!?! I use technology every day all day.  Banking; navigation in my car; communicating with people by text, video, phone; e-commerce; presentations with technology visuals; social media to connect and learn; Rocket book to take notes; etc.  I have a teaching certificate in computer science.  I have taught programming.  I have lead technology purchases and integrations in multiple districts. So why so negative?!?! Am I too old?!?  No.  I try new things all the time. Am I stuck in my ways?!? No.  See above. So what is it?!? After much contemplation and talking to others, I was still unsure.  I know that part of it is that despite all of the technology integrations in schools we still have what Venkatesh and Davis, refer to as the “productivity paradox”.  This is the “troubling problem of underut...
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Topic: “Blog vs. Discussion Boards"

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Is blogging the same as discussion board activity for a SDLer? Share your thoughts on what blog-based learning activities brings to a SDLer.  So for me, these are really two different, yet related, topics.  First I will address blogging as it relates to self-directed learners and then I will address how blogging might be different than a discussion board. Blogging has a number of benefits (Bush, Seibel, Corkins, & Elliott-Engel, 2019;  Celdran, Serrat, Villar & Mosterrat, 2020; Witte, 2007; Pettigrew, Archer, & Harrigan, 2016).  One of the most intriguing benefits for me is “heightened levels of mental stimulation” (Pettigrew, Archer, & Harrigan, 2016).  In the study, mothers who blog, the so called ‘mommy bloggers’ reported that they felt it was a creative outlet and a way to think and craft ideas.  Additionally, in the Valor program, blogs were found to be a reflective tool to organize thinking and extend ideas (Bush, Seibel, Corkins, ...
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I'm Baaaack

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 So Once Upon on a Time (6 years ago), I stopped blogging.  My blog was about working through my own thoughts of my life.  I connected with some wonderful people some of whom I still connect with through other social outlets.  Anyway, my thoughts seemed too repetitive and I was making myself a bit crazy and realized that I needed to be thinking outward rather than inward.  So I gave up the blog.  Maybe I shouldn't have.  I don't know. Now, I find myself at Kansas State University taking a class on Technology for Adult Learners and there is a requirement that we have a blog.  I am looking forward to this outward expression of my learnings in a professional context in contrast to the inner personal work I did previously.  For some reason, however, I felt the need to explain all of this. At any rate, hello.  Welcome. I have labeled this Ed Musings because I might see a platform to continue beyond the course requirements and I want to be set...
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