Not many people have seen the above video, but everyone knows the outcome. The video was posted January 8th 2013, and no one could predict what was to come. Commander Chris Hadfield was the first Canadian commander of the International Space Station. From this simple youtube clip, he was able to spawn what is considered as one of the greatest reinvigoration of space science. Many of the current events in astronomy and space science involved complex math equations and concepts so beyond the average populace that it is no wonder interest had dwindled. With a simple you tube clip, Commander Chris Hadfield captured the imagination of multiple generations across multiple time zones. How is this possible?
Jennifer spoke about the powerful potential that telecommunications has in our classroom. She quite effectively was able to create her own network and utilize that network to the benefit of the students. Commander Hadfield was no different. Through his use of social media, he was able to demonstrate that a benign concept (such as modern astronomy) could be relevant and exciting. What both Cmdr. Hadfield and Jennifer have shown us is the synergy of modern technology. One form easily lends itself to another.
Synergy is an important trait of modern technology. Technology of the past was designed for specific functions in mind. A telephone had one use, but we see how modern smartphones have so much integrated technology that their potential uses are (almost) limitless. Technology integration is only increasing, and it becomes the role of a teacher to introduce the students to effective uses of multiple technologies in order to accomplish goals. Was Commander Hadfield effective in communicating information on space science effectively? With 16 million views of his Space Oddity video and 394 000+ followers on facebook (including me!) I can say that he effectively used technology (even at 400 km above the Earth's surface).
How can we model Hadfield's success? First off, it needs to be relevant. Students need to take ownership of the project or it will fail miserably. Copen (1995) states that current events engage students very effectively. Modern technology allows students to reach across the Globe and connect with different communities with different perspectives. Jennifer had mentioned this too in her video when she commented on her class' interaction with a class from the maritimes.
The importance of different perspectives leads to a major skill that all students should posses. The ability to critically think. Nosich (2012) describes that an important skill of a critical thinker is the ability to place themselves in different contexts and point of views in order to determine the legitimacy of their train of thought. I believe that telecommunications have open students to multiple perspectives that will enable them to be more effective critical thinkers than previous generations.
Jennifer in her video mentioned some limitations of telecommunications. The safety of students is of paramount importance and she took the appropriate steps to maintain security. Another limitation that came to mind while listening to her discussion was networking. She was able to successfully create a large network that would benefit her classroom. Unfortunately, not everyone is capable of that. I was hoping she could shed light on how she built that network in order to help other teachers do the same.
Fortunately, many museums and science centres already have programs that promote students from all over reaching out to them. The Canadian Space Agency has a section on their website that allows teachers to set up conference calls with members of the agency. Hopefully, the use of the technology will increase and many creative endeavours will follow, such as:
Jennifer spoke about the powerful potential that telecommunications has in our classroom. She quite effectively was able to create her own network and utilize that network to the benefit of the students. Commander Hadfield was no different. Through his use of social media, he was able to demonstrate that a benign concept (such as modern astronomy) could be relevant and exciting. What both Cmdr. Hadfield and Jennifer have shown us is the synergy of modern technology. One form easily lends itself to another.
Synergy is an important trait of modern technology. Technology of the past was designed for specific functions in mind. A telephone had one use, but we see how modern smartphones have so much integrated technology that their potential uses are (almost) limitless. Technology integration is only increasing, and it becomes the role of a teacher to introduce the students to effective uses of multiple technologies in order to accomplish goals. Was Commander Hadfield effective in communicating information on space science effectively? With 16 million views of his Space Oddity video and 394 000+ followers on facebook (including me!) I can say that he effectively used technology (even at 400 km above the Earth's surface).
How can we model Hadfield's success? First off, it needs to be relevant. Students need to take ownership of the project or it will fail miserably. Copen (1995) states that current events engage students very effectively. Modern technology allows students to reach across the Globe and connect with different communities with different perspectives. Jennifer had mentioned this too in her video when she commented on her class' interaction with a class from the maritimes.
The importance of different perspectives leads to a major skill that all students should posses. The ability to critically think. Nosich (2012) describes that an important skill of a critical thinker is the ability to place themselves in different contexts and point of views in order to determine the legitimacy of their train of thought. I believe that telecommunications have open students to multiple perspectives that will enable them to be more effective critical thinkers than previous generations.
Jennifer in her video mentioned some limitations of telecommunications. The safety of students is of paramount importance and she took the appropriate steps to maintain security. Another limitation that came to mind while listening to her discussion was networking. She was able to successfully create a large network that would benefit her classroom. Unfortunately, not everyone is capable of that. I was hoping she could shed light on how she built that network in order to help other teachers do the same.
Fortunately, many museums and science centres already have programs that promote students from all over reaching out to them. The Canadian Space Agency has a section on their website that allows teachers to set up conference calls with members of the agency. Hopefully, the use of the technology will increase and many creative endeavours will follow, such as:
References
Copen, P. (1995). Connecting Classrooms Through Telecommunications. Educational Leadership, 53(2), pp. 44-47.
Hadfield, C. (2013). Video: Chris Hadfield's watch floating on the ISS. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwOIggnU878 on July 12th,2013
Hadfield, C. (2013). Video: Space Oddity. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaOC9danxNo on July 12th,2013.
Nosich, G.M. (2012). Learning to think things through (4th edition). Pearson: Toronto, pp. 59-61.
Significant Comments
http://joansjournal.weebly.com/1/post/2013/07/communication-ii.html?
http://kayleemelhoff.weebly.com/3/post/2013/07/continued-communication-in-the-classroom.html?
Copen, P. (1995). Connecting Classrooms Through Telecommunications. Educational Leadership, 53(2), pp. 44-47.
Hadfield, C. (2013). Video: Chris Hadfield's watch floating on the ISS. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwOIggnU878 on July 12th,2013
Hadfield, C. (2013). Video: Space Oddity. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaOC9danxNo on July 12th,2013.
Nosich, G.M. (2012). Learning to think things through (4th edition). Pearson: Toronto, pp. 59-61.
Significant Comments
http://joansjournal.weebly.com/1/post/2013/07/communication-ii.html?
http://kayleemelhoff.weebly.com/3/post/2013/07/continued-communication-in-the-classroom.html?
RSS Feed