Inquiry Question

This project took a long time, but I enjoyed learning about a real question that I was curious about. I spent a long time looking for resources that related to my question. Unfortunately, I felt as though more of my informal resources were helpful that my formal ones. I believe that this was a very beneficial assignment. It tested our skills in many ways. It pressed us to show our researching skills, our ability to work a new program, our patience when the web page wouldn't let me un-underline something or create a space between paragraphs, and our ability to synthesize new information to answer a question about technology. I believe that I am a horrible speaker no matter is someone is watching or not so I hope that my screen cast doesn't sound too terrible but I tried to summarize as best as I could with out reading directly from the script.

Ch. 10!!!

This chapter does a great job of tying in all that we have learned about technology. Overall it focuses on the idea that technology is causing us to rethink everything from “ how kids learn” to “ rethinking careers”. Life long learning takes place everyday in both the classroom and outside of the classroom. It is the job of the teacher to motivate and encourage students. Motivation is key and technology is a way of both meeting their interests as well as keeping students motivated. This in return will keep the students more engaged in learning. Technology is changing the way we do everything. It’s changing they way kids learn, changing what should be learned, and how it should be taught. As a teacher I intend to keep up with the new age of technology as much as possible so to provide my students with the more beneficial atmosphere. This era proves that teachers need to find ways to motivate and excite children about learning. This can only be done by keeping up with the times and catering to children interests. Doing this is not entirely too difficult it's just a matter of want in the teacher.

Ch. 9

What does it all mean? Well as the first quote states, “The future is already here, it’s just unevenly distributed. I believe that this does a great way of explaining a lot of what we have talked about in class this semester. It explains simply and perfectly exactly what the debate of technology is today in our schools. It explains how technology is being integrated in to our schools but inefficiently. It is being done at an uneven pace. Along with this, because there is a great debate over the pros and cons of technology, teachers and school boards are also hesitant to integrate more of it into our schools. It is true that we cannot force technology into classrooms immediately, but steady exposure and implementation of different small types can continue schools to be on their way of transitioning into this new age of technology. Not all schools are even able to afford this new technology. This is when it becomes a threat to socialization. As a teacher I will try to insure that I note the fact that when introducing children to new technologies, that not all of them are familiar with them. I will be sure to teach them how to safely use and understand these new devices as well as strive to provide extra opportunities for interaction with the technologies for children who are less familiar and whom do not also have contact with them in their homes.

Exit slip 3/29

Today we discussed some final digital autobiographies. I even presented mine. The class was interested to see how I used an additional application in the program to explain my pictures in more detail. Jeanee and I presented chapter 8. We had the groups discuss the pros and cons of embedding different types of technology into the classroom. Some contemporary issues that I found interesting were the: Ipad- Essentially a giant Iphone made into the size of a tablet. Supposedly going to replace other technological books. Can be used to download stories and other academic networking games and that Social networking sites can be detrimental to your job and future. Public employees have the responsibility to keep their private life private and not posted for the public to see. Cool tools: OOVOO- Similar to Skype. Allows for contacting other people, phone calls, videos, messages, and sending files.
Kadoo- Similar to facebook. Photos, network, ( Shudderfly, Flicker)
Woome.com- Dating website. DO NOT USE IN CLASSROOM. This was so funny.
Scratch inquiry- We need to upload our proto types as well as list the benchmark, standards, grade, and how it is developmentally appropriate. I still need to work on mine. I've been having problems with loading different sprites. Hopefully I can finnish it by getting help after class.
We went over scratch some more and also talked about homework and the schedule for the rest of the semester.

Ch. 8

Chapter 8 provided me with more ideas about schools should and can incorporate new technologies. With all of the information that is required to teach students sometimes it can be difficult to find new ways of using technology to the classes advantage. Customization, interaction, and learner control and three major things that need to be remembered and considered when teaching children and using technology. The chapter introduced 6 ways for how technology can be used but I felt that I found many cons for some of them. I don't believe that as a teacher I would ever consider using video games in my classroom to teach a concept. I think that they are a waste of time and wouldn't directly hit on the subject at hand. Similar to these video games are something that I would include in my classroom, are computer games. Even though I believe that video games would be a waste of time, I have witnessed the usage of many academic computer games to be a great asset to the classroom. I find this especially beneficial to children in the subject of mathematics. As a teacher in the future, I will do my best to use technology to my advantage so to have my students familiar with its usage and to help them become more interested in subjects and ideas that are being taught.

Exit slip: 3/22

Today our chapter review was on chapter 7:

Cons- lack of social cohesion (cultural zones), isolation, digital divide (social capital), equal standards, liberal arts, parental influence,

Pros- engaging, individual responsibility, universal access, customized learning (inclusion), caters to all learning styles, decrease in completion

How can we take this information and maintain a good balance in our current education?

Teacher's need to find a balance between what's usage is appropriate and needed to be incorporated into lessons. They need to observe and decide what is truly necessary. For example instead of writing an opinion in a blog students may gather in a group circle to discuss ideas.

Today we had some very interesting issues to talk about. Two of them that stood out to me included discussion about harassment. Online harassment has in some cases lead to child suicide because they have been hurt so bad. I find this to be very scary. " what is cyber bullying" is a great website that I can look on to learn more about this issue. The other issue that we discussed was "sexting". Parents and teachers need to be aware of the issues that arethis children sending sexual pictures and text messages to each other via cell phone. occuring

Cool tools- Wordle: create a word cloud, livemocha- practice another language, WiziQ: helps with a language barrier in classrooms.

We also discussed scratch once again. Jeff showed us more applications on scratch and how to advance our projects.

Chapter seven

This chapter discusses what skeptics and enthusiasts feel about the influence of technology and what it means for education. The chapter focuses on losses and gains from technology. Enthusiasts believe that this wave of technology is going to make the education system greater through customization and individualization. Some argue that students will become dependent on technology if it becomes fully integrated into the school system. Because knowledge can be accessed instantly at the touch of a keyboard, the way children learn has been completely changed from those who lack access to technology. If technology is going to make education so much greater, how will the students who don’t have these technologies at home as well turn out compared to those who do? The chapter states that “children are always comparing themselves to other students, and it is only the best students who feel they are successful.” Education has become a thing of competition. This ends up causing an overwhelming sense of stress and insecurities among many students. As a teacher I will try to stay aware of the fact that not all of my students may have access to technologies such as the Internet or computers. My students will be allowed to use free time to use the Internet for their homework, project, or miscellaneous studies. This will include time before and afterschool during planning times.