Turning Digital Natives into Digital Citizens

Summary:
Students are running wild on the internet and the epidemic of plagiarism and illegal use of copyrighted material is spreading like the plague according to the article, Turning Digital Natives into Digital Citizens written by Dave Saltzman. Professors have created a lot of different tools to ensure that students are not stealing other people's work. Not only are professors worried that the work their students are turning in is not their own; they are equally concerned about teaching students how to protect their own work. Professors are teaching students using the Creative Commons website as well as Compfight.com, which helps students find images that are free from restrictions.

Reaction:
I felt this article was very helpful with the issues of copyright and the importance of teaching students about the rights of others as well as their own rights online. As students become more and more digital I believe it is the teachers responsibility to teach students about online etiquette and citizenry. If we are to expect them to use the internet and other media sources as research we need to teach them how to do it ethically.

Saltzman, D. (Sept/Oct. 2011) Harvard Education Letter Turning Digital Natives into Digital Citizens. Vol 27 (Num. 5). Retrieved from: http://www.hepg.org/hel/article/511

You Go Girls! Part Two

After our brilliant podcast, Ella and I re-teamed to bring you a YouTube video about the article: Give Girls A Chance: Building A Bridge to Science and Technology. This article by Roberta Furger introduces TechBridge Which is a after school and summer program that encourages girls to interact with science, technology, mathematics and engineering. Ella and I both were encouraged by the article. It spoke of how girls lag behind boys when it comes to enjoying and engaging with technology. This article gave examples of how TechBridge has helped combat this issue. Ella was very encouraging for girls not to be afraid of technology but to allow it to help them learn more! Enjoy our video!



Furger, R. (9/3/2003). Edutopia. Give Girls a Chance: Building a Bridge to Science and Technology. Retrieved from: http://www.edutopia.org/techbridge-science-technology-girls

Why??

Summary
In the article Why Integrate Technology into Curriculum the author states that "properly used, technology will help students acquire the skills they need to survive in a complex, highly technological knowledge-based economy." The article goes on to explain that there are four key components of learning with technology which include: active engagement, participation in groups, frequent interaction and feedback and connection to real-world experts. Teachers must go beyond basic computer understanding and programming and move into supporting learning using these components as a framework for integration. By using technology in the classroom in a project based way will help students be intellectually stimulated as well as showing them what life might be like in an actual office or workplace.

Reaction
My reaction to this article is that I fully agree, however... how do you find the "real-world" experts? How is one to know what and where they should focus their students attention on. I am excited about the variety of webquests that there are out there, however a lot had insufficient links or were outdated. A teacher must take their time to make sure the resources they are providing for their students are valid and trustworthy. They must also ensure that they have permission from the students parents. As a parent I don't allow my child to use the internet very often for very much - especially social networking. Teachers will have to not only educate themselves but also the parents. I think this will be especially true of younger teachers teaching older students. The older the student; the older the parent - therefore less parents will have had interactions with technology themselves.

Edutopia staff. (3/17/2008). Edutopia Why Integrate Technology into Curriculum. Retrieved from: http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-introduction

Game On.

This article from Edutopia called Teaching Tools: Using Online Simulations and Games encourages teachers to investigate how to use online gaming and simulations in the classroom. The article offers examples of how teachers have successfully done so. The most interesting to me was the Evoke. This was a graphic novel type adventure to help students understand the impact they have on the "changing world". This would be a great website to use in teaching kids about Sustainability Literacy.

The other two websites that they encouraged use of were World of Warcraft which is a very popular website for kids and SimCEO which helps kids understand the intricacies of the stock market.

I am still hesitant to encourage gaming any more than kids already do. It seems that kids have enough screen time and it's time to teach them how to interact personally and socially on a face to face level. However, it seems that if you get to the point where "you can't beat 'em; join 'em" there are a lot of engaging opportunities out there for teachers.

Boss, S. (5/10/10).edutopia. Teaching Tools: Using Online Simulations and Games. Retrieved from: http://www.edutopia.org/online-games-simulations-teaching-tools

Top Apps for children with Autism

I found this article to be very helpful. Parents with children who have special needs always appreciate something that might help their child learn and grow socially and academically. This article provides information about some applications for the iPad & iPhone that help engage students with autism socially and academically. It seems that parents are very excited about technology and how it has helped their child become a better student and citizen. The apps range from iPrompts and Proloqo2go, which help with every day tasks that are more difficult for the student with autism. Whether it be scheduling and the duration of tasks to help communicating verbally to apps to help with are pro-social and help with emotions such as ABA Flash Cards - Emotions and My Horse. There are also apps such as Talking Tom/Talking Rex that help sometimes difficult or mundane tasks more fun such as speech therapy.
All of the apps listed seemed very helpful and engaging for students, however the few that seemed most helpful were also the most expensive. While a lot of the apps were free or cost .99. iPrompts is $49.99 and Proloquo2go is $189.99. It seems sad that those who are already having to pay for therapies and doctors also have to spend more for apps that will help their kiddos.
This was the first article that really excited me about the possibilities technology could help bring into the classroom. Not only do the apps themselves help engage students, but the fact that the kids with autism would have iPads or iPod touches will help them to be seen as "cool" among their peers. That seems like a great added benefit.

Pierce, M. (12/5/2011) THE Journal. 8 Top App for Autistic Learners. Retrieved From: http://thejournal.com/articles/2011/12/05/apps-for-autistic-learners.aspx

8 Ways Technology is Improving Education

The title of this article does not leave much for the imagination. The author systematically describes 8 ways that she believes that technology is improving education. The eight are:
Better Simulations and Models
Global Learning
Virtual Manipulatives
Probes and Sensors
More Efficient Assessment
Storytelling and Mutlimedia
Ebooks
Epistemic Games

The author summarily describes each of the eight suggested improvements. The two that I hadn't thought of before were Probes and Sensors - which the author describes as educational applications that can help students collect real-time data to apply to various physics and chemistry activities and lessons. Not being a science minded person, myself, I am sure that this real application to science would have been quite helpful to me as a learner.

The second improvement I hadn't thought of before or did not understand at first is Epistemic Games. What the author means by this is games that put students in specific roles such as city planner, journalist or civic engineer. Putting students in these roles helps them understand concepts deeper and causes them to really wrestle with decision making and problem solving skills in a fun, yet realistic way.

As a teacher I am looking forward to more efficient assessments. My children's school uses the Measures of Achievement Tests which are computer based tests that increase in difficulty as students answer questions correctly. These tests give real feedback in real time to students and parents. It is easy to be able to compare students and to do value-based assessments to ensure that no matter where students have come into your classroom, they leave having moved a little higher in their learning. These assessments will inform your instruction as a teacher so that time is not wasted and students reach their full potential.

Kessler, S. (November 22, 2010). 8 Ways Technology is Improving Education.Mashable Tech Retrieved from: http://mashable.com/2010/11/22/technology-in-education/

Laptops for all!!

Wow! This school district in South Carolina gave a laptop to every student from 3-12th grades. The article is a question and answer type article that explains how the school does assessments and how they went about undertaking this big task. Interestingly they had people along the whole spectrum: teachers who were eager to try it to those who threatened to leave if the school district went through with the plan. They went through with the plan alright and they claim that their statistics all around are improving. Students are achieving better on tests, attendance rates are up and drop out rates are down.

It seems that this would not only be an interesting thing to do as far as technology is concerned but also sustainability. I wonder how much paper they are saving by doing so much schooling electronically. This was a very inspiring and interesting article.

McCrea, B. (11/16/11). Measuring 1:1 Results. The Journal. Retrieved from: http://thejournal.com/Articles/2011/11/16/Measuring-11-Results.aspx?Page=1

You Go Girl!

This article included a list of websites that would appeal to girls and encourage their use of technology.  I have showed each website to my daughter, Ella, and I am going to podcast her thoughts about some of them.  I am also going to ask her some questions about technology and what she thinks about it!

As a mom, I am excited, yet nervous, about the increasing use of technology.   As technology increases opportunities for teaching kids in a variety of ways it equally becomes more dangerous with inappropriate websites they could accidentally stumble upon and people online who are anonymous and have improper motives.

Enjoy this podcast discussion between Ella and myself.



Sutton, B. (09/06/2006).  Technology: You Go Girl!. Edutopia. Retrieved from: http://www.edutopia.org/technology-resources-girls

the iPad.. not just for Angry Birds anymore.

In his article Teaching and Learning: Using iPads in the Classroom, Ben Johnson details a number of ways that a teacher might use an iPad in their classroom.  He discusses the fact that although the computer was supposed to revolutionize the classroom, in his opinion, it hasn't made that much of an impact.  However, he believes with the mobility and cost of the iPad there is a much bigger chance for the iPad to have an influence on classroom quality.  He goes on to explain why he believes that this tool will be innovative in the classroom including the opportunity for kinesthetic- bodily learners, who he believes to be the majority of learners,  to learn in a way that is more applicable and engaging for them.  

Johnson also explains a number of different applications available on the ipad that would bring technology into many otherwise mundane lessons; especially in the area of physics.  These different apps would engage students in experiential learning not found in any other way. 

The portability of the iPad is another feature that contributes to providing opportunities to teach with innovation and engagement and enhances it's effectiveness.  


Personally, I am sure that the iPad has many different applications and would provide students with experiential learning not found in traditional methods or even with a stationary computer.  However, as a realist, I know how expensive providing iPads for each student could be and because they are mobile - they would be difficult to keep them in the classrooms.  I am not sure however whether those practical cons are worth stomping out the dreams of an idealistic teacher who has high hopes in using the iPad in her classroom.  I am encouraged to give it a try with students who I would believe to be responsible and could benefit from such interaction.  How fun to put technology in students hand who might otherwise not have access!  I think with the right sort of accountability and funds a teacher could use an iPad effectively and engagingly and help students learn in a new and exciting way.

Johnson, B. (10/31/2011).  Teaching and Learning:  Using Ipads in the Classroom. Edutopia. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/ipad-teaching-learning-apps-ben-johnson

Flat Classrooms

In the article:  A Web 2.0 Class:  Students Learn 21st Century Skills, Collaboration, and Digital Citizenship, there three different teachers at three different high schools in three different states conducting the exact same class.  Students go on-line and learn from one another in a virtual classroom setting.  The connect via Skype and their class blogs.  They have even had professionals from the field join them on Skype to teach them about various aspects of the digital world.

The learn about Web 2.0, personal network building and social media responsibility.  Students seem to have an understanding about how important this information will be for their futures.  Much like we do in INT 544, students blog about various topics with regard to technology - the follow one anothers' blogs and comment on the articles. They also create learning communities based on common interests.

Whether or not teachers choose to take on this big of a on-line project by fully conducting their class online with schools across the state, there are still opportunities to take note of through this article.  Using Skype and other online tools to introduce speakers and experts on various topics in your classroom can have a huge impact on learning.

I also felt the idea of teaching kids social responsibility and how to be smart digitally was very important.  The only thing that had me concerned that as a parent we don't allow our daughter to use some social media that other parents allow.  In one instance our daughter was encouraged by her teacher to open a "glogster" account.  We did not want our daughter to be interacting with strangers on-line through this forum and we were not given the option to disallow it.  If we were to have students online I think it would be imperative to have the parents permission and explain to the parents why we as educators felt that the experience was beneficial for the students.  I still can find no real redeeming quality in Glogster.

Marcinek, A. (10/11/2010). A Web 2.0 Class:  Students Learn 21st Century Skills, Collaboration, and Digital Citizenship. Edutopia. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/web-20-21st-century-skills-collaboration-digital-citizenship

What ever happened to a good old fashioned pen pal?

This article is about a group of students from California who interact online with a group of students from Japan with the intention of building relationships with one another prior to meeting.  They do this on-line in a virtual reality "world" called Second Life.

Basically, they create this "island" and the students meet up there and collaborate to build their island's environment.  On the island they can share videos they've made as well as photos and have on-line discussions and chats.  The goal of this project is for the students to build relationships with one another before an actual student exchange.  Some of the students from California are traveling to Japan and some of the Japanese students are traveling to California. 

Not only was relationship building a goal, but teachers also hoped it would strengthen the student's second language skills.  The students whose second language skills were stronger were more apt to enjoy the interaction than those students for whom it was more difficult to communicate.

The Second Life website seemed to be quite inspirational for the students as they build their island and interacted with one another.

Personally, I think that this is an interesting way to utilize technology.  Especially when teaching a lesson about another culture or people group.  Having the opportunity to have real conversations with people who a student is studying will provide practical and personal experiences that will help make the lessons richer and more interesting to the students.

However, I still believe that getting mail (like in the mailbox at your house) is one of the most simple and exciting thrills.  How amazing to think a letter traveled around the world to get into a student's hands.  I understand that this process is much slower than the virtual worlds, but it is equally more tangible and provides a sort of souvenir of the relationship.  I would like to couple the on-line conversation with good old fashioned pen pal relationships.  Writing letters and receiving them is a lost art; how much more rich could the experience be with that added touch.

Badaeker, R. (3/21/2007). Student, Exchange, Without the Jetlag:  Educational Collaboration in a Virtual World. Edutopia. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/student-exchange-without-jet-lag

Who me? Trendy?

The article for review today is called 5 K-12 Technology Trends for 2010.  What strikes me most about this article is how fast trends in technology become mainstream.  The first of the five trends was about the emerging proliferation of e-readers.  The writer of the article claimed that "the eBook readers are mostly black-and-white right now," he added, "but when the technology advances to the point where color and animation can be integrated, it will become much more viable for the textbook market."  This year the major retailers of eReaders released color versions.  It was true for me that I wasn't interested in the e-reader until it was available in color.  I also do think it would be handy to have my text books available on the e-reader rather than lugging around my backpack full of books.


The second trend discussed was netbooks.  I am not completely aware what a netbook is.  I looked it up online and it seems to be a mini laptop.  Although I don't know anyone with a netbook personally, I could imagine for those who don't have a computer already this would be a handy, less expensive option.  Especially if you needed to purchase a computer for a child.


The third trend, the use of interactive white boards, I have had the pleasure of witnessing first hand.  My child's classroom has a SmartBoard.  He loves having the opportunity to use it to enhance his learning, especially in the area of literacy.  I am not sure if the novelty of the interactive white board will wear off eventually and it will gather dust as it is taken for granted, but right now it is definitely riding high as a well-loved technological trend.


The use of personal devices in the classroom was the fourth trend.  This one I am unsure about with regard to equity.  My 8th grade daughter has a cell phone, however, we don't allow her to use it for anything other than phoning.  In fact, we have limits placed on her phone and she is only allowed to call 4 people (2 of them are her dad and myself).  The benefits of this trend will clearly have to be defined for me to consider using it in the classroom or even allow my child to be apart of it in her classroom.


The final trend creates the most excitement for me.  The idea of using technology to tailor curricula is compelling.  Helping the kids who are on the fringe or less engaged in their learning find ways through technology to get involved in their learning is a great goal.  I look forward to learning more about using technology in my classroom so I can utilize it to support kids in reaching their full potential.

McCrea Bridget, (12/10/2009). 5 K-12 Trends in Technology is 2010.  The Journal.com,  retrieved from: http://thejournal.com/articles/2009/12/10/5-k12-technology-trends-for-2010.aspx