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
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
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
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
Sunday, November 6, 2011
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
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
Sunday, October 9, 2011
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
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
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
Thursday, September 22, 2011
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
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
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