Reflecting on What I Know Assignment~Chapter 3

Why is it important to learn about different technology tools when they are constantly changing? 

The book talks about how technology is always changing.  It's changing so much that the book is not up to date.  I wish it was for the purpose of the class.  Example:  the pocket pc they show on page 73 is something that I believe is rarely used anymore.  I read many posting about people who are actually selling them garage sales because they've been sitting on a shelf for 3 years.  In my son's 6th grade class, kids bring tablets to school to take notes and to research for projects.  They also are using them for reading books and textbooks. 
Although technology is constantly changing, I believe it is important to learn about different tools.  It may not be important to learn about the history of the computer, but to understand the basic function of the computer is highly important.  The computer is the main stay in technology.  It is the bases for all technology that is to come.  If you don't have a complete understanding of the basic functions of the computer, it would be even more challenging to learn about the new functions and additions to technology.  I think that all new technology is built off of the older technology.
Another reason it is important to learn about different or older technology is because you may end up working in various environments that do not all have the high end new technology.  For instance, I live in Fayetteville, NC in an area where the school districts are not that wonderful.  They do not have the money for Smartboards to be in every classroom and the students are not given their own computers.  So as a teacher in these schools, I may not have access to these tools to use.  But if I move to a school district that has more money and more up to date features in their classrooms, I will need to know about all of the new tools.

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/04/the-100-year-march-of-technology-in-1-graph/255573/

I know this graph that I found from 'The Atlantic' doesn't reflect today's tools...but it's a good snapshot of how fast technology changed in the 1900's.  It starts in 1900 when less than 10% of people even owned a stove.  By 1990 10% of families had a cell phone and internet access.  Look how much technology has changed in just 24 years! And most of it involves the computer system. 

Most desktop computers do the same things as mobile devices, so why do teachers need to use both?

Desktop computers have many benefits. They are stronger, faster and more reliable. They have the ability to connect to high speed internet connections.  They offer more variety in software choices.  They can not be lost as easily, left in a car to melt, or get thrown into the washing machine like students tend to do.  They offer mapping and charting programs that mobile devices do not handle.

Mobile devices are extremely convenient.  People are on the go a lot these days.  Having a mobile device allows the students immediate access to their email, school notes, homework, school books.  People prefer things they can hold in their hand and touch.  They like to learn on the go.  While others prefer a mouse and sitting in a stationary place.

How can the cost of digital devices be justified when the functions they perform are often limited in number and scope?

I can think of two reasons to justify the cost of digital devices that perform or are limited .

  1.  The device performs a specialized function that nothing else can provide.  For example Smart Boards.  This electronic device is a new technology that is slowly gaining popularity due to its interactive power.  The digital screen allows images from the computer to be displayed on a board. It can also be modified on the screen itself, using a pen or a highlighting tool. Its touch screen feature allows teachers to run programs directly from the screen simply by tapping the application with her finger and even makes scrolling easy.  It can accommodate different learning styles. Tactical learners can use the screen and learn by touching and marking at the board, audio learners can have a discussion and visual learners can observe the teaching on the board.  It is neater and does not have the cleanliness hassle and is easy to maintain.  The device can be shared and used as a group.

2.  These devices might have a high-upfront cost, but it allows you to save money in the long run. These boards can range anywhere between $1300- $8,000.  But the convenience of having them well justifies the high up-front cost.  Not only can one classroom use it, but it can be shared with the whole school if needed.  Teachers can sign up to use a device like this.  Other web cam devices and skyping programs are being used in many companies these days that cost a lot up front, but it cuts down on travel costs.  Teachers could use the device to have parent teacher conferences or to speak with other teachers or professors in other locations.  Conferences are being held via Web for many companies, studies, and classes because of the affordability in the long run. 

 

 

Jing! A Great Technology Program to Put into a Problem-Based Lesson Plan in the Future

I just learned about this Jing program by TechSmith while reading a teachers blog.  It's a free and simple way to start sharing images and short videos of your computer screen. Whether for work, home, or play, Jing gives you the ability to add basic visual elements to your captures and share them fast.  I don't fully understand this program but it looks really neat.  It could be something that is used in a classroom for project-based learning...if you have any experience with this program please leave a comment and let me know what you think of it and how you have used it for education purposes!
Here is a link to Jing!
http://www.techsmith.com/jing.html

Reflecting on What I Know Assignment- Chapter 1

 The Dictionary meaning of Inquiry is seeking knowledge, information, or truth through asking questions.  Inquiry based learning happens when students are given a problem to solve.  They solve the problem by exploring, gathering data, and analyzing their data to create new knowledge.  The teacher gives information to the students and allows them to explore and form their knowledge.  This has been a prominent way use of teaching in the schools for many years.  Must I use an inquiry-based learning approach in my classroom to use computers as a tool?  No.  A teacher doesn't NEED to use an inquiry-based learning approach.  There are other learning approaches that work effectively, if not better.  We can use Problem-Based Learning or Project-Based Learning as well.  In Problem-Based Learning the student researches and explores to gain knowledge just as they do in Inquiry Learning.  It differs from Inquiry Based learning because the teacher does not provide information to the students.  It is the students job to search and explore to find their answers to the problem.  This is a great way to incorporate technology in the classroom.  The students can work in groups and together solve the problem by exploring and researching together as a team to solve the problem.  Project Based learning is just as good for integrating technology into the classroom.  The students are still given a problem to solve except the end of the project is specific and the teacher acts more like a coach than a facilitator.  All of these methods are great ways to teach students while incorporating technology.

This is the ten-step for planning technology lesson plans for the classroom: 

As you can see, just like Inquiry based learning, the teacher gives the classroom a problem to solve.  This can be formed as a project based learning or problem-based learning just as effectively as inquiry.  It provides activities for the learning session before and after the computer was used as a tool. 
Can I still use tutorials and drill-and-practice software?   Yes, tutorials and drill-and-practice software can still be used but the teacher needs to be sure that it being used correctly so that it is effective in the students learning.  It should not be the only means used for technology in the classroom.  In my opinion, it is very "yesteryear" and there are many other remarkable ways to teach students.  Expecting the students to think outside the box and actually solve problems by exploring for themselves is going to have longer term effects.  I think that drill-and-practice software is probably best for memorization. 

Won't I have to spend a great deal of time to develop these units of instruction? 
Any lesson planning is going to take time!  I was a preschool teacher for several years and part of my job was writing lesson plans for the whole month.  Each month had a theme.  Up front, it took time and I had to pay attention to detail to make sure I met the needs of each of my students.  But after the first year of school was complete, I was able to recycle my lesson plans for the next year making small "tweaks" and fine tuning things that didn't work or adding new ideas that I collected from other teachers.  I think that creating a lesson plan for technology would be the same.  It takes time up front.  But it's something you can use over and over again each year. 

Won't every student need a computer to use it as a tool? 
I think that in a perfect world, it would be wonderful if every student had their own computer in the classroom.  I think it would be beneficial because they would have more hands on experience than if they had to always share the computer with other students.  But it is not completely necessary for every student to have their own computer to use it as a tool.  The NTeQ model specifically created for the classroom situation where students would work in several groups limiting each classroom to 4-6 computers.  This model has been successfully proven to work for groups of students but would also work with individuals as well.

In The Dark Ages I Am

{Note:  This is not intended to be my first assignment...I am just mentioning thoughts I had while reading the first 2 pages of the text book.}

 While reading chapter 1 of our text book I couldn't help but reminisce about my childhood experience with technology in school.  I went to Elem School in the 80's.  Technology is in fact continually changing as the book says!  I remember the big clunky overhead projector that the teacher used.  I LOVED it!  She would sometimes let us use it to make shadows on the chalkboard to trace our outlines during indoor recess.  I remember the computer lab with big tan desk top computers and the floppy disk we used to play the beloved "Oregon Trails" game.  I was in school way before all the amazing, at your finger tips technology that kids have today.  We didn't have the internet, email, cell phones, tablets or anything else that kids these days have access too.  I graduated from college in 2000.  Even then I only used a desk top computer for the sole purpose of typing papers.  I was not ever allowed to or encouraged to research the internet for information to use in research papers or assignments.  I THINK I had an email address...but it was not used like it is now.  In fact, instead of telling my kids that I walked to school uphill both ways in the snow with no shoes, I think I will have to tell them that I once had to use a dial up modem to connect to the internet, sometimes have to wait for a connection if I got a busy signal, if I was able to connect, I would have to listen to an awful noise, and once connected, pray no one in the house picked up the phone or else the connection would be lost. Kids today, they don’t know the hardships of yesteryear.  I did not have access to teachers through the internet, nor my classmates.  I did not even have a cell phone!  We used land line phones to call classmates and professors.  We used the card catalog at the library to look up information in books.  So much has changed.

I have 4 kids.  My oldest is in 6th grade and my second oldest is in Kindergarten.   I home schooled my 6th grader for two years.  During that time I hardly allowed him to use the computer as a tool.  I had this old fashioned idea in my head that kids do not need all this technology...they need to learn to look up information in books the way that I did.  {I'm only 36...and I like to think my husband and I are modern for our age. Ha!}  We actually have a lot of technology in our house.  We have 3 laptops 3 smartphones, game systems that connect to the internet, Wifi, etc.  My husband was a Signal officer and loves all things technology.  We have i pads, Kindle and a nook.  But for some reason I was not allowing my kids to use them for school.  I looked at it wrong.  Like it was only a toy or a game device I guess.  It seems like most kids use it for social media and gaming.  At least that is what I have observed.  For example at church, my son is one of few 6th graders who doesn't bring an I phone to Sunday School.  When I asked the reasoning behind their having an Iphone in class...he stated that it was used to play apps while the teacher spoke.  This would seem ok if it was used to read the Bible or to research a topic that goes along with the lesson in SS.  But it seems like more of a distraction.  This is where my "fear" of technology comes from.  Kids not being taught to use it for it's productive purpose.

And yes, I use Facebook.  My husband and I both do.  I also am on Twitter, Feedly, Instagram, Pinterest and I have blogged before.  But it's used purposefully and not used maliciously.  My son's school has had issues with bullying.  And part of it was cyber.  I feel like kids are using technology inappropriately at times.  I didn't want my kids to get sucked into that way of thinking.  I think kids are beginning to loose social skills.  They don't communicate the way we did as kids and that has worried me.  I'm only confessing my concerns about some types of technology used these days.  And "fear" is a very strong word.  I am admitting that I would love to integrate technology into my classroom and home in a healthy, productive way.

After reading chaper 1 I was convicted about my view or my "fear" if you will, of my kids using technology.  True:  Technology is always changing.  There was a section in the chapter that talked about employers being surveyed and reporting that most high schools need technology skills to become successful in their careers.  They said that most high school students are deficient in this area.  It also talked about how most jobs and careers will and do thrive on this knowledge of how to use technology properly for success.  This really convicted me and my eyes are now open to another view that I hadn't thought of before.  Technology is never leaving.  And having skills in it is essential.

As a successful teacher and mother, I need to be able to teach my children and students how to use technology properly. Duh!  I think that I have seen it used poorly so much, that I had a fear of my children using it.  But if they are taught how to use it properly by an adult and teachers, then it becomes a tool for their future and really it is an absolutely necessary skill for them!  I regret not using it more when I had him at home for two years.  And I regret that he uses my tablet and nook mostly for "apps" and gaming.  Of course, I only allow educational apps...but still.  I need to encourage him to research information and how to determine good information on the internet from the bad.  I need to teach my kids and future students the good and usefulness of this remarkable technology that we have been given.  And furthermore, how to act properly and ethically while online or while using technology.  It can and is used wrongly a lot but it doesn't have to be.  This is our future.  Technology is not leaving, it is only progressing.  So I look forward to this class and all that I about to learn.  I look forward to integrating technology into my lesson plans in the future and presently with my children.  This is an exciting opportunity!