Article Author name(s): Sean McCollum
Title of article: Getting Past the “Digital Divide”
Title of journal: Teaching Tolerance
Volume of the journal: Spring 2011
Issue number of the journal: 39
Intended audience: Everyone
http://www.tolerance.org/magazine/number-39-spring-2011/getting-past-digital-divide
Key Points: When teacher Aaron Fowles inherited his classroom he had 4 outdated computers, two that didn’t even work. Although not a tech savvy guy, buy years end he had updated and restored 8 computers for his room alone, and an additional 16 computers for other classrooms. Since 2009, the government has set aside billions of dollars to ensure that technology reaches the classroom. A significant 97% of all US classrooms have computers, 93% with internet access. However, two issues arrive: 1) that these computers are often non-functioning and out of date and 2) many students do not have private access to technology and home. With no computer at home, student’s technology access is limited to what time can be squeezed in during class time. With 30 students in the class, this time is likely to be very minimal. With some kids getting significant access to computers and others getting very little, a gap is being created among students within the same classes. Donated smart cell phones and other mobile devices like Kindles and iPad’s can be used to bridge the gap between students who have home access to technology and those who do not. Utilizing this technology allows students to learn on their own, research independently and have broader access to interesting materials not usually presented to students as part of the curriculum.
Relevance: Technology changes very quickly and if not appropriately addressed by teachers, IT will leave students in the dust if they are not given the basic computer skills and the opportunity to experiment with techy tools.
Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
Sunday, May 8, 2011
iPads for All
Kindergartener’s Getting iPads (April 8, 2011)
www.cnn.com Accessed: May 8, 2011
Topic: Kindergarteners in Maine will be getting their own iPads.
Summary: Kindergarteners will be given an iPad to use for assistance in learning to read, learning letters and alphabet sounds, and in other ways. The school district will be paying for these as learning devices.
Intended audience: General Public
Key Points:
- Kindergarteners will use iPads to aid in regular learning activities.
- The school board voted unanimously to approve the purchase of iPad 2s at $475 per iPad
- The idea is contentious. There are people who strongly support it and others who don’t.
Relevance: I am torn on this. I think that iPads and other types of technology can be great teaching tools. It’s awesome to see the kids engaged and interested in learning things that are often presented as tedious/boring worksheets but on the other hand I struggle with the idea of plugging kids in at school when they are plugged in so much at home. I think that the iPads could be used as a tool, but I really don’t think it’s necessary to purchase one for every 5 year old. Why not just get a handful for each classroom?
Saturday, April 16, 2011
iPads take place next to crayons in kindergarten
“iPads take a place next to crayons in kindergarten” by Clarke Canfield, Associated Press The Seattle Times Published 4/12/11 Retrieved 4/16/11 Complete URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2014752277_apusipadsabcs.html Intended Audience: taxpayers, teachers, administrators Summary: Elementary schools in Auburn, Maine, will be providing iPads to around 300 kindergarteners. The city plans to spend $200,000 on the iPads which retail for around $500 each. Advocates are enthusiastic about supplying the kids with a new learning tool that is easy to use and can access a multitude of engaging imagery, audio, and other teaching opportunities. Some, however, are hesitant to support the effort, believing the money could be more wisely spent on older students who would better appreciate and utilize the new technology. Key Points: • Kindergarteners are getting iPads. • This effort follows similar technological initiatives in Maine in which 50% of all high school students were eventually supplied with Apple laptops. • Supporters predict a boom in the distribution of iPads and other related technological learning tools in the coming years. Relevance: This is a refreshing step outside of the traditional teaching methods requiring pencil and paper and a great educational opportunity to familiarize young students with new technology. However, teachers and students should keep in mind that increasing technology tends to decrease social interaction and real-life experiences, so there still needs to be a healthy amount of other kinds of activity going on in the classroom.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Bill would partner state with online university
“Bill would partner state with online university” by Katherine Long The Seattle Times Published 3/19/11 Retrieved 3/29/11 Complete URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014547061_wgu20m.html Intended Audience: general public, college students, those looking to return to school Summary: A new bill in the Washington legislature proposes to create a partnership with Western Governors University (WGU), a college institution that functions completely online. Supporters of the bill, such as those with full-time jobs and little money to enroll in a traditional four-year program, say the opportunity to earn a degree online, with its increased flexibility, will allow them to return to school and advance or expand their career options. Those who are against the bill do not believe an online institution provides the classroom interaction necessary to pull a more meaningful experience from the courses taken. Key Points: • Support: flexible schedule, lower tuition than a traditional four-year program, mobile • Resistance: no classroom interaction, WGU faculty does not teach, programs do not encourage development of higher thinking skills, less exposure to the arts and sciences Relevance: It’s the wave of the future. As long as the institutions are accredited, online universities are an attractive alternative for those looking to return to school. As the classroom becomes increasingly more technologically dependent, the need for physical classrooms decreases significantly, especially for college and graduate-level courses.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Google Notebooks: a tool for education
Lori Tobias
Google Notebooks changing the way Astoria High students learn
http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/03/google_netbooks_change_way_astoria_high_students_learn.html
3/23/2011
Topic: Leaning with technology
Google has given every student in Astoria High a Google Notebook, a laptop that is not yet available to the public. The Notebooks are used to help teachers engage the students in class, help students study and communicate their ideas. Only six schools in the country got to participate in this Google experiment.
Key Points: students who once did not speak up in class are now voicing their opinions through forums and posts, disciplinary incidents have decreased since the introduction of the Notebook, All information can be accessed from various “clouds,” and some teachers are concerned that face to face social interaction may be at risk—considering students already spend most of their time on personal electronic devices.
Relevance: I think this is a great idea. This experiment ties in with our use of the Blog, and our COE Flex portal. I think that it is a great idea, since this gives students who did not have a computer or laptop access the ability to communicate with their classmates and teachers and study from home. The article makes a good point that this should be used as a tool, tied in with other methods of teaching in the school. The focus is that this is a tool, not a replacement for education.
Google Notebooks changing the way Astoria High students learn
http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/03/google_netbooks_change_way_astoria_high_students_learn.html
3/23/2011
Topic: Leaning with technology
Google has given every student in Astoria High a Google Notebook, a laptop that is not yet available to the public. The Notebooks are used to help teachers engage the students in class, help students study and communicate their ideas. Only six schools in the country got to participate in this Google experiment.
Key Points: students who once did not speak up in class are now voicing their opinions through forums and posts, disciplinary incidents have decreased since the introduction of the Notebook, All information can be accessed from various “clouds,” and some teachers are concerned that face to face social interaction may be at risk—considering students already spend most of their time on personal electronic devices.
Relevance: I think this is a great idea. This experiment ties in with our use of the Blog, and our COE Flex portal. I think that it is a great idea, since this gives students who did not have a computer or laptop access the ability to communicate with their classmates and teachers and study from home. The article makes a good point that this should be used as a tool, tied in with other methods of teaching in the school. The focus is that this is a tool, not a replacement for education.
Good project ideas can get you money
Dominique Fong
Beaverton Education Foundation awards $20,118 in grants to teachers with innovative class project ideas
http://www.oregonlive.com/beaverton/index.ssf/2011/03/beaverton_education_foundation_awards_20118_in_grants_to_teachers_with_innovative_class_project_idea.html
3/29/2011
Topic: Funding for school projects
The Beaverton Education Foundation has awarded grants to 33 Beaverton School District teachers and educators to fund their ideas for learning through technology and innovation. Aloha High School was one of the schools, awarded with $930 to buy Flip Cameras for students to capture their cultural stories through video. Intended Audience: Beaverton School District community, us.
Key Points: In the light of this entire budget cut talk, there is hope for some teachers with awesome ideas to integrate technology into their classrooms and projects.
Relevance: Basically the same as the point of this article—it is nice to hear that some ideas can be funded, and it makes me hopeful for when I start teaching and coming up with interesting fun project ideas for my class. Imagine if we could have all borrowed flip cams to make a mini documentary about our culture! That would be awesome.
Beaverton Education Foundation awards $20,118 in grants to teachers with innovative class project ideas
http://www.oregonlive.com/beaverton/index.ssf/2011/03/beaverton_education_foundation_awards_20118_in_grants_to_teachers_with_innovative_class_project_idea.html
3/29/2011
Topic: Funding for school projects
The Beaverton Education Foundation has awarded grants to 33 Beaverton School District teachers and educators to fund their ideas for learning through technology and innovation. Aloha High School was one of the schools, awarded with $930 to buy Flip Cameras for students to capture their cultural stories through video. Intended Audience: Beaverton School District community, us.
Key Points: In the light of this entire budget cut talk, there is hope for some teachers with awesome ideas to integrate technology into their classrooms and projects.
Relevance: Basically the same as the point of this article—it is nice to hear that some ideas can be funded, and it makes me hopeful for when I start teaching and coming up with interesting fun project ideas for my class. Imagine if we could have all borrowed flip cams to make a mini documentary about our culture! That would be awesome.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Prince George’s school fight posted on You Tube frustrates parents, students
Robert Samuels
"Prince George’s school fight posted on You Tube frustrates parents, students"
Washington Post
March 8, 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/07/AR2011030704898.htmlTopic: Creating safe zones within schools
Students take school security into their own hands by taking and posting the security conditions at their school including the assault of at least one student.
Key Points: Students were in violation of the school’s no cell phone or video camera policy however, they felt this is the only way to get parents and the administration to take action.
Relevance: We discussed using technology in the school for curriculum enhancement however, there seems to be a good argument for allowing students to protect themselves and raise concerns too. My feeling is that schools should embrace technology and with each new generation of gadgets, enact clear etiquette guidelines.
Also, transparency is a key issue here as well. If you don’t see or believe there is a problem then no action is perceived necessary. With video like this, action to create a safe zone at that school is much more likely now.
Posted By Doug K
"Prince George’s school fight posted on You Tube frustrates parents, students"
Washington Post
March 8, 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/07/AR2011030704898.htmlTopic: Creating safe zones within schools
Students take school security into their own hands by taking and posting the security conditions at their school including the assault of at least one student.
Key Points: Students were in violation of the school’s no cell phone or video camera policy however, they felt this is the only way to get parents and the administration to take action.
Relevance: We discussed using technology in the school for curriculum enhancement however, there seems to be a good argument for allowing students to protect themselves and raise concerns too. My feeling is that schools should embrace technology and with each new generation of gadgets, enact clear etiquette guidelines.
Also, transparency is a key issue here as well. If you don’t see or believe there is a problem then no action is perceived necessary. With video like this, action to create a safe zone at that school is much more likely now.
Posted By Doug K
Computer science programs use mobile apps to make coursework relevant
Jenna Johnson
"Computer science programs use mobile apps to make coursework relevant"
Washington Post
March 8, 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/06/AR2011030602729.html?wprss=rss_education
Topic: Technology
Computer science is growing and this article shows how students are able to address real world problems with technology solutions.
Key Points: I thought it was interesting that this particular teacher just turned the students loose on these projects without much constraint. The result was some pretty interesting innovation and creativity.
Relevance: After reading this, I saw at the end of the article that the other sciences, college prep, etc, like Chem, Bio are much more popular courses as core curriculum. My question is, is or should technology become a core competency or is it still off to the side like vocational specialties such as wood or metal shop?
Posted By Doug K
"Computer science programs use mobile apps to make coursework relevant"
Washington Post
March 8, 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/06/AR2011030602729.html?wprss=rss_education
Topic: Technology
Computer science is growing and this article shows how students are able to address real world problems with technology solutions.
Key Points: I thought it was interesting that this particular teacher just turned the students loose on these projects without much constraint. The result was some pretty interesting innovation and creativity.
Relevance: After reading this, I saw at the end of the article that the other sciences, college prep, etc, like Chem, Bio are much more popular courses as core curriculum. My question is, is or should technology become a core competency or is it still off to the side like vocational specialties such as wood or metal shop?
Posted By Doug K
Monday, March 7, 2011
Your Students Love Social Media...So Can You
Article Author name(s): Camille Jackson
Title of article: Your Students Love Social Media…And So Can You
Title of journal: Teaching Tolerance
Date of publication: Spring 2011
Issue number of the journal: 39
http://www.tolerance.org/magazine/number-39-spring-2011/your-students-love-social-media-and-so-can-you
Summary: Due to social networking, online tools have become more and more available, which leads to empowering models of communication for students. Students can learn to use social media responsibly by watching how their parents use it, so parents should encourage their children to test the waters, and at the same time be involved along the way because the benefits that students stand to gain are many.
Introduction: 73 percent of teens between the ages of 12 and 17 use social networking, up from 55 percent just four years ago. The majority are female. Social networking is here to stay, and instead of fighting the trend, educators and administrators should embrace it and work with it.
Intended audience: Educators and administrators
Social media is important because it’s a new way for young people to play an active role in creating their own identity. It aids them in their ability to learn socially and form skills that will carry students into adulthood. It can be difficult for teachers and parents to understand the significance of social media in teen’s lives and what healthy online behavior looks like. Principle Christopher Lehman says, “Social media is part of kids’ lives, either we acknowledge it exists and allow ourselves to be part of the conversation, or it’s one more way school becomes irrelevant to kids”. Online class facilitation websites can be a great way to involve students in class discussions while easing some of the social anxiety that comes with speaking up in front of the class in person.
This article is relevant because social networking and social media is prevalent in the lives of everyone these days. To ignore it would be irresponsible, so the better option is to embrace the movement and work in ways that social media assists us in our jobs and getting through to students. As we frequently mention, teachers must use tactics that will reach all students’ needs, and utilizing technology and social media may be an excellent way to get the more shy, independent students to open up and share skills and interests.
Title of article: Your Students Love Social Media…And So Can You
Title of journal: Teaching Tolerance
Date of publication: Spring 2011
Issue number of the journal: 39
http://www.tolerance.org/magazine/number-39-spring-2011/your-students-love-social-media-and-so-can-you
Summary: Due to social networking, online tools have become more and more available, which leads to empowering models of communication for students. Students can learn to use social media responsibly by watching how their parents use it, so parents should encourage their children to test the waters, and at the same time be involved along the way because the benefits that students stand to gain are many.
Introduction: 73 percent of teens between the ages of 12 and 17 use social networking, up from 55 percent just four years ago. The majority are female. Social networking is here to stay, and instead of fighting the trend, educators and administrators should embrace it and work with it.
Intended audience: Educators and administrators
Social media is important because it’s a new way for young people to play an active role in creating their own identity. It aids them in their ability to learn socially and form skills that will carry students into adulthood. It can be difficult for teachers and parents to understand the significance of social media in teen’s lives and what healthy online behavior looks like. Principle Christopher Lehman says, “Social media is part of kids’ lives, either we acknowledge it exists and allow ourselves to be part of the conversation, or it’s one more way school becomes irrelevant to kids”. Online class facilitation websites can be a great way to involve students in class discussions while easing some of the social anxiety that comes with speaking up in front of the class in person.
This article is relevant because social networking and social media is prevalent in the lives of everyone these days. To ignore it would be irresponsible, so the better option is to embrace the movement and work in ways that social media assists us in our jobs and getting through to students. As we frequently mention, teachers must use tactics that will reach all students’ needs, and utilizing technology and social media may be an excellent way to get the more shy, independent students to open up and share skills and interests.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Mobile Learning - How Cool Is This?!
"Mobile Learning: Not Just Laptops Anymore" by Jennifer Nastu
e School News
Published Online on February 25, 2011
Complete URL: http://www.eschoolnews.com/2011/02/25/mobile-learning-not-just-laptops-any-more/?
OK, I admit the title of this blog entry is not the title of this article, but I wanted to get your attention because this is an awesome article! As we have been reading articles not many of them get me really excited, but this one sure does. It is a long article - 11 pages - but it is a pretty quick read. It will take some work to get it as you have to register with e School News to be able to read the whole article. I received the link via an e-mail from the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education which we can join), so if you are already a member you may have received this notification.
So, let's get started on the article. The main point is taking my previous article on George Lucas' idea one step further: using the mobile devices children carry in their pocket (smart phones, small tablets and other mobile technology) for learning in the classroom and outside the classroom - a term now coined as "mobile learning". Since last Fall, nearly 50% of all middle and high school students had smart phones, it is believed that in 5 years, all students in every school grade will be using mobile devices 24/7 to learn. Whereas not everyone has a computer, computers could only be used for supplemental learning at best and not independent learning. Mobile devices would solve that problem.
Now I know you are asking yourself, "How does everyone get a mobile device?" Ms. Nastu gives plenty of ideas, with many of them already tested. They involve schools buying them for kids, children who do not have them working with kids who have one or kids simply owning their own mobile device. Security would be provided by having the kids logging into the school to use it therefore having content monitored.
One study was done for a 5th grade class in New Jersey where everyone had a smart phone and every student handed in every piece of homework on time. That had never happened before. Another study used 150 low-income ninth graders to see if they could improve their learning of Algebra 1. The mobile devices were downloaded with Algebra 1 content, the teachers were trained on how to use it and the kids were encouraged to work together. By using this program their average math test scores increased by 30%. Some kids who had struggled with math now wanted to pursue a career in math!
I really do not see a downside here and it is definitely relevant to us as teachers as it would be a complete change on how things are done now. As the article states in its last paragraph, “The model of teaching where the teacher is the sole source of information is changing... Teaching is not telling, and learning is not listening—it’s doing. So curriculum changes need to take place. And if we can pull it all together, the U.S. will no longer be 15th in the world.”
e School News
Published Online on February 25, 2011
Complete URL: http://www.eschoolnews.com/2011/02/25/mobile-learning-not-just-laptops-any-more/?
OK, I admit the title of this blog entry is not the title of this article, but I wanted to get your attention because this is an awesome article! As we have been reading articles not many of them get me really excited, but this one sure does. It is a long article - 11 pages - but it is a pretty quick read. It will take some work to get it as you have to register with e School News to be able to read the whole article. I received the link via an e-mail from the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education which we can join), so if you are already a member you may have received this notification.
So, let's get started on the article. The main point is taking my previous article on George Lucas' idea one step further: using the mobile devices children carry in their pocket (smart phones, small tablets and other mobile technology) for learning in the classroom and outside the classroom - a term now coined as "mobile learning". Since last Fall, nearly 50% of all middle and high school students had smart phones, it is believed that in 5 years, all students in every school grade will be using mobile devices 24/7 to learn. Whereas not everyone has a computer, computers could only be used for supplemental learning at best and not independent learning. Mobile devices would solve that problem.
Now I know you are asking yourself, "How does everyone get a mobile device?" Ms. Nastu gives plenty of ideas, with many of them already tested. They involve schools buying them for kids, children who do not have them working with kids who have one or kids simply owning their own mobile device. Security would be provided by having the kids logging into the school to use it therefore having content monitored.
One study was done for a 5th grade class in New Jersey where everyone had a smart phone and every student handed in every piece of homework on time. That had never happened before. Another study used 150 low-income ninth graders to see if they could improve their learning of Algebra 1. The mobile devices were downloaded with Algebra 1 content, the teachers were trained on how to use it and the kids were encouraged to work together. By using this program their average math test scores increased by 30%. Some kids who had struggled with math now wanted to pursue a career in math!
I really do not see a downside here and it is definitely relevant to us as teachers as it would be a complete change on how things are done now. As the article states in its last paragraph, “The model of teaching where the teacher is the sole source of information is changing... Teaching is not telling, and learning is not listening—it’s doing. So curriculum changes need to take place. And if we can pull it all together, the U.S. will no longer be 15th in the world.”
George Lucas Wants to Transform Learning
"Join The Movement to Transform Learning" by George Lucas
Huffington Post
Published Online on February 28, 2011
Complete URL: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/george-lucas/join-the-movement-to-tran_b_828962.html
This article is the first of three I have on technology in learning or "Trifecta of Technology" or T.O.T. for short as we are focusing on children. :) Mr. Lucas begins his writing by stating much has changed in technology since he started the George Lucas Educational Foundation, but schools have been incredibly slow to adapt to the new advancements. The reason for this, he argues, is schools are stuck in the Industrial Revolution mindset where all schools want to do is stuff as much information into kids as possible, have them regurgitate it and then get a diploma. However what society needs is for kids to use technology to do three things: "find information, rigorously analyze the quality and accuracy of information and creatively and effectively use information to accomplish a goal."
Lucas also argues it would be more cost advantageous to have computers for learning as opposed to buying textbooks that are expensive and outdated within a couple of years. He sounds much like Jerome Bruner in he wants to combine technology with classical education and have an inquiry based and project-based learning process. Lucas feels this would make education fun and exciting for kids again. It is ironic to me that Lucas considers his thoughts as innovative when Bruner argued them 50 years ago!
However adding one-on-one computer learning would certainly make the learning process much different than what Bruner would have ever anticipated. As new teachers, we may very well see our worlds changed by the possibility of all kids learning from portable computers or iPads and giving them problems they can instantly research and solve on the web while working together. When the "textbooks" need to be updated, it can be downloaded in a short time to be able to allow children to use current information so there is no lag time on current issues or discoveries. How cool would that be?!
What is refreshing is Lucas does not blast the schools or teachers in his article. His basic point is to leave the old way of schooling behind and embrace the new age of thinking and technology. Since I think that is something we would all favor, it does not sound like a bad idea to me.
Huffington Post
Published Online on February 28, 2011
Complete URL: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/george-lucas/join-the-movement-to-tran_b_828962.html
This article is the first of three I have on technology in learning or "Trifecta of Technology" or T.O.T. for short as we are focusing on children. :) Mr. Lucas begins his writing by stating much has changed in technology since he started the George Lucas Educational Foundation, but schools have been incredibly slow to adapt to the new advancements. The reason for this, he argues, is schools are stuck in the Industrial Revolution mindset where all schools want to do is stuff as much information into kids as possible, have them regurgitate it and then get a diploma. However what society needs is for kids to use technology to do three things: "find information, rigorously analyze the quality and accuracy of information and creatively and effectively use information to accomplish a goal."
Lucas also argues it would be more cost advantageous to have computers for learning as opposed to buying textbooks that are expensive and outdated within a couple of years. He sounds much like Jerome Bruner in he wants to combine technology with classical education and have an inquiry based and project-based learning process. Lucas feels this would make education fun and exciting for kids again. It is ironic to me that Lucas considers his thoughts as innovative when Bruner argued them 50 years ago!
However adding one-on-one computer learning would certainly make the learning process much different than what Bruner would have ever anticipated. As new teachers, we may very well see our worlds changed by the possibility of all kids learning from portable computers or iPads and giving them problems they can instantly research and solve on the web while working together. When the "textbooks" need to be updated, it can be downloaded in a short time to be able to allow children to use current information so there is no lag time on current issues or discoveries. How cool would that be?!
What is refreshing is Lucas does not blast the schools or teachers in his article. His basic point is to leave the old way of schooling behind and embrace the new age of thinking and technology. Since I think that is something we would all favor, it does not sound like a bad idea to me.
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