journal entry #8

For the last journal entry I chose the article titled "Web 2.0 Today's Technologies, Tomorrow's Learning" written by Jennifer Groff and Jason Haas. This article discusses the cross purposes of new technologies such as digital games, simulations, and social networking. Networking tool such as Ning allow you to create private social networking for a class where students can extend their classroom assignments and discussions into forums. Digital learning games can make education learning and exciting because kids love computer games even if there are learning programs. 

Questions:1). What kind of online software can be used to inspire learning? There are tons, many more than you would think. A program that I remember from when i was younger is the Oregon trail. The program was fun and educational. 

2). What are some examples of computer based social networking? Facebook, Myspace, Wikis, and Ning are some examples of social networking.  

journal entry #7

For our last week of class we were allowed to choose our own article relating to technology to journal about. The first one I chose is called "How does Technology Influence Student Learning" by John Cradler, Mary McNabb, Molly Freeman, and Richard Burchett. The article is broken down into 3 main ideas of how technology has influenced learning including: Achievement in content area learning, Higher- order thinking and problem solving skill development, and Workforce preparation. Studies have been performed and documented on students understanding of mathematics concepts from educational software. Teachers have reported magnificent changes in students skills of language arts and social studies after their students multimedia projects. 

Questions:1). How can the computer software Inspiration help students in the classroom? Inspiration  is intended to help students visual learning skills and is used in a variety of subjects. Most students, including myself, are visual learners and need to have diagrams/ charts/ representations in front of them a lot of times for them to truly understand the subject or idea. 

2). How can the internet develop students critical thinking skills? The CAST study has found that when students use the Internet to research topics, share information, and complete a final project they became independent critical thinkers. The Internet allows students to look at all sides of a story or subject and then they in turn can decide for themselves and choose what they want to believe.  

Journal entry #6

The article from Learning and with Technology written by Ariel Owen  is titled "Mapping Student Minds". The author gives and example of a project she doe with her students involving  a creek, this project not only gets the students involved with the environment but helps them find existing relationships between certain factors. The students really got involved in this project because they were able to relate it and also they had an active part in helping the environment by cleaning up trash. 

 

journal entry # 5

This weeks article by Sherry Turkle called, "Can You Hear Me Now" discuss technology in the everyday life and some of the problems behind the distance of reality mixed in a virtual world. Now a days you almost can't escape technology because it's everywhere you go. Pretty much everyone has a cell phone mostly blackberry which can sometimes suck you into this virtual world. I know first off because I have a blackberry myself and since I've had it I check it constantly, looking to see if I have an important email. People are so caught up with cyberspace that sometimes they forget what's going on right in front of them. People check their phones when their out for dinner often times ignoring the person they are with because their in their own world. Children from this generation won't know anything else besides this digital world and soon enough they'll loose most of their manners. 

Questions:1). What about myspace and facebook, how much personal information should people be putting? People go on these sites and give a lot of personal information including their sexual preference, music choices, age and photos. Sometimes things are better left unsaid especially when that information stays on the web forever. 

2). How have blackberries effected business relationships? As stated in the article, business partners used to talk on the way to the airport in limos but now with their blackberries in hand they are often times texting and emailing in front of each other. Blackberries cut out the communication of face to face  conversations. Sometimes you would say something to some ones face but then you wouldn't send it in a text or email or likewise. Texting and emailing takes away some of the meaning because you can say something in a certain tone but you can't do that in words.  

journal entry #4

The article we read outside of Learning and Leading this week is called "Moderating and Ethics for the Classroom Instructional Blog" by Dr. Patricia Deubel. She starts off by mentioning that she has personally never made a blog for class but she understands the purpose behind using blogs in a classroom. The blog is basically a vehicle to make sure that everyone in the classroom is heard and can be a valued member of the learning community. Some students are to nervous or shy to participate and share their ideas and class, a blog is a good way to get those shy students engaged in the class. 

Questions:1). What is the value of having students review other students blogs and respond to them? The value of this is that student responses help them develop critical thinking skills and also helps them get a better understanding of the material being learned. 

2). What are the ethical values of blogging? Blogs are publicly viewed, so there has to be some kind of control or limit as to what you are exactly putting out there in your blog. There is a need to keep some personal private things private because there can be damage done to not only others but yourself as well since anyone, even future employers can view and judge.  

journal entry #3

The article we read from Learning and Leading this week is called, "Too cool for School? No way!" is about learning through technology. Another key message from this article is the idea of a special pedological content knowledge formed from Lee Shulman when he stated that there is a difference between teachers and other professions. The is believed to be an "intersection" between what we teach and the way we teach it. This article provides 3 examples of technology that can be used for the learning process which includes: microblogging, visual search engines, and music DJ software. 

Questions:1). How can we define technology? Technology can be stated and generalized as the changes in the world since our creation. Mostly material objects or inventions and advancements that have changed the world and the way in which we live and go about on our day to day activities. 

2). What is twitter and the craze behind it? Twittering is a form of microblogging that people you to stay in touch. Participants share short messages with no more that 140 words, this message system has helped enhance the engagement of students in the classroom and helped students develop better communication skills. 

Journal entry #2

This weeks article titled, Social Networking by Jim Klein covers some of the ideas and concepts behind the use and purpose of learning through technology in and out of the classroom. He starts off by bringing up the purpose behind the SUSD Teacher and Student Community sites called "learning landscapes" which is intended to better the communication, collaboration, and learning process  between students and teachers. Suggested technology tools to help better the communication process include: public blog entries, videos, and podcasts. Since some of the tools have been incorporated in the classroom, there has been a definite improvement in test scores as well as in the area of writing and language fluency. These elements and tools help the student remain engaged and interested in learning. 

Questions:1.) With this said, what about the idea of facebooking to better the relationship between students and their teachers? This can be a tricky question, although the idea and concept behind facebook is harmless and actually encourages people to better their networking and communication skills this use of technology can be inappropriate between teachers and students. There has to be a boundary somewhere and an alternative to this can be by using blogs to express themselves and to see what's going on with other people.

2.) How can podcasts improve the learning process? Podcasts are a good way to keep students as well as teacher informed and engaged. They also bring a sense of ownership to whoever help make it and they are a good way for the students to use technology in the classroom while learning and having fun.