Q&A for Chapter 9

1. Absolutely! Texting and blogging play an integral role in students’ lives today. It is important for education to be able to reach these students on a level that is relevant to them. To assign a project on Shakespeare’s Hamlet  may not be well received if students are asked to make an actual scrapbook, including pages for each character and developing the plot through pictures they take to depict scenes. But, the same project could be assigned online via a blog. The same content would be included and the same amount of effort would be required, but students would see the relevance in the project rather than busy work that requires their hands to cut and paste, when the same concept can be applied to an online project that can be worked on in multiple locations, not just the art room.

2. Texting and micro-blogging are different from previous forms of communication. In the past, a telegram included 10 symbols and would be delivered within that week. That was revolutionary for the late 1800’s and family members were able to notify their loved ones when a baby was born or if an emergency had happened. A century later, texting evolved and only 40 symbols were sent. It was the same concept as the telegram; quick and efficient delivery of urgent information. Yet, the efficiency of it has developed and progressed. Now we are able to sent unlimited messages in lightning speed.

3. In the future, I can see teachers encouraging texting communication amongst her students and with herself. I imagine there will soon be an app that allows students to text their teacher, but the app will use a different number that is only connected to her application. I know that teachers already encourage students to use blogs for specific classes, but I can see blogging becoming more and more of a useful tool for students to document what they’ve read and learned. This could be used as an end of the week, “Friday ticket”, and the teacher could require the students to write 5 things that they’ve learned this week. Not only will this reinforce what they have been taught, but the teacher can easily see what they may be struggling with or if they are paying attention to the subjects (this would work best in a 4^th or 5^th grade classroom and can be adjusting for the secondary grades).

Evaluation & Reflection

Reflection and Discussion page 182

                In this reflection, the text asked me to observe the computer in the classroom where I am placed at for my field experience. Well, I am placed at a Rejio Emilio style school. It is a private Kindergarten, with tuition rates as high as $16,000 per year for the 5 year olds. Parents are willing to dish out the dollar bills for this school, though, because it reinforces the basics of childhood- imagination and outdoor play. Children are encouraged to explore the outdoors, build forts from the tree limbs in the yard, and dig in the dirt to find insects. They believe that the research children find through play and exploration in the outdoor world exceeds the information a teacher can present through a technology tool, such as a presentation.
                At this age, children need to focus on the world around them and interacting with others, not necessarily focusing on technology skills. Although, computer skills and (nowadays) iPad skills are necessary as the child progresses through school, the main emphasis of every class for a four year old should not be centered around media based knowledge. Psychologically, children are still in pre-operational stages, according to Piaget, and need concrete ideas and concrete examples. Technology is more of an abstract approach to learning, with some hands-on approaches when using certain apps and games, such as a Smartboard lesson.
                Because of this, my classroom does not have technology of any kind. The children are bright, witty, and quick to analyze and deduct reasoning from the concrete examples, materials, and tools brought into the classroom. With all this being said, I do think it would be age appropriate if they had an iPad station where students could begin to practice basic technology skills that may be required of them as they enter 1^st and 2^nd grade. Skills such as knowing how to type their name and exit out of pages, perhaps how to type in an appropriate website, too.

Bookmarking Reflection

I really enjoyed being able to choose my topic for this project. Because the topic interested me, I was definitely more engaged in finding the material and links to complete the assignment. I love to cook and finding new recipes was so much fun for me. I do this anyways on my own, so to be able to do it for class credit was nice.     

          Diigo was a new concept to me. Something I have been wondering, though, is the security level of this application? I am thinking about deleting this account and the icon on my computer because I am unsure of what kind of information it is capable of accessing. I would hate for it to be able to track my passwords and other information that I have filled out job/work applications with.

          Anyways, it was a great way to learn how to keep up with so many tabs, links, resources, and websites. I might use it again in the future, but for now, my Macbook’s bookmarks seem to do a very nice job of helping me stay organized with my favorite links and sites. Although, this particular website does offer better navigation and organization, something I do like.
         
          I hope my classmates will enjoy looking at my bookmarks and reading the recipes. The recipes are categorized from healthy, to sweet, to just chocolate things. There are many recipes that I bookmarked that will be great to make in a dorm as a snack on the go, something that all of us teacher candidates will appreciate as we head out to field placements in the mornings and afternoons.

Here is the link to my group! https://groups.diigo.com/group/220-tech

Top Sources of Information

Do you get different information when you use the map, social media, shopping, travel, video, or general information search functions?

- Yes, absolutely. Every search engine is different and has it’s unique disadvantages and advantages. Some search engines are geared for specific tasks and web searches. Some search engines are geared for pure entertainment and fun knowledgably facts.

What media do students use as their top sources of information? – Honestly, from my experience and from doing group work with my peers, google seems to be the most used search engine. In fact, it is so often used that the term “google” is now a verb in the Merriam Webster dictionary. I prefer google because it’s fast and will give you many websites, images, and web links to further your search. It is up to the user to determine whether the sources provided are reliable or not, but typically anything I search for on the internet can be found (through key word searches) via google. This is why google is so popular for research projects and finding additional general information.

Altogether, search engines are a radical change in the 21^st century. Information that was thought to have been lost forever and never to be found, can turn up randomly through a quick search. And this can either be good or bad, depending on the information and images that people release to the internet, whether or not it’s intentional or unintentional. 

Teaching Creativity with Technology

As a teacher candidate, I want to be able to teach my students in a relevant and beneficial way. I want to use time efficiently, so that we can maximize the hours during the school day to reach each student’s learning potential. Because I will be teaching in the 21^st century, my teaching will most likely need to include sort of technology, depending on what grade I teach. For teaching preschool, the use of a video with visuals and audio recording could be helpful to introduce a new idea or method. This same app could be used in a third grade classroom, but with modified content.
            

As far as using other technology in the classroom for early childhood, I believe stations of iPads set up would be good. There could be easy to use apps that would reinforce what the lesson instructed and taught. This would give the kids a chance to practice on their own by constructing their own knowledge with free play on a iPad with assigned apps/games.
            The negative consequences of technology in the classroom is that plagiarism may be more tempting for older grades, and for both secondary and primary grades- identity theft and online security could become problematic. The students, from an early age, though, need to learn how to be safe on the internet. This could something taught even in preschool and kindergarten because technology will only continue to be used more and more as they get older and media improves and expands. As the students learn the applications and safety features of the tools, they can be free to express themselves creatively through their power-points, photo stories, and other apps on the iPad. This will enable students to feel more free about the work they do, as if their opinion and the way they express themselves matter.

Technology Interview

Alex, my roommate, is a twenty -year old Kinesiology major at Anderson University. She enjoys watching baseball, hammocking, and going out with friends. A self-proclaimed city girl, she still enjoys the pleasure of paper books and solitude from technology. She actively engages in technology for her current college courses, but that does not stop her from enjoying the social media that her iPhone apps offer.

During the interview, Alex’s Macbook Pro sits tilted on her lap pillow. She adjusts her glasses, as I proceed with the questions.
“Alex, how old were you when you began using the computer? How did you become affluent in using it?”
“Oh, wow, probably around seven years old? I taught myself. I used to play this game called “Mister Fox” which enforced memory retention. I also painted using the Microsoft app, “Paint”. And “Solitude” was always a favorite when I was little. But, my computer class at school taught me a lot.”

“I remember those games! Wow, times have changed. How do you think your experience with technology has changed compared to the new generation of students today? Do they differ?”

Alex laughs at the realization of how fast time is flying, “Wow, they really are completely different. There is much better technology now. Like, they have tablets, iPhones, etc. We didn’t even have fast Internet. We had dial-up! You know, the internet connection that made all those prehistoric noises.”

“Alex, do you think self teaching is effective?  Should schools have a technology centers for students to engage in? What might be the benefit of this?”

She pauses, and thinks about this idea. It is obvious that the thought has never occurred to her, her generation growing up in school was lucky to even have a computer in the classroom. To ponder the thought of an enter area of the school building dedicated to new technology exploration is beyond what our generation can fathom at the moment.

“Well,  I do think self teaching can be effective. The kids will remember how because they did it themselves, rather than having to follow a set of directions and instructions on how to use the new tool. But the technology center? That’s a tough question. It sounds like a waste of money to me. I feel like that money should be put towards nonperishable, non-outdatable items for the school, such as textbooks and supplies. Textbooks can last years but machines can break and change and require annual updates. Kids need to learn how to open a book and read, rather than being stimulated constantly by lights, sounds, and buttons. I would want my kids to be engaged with other students in the classroom, not focused on a screen. I mean, I think technology is great, but do you see what I’m saying?”

Altogther, the interview with Alex went well. She pondered many of the questions, thinking about them for the first time. Many people are beginning to do the same, as well. Times are changing and the classrooms must figure out how to best fit the needs of the 21^st century students.

Personal Technology Reflection

           

 As a teacher candidate, I am required to be able to teach and equip my students for their generation. This includes the subjects of language and arts, mathematics, and even technology. I was born in the 90’s, at the beginning of the technology era. I can remember back to the day that my dad brought home a cell phone. My teenage brother begged my dad to let him take to school with him, to show it off. We were some of the first families in the neighborhood to own such a contraption. But, that could barely beat the morning of Christmas and the house was silent as my brothers and I ripped the red and green wrapping paper off to reveal a gray machine, known as the computer. I received my first child’s computer game when I was four years old, and I was amazed at the fact that I could touch a “mouse” and the screen would correspond to the touch. As I grew up, my love for my cell phone, macbook, and iPod was much like any other teenage girl’s, but my knowledge stopped shortly there.
            Sure, I know how to send a text within 5 seconds, edit pictures on my macbook, and google what the latest Amanda Bynes mishap is at lightning speed, but I am not equipped to teach my students the technology knowledge that they will be counting on me to learn. I can barely make a halfway decent powerpoint, much less discover how to even begin a Prezi or a spreadsheet. I count myself lucky that I know how to change the font on Microsoft Word and adjust the size. But, even with Microsoft, I do not even know all that it is capable of. I want to learn how to use the apps and programs that will be efficient as a Early Childhood teacher, the simple things that will make managing and teaching a K-5 classroom run more efficient and smoothly. I believe some of those things will be using certain apps to make calendars, syllabi, and formats for crafts and simple tests. I would love to learn how to make iMovies and slideshows with effects so that I can document my student’s achievements and success throughout the year.
            I count myself blessed that I can be attending a university that will equip me adequately for the field that I am studying. I know that this class will better prepare me to be builders of knowledge (specifically technology) and values in my Early Childhood classroom someday. 

(Using technology while hiking. "OMG it's like me and a waterfall thing! HASHTAG LOL!"