When I read this essential question, it was hard for me to try and find an answer. There is just a vast variety of students in a classroom that the only true way I could think of in regards to ensuring all learners have access to the digital world would be through computer labs or resources that are within the school. I do not think there is every truly going to be an "equal access" for every student due to money and restraints. For instance, we discussed using Smartphones in the classroom, but in a second grade classroom where children do not have phones that would not be plausible. As I think about the older students as well, some of them I am sure do not have internet access or only have an allotted amount they can use within a month unless they tap into a wireless network.
In general, I thought this was a difficult question because some children have the privilege of having Smartphones, internet access at home, and technological devices to use while others do not. I definitely think having iPads in the room would have decrease the barrier that some children have allowing all or groups of children to use them in order to access the internet for educational purposes. It is a quick and efficient way to get on the web without having to download an entire profile. Children can use them on the go. In addition, there are some really great applications on there that students could utilize to create a project, help with a concept being taught in school, gain information, practice skills, and the list continues of all the positive outcomes that can come from a great piece of technology.
In conclusion, in order for all children to have "equal" access to the digital world, I think it has to come from the school and the resources that are given to the students. With the economy the way that it is, I find it difficult for some of my students to even go on the website Xtramath.org to practice their math facts because they do not have a computer or they do not have internet at home. Some of my students even tell me that their parents tell them internet and computers are for adults only. That's reality and as a result I allow them time in the classroom on my computer, but its hard with 23 students and 2 computers.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Week Two Essential Question
Week Two Essential Question: Is there more to social networks than what meets the eye?
Social networks have become very prominent in today's culture. I think if social networks such as Twitter were utilized in a positive way it could create a tool for educational purposes. For instance, I am following certain educational sites on Twitter such as Discovery and it is nice to see what they are tweeting and what people are saying about it. As a second grade teacher with younger children that may or may not have access to the internet I would not use it with my students. It cannot be censored and I wouldn't want to expose my students to certain things. I may look at particular sites to see what they are tweeting about to get an idea or concept that I can utilize in my classroom or research that is pertinent and interesting to teaching and education.
Facebook could also be harnessed in a way that it could be used for educational purposes. For instance, creating a classroom page where parents and students could go to discuss certain topics with or have the teacher post important events or keep parents updated on what is occurring within the classroom as far as academics, homework, schedule, etc. Showing children pages of concepts that they are studying in the classroom such as presidential elections might be interesting to look at if there was a child page and the content on the page was checked for appropriateness. I just fear because it is on the world wide web and anyone can have access to it and post what they please unless you create a page with membership required.
In conclusion, I do believe that there is more to social networking. Like everything else though it is how you use it, what you want to use it for, and ensuring that it is appropriate for school. There are certain precautions that have to be made and as long as you are aware and informed it definitely could be utilized for educational purposes.
Social networks have become very prominent in today's culture. I think if social networks such as Twitter were utilized in a positive way it could create a tool for educational purposes. For instance, I am following certain educational sites on Twitter such as Discovery and it is nice to see what they are tweeting and what people are saying about it. As a second grade teacher with younger children that may or may not have access to the internet I would not use it with my students. It cannot be censored and I wouldn't want to expose my students to certain things. I may look at particular sites to see what they are tweeting about to get an idea or concept that I can utilize in my classroom or research that is pertinent and interesting to teaching and education.
Facebook could also be harnessed in a way that it could be used for educational purposes. For instance, creating a classroom page where parents and students could go to discuss certain topics with or have the teacher post important events or keep parents updated on what is occurring within the classroom as far as academics, homework, schedule, etc. Showing children pages of concepts that they are studying in the classroom such as presidential elections might be interesting to look at if there was a child page and the content on the page was checked for appropriateness. I just fear because it is on the world wide web and anyone can have access to it and post what they please unless you create a page with membership required.
In conclusion, I do believe that there is more to social networking. Like everything else though it is how you use it, what you want to use it for, and ensuring that it is appropriate for school. There are certain precautions that have to be made and as long as you are aware and informed it definitely could be utilized for educational purposes.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Digital Footprint
For this activity I chose to discover my own digital footprint out of curiosity of what I would find. First, I tried a simple google search with just my name and a ton of information about a "Chelsey Turner" who is a professional athlete came up. I narrowed the search by adding Nashua after my name and discovered the races (running) that I have been in appreared as well as my work email and link to my school and classroom website.
Nothing appeared in pipl.com. I searched my name, Nashua, my phone number and email. I have a facebook account, but set the search settings very strict and was glad to see that it did not appear in my searches.
Nothing appeared in pipl.com. I searched my name, Nashua, my phone number and email. I have a facebook account, but set the search settings very strict and was glad to see that it did not appear in my searches.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Week One Essential Question
Why should we integrate technology into the classroom?
Technology can be a great resource that allows lessons and concepts that are being taught within the classroom become more engaging and interactive. Technology has and still continues to be an essential part of life in our society. The integration of technology has positive effects on a classroom and its students and creates lifelong learning opportunities. There are so many beneficial outcomes. One of which, is students are able to become more engaged in a lesson or concept that is being taught. For instance, I teach a unit on life cycles. Being able to show videos and create lessons on the MimioXi and projector would enhance my students' learning as I would be able to show videos off of sites such as Discovery Streaming and have more interactive lessons where the children get out of their seats and connect more with the concepts they are learning.
I just recently received the MimioXi in the classroom and I was playing around with it during a math lesson in which the children had to fill out a Comparison Diagram to complete the problem. I created one on the board and had the children come up using the mouse to fill in the correct answers. Just something as simple as that, they were itching to get a turn, all of their hands were up to answer a question, and they were inching their seats closer and closer to see what I would do next with the technology. They become entranced with what you are teaching because it is a new way of teaching, a new way of presenting a concept to them, and a new way of learning.
A quote that I enjoy and use all the time by John Dewey states, "If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow." Technology is impacting our students' everyday lives and by incorporating it within the classroom it prepares students for the real world. If we have this great resource to bring lessons to life, make information more attainable, and create lessons that are more engaging and effective, why not incorporate it into the classroom? If we have it then we should use it. Embracing technology and incorporating it into our everyday lessons is going to change students' learning for the better. Not incorporating it and staying with the "old ways" is not going to hurt students, but if we have the resources to incorporate it into our classrooms than we should because it kicks learning up a notch. Children like it because it is new and interesting. Lessons become more interactive and there is so much that can be done with it to teach in a different way.
A tool that I hope to incorporate and find beneficial in my classroom is livebinder.com. I like that I can create binders for different units and house them in one online place that can be accessed from anywhere that has Internet. This is help in organizing lessons that I create for the MimioXi. I will be able to gather all the links and information that is necessary in order to implement the lesson using the technology that I have in the classroom. I like the idea of this resource because I have filing cabinets of paper and books for lessons, but have not found a successful way of organizing online materials in a nice efficient way and I believe that livebinder will allow me to be successful at that.
Technology can be a great resource that allows lessons and concepts that are being taught within the classroom become more engaging and interactive. Technology has and still continues to be an essential part of life in our society. The integration of technology has positive effects on a classroom and its students and creates lifelong learning opportunities. There are so many beneficial outcomes. One of which, is students are able to become more engaged in a lesson or concept that is being taught. For instance, I teach a unit on life cycles. Being able to show videos and create lessons on the MimioXi and projector would enhance my students' learning as I would be able to show videos off of sites such as Discovery Streaming and have more interactive lessons where the children get out of their seats and connect more with the concepts they are learning.
I just recently received the MimioXi in the classroom and I was playing around with it during a math lesson in which the children had to fill out a Comparison Diagram to complete the problem. I created one on the board and had the children come up using the mouse to fill in the correct answers. Just something as simple as that, they were itching to get a turn, all of their hands were up to answer a question, and they were inching their seats closer and closer to see what I would do next with the technology. They become entranced with what you are teaching because it is a new way of teaching, a new way of presenting a concept to them, and a new way of learning.
A quote that I enjoy and use all the time by John Dewey states, "If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow." Technology is impacting our students' everyday lives and by incorporating it within the classroom it prepares students for the real world. If we have this great resource to bring lessons to life, make information more attainable, and create lessons that are more engaging and effective, why not incorporate it into the classroom? If we have it then we should use it. Embracing technology and incorporating it into our everyday lessons is going to change students' learning for the better. Not incorporating it and staying with the "old ways" is not going to hurt students, but if we have the resources to incorporate it into our classrooms than we should because it kicks learning up a notch. Children like it because it is new and interesting. Lessons become more interactive and there is so much that can be done with it to teach in a different way.
A tool that I hope to incorporate and find beneficial in my classroom is livebinder.com. I like that I can create binders for different units and house them in one online place that can be accessed from anywhere that has Internet. This is help in organizing lessons that I create for the MimioXi. I will be able to gather all the links and information that is necessary in order to implement the lesson using the technology that I have in the classroom. I like the idea of this resource because I have filing cabinets of paper and books for lessons, but have not found a successful way of organizing online materials in a nice efficient way and I believe that livebinder will allow me to be successful at that.
Reasons to Blog
Blogging Question: Is blogging valid form of assessment? Select a reason in the article that is relevant to your subject area. How can you envision it being used in your classroom?
Blogging can be a valid form of assessment as long as it is being used in the proper way. As an elementary school teacher, I could post a project in which the students would have to explain a concept that was taught in the classroom. I could also assess their writing skills. I would have to be weary that it was actually the student that was blogging, and not another source such as a parent or another individual.
The reason that I choose that relates to elementary education would be that blogging "encourages student voice." The students could blog about who they are and also learn about the others in their classroom. Proper use of the blog and "proper" use of the blog would have to be taught and instilled with all students.
I am not sure how I would envision it being used within my classroom. I would have to assess how proficient my seven and eight year olds are at typing as well as their ability to spell and formulate complete sentences. I feel it would be difficult for most second graders as they are still learning how to formulate complete sentences with a subject and a predicate that makes sense. In addition, some of my students do not have access to internet at home so I would have to incorporate it within the school day which is hard with only two computers in the classroom.
Blogging can be a valid form of assessment as long as it is being used in the proper way. As an elementary school teacher, I could post a project in which the students would have to explain a concept that was taught in the classroom. I could also assess their writing skills. I would have to be weary that it was actually the student that was blogging, and not another source such as a parent or another individual.
The reason that I choose that relates to elementary education would be that blogging "encourages student voice." The students could blog about who they are and also learn about the others in their classroom. Proper use of the blog and "proper" use of the blog would have to be taught and instilled with all students.
I am not sure how I would envision it being used within my classroom. I would have to assess how proficient my seven and eight year olds are at typing as well as their ability to spell and formulate complete sentences. I feel it would be difficult for most second graders as they are still learning how to formulate complete sentences with a subject and a predicate that makes sense. In addition, some of my students do not have access to internet at home so I would have to incorporate it within the school day which is hard with only two computers in the classroom.
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