Friday, April 17, 2009

"Lets Welcome, not Fear, Online Tutoring" by Anita McAnear

The article "Welcome, not Fear, Online Tutoring" by Anita McAnear first talks about an author's concern with using technology to teach. The teacher's main argument was that online learning would disrupt student learning but he also argues that disruption leads to innovation. McAnear however argues that online learning is available to better reach out to different types of learners. She argues that for some students using technology helps them learn more easily and as teachers we should provide multiple ways for our students to learn so that they may find what works for them. She also argues that technology helps teachers organize and be more effective in the classroom. The power technology has can help engage a student's interest making them more successful. I agree with McAnaer and think we need to do whatever it takes to reach out to every type of learner and peak our student's interests. Many times teachers forget to teach in multiple ways and tend to stick to only one method of teaching. By doing this the teacher only reaches out to certain students leaving the rest behind.

Q1: How could this article be useful to me?
It will remind me of the different views on technology and how it affects our schools. It as well reminds of some of the reasons why online learning is important.

Q2: As a teacher would I use technology in my classroom?
I would absolutely use technology in my classroom. It is important to do everything I can to reach out to my students and I would do everything in my power including using technology frequently to reach out to all the different learners in my classroom.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

"Getting a Handle on Handhelds" by Jennifer Roland

"Getting a Handle on Handhelds" by Jennifer Roland is an article about the benefits of having handhelds provided for students. Being able to provide students with handhelds would be a wonderful thing but could it be a reality at all schools? I have never heard of providing handhelds to students until reading this article. So to find out how these handhelds can be beneficial I researched it and came across a great website called K12 Handlehelds which can be accessed at http://www.k12handhelds.com/. On this site it gives lesson plans using the handhelds and 101 things you can do with your handhelds in the classroom. After reviewing it I realized how useful they can be. With the No Child Left Behind Act it is hard to fit all the curriculum that needs to be taught in one year. With the handlehelds however you can cover the NETS standards along with other subject standards more easily. It also lets the student move at their own pace as they use their handhelds. This also gives the students an opportunity to famaliarize themselves with technology. Many students also complain that they don't have access to a computer to do their homework or are driving around with their parents disabling them from getting it done. With handhelds they can take their homework with them and get done on the go. However, it is hard especially in a state where education always seems to be the first thing to be cut in the budget. There are options such as students sharing handhelds but I don't think they would recieve as many benefits from doing this. The article also stated that schools would lease to students and have parents sign saying they are financially responsible if anything would happen to their child's handheld. In more rural areas this would be a problem because most of the parents would not be able to afford it if anything were to happen. The parents may even refuse to sign leaving their child without a handheld. The concept is good but finding ways to afford it could take years leaving our current students struggling.

Q1: How could this affect my classroom?

Having handhelds would expose my students to technology. This is something that not all students have the opportunity to do especially at inner cities schools. It would also give more ways to teach them.

Q2: How could I find ways to provide each student with a handheld?

A lot of schools are raising money to provide each classroom with smart boards. I could do the same thing to raise money for handhelds. It may take a few years but eventually I think we could raise enough money by doing things such as fall festivals.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

"Measuring Up" by Jennifer Roland

"Measuring Up" by Jennifer Roland is an article about the measuring up on the technology part of standarized testing. It argues how it is hard to measure a student's understanding when the testing is done on paper. There are only 5 online assesments that measure up to ISTE's standards. I thought it was interesting because one of the online assesments they approved was learning.com. They said that the TechLiteracy assessment on learning.com is the only technology literacy test they approve. I found this to be very disappointing for our future students. I think they need to create better assessments for technology so we can truly see where our students are at.

Q1: What can I do when I become a teacher about this problem?

I can address it to my principle and even try and find ways to create my own assessment.

Q2: How does this problem affect me as a future teacher?

It affects me because without good assessments it will be more difficult for me to evaluate where my students are at individually. Some students will have more experience with technology than others and without good assessments it will be hard to know where each of them are at.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

"Speaking Math" by Janet Graham and Ted Hodgson

"Speaking Math" by Janet Graham and Ted Hodgson is an article about using technology to help students with the understanding of math vocabulary. Because online chatting is very popular among students they decided to start an online chat for talking to fellow students about math. On the chat students would discuss math ideas using math vocabulary to themselves. This would help them better understand how the concepts in their books. This also provides another way for non-native speakers to learn the math vocabulary. By discussing it online and having thier fellow classmates explain it to them they could begin to understand the math ideas. The chat among the students can be viewed by the teachers allowing them to see their understanding. By being able to see the chat they can evaluate what things the students are not understanding and bring up those concepts in class. They also can see which particular students may need extra help and which ones are on track. I think this is a great ideat because it allows the teachers to see exactly where thier students are stuck.

Q1: How could this be applied in multiple areas of my classroom?

I could use this for multiple subjects in my classroom. For example, when I assign a reading for history I could tell them to do an online discussion about what they read. As they discuss what they read the students could each other out with main points they may have missed.

Q2: What could be some difficulties with using this?

A lot of students who have lower socioeconomic status may have problems accessing a computer. The article suggests using a computer lab during class time but I don't understand why I wouldn't just have them talk in groups during class. It would be hard to do at times just because of this fact.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Software Review Learning.com













Mini Review:
http://learning.com
Web Browsing Tutorial Set "L" for grade levels 6-8

The series of tutorials helped me learn the specific names of web browsing tools.
It guided me through how to do tasks such as finding a website, citing sources bookmarking and much more. It demonstrates ethic code of technology and how technology can be used for researching. It familiarized me with the function of the different parts of a URL. It guided me through a type of learning in which it was easy for me to see how this learning could apply to my daily life.

When using this tutorial in a classroom it will be harder for my students who do not have a computer to complete. Although we will be doing it all in the classroom they will not be familiarized with a computer and may become confused. The sound also may be a problem it would be hard to provide every student with headphones at some schools and all the noise may become too much of a distraction for students.

I didn't really have any problems with the program but I think that it would be more effective if it gave students quizzes at the end. This program asks the students to repeat what they just did not forcing them to store it away in their long term memories.

Standards:

L1: Browsing Basics

K-12 [6] Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems and operations.
K-12 [6.b] understand and use technology systems.

6-8 [4] use content-specific tools, software, and simulations to participate in collaborative problem-solving activities for the purpose of developing solutions or products for audience inside and outside the classroom


L2: URLs

K-12 [6] Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems and operation

6-8 [4] use content-specific tools, software, and simulations to participate in collaborative problem-solving activities for the purpose of developing solutions or products for audience inside and outside the classroom

K-12 Demonstrate the ability to navigate in virtual environments such as electronic books, simulation software, and Web sites.


L3: Web Searches

K-12 [6] Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems and operation

K-12 Demonstrate the ability to navigate in virtual environments such as electronic books, simulation software, and Web sites.

L4: Validity and Sourcing
K-12 [6] Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems and operation
K-12 [6.b] understand and use technology systems.

K-12 [5.a] advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.

K-12 [5.b] exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity
Sources:
"The ISTE National Educational Technology Standards (NETS•T)." ISTE. 2008. 02 Mar. 2009
"Learning.com." Learning.com. 2007. 02 Mar. 2009.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Newsletter EDUC422







`






Subject Area Interests of Kristen Bennett


     I have recently decided to work towards my masters degree after I achieve my Liberal Studies degree, for I wish to become a middle or high school counselor. I will be able to assist the students in their direction of their schooling or if they are having personal problems. I enjoy more administrative work. I remember when I was in high school, that my counselor created my schedule for the next semester, along with many other students she/he was in charge of. I will have many responsibilities outside of the classroom.
     Also, I have a strong desire to work within the classrooms. However, I wish to only assist within the classrooms. The responsibilities in which a teacher acquires is more than I would want to bare by myself. I feel more comfortable handling students one on one, for I feel that I can make a bigger difference in more students lives that way. Although I wish to work primarily as a counselor at a high school level, I wish to assist teachers in elementary schools. I believe young children have so much to teach the average adult in so many ways, and I believe they would be able to keep my perspective of life at a fun level and keep me young at heart.

     However, aside from taking a more administrative route in education, I have a strong interest in health education. Mostly, I like to learn more about how to simply live healthier by ways of eating and light exercise. I personally am a busy person, therefore, heavy and long workouts is difficult for me to incorporate into my daily life. I would like to educate students how to fit in a healthy lifestyle into their chaotic lives. 

     In general, my subject areas are simply about helping students, or the younger generations, get through their day to day lives the best way can with my help. I want, and will always be, a lifelong learner, it is just apart of my natural nature to do so, and who else better to learn from than the young, the ones with the biggest imagination I know of. 

 

       

 






Subject Area Interests of Rebecca Kuhl

    

I have volunteered in classes ranging from 2nd to 4th grade.  From my experience thus far I have realized that I enjoy being in the 2nd grade class the most.  There are many subject matters that interest me.  With my tutoring experience I have the most experience in teaching math and history which are the two subjects I enjoy the most.  

    If I didn't do 2nd grade I would want to do special education.  From elementary school through high school my best friends were in RSP. Hanging out with them in school I have seen them struggle with academics and watched them be discouraged on a daily basis.  I have realized knowing them that special education is not as powerful of a program as it can be.  My friend told me the other day that through her entire academic life only three teachers have ever encouraged her to continue on with school while many others said that school was just not for her.  I want to be the one that makes a difference in these students' life, the one who makes them realize anyone can pursue their dreams.

    I realize that by doing special education would, in some ways, be more work but I would be willing to do I can to get progress from these students and help get them mainstreamed.  I believe that they main problem with the special education program is that teachers teach these students as if they are stupid.  However, they are not stupid but just learn differently from the average student and need to be in this program so that they may be taught with students who learn similar to them so that they can succeed.  This misunderstanding discourages students from trying and succeeding and I want to be able to change that.  I know it takes the patience of a saint to do special education so I would volunteer in a special education class before deciding to do it, but I hope one day I can change these student's lives. 

 

 






Teacher Biography of Kristen Bennett

 

     When I was in the seventh grade I had an English teacher that guided my interest in teaching to the next level. She was so dedicated to her students learning. She gave all her students the chance to improve their learning any way possible, including freeing time outside of class to assist any needs of her students. She knew how to keep the students attention and still be a fun teacher all around she kept the students engaged with her humor and great sense of what interests a student at that age. She really did her homework. 

      However, for myself, getting more and more involved in the aspect of teaching, I have come to realize that this isn't my calling. I feel that if I took a postion in teaching that I would be taking up a spot for a greater teacher to fill. I want to be the one in the backgound, organizing the students, and putting them where they can exceed in their education to their highest level of achievement, which is more than they let themselves believe. Teachers make a difference in many students lives everyday, but I know their are people behind the scenes as well that encourage the team around them to do whatever possible to create lifelong learners out of the students, and to encourage them to work to their highest ability, which is to the sky and beyond. My view of teachers is more than what I could ever do for a student, I am so amazed by the teachers that change a student's life everyday. 

     I grew up in a small town in LA county, and had the chance to grow in a quite community. I would have to say, growing up, for me, was much easier than others, for i lived in a highly well rounded community. Many succeeded and few failed. Being an after school program leader in a low income community when I was 21 was a huge eye opener to what I could face in the future. These students were viewed and respected as a low income group instead of a group with so much potential. The way the community and the communities surrounding it spoke about the reason why the students and schools were the way they were astonished me. They don't encourage the students beyond their abilities, because they see them as almost hopeless for something much bigger than what is set before them in their homes. 

     Working within any school no matter what my position or where the school is located, I know a great teacher can make a great impact on its students and its faculty. I was told recently that "a good teacher within a bad school can make more of a difference than a bad teacher in a good school." this statement made me realize how just simple organizing of teachers in certain schools can make such a difference in our commmunities. Teachers and schools should work as a team instead of against each other. 

     My only hope for my future is that I make a difference in someone's life. However, i'm hoping much more than one person's life.  

 

Contact me at:



     

 

 





Teacher Biography of Rebecca Kuhl


    I probably was about 10 years old when I decided that I wanted to be a teacher.  I throughout my life have had friends who have struggled with school and I have always been more than willing to help them out.   I found myself enjoying teaching my peers and realized that being a teacher would be a career that I would love.  I loved it when I knew I helped my friends and when they would begin to understand the material because of the time I spent helping them.   I have always been interested in a student's growth and I loved watching my peer's progress.  I began tutoring my junior year of high school and the first person I taught was in RSP working their way to be mainstreamed.   Although it would take a lot of patience to tutor I was dedicated and wanted to see them do better.  When their grades improved I was thrilled and am even more excited that they are now mainstreamed.  I continue to tutor and now tutor many students. 

     Because my best friends were in RSP I learned two valuable lessons.  One is that we need to do everything we can to teach these students in the ways that satisfy the type of learners they are.  Second, we need to keep encouraging them and let them know they are not stupid rather just different types of learners.  I have watched all of my friends in RSP want to give up and be discouraged because they believed they were stupid and incapable. However, I think if they realize that they were indeed capable we would see a lot more RSP students graduating from college.  There is this common belief in many of these students they are doomed before they even try.  It's as if when you say to a student that they belong in RSP that you are saying to them that school is too difficult for them.  I think it is very important to let them know that they can do anything they want and are just in a program so that they can be taught the way they need to be, that it is not them but rather the way the are being taught that needs to change.

    Im unique as a teacher candidate because I have helped a wide range of learners and have seen that they all have different needs.  I know from having the friends I have the weaknesses in many schools and how a teacher can make a huge difference on a student's life.  By personally seeing students struggle on a daily basis not only in the classroom but working on schoolwork at home I know why it is important for us to do everything we can as teachers and teach students individually rather than as a whole. I am passionate about this and because of that I will do beyond what is expected from me as a teacher to help every student that walks in my classroom walk out of it with so much progression.  

Contact me at:






 







 

 





FOOTNOTE:

February 11, 2009





Image5 Kristen Bennett: personal documents

Image6 Rebecca Kuhl: personal documents





"Appropriate use or Inappropriate restrictions?" by Diana Fingal

"Appropriate use or Inappropirate restrictions" by Diana Fingal is about the restrictions schools put on computers. Scott McLeod had to sign a waiver for his daughter saying all the websites she could not go on. Some of these websites included things like Google websites. McLeod was appalled that they had such strict restrictions and were limiting his daughter too much. McLeod wrote a blog called "Dangerously Irrelevant" talking about the restrictions at his daughter's school. On his blog many people commented such as librarians, teachers, parents and students. Everyone's view ranged from teachers complaining that they don't have necessary access to studnents saying that websites need to be block so students are not tempted. They argued how things like blogging are obscure things to block. I do think it is important for students to be able to blog but then again in the classroom this may become a temptation and keep students from their other work. Being a future teacher I will take a side more on this issue depending on how my school limits my students. I never thought before reading this blog that people may take different stands on this issue but now I see why people may become enraged by it.

Q1: How will this affect me in the future?

I may get parents who refuse to sign the papers agreeing to the limitations put on our computers. I will need to know and understand their view points but also be able to communicate the viewpoint of the school. I will need to evaluate if there is inappropriate restrictions and if so what kind. If I do believe that the restrictions are inappropriate I have to stand up for them and discuss them with the school board.

Q2: what kind of sites are inappropriate to be on at school?

Any website that doesn't help with my student's learning is inappropriate to be on. There are too many to list but I would consider things like myspace to be inappropriate but I do not think I would want blogging to be restricted because it teaches the students an alternative way for them to post their ideas for others to see.

Monday, February 2, 2009

"The Geek Myth" By: Katie A. Siek, Kay Connelly, Amanda Stephano, Suzanne Menzel, Jackie Bauer, and Beth Pace

"The Geek Myth" is an article written by many women who are involved in Computer Science. In the beginning of their article they asked women who work in the Computer Science field what they thought about computers when they were younger. Most of their responses were that it was for geeks and they didn't think it was that useful. According to many researches done the interest in computer science was dramatically declining especially in women. Because of this statistic many women who understand the importance of Computer Science have decided to do what they can to stimulate young students interest in this field. They created an interactive presentation called "Just Be" to get students excited about computers. They go to school and give the students a test with picture of various people on them and they have to guess what their careers are. Most students would guess people who with computers were the ones doing "geeky" activities but they were wrong. By doing this they hoped to break the sterotype that people in the computer science field were geeks. They also let the students work with technology to get them excited about it. Overall they had great response from the students and believe that it will help get people to join the Computer Science field.

Q1: What does this program mean to me as a future teacher?

If I ever go to a school who does not have "Just Be" come to their school I may suggest that they do. I think it is important to expose young students to many careers early on so that they have a goal to work towards.

Q2: What can I do individually to stop the Geek Myth?

Many young students want to go into careers like firefighting and television because they are "cool" careers. Many times careers that are in demand like computer science are overlooked. I as a future teacher want my students to be successful and would love to see some of them interested in careers like these. However, there is the myth that many of the in demand careers are "geeky". I would in my class give out a test similar to the "Just Be" test to show them that no career is "geeky". I would go over many career types in class to expose them to it and hopefully get them interested in something that they can work towards because I believe a student who knows what they want to do and where they are going are going to be more successful in the classroom.

Monday, January 26, 2009

"Chatting it Up Online" by Pamela Livingston

“Chatting it Up Online” by Pamela Livingston is an article about how a 3rd grade teacher decides to use technology in her classroom to spark interest in her students. The teacher decides to use web chatting to interview Mary Pope Osbourne, the author of the “Magic Tree House” series. She had her students come up with well thought out questions ahead of time to ask the author. By having her students come up with the questions the teacher exposed the students to interviewing. By chatting with the author the teacher was able to accomplish many things such as sparking interest in her students, exposing her students to the process of writing a book and demonstrating a new creative way to use technology to conduct research. As Livingston describes the process of setting up a web chat in a classroom she impresses me as she is careful to cover all the bases by coming up with a backup plan. She is also sure to advise teachers of not telling the students about the interview until far into the process. Livingston’s idea was brilliant because it provides a way to get all of your students’ attention and participation in a way that is fun.

Q1-Why should all teahers try the same approach as Livingston?

Every teacher should attempt this approach bc it is not everday that technology is used in elementary classrooms to conduct research. This fresh way of teaching will grab the attention of the students and get them excited about doing the reading. Also by letting the students come up with their own individual questions you are getting them to participate in the learning process of coming up with well developed questions as well as you let them see the advantages of technology as their personal questions are answered.

Q2- What is something that Livingston could have done better?

Livingston should plan the web chat at the beginning of the year so that before they read a book she can tell her students that when they are done they will interview the person who wrote it. By doing this the students are going to be more excited about reading something from someone they will get to talk to and it is more probable they will pay attention to the book.