When I was going throught the public school system, I remember computers always being available. Starting in grade school we would go to the library at least once a week and play a game on the computer. Other times if we had a project that we were doing we would hand write our paper and then type out the final copy on the computer. When in middle school we were still always learning on computers. We would perform research for projects and then the lab was also available before and after school if we needed to use a computer for homework. Once I got to high school it was a given that you knew how to use a computer. At the beginning of the year we had a library tour and a short instruction about the computers, that was it. The library was always open for students to use the computers for whatever they needed. There were also keyboarding and drafting classes offered to help students improve their experience with computers.
I think that as time goes on, computer experience becomes more important. As teachers, we are supposed to be preparing our students for the real world and surviving. It has come to the point that if you don't understand today's technology, then you aren't going to last. The use of technology needs to be pushed into schools. Children need to be able to work with computers not only at home but also in school.
Some kids don't have computers at home, mostly because of financial reasons. This makes it more of a necessity for students to have the computer access at school. If schools can't dinance this type of requirement, there are sources out there where you can buy used computers or even fundraise for them. Not exposing these children to today's technology will hurt them in the future. I hope all schools and districts realize this, so that today's children will survive in today's world.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Video Games and Education
I think that video games can be incorporated into schools withut taking the place of traditinal instruction. From our readings we have learned that wideo games are a strategic story that we have to figure out. If bringing video games into the classroom, they would need to be a game that is challanging. When I was in frade school, we would go to the library a couple of times a week and play the computer game "Oregon Trail." It was a game that made you make health and money decisions while traveling along the Oregon Trail. I loved it because at the time I just saw it as playing a video game, but now that I look back, I realize that it was teaching me how to prioritize and watch my spending. i believe that as a teacher you have to be very careful when incorporating video games into your lesson plans by making sure that the information tou are trying to convey is pertinent to the lesson.
I actually feel that the majority of principles that Gee mentions about video games are lacking in education. I think that sometimes 'identity' is lacking in education because the intensity of identity is dependent on how into the subject you are. For example, most students aren't into learning about shakespearean characters, but if there was a video game that incorporated those characters where they could build their own character, I think that would beneit a student alot more. Identity also ties in with being more hands on. It is a lot more interesting to create a character rather than just read about them in a book. 'Interaction' is also definately missing especially when it comes to homework. Yes, in classrooms you interact with teachers and other students, but that is mainly only through discussion. The word 'game' always sparks and interest in someone's brain, so when an interactive game is incorporated, students will show more interest. Video games also require 'on-demand decisions.' When playing a video game there are times when you have only two seconds to make a decision or else you will die. I feel like this not only relates to decisions in the classroom but also decisions that you will face in everyday life.
I feel like video games and education can be a good mix. As a teacher, I feel that you should lay out the rules and the idea behind incorporating these two areas. Speaking from a students perspective I feel like students will enjoy class a lot more, and teachers will see a suprising improvement in the amount of comprehension their students have for a subject.
I actually feel that the majority of principles that Gee mentions about video games are lacking in education. I think that sometimes 'identity' is lacking in education because the intensity of identity is dependent on how into the subject you are. For example, most students aren't into learning about shakespearean characters, but if there was a video game that incorporated those characters where they could build their own character, I think that would beneit a student alot more. Identity also ties in with being more hands on. It is a lot more interesting to create a character rather than just read about them in a book. 'Interaction' is also definately missing especially when it comes to homework. Yes, in classrooms you interact with teachers and other students, but that is mainly only through discussion. The word 'game' always sparks and interest in someone's brain, so when an interactive game is incorporated, students will show more interest. Video games also require 'on-demand decisions.' When playing a video game there are times when you have only two seconds to make a decision or else you will die. I feel like this not only relates to decisions in the classroom but also decisions that you will face in everyday life.
I feel like video games and education can be a good mix. As a teacher, I feel that you should lay out the rules and the idea behind incorporating these two areas. Speaking from a students perspective I feel like students will enjoy class a lot more, and teachers will see a suprising improvement in the amount of comprehension their students have for a subject.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Wikipedia: Credible or Not
When I was in high school I had to write a senior paper. We were able to use any web resource except for Wikipedia. Since then I have always been told that Wikipedia is not a credible source. Because of this, I never research with it. If I’m starting a research paper, I normally type a search into Google. If it is a topic in for example the health field, then I would start with a search on the health.com website. In addition to these searches, most of my research papers require scholarly articles. For this, I will either search for scholarly articles with Google, or I will go to my libraries website and search through there.
Before a research project I will explain to my students what Wikipedia is. I will explain to them what is credible within Wikipedia and what is not credible. For research papers I will accept papers with Wikipedia as a resource, but not as the only resource. And the information has to be sited on the website or else it will not be accepted. I believe the article supports what I’m saying with the credible vs. not credible information.
Internet research needs to include at least 3 sources in my experiences. If Wikipedia is one of the sources, that is alright. Just as long as the whole paper is not based on Wikipedia. Wikipedia has some great information that is cited, however, it’s the incorrect information on the site that is holding it back. Wikipedia has come a long way since I was in high school and trying to use it as a source. I believe that in years to come, the website will soon become completely credible with no doubts.
Before a research project I will explain to my students what Wikipedia is. I will explain to them what is credible within Wikipedia and what is not credible. For research papers I will accept papers with Wikipedia as a resource, but not as the only resource. And the information has to be sited on the website or else it will not be accepted. I believe the article supports what I’m saying with the credible vs. not credible information.
Internet research needs to include at least 3 sources in my experiences. If Wikipedia is one of the sources, that is alright. Just as long as the whole paper is not based on Wikipedia. Wikipedia has some great information that is cited, however, it’s the incorrect information on the site that is holding it back. Wikipedia has come a long way since I was in high school and trying to use it as a source. I believe that in years to come, the website will soon become completely credible with no doubts.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Cell phones in the Classroom
I personally agree with the no cell phone policy. When I was younger and in high school, I obviously wanted cell phones to be allowed in school. However I don’t think that it’s fair for cell phones to be allowed for school use. Not every student has a cell phone, and for those students who do have phones, not all of them have internet capabilities. So, I don’t understand how schools would make it possible for schools to allow cell phones to help with work. Personally I think that in a way, it could be considered discrimination.
In my classroom I don’t want to see cell phones. I understand if they are quickly being used as a calculator or if a student tells me that they are expecting a text or call from their parent. But for me those are the only exceptions. I don’t see the reason for texting a friend during class while the friend is in class as well. I wouldn’t eliminate them all together but only for certain exceptions. Im not sure of my cell phone policy yet. I have a sister who works at Clackamas high school and their policy is if the student is caught with a cell phone with the intent to use then the phone gets taken from the student and the parent has to come and pick it up at the end of the day. This rule seems a little intense to me, however, it would depend on the rules of the school that I’m working at.
I personally don’t plan on incorporating cell phones into my classroom so therefore I haven’t been thinking of ways to incorporate them into my classroom. Some suggestions in the readings included using them for interviews, audioblogging, internet, calculators, etc. Some teachers could be up to this idea of cell phones in the classroom, I’m just not one of them.
In my classroom I don’t want to see cell phones. I understand if they are quickly being used as a calculator or if a student tells me that they are expecting a text or call from their parent. But for me those are the only exceptions. I don’t see the reason for texting a friend during class while the friend is in class as well. I wouldn’t eliminate them all together but only for certain exceptions. Im not sure of my cell phone policy yet. I have a sister who works at Clackamas high school and their policy is if the student is caught with a cell phone with the intent to use then the phone gets taken from the student and the parent has to come and pick it up at the end of the day. This rule seems a little intense to me, however, it would depend on the rules of the school that I’m working at.
I personally don’t plan on incorporating cell phones into my classroom so therefore I haven’t been thinking of ways to incorporate them into my classroom. Some suggestions in the readings included using them for interviews, audioblogging, internet, calculators, etc. Some teachers could be up to this idea of cell phones in the classroom, I’m just not one of them.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is defined as verbal harassment and threats that occur during online activities. These online activities can include: instant messaging, emailing, social networking such as facebook or myspace, text messages, or chat rooms. I remember when I was in middle school and AOL instant messenger was the high tech way of communicating. When I would get online and talk to someone that I didn’t know I always asked ‘a/s/l?’ meaning age, sex, live. This way I knew who I was talking to or at least thought that I knew who I was talking to. Sometimes it would just be meeting cool people from other cities and states, and sometimes people were much older than me and talked inappropriately. With those people I would just stop talking to them and block them. I believe that’s the only experience that I have had online that kind of led to inappropriateness which I didn’t cause.
The law about cyberbullying is tough. On page 61 of Taylor’s article it says “under the standard articulated by the High Court in Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988), a school may restrict student speech that is at odds with the school's educational objectives. But schools generally may not restrict student speech merely because they disagree with it or find it to be offensive.” Because of this standard right here it makes it hard schools to take control of the cyberbullying issue.
It’s hard to know when students are being cyberbullied at school unless they have evidence and report it to a teacher or a counselor. There are some signs however that a student may be being bullied including “ the student being visibly upset after internet or cell phone use, noticeable withdrawal from friends and activities, academic performance drops, student develops a pattern or absenteeism or tardiness, and the student is a target of traditional bullying” (Norrander). When Cyberbullying happens off-site there really isn’t anything that teachers or administrators can do because of the constitutional amendment of free speech.
If cyberbullying were to happen in my classroom I would hope that the student being bullied would report the bullying student. I would make sure that the bullied student does not feel threatened in my classroom and I would do what I could working with their counselor to make sure that the bullying stops in school for this student altogether.
The law about cyberbullying is tough. On page 61 of Taylor’s article it says “under the standard articulated by the High Court in Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988), a school may restrict student speech that is at odds with the school's educational objectives. But schools generally may not restrict student speech merely because they disagree with it or find it to be offensive.” Because of this standard right here it makes it hard schools to take control of the cyberbullying issue.
It’s hard to know when students are being cyberbullied at school unless they have evidence and report it to a teacher or a counselor. There are some signs however that a student may be being bullied including “ the student being visibly upset after internet or cell phone use, noticeable withdrawal from friends and activities, academic performance drops, student develops a pattern or absenteeism or tardiness, and the student is a target of traditional bullying” (Norrander). When Cyberbullying happens off-site there really isn’t anything that teachers or administrators can do because of the constitutional amendment of free speech.
If cyberbullying were to happen in my classroom I would hope that the student being bullied would report the bullying student. I would make sure that the bullied student does not feel threatened in my classroom and I would do what I could working with their counselor to make sure that the bullying stops in school for this student altogether.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Social Networking
When searching the pipl.com website the first site that popped up was my myspace account. Luckily I have known about teachers who have gotten in trouble for their myspace profiles so mine is set to private. The seconed site that popped up was my email address: wondergirlmg@hotmail.com. Im alright with others knowing my email address, however, because I haven't changed my email address since middle school Im not comfortable with using it professionally. Because I have played collegiate sports at three different schools I found many web pages about athletics. Im definately okay with having those available to others online because they are completely appropriate and I am proud of the majority of them. On the pipl.com website, there were pages qualifying the search that had my name on them but weren't me. It was kind of disturbing to me because they showed myspace profile pictures that I felt were inappropriate and something I would hate to get blamed for. I would hope that if someone searched my name that they would know that those pictures are not me.
After reading the provided article and searching my name through pipl.com, I made sure to follow all the links to the pages where my name was displayed. I wanted to make sure that I knew exactly what was available on the internet about me. I also made sure that my myspace was set to private just in case I misread anything by mistake. I also went ahead and created a new email through gmail that just includes my first and last name. I think that by doing this it will look alot more professional on a resume then my previous email address.
I believe that when an individual decides to make teaching their profession then they are aware that they are an important role model for students. By becoming a role model they should understand that they are always being watched. Whether it is their driving, going out to dinner or drinks in public, or going to a movie, they will most likely run into students, parents or administration. It is extremely important that they are always aware of their actions and anything else that would portray them in an inappropriate way to the public. When it comes to teachers speech, I think that teachers should be given the right of free speech, however, I believe that teachers should be aware of what is coming out of their mouths. It is hard to take one side or the other on this issue, I just feel that as a role model a teacher always needs to be aware of everything.
I thought the story about the teachers partners nude photos was quite interesting. Even though it wasn't the teacher who was nude and the nudity was art. it was perceived as completely inappropriate. When my sisters was going through her master's program, there was a guy who was also in the program who got kicked out for having inappropriate pictures on his myspace. He was part of a weight loss program and had taken before and after pictures in short spandex shorts. Because a student didn't like this guy as a student teacher, the student found these pictures on myspace and turned the teacher into the principal. He will now never teach in Oregon.
To protect myself from all the social networking chaos, Im going to make sure that Im always aware of what information is on the internet about me. With the social networks that I belong to, I will make sure that they are set to private and that the available information and display picture are completely appropriate.
After reading the provided article and searching my name through pipl.com, I made sure to follow all the links to the pages where my name was displayed. I wanted to make sure that I knew exactly what was available on the internet about me. I also made sure that my myspace was set to private just in case I misread anything by mistake. I also went ahead and created a new email through gmail that just includes my first and last name. I think that by doing this it will look alot more professional on a resume then my previous email address.
I believe that when an individual decides to make teaching their profession then they are aware that they are an important role model for students. By becoming a role model they should understand that they are always being watched. Whether it is their driving, going out to dinner or drinks in public, or going to a movie, they will most likely run into students, parents or administration. It is extremely important that they are always aware of their actions and anything else that would portray them in an inappropriate way to the public. When it comes to teachers speech, I think that teachers should be given the right of free speech, however, I believe that teachers should be aware of what is coming out of their mouths. It is hard to take one side or the other on this issue, I just feel that as a role model a teacher always needs to be aware of everything.
I thought the story about the teachers partners nude photos was quite interesting. Even though it wasn't the teacher who was nude and the nudity was art. it was perceived as completely inappropriate. When my sisters was going through her master's program, there was a guy who was also in the program who got kicked out for having inappropriate pictures on his myspace. He was part of a weight loss program and had taken before and after pictures in short spandex shorts. Because a student didn't like this guy as a student teacher, the student found these pictures on myspace and turned the teacher into the principal. He will now never teach in Oregon.
To protect myself from all the social networking chaos, Im going to make sure that Im always aware of what information is on the internet about me. With the social networks that I belong to, I will make sure that they are set to private and that the available information and display picture are completely appropriate.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Prensky Articles
“Over 10,000 hours playing video games, over 200,000 emails and instant messages sent and received; Over 10,000 hours talking on digital cell phones; Over 20,000 hours watching TV (a high percentage fast speed MTV), over 500,000 commercials seen- all before kids leave college” (DNDI2, 1). In his 2001 article, Prensky helps us open our eyes to what the world is becoming right around us. This is our future way of learning and in order to relate to our students, we need to adapt to them and teach this way. “Today’s students-K through college- represent the first generation to grow up with this new technology” (DNDI2, 1).
I consider myself a digital immigrant but becoming a native. I’ve used computers my whole life but it wasn’t until middle school that I really was on my computer constantly. However through the popularity of cell phones and text messaging I have started to become more digital savvy. I have had experience with some social networking sites but I’m realizing that there is more out there for me to learn.
In my school experiences, during school time I was on a computer about 3 hours a week at the most. I was however expected to type out papers at home as well as research. Once I got to college, everything was computer based. I felt like my computer was my lifeline and it still is. Since computers have become a big part of my learning I think it would be hard to learn without them.
Because I have grown up in the era where technology and computers are becoming more useful to students and teachers in the classroom I believe that I can understand both sides of the argument when it comes to certain forms of technologies. For instance, with cell phones, I understand from the instructor’s point that cell phones can definitely be a distraction in the classroom. However, cell phones are truly computers and students can use them to help out in the classroom.
Teachers have the final say in which teaching style they are going to use. In a second article, Mark Prensky (2001) states that he hears a lot of excuses from teachers saying “this approach is great for facts, but it wouldn’t work for my subject” (DNDI, 6). He is providing the research to close the gap between students and teachers.
Prensky, Mark. (2001, October). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. On the Horizon (Vol.9,
No.5, pp. 1-5). MCB University Press.
Prensky, Mark. (2001, December). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants Part 2: Do they really
think Differently? On the Horizon (Vol. 9, No. 6, pp.1-9). MCB University Press.
I consider myself a digital immigrant but becoming a native. I’ve used computers my whole life but it wasn’t until middle school that I really was on my computer constantly. However through the popularity of cell phones and text messaging I have started to become more digital savvy. I have had experience with some social networking sites but I’m realizing that there is more out there for me to learn.
In my school experiences, during school time I was on a computer about 3 hours a week at the most. I was however expected to type out papers at home as well as research. Once I got to college, everything was computer based. I felt like my computer was my lifeline and it still is. Since computers have become a big part of my learning I think it would be hard to learn without them.
Because I have grown up in the era where technology and computers are becoming more useful to students and teachers in the classroom I believe that I can understand both sides of the argument when it comes to certain forms of technologies. For instance, with cell phones, I understand from the instructor’s point that cell phones can definitely be a distraction in the classroom. However, cell phones are truly computers and students can use them to help out in the classroom.
Teachers have the final say in which teaching style they are going to use. In a second article, Mark Prensky (2001) states that he hears a lot of excuses from teachers saying “this approach is great for facts, but it wouldn’t work for my subject” (DNDI, 6). He is providing the research to close the gap between students and teachers.
Prensky, Mark. (2001, October). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. On the Horizon (Vol.9,
No.5, pp. 1-5). MCB University Press.
Prensky, Mark. (2001, December). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants Part 2: Do they really
think Differently? On the Horizon (Vol. 9, No. 6, pp.1-9). MCB University Press.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
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