1.) Writing down ideas makes them easier to evaluate and challenge, and thus to be modified and refined over time. - pg. 51
This quote represents the challenges technology poses to a student when posting online, for instance on a blog. However this challenge is a good thing. They will have to more carefully consider their position and also the outcomes of someone reading it.
2.) There were many innovations that were introduced over the first 100 years of universal schooling. - pg. 65
We are on the dawn of a new day in education. So I think there are many innovations that will be introduced in the near future. And while I may be resistant to them now, it will only be a matter of time before I forget that they even were "new." This is something I need to keep reminding myself of.
3.) Something about education will have to change. - pg. 65
Will it? Do we as teachers? Will the students? Or will we all change together. There are many questions I have about this idea, but I guess I will have to wait and see what happens in the next few years.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Chapter 3 Quotes
1.) Not only do the existing pieces depend on one another, but new pieces fit only into gaps and contours shaped by previous practices. - pg. 34
Wow. I love this quote. So much in this little sentence. Again though, this speaks volumes about your past, present, and future choices as a teacher. If you don't consider how your choices will affect you or your students, you will be susceptible to failure.
2.) There remains a considerable gap in home access to computers. - pg. 38
Something important to consider as a teacher. Requiring students to type a paper, or do research online, may mean many more complications to some students vs. others. This is also key to bring up because there remains a myth in this country that everyone has a computer, and this is just not the truth.
3.) In fact many see technology as a distraction. - pg. 48
I see technology as a bit of a distraction in the classroom at times. It can be really helpful, but it can also be harmful and take away from the students' learning, and I truly believe that. Perhaps we are heading in a direction where technology will be easily integrating and it won't be a distraction, but right now, I think it is and can be at times.
Wow. I love this quote. So much in this little sentence. Again though, this speaks volumes about your past, present, and future choices as a teacher. If you don't consider how your choices will affect you or your students, you will be susceptible to failure.
2.) There remains a considerable gap in home access to computers. - pg. 38
Something important to consider as a teacher. Requiring students to type a paper, or do research online, may mean many more complications to some students vs. others. This is also key to bring up because there remains a myth in this country that everyone has a computer, and this is just not the truth.
3.) In fact many see technology as a distraction. - pg. 48
I see technology as a bit of a distraction in the classroom at times. It can be really helpful, but it can also be harmful and take away from the students' learning, and I truly believe that. Perhaps we are heading in a direction where technology will be easily integrating and it won't be a distraction, but right now, I think it is and can be at times.
Chapter 2 Quotes
1.) The time Katie spends communicating with people around the world may take away from her participation in her local community. - pg. 12
This is a frightening reality that we as teachers need to be aware of. Technology can be great, but are kids becoming lost in their own reality? Is this alternate reality online going to hinder their growth in your classroom? Responsible online behavior is going to be key to teach.
2.) Enthusiasts believe that customization offers great possibilities to enhance people's learning. - pg. 17
I like this quote because it's applicable to so much more than just technology in our classroom. The reason kids can latch onto things is because they fit their "style" or need. So it's key that we make our lessons pertinent to the kids in our class. It will be more work, but it will be worth it.
3.) Interaction also allows learners to see the consequences of their actions. - pg. 19
A HUGE life lesson you can teach your students while using technology. This quote is great because again, it has outreaching impact beyond technology in your classroom. Often times empathy is one of the hardest things to teach a kid, and if you use technology to teach it, perhaps the kids will understand better.
This is a frightening reality that we as teachers need to be aware of. Technology can be great, but are kids becoming lost in their own reality? Is this alternate reality online going to hinder their growth in your classroom? Responsible online behavior is going to be key to teach.
2.) Enthusiasts believe that customization offers great possibilities to enhance people's learning. - pg. 17
I like this quote because it's applicable to so much more than just technology in our classroom. The reason kids can latch onto things is because they fit their "style" or need. So it's key that we make our lessons pertinent to the kids in our class. It will be more work, but it will be worth it.
3.) Interaction also allows learners to see the consequences of their actions. - pg. 19
A HUGE life lesson you can teach your students while using technology. This quote is great because again, it has outreaching impact beyond technology in your classroom. Often times empathy is one of the hardest things to teach a kid, and if you use technology to teach it, perhaps the kids will understand better.
Preface and Chapter 1 Quotes
1.) The job of farmer has changed from plowing and harvesting to purchasing and operating machinery, carrying out financial analyses, and marketing different products. - pg. 5
This quote is a great metaphor for the changes in many areas of our lives. Specifically we can apply it to the education field. We as teachers are not simply teaching, but we are problem solvers, conflict resolvers, life coaches, and so much more. Our job has evolved, and so must we.
2.) More and more parents are sending their children off to learning centers run by private companies to help their grades in school or to prepare for college entrance tests. - pg. 5
This is a startling quote, which is why I picked it. It's a scary trend that could affect us as teachers and it's something that we don't necessarily have a lot of control over, but we can do our best to be the best teachers we can, to try and coax parents away from that decision.
3.) Paradoxically, technologies that seem to create more opportunities for equity in learning may well serve to reinforce the widening economic gap. - pg. 7
Technology is expensive. And we as teachers must remember that. Not all kids are going to be able to afford technology so it's really a bad way to create a level playing field.
This quote is a great metaphor for the changes in many areas of our lives. Specifically we can apply it to the education field. We as teachers are not simply teaching, but we are problem solvers, conflict resolvers, life coaches, and so much more. Our job has evolved, and so must we.
2.) More and more parents are sending their children off to learning centers run by private companies to help their grades in school or to prepare for college entrance tests. - pg. 5
This is a startling quote, which is why I picked it. It's a scary trend that could affect us as teachers and it's something that we don't necessarily have a lot of control over, but we can do our best to be the best teachers we can, to try and coax parents away from that decision.
3.) Paradoxically, technologies that seem to create more opportunities for equity in learning may well serve to reinforce the widening economic gap. - pg. 7
Technology is expensive. And we as teachers must remember that. Not all kids are going to be able to afford technology so it's really a bad way to create a level playing field.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Wall Wisher and NETS Survey
Wallwisher is an interesting concept. One that might be helpful in a class with mature students, but I would be weary about using it with middle schoolers. It worries me because you can post things and delete them and this could lead to kids getting off topic. It would take me as a teacher to be constantly monitoring it and I'm not sure this is something I could commit to.
It is a cool tool that kids could use to collaborate and brainstorm with but I'm not sure what exactly it could do in a more structured setting. Overall, it's cool, but might be a one note hit.
As far as the NETS Survey, I'm not really sure what I was supposed to get out of it. I guess it showed me misconceptions as far as the NETS Standards, but I was a little confused and lost as to what we are supposed to do with this data. Maybe what threw me off was the topic, perhaps something curriculum relevant would make more sense to me and my students.
It is a cool tool that kids could use to collaborate and brainstorm with but I'm not sure what exactly it could do in a more structured setting. Overall, it's cool, but might be a one note hit.
As far as the NETS Survey, I'm not really sure what I was supposed to get out of it. I guess it showed me misconceptions as far as the NETS Standards, but I was a little confused and lost as to what we are supposed to do with this data. Maybe what threw me off was the topic, perhaps something curriculum relevant would make more sense to me and my students.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Self Grading Tests
Self grading tests seemed to be helpful, but I would never use it solely as a testing mechanism for student's understanding. Perhaps it would be helpful for a unit pre-test or online quiz, but I plan on still using paper tests for my unit tests. I think it's harder for student's to concentrate on a computer and am not convinced this would allow them to get the best score possible. That being said, it's awesome that it would be self grading. That cuts out a lot of work for me and would help lighten the load. But I don't think I can justify it solely on that.
In my future class I would use it for unit pre-tests. I think it's important to gauge where your students are at before you start a unit so you aren't wasting their time or yours. I would also consider using it for online quizzes or maybe have the students create their own study guide quizzes. And then take some of their questions to help create the tests. I would definitely use the self grading test as a supplement to other aspects of my class, but would never use them on their own. They just don't test the student enough to validate that.
In my future class I would use it for unit pre-tests. I think it's important to gauge where your students are at before you start a unit so you aren't wasting their time or yours. I would also consider using it for online quizzes or maybe have the students create their own study guide quizzes. And then take some of their questions to help create the tests. I would definitely use the self grading test as a supplement to other aspects of my class, but would never use them on their own. They just don't test the student enough to validate that.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Rethinking Education in the Age of Technology
These first two chapters deal with the idea of an evolving classroom. The pros and cons of it and also the way it's changing people are at the forefront. All the ideal views from the beginning of chapter 1 offer a peek into the way technology has or will change the classroom. Chapter 1 really was a lot of things I've already heard, and while informative, was a bit repetitive. It really focused on the change we are going through and the new direction things are taking.
The second chapter was more intriguing because it focused on HOW and WHY technology in the classroom was a good idea. One of the most interesting ideas was the learned information vs. the right now information. So much of the info kids get is instant and in response to something they are curious about. It's not necessarily something they will remember but it's something they need to know NOW, so they seek it out to help them short term. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, just different and it's something we need to adapt too.
Overall this seems like an interesting book, but I hope it keeps offering new ideas and expands upon some of the themes we've been exploring, otherwise it will be incredibly intuitive at this point.
The second chapter was more intriguing because it focused on HOW and WHY technology in the classroom was a good idea. One of the most interesting ideas was the learned information vs. the right now information. So much of the info kids get is instant and in response to something they are curious about. It's not necessarily something they will remember but it's something they need to know NOW, so they seek it out to help them short term. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, just different and it's something we need to adapt too.
Overall this seems like an interesting book, but I hope it keeps offering new ideas and expands upon some of the themes we've been exploring, otherwise it will be incredibly intuitive at this point.
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