Poll of the Week

Does skipping a grade help gifted students, or harm them? It's interesting that only yesterday morning we had this same discussion in one of my education classes. One girl in class had been placed a grade ahead and said that except for some teasing early on, she really didn't suffer and wasn't irreperably damaged. I don't think that it should hurt the student and the idea that they can't fit in socially doesn't seem to fly in the face of reality. I think it's worse simply because it isn't done on a more regular basis. If it was, then the social stigma would disappear. Parents with gifted children are generally more aware and eager to help their student adapt to their new environment. Sensitivity among the teachers would also help. As some of the people mentioned anyway, it is not as if everyone is exactly the same age in the same grade; some can be up to eleven months apart. As technology becomes more integrated into curriculums this may become easier to do.

Learning as an antidote to violence

A short article on the effects of one woman's progress in changing student's actions from violent to engaged, through the use of technology. I was initially interested because the woman is located in Colombia, SA and I have relatives there, though not in Medillin where she is. I was interested in reading the interview to find out more only to discover upon clicking the link that it is in Spanish. Relatives that speak Spanish does not mean that I do. It does seem, however, from the article, that by incorporating technology into the learning process the students were more engaged and active in their education. That has to lead to less activity elsewhere. It probably also raised the moral and self worth of the students making them less prone to acting out their frustrations because they could think them out. This educator has gone on to form a coalition of 16 nations which are building a common library of Latin American curriculum, and lowering costs by sharing technological development. My thought: sharing is good.

Can technologies replace teachers?

This was a recent poll question on the Edutopia home page that I just couldn't help going to because I wanted to see the reactions. Most were similar to what I would have answered, that we'll always need real people, someone has to teach you how to turn on and run the technology, etc. I know that technology is becoming more and more sophisticated, but until it reaches the point of those robots in AI, I seriously doubt that humans can be replaced. Even then, we hope there needs to be someone there to make the robots. I say hope, because I've read R.U.R., one of the very first robot stories ever published. They actually coined the word robot. Anyway, I believe that as long as there are people like me, we will always need teachers like Prof. Zoom. Your job is safe!

Friend or Foe? Tech Staff and Teachers don't Always Get Along

My first impression upon reading the title was a slightly sarcastic, Really? I guess that goes to show that I've had some problems in the past and have been privy to the griping of teachers about tech support also. I've read the initial post and then the follow up ones. It appears that either you're in a school that is supportive or you're in a school where the decisions are being made out of fear, lack of time, lack of concern, or lack of knowledge. I can't say that I personally would want the job of a tech support person, (and no one would offer it, since I know next to nothing anyway), but it doesn't keep me from having my opinions.
My first opinion is that there needs to be more communication. Teachers need to communicate to the board or administation or whoever makes the rules and also to the tech support. Everyone needs to know why these things that are being blocked would be helpful in the classroom.
One post said that their tech support people are former teachers. That isn't such a bad idea. The old walk a mile in my shoes always helps. At least they would feel a little less like they were speaking two different languages and the teachers, though not getting all they want, may be more inclined to be a little less harsh on someone who knows what they are up against.
I doubt there is a one size fits all answer. There are too many issues being dealt with at too many different levels. Trying to protect children from internet sites that may not be appropriate (thanks COPA), while at the same time allowing access to those items that are educational is a tricky situation.

why?

Why am I not showing any new blogs from class? Can't find links or any posts. Something wrong?

Using Technology to Support LEP Student's Learning

This is a rather lengthy critical article pertaining to the positive effects that using technology in the classroom can provide for the LEP (Limited-English-Proficient) student. It reiterates what many other articles have said about the use of technology in the classroom, namely that technology in and of itself is not the primary goal, that students have greater access to more information, cognitive skills are enhanced, students can work at their own pace and within their own realms of interest. " Through technology, LEP students can learn in a rich linguistic environment and find opportunities to interact with the multicultural world, extend their language skills, and not be embarrassed for not knowing answers"(Padrón & Waxman, 1996, p. 344; Lee, 2000). In other words, it greatly helps build on their confidence.
The article lists TESOL standards, explains what is expected of LEP students, and lists differing reasons and support from different accounts on the benefits of technology to these students.
My interest in this stems from my interest in LEP students and my hope to work with them in the future.

Palm Pilots Help Kids Cope

This article about using hand held devices to help autistic children seems like a plus to me. I've known some autistics and this sort of help does appear as if it could lower their barriers making not only education but socialization more within their grasp. It could also help other low functioning kids through the use of homework reminders and alarms. Having information about how to behave in different social settings could be beneficial to more than just autistics.

Teach in Real Life: Students See Devices as Tools, not Toys

A six minute video showed students in a highschool in Utah using technology in their science class to test water contamination in their area, and in history to take a virtual tour of a WWI trench. The science teacher said that by using the technology, student's learning was enhanced 20% over not using the technology. (She taught the class both ways to guage this). The virtual tour enabled students to see something that they couldn't see by going on a field trip, yet it placed them there with enough of the information that they could realize the situation, place themselves there mentally, and create a more realistic idea of what a trench is than by simply viewing photos of one. The science lab tech devices were obtained by the teacher through a grant. Both were good ways to involve students in the classroom. Jeanna

Timelines 2.0: A Fun, Easy, and Free Classroom Tool

What do Mark Twain, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Shakespeare, Truman Capote, Virginia Woolfe, and Paris Hilton all have in common? They are all listed under writers in the timeline website I checked out (and had to register for, though it is free), called xtimeline, which this article in Edutopia, speaks of. I briefly went through a few, and the timelines are interesting and have links to other sources where you can gather more information. The part about creating your own timeline, imbedding pictures (when we learn how), and things of that nature, seemed especially fun. Interesting would be to have grandparents do one for their grandchildren. The children could see what happened in the world when their grandparents were their age and be astonished. (what did you do if you couldn't watch t.v., granps?) Not a bad site. I am sure there are many more things that could be done with this. Jeanna

when does the frustration end?

Due to illness I have missed classes. Though I have read the posts, I am not all that clear on what I am supposed to be doing (hopefully I can catch up), but I can discuss what I've done so far.

First and foremost, I have not been able to access ITUNES no matter whose computer I use and this has been very frustrating for me. I have spent hours at it. It rather accounts for my not posting because my frustration level is too high.

I went to Flickr but all I have accomplished in doing is setting up yet another account.

I watched the video posted. What a guy, and I mean that with the deepest sincerity. He certainly gave me something to think about. Mostly, have I accomplished my childhood dreams? In case anyone is wondering, to my best recollection they were: to live in an old Victorian house and remodel it (did that), to have a normal family (no discussion, just go with me on this - did it), be an airline attendant (we used to call them stewardeses) - not done it but have been offered the position by the gal in charge of all of the attendants for Republic Airlines. All I need to do is take her up on it. Own a restaurant. (Nope, but I became a very good cook and cooked for my kids' swim teams, friends, etc and it was like having a restaurant). Be an actress (I shot a commercial for Junior Achievement. It was so long and boring to do that I never really wanted to do it again). I've actually acquired more dreams as an adult, some of which I have actualized.

I am hoping that my frustration level begins to level out. I am looking forward to the camera session as that is something that I am very interested in. I am also physched about going to the school for a visit as I would like to see a school that sounds so solid and up to date.

I am still unclear as to whether we have class tonight or not (my fault, I know), so I'll just show up and if no one is here I will try to delve further into the assignment though I am not sure what I am looking for.

Until then....... Jeanna

Feb 12, 2008 article readings

The first article was a little winded, to say the least. I was more interested with the author's incredible ability to coin new words, infotective, edutainment, than the points the author was trying to make, which were relevant, but written in such a fashion that it really didn't peak my interest. The second article, however, was more to the point; that being, how do we tell when a site is reliable? I actually learned something. No one ever informed me that when you see ~ in an address (which I refer to as That squiggle mark), that it's a personal web page. I wish I had known for the day I got into a conversation with a neighbor (elderly, and thinks that anything on the net that has what appears to be a good address connected to it, rather like Zack in the story, must be true. The article was blatently one sided yet I couldn't convince her that it wasn't just someone's opinion because the title and so called affiliated adresses looked really impressive and authentic.) Now I know. So, at least I learned something. Works for me.

magazine article of the week

Which Technologies will Shape Education in 2008? From The Journal

This is a short article that has little to say other than it looks as if grass roots video may be incorporated more in the classroom and also collaborative Web technologies. I really didn't get much from it, or I didn't follow what he was saying. Wonder which it is.

sessions

My first choice would be FCA3130: Indiana Standards Resources on Friday from 10:45-11:30 am. Anything that can help me with lesson plans would be beneficial.

Second choice: FCa3201: SPOTLIGHT Web 2.0m /Social Media, and Other Buzzwords. Because I know so little about this but feel like it would be a huge interest to my students.

Third choice: FCP3309: Curing Your Student Email Headaches. Because there is mention of liability issues.

Intelligent Design

I loved the idea of having kids do real projects, present to real people, and get real feedback, plus mentorship. It reminded me in some ways of Junior Achievement on a larger and more organized scale.

What I didn't see in the article was how they went about getting these juniors and seniors together. Were they dismissed from regular classroom activity? Was this in conjunction with school? Seperate? How did they choose the students?

Getting kids involved in real life, real civic projects is definitely a win-win situation. It was interesting to note that the first time in the kids were very self confident and then had to learn to take criticism and disappointment and turn it around into something positive. So often in a class room setting when the project is turned in then it's over. There isn't much room for improvement or reflection. We learn more from our mistakes. Being able to go back to the drawing board enabled the kids to take their anger and turn it into something productive. That works for everyone.

Schools in general should think more about this sort of work plan. Like they said, the navy doesn't teach trigonometry it teaches navigation. You have to learn the trig to navigate.

I'm a senior here at Marian College. I'm an English Major, ESL minor, and Secondary Education.

I graduate in May and leave for London and Paris for two weeks. It's become my mantra.




My technology experience consists of being married for 25 years to a systems analyst and having to hear about everything on the planet about computers, but I have no personal knowledge of how they work. I didn't even use one much until I returned to college 2 years ago other than ebay. I am not fond of technology, though I have a cell phone which I covet for the awesome ability it provided me in raising and keeping track of 5 children. However, after I lost a 10 page English report somewhere on my computer last semester, I was sorely tempted to find a functioning typewriter somewhere on the planet and return it to use. I prefer to read real books that I can hold in my hand and will do anything not to read things on a computer, though I must admit that googling for things is sometimes very convenient, but being somewhat ADHD, I tend to be easily sidetracked. I don't like to read anything more than a page long on a computer. I have a Face-Book account but there isn't much on it. I only joined so my kids would add me, and I could see what they were up to now that they no longer live at home, plus, they thought it was funny because I was in college and so were they. I don't even visit it often. The thing I hate most about technology is all those passwords that I can never keep track of. I would like to learn how to transfer pictures from my camera onto the computer.