Monday, November 30, 2009
Pros and Cons of Technology
I have been reluctant to embrace cell phones as a learning tool. I see so many teenage kids glued to them that they are not responsive to other forms of communication. After reading the some of the articles I have to reconsider some of my positions. If students are attached to their technology we should consider using it as teachers to our advantage in the classroom. Recently read in an article about a foreign language teacher who uses text messaging in her classroom to teach the students. During the second half of class she sends out texts in the foreign language. These texts contain the assignments, messages to answer to other students in the class, and quizzes. These are all sent in the foreign language. What a great tool. Recently I had the high school attendance office tell me to “text my student” to let him know he was being excused for an appointment. I thought the policy was no cells on during class. However it was very effective as well as convenient
Monday, October 12, 2009
I love facebook I think it is a great way to network. I have concerns about teachers using this as an extension of the classroom. I think that students should not be encouraged to spend more time on computers at home. Children are already always wired to computers, video games and TV. Don't misunderstand me that I think all this technology is great and can help in many ways in the classroom. But I feel that we should encourage students to use time out of the classroom to play outside and away from TV and monitor screens.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Random Thoughts
I read several of these articles and just had some random thoughts about some of the statements.
One of the articles mentions the different features that are available on cell phones such as a calculator, camera, audio recorder, video recorder, calculator, and texting that are now being used for different projects in schools. These projects include class blogs, creating reports, answering quizzes/exams, and solving math problems. While I think these are great tools to utilize, I'm not sure I'm ready to have cell phones in my class because I think the students might abuse their use of them. If the students have their cell phone they're gonna text! This is something that as a new teacher I would have to give a great deal of thought.
I thought the use of cell phones for the scavenger hunt at a museam was a great idea!
Lastly, I thought it was funny that one of the articles said "laptops are very 90's". What does that say about me-I have only had mine for two years!!!
One of the articles mentions the different features that are available on cell phones such as a calculator, camera, audio recorder, video recorder, calculator, and texting that are now being used for different projects in schools. These projects include class blogs, creating reports, answering quizzes/exams, and solving math problems. While I think these are great tools to utilize, I'm not sure I'm ready to have cell phones in my class because I think the students might abuse their use of them. If the students have their cell phone they're gonna text! This is something that as a new teacher I would have to give a great deal of thought.
I thought the use of cell phones for the scavenger hunt at a museam was a great idea!
Lastly, I thought it was funny that one of the articles said "laptops are very 90's". What does that say about me-I have only had mine for two years!!!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Technology vs. Cellphones
I read the article cellphones as teacher and was not sure how I felt about it. It seems completely for having kids bring their phones to school, and I am opposed to that. As I watch children and teenagers with their cellphones, I see them as a complete disruption to all other forms of life. When someone is involved in a active texting session, you cannot peel their eyes, or brains from their cellphone screen. I think cellphones are of use when they have the internet and are accessible to their school work, but lets face it, how many students actually use their phones for that purpose. Two weeks ago I was in Logan at a conference, I saw my aunt using her phone to check her facebook page, I was terribly behind on my homework, but the last thought to enter my mind when taking her cellphone was "lets check my blackboard page" instead I quickly dived into a facebook session. So do I think cellphones are appropriate in school, no, but do I feel I am against to technology, absolutely not. I know there are now little laptops being made that would be of great use to students, there are other options out there, but bringing cellphones into school will in my opinion create a problem. I think they are useful for things such as scavenger hunts to take pictures, that would be fun and a great learning experience, but I do not feel having cell phones as an active part of a class is a good idea.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Mixed Views
I personally have mixed views on cell phone usage at schools. I don't think that cell phones should be used at all at the elementary school level. Students at this age should have all the resources that they need provided to them by the school and I don't think that they are responsible enough to be carrying around cell phones. At the Junior High and High School level, I think there could be some times that cell phones could be used as learning devices like some of the articles explained. I liked the idea of using cell phones as calculators, cameras on field trips, scavenger hunts, buzzers and for receiving assignments from teachers.
I have a daughter that is a junior at Grantsville High School and after reading the article about cell phone usage at GHS I have to say that I thought it was a little harsh. I agree with the students not using them for personal purposes during classtime but I think they should be able to use them during their free time at lunch. I know I have sent my daughter text messages while she is at school and I think she should be allowed to text me back during her lunch time. Also, I thought the $20 penalty fee was a lot to charge the student to get their cell phone back. We are definitely in world of electronic devices and the students are very smart in learning to use them. I still don't know how to use all the functions on my cell phone, but my kids sure do!!
This post is from Darlene Gilbert.
I have a daughter that is a junior at Grantsville High School and after reading the article about cell phone usage at GHS I have to say that I thought it was a little harsh. I agree with the students not using them for personal purposes during classtime but I think they should be able to use them during their free time at lunch. I know I have sent my daughter text messages while she is at school and I think she should be allowed to text me back during her lunch time. Also, I thought the $20 penalty fee was a lot to charge the student to get their cell phone back. We are definitely in world of electronic devices and the students are very smart in learning to use them. I still don't know how to use all the functions on my cell phone, but my kids sure do!!
This post is from Darlene Gilbert.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
A Graceful Moment...
A few weeks ago my son Erik, a senior at Stansbury High, planned to come home for lunch. He asked me that morning to start cooking pasta for his lunch (to save him time during his lunch break). As I cooked the pasta I kept wondering where Erik was. I decided to text him. I asked, "Where are you?" As I was selecting who to send the message to somehow, and I still don't know how, I accidentally sent the message to EVERYONE in my address book! I was embarrassed. Almost immediatly I began getting texts from everyone--friends checking in with me and letting me know where they were at that moment. Oh, everyone except who the message was intended for...Erik!
The reason I share this graceful moment from my life is because some of the numbers in my phone are my children's friends. Although they were in school at the time and are not suppossed to use their cell phones during class, they all dutifully reported which class they were in. Cell phones are a reality in children's lives. I understand how they can be used to cheat but they also can be used in many productive, enriching ways.
As I read the articles provided, I jotted down some of the more interesting ways that a cell phone can be used in class. I really like the idea to use a text message alert to remind students of assingments due and/or upcoming tests. I like the idea of using the cell phone as a clicker--using the phone as a way to have the students answer questions and then displaying the various answers on the board. I like the idea of sending your students on a scavenger hunt at a museum--using the camera to prove to the teacher the student located all of the required objects.
Children enjoy using their technology. If it gets them excited about learning then I'm all for it.
Karen
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
All the Technology
I was born into the technology world, but I am not very technology smart. I did not get a cell phone until I was 18 which was not to long ago. It actually bugged me when my friends where always texting, I would be having a conversation with them and in the middle of the conversation they would read a text and text back. My friends were always having converstations with more than one person, through technologies help. I have to say that all these articles gave me some reason's to accept cell phones in school, but as I kept reading I still feel that cellphones hinder our students education. Cell phones can be tools to distract, cheat, and distatch them from the real world. You can give students and children rules with their cell phones but they often do not obey. My younger siblings have a huge problem with their cellphones, they never put it down, even at family dinners, and I hate it. My mom's work load has become enourmous since me and my other two older siblings left the house because we actually helped with house work, we were not hook to our phones and technology constantly. They can not stay on track when working and doing chores. My family has a restaurant and our employ's are constantly distracted by their phones. It is awful, it looks so bad when and employ has a cell phone in their hand while talking to a customer. There should be a law of no cellphones at work and at school!!!! I think that cellphones are a constant bother to people at work and school, but also at home.
I think that technology is wonderful, I am so grateful for it. Our jobs as teachers, have become a lot eaiser because of computers, and smartboard's, and everything you can think of. You can teach lesson's so much more creative, and be able to really connect to our Native technology students. I think the more technology we have to help us, the better! Yet, cellphones do create problems for teens at school and at home. It is amazing how connected we can be to the world through technology. Honestly what would we all do with out it?? Probably DIE!! Okay, we might not die but I do not know what I would do with out it.
Do you find cellphones a problem for students, our children, and family? Have you noticed any other technology devices that you have found to be a problem in the school and home settings?
I think that technology is wonderful, I am so grateful for it. Our jobs as teachers, have become a lot eaiser because of computers, and smartboard's, and everything you can think of. You can teach lesson's so much more creative, and be able to really connect to our Native technology students. I think the more technology we have to help us, the better! Yet, cellphones do create problems for teens at school and at home. It is amazing how connected we can be to the world through technology. Honestly what would we all do with out it?? Probably DIE!! Okay, we might not die but I do not know what I would do with out it.
Do you find cellphones a problem for students, our children, and family? Have you noticed any other technology devices that you have found to be a problem in the school and home settings?
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Playing the bad guy
Ok guys, I am going to play the bad guy here. I preface my bad guy remarks with this, I do think that technology is awesome. I may be the clueless wonder when it comes to it but, I do love it.
Now I am thinking I would like to teach third grade. Knowing some of the parents in the school I work at, they can not afford to feed their children much less provide them the internet or even an old computer. I think that much of this technology is meant more for the older students. As younger students, I think that the face to face interaction does more to teach them then the technology. For those of us that are looking into upper grades, this may be more applicable. In the articles it mentions how the teachers Twitter or Facebook the assignments. As a parent of a seventh grader, I would love this! As an elementary teacher, I think the students need to be exposed but, I don't feel that they should be the centerpoint of our classroom teaching.
Now I am thinking I would like to teach third grade. Knowing some of the parents in the school I work at, they can not afford to feed their children much less provide them the internet or even an old computer. I think that much of this technology is meant more for the older students. As younger students, I think that the face to face interaction does more to teach them then the technology. For those of us that are looking into upper grades, this may be more applicable. In the articles it mentions how the teachers Twitter or Facebook the assignments. As a parent of a seventh grader, I would love this! As an elementary teacher, I think the students need to be exposed but, I don't feel that they should be the centerpoint of our classroom teaching.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Technology: a Blessing or Curse...
As a parent and a future educator I can see both the positive and the negatives of technology in school. I love technology. My house is inundated with electronic everything. Computers, laptops, video game systems, smart phones, even our microwave is technology at its best. I love technology.
That being said, I do believe that students need to develop fundamental skills prior to utilizing the benefits of technology. Yes, I love my spell check, but I can actually spell with at it. Going through school, I was taught to do manual calculations. It wasn’t until my senior year in Calculus did I get to fully use a calculator. My teacher said, “if you didn’t know how to add, you wouldn’t be in this class”. I think that technology has its place in the schools depending on the level of the student.
When I get my class, I want technology to be part of it. I love the idea of a “smartboard”. They can be used so many ways. I believe that a laptop/computer lab is a must. If the school cannot afford a laptop lab for every class, then a mobile laptop lab is a great solution. Having students learn to use technology keeps them interested in school. Using the computers is also a great reward for students completing work or getting good grades.
Even though I love technology, I do not believe that cell phones should be used in classrooms. They are a distraction. My children can barely put them down to do chores. We have a strict NO CELL PHONE AT DINNER policy, and have had to enforce that policy a few times. They carry their cell phones to school (no internet access), but they must be turned off during school hours. My husband and I are really strict and have pulled cell phone records to verify compliance to this rule.
My last thought is of teaching responsibility. Cell phones, and other technologies, are a great way to teach responsibility. My children know the rules and face the consequences when these rules are broken. As always, consistency and follow through are important.
So, is technology a blessing or a curse?
That being said, I do believe that students need to develop fundamental skills prior to utilizing the benefits of technology. Yes, I love my spell check, but I can actually spell with at it. Going through school, I was taught to do manual calculations. It wasn’t until my senior year in Calculus did I get to fully use a calculator. My teacher said, “if you didn’t know how to add, you wouldn’t be in this class”. I think that technology has its place in the schools depending on the level of the student.
When I get my class, I want technology to be part of it. I love the idea of a “smartboard”. They can be used so many ways. I believe that a laptop/computer lab is a must. If the school cannot afford a laptop lab for every class, then a mobile laptop lab is a great solution. Having students learn to use technology keeps them interested in school. Using the computers is also a great reward for students completing work or getting good grades.
Even though I love technology, I do not believe that cell phones should be used in classrooms. They are a distraction. My children can barely put them down to do chores. We have a strict NO CELL PHONE AT DINNER policy, and have had to enforce that policy a few times. They carry their cell phones to school (no internet access), but they must be turned off during school hours. My husband and I are really strict and have pulled cell phone records to verify compliance to this rule.
My last thought is of teaching responsibility. Cell phones, and other technologies, are a great way to teach responsibility. My children know the rules and face the consequences when these rules are broken. As always, consistency and follow through are important.
So, is technology a blessing or a curse?
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Cell Phones in Schools
By age I barely make it as a digital immigrant, but after reading several articles about cell phones as learning tools in schools, I think I might be more a digital immigrant than I thought. I love how technology has improved my lifestyle, but I am leaning more to the phrase "moderation in all things." When I was a substitute teacher in a high school in Cedar City I was amazed at how prevalent cell phones were in school. It seemed like everyone had one and was racing to get into the halls after class so they could call or text their friends. In my opinion modern technology is emphasizing the "me" generations poor communication and social skills. Technology is taking the place of wholesome social connections, manners, as well as learning.
Children now are not learning to deal with social issues. When they are having an argument with a friend they don't have to deal with the problem anymore, instead they just have to hang up or delete a text without reading it. Children aren't learning proper social etiquatte. I can't tell you when the last time I went to a movie without an LCD sceen shining in my eyes or gone to the grocery store without thinking someone was talking to me instead of the bluetooth in their ear.
After talking about classroom management in my teaching classes, I see how cell phone distractions take away from student learning time. Classroom management is quite the chore already and adding cell phones to the picture.... well let me just say that I don't think it makes it easier. Many people recognize cell phones as a wonderful tool that would add in teacher/student connections and teaching students through something that relates to them, but in this particular case, I think the negative outways the positive.
Most schools are already equipt with calculators, cameras, computers, internet. I don't know why cell phones need to take the place of all of these. Schools are fighting to regulate internet use in schools already, bringing cell phones into the picture where every student can easily access the internet seems like a catastophy waiting to happen. We don't allow these same students to drive until they are 16 (and even then I think most people agree that they don't want to be on the road near a 16 year old driver). My opinion is that most students are not responsible enough to use cell phones responsibly in schools.
Lastly, with the way public school systems are set up, if cell phones become a part of school curriculum, there may come a day that school districts will have to supply cell phones for students that cannot afford them. I feel that this extravigance is totally unreasonable. To understand more about my reasoning, let me share an e-mail I got the other day.
Financial planning 101 for our elected officials
You have 2 families... "Joe Legal" and "Jose Illegal". Both families have 2 parents, 2 children and live in California .
"Joe Legal" works in construction, has a Social Security Number, and makes $25.00 per hour with payroll taxes deducted.
"Jose Illegal" also works in construction, has NO Social Security Number, and gets paid $15.00 cash "under the table".
Joe Legal.. $25.00 per hour x 40 hours = $1000.00 per week = $52,000 per year. Now take 30% away for state and federal tax. Joe Legal now has $31,231.00.
Jose Illegal... $15.00 per hour x 40 hours = $600.00 per week = $31,200.00 per year. Jose Illegal pays no taxes. Jose Illegal now has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal pays for Medical and Dental Insurance with limited coverage .. $1000.00 per month = $12,000.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $19,231.00.
Jose Illegal has full Medical and Dental coverage through the state and local clinics at a cost of $0.00 per year. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal makes too much money to be eligible for Food Stamps or Welfare so Joe Legal pays for food... $1,000.00 per month = $12,000.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $7,231.00.
Jose Illegal has no documented income and is eligible for Food Stamps and Welfare. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal pays rent of $1,000.00 per month = $12,000.00 per year. Joe Legal is now in the hole -$4,769.00.
Jose Illegal receives a $500 per month Federal rent subsidy, which entirely pays his rent of $500.00 per month = $6,000.00 per year. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal now works overtime on Saturdays and gets a part time job after work to make ends meet.
Jose Illegal has nights and weekends off to enjoy with his family..
Joe Legal's and Jose Illegal's children both attend the same school.
Joe Legal pays for his children's lunches while Jose Illegal's children get free government sponsored lunches.
Joe Legal's children go home after school. Jose Illegal's children have an after school ESL program which, again, is provided free of charge.
Joe Legal and Jose Illegal both enjoy the same Police and Fire Services, but Joe Legal paid for them and Jose Illegal did not pay.
Children now are not learning to deal with social issues. When they are having an argument with a friend they don't have to deal with the problem anymore, instead they just have to hang up or delete a text without reading it. Children aren't learning proper social etiquatte. I can't tell you when the last time I went to a movie without an LCD sceen shining in my eyes or gone to the grocery store without thinking someone was talking to me instead of the bluetooth in their ear.
After talking about classroom management in my teaching classes, I see how cell phone distractions take away from student learning time. Classroom management is quite the chore already and adding cell phones to the picture.... well let me just say that I don't think it makes it easier. Many people recognize cell phones as a wonderful tool that would add in teacher/student connections and teaching students through something that relates to them, but in this particular case, I think the negative outways the positive.
Most schools are already equipt with calculators, cameras, computers, internet. I don't know why cell phones need to take the place of all of these. Schools are fighting to regulate internet use in schools already, bringing cell phones into the picture where every student can easily access the internet seems like a catastophy waiting to happen. We don't allow these same students to drive until they are 16 (and even then I think most people agree that they don't want to be on the road near a 16 year old driver). My opinion is that most students are not responsible enough to use cell phones responsibly in schools.
Lastly, with the way public school systems are set up, if cell phones become a part of school curriculum, there may come a day that school districts will have to supply cell phones for students that cannot afford them. I feel that this extravigance is totally unreasonable. To understand more about my reasoning, let me share an e-mail I got the other day.
Financial planning 101 for our elected officials
You have 2 families... "Joe Legal" and "Jose Illegal". Both families have 2 parents, 2 children and live in California .
"Joe Legal" works in construction, has a Social Security Number, and makes $25.00 per hour with payroll taxes deducted.
"Jose Illegal" also works in construction, has NO Social Security Number, and gets paid $15.00 cash "under the table".
Joe Legal.. $25.00 per hour x 40 hours = $1000.00 per week = $52,000 per year. Now take 30% away for state and federal tax. Joe Legal now has $31,231.00.
Jose Illegal... $15.00 per hour x 40 hours = $600.00 per week = $31,200.00 per year. Jose Illegal pays no taxes. Jose Illegal now has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal pays for Medical and Dental Insurance with limited coverage .. $1000.00 per month = $12,000.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $19,231.00.
Jose Illegal has full Medical and Dental coverage through the state and local clinics at a cost of $0.00 per year. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal makes too much money to be eligible for Food Stamps or Welfare so Joe Legal pays for food... $1,000.00 per month = $12,000.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $7,231.00.
Jose Illegal has no documented income and is eligible for Food Stamps and Welfare. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal pays rent of $1,000.00 per month = $12,000.00 per year. Joe Legal is now in the hole -$4,769.00.
Jose Illegal receives a $500 per month Federal rent subsidy, which entirely pays his rent of $500.00 per month = $6,000.00 per year. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal now works overtime on Saturdays and gets a part time job after work to make ends meet.
Jose Illegal has nights and weekends off to enjoy with his family..
Joe Legal's and Jose Illegal's children both attend the same school.
Joe Legal pays for his children's lunches while Jose Illegal's children get free government sponsored lunches.
Joe Legal's children go home after school. Jose Illegal's children have an after school ESL program which, again, is provided free of charge.
Joe Legal and Jose Illegal both enjoy the same Police and Fire Services, but Joe Legal paid for them and Jose Illegal did not pay.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
All a Twitter
The other night I was at my mom's house for Sunday dinner. My younger brother was there with his two daughters. One is in 7th grade, the other in 11th grade. The two girls are miles apart in personalities and cognitive abilities. The younger one is a slow reader and relies on her looks to get her by (look out!). And the older one is pretty as well, but relies on her abilities as a student to get by. She's an artist, a writer, and a thinker. Both are attached at the hip to their cell phones (Duh! they're teen girls!). One is texting every boy in school it seems (guess which one), the other is posting "tweets" about her feelings at any given moment to Twitter.
During the dinner conversation, my wife and I inquired about school. The older daughter mentioned that one of her teachers "tweets" assignments on Twitter as a means to keep students informed. My brother had a surprisingly negative reaction to this news knowing quite well my feelings regarding integrating technology. He thought that it was a bad idea that the teacher used Twitter, not because he thought that it was inappropriate contact between teacher and student, but because he thought that it implied that parents were now required to provide students with a smartphone. Although he had provided his kids with cell phones, he thought the teacher's use of technology meant that parents were supposed to supply their students with expensive technology. And if they didn't supply or were incapable of supplying the necessary technology, that those students were somehow disadvantaged and robbed of the ability to succeed to the degree that their 'connected' classmates were.
I'm sure that the teacher was not exclusively assigning work over Twitter and was simply supplementing his normal practices with the advanced step of Twittering information to appeal to teens. However, as much as I just love to argue with my little brother, his comment has stuck with me. I looked at all the different angles from ethics to best practices and have come to this essential question: Are we requiring parents to invest in technology so that we can more actively engage their digital native children in the curriculum, OR are we integrating technology simply as a means to keep up with today's youth and as a means to reach out to them?
What do you think? How do you feel? Any thoughts? Have I missed something?
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