Splash

Tech Chick Tips

Episode Title: DOPA
Date: 07-29-06
Episode Number: 4
Reflection: The Tech Chicks encouraged teachers to use digital photography on the first day of school and had great ideas to carry out the use of the pictures throughout the year. For example, the pictures could be printed off and used for a helper chart, management chart, or to organize centers. I had not thought of this idea and I think it would be helpful for the teacher to get to know his/her class and fun for the class. Students enjoy seeing themselves and it would make the classroom environment comfortable and homey. The hot topic of the day was the Deleting Online Predators Act which protects students from online predators in public schools. This prohibits students from viewing social networking sites at school. Although the Tech Chicks were discouraged by the fact that DOPA blocks students from viewing helpful resources, I think DOPA was an essential factor in protecting students and the school district. Since educators are allowing students free access to computers more often than before, I believe DOPA was implemented for legitimate reasons.

Infinite Thinking Machine

Episode Title: ITM Extra: P=AxDxE
Date: 03-20-07
Reflection: Bernie Dodge revealed an original way to look at the power of learning games: Power = Attention x Depth x Efficiency. He stressed that it is essential to use effective games in the classroom that get the students’ full attention. The games should require some amount of processing that the learner must develop. Last, the games should utilize and enhance the skills that the teacher is focusing on. By putting together these three parts of the equations, online games or video games can become extremely powerful for students. Previous to this podcast, I was not in favor of using video games in the classroom, but if the games are evaluated using this equation, I can definitely understand how they would be beneficial to learning.

Moving at the Speed of Creativity
Date: 03-12-07
Episode Number: 139
Reflection: During this podcast Wesley Fryer had an interview with his mother, Angie Fryer, about the important blogs she has subscribed to. She is not a blogger herself, but enjoys reading others’ blogs to form a connection with people from many diversities, cultures, and communities. She encourages everyone to check out www.anysoldier.com. There are ideas of things to send to soldiers and I thought it would be a great idea to turn this into a class project. For example, students could make cards and send them to soldiers who are overseas. There are many more blogsites that digital learner, Angie Fryer, suggests, and they can be found at: http://feeds.feedburner.com/speedofcreativity/podcasts. This podcast was enjoyable to listen to and easy to connect with. I found it motivating and it encouraged me to read blogs and make connections with other people around the world.

Sundance Publishing

“Comprehension strategies kit sampler offer”

http://www.sundancepub.com/c/CeRR17BnLnDuSw/Pages/compsampleoffer.html

This Sundance Publishing Kit teaches the six comprehension strategies, reaches all students with scaffolding instruction, and boosts standardized test scores. A 20% discount coupon can be obtained at the website, along with a free sampler kit. I think this kit would be beneficial for first year teachers who have an eclectic group of students (most classes are J) and want to use scaffolding as a form of instruction for reading.

Internet Retailer

“Scholastic develops a sense of community”

http://www.internetretailer.com/dailyNews.asp?ad=21367

In coordination with www.Teacherspayteachers.com, scholastic added interactive tools and subscription services so teachers can make lesson plans, download them, and print them. The creator’s hard work on their lesson plans will pay off as other teachers can purchase them, and alter them if needed to cater to their own class’s needs. I think this will make lesson planning easier for some teachers, and they can be confident that the lesson plans are already teacher-tested. However, I believe in Harry Wong’s idea of beg, barrow, and steal; we are all teachers who must create lesson plans in the first place. We should help each other by providing lesson plans free of purchase.

National Post (Canada)

“Montreal board teaches tech to teachers”

http://www.canada.com

After realizing that 80% of the teachers were not using technology in their classes, the Montreal board decided to use their funding for training and leadership in the field of technology. When the four year training period is complete, 1,500 teachers will be more aware of technology and how to use it in their classrooms. I think this is a great idea because most teachers stray from technology not by choice, but because they are unfamiliar with it. Perhaps it is easy for teachers to continue teaching like they have for the past 30 years, but as times are changing, teaching techniques should be as well. If I had no knowledge of computers and the vast amount of capabilities that they hold, I would be frightened of using them as well. I agree that the Montreal board is on the right track to better the technology program in their schools.

eSchool News

“Parents, teachers, kids speak up on ed tech”

http://www.eschoolnews.org/news/showStoryts.cfm?ArticleID=6951

After a survey of parents, teachers, and students was conducted, the results were not surprising to me. Students want more integration of technology in schools and parents also think technology is underused. They would like to see it used to simulate real world experiences in problem solving in correlation with math and science curriculum. As a future teacher, I agree that technology should be integrated into the curriculum as much as possible. However, restrictions are put on each classroom as availability of computers, smart boards, etc. is limited. If funding cannot support a one-to-one student-laptop ratio, teachers must modify their lessons and utilize the materials that are accessible at the time. Technology is essential but if funding does not support it, it is difficult to integrate it every day.

Union Tribune

“Groups team up to offer free tutoring help online”

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/education/20070208_9999_6m8homework.html

For students who are stuck in a rut and need immediate one-on-one help, www.tutor.com was created to provide free tutoring services in English and Spanish. They offer support in a variety of subjects including but not limited to geometry, algebra, physics, and biology. All it takes is a San Diego Library card. I assumed students who could access the free tutoring services would have to be residents of San Diego. However, there is no residential restriction. To obtain a library card, visit www.sandiego.gov/public-library. I think this is a great service; it is simple to use and accessible to students across the country. There are not many corporations that would team up and fund a service for students without asking for something in return.

eSchool News

“Site of the Week”

http://www.eschoolnews.com/resources/links/showLink.cfm?linkID=330

Verizon Literacy Network (VLN) is a site well-worth visiting. It provides lesson plans, online courses for literacy instructors, and volunteers. It can be used for students, parents, and teachers to learn or to teach. VLN can assist you in finding programs in your community and access courses, such as English as a Second Language courses. Also, it helps teachers expand their skills with online courses and available resources. Why not give it a try, it’s free!

eSchool News

“Bush budget again would cut E2T2”

http://www.eschoolnews.org/news/showStoryts.cfm?Articleid=6861

The Enhancing Education through Technology (E2T2) program is crucial to guaranteeing global competitiveness of American students, but has constantly lost money in the past several years. According to Bush’s new budget for 2008, E2T2 programs would again be cut by $273 million, holding back education-technology programs across the nation. If Bush were to follow through with his belief that we need technology to increase competitiveness, he would not cut this money from the budget. There is a wide variety of new technology that can be utilized to enhance student learning and motivation, resulting in improved text scores. There are many articles in the news about lack of technology in the field of education, but when there is no funding to make it happen, it will not happen.