Ch. 5: RSS

1. How does this reading impact your thinking about technology's role in teaching and learning?

 How this reading impacts my thinking about technology’s role is the reading expanded my own knowledge. This reading did not question my thinking about technology’s role in teaching and learning, the reading allowed me to be more aware of new technological uses. Before this reading I never heard about Really Simple Syndication (RSS), therefore this information I obtained is new, but intriguing towards my thinking.

After reading this chapter, I am quite amazed by a service available 24/7. Yes, there are multiple websites available 24/7, but I am amazed by the service RSS does for you, it retrieves information for you. I believe RSS will benefit me in the future. In the future, I will have to prepare multiple lesson plans and I, personally, like to work ahead and always be prepared. I can imagine myself in the classroom teaching one lesson and when the day is over, I can come on aggregator and locate my precise information that I requested or subscribed to. This, in the long run will allow me to be a head because I don’t have to waste the extra time seeking ideas—the computer will do it for me! Even as a student myself, I dread looking up information directed towards one typical subject, but now I will know that there is a device if you will, that does the work for me.

Through RSS one must take the extra precaution of making sure the information has a credible author. What struck me in this chapter is on page 74, where the author of this book indicates that he tends to depend on bloggers in this case, that use their full name. Being an author of any blog, I would not even recommend putting your full name (as indicated in our Education class as well). Personally, I would also tend to trust a person with a full name on a blog, but I am just concerned about their confidentiality. Another unique thing about RSS is that when you subscribe something, typically, you are able to receive constant information which will benefit anyone, especially teachers. Being able to receive constant information is something that technology seems to lack. Yes, one can practically receive information by clicking something, but when you need to add a new software that require five to ten minutes of downloading; whereas, RSS retrieves that information immediately for you.

2. What will you do differently as a future teacher as a direct result of this new thinking?

As a future teacher, I will follow the steps throughout the chapter I read and go about making my own RSS and aggregator. In the future, I want to teach at the lower elementary level, preferably second grade, so incorporating RSS into my life will be very beneficial. At the lower elementary level, all the teachers are very busy and always have to be on their toes. Sometimes teachers have to take a couple minutes to think of another activity to do with their students on a certain subject, but if I have RSS and subscribe to multiple blogs, articles, etc. about all subjects I teach, I will have optional activities or lesson plans at the click of a button.

Although, I as a future teacher will adapt to using RSS, I am not sure if I will incorporate RSS into my classroom as a whole. First off, as I read this chapter I had to reread some sections because they did not make sense to me. I know that my second grade students will not be reading this exact same text, but I as the teacher will have to aide them in the understanding of RSS, but how can I if I do not fully understand RSS. Secondly, second graders do not have much research to engage themselves in; I am not making a generalization, just indicating my own personal thought. Again, I am unsure how to incorporate this technology tool in the second grade classroom, but for upper elementary grades this would be a great aide for those students. Those in fourth, fifth, sixth and so forth, RSS will guide them in helpful researches. It is important to note that those students should take special precaution on credibility of all resources while using RSS.

      Again, I am stricken with the grade level and I believe RSS would benefit those at the higher elementary level and beyond. At the lower elementary level, students are still developing academic skills, so they would not be able to benefit from using RSS.

Exit Slip 9/30/10

New thinking that I took away from class today included understanding and rethinking about technology. Specifically during the chapter discussion, when the closing question was asked about whether or not if I am teaching and facilitating. That question was new understanding that I took away from the discussion, in which I will keep on asking myself that. The second thing that I took away from class is incorporating student to student discussion. Instead of having teacher, student, teacher discussion, it will benefit students to build off of each other’s opinions. The next thing I took away from class was how to build if you will my interactive whiteboard lesson. Through receiving this homework for the A contract; I was also informed how to use the image gallery on SMART notebook, which will definitely benefit me in the future. I also took away that it is acceptable to use the idea of other teacher’s lesson, but their content. I was always hesitant to borrow other teacher’s lesson on the internet, but now I know it is okay to “beg, borrow and steal.” However, it is important to give credit to the creator. This class was very exciting because soon I will be creating my own interactive whiteboard lesson.

Rethinking Education Ch. 3

**How does this reading impact your thinking about technology's role in teaching and learning?

                How this reading impacts my thinking about technology’s role in teaching and learning is the reading puts my thinking at a hesitant level. Prior to this reading, my thinking was altered slightly; however my thinking about technology has stepped back in the previous state of uncertainty.

                In previous readings I learned that the use of technology, specifically computers can benefit student’s writing by making the student’s writing more legible. However, as I read this chapter, the author states that there is research that supports computers weaken student’s scores when it comes to paper and pencil writing test (p. 37). This statement supports my previous thinking, however, as I stated, in previous readings there is research that supports that computers improve writing. Now, I do not know where to stand and how to properly benefit computer use in the classroom. From previous observation experience in the classroom, I have found myself understanding that holding writing centers benefits the students. Writing centers contain the generic pencil and paper writing without computers. At that time students are engaging in active learning in which, she or he, is able to properly understand/fix the correct way to write. So, at this point I am back to agreeing with the statement stated in the book on page 37.
                Although I believe computers do not benefit the students in the writing subject, I do believe that computers often aide students in better understanding in different subject areas. After reading this chapter, I have come to realize that many students do not have the opportunity to engage in computer use in school, mainly because of cost. With the economy today, it is hard for schools to maintain budget through the ordering of technology such as new laptops or even SMARTBoards. When I am observing the classroom, I find myself observing at the traditional level; traditional level meaning that it is hands on activities and not “computer hands on” activities. Due to the cost of these things, schools I observe at can not afford the cost of computers; therefore that allows me not to experience growth among students, which aides in my reasoning.

                Classroom management is something that, I think, majority of teachers struggle with, especially at the elementary level. Typically teachers are so engaged in what they are doing that the teacher usually loses track of time. So, to say that classroom management would be difficult with the use of computers is just an excuse. There are often times where classroom management can be difficult without the use of a computer. Becoming accustomed to computers within your classroom or allowing appropriate time for computer use will benefit the students and also deepen their understanding. As a teacher, I think, having computers will also allow the teacher to see how much more he or she needs to be organized in order to have a successful and cooperating class.

                As I continued reading, I grew to understand that using computers on a regular basis challenges may occur, but what teacher does not face challenges? When using computers, it is hard to keep the student’s attention, but if the teacher is well informed about the curricula and what task(s) that students should be performing, then there should be no reason to give the students a step by step instruction. Instead, the students should be able to incorporate “that” into their lesson which would aide the students in proper instruction. Again, computers can often be a big distraction, especially at the younger age which could arise the question, who is the educator—the computer or the teacher? However, that again relates back to knowing the curricula better and obtaining previous knowledge. This reading really boggled with my mind and had me thinking are multiple situations.

What will you do differently as a future teacher as a direct result of this new thinking?
                As a future teacher I will incorporate “computer time” within my classroom and within each subject area when necessary. I know I do not know the exact school district I will be put into, but I would be very hesitant to ask for computers due to budget reasons, but I would at least suggest it. I would also take a deeper look at Plato. Through my quick understanding, this websites seems to benefit student’s learning as well as the teacher’s learning. Another thing that I would do when involving computers in the classroom and making a rules chart. I think it is very important to go over rules of the computer, so your students are able to know and understand the proper use of computers. For example, I would indicate that he or she should only be on the given website, he or she is not to browse any other website unless previously told so or if they ask me, etc. Making those rules will set boundaries for students who may not use computer often and better yet, set boundaries for all students.

                When applying computer use to my classroom I would also make sure I know and understand the curricula. I would take specific courses needed to enhance my understanding to ensure in proper education for my students. I will use the computers as an aide and not as a “break” or “catch up” time. Computer use should strictly be used in active learning that way the student does develop bad habits. There is a lot of new thinking to apply to my future classroom due to this chapter.

Exit Slip 9/23/10

Today in class, the new thinking that I took away involved chapter discussions. When using technology, it is very important to have a backup plan. I typically have black up plans, but I realized that technology is not always cooperating, so a back plan is necessary to continue on with the lesson.  Another new thinking I took away is how to operate the SMARTBoard, particularly calibration. When I first used a SMARTBoard it was quite complicated to write on the board because the SMARTBoard was not aligned. Another new thinking I took away from class is downloading lesson plans off of SMART Exchange. This website seems beneficial. For example, there are multiple examples or Notebook lessons one can use to take attendance. Overall, from class I was able to take away a lot of tips, if you will, that will guide me as a future educator.

Chapter 4: Wikis

1). How does this reading impact you thinking about technology’s role in teaching and learning?

This reading about wikis brought my thinking about technology, specifically wikis, to a complete stop. Before this reading, I was not a huge fan of wikis, especially Wikipedia. My reason I disliked Wikipedia was mainly because my teachers in the past highly disliked it. When assigned a paper from my past teachers, which required resources, my teachers would specially indicate not to use Wikipedia or any wikis. The reason students were not allowed to use Wikipedia as a resource was because of the exact opposite reasons listed in the book; teachers said that it was not credible, wikis were open to anyone to edit and sometimes you receive false guidance for your research. I was completely turned against wikis due to my past experiences.
However, through this reading, my thinking was completely altered and brought to an abrupt stop. This reading helped me to understand that Wikis can be beneficial to individual’s learning. Yes, Wikis may have downfalls such as, the public is allowed to edit at anytime or “hackers” edit with wrong information, but in reality everything has its downfalls, especially technology (that’s why it is important to have a backup plan!). Also, before this reading I just thought there was a few wikis, I never realized how many different wikis there are that apply to a classroom setting or to educators.


2). What will you do differently as a future teacher as a direct result of this new thinking?
As a future teacher, I hope to probe the student’s thinking with technology. As a direct result of this new thinking, I will try my hardest to incorporate wikis into my classroom. My ideal job would be to teach at the second grade level, but any elementary grade would be great! Therefore, my only concern with this new thinking is, will it be able plausible at the younger ages, such as kindergarten, first, and/or second grade? During the early years of school, students are often growing in their cognitive abilities and basic motor skills thus; I think wikis would be too much for their learning skills.
On the other hand, if I was teaching at the third grade or a higher grade, I would be more apt to include wikis. One item that I would include in my future classroom is an online text. I believe having an online text would secrete less confusion in the class. Using a wiki for my classroom would allow my students to access it at home and also help out their students. My wiki would be a place for my students to get help from one another depending on the subject, and he or she could also get information from this wiki. My classroom wiki would be only open to my students, because I want to keep the information safe and reliable for them to refer to. What my classroom wiki would include is, objectives/rules for the class, guidance to help them on a certain problem, my students would be able to edit problems that would aide their students in the right direction of obtaining the correct answer, and multiple other things. I would also recommend this to my students’ parents or maybe make a wiki for my students parents. Having a wiki for students will allow me to get feedback and also communicate with parents more.
Using wikis in my future classroom(s) is something I am going to aide myself in doing.

Ch.2: The Technology Enthusiasts' Argument

1). How does this reading impact your thinking about technology's role in teaching and learning?
As I read chapter two, my thinking about technology’s role in teaching and learning slightly became questionable; questionable in the sense that I was questioning my own thinking about technology. My thinking was being altered specifically as I read the interaction section and game simulation sections. Before reading this chapter, I believed that technology does play an important role in teaching and learning. However, I also believed that technology can have a negative impact among students, especially at the elementary. An example I thought of (and stated in lab discussion) is, students handwriting would not be able to develop because he or she would always be referring to the computer and not be able to practice their handwriting skills. Therefore their handwriting would not be readable because of the lack of practice. Conversely, as I read this chapter, I was in total shock to find out that word processors helps students write well! I still have a hard time believing this, if you will. I believe that practice, practice, practice is a key concept, especially at the elementary level.
What I have trouble understanding is how technology can improve one’s ability to write clearly/well when it is all done without actually writing. If one was physically writing, he or she would be able to practice their writing abilities, instead of just “seeing” their words. Overtime, I will come to understand this concept. I am glad this chapter was able to alter my thinking.
In the game and simulation section, this section allowed my thinking about technology to deepen. Before reading this section, I believed that games were a good way to enhance a student’s learning. As a read this section, I found my thoughts matching the author’s perspectives. What I was able to grasp a better understanding of, is that games allow students to deal with conflict and things that are dealt with on a regular basis.
As one section altered my thoughts about technology, one section also deepened my thinking about technology’s role in teaching and learning.


2). What will you do differently as a future teacher as a direct result of this new thinking?
As a direct result of this new thinking and as a future teacher, I will engage my students in more technology. Instead of being hesitant to adapt technology in the classroom, I will be more confident that my future student’s skills will not be tampered by technology. Incorporating more technology within my classroom will further my student’s skills because he or she will get direct feedback, this will allow my students to understand his or her mistakes quicker. Another thing I would do differently is incorporate more educational games. Including more educational games will allow my students to deal with conflicts in different scenarios and be able to adapt to those scenarios. This chapter allowed me to get a better understanding of technology and helped me rethink what I would do as a future teacher.

Exit Slip 9/16/10

Today in class I was able to deepen my understanding of technology in the classroom. For the past several assignments, I was devoted to my own opinions. However, through the discussion of chapter one, I was able to listen to other’s opinions. Listening to other student’s opinions allowed me think deeply about my opinion and even more important, my future students. I really enjoyed the discussion of chapter. Also, through today’s lab, I was able to mentally grasp on the understanding of Triangulation and how important it really is.  Even though, in my past blog about credibility, I mentioned comparing websites of the same information multiple times; I will now remember the key term-Triangulation.  Another thing I “took away” from class was prezi.com. I honestly did not know how I was going to present the chapter book project, but now I have a suggested idea of using prezi.com. The last new thinking I took away from class today was the tips about the SMARTBoard. Even though they were “little” tips, I was able to understand how to operate the SMARTBoard a little bit better. Just a side note, I like the idea having the stars or smiley faces. J