Podcasting in the Classroom

Podcasting in the Classroom
By Brian Flanagan and Brendan Calandra

This article explains what podcasting is and how it can be incorporated into the classroom. Podcasting is something that allows people to download radio or media files onto their computer. The person then can listen to what they have downloaded on their computer or an MP3 player.
In 2004, Duke University wanted to introduce iPods to their incoming freshman, so they gave out about 1,650 during orientation. Already downloaded onto these iPods were an orientation schedule, academic calendar and many other things. These iPods were then used in 16 classes during fall semester. Professors used them for "1. course content dissemination, 2. classroom recording, 3. field recording, 4. study support, and 5. file storage and transfer". The students could keep their iPods and use them throughout the rest of their collegiate career.
Podcasting can be useful for music and language teachers especially, so that their students can listen to music and be able to critic it or listen to foreign language, plays, music and literature. Podcasting can also be used in many other school subject areas for many different reasons. Students can even record onto their iPods for field research projects. Vodcasting, which is videos on the podcast are also used.
Some things that a podcast user needs to be careful with it that they do not only download something they have permission to download. Teachers must make sure the material they have their students downloaded is suitable and not inappropriate. It think podcasting can be a very helpful and beneficial tool to both teachers and students.

Q1. Would I use podcasting in my classroom?
A1. Yes, I would incorporate podcasting into my classroom. I think it is a different and fun way for students to learn. It gives variety so that students are not listening to lectures or staring at a book or computer to do their work.

Q2. What are some drawbacks with using podcasting?
A2. Some drawbacks with using podcasting is the fact that either the school or student needs to have enough money to buy an iPod or other podcast device. Also, all students need to be taught how to use their podcast easily and effectively, but i do not necessarily see this as a drawback.

Virtual Ideology: Using Online Quizzes to Help Students Develop Personal Political Values

Virtual Ideology: Using Online Quizzes to Help Students Develop Personal Political Values

By William Russell

This articles discusses the issue regarding the fact that many children are not familiar with politics and political issues.  Children often times do not learn or do not want to learn about politics.  When they are asked what their political views are a common response is that they have the same political views as their parents, which maybe be entirely wrong.

A few good political party quizzes were found online that were suitable to fix this issue of children not knowing important information regarding political parties and which one to identify with.  Specific questions are asked on these web pages that when answered will help define the individuals political views.

The teacher who was having his students take these quizzes first had the children write down which political party they thought they would be affiliated with.  Out of the 50 children who took these quizzes, 30 of the students were defined as supporting a different political party than they thought they believed in.  This lesson allowed for the children to be more open-minded and willing to learn more about the different political parties and their beliefs.

I personally think this lesson was a great and beneficial thing to do.  I remember in grade school, I had no idea about political views.  When I was asked which party I was affiliated with I always just said that name of the party my parents were a part of.

Q1. Will this idea of having students take these quizzes be beneficial to them?

A1. I believe students take these political party quizzes they will become more open-minded and learn so much more about politics so that they can give their own personal opinion about which party they are affiliated with and not someone else's opinion.

Q2. If I was a social studies teacher would I use this lesson in my classroom?

A2.  Of course I would use this lesson in my classroom if I was a social studies teacher.  I would want my students to be as aware as possible about politics and the different political parties.  If they know information about political issues they will hopefully be able to support their beliefs when asked about politics.

WebQuest in Wonderland: The Eight Grade Comes to the Edge

WebQuest in Wonderland: The Eight Grade Comes to the Edge
By Paul Aldridge

Paul Aldridge is the computer instructor at Pine Crest middle school. This school is a premier private college-preparatory school. The school at first was without technology, but after a few years, immense amounts of technology were added to the school and curriculum. Each child is to come to school with a laptop in hand.
Pine Crest now has the third largest wireless network in the country. Students are seen all around campus on their laptops submitting work to their teachers. The school had a gap between the performance of its students. The lower school had precise typists who were quite familiar with computers and the upper school needed students who could research ideas in depth and well and confident users of a laptop who would be able to easily in the world of proficient college students and out in the real world.
The issue this school had was the gap between these two levels. Paul Aldridge went to a conference where he learned of a program which would help the school's problem, this program is called WebQuest. This new program has helped the school and the students now have an easy transition from lower to middle school and then middle to upper school.

Q1. What is the school's reasoning behind their goal of having each child so extremely knowledgeable about computer technology?
A. The school is a private college-preparatory school, so I believe they are trying to make their students the best and most intelligent they can be when they are sent to college.

Q2. How does this school have so much funding for such a complex and involved technology program.
A2. This school must be very wealthy, also because it is a premier private school.

Web 2.0: Today's Technologies, Tomorrow's Learning

Web 2.0: Today's Technologies, Tomorrow's Learning
By Jennifer Groff and Jason Haas

This article discussed how MIT wanted to help implement such things such as video games and social networks into the classroom. At this moment these things are not very popular with teachers and they believe they are a very disruptive influence on the students. Social networks can benefit teachers and students, by creating communities and new ways of learning. Students can learn in a more effective way about real-world experiences through digital simulations.
One specific teacher using a program called Starlogo TNG, which is a program that shows the principles of evolution or another example the effect of a forest fire. This offers a fun way for students to learn about relevant and interesting topics pertaining to education in a creative way. this can be a great way for students to become more familiar with what they already know about technology and computers and it offers them new ways to learn more things.
It is beneficial if a teacher partners with one of their colleagues. This way they can learn from each other's experiences. Also building relationships with other teachers is a great form of networking.

Q1. Do the students get too carried away with the simulations/games they are playing?
A1. If you make them focus on the task they need to complete and what they need to learn, I believe these new programs will still keep the students focused. It is just important that you make sure the students are doing their work and are not playing with the program for too long.

Q2. Will these new programs benefit me as a teacher?
A2. I am not sure yet. I will have to experiment and ask other teachers how they feel about these types of programs. i can always try them out and be optimistic and wait to see if I see beneficial results in the way that my students are learning.

Stretching to Inspire

Stretching to Inspire
By Kory Owen

This article was interesting to me because it bought a whole new idea and topic into the picture of integrating technology into the classroom. I had never thought of how the students can help offer advice to their teachers so that the learning process of all of the new technological systems can be learned. A child expresses that his job is the student and he can learn, but he needs to "stretch" in order to learn more and demonstrate all that he has learned.
It was also brought up how the students of "Generation Y" are helping teachers incorporate technology into their classroom, because on average, the children know more about technology than the average teacher. Students can now partner up with their teachers and learn together about technology. an 18-week course was created for this specific purpose. Students are partnered up with teachers and work on projects together. I think this is such a great idea, because know teachers can truly see how they can learn so many things from their students. I also believe that this must make the students feel special, because they are able to teach an adult new things. I never thought how beneficial integrating technology into the classroom could be for both the student and the teacher.

Q1. Will what what this article discussed benefit me?
A1. I personally do not believe what was discussed in this article will benefit me. I am quite computer savvy and do not think that other students know more about technology than me. I do think this could benefit older teachers who are not as familiar with technology as I am.

Q2. How will I benefit from integrating technology into the classroom?
A2. I will benefit from integrating technology into the classroom, because hopefully I will see that students are more interested to learn if things are mixed up a bit and made to be more fun and interesting. Possibly they will become more engaged and not become as bored as easily.

Software Review: Learning.com

The four lessons that were completed were Browsing Basics, URLs, Web Searches and Validity and Sourcing.

Each lesson addressed National Educational Technology Standards for Students.

Browsing Basics covered:

K-12 [5] Digital Citizenship

Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and  practice legal and ethical behavior.

    [5.a] advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.

K-12 [6] Technology Operations and Concepts

Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems and  operations.

    [6.a] understand and use technology systems.

    [6.b] select and use applications effectively and productively.

Grades 6-8:

7. Select and use the appropriate tools and digital resources to accomplish a variety of tasks and to solve problems.

URLs covered:

K-12 [1] Creativity and Innovation

Students demonstrate  creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.

    [1.a] apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.

K-12 [2] Communication and Collaboration

Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of  others.

    [2.a] interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts or others employing a variety  of digital environments and media.

K-12 [6] Technology Operations and Concepts

Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems and  operations.

    [6.a] understand and use technology systems.

    [6.b] select and use applications effectively and productively.

Web Searches covered:

K-12 [3] Research and Information Fluency

Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.

    [3.b] locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a  variety of sources and media.

    [3.c] evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the  appropriateness to specific tasks.

K-12 [4] Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making

Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.

    [4.c] collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions.

K-12 [5] Digital Citizenship

Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.

    [5.a] advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.

Validity and Sourcing covered:

K-12 [1] Creativity and Innovation

Students demonstrate  creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.

    [1.a] apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.

K-12 [2] Communication and Collaboration

Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.

    [2.a] interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.

    [2.b] communicate information and ideas effectively to multiples audiences using a  variety of media and formats.

K-12 [5] Digital Citizenship

Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.

    [5.a] advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.

    [5.b] exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration,  learning, and productivity.

These series of tutorials were very informative, although I already knew most of the information presented.  It was beneficial to relearn some of the terms regarding the internet and web browsing.

The only problem I faced with this product and could be a problem in the classroom, was that I needed to stop using the video about half way through a lesson and I was not able to save where I had ended.  When I returned to use the program again, I had to begin that particular lesson at the very beginning, not where I had left off.(2007) 

Citations

(2007) Learning.com. Retrieved March 2, 2009, from http://www.learning.com

(2007) ISTE's Educational Technology Standards for Students. Retrieved March 2, 2009, from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/2007Standards/NETS_for_Students_2007.htm

Failure Is NOT an Option

Failure Is NOT an Option: Collecting, Reviewing, and Acting on Evidence for Using Technology to Enhance Academic Performance
By Dave L. Edyburn

It has been a recent concern among educators of not letting children fall behind. The NCLB Act tried to fix this issue, but it still needs a lot of work. Teachers need to understand that some children are just not made to learn in the conventional and old style of teaching and it is too difficult for them. Teachers need to make the learning setting different, more entertaining and interesting for some students. Performance intervention needs to occur much sooner than it is, because we cannot not let the suffering students fall anymore behind than they already are.
This article discusses how we need to enhance our teaching to intrigue and gain the students attention. This has been showing a positive effect on the amount of knowledge children are retaining.

Q1. Why have teachers not caught onto the fact that technology is important to integrate into teaching?
A1. This maybe, because some teachers have it engraved into their mind that traditional ways of teaching are the best because they are what have been used since the beginning of time. Others may not yet have the opportunity to purchase the necessary tools to begin using technology in the classroom.

Q2. What should we do with the children who benefit by learning through traditional ways if there is such a large push on integrating technology?
A2. We should not eliminate traditional forms of teaching, just in addition to those ways also incorporate new ways of learning through technology.

Coloring Outside the Lines

Coloring Outside the Lines: A multimedia exploratory course combines the skills of technology with important art concepts

By John McCombs

This article discussed the difficulties the American Embassy School in New Delhi, India regarding its students not knowing enough technology. The school realized they needed to create a more effective technology program so that their students would be more proficient with computers. The students were given a project to complete that would include the use of Microsoft Draw, Microsoft Paint, Adobe Photoshop and Knowledge Adventure's HyperStudio. This allowed them to learn how to use the combination of different programs to create on thing at the end.
In this particular school, the students received either pass or fail grades in the class. They had the opportunity to look at the work done by their classmates and to critique and give helpful comments.
There is still a debate among some schools, whether technology should be integrated into the curriculum or to create separate technology courses for the students to take and learn from. It is important for schools to experiment with integrating technology into the curriculum, because it may be a very beneficial way for students to learn new and advanced technological systems.

Q1. At what age can you start to integrate technology into the curriculum?
A1. I believe you can start to integrate technology into the curriculum at any age. I think you should let children become familiar with computers at a very young age, this will give them a familiarity and an understanding of how to use technological devices.

Q2. Is it important to still use traditional ways of teaching?

A2. I think we should still use traditional ways of teaching. Children still need to be able to read out of a book and have the patience to do things like this. If we do not use some of the old basic ways of teaching, students will not have learn to have a decent attention span to study or learn in a proper manner.

#2 Final Version of Tomorrow's Teachers

This is where you can access my webpage: http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=df92ccx4_5d2zdmpdn&hl=en

Why I Want to Teach

By Katie Lorton

    I have always had a love for children, so I decided I wanted to become an elementary school teacher. This way I will be able to help and educate children as a profession for the rest of my life.  I am always around children, whether it is while I am a nanny or volunteering in a first grade classroom.  I feel so comfortable in a classroom setting and am so excited to someday have a class of my own.

    I have some practice with teaching children.  While I am a nanny, I am constantly helping the girls I watch with their homework.  They are in sixth grade, fourth grade and third grade, therefore I helping them at different levels of schooling.  While volunteering in the first grade classroom I am also there to aide the teacher and help the students with math or writing during class.  I am glad I have been exposed to these things, so that I already know some of the things to expect when being an educator on my own.

    As a teacher my personal philosophy is to be there for the children in every way and to mold and form their developing young minds.  I hope that I will be remembered as a special teacher to my students in their later years, as a person who impacted and bettered their lives.  I want to let the children know that I believe in each one of them equally and I accept, love and want them to each succeed at their greatest potential.

    I hope that I will be an amazing and life-changing elementary school teacher.  I will be a life-long learner in my teaching profession and I will learn and improve from any mistakes that I make.  I want to try my hardest to boost children's self-esteem and let them know that they are capable of anything if they put their mind to it.

If you would like to contact me, please send an e-mail to katie.lorton@gmail.com or http://www.klorton.blogspot.com/

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 Making Learning Fun

By Katie Lorton

    It has always been a dream of mine to be an elementary school teacher.  I would like to teach any grade in elementary school, but if I had a choice I would choose to be in any grade level from first through third.  As an elementary school teacher I will be educating the children on all subjects areas, such as language arts, math, history, science, physical education and health.  I am particularly excited in teaching language arts.  Reading and writing are so important to learn and be familiar with at a young age.

    I have recently been observing and volunteering for a first grade teacher.  She has shown me that it is imperative to make sure that as the teacher, you always have the children's attention, especially at such a young age.  If you do not keep them busy with assignments to do, then their curious minds will wander and easily become distracted.  Keeping a routine is also good for the students.  This shows them normality and a balance and allows them to know what to expect next.  Some children may have difficulties settling into a classroom and becoming comfortable if their teacher often surprises them with assignments and things they are not expecting or excited to do.

    I hope that I will make the classroom a fun learning environment, where the children feel comfortable and are eager and excited to learn.  One way I will grab my students' attention, is by using fun lesson plans to capture their interest and keep them focused in the topic of discussion.  I will follow the California Content Standards by using both books and traditional forms of teaching as well as fun, hands-on lesson plans that hopefully the children will never forget.  Sometimes it is easier for a child to remember something they have actually experimented with rather than just read, which may make learning easier and more fun for my students.

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From Hobby to Career

By Margarita Hernandez

    I've found that literature provides you with an entry into another place and time; whether you're reading Things Fall Apart, Twilight or Green Eggs and Ham. The numerous interpretations that readers have shows the vastness of their imagination.This type of dissecting of texts is what I want to teach children to do. Children do this type of inquiry all the time; they are always asking why things happen or how is it that they happen.

    I would like to teach English, especially literature. I am not certain yet of what grade I would like to teach; If I had to choose it would have to be between eighth grade and tenth grade. I do not have any experience working with students in those grads yet, but I have worked with kids before. When I was in middle school I volunteered at my old elementary school, assisting the teacher and helping students during group work. Besides volunteering, the only other experience I have had working with kids are the few occasions that I've helped my niece and nephew with their homework. I really enjoy helping them because I am going with them through the process of discovery and I am  helping them discover the different ways to look at a problem and try to solve it.  

     As a potential future teacher I see my teaching philosophy being more group oriented. I think that students have a vast potential of knowledge and a teachers role is to help them tap into that knowledge. I know that their is a lot that my students will not know and as a teacher I will have to give them that information. I also think that my role is not just to impart them with knowledge,but instead to teach them ways to reach those same points by themselves or with the help of their classmates. I hope to have a mutual relationship with my students, were they learn from me and I learn form them. Rather than lecture them, I want them to work in groups. I want to teach them skills that they can apply to other aspect of their lives outside of school. 
 

 If you would like to contact me, please send an e-mail to margaritahrnndz001@gmail.com or http://margaritahern.blogspot.com/

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Expanding Your Imagination Through Literature

By Margarita Hernandez

    I think that through literature children can expand their imagination and develop their critical thinking skills. What I like about teaching literature is helping children analyze a text and write a paragraph or an essay about what they think the text is saying. I know that this type of analysis would be taught ideally in high school, at least that was the case with me. I think that in middle school students are being taught more about the grammar of English. This will help them write those analysis that I will have them write.

    I am more interested in the process that goes into writing a paper, the students logical thinking and their presentation of the work than if they have a few grammatical errors. I know that writing a grammatically correct paper is essential for the success of a student, however I think that developing their critical thinking skills is more important. If a student has trouble with grammar they can always hand in their paper earlier and have the teacher edit the paper or they can work in groups and correct each others papers. Through time and practice they can improve their grammar.  However, analysis is a process that a student must develop and work on, they need practice and in the end they will be able to see that they can take any form of literature and interpret what they think the text or the writer is saying.

    The part that I enjoyed must about my English classes was when as a class we went over our interpretations of a text and as a class decided if those interpretations were validated by the text. I think that analyzing a text produces a kind of eureka moment for students, when they take the pieces of a puzzle, in this case the evidence provided by the text, and assembles what they think the text is saying or what the author intended to say. The numerous possibilities of interpretation ensure that a student if taught the skills of critical analysis can experience their eureka moment.

Sources:

California Content Standards http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss

Imagination: www.salford.gov.uk/learning/salfordla.wearereading/drop-everything-and-read.htm (Retrieved February 9, 2009)  

Reading: http://www.teachersandfamilies.com/open/tr/trtchrlib.cfm (Retrieved February 11, 2009) 

Books image: http://nj.iiaa.org/books.gif (Retrieved February 12, 2009)

Chalkboard image: http://www.writers.creativemumz.com/education.html (Retrieved February 12, 2009)

Creating a Differentiated Classroom article reflection

Creating a Differentiated Classroom
By Susan Keck and Scott C. Kinney
   

     In this article, there was an account from one teacher who discussed how she had a creative student in her English class, who wrote amazing paragraphs weekly and they were a continuation of a whole story. Sadly this student of hers did not receive good grades in her class otherwise. After the school year was over, she realized that each student is different and they each bring something different to the class. She had not pushed each of her students to reach their full potential and she realized that they suffered if they were not encouraged. This English teacher changed her teaching ways after this life lesson she learned and evaluates each of her students differently and caters to them specifically.

     Another story was about a boy who's first language was Spanish and he could read, write and speak fluently in it, but he could not do the same with English. I understand that it is extremely important for this boy to learn English, but it does not mean he does not have the potential. He is already intelligent; he now just has to apply his capabilities to learning and living through English.

     As teachers, we need to cater to all of our students in every area and situation of learning. The article discusses that the level of difficulty regarding how much work educators put into providing the proper attention and level of education for each student can be lessened and made easier, also with the use of integrating technology.

Q1. How does a teacher become accepting and understanding of each of his or her student's individual needs?
A1. The teacher needs to pay close attention to the learning styles and personalities of each student, so that they can learn what works best for each child and what it takes for each to succeed.

Q2. Is it a difficult task for some teachers?
A2. I believe this can be a difficult task for some teachers, but as long as the teacher has a love for his or her job and is open-minded to putting as much effot in as possible to better the students, I believe every teacher is capable.

Chatting it up Online article reflection

Chatting it up Online: Students Talk to a Favorite Author

By Pamela Livingston

     I learned many new things after reading this article.  I had never heard of an arrangement made where students can have an author chat online with an author.  I was happy to see how the librarian, along with the students' teacher and the author collaborated so well to organize this online chat for the elementary students.  I can see how the process of signing up for a chat took longer than the teacher and librarian expected, because this is all fairly new and an online chat between students and an author has not been done many times.  I understand that it is important to not tell the students too early in the process of signing up, for the risk of the online chat appointment being cancelled or the chat not even occurring.  It is important to not get the kids excited for something if it may not even occur.

     I also learned some things about online etiquette, like using capital letters is considered shouting.  Before beginning the online interview, it is best to temporarily remove firewall protection or the online chat may not work.  As future teachers we need to realize that we need to prepare our students, especially if there is a new or exciting experience just like this interview.  The elementary school students were told to come up with questions that they would like to ask the author before the actual interview, so that the online chatting would go smoothly.

     I really like this new technological approach.  After asking questions, the students received their answers right away as opposed to waiting for weeks if they had written the author a letter in the mail.

Q1.  How will I be able to use this method when I am a teacher?

A1.  I can create a lesson plan where I have the students read books from a particular author thy like and enjoy to read from.  I will then set-up the the same thing the elementary school librarian Jackie Gwyn arranged.  A teacher who I am volunteering for just recently had her students do a real interview with an author.  That is fun and interesting too, but not always easy to arrange or do.

Q2.  How is it beneficial for the students to personally speak to the author themselves?

A2.  The students can ask questions they personally have to the author and receive immediate answers.  Also, they an gain a better understanding of the author's own writing style if the author themself explains it to them.