"Internet Safety: A whole School Approach" by Greg Taranto
Canonsburg Middle School is certainly leading the way when it comes to impressive use of technology in the classroom. Their 7th graders are even allowed to take a 6 week course, which covers evaluating websites, protecting personal information, cyberbullying, and proper "netiquette". I beieve these are absolutely vital skills if you are going to give the students all that technological power to run free with. This is especially true, as they will start with such programs as powerpoint, and inevitably most middle/high school students fall into a social networking site in this generation as well. They'll go on to possibly start sharing their information all around the web, as well as using video conferencing, sending e-mail, video, etc. It's important to have a training like that to make sure students can properly use technology without using it for worse possibilities. The cyberbullying is especially important, because as listed in past blogs, words can hurt, and words can very much mean something. Thus, stopping it before there is violence, feelings hurt, hate crimes, and hopefully not shootings, is invaluable. Protection over the internet is also incredibly important with information spreading like wildfire. Hopefully this is something schools with technology will soon adapt.
Q1: Should all schools have Internet Safety Courses?
A: If they have technology to use for purposes that involves the subjects listed above, absoultely. Being safe doing any activity, physical, mental, or virtual, is always a good idea.
Q2: How expensive would it be?
A: That question strongly relys on the teachers and financial resources of the administrators. If you have a teacher that can do it, and the resources to make it happen, then it's a lesson worth learning.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Journal 9
"Activating Your School: Movement-Oriented Learning" By: Pete Rognli
"The School of the Future" in Minnesota is only one of a few schools bringing fitness into the classroom. There labtop idea, as well as podcasts and e-books, are great ways to multi-task and keep fit at the same time. A school in Downey, California actually has a virtual aerobics lab, with over 60 machines, 6 of which involve video game technology. This includes treadmills with some levels, as well as some cycling options. Other schools have even gone so far as to bring consumer items into the classroom, such as DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) for cardio, as well as Nintendo's new Wii system, which simulates activities such as golfing, tennis, baseball, etc., though with much less success as the controls can be done with little effort if the user knows how to use the technology. I believe that technology and physical fitness will inevitably cross paths in the educational world, and that instead of waiting for it, schools who have the financial resources should jump on the bandwagon and see if it takes physical fitness, a worry in schools right now, to the next level, where students work out willingly and hapilly.
Q1: How expensive is it to upgrade to these machines?
A: For something like DDR, it's 50 plus the system (50-500), A wii runs 249, and the virtual systems in the aerobics lab I coudln't find information on, but it would definately be a decent amount.
Q2: Has it had any benefits?
A: The school in Downy has reported a 50% increse in the use of their lab, which is also open 2 hours Monday - Thursday after school.
"The School of the Future" in Minnesota is only one of a few schools bringing fitness into the classroom. There labtop idea, as well as podcasts and e-books, are great ways to multi-task and keep fit at the same time. A school in Downey, California actually has a virtual aerobics lab, with over 60 machines, 6 of which involve video game technology. This includes treadmills with some levels, as well as some cycling options. Other schools have even gone so far as to bring consumer items into the classroom, such as DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) for cardio, as well as Nintendo's new Wii system, which simulates activities such as golfing, tennis, baseball, etc., though with much less success as the controls can be done with little effort if the user knows how to use the technology. I believe that technology and physical fitness will inevitably cross paths in the educational world, and that instead of waiting for it, schools who have the financial resources should jump on the bandwagon and see if it takes physical fitness, a worry in schools right now, to the next level, where students work out willingly and hapilly.
Q1: How expensive is it to upgrade to these machines?
A: For something like DDR, it's 50 plus the system (50-500), A wii runs 249, and the virtual systems in the aerobics lab I coudln't find information on, but it would definately be a decent amount.
Q2: Has it had any benefits?
A: The school in Downy has reported a 50% increse in the use of their lab, which is also open 2 hours Monday - Thursday after school.
Journal 8
"Virtual Schooling" By Niki Davis and Dale S. Niederhauser
Honestly, the idea and concept of Virtual Schooling brings a new acccessibility to students everywhere, especially in this digital age. NSLB (No Student Left Behind) may have been the program to really get it started, but it's uses are infinate. I'm glad to know it's being used to help those displaced by the hurricane, as well as making scheduling and opportunity more available to students. It's absouletely important that the teachers using this technology are capable of using all it provides, and thus far it sounds like those that have are doing just that. It also provides many chances to use media in the "classroom", and in a generation that is growing with technology, such a move could not be more important. It's no suprise that between 2005-2006 there was 100% growth in the program, making an education easy to access and using technology to do it makes teaching a more unique experience for many students... that said...
Q1: What are the advantages?
A: There's plenty of advantages, from easy scheduling, the use of media, the accessibility, and most likely easier grading for the teacher.
Q2: What are the disadvantages?
Not having that direct student/teacher interface is definately an issues, and while it might be easy to access in a school, if it's an out of school project the accessibility may be significantly harder.
Honestly, the idea and concept of Virtual Schooling brings a new acccessibility to students everywhere, especially in this digital age. NSLB (No Student Left Behind) may have been the program to really get it started, but it's uses are infinate. I'm glad to know it's being used to help those displaced by the hurricane, as well as making scheduling and opportunity more available to students. It's absouletely important that the teachers using this technology are capable of using all it provides, and thus far it sounds like those that have are doing just that. It also provides many chances to use media in the "classroom", and in a generation that is growing with technology, such a move could not be more important. It's no suprise that between 2005-2006 there was 100% growth in the program, making an education easy to access and using technology to do it makes teaching a more unique experience for many students... that said...
Q1: What are the advantages?
A: There's plenty of advantages, from easy scheduling, the use of media, the accessibility, and most likely easier grading for the teacher.
Q2: What are the disadvantages?
Not having that direct student/teacher interface is definately an issues, and while it might be easy to access in a school, if it's an out of school project the accessibility may be significantly harder.
Journal 7
"Should Schools Regulate Offsite Online Behavior?" By Nancy Willard and Lynn Wietecha
This sort of goes along with the cyberbullying topic of journal 5, in that prevention of it can have some very positive effects, and monitoring online activity can stop possible shooting at the most extreme, or help self-esteem of the individual if it's caught and adressed. There are many advocates for it, and in school it's not impossible, but when the students get home they are left to their own devices, and it's difficult to say the school should have any say then, especially since students aren't the only ones who use the home computers. If things are reported BY students and the actions they're taking and they feel unsafe, then perhaps the school should act and do something. As far as monitoring on their own, it's difficult, and technically, a breach of privacy. There are advocates against such an idea as well, one mother stating that safety is not the primary goal of a school, rather, it's education. It's a difficult subject that seems to be becoming more and more prevalent as violence and tension rises in school, from bomb threats to hate crimes, school shootings and beyond. All people can really do is be mindful and observant, and speak up if they feel something is drastically wrong.
Q1: How do you keep track?
A: I think if it were up to schools, administrators would have to have a system in place. Teachers could watch in computer labs or in class use, but beyond that, it becomes the responsibility of admin, and most importantly, parents.
Q2: What can parents do?
Just keep an eye on their children at home, and while it's impossible to know everything a child does online, if something is suspicious, take the proper steps to ensure it's nothing and not something serious.
This sort of goes along with the cyberbullying topic of journal 5, in that prevention of it can have some very positive effects, and monitoring online activity can stop possible shooting at the most extreme, or help self-esteem of the individual if it's caught and adressed. There are many advocates for it, and in school it's not impossible, but when the students get home they are left to their own devices, and it's difficult to say the school should have any say then, especially since students aren't the only ones who use the home computers. If things are reported BY students and the actions they're taking and they feel unsafe, then perhaps the school should act and do something. As far as monitoring on their own, it's difficult, and technically, a breach of privacy. There are advocates against such an idea as well, one mother stating that safety is not the primary goal of a school, rather, it's education. It's a difficult subject that seems to be becoming more and more prevalent as violence and tension rises in school, from bomb threats to hate crimes, school shootings and beyond. All people can really do is be mindful and observant, and speak up if they feel something is drastically wrong.
Q1: How do you keep track?
A: I think if it were up to schools, administrators would have to have a system in place. Teachers could watch in computer labs or in class use, but beyond that, it becomes the responsibility of admin, and most importantly, parents.
Q2: What can parents do?
Just keep an eye on their children at home, and while it's impossible to know everything a child does online, if something is suspicious, take the proper steps to ensure it's nothing and not something serious.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Journal 6
"Social Justice, Choice or Necessity?" by Colleen Swain and David Edyburn
With 80% of jobs in the future needing competency in the ever competitive
job market, it's imperative that teachers get on board and make an
effort to teach their students in new, broad, and exciting and useful
ways. I can say fondly in my education here in college that technology
provides a massive and important part of my skills that I can bring to
any profession I decide to start. This includes simple word and excel
skills, to taking those programs to the next level, making newsletters,
graphs, you name it. Teachers are incredibly lucky (at least those that
don't wish to integrate) that it's only an option at this point, but
I'm almost certain that's likely to change as our society continually
becomes more and more based around technology. My generation, and those
following, are going to rely and use technology more and more, and it's
only realistic as it continues to save some time and effort, and in an
economy such as ours with such a fast pace and dependent on competency
and efficiency, technology is here to stay. I say this in the nicest
way possible, but teachers need to get on board with this new influx of
technology and join the revolution. Otherwise, it will soon be the
students teaching more than the teachers themselves!
Q1: Why would teachers not start teaching technology?
A:
For one, there are a lot of teachers that are generations behind and
don't want to change everything they know to adapt to it.
Unfortunately, those students already start at a disadvantage...
Q2: What if funding is the problem?
Funding with technology is obviously a huge part of finding a solution, and finding that solution is definitely
a difficult struggle. However, contacting those higher up the food
chain and making them realize how important a simple computer or visual
technology learning aid can be can make a difference in education,
teacher and student alike.
With 80% of jobs in the future needing competency in the ever competitive
job market, it's imperative that teachers get on board and make an
effort to teach their students in new, broad, and exciting and useful
ways. I can say fondly in my education here in college that technology
provides a massive and important part of my skills that I can bring to
any profession I decide to start. This includes simple word and excel
skills, to taking those programs to the next level, making newsletters,
graphs, you name it. Teachers are incredibly lucky (at least those that
don't wish to integrate) that it's only an option at this point, but
I'm almost certain that's likely to change as our society continually
becomes more and more based around technology. My generation, and those
following, are going to rely and use technology more and more, and it's
only realistic as it continues to save some time and effort, and in an
economy such as ours with such a fast pace and dependent on competency
and efficiency, technology is here to stay. I say this in the nicest
way possible, but teachers need to get on board with this new influx of
technology and join the revolution. Otherwise, it will soon be the
students teaching more than the teachers themselves!
Q1: Why would teachers not start teaching technology?
A:
For one, there are a lot of teachers that are generations behind and
don't want to change everything they know to adapt to it.
Unfortunately, those students already start at a disadvantage...
Q2: What if funding is the problem?
Funding with technology is obviously a huge part of finding a solution, and finding that solution is definitely
a difficult struggle. However, contacting those higher up the food
chain and making them realize how important a simple computer or visual
technology learning aid can be can make a difference in education,
teacher and student alike.
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