Journal #9

"Inspiring Students with Peer Tutoring" by Brandy Smith

This article demonstrates how easily technology can be incorporated into the classroom while using peer-tutoring to give students in need a extra confidence boost. The author, Brandy Smith, reveals how she came up with a peer-tutoring program which helped students and teachers alike. Smith picked ten students who would benefit from leadership roles, students that were not traditionally picked for these roles, but needed the empowerment. In this program the students would learn how to become technology experts, Tech Kids, who in turn would go to classrooms and teach their peers and teachers how to understand the basic functions of computer technology. This program has so many benefits for so many people. The Tech Kids benefit from the positive social interaction and leadership roles, the students benefit by learning how to use technology to enhance their learning experiences, and the teachers benefit by learning how to incorporate computers into the classroom without having to take time out of their schedule to attend an in-service. The program encouraged teachers to use computers in the classroom more frequently while the students received more one-on-one computer time. Everyone wins from a program like this!

Question 1

Would you incorporate this peer-tutoring technology in your classroom?

Definitely. I have studied the benefits of peer-tutoring before and it is a wonderful concept especially for students with learning disabilities like ADHD. This type of peer-tutoring has additional benefits for incorporating technology in the classroom.

Question 2

Can you think of any foreseeable drawbacks to a program such as this, like children abusing the power of their leadership roles?

No. I don't think children would abuse this power. The ego's of children with learning disabilities or behavior problems are usually rather fragile. This peer-tutoring would empower them in a positive way. Everybody loves the chance to shine, why would these kids try to give this up?

Journal #8

"In Your Face" by Christoper Beam

This article discusses the social networking phenomenon. The author, Christopher Beam, compares two of the most popular networking sites the Goliath MySpace and it's ing'enue Facebook. Beam seems to favor Facebook for being "comfy, sturdy, and attractive, without being showy", which may have been the case until recently when the website decided to expand it's borders and allow users to add and develop new programs. In doing so, some 900 new programs have popped up on Facebook. The author seems upset that none of the new programs have any real significance and the site still lacks an email or instant messaging system, which are apparently the keys to real success. Beam feels that in order for Facebook to take over MySpace it needs to be more all encompassing so users can virtually live online. It was about half way through this article that I started worrying about the state of society today. I think technology is a good thing. I think that what it has done to open up the international lines of communication is amazing. Aside from the whole technology in education theme we have going I love the Internet for so many other reasons. I love having quick and easy features like email which allow me to talk to my friends all over the world, and it's quite convenient to pay bills on line, but there has to be a limit to how much we do online. I feel like we should be spending more time out in the real world, we should get back to more personal, face to face conversations when ever possible. Who wants to be a totally shut-in who lives online all day. Do we need a supernetwork? Beam believes it is great to be able to download the same programs that your friends have or view what movies and music they buy while you graffiti all over their personal photos, but this all seems a little too much for me. Now I know that the people who do this allow their friends to have access to all their downloads and photos, but I just cant help but think of how this information can fall into the wrong hands. I guess it's just me, because according to the author the number of people who sign up for this kind of interaction is in the hundreds of thousands. It not like I think that this technology is the beginning of the end. I just think we can find better things to do with our free time. I'd rather go outside and play a game of softball with some friends.

Question 1

What do you think there is a positive side to social networking?

Yes. I do think it is nice to see what your friends and family, who live several hundreds of miles away, are doing. I feel that it's nice to share photos and music, but I just don't like to see so much dependency on the Internet.

Question 2

Would you incorporate this technology in your classroom?

No. I definitely plan on using class blogs or wiki web pages but social networking does not seem to be educationally appropriate.

Journal #7

"Google Spy" by Michael Agger

This article discusses the latest Google technology, Google Street View, which allows people virtual visual access to major cities across the United States. This technology has created quite the uproar. People are expressing concern that the photos taken by Street View are revealing too much personal information, but Google feels differently. Google defended itself by explaining that these photos are taken on public property and not in real time. Google seems to feel that no damage can be done as long as they take down any photos that are offensive. I think differently. This article had hyperlinks to several of the photos and allowed the reader to get a sense of what Street View was capable of. Several of the photos that were supposed to be taken down were still accessible on this site. Granted what I saw wasn't anything incredibly shocking, I couldn't stop thinking what happens next with this technology? I have to admit. I have heard of this technology before. In fact I've even used it without knowing what it was. Even worse I did exactly what I am afraid everyone else is going to do. Spy on other people. I don't know about you, but I like my privacy. Sure I would love to spy on other people, but if that means they can spy on me as well, then I'm out. Have you read 1984? Obviously live photos will be next and that's just taking it a little too far for me. I think this technology is getting close to crossing the line. At the end of this article the author discusses how he would like this technology to give him access to international locations without having having to leave the comfort of his home. While this does sound nice there is nothing like the real thing, and for me there is nothing like being in the comfort of my own front yard knowing that someone from Ohio can't see what I'm doing.

Question 1

Do you see any positive effects of this technology?

Yes. Quite often I go to mapquest for directions and find myself wishing I had some sort of visual reference, but I've managed to make it this long without Street View, I'm sure I can continue to make it on my own.

Question 2

What is the worst thing about this technology?

That this is just the tip of the iceberg. I think we are going to have a lot of issues like this come up in the future as our society becomes more technologically enhanced. Just because we have the capacity and the technology to do something like this doesn't mean we should do it. One of those ethical, social, human issues we discussed in class.

Journal #6

"Filming Compassion" by Janet Bremer and Marilyn Clark

The authors of this article decided to create a video production assignment for their high school students that would help fulfill the students service work requirement and help non-profit organizations at the same time. These students were asked to make a video for a non-profit organization using their own video equipment and later donate the video to the association. To begin with I think it is great that students in this school are required to do service work in order to graduate. This helps create a sense of community for the students especially when you tie in the concept of working with non-profit organizations. Everyone benefits from a situation like this. I also liked the idea that the students were not allowed to accept help or video equipment from the organizations they worked with, this helped level the playing field and encouraged student creativity. It also made sure that this was primarily a student creation. I thought it was great that the organizations had some say in the direction of their video. This way the video assignment had a purpose and could be put to use, rather than just sit on a shelf somewhere and gather dust. Another positive about this assignment is that the students had to ask their peers and family members to review their video. This not only helped the students develop critical and analytical thinking skills, but it gave the non-profit group exposure as well. Last, but not least, I think this was a wonderful way to incorporate technology in the classroom and benefit the student, school, and community. Honestly I can't think of anything negative to say about this assignment or article.

Question 1

Would you use this concept with younger children?

Definitely! My favorite part of this assignment involved working with the community and giving exposure to humanitarian agencies. I would probably modify the assignment for elementary school children though. I would possibly have them edit work that has already been filmed since going out on location and conducting interviews might be a bit beyond their capacity.

Question 2

As a teacher what would you do differently with a project like this?

I would have my students collaborate with a language class, like Spanish, and make a bilingual video project that would help non-English speaking communities as well.

Journal #4

"Moderating and Ethics for the Classroom Instructional Blog"
by Patricia Deubel, Ph. D.

In this article Patricia Deubel discusses the use of blogs in an educational setting. Deubel ponders whether she would use a blog in her classrooms and what the ethical considerations would be if she did. Deubel understands that blogs can support collaborative peer learning and open up lines of communications with students, parents, and faculty. Although Deubel realizes the benefits of a student blog, what she doesn't want is extra work on her plate. Deubel must then contemplate, if she leaves the blog in the hands of the students how does she ensure that there is an educational outcome? What kind of ethical issues arise with this technology in the classroom? She tries to figure out someway to incorporate blogs in the curriculum while keeping her input as an instructor to a minimum, she does come up with some rather familiar guidelines. Beginning with an example of a topic or question she would then model guidelines for suitable discussions and summaries. Deubel would require that all students participate and encourage student to student dialogue by making the students respond to one another. Deubel thinks that the instructor should provide html support and only comment on the blog if the students are losing interest. It is up to the instructor to decide who should provide weekly discussion topics or questions and who should give the students summaries of what had been discussed previously. Deubel believes this would be a valuable learning experience, but she worries about ethical considerations like what to do when students post something substandard or hurtful to others. Deubel concludes that by monitoring the students behavior the instructor can in turn teach proper online behavior while fulfilling educational goals.

Question 1.
What would you do if your student expressed prejudice or biased opinions on the student blog?

I would get involved. I would post a question to all of the students asking if they understood the comment and then encourage a class discussion on the effects of this type of thinking. How did it make them feel? Do they feel the same? Why? I think in this educational environment we should deal with stereotypes, prejudice, bias, or bullying is in a head-on manner. Educate the students on the issue and try to ensure they understand both sides before they make hurtful comments.

Question 2.
Do you think educational blogs are a good idea for instruction?

Yes. I personally have learned more about technology through our class blog considering I have never participated in one before. I have also been given the opportunity to know my peers on a more personal level than what has been the norm of my college experience. I like that blogs allow for every student to be heard. I know that I can be shy in class sometimes and this would give me more of a platform to express my ideas and opinions, not to mention learn from others.

Journal #3

"Real-Life Migrants on the MUVE" by Ross A. Perkins and Cathy Arreguin

This article is about the virtual classroom provided by multi-user virtual environments (MUVE's). These virtual environments are navigated by students and teachers alike and used for entertainment and educational purposes. Students can work independently or collaborate to complete assignments in history, math, or science. These MUVE's incorporate techonolgial and real life skills while providing an opportunity to access learning. MUVE's give teachers a chance to include students within a broad spectrum of learning levels into a group project while incorporating the National Educational Technology Standards. Although the authors warn of buying into this trend simply based on it's popularity. Teachers should think about the long term effects of this technology on their curriculum and they should "consider pedagogical and logistical factors." I think it would be wise to think before you leap into this virtual world.

Question 1
Would you use this technology in your classroom?

I think the concept of MUVE's sound like a fun way to include technology in the classroom, but I don't see this type of technology as a necessity. I would employ this type of technology to encourage students to become more comfortable with technology. Although I do not feel I would use it on an educational level. I would like to research more about the academic implications of MUVE's

Question 2

Would your use this technological device to assist children with learning disabilities?

I think this technology would be beneficial for children with several types of learning disabilities. For children that have trouble expressing themselves verbally, a child with Autism for example, this would give them the opportunity to interact with other peers in a manner they all understand. This would also be a wonderful way for hearing impaired students to interact with hearing capable students.

Journal #2

"Social Justice: Choice or Necessity" by Colleen Swain & David Edyburn

This article is about the social justice implications of instructional technology. The authors make a strong argument for using technology in the classroom. For me this article brought about a better understanding of social justice. Social justice in this instance is more than equal access to technology, it is ensuring that all students learn how to use and understand the tools of technology. For these authors social justice is decreasing the digital divide, finding ways to make technology accessible to all students regardless of socioeconomic status or school funding. It was shocking for me to read that 80% of jobs in the future will require workers to be technologically fluent. This article motivated me to use technology in my classrooms in order to prepare my students for the real world. It would seem that as future teachers we have a responsibility to incorporate technology in the classroom, anything else would be unfair to our students. I think the best part of this article is that it gives hope to those who don't have the funding in their schools for instructional technology. The Digital Equity Portal and Toolkit and computer refurbishment programs are excellent stepping stones towards technology access.

Question 1
What can we do as a society to make computers and technology more accessible for students?

I think there needs to be more public support for getting new and used computers in the classroom. We should have more fund-raising events. It should be easier to donate old computers to schools and charities. We should convince Bill Gates to donate at least two computers to every school that lacks current or ample technology.

Question 2
What can we do to ensure all teachers are incorporating technology in the classroom?

It should no longer be a choice to incorporate technology in the classroom. Instructional technology should be a part of No Child Left Behind. We should move beyond standardized testing and focus on preparing our students for the technology that will be their future. I think that along with the academic standards there should be technology standards.