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.

Journal #1

"Your Google Guide" by Doug Johnson

This article provides a simple and informative guide to help teachers and students improve their Google skills. Doug Johnson has realized that many people are not using Google to it's full potential. In order to alleviate this problem, and create more efficient use of Google, Johnson has listed several insider tips to help navigate this massive search engine. Johnson gives insight on how to perform a more specific search, understand the results, and how to utilize the search tools. I thought this was an enlightening article full of useful information. I found the segment on content specific search tools to be most beneficial. I had never bothered to use the advanced search tool and now I realize that time I wasting sifting through pages of useless material could have been eliminated. As important as it is to be able to define what you are looking for it is also important to decipher the results. For this reason, I found the segment on sponsored vs. non-sponsored links to be helpful. The information in this article would be beneficial for teachers, students, or anyone doing research on the Internet.

Question 1

How can I make sure that my students utilize these resources properly?

I could begin my school year by taking my students to the library and computer lab and give them a brief lesson on efficient use of the library resources and computer search engines. I would inform them about the advanced search option and show them the scholar and book search tools.

Question 2

Should students be able to do all of their research on the Internet?

While I feel that the Internet is an extremely powerful tool for research I also feel that the service of the library is irreplaceable. There are far too many books, periodicals, paintings, and movies found in the library that might never make it into the archives of the Internet. These two forces definitely need to be used in tandem.

My super cool summer blog

I would like to introduce myself. My name is Kristin Dove. My friends tend to call me Kiki or Dove. I don't mind either nickname, but I hate being called Krista or Kristine. I grew up in Boulder, Colorado. I also went to college there and I graduated from the University of Colorado with a major in Spanish Literature and a minor in Ethnic Studies. I studied in Alicante, Spain during my junior year and fell in love with Spanish language and culture. As a result I moved to Barcelona, Spain after graduation where I worked as an Au Pair (a glorified nanny for all of those who don't know). After that adventure I returned to Colorado and realized I needed to live closer to the ocean, so I packed up and moved to San Diego, Del Mar to be more precise. I spent a year establishing residency and working in a bar in La Jolla. I enrolled at San Diego State University last fall and decided it was NOT a good fit for me. I then decided to transfer up to Cal State San Marcos. Already I seem to be much happier. I am nervous about summer school though. I am attending two classes this term in addition to working full time. Hopefully this will be a good experience and I will have my sanity in tack at the end.

I have little experience in the field of technology and computers. Remember I was a Spanish Lit major. I spent tons of time reading and translating text, and I typed a bazillion papers, but I managed to graduate college without ever giving a power point presentation. My boyfriend is a computer genius so I leave all the technical stuff up to him. I bought my first laptop and digital camera this year and I recently learned how to use them together. I don't really spend that much time on the Internet. The Internet wasn't as popular or necessary when I was in high school. I didn't even know programs like Blackboard or Webct existed until last fall when I attended SDSU. I consider myself a hard worker and a fast learner so I hope to do well in this class.

My reaction to the mission statement has yet to formulate. The mission statement is new to me. I am still contemplating what it means to me. I've seen it all over my teaching credential paperwork. I've heard it recited to me just about every time I have set foot on this campus. I know that I like the message it conveys. I don't know if I understand every part of it right now, but I am sure that what it means to me now and what it will mean to me when I finish this program, will be two different things. I think that understanding and meaning will come with time and experience at this school. I have, after all, only been a student here a few days.