The readings this week focused on Web 2.0 and how it looks in the classroom. My questions this week are:
1. What does the Web 2.0 classroom look like? What form of Web 2.0 would you use in your classroom?
2. States are spending millions of dollars to update their public school's technology. If your classroom were to recieve some of this money, what technology would you want? Would it be a Smart Board, Laptops, Ipods, etc... ?
3. Is blogging suitable for every student? What would blogging look like in an elementary classroom ( k-4)? How about a middle school classroom (5-8)? Is it just for high school students (9-12)? What would blogging look like for your students?
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1. What does the Web 2.0 classroom look like? What form of Web 2.0 would you use in your classroom?
ReplyDeleteThe Web 2.0 classroom has every child sitting at his/her own computer. They are sharing their projects, reports, news, etc through different networks on the computer. It allows for the students in the class to communicate their ideas with others all around the world. It also allows the students to give each other in the classroom feedback on their works. If my classroom had the technology available to use Web 2.0 services, I would most likely use something like wiki spaces. A place for the students to post their reports, posters, projects, thoughts, etc and be able to get feedback from others. I would stay away from facebook, myspace, and other websites like those because of the content that are on them. A lot of people’s pages on those websites are not suitable for students to be looking at and reading. I would try to find a website that is programmed only for children. Where students at different schools around the country can communicate with each other in a supervised website that only schools have access too (I’m not sure if that’s even possible or has been done yet).
2. States are spending millions of dollars to update their public school's technology. If your classroom were to recieve some of this money, what technology would you want? Would it be a Smart Board, Laptops, Ipods, etc... ?
ReplyDeleteFor one, if my classroom received money to update our technology I would be the happiest person in the world!! My classroom right now has one really old computer that I use, and an old projector that smells like it’s on fire every time I use it. I would definitely love to get each of my students a laptop. If I had to chose one thing it would be those for my students. I would love a Smart Board in my room, but a lot of my students do not have computers at home. Their only access to computers is the hour a week we get in the computer lab at school. I think my students would benefit more from having their own personal computer that they could use all the time. A lot of my students struggle with just typing on the computers, in 4th grade. They do not know much at all about computers and having their own computer would allow them to explore and learn more about them. They could also type their notes on it, and create power point presentations instead of posters. With their own laptops they could learn more about how to network and communicate on the internet with other students. However, there would have to be a block on their internet that prevented them from accessing inappropriate websites.
3. Is blogging suitable for every student? What would blogging look like in an elementary classroom ( k-4)? How about a middle school classroom (5-8)? Is it just for high school students (9-12)? What would blogging look like for your students?
ReplyDeleteAllowing students to blog is a tricky question. There are many pros and cons to blogging. It would be great for students to be able to communicate with other students all over the world, however it can also be very dangerous. Anyone can get on the internet and start blogging back and forth. There would have to be a very restricted website where only schools are allowed access in (if possible with a secret password or such). I could foresee parents not liking the idea of their children freely blogging on the internet where they could be talking to any body about any thing. If it was possible to have such a website I think it would be a good idea for grade 3 and up. The earlier grades are too young and I don’t believe would be able to do much blogging by themselves. However, the teachers could have their own blog for their classroom and post the children’s paintings, colorings, art works, first writings, etc. The teachers could then show the students their blog or website and read to the students what others have said about their works. The older students would be able to type and respond to blogs themselves after a lot of practice with the computers. My students right now, 4th graders, would have a hard time with blogging I feel. They struggle with the computers a lot because they don’t receive much access to them. If my students were able to spend more time on the computer I believe they would love being able to blog, communicate, with other students in different places.
I think ideally we all would love to have Web 2.0 classrooms, filled with perfect students and backed by an amazing administration which gives us pay increases every week. But there is no thing as that. A web 2.0 classroom may be achieved by have students all sitting at computers and interacting with other students across the globe. But I think that there are still many obstacles that are preventing the average public school from achieving this goal. First, like tam52382 said, there is a problem with accessibility; students may have only an hour or two at school to play around with computers because they cannot afford to get a computer at home. So they may be in a Web 2.0 classroom, but not know how to use anything! Another obstacle that gets in the way of having a complete Web 2.0 classroom are the dangers that come along with some Web 2.0 websites, such as Facebook and MySpace. But if these two obstructions were taken out of the picture (which they can be with the use of blocking and extending use of school computer labs, or possibly “renting out” computers), it would be much easier and safer to create a Web 2.0 classroom.
ReplyDeleteMany teachers do incorporate Web 2.0 in their classrooms despite lack of accessibility outside of the classroom and possible convenience to websites that were created for older individuals. I intend to use Web 2.0 in my classroom in the form of wikispaces. I think wikispaces is an incredible tool for teachers and students to use simultaneously. Alongside with wikispaces, it would be beneficial to create a class blog (with proper monitoring). Ed Randell the Governor of Pennsylvania made an excellent point, that “we are not at the cutting edge of innovation anymore” and that we are not only competing with other states, but other countries; therefore generating not only a need but a necessity to excel in education and more importantly in technology (Classrooms of the Future (YouTube)). If Web 2.0 was used in a classroom correctly and safely, then it could aid students in making connections with other students and individuals that may have been hidden prior to this technological breakthrough; it would also motivate and inspire others with in the class, school, state, country and beyond.
I think that a Web 2.0 classroom can only come so far as of right now, especially in the elementary and high school setting. I think there still is room for creation of 2.0 websites and programs that can be facilitated within the classroom, in order to make the students’ experience safer and more beneficial.
TAM52382: Yeah, your current technology situation sounds a lot like mine, but I have an over-head from 1988 in my room.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. For our classrooms to be WEB 2.0 classrooms students need to be able to have access to the internet (computers) throughout the day. What about those students that go to a technology class every other day for 30 minutes. That is not enough time to have them utilize and create wikis, blogs, i movies, etc.
Both Tam52382 and Stephanie make good points, but what can school districts do to ensure technology is happening in their classrooms? In my district, administration is doing a great job training teachers with technology and installing smartboards in classrooms (every room but mine…that damn 1988 over-head!). But what about the superintendent who does not want to spend the $$$ necessary for that to happen? What can those teachers do?
In response to Guy's question what can teachers do, I am struggling with that question myself. My school district just doesn't have the money for newer technology. We had to cut out all our field trips this year! So the question that the superintendent faces is how do I pay for this and that and keep all my teaching staff, and their solution is to make cuts. If they are making cuts and not letting us spend money to take our students on educational field trips, how do I expect them to give me money to buy newer technology for my classroom? The only thing I can think of that is possible for me is to create my own wikispace or blog for the whole class. When we go to the computer lab for the one hour a week, I could show them the page and blogs that I have set up. That way they at least get to veiw it and see what it is like, until our school district can receive more money.... :/
ReplyDeleteI Like Tam’s idea of a social networking site (along the lines of Facebook) dedicated to (and appropriate for) children/students. I could be a great forum for sharing of ideas and projects, learning to work collaboratively. It is probably out there somewhere, but… How do you find it?
ReplyDeleteMy dreams for a laptop, digital video camera, and an iPod for each of my students aside, the reality of technology in an impoverished elementary school is quite different. My school (K-5), of about 500 students, has very little technology. For those 500 students, we have one computer lab with 24 stations; the library has 4 more. Most classrooms have one teacher computer, a television and a VCR (not a DVD player). That’s about it. The middle and high schools are better equipped. In general, computing/technology access is limited, and the high poverty level of the district effectively limits access outside of school for a large number of students.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine Web 2.0 uses: response to literature via posted video/audio (YouTube, podcast, etc.), or blogged discussion; online projects for content areas, or simply for documentation of traditional projects. I can see the motivational advantages for online math apps that provide skill drills or interactive support for concept development. In fact the motivational aspects for students, at least at this point in history, of technological devices/applications is a significant part of the picture.
I can also imagine impediments to the use of such technologies by my third grade students. First, they are third grade students with, at best, limited exposure to these tools. Significant time must to be set aside for training. The training would be valuable, but, as we all know, and especially since NCLB, time for “non-essential” curriculum is at a very high premium. Where is this time to be found?
At least in impoverished districts, requiring the use of technology at home is not practical. It isn’t just that the homes aren’t equipped, it is also the dynamics of life in poverty. Many families are single parent. Most parents have multiple jobs and limited means of transport. Disposable time, money and energy are often in very short supply, meaning trips to the library and other resource centers are difficult or impossible. Also, these parents generally work in jobs that offer little in technology training that they could use to support their children.
In-school use of computers requires a change of location and the lab must be booked well ahead. With only 24 computers and a single location, conflicts are not unusual. Conflicts would be even more common if the lab were used to its full potential. Many teachers, however, are not completely comfortable teaching classes in a technological environment. Teacher training is often cursory or superficial. It is expensive and time consuming to bring faculty members, who often lack tech confidence themselves, to a point where they fell comfortable leading students through a technology based lesson. Training sessions often have time for little more than an introduction to a program with little or no follow up – then it’s off to something else. There is a great deal of competition for those few hours of Superintendent’s Conference Days.
A majority of my students now have access to computers with Internet capabilities, but there remains a large number without. Few have iPods or other mp3 players. Few have mobile phones, fewer yet (if any) phones with Web services.
To be sure, I have seen significant increases in connectivity for my students over the years. Each year’s class is more tech savvy and requires less training to get up and running. It is my hope and expectation that, once our administration perceives the middle and high schools as being well-equipped (their stated priority), the elementary school will received more attention. When we get to that point, I would love to see portable devices with Internet capability (laptops?) made available to each student as a basic form for technological interface within the class and beyond. Should that not be feasible, I imagine “technology carts” with laptops, audio-video equipment and so forth that can be signed out by the teacher for use by students in their classroom.
Some of these issues will be resolved by time. Younger, more tech comfortable teachers will replace older, less tech oriented educators. Over time, technology becomes less expensive. My 1975 calculator cost over $130 (1975 dollars) and did less than the $25 one I now own. And with time priorities change. Televisions are now seen as a necessity of life – this was one of the arguments put forth in Congress recently as they delayed the switch-over to digital broadcast. I suspect that all of my students have access to at least one TV in their own homes. Last year, the family of one of my students did not own a television. The other students were shocked and confused. The TV “deprived” student did not have access to many cultural touch points shared by the others (Who is Sponge Bob anyway?).
There is a very real, class-based “information divide” in this country. Until that problem is solved (whether through passage of time or legislation), there will remain very real barriers to the broad use of Web-based technologies in education for less advantaged districts like the one in which I teach.
Everyone: I apologize for the length of that post - sometimes I get carried away.
ReplyDelete1.What does the Web 2.0 classroom look like? What form of Web 2.0 would you use in your classroom?
ReplyDeleteIn my classroom I would use web 2.0 in several different ways. First off I would have a class website using web 2.0. On this website would be class rules, announcements, assignments, links to educational games, and a discussion board. I feel that the discussion board could be used for students, parents, and I to all communicate with each other, about anything, that isn’t private. However, I would need to make sure that all students have a computer or have access to a computer.
2. States are spending millions of dollars to update their public school's technology. If your classroom were to receive some of this money, what technology would you want? Would it be a Smart Board, Laptops, IPods, etc...? ?
I would give all of my students a small laptop, with all of the basics on it. If you could give every student a 13” laptop it would be small enough for every student to carry around. I feel that students would be able to do all of the same things on the laptop as an iPod, and then be able to perform more school oriented work, even on the class website.
3. Is blogging suitable for every student? What would blogging look like in an elementary classroom (k-4)? How about a middle school classroom (5-8)? Is it just for high school students (9-12)? What would blogging look like for your students?
Blogging is suitable for every student only if every student has access to a computer. If not every student has access to a computer then it is not suitable. Blogging in an elementary school should be more conversations, questioning and answering, in order to get students familiar with computers and typing. As they get older blogging should be more problem solving based. Students post a question on a class blog, and then other students can answer it in order to help that student out; however, cheating would be limited as the teacher can see it as well.
Phil: You are right. You make excellent points, "laptop carts" are going to be the future for elementary and middle schools. With the state reducing school funding, its going to be tough for our classrooms to be WEB 2.0. High school classrooms are going to have a much easier time getting technology in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think?
I have been in a classroom with a laptop cart that was shared with other classes. It is a great idea if the teachers and students pay attention to the technical aspects of the technology, like charging them. The worst thng is when you get the cart to use and more than half of the laptops are not charged, then you have to wait for them to charge, and do other things. Besides that laptop carts are great ideas.
ReplyDelete1. What does the Web 2.0 classroom look like? What form of Web 2.0 would you use in your classroom?
ReplyDeleteI am currently teaching pre-k and it is hard to think of ways I would personally use web 2.0 with my students, however it would be nice to use a web site to help communicate with my parents. Alot of my parents work full time and I don't ever see them other than parent teacher conferences. I have always thought that good communication between parents and teacher is key to successful education. It were easier to communicate through a class blog and let parents know what is going on in the classroom and parents could communicate with one another.
2. States are spending millions of dollars to update their public school's technology. If your classroom were to recieve some of this money, what technology would you want? Would it be a Smart Board, Laptops, Ipods, etc... ?
If I were given funds for technology in my classroom I would like a smart board. I think even pre-k students would benefit from this kind of technology. I could use it to demonstrate to the entire class how to use different parts of teh computer. It's hard to show each student indivdually how to click different areas of the computer screen. If they could watch, then do I think they would catch on a lot faster. I would also like a digital camera. I could use it to make class books with pictures of the kids in them. I think they would relate easily to it.
I wanted to respond to Question #2 concerning technology in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI think that at the very least all teachers should have at least two computers in their room that are strictly for student usage. If smartboards were too expensive for a schools budget, there should be LCD projectors that would allow teachers to hook up a laptop so they could show images/power points/videos from the computers. I know some schools have traveling computer labs that have lap tops hooked up to carts. It would be ideal to have a traveling lab for each department instead of one or two for the whole school. This would make it so students more opportunities to use computers.
Unfortunately there are a lot of schools who have access to technology but teachers are not utilizing it. I think that along with money to update technology there should also be some allocated for training teachers on Web 2.0, blogging and other ways to use technology in the classroom. Although many teachers, especially ones that are not tech savvy, do not feel that they need to use technology to be an effective teacher, students in this generation are at a disadvantage if they are deprived of technology.
As far as blogging goes, I do believe that students of all ages are capable. For younger students K-5 there would probably be a need for parents to assist the children but even teachers of these grades could create a blog and have students go on to answer one question a week. Even if students are not typing the answers themselves, they could be read a question and give an answer and feel as though they were participating. My daughter, who is only three is already able to navigate with a mouse and can play interactive games on the computer with little to no assistance from me, so I would imagine in a few years she would definitely be able to understand the concept of something like a blog.
ReplyDeleteI have decided to create a wikispace or some other type of blog for my summer school students this year. I try not to give the students too much homework because they are already in my class for two hours a day, but I think that creating a blog that they must sign onto a few hours a week would be a good activity that they might not dread as much as doing text work. I figure the students are on the computer “facebooking” and “myspacing” a few hours a day, they could spare some time to do something educational.
In regard to what JKittle said about communication with parents, I agree that parents involvement is extremely crucial to the success of students. I have seen some teachers create websites that are not so much for blogging but to keep parents and students updated on what is happening in the classroom and also for homework purposes. Teachers can put up homework assignments so there is never an opportunity for students to say they forgot/lost/misplaced their homework. Instead they are able to download and print worksheets/activities right off their computers at home.
ReplyDeleteSome teachers also provide calendars so both parents and students can stay organized and know what assignments/projects are due. Other purposes for these websites could be to inform parents of current grades or what particular content or unit students are learning about. This may seem like a somewhat of an undertaking to put together but I think once initially created, a website like this may only take an hour or so a week to keep updated and would definitely be worthwhile.
I was lucky enough to have "good" technology in my classroom (even though its a high needs low-income district). I had an Interactive whiteboard an LCD projector, an elmo, along with 5 computers in my classroom. It truly was a great setup. If we as a class had an project that we wanted to type as a class we also had those alphasmarts, which are mordern day word processors that you can actually save your work on and also link them to a computer to add clipart and pictures. That was the technology that I had in my classroom when I was teaching in Oxford. Now that I am working in another district I have a small whiteboard along with a chalkboard and 1 computer in the room. All I can say is that I became very dependent on the elmo. I feel that the elmo is the greatest techonology tool a teacher can have in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI am responding to Bridgets comment,
ReplyDelete"Unfortunately there are a lot of schools who have access to technology but teachers are not utilizing it. I think that along with money to update technology there should also be some allocated for training teachers on Web 2.0, blogging and other ways to use technology in the classroom"
This is very true. There are so many teachers that DO have all of this technology and refuse to use it because either 1. they do not understand it, 2. they do not know how to use it and lastly they just do not think it is a resourceful tool. I have asked teachers with MANY years experience and that is the way many of them feel. I think personally it is because there is a lack of training after they get the technology. I know of a teacher that has an interactive whiteboard with an lcd projector. She uses the projector as a TV, that is it and the whiteboard is just a whitebooard, she uses real markers on it! Some teachers are just set in their ways and will not change
My own personal opinion is that blogging is not really suitable for the earlier elementary grades. We can say that yes parents can help, and if there are no computers at home we can go to the local library, but there are parents out there who do not even know what a blog is. In situations that I have been in if I can't ever get them to return a phone call, are they really going to check my weekly blog. So the children might be all up for it, but it would be more of a hassle because there is too much reliance on parents. If you do this and the class is seeing that student A has never posted on the class blog then that could lead to student A getting picked on because either they have no computer, or they cannot get help to get it posted. Middle school and high school ages are appropriate for blogging and I think that blogging could be a great tool for teachers to use in their classes.
ReplyDeleteWhat does the Web 2.0 classroom look like? What form of Web 2.0 would you use in your classroom?
ReplyDeleteThe Web 2.0 would have every student with their own computer in the classroom. I would prefer wireless for its convience. Students can share their work such as projects, reports, news, etc through different networks on the computer. Students are great teachers to one another. They can teach us. Students can share idea and thoughts with other students from and receive feedback. In my classroom I have three computers available to use Web 2.0 services and I would like to set up wiki spaces. I have to get permission from principal first. Everything has to pass through her first! They could post their reports, projects,and thoughts and be able to get feedback from others. Our system blocks such websites like facebook and myspace because of the content that are on them. I think it would be awesome for students to communicate with other students from all over the world and learn more about other cultures. Thanks Tina
2. States are spending millions of dollars to update their public school's technology. If your classroom were to recieve some of this money, what technology would you want? Would it be a Smart Board, Laptops, Ipods, etc... ?
ReplyDeleteAs far as technology goes...what a joke at my school. We have a computer lab that is used all day for a reading program, therefore none of the classes can use it. We do have a Smartborad and portable laptops but the IT person doesn't want to let them out!! Each team is suppose to have a projector but you can never find it. I know we have some technoloy but its extremely difficult to access it. I would love for each class to a have 12 or 13 '' laptop in class and a webcam. Students could interact with other students and share thoughts. Some students will never even get to travel, this would be a great way for them to learn about other countries and cultures.
I know that at least half of my students don't even own a computer and for most of their parent's it not a concern. They have other problems to worry about. This is why is wish we had enough computers at least in school to give these students the first class education they deserve.
Question 2:
ReplyDeleteMy school district has invested in technology. Each classroom has a media center,which amounts to a computer with an LCD projector and two other computers ineach classroom. We do have access to smart boards, but we only have two for the entire high school. Typically the smart boards are only used by one or two teachers who have recieved the complete training. At this point, my school is very supportive of technology in the classroom but the reality at this point is a bit cumbersome and many teachers avoid it because it appears to difficult.
Question 3:
I am a high school global studies teacher and I am excited about the possibility of using blogging in/out of the classroom. I know that my students would be more excited about completing homework/readings if we could hold a discussion on line rather than a reading quiz the following day. Yes, not every student has access to a computer at home, but all have access in school, either during study hall or 9th period. I am hoping that blogging discussion questions would engage more students into the content. Perhaps students who face anxiety issues in class during a discussion would be more willing to share ideas via a blog.It is ideal for high school students, but I also have worked with junior high students and I am confident they would love the independence blogging allows. Of course at this level it would have to be more structured, but perhaps a social studies class could collaberate with a computer/technolgy class for a cross content project. I am not sure about the elementary level, other than that my five year old..(like Bridget's daughter) can navigate the web just fine. He is only limited by his ability to spell, but I am sure it could be done. Perhaps it could be as easy as having parents/students discussing a book they read at bedtime to share.
Everyone is making great points. The problem schools are having with technology seem to be bigger than funding. Their are teachers who are not utilizing it in their classrooms (Dstarr, WOW that really upsets me). I have read of schools not willing to share it (tleotta, what is your IT guy paid for?). And Bridget makes a great point on how technology can help students and parents, which is exactly how i designed my Blackboard site.
ReplyDeleteCommenting on DStarrs earlier comment- WOW you guys have an elmo!? I have yet to see one in any kind of educational setting aside from college!!
ReplyDeleteAlso... another way that I have seen teachers improve their technological status within the classroom was purchase things on their own. For my student teaching, my cooperating teacher brought in his own laptop everyday and hooked it up to a projector that he purchased with his own money. So obviously I had to ask about the whole money issue (because we all know that teachers are not millionaires), he said that yes it was a lot of money but in the end him AND his students won in the end. They were exposed to new technology and many asked questions on how to do things with the computer. Which ultimately lead him to making more class projects in the computer lab with students hungry for new technology.
responding question 3
ReplyDeleteBlogging is perfectly suitable from elementary and up so long that it is guided and it is not blogging at your will because then you encounter cyber bullying, gossiping and everything negative things you know that students can possibly engage in. I would imagine that if a teacher does decide to use blogging in their classroom, it follows a similar pattern as the one that we are engaged in. We are not just blogging about the weather or how suck it was that the cardinals los the super bowl but we are blogging about things that relate to the classroom and we have a moderator. Something along this line will be a good way to engage students in class discussions.
going along the same line as DStarr and bridget.
ReplyDeleteadding to teachers not using the technology sometimes we have school district especially inner city and rural ones that actually do not have technology. Teachers are still using the blackboard. We have seen from watching those youtube clips how prevalent technology and the web 2.0 has become in education and daily routines. Yet, there are a lot of students who do not have the opportunity to use them.
another problem that teacher face is that technology changes too fast. Before they even had the chance to learn the one they have something else, something comes along and they have to start all over again, that's very discouraging to teachers in motivating them to use the technology.
2. States are spending millions of dollars to update their public school's technology. If your classroom were to receive some of this money, what technology would you want? Would it be a Smart Board, Laptops, I-Pods, etc... ?
ReplyDeleteIf my classroom were to receive extra incentives or lots of money in order to better our classroom, school, or district, the first thing I would do is to create a plan on how I would spend or utilize the money my classroom receives. I wouldn’t want to be the decision maker that down the road people are questioning why we spent all the money on particular things we do not need or that are not going to enhance the learning experience in my classroom. I like the examples you give between Smart Board, Laptops, and I-pods. I would like to spend most of the money on laptops. Depending on the attitudes, styles, morals, and way of living from the students, families, and community would depend on the flexibility and leniency of the use of the computers. Obviously, the whole idea of trust would come into place about managing the laptops and the usage of them. As the teacher, I would not want the students abusing or throwing the money we spent on the laptops. Technology is involved and has the usage in all schools but to have your own laptop for a student would be a huge step to better themselves and introduce the future of learning and the future of our lives. I would purchase I-Pods simply for the recreational use of music. This would be a very easy way to allow students to escape from others, and to perhaps stay out of trouble. It is difficult to answer this question because I have never experienced what it would be like to have extra money to spend in the classroom. Who is to say that my answer would completely change if it were to happen? As a class we might need something totally different at the time or something that would be more useful.
3. Is blogging suitable for every student? What would blogging look like in an elementary classroom ( k-4)? How about a middle school classroom (5-8)? Is it just for high school students (9-12)? What would blogging look like for your students?
ReplyDeleteI believe blogging should be used for high school students. Elementary students are too young. It is a teacher’s duty to teach kids the basics. Counting, the alphabet, the common subjects, manners, and community building qualities would be some examples. When a student reaches middle school this is when outside the classroom hits them the hardest. Their social and personal life happens to come into place much stronger than teachers think. The usage of computers may be used but students are still learning and preparing for the next level. Now, you might ask why can’t a student then prepare and better themselves in blogging? As a student gets older, I believe that high school is the best time to introduce blogging. In high school, students become much more aware of computers and its assets. Blogging would be an entire period of time during a regular classroom day that each student will be able to work on. It is will develop in the teacher’s weekly schedule on completing assignment, projects, and exams. It is a much better way to assess student’s work rather than the traditional exams or pen and paper writings. Not only would blogging be introduced, but the usage of technology in general.
Question 2
ReplyDeleteIf my classroom were to recieve some funding I would definately want a SmartBoard in the room. Both of the classrooms that i students taught in had them built in. It was such a great peice of technology! I used it almost everyday, even if i was just writting down a few things for the students to see. There is just so much you can do on these. When i was teaching latitude/longitude, the smartboard made it so easy to pull up maps that actually went with the maps in their social studies books. This made it so much more interactive and fun for the students to come up and find certain cities around the world by using the coordinates. Aside from me loving it, the students were always excited to use it. Evereday when they would walk in they would ask if we were using it. It helped to keep the students attentive for most of the class as well. This is the one piece of technology that i definately want to have when i do have my own classroom.
One last post:
ReplyDeleteAgreeing with Bridget and Dave, I have to emphasize that one of the most important things technology money could be used for is teacher training - not just enough to introduce the program or hardware, but enough to push the teachers to a point where they feel comfortable. Without that the technology will be underused, and the money spent on it wasted.
I'm not sure how practical blogging would be below 2nd or 3rd grade, when most students would have to rely on parents. Many parents are technologically illiterate. Also many students have little or no access to the Internet (see my above entry regarding poverty). If there is in-school access and time, or you teach in a high rent district where all families are connected, I believe that 2nd grade might be a good age to introduce blogging. In third, you could begin to use it more productively. (This based on my experience, not research.)
Tina, I agree that wireless connections would be more convenient (even necessary in some situations), however I have seen technical problems with the connections when several students are logged on simultaneously. Our school's lab was wireless at first, but it just wasn't reliable and we went back to hard wiring it.
~Phil
I used to have an Elmo. I miss that most of all.
ReplyDelete~Phil