I have learnt...................

Blog #8
Taking this course, I have come to realized that integrating technology into classroom instruction means more than teaching basic computer skills and software programs in a separate computer class. The integration of technology across curriculum will enhance the learning process. In particular, it will support the four key components of learning: active engagement, participation in groups, frequent interaction and feedback, and connection to real-world experts. Digital students enjoy using modern technologies therefore will serve as motivator. Effective technology integration would be achieved when the use of technology is routine and transparent and when technology supports curricular goals. 

I also see technology changing the way teachers teach, offering educators effective ways to reach different types of learners and assess student understanding through multiple means and enhancing the relationship between teacher and student.

 I think when technology is effectively integrated into subject areas; teachers will grow into roles of advisers, content experts, and coaches.

Watching this video, I saw it worth to share, because it outlines ten top reasons to use technology in education. 

The narrator said something that scared me, and made me felt the future of educators without the knowledge of  instructional technology are in jeopardy. He said “ teachers will not be replaced by technology, but teachers who don’t use technology will be replaced by those who do”

Do you agree with him?

References

http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech/reasons.html

http://www.theteachingbox.com/5-reasons-to-use-technology-in-education/

http://www.mathopenref.com/site/techreasons.html

http://youtu.be/mzi2RIt8_nk

Video Games In Education

Blog #7


Freedictionary.com define Video Game as, an electronic or computerized game played by manipulating images on a video display or television screen. Some of these games as classified as educational. 

Educational video game can be defined as an electronic medium with all the characteristics of a gaming environment that have intended educational outcomes targeted at specific groups of learners. Some people call these types of games "edutainment" because they combine education and entertainment.

Gibson, (2011) outline the following in his article “Are Video Games Educational?” proofing reasons why  these games are educational: 

• New information – this is the educational information provided. It may be text or graphics, and is normally unknown by the age group or skill level for which the game is made.
• Memorization – this is the part of the game that rewards good memory. If players are able to remember the new information, they can advance in the game.
• Context and Cognition – this is the part of the game that puts the new information to use. Players win or score points by matching pairs, answering questions or problem solving.
• Gender and Ethnic Balance – the game addresses equity issues through cooperative group play, language diversity, and character gender options

Experts believe that these games make learning fun by using entertainment as an educational tool. These games take a specific type of learning or topic and build a game around that topic. For example, kids might learn math by playing a flying game. The hope is that the child will have fun and forget that they’re learning, but still maintain the knowledge they pick up while playing. These games teach basic computer skills while also offering insight on a particular topic or subject. Sim City is a good example of this because the game teaches the players basic controls on the computer, but also teaches them on how cities are planned, built, and run. 

**The video below shows experts view on importance of incorporating video games in education**.

There are studies that show some kids learn by outside stimuli and these games benefit those students. Kids can use the games in addition to their coursework. For example, some kids might find a typing game a better way to learn the computer keyboard than having a teacher talk to them about it. 

On the other hand, recent studies by scientist in Madrid Complatense University found that gaming can lead to high drop out rate and low student motivation, students want more feedback from teachers during the learning process.

I see the drop out as a factor, we have students who will skip school to go to the game shops and play games. Others stay up all night playing games and come to school so tired the next day, and sleep through out the whole class period.

Educational games are important in our digital world, but how best can we utilize these games in our curriculum to motivate students to participate in the teaching and learning process?

Reference

Gibson, J. ( 2011) Are Video Games Educational? education.com

http://youtu.be/ddAwFvxCyLs

http://youtu.be/nCaZrnstw8g

http://youtu.be/tSEzpsOkGS8

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/video+game

http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Video_Games_Educational/

Are Libraries at Risk???

Blog #6


Library is a building or room containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded music for people to read or borrow. 

In a traditional sense, a Library is a large collection of books and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Libraries give classifiable knowledge.

The popularity of electronic book readers and the internet for cheap materials have had people predicting the demise of Libraries. 

Libraries have not given up yet, Libraries have found ways in the digital age by embracing technology that allows people to read online and on handheld devices like iPad, also providing free download reading materials, audiobooks and music.

Libraries try to always provide the newest, most modern materials to its patrons.

Libraries are trying their best to upgrade themselves, and better serve the people, but do you think they are satisfying our digital community? Watch this video and judge for yourself. 

This is how most of our students today see and use the Library. 

Personally, I will not make a trip to the Library, if I can access all the information I need in the comfort of my home. Johnson, (2002), agues that “Real libraries have masses of data that will take decades, if at all, to be made available on the Internet. Real libraries have the bonus of trained staff to help you find what you seek, unlike most search engines, which bombard you with unnecessary extra and unwanted or useless data that happened to fit the parameters you set. Despairingly, thousands think this new resource must be better than a library, and waste time and bandwidth on posting questions, or searching the web, for information which their nearest public library can produce in short order.”

Do I agree with Johnson? No, while libraries are wonderful resources for a variety of reference materials, they do have a few limitations. First of all libraries are not usually open 24 hours a day seven days a week(in our digital 24/7 world?). This means that your access to the research materials is limited to the hours of operation of the library. Secondly, the books in a library can be somewhat out-of-date, particularly in smaller libraries. Finally, libraries can be crowded and access to reference materials, computers and other pieces of equipment can be limited by the number of people who also need to use those items.

So then, do we agree to the fact that, Libraries are at risk or just loosing their traditional values?

 References

Herkovic, A. C., Keller, M.A & Reich, V.A. (2003) What    is a library anymore,anyway? First Monday, volume 8, number 5 (May 2003) 

Johnson. G, (2002) THE WEB VERSUS THE LIBRARY

http://firstmonday.org/issues/issue8_5/keller/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library

http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/wyandott/patriciaadams/webvslibraryarticle.htm

http://youtu.be/NyHxgjn5acQ

Handwriting Vs Keyboarding

Blog #5


Commenting on Heidi Cross blog #4 inspired me to do a little research on Handwriting. 

Handwriting is one of the basic three skills of education; reading, writing, and arithmetic.

The invention of typewriter and ever-increasing use of computers are writing off handwriting. 

This video expresses how student perceive handwriting in this digital world.

Handwriting is seen as one important developmental stage. According to Pica, (2011), “a pediatric occupational therapist confirmed to her that, handwriting promotes manipulation and finger isolation skills that are useful for other fine motor activities, including self-care and use of technology.” She continues to say that “learning to write by hand has a positive impact on emergent literacy, as it gives children an important opportunity to physically experience the spatial orientation and directionality of letters in a way that keyboard simply can’t”.  

Research indicates that, there is a correlation between handwriting and brain development, therefore hand is essential to both verbalization and increased creative thoughts. Some experts ague that, when handwriting is taken away from the curriculum, we impede that part of development of the right side of the brain hand-eye coordination and creativity.

Handwriting expresses identity, others gain self esteem in writing.  Studies show people retain information better when they write than type it.

We cannot do away with handwriting. Students are going to sign their names on legal documents and also write checks. 

In todays world, we communicate through a range of of media including emails, blogs, online-environments, chats, texting and  many more all using keyboard. Students are actively more engaged and motivated to complete work when they use these technologies. This calls for the teaching of keyboarding skills. Keyboarding skills are taught earlier in schools now and handwriting appears to slowly recede into the background.

Parents these days show of their children when they know how to work these modern technologies, rather than showing of their children’s beautiful hand writing. 

In our U.S history class, we give extra credit to students who type their outlines and project works. It looks like handwriting is losing its grounds.

On the flipped side, considering the developmental importance of handwriting, do we have to teach handwriting, or teach more keyboarding skills which is a key surviving skill in the 21st century.

References

Luck, M. (01-31-2011) Good Question: Should Schools Teach      Handwriting?

kxly News

Pica, R. (07-21-2011) Should We Teach Handwriting in the Digital

Walker, S. (08-23-2011) Still the Write Stuff: Why We Must Continue Teaching Handwriting

http://www.kxly.com/news/26681353/detail.html

http://www.scilearn.com/blog/teaching-handwriting-skills.php

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rae-pica/should-we-teach-handwriti_b_905721.


http://youtu.be/YcaXce85STU

Schools and Social Network

Blog #4

Thinking through what to post on my blog this time, I had to do lots of reading and came across an article by Nancy Willard which gave me an idea to discuss “ Schools and Social Networks. 

Before we discuss what Nancy said, lets look at “What Social Network Is? “

Dictionary.com define social network as “ a network of friends, colleagues, and other personal contacts.” It gives another definition as “an online community of people with a common interest who use a web site or other technology to communicate with each other and share information, resources etc.”  

I underlined the above words to emphasize what I think social network is all about. The  video below gives further explanation of Social Network and Why Social Network?

Considering the different definitions of social network or networking, we can say that social network could be a very good tool for teaching and learning. We live in a social world and we have to teach our students how  to be effective collaborators  in “this world” how to interact with people around them, how to be engaged, and informed 21st citizens. 

The evolving world of internet community; blogs, podcast, tags, file swapping, offer students radically new ways to research, create and learn. Is our responsibility as educators to teach students the powerful ways networking can change the way they look at education, not just their social lives. A school could use blog software to bring together students who are writing or working on the same topic, research, or project work. A teacher can set up students with accounts  at a website, which let them store, organize and share links; for example, an annotated resource list that can be used on a project. They can also see links other people have saved or browse to see what everyone has bookmarked on a subject. 

It looks and sounds good what students can do with social network. On the other hand,  we all agree to the fact that, social networking can be abused by students when there are no rules to regulate its use. Willard  (2011), outline the following as what “schools can do “ to make good use of social networking ;

WHAT SCHOOLS CAN DO

A comprehensive approach to addressing student Internet access is necessary. That approach requires:

1. A clear policy with a strong focus on educationally valuable use of the Internet -- no "Internet recess." The policy must be supported by curriculum and professional development, and a clear expectation for teachers that all student use of the Internet should be for high quality, well-planned instructional activities.
2. Student education about online safety and responsible use.
3. Effective technical monitoring.
4. Appropriate consequences. Schools and districts should consider a full review of Internet use management policies and practices. A needs assessment and evaluation of Internet use would provide helpful insight. Safe school personnel must be involved in that process.

Do we agree with Nancy Willard that, when  the above is done or put in place, Social Network could be a very good source or material for schools?  

References

Willard, N. (2011) Education World: Schools and Online Social      Networking. EducationWorld Community.

http://dictionary.reference.com

http://www.commoncraft.com/video/social-networking

http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues

Who Rules? Digital Natives Or Immigrants

Blog #3


The digital world is a world furnished and landscaped with technology. Two groups of people make up this world-; Digital Citizens and Digital Immigrants.

The citizens are those born into technology and never known anything without a keyboard. Our students are the predominant members. “Digital immigrant” a term coined by Prensky, (2001), identify the generation that was not brought up with technology but has to learn quickly how to live with technology. They are individuals born before the existence of digital technology and adopted it  some extent later in life. They are the ones that had to wait for pictures to be “developed”.  Strangely enough they are the educators of the citizens.

 What an irony!!!. In the real world, citizens teach immigrants how to adopt into their new environment but, in this “digital world”, the immigrants are the ones who are responsible for helping the citizens to adopt into their own world. 

The immigrants created the digital world and invented these new networked technologies.

These natives do not understand or align with their own cultures and values, yet, they look down upon the immigrants and think they know it all.

Watch video below and let’s reflect on this; ”Do we as educators(immigrants) let go our old ways and make room for the learning styles of our digital natives or improve on our old ways where we use reflections(mental contemplation) as a learning tool or adopt to these digital citizens who look for more interactive forms of learning ”Clicking”, where everything is already  made”. Calculators, e.dictionary, e.books, e.everything, less critical thinking skills. Don’t think they can be creative like the immigrants who invented this technologies. 

                                       References

Georgieva, M. (2009) Be a Digital Citizen, Not a Digital Tourist.

Prensky, M. (2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants Part 1. On the Horizon, 9(5), 1-6. doi: 10.1108/10748120110424816

http://youtu.belovsymMbMYHA

Surviving In The Educational Village

Blog #2


To survive, is to to remain alive or in existence, to continue to function or prosper.

Yoder, (2011), stated that, “ to succeed and prosper in today’s increasingly digital world, digital literacy skills are essential”. 

I agree with Yoder, in that to help our students survive in this “New World”, we as  educators must foster competency in digital literacy, which is one of most crucial tools that we can provide our students with, as society strives to produce technology literate and competent digital citizens. 

In helping our students survive, our system of education; 

• should prepare students to address the world’s problem and belief that scientific discovery and technological innovations will play a critical role in their lives.
• engage students in critical thinking and problem solving activities while fostering global awareness and ability to collaborate with others.
• digital media literacy should be part of the curriculum, such as, keyboarding, research skills,  alongside, cyberbullying and civility too.

 In teaching and helping them to survive, there should be some guidelines put in place to help them succeed. However, the digital rules are not really different from the ones in real world. For example;

• “Don’t talk to strangers”- limit your friends online to people you know in real life.
• Remember the Golden Rule”- don’t post things you wouldn’t want posted about you. 
• Use your time wisely- set rules about media use
• “Lock your doors”- use and recheck your privacy settings often.

By the way, do we have to set rules like the ones above to help our digital generation survive or we should just over suggestions?

**Click on the link below to watch a video, just added it to show how our students think today**

file://localhost/Users/owner/Desktop/youtu.be:SkhpmEZWuRQ.webloc

References

Yoder, A. (2011), Promoting Digital Literacy In The Classroom Through Web 2.0.  Technologies. College of  Central Florida,    U.S.

 http://pwsdeducationaltechnology.blogspot.com

http://sloanconsortium.org/conferences/2011/aln/promoting-digital-literacy-classroom-through

Technology: A Teaching Tool

Blog #1

The world is shrinking as technology now allow us to communicate with peers around the world. Thus making the world a village, where we speak the same language,  practice same culture and share same goals, “TECHNOLOGY”. Just a click of a button and you can access the world around you. Technology rules everything now, the world, education, economy, communication, families, and the worst of all our youth/students. 

For us to make the best use out of it, education/schools should take a major role in incorporating the use of more technology in our schools so as we can speak the same language as our students. Speaking the same language goes a long way, it helps achieve goals, vision and reach a decision. As much as we want to change our educational system to meet our economic, social and political needs, education should be presented through the medium/media used by our students today.

This calls for creativity and the need for encouragement and support for sustainable innovations of teachers. Shimabukuro (2011), outline the following to suggest how teachers/education can meet this needs, (1) more freedom to determine how and when to use some of the latest online technology that they’re independently exploring, discovering and using (2) more resources to implement those technologies in their own online learning and teaching environment (3) more non-instructional time to develop, prepare, and manage these new environments.

Meeting these needs does not only lie on the teacher/school, as stressed by Withrow (2011) in his article, “ Education of our children is a responsibility for all members of the society, lets us have a system worthy of the digital age”. The success of our future leaders much depends on how best we use the technology in our digital age to educate and capture their interest and involvement in our world today.

With that been said, should we allow our High School students to use their cell phones in the classroom as a resource tool?

  

 References

Shimabukuro, J. (2011). A Lesson From Kyrene: Technology Alone is Not the Answer

Withrow, F. (2011). It Still Takes a Village: Social Media Challenges for Schools in the Digital Age

http://etcjournal.com/2011/08/21/9726/

www.techbridgeworld.org