The Computer Delusion by Ted Oppenheimer

After reading this article, one can see the different positions in which people stand on technology.
Some agree that is the best thing that has happened to schools others think it is a waste. The truth is that too much of something is never good. I think that moderation has to play an important role. Not every child has to have a computer to learn in every class, and cutting back on artistic classes are not the asnwer either. Especially cutting back physical education. We do not want to have inactive kids that have only eyes for the computer and learning through it. We need well rounded healthy students ready to take the challenges coming to them so when real life comes around, it does not take them by suprise.
When kids are complaining about headaches and squinting and sore hands from being exposed to a computer, that's a sign that tells us that not all the teaching can be done through technology. i agree that president Clinton wanted students to be ready for the 21st century but that does not mean that we need to create technology dependant student. What would happen if one day there is a technical error and no learning can be done if the computers are down? Would a student go back to conventional learning without putting up a fight?
I know that the best way to address this technology based discussion is to show the ways technology can be used but certainly not become dependant of it. There are many things to learn other than computer based lessons. Learning through books too play an important role and should be kept that way. Everythign in moderation!

Class reflection

I have been more than pleased with this class. I have been able to brush up on many of the skills that I already had but did not use for a while! I have been able to implement a few things in the classroom without the overwelming feeling of technology. So far, my students have had the opportunity to respond articles through google groups and have enjoyed it! They think it's so " modern and upbeat" They have also used inspiration as tool for the political party outline. Their assigment was to outline the candidates and thier platforms as well as how the Constitution works. I showed them the example that I had done in this class and they responded well on the assignment. I'm looking forward to implement more of what I have left to learn in this class so far..

Technology background

Prior to making the choice of becoming a secondary educator, I worked quite a bit with computers. My undergraduate major is in Geography and a minor in Math. In the past years, Geography has taken a big technological step with the introduction of Geographaphic Informational Systems/Science, better known as GIS or GI Science. This program allows to view and understand as well as question data. You can interpret, and visualize data in many ways that reveal relationships, patterns, and trends in the form of maps, globes, reports, and charts. Data is usually collected with Global Positioning System or better known as GPS Units ( yes, like the ones you can find in your car) or even manually. As long as data is entered into the computers, GIS can generate maps that can associate it with other data. I specifically worked with with satellite images and then i digitized them using the tools that GIS have to offer. Once all that was done, it was easier to convert it into maps. I worked with various towns using their satellites images then digitizing their manholes, water and gas lines, as well as parcels and crops. Eventually, if a town wanted to know how much land a person could be taxed for, it was as easy as pulling up the parcel "shapefile" and adding it to the map of the town and then they would see how much property that person owned according to the town hall records as well as the digitized image. There were many times that discrepancies were found when a person was taxed for more land that they owned. With the use of this technology many mistakes were corrected.
I spent quite a bit of time in concept mapping as well as data organizing. Also I was responsible for keeping the company's website updated with new information and images through frontpage application. It was a very hands on experience and i enjoyed it very much, however, i felt that the best way for people to understand this technology is by hopefully introducing it at a earlier age such as grade school rather than just in college. This is the link to the company I still work from time to time. If you're interested in GIS you may go ahead and look at one of the uses of it! www.ne-geo.com

Copyright

I think all teachers should be aware about copyright issues and laws. As an educator one should set an example to students about using or citing other's work. How can we expect students to not plagiarize or copy someone's one if a foundation is not instilled in them from their own educators. Perhaps they might not know what copyright infringement is if they have not have the chance of being taught first hand by their own Educators. Although it is hard as a educator to keep up with making up lesson plans and include someone's work without abusing the "fair use" advantage, one should know what's reasonable and what's not.
I know that students will have a better understanding about this issue if indeed they see a set example from thier educator and the use that the educator have with the material that's being distributed. It makes no sense to tell someone not to do something when that him or herself is not exercising the same objective.

Manipulated Digital Image

Im totally proud of my baby Max! I manipulated this image using fotomat. I added more saturation to the photo as well as frame, stickers and text. It would be an ideal project to share and/or to enjoy with students in the classroom. They would absolutely love the fact that they can physically change a picture to their liking.

Universal Design for Learning

By u sing Inspiration, I was able to get the ideas that I read from the UDL article down. I first tried it by doing it with pen and paper, but it did not come to being as neat as when I used the Inspiration software. I think that by Using this program in Social Studies will help orient the student to see whether or not the main ideas are being substracted from the reading. Social Studies has lots of reading and not all the words are main points. This program would be an asset to a History/ Social Studies classroom.

Concept Mapping- Social Studies

United States Constitution and Government
Content Standard 5: Students will apply knowledge of the U S Constitution, how the U S system of government works and how the rule of law and the values of liberty and equality have an impact on individual, local, state and national decisions. *

* Information taken from the Connecticut Curriculum. http://www.ctcurriculum.org/standard

The picture above is a concept map of The Constitution of the United States of America. Broken into different parts, the concept maps explains the Constitution without the overwhelming masses of words. This perhaps is the better way to help young mind understand the function and responsabilites of each branch of the Constitution of the United States government. It is an excellent tool to have, especially if there is extensive reading that accompanies the subject. The concept maps gives a mental picture as well as a break from the intense reading in order to understand a certain subject.

ETIPs response

I enjoyed reading Dexters article of technology integration. I believe that the implementation and integration of technology in classrooms is essential. Today, our society is technologically driven therefore people should have exposure to technology at a young age. Integrating technogical knowledge into the classroom should be a requirement in all schools in all classrooms. Students not only would have a better understading in subjects areas such as science and math that are quite challenging for most students. With the use of better technology in class such as designing programs, LCD projectors and smartboards, a teacher can expose a subject to the fullest and give the student a better visual understanding. Such as a DNA string or an atom. A student could see a three-dimentional picture with movement rather than a plain picture on a book. The mind of the student would not only use the left side of the brain to comprehend but also the right side of it to analyze and use the visual effect to remember in a practical way.
Working as an intern in a middle school, I've had the opportunity to see how students react to the teaching methods of different teachers, some that use more technology than others. Others do not use it at all. I think all students should have the opportunity to get a similar and better education. The integration of technology should be first on the list to better education in many classrooms.

My first blog

Kitty at 4 weeks...

This is my baby Max.. I rescued him from a shelter and he's the love of my life!

First assignment of the class!! I did it!