Technology reshapes America's classrooms

Szep, J. (2008) Technology reshapes America's classrooms. Reuters. Retrieved from: 

         http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/07/07/us-usa-education-technology-idUSN2547885520080707

Summary:

America's education landscape is changing  Say goodbye to notepads, paper, textbooks, and say hello to online courses, kid-friendly laptops and virtual teachers. Schools around the nation are adopting virtual classes to cut education costs and teach more effective lessons.  Online lessons are tailored to children specifically, allowing for a wide range of learners to be one classroom.  A teacher no longer needs a one-size-fits-all lesson plan.  This can lead to a reduction in the demand for teachers-- with everyone on the computer, not as many teachers are required to maintain order.  Additionally, a lot of private companies are pushing for state education to adopt new computer classes.  There is a lot of money to be had if they can get states to switch over to digital education.

Reaction:

When I first read this article, my initial reaction was fear.  As a teacher-candidate, I already know that the job market for me is going to be really tough. Now, I'm reading an article that says online courses are going to reduce the demand for teachers even further? Yikes! I decided to do some additional research on the issue, since the article was written in 2008 and I wanted to get the most up-to-date information.  Apparently, new research has shown that blended instruction, a combination of one-on-one teacher/pupil interaction and online instruction is the most effective.  The Department of Education has released a statement saying that it supports blended instruction, and not replacing teachers with online classes.  That is good news for me!

Laptops for All: Using Technology to Go Beyond Traditional Curriculum

Furger, R. (2001). Laptops for All: Using Technology to Go Beyond Traditional
       Curriculum. Edutopia. Retrieved from:http://www.edutopia.org/laptops-all

Summary:

This article focuses on Mott Hill, a math, science, and technology academy in New York Community School District Six.  Mott Hill has grades 4 though 8, and primarily serves Hispanic Students.  What makes Mott HIll unique? It has an experimental technology program where every student is outfitted with a laptop!  The program started in 1996, when a class of 5th graders received laptops.  The program was so successful, that by 1999, every kid in the school had their own school computer. Teachers have integrated the laptops into their lessons-- students use them to conduct science experiments, to construct spreadsheets in Excel for math class, and to create digital photo albums to use as portfolios. While skeptical at first, teachers quickly saw how useful laptops could be as an educational tool.  Laptops also allow educators more freedom-- for example, an English class was reading a story about a kite and the teacher spontaneously decided that she wanted to do a unit on kites.  So, she simply had her students research how to build a kite on the internet, and away they went.  Laptops truly are a powerful educational tool.

Reaction:

Overall, the article was informative, but dated.  While it was interesting to read about how laptops could shape education, I have already experienced this.  During my senior year of high school, my school adopted a program similar to the one mentioned in the article.  While there was a lot of potential for lessons, our teachers never did anything more inventive than "Google ______". Additionally, the laptops were mainly used by students to surf and play games.  Perhaps at a school like Mott Hill, where most children do not already have access to computers, this program could be really effective.  In a wealthy suburban district? Maybe not as much.

VODcast: Give Girls a Chance

Furger, R. (2003). Give Girls a Chance: Building a Bridge to Science and Technology.  Edutopia. 

        Retrieved from: http://www.edutopia.org/techbridge-science-technology-girls

Podcast: Dangers Online

Starr, L. (2000).  Danger Online! Educating Kids and Parents About Internet Safety. EducationWorld. Retrieved from: http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech043.shtml

Music courtesy of freeplaymusic.com

PowerPoint Presentation on Simulations

Prensky, M. (2007). Simulation nation: the promise of virtual learning activities. Edutopia.
      Retrieved from: http://www.edutopia.org/simulation-nation