“In 1992, the U.S. Department of Labor’s SCANS report noted that at least 80% of all jobs in the next two decades would require workers to be technologically fluent. This means if workers are not well prepared in using technology to succeed in the workplace, they will be forced to take low-paying jobs with limited potential for advancement.” (Swain and Edyburn, 2007) As teachers this statistic alone should inspire all teachers to use technology in the classroom. The primary goal for teachers is to prepare our students to be effective members of society. In today’s world if student are not fluent with technology they will not be able to succeed in most careers.
“Even if an incoming freshman is highly gifted, if he or she is not extremely familiar with using technology in the learning environment, that student is at a decided disadvantage the second he or she steps onto the university or college campus.” (Swain and Edyburn, 2007) All teachers promote that their students should continue their education. The first year of college is incredibly overwhelming and many students choose not to return after their freshman year. This might always be a problem that students face, however if middle and high school teachers prepare students not only academically but also technologically, they might increase the odds of those students staying in college.
As a recent college graduate, I faced many battles with technology. I graduated from a small rural high school that did not have the funding to promote technology. Even during my senior year it was still acceptable to turn in final hand written papers because the teachers could not expect that all their students had computer access at home. When I entered college I immediately was faced with teacher websites, WebCT or BlackBoard, online classes and electronically submitted work. I was completely overwhelmed and only survived by making friends with technologically gifted students. If my high school had prepared me for this atmosphere I would have had a more successful freshman year.
However, my high school could not do that. They did not have the funding to equip the school with computer labs or multi-media classrooms. So how can we truly expect teachers to use technology with their students if we cannot guaranty that all school children will be provided equal opportunities to use technology? As a teacher “… you can find out discreetly which of your students do and do not have access to computers and the Internet at home and then point those who lack these resources to places in the community where they can turn to gain better access (e.g., public library, community technology center, Boys and Girls Club).”(Swain and Edyburn, 2007) This is an excellent solution to some children’s lack of technology in the home. However, it still does not provide transportation to and from these locations.
I believe that as future teachers we will see dramatic differences in the use of technology in our careers. We all recognize the importance of technology but it might not be realistic for all of use to have access to the latest and greatest technology in our first teaching position. What we can do is be strong advocates for the use of technology in our schools. We can work on writing technology grants for our schools, but most importantly we can make the best of the resources that we are provided.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Should Cell Phones be Banned in Classrooms?
“Cell phones can be audio recorders, digital video camcorders, still cameras, note-taking devices, calculation devices, scheduling and management tools, phone conferencing devices, Internet researching tools, faxing and scanning devices, blog and Web page editors, or even audio assessment recorders.” said Liz Kolb. Technology is an amazing tool. Most of us have computers that can do almost anything in our pockets or purses, but should they really be used in an educational setting? First off, while almost all school age children have cell phones not all of them can perform the above task. So requiring students to use cell phones in class is still impractical.
While cell phones are incredible little computers they are also great distractions for students. Even if a teacher allowed cell phones in the classroom for school work students would use them to text and surf the web. According to Kolb, “Teachers who are concerned that cell phones will be distracting inside the classroom can set up a social contract with their students defining the structure and rules around cell phone use in the classroom.” Today’s students could not control the temptation that their best friend or boy friend was a few buttons away. I don’t believe that teachers could conduct an effective lesson if students had full access to their cell phones.
“I am all for the proper integration of as much technology as possible into our classrooms. I am, however, absolutely, fully, totally against cell phone use as a teaching tool.” said, Josh Allen. I am one hundred percent on board will Josh Allen’s perspective. The purpose of a cell phone is to be able to be contacted when you are away from home. However, when students are in school their parents can contact them through the school secretary in case of an emergency and students can verbally talk to their friends during passing time and lunch.
“The goal of an educational setting should be to give students the proper tools to succeed once they step into society.” (Allen) Today’s students are practically born with a cell phone in their hand. There is nothing about a cell phone that a teacher is ever going to teach a student. Teachers would have more success if students taught them about cell phones. Due to this factor cell phones have no place in the classroom. “Nothing that you can do on a cell phone will inspire students as they make their way into the world. I cannot think of a job where “cell phone operation” was a skill. Employers are much more concerned about a student’s computing and critical thinking skills than their phone skills.” (Allen) Our purpose as educators is to provide students with the best skills for the future and those skills would only be hindered if cell phones were allowed in the classroom.
While cell phones are incredible little computers they are also great distractions for students. Even if a teacher allowed cell phones in the classroom for school work students would use them to text and surf the web. According to Kolb, “Teachers who are concerned that cell phones will be distracting inside the classroom can set up a social contract with their students defining the structure and rules around cell phone use in the classroom.” Today’s students could not control the temptation that their best friend or boy friend was a few buttons away. I don’t believe that teachers could conduct an effective lesson if students had full access to their cell phones.
“I am all for the proper integration of as much technology as possible into our classrooms. I am, however, absolutely, fully, totally against cell phone use as a teaching tool.” said, Josh Allen. I am one hundred percent on board will Josh Allen’s perspective. The purpose of a cell phone is to be able to be contacted when you are away from home. However, when students are in school their parents can contact them through the school secretary in case of an emergency and students can verbally talk to their friends during passing time and lunch.
“The goal of an educational setting should be to give students the proper tools to succeed once they step into society.” (Allen) Today’s students are practically born with a cell phone in their hand. There is nothing about a cell phone that a teacher is ever going to teach a student. Teachers would have more success if students taught them about cell phones. Due to this factor cell phones have no place in the classroom. “Nothing that you can do on a cell phone will inspire students as they make their way into the world. I cannot think of a job where “cell phone operation” was a skill. Employers are much more concerned about a student’s computing and critical thinking skills than their phone skills.” (Allen) Our purpose as educators is to provide students with the best skills for the future and those skills would only be hindered if cell phones were allowed in the classroom.
Is Chatspeak Destroying English?
“A student of mine recently asked via e-mail, “hey, i cant find hw n the conf can u help.” I did. Shortly thereafter, she wrote a lovely paper devoid of chatspeak.” said Greg Monfils, Freshman/Sophomore Academic Dean for the Urban School of San Francisco. This is a very true statement. Student’s today are very capable of switching from “Chatspeak” to English much as a by lingual student switches from one language to another, “After all, we teach them different languages all the time. We don’t fear that a Spanish class will diminish a student’s command of English.” (Monfils)
Young teenage minds are capable of communication in multiple languages; however that is not truly the debate at hand. Are society is not concerned that a student is going to turn in a paper written in grammatically correct Spanish, they are concerned that students are not being taught grammar and spelling. This is completely true. Students are inserting “Chatspeak” in assignments and final papers. As for Mr. Monfils example of the student that e-mailed him in “Chatspeak” and then wrote an excellent paper, I pose the question of, is it appropriate for students to address teachers using this type of language? Any employee would never send their supervisor an e-mail written in “Chatspeak”.
“Every generation has something that is uniquely their own, and that is wonderful; however, a time comes when we all have to grow and evolve into our true character, and many young people will have a difficult time drawing the line between acceptable and unacceptable dialogue in everyday life, especially in written communications.” said, Linda Howard. In academic setting students should address teachers and peers using formal language. Many countries around the world have both formal and informal language. In these countries students would definitely only speak and only use formal language when addressing a teacher.
“We may have different sets of linguistic conventions according to our ethnicity, family, friends, and our work and school communities, but at some point it is time to realize that the English language must be used effectively to understand and to be understood.” (Howard) To appeal to today’s students teachers must example the importance of being understood. All students want to be valued for their thoughts and opinions, however if they are written in a grammatically incorrect and often not understandable form their thought might be disregarded. Teacher’s must create a classroom standard for writing that is professional for their students to follow.
Young teenage minds are capable of communication in multiple languages; however that is not truly the debate at hand. Are society is not concerned that a student is going to turn in a paper written in grammatically correct Spanish, they are concerned that students are not being taught grammar and spelling. This is completely true. Students are inserting “Chatspeak” in assignments and final papers. As for Mr. Monfils example of the student that e-mailed him in “Chatspeak” and then wrote an excellent paper, I pose the question of, is it appropriate for students to address teachers using this type of language? Any employee would never send their supervisor an e-mail written in “Chatspeak”.
“Every generation has something that is uniquely their own, and that is wonderful; however, a time comes when we all have to grow and evolve into our true character, and many young people will have a difficult time drawing the line between acceptable and unacceptable dialogue in everyday life, especially in written communications.” said, Linda Howard. In academic setting students should address teachers and peers using formal language. Many countries around the world have both formal and informal language. In these countries students would definitely only speak and only use formal language when addressing a teacher.
“We may have different sets of linguistic conventions according to our ethnicity, family, friends, and our work and school communities, but at some point it is time to realize that the English language must be used effectively to understand and to be understood.” (Howard) To appeal to today’s students teachers must example the importance of being understood. All students want to be valued for their thoughts and opinions, however if they are written in a grammatically incorrect and often not understandable form their thought might be disregarded. Teacher’s must create a classroom standard for writing that is professional for their students to follow.
Webquest Reviews
Caitlin Mack’s Impressionism Webquest
http://questgarden.com/85/63/1/090729083734/index.htm
In this Webquest students are asked to look at Impressionist painters and how they painted. This webquest is beautiful. Caitlin spent so much time finding examples of these painters art to show students the differences between the artists in the Impressionist movement. This webquest was complete. Every section had great explanations and artwork. I really have no suggestions for Caitlin’s webquest. The background colors are not distracting, the directions are easy to read and the artwork is amazing.
I think that this webquest would be great for a high school art class. High school art students would enjoy the independence of this assignment. Caitlin has give students numerous artist options that they could do their reports on. I believe that artistic students would enjoy finding an impressionist painter that they could imitate and learn from. My only suggestion is that this assignment might take too long for the amount of time a teacher would like to spend on the impressionist movement.
Katie Swanson’s Latin America Traveler Blog
http://questgarden.com/85/81/3/090801195942/
This is webquest is so creative. Even though it was created for a Spanish class it could be used for a geography, social studies or history class. I would even try using it in my health classes as a way for student to explore other counties and the living/health conditions that they face. The directions for this webquest are easy to follow and I appreciated the screen images so that students knew they were on the right track. This webquest was complete and had great illustrations. My only suggestions for this webquest would be to change the background colors to something less vibrant and to use words as hyperlinks instead of listing the entire link on the page.
I think this webquest is exactly what high school language classes should be about. This webquest gives students the opportunity to plan a possible trip to a Spanish speaking country of their choice. They will learn about the country, landmarks, transportation, lodging and food. I think this is a great way to get students comfortable with the idea of traveling or studying abroad.
http://questgarden.com/85/63/1/090729083734/index.htm
In this Webquest students are asked to look at Impressionist painters and how they painted. This webquest is beautiful. Caitlin spent so much time finding examples of these painters art to show students the differences between the artists in the Impressionist movement. This webquest was complete. Every section had great explanations and artwork. I really have no suggestions for Caitlin’s webquest. The background colors are not distracting, the directions are easy to read and the artwork is amazing.
I think that this webquest would be great for a high school art class. High school art students would enjoy the independence of this assignment. Caitlin has give students numerous artist options that they could do their reports on. I believe that artistic students would enjoy finding an impressionist painter that they could imitate and learn from. My only suggestion is that this assignment might take too long for the amount of time a teacher would like to spend on the impressionist movement.
Katie Swanson’s Latin America Traveler Blog
http://questgarden.com/85/81/3/090801195942/
This is webquest is so creative. Even though it was created for a Spanish class it could be used for a geography, social studies or history class. I would even try using it in my health classes as a way for student to explore other counties and the living/health conditions that they face. The directions for this webquest are easy to follow and I appreciated the screen images so that students knew they were on the right track. This webquest was complete and had great illustrations. My only suggestions for this webquest would be to change the background colors to something less vibrant and to use words as hyperlinks instead of listing the entire link on the page.
I think this webquest is exactly what high school language classes should be about. This webquest gives students the opportunity to plan a possible trip to a Spanish speaking country of their choice. They will learn about the country, landmarks, transportation, lodging and food. I think this is a great way to get students comfortable with the idea of traveling or studying abroad.
PowerPoint
PowerPoint presentations are a teacher’s best friend. They allow you to have clear, readable points and they help keep your lesson on track. Some of the things that I enjoyed from my classes PowerPoint presentations were the use of personal pictures. This was incredibly interesting to hear the history behind a location but to also hear what it was like first hand. Obviously, teachers cannot do this for every country or location that they teaching, but if they have visited a location they should definitely use a PowerPoint presentation to talk about their experience. Using PowerPoint to teach language is a very useful tool. It would be great to import real weather station clips and have students try to understand the report based upon the new vocabulary they have just learned.
While PowerPoint is a useful tool in teaching it might be used too much. Teachers should be careful of text heavy slides and reading from the slides. I didn’t notice this much in our classes presentations. My only suggestion for our classes PowerPoint’s would be the use of video. I think short clips are great additions to any presentation, however if they are longer than five minutes I would hesitate showing them. Or, for example, if a clip it too long, start the clip at the point that you feel it should begin to drive home the message.
The improvements that I would make to my own PowerPoint are that I would have picked a shorter topic. I thought that nutrient absorption would be a good topic because it has five major components, however I felt like I could not spend enough time on each nutrient to highlight the differences between them. But, overall I felt like I did while explaining how the body breaks down food.
Personally I love using PowerPoint in the classroom as both a teacher and a student. I remember in high school how hard it was to see and read what the teacher was writing on the board. I also remember that teachers would often tell one class one thing and not the other classes and wonder why students missed questions on test. PowerPoint removes all of these problems. It is clear and readable. It keeps the teacher on track and makes sure that every class receives the same information. Some teacher might say that creating a PowerPoint takes too long but if you consider that you would only have to write the information once rather than six times a day, it is a time saver. I think that all teachers should use PowerPoint if they are able to in their classroom.
While PowerPoint is a useful tool in teaching it might be used too much. Teachers should be careful of text heavy slides and reading from the slides. I didn’t notice this much in our classes presentations. My only suggestion for our classes PowerPoint’s would be the use of video. I think short clips are great additions to any presentation, however if they are longer than five minutes I would hesitate showing them. Or, for example, if a clip it too long, start the clip at the point that you feel it should begin to drive home the message.
The improvements that I would make to my own PowerPoint are that I would have picked a shorter topic. I thought that nutrient absorption would be a good topic because it has five major components, however I felt like I could not spend enough time on each nutrient to highlight the differences between them. But, overall I felt like I did while explaining how the body breaks down food.
Personally I love using PowerPoint in the classroom as both a teacher and a student. I remember in high school how hard it was to see and read what the teacher was writing on the board. I also remember that teachers would often tell one class one thing and not the other classes and wonder why students missed questions on test. PowerPoint removes all of these problems. It is clear and readable. It keeps the teacher on track and makes sure that every class receives the same information. Some teacher might say that creating a PowerPoint takes too long but if you consider that you would only have to write the information once rather than six times a day, it is a time saver. I think that all teachers should use PowerPoint if they are able to in their classroom.
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