Journal 4

 Journal 4: “It’s Time to Trust Teachers with the Internet: A Conversation with Meg Ormiston” (NETS 3)

Schaffhause, Dian (12/01/10) Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/articles/2010/12/01/its-time-to-trust-teachers-with-the-internet-a-conversation-with-meg-ormiston.aspx?sc_lang=en

Summary:  Meg Ormiston feels that we need to teach our students responsibility when it comes to letting them surf the internet.  She explains that by blocking everything, we also block learning.  She uses YouTube as an example.  There are several videos on YouTube that can be beneficial in the learning environment but there are also inappropriate videos.   It is up to the teachers to ensure and guide the students to making wise choices in the classroom as what sites they visit at the school.  She feels that if teachers can be trusted to teach students then they should be trusted with the internet.

This sounds like a great persuasive writing topic!

Q1.  Often there is only one teacher in the classroom so how do you manage all of your students and what sight they are on?

A1.  As always the teacher does the best job they can of supervising all the students while they are in the classroom.  Online access mishaps can happen just as easy as bullying.  This falls under the one student that ruined for the rest of the students.

Q2.  What should be the punishment for a student who is caught visiting inappropriate web sites at school?

A1.  Each students needs to sign a document stating they have read and understand the internet policy rules.  I look at it like cheating.  They know it is wrong and for one reason or another, they decide to make the wrong decision.  A students internet privileges should be revoked for a certain period of time to give them time to reflect on their decision and to learn that it can be difficult to complete some of your classwork if your internet access is restricted.   

Journal 2

Journal 2: “Join the Flock” and Enhance Your Twitter Experience” (NETS 3&5)

Ferguson, Hadley Join the Flock and McClintock Miller, Shannon (June/July 2010) Learning and Leading with Technology.  Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Join_the_Flock.aspx & http://www.iste.org/Libraries/Leading_and_Learning_Docs/June_July_2010_Join_the_Flock.sflb

Summary:  The “Join the Flock” article gave great step by step instructions to setting up your own twitter account.  It gave details and will allow you to make twitter a tool that you will be able to use at your own comfort level.  The thought “It’s so easy a caveman can do it” came to mind while reading the article.  The idea behind educators using twitter as educational tool to seek personal growth is exciting and the students will end up benefiting in the long run.

“Enhance Your Twitter Experience” explained what PLN’s (personal learning networks) meant.  It is mentioned in the “Join the Flock” article but I did not make the connection until I read the second article.  I like how at the end of the article the teacher gave some remedial tips for people who may not see the benefits of twitter.   

Q1.  What is your suggestion for people who people who do not want to become a slave to their computer?

A1.  As with all computer social networks, setting a time limit is a must.  Remember, you only get 140 characters so you are limited in what you can type.  The article states that in just ten minutes you will get to know the people in your PLN.  Having two separate PLN’s will help you to differentiate between your work time and your personal time.      

Q2.  What if I never get to the point where I want to expose myself?

A1.  You may never get to that point but don’t close that door already.  The hope is that the more involved you become and the more comfortable you become, the next step of sharing will just come naturally.  It is what you teach your students to do every day in your classroom.  Come to the table with an open mind and see where your techy imagination will take you.

All About Me Survey

Classroom Newsletter

NETS 1,2 & 3

This is the newsletter I created using a word document.

Journal 1

Journal 1: “Do Web 2.0 Right,” (NETS 1&4)

Light, Daniel (February 2011, Volume 38, Issue 5) Do Web 2.0 Right.  Learning and Leading with Technology.  Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Feature_Article_Do_Web_2_0_Right.aspx

Summary:  Web 2.0 is a technology tool that can be used to enhance the classroom.  Students can use the Web 2.0 tools to engage in academic interaction with their teachers as well as their peers. Using these types of computer based assignments will motivate more students to do more writings both in the classroom and at home.  Most teachers felt that the activities were most successful when used daily.  Blogs were found to be most successful when the communication was kept between just the student and the teacher and not made public to the class.  Some students were self-conscious and reluctant to become involved because they didn’t feel they had anything important to add.  The most common types of Web 2.0 used were class blog and student blogs.  They were used for one of the following reasons: to elicit prior knowledge, generate interest, support student debated and provide students with feedback. 

Q1.  Would these Web 2.0 tools have the same success if used in a nonpublic school special education classroom?

A1.  All students could definitely benefit from the use technology.  Technology is a huge part of society today.  Students today have more exposure to technology through their cell phones and computers than most adults can even comprehend.  Most of the students would probably be most comfortable with student/teacher blog.  A class blog could be successful through close monitoring by the teacher.

Q2.  Assigning Web 2.0 assignments as homework can be difficult for students who may not have access to a computer at home.  How would you as an educator handle situations like this?

A1.  My students are very good at letting me know if they have conflicts with homework assignments.  I may allow the students to complete their computer assignment at school and take something else home for homework that does not require a computer.