Mr. Roberts & The Technology Presentation
1. Discuss what was the most relevant parts of Dr. Robert's presentation for you. What further questions do you have regarding this subject.
One of most relevant parts of Dr. Roberts presentation was the point of multitasking; the use of several technologies at any given time. Wether it is watching TV and playing on the computer, or listening to music while playing games, it is ultimately taking away from the ability to focus on one event at a single time. I think this concept of multitasking effects other aspects of a student's life. If one is constantly trained to switch attention from one stimulus to another, then it is going to carry over into settings like the classroom. The student will seek a stimulus to switch over to, or will be unable to focus on the task they are on. I think multitasking can be dangerous and needs to be monitored closely.
I also found the aspect of technology exposure vs. technology use very profound. While one can be using technology for 5 hours, they can actually be exposed to it for double it they are multitasking. This was fascinating and shocking to me! Dr. Roberts shared that some students were exposed to over 15 hours of technology a day! Between school and sleep (hopefully 8 hours), I can't imagine that there was any time for outdoor play! Relating to my above statement on multitasking, using two or more technologies at once will expose you to more spent on technology
Finally, the last point that I found relevant presented by Dr. Robert's was that students who used less technology reported better grades. Those who used more technology reported to have worse grades than their counterparts. I found this a strong correlation to keep in mind, because essentially, the more a student spends time on his homework and less time on a game or TV, the better they will do in school.
2 & 3. Read the NY Times article "More Pupils are Leaning Online, Fueling Debate on Quality" Discuss the implications for education, for your school community, and for your own teaching.
As an elementary school teacher, the prospect of turning over core subject matter to computer based classes frightens me. Human development occurs well past the age of 16; the child is still developing motor skills, mental processing, coordination, etc. As a young child, learning MUST incorporate an environment in which the child can move, write, read, play, touch, etc. It is dangerous to me, to require children at such young ages to take courses online. How will they develop if the subject is not offered to them in a multidimensional aspect. I understand the implications for wanting online courses; more options, remediations made possible for higher graduation rates, and lower costs. But, it's frightening, it really is. If this method filters down to elementary schools where ALL courses are taken online, I can only imagine the limitations and detriments that child will face; lack of face to face skills, lack of discussion, a constant docile and seated position staring into a neon screen like a robot. I strongly oppose this new found education online, ESPECIALLY at the elementary level where learning is not just reading a text and discussing its underlying meaning, it is about a multifaceted learning experience where children get to hear, listen, touch, discuss and reflect on the subject. Students can not do this if they are required to type away on on a computer for 6 hours a day.
4. Review the "Technology Resources for Teacher" document. Explore a minimum of four links with which you are unfamiliar and discuss how each can support student learning in your classroom- now or in the future.
http://www.teachertube.com I liked how all content on this site was education related, and organized effectively into categories. The videos can provide as a supplemental resource to any lesson from songs to interviews to exerpts from literature. I cam across a great geography song called fifty nifty united states. It would be great to use this song as a way to help students to learn the 50 states in America, but in a fun and participatory way.
http://www.donorschoose.org I've heard about this website since I started the Saint Mary's program. Both of my master teachers utilized this website to get the most amazing supplies for their classrooms. My first grade master touched got manipulative math games, magnetic white boards, and clocks with moving hands. My third grade teacher received loads of science supplies; from butterfly nets, to magnifying glasses, to science experiment kits. I can't wait to use this organization in my own classroom since I will most likely be teaching in a low funded district. It gives me confidence that there are people out there that want to donate to the world for a better cause.
http://www.dropbox.com/ I thought this was a neat tool to have uploaded onto various computers. Instead of having to email documents to myself, or save it onto a hard drive, this will be much easier to drop documents, files, pictures etc. into a folder and have it when I get to the classroom. I think it will also be useful when I want to collaborate and share ideas with fellow teachers. I will definitely use this resource!
http://quizlet.com I really like this resource for ELD use. When I taught ELD, there were many simple vocabulary terms in the unit that students misunderstood or did not know. I like how there are preset flashcards that are related like "fruit" or "things with wheels." The flashcards provide both the picture and the word together, and can easily be flipped to the next card. I will use this source for ELD to supplement understanding for a certain unit. I think photographs and pictures can be a powerful resource. Often, students have the background knowledge; they know what the object is, they just don't know what it is called.
5. Respond to one other blog in the class.
One of most relevant parts of Dr. Roberts presentation was the point of multitasking; the use of several technologies at any given time. Wether it is watching TV and playing on the computer, or listening to music while playing games, it is ultimately taking away from the ability to focus on one event at a single time. I think this concept of multitasking effects other aspects of a student's life. If one is constantly trained to switch attention from one stimulus to another, then it is going to carry over into settings like the classroom. The student will seek a stimulus to switch over to, or will be unable to focus on the task they are on. I think multitasking can be dangerous and needs to be monitored closely.
I also found the aspect of technology exposure vs. technology use very profound. While one can be using technology for 5 hours, they can actually be exposed to it for double it they are multitasking. This was fascinating and shocking to me! Dr. Roberts shared that some students were exposed to over 15 hours of technology a day! Between school and sleep (hopefully 8 hours), I can't imagine that there was any time for outdoor play! Relating to my above statement on multitasking, using two or more technologies at once will expose you to more spent on technology
Finally, the last point that I found relevant presented by Dr. Robert's was that students who used less technology reported better grades. Those who used more technology reported to have worse grades than their counterparts. I found this a strong correlation to keep in mind, because essentially, the more a student spends time on his homework and less time on a game or TV, the better they will do in school.
2 & 3. Read the NY Times article "More Pupils are Leaning Online, Fueling Debate on Quality" Discuss the implications for education, for your school community, and for your own teaching.
As an elementary school teacher, the prospect of turning over core subject matter to computer based classes frightens me. Human development occurs well past the age of 16; the child is still developing motor skills, mental processing, coordination, etc. As a young child, learning MUST incorporate an environment in which the child can move, write, read, play, touch, etc. It is dangerous to me, to require children at such young ages to take courses online. How will they develop if the subject is not offered to them in a multidimensional aspect. I understand the implications for wanting online courses; more options, remediations made possible for higher graduation rates, and lower costs. But, it's frightening, it really is. If this method filters down to elementary schools where ALL courses are taken online, I can only imagine the limitations and detriments that child will face; lack of face to face skills, lack of discussion, a constant docile and seated position staring into a neon screen like a robot. I strongly oppose this new found education online, ESPECIALLY at the elementary level where learning is not just reading a text and discussing its underlying meaning, it is about a multifaceted learning experience where children get to hear, listen, touch, discuss and reflect on the subject. Students can not do this if they are required to type away on on a computer for 6 hours a day.
4. Review the "Technology Resources for Teacher" document. Explore a minimum of four links with which you are unfamiliar and discuss how each can support student learning in your classroom- now or in the future.
http://www.teachertube.com I liked how all content on this site was education related, and organized effectively into categories. The videos can provide as a supplemental resource to any lesson from songs to interviews to exerpts from literature. I cam across a great geography song called fifty nifty united states. It would be great to use this song as a way to help students to learn the 50 states in America, but in a fun and participatory way.
http://www.donorschoose.org I've heard about this website since I started the Saint Mary's program. Both of my master teachers utilized this website to get the most amazing supplies for their classrooms. My first grade master touched got manipulative math games, magnetic white boards, and clocks with moving hands. My third grade teacher received loads of science supplies; from butterfly nets, to magnifying glasses, to science experiment kits. I can't wait to use this organization in my own classroom since I will most likely be teaching in a low funded district. It gives me confidence that there are people out there that want to donate to the world for a better cause.
http://www.dropbox.com/ I thought this was a neat tool to have uploaded onto various computers. Instead of having to email documents to myself, or save it onto a hard drive, this will be much easier to drop documents, files, pictures etc. into a folder and have it when I get to the classroom. I think it will also be useful when I want to collaborate and share ideas with fellow teachers. I will definitely use this resource!
http://quizlet.com I really like this resource for ELD use. When I taught ELD, there were many simple vocabulary terms in the unit that students misunderstood or did not know. I like how there are preset flashcards that are related like "fruit" or "things with wheels." The flashcards provide both the picture and the word together, and can easily be flipped to the next card. I will use this source for ELD to supplement understanding for a certain unit. I think photographs and pictures can be a powerful resource. Often, students have the background knowledge; they know what the object is, they just don't know what it is called.
5. Respond to one other blog in the class.
posted by Sarafin at
2:41 PM
2 Comments:
Sarah, i too really enjoyed the aspect of Dr. Roberts presentation when he was talking about media multitasking. I am sure students partake in this kind of activity all the time. I know for my self i am usually watching tv, while on the computer, with my phone right next to me. This multitasking is ever present and will continue to happen in the future. With all the technical advances today it is nearly impossible to stay away from this kind of activity.
I really liked the resources you shared as well. I think they will be very helpful.
Sarah, I agree strongly that the use of online education should be limited through high school at least. We will certainly lose the "magic" of the teaching moment and the experience of watching our student interact if all education should go online. At the same time, I've read experiences from several students about good experiences they've had with some online classes. Once again, it no doubt comes down to the teacher and how effectively the online tools are used and HOW ACCOUNTABLE THE STUDENT IS in the class. The concept scares me in many ways, but I see it happening, at least in a limited way.
I'm glad you found some useful and helpful web sites. I hope all of us will be committed to using technology to enhance what we teach, and not just for the sake of using technology!
Patti
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