Article Review

Tara Meyer

http://web.ebscohost.com.thor.nebrwesleyan.edu/ehost/detail?vid=3&hid=11&sid=2e8f568a-d9ac-4df1-99cf-b670518e8b9b%40sessionmgr4&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d 

Computer Technology in the Classroom:  Do Students Really Like It?

            A study was done to see if students really liked computers in the classroom, and if they benefited their learning.  There were 139 students (100 masters students and 39 undergraduate students).   All students reported that they used computers for email, word processing, web browsing, virtual environments (e.g., blogs, Facebook, Myspace), and course management on a daily basis.  On average, students said they used the computer 3.9 hours a day.  The study surveyed the students about technology, and did a study using a 3D animation to help learn the anatomy of the head.  89% of students said they wished their teachers would use technology more in the classroom.  95% of students found the 3D animation and voice explaining the different parts of the head more helpful than the textbook version of learning the same concept.   Results indicated that students who were exposed to the 3D computer-based animation performed better than those who only used traditional methods.

            I think this article showed me that teachers need to adapt to change better than what they are doing.  Technology is the future of education, and whether we want to use it or not we need to.  In order for students to be successful they need to know how to use the modern technology by the time they go to college.  In college, it’s just expected that students know how to use technology, and use it effectively.  This study also showed that students are learning better when they use technology.  I don’t think I’ve ever met a student who LOVED reading a textbook, but if the information is presented in a more fun way then they learn it better.  In this study they had a 3D animation of the head, and a voice to explain each part.  That is much more fun, interesting, and interactive than reading a textbook. 

12 Easy Ways to Use Technology in Your Classroom, Even for Technophobic Teachers

http://www.teachhub.com/12-easy-ways-use-technology-your-classroom-even-technophobic-teachers

Technology is becoming more and more prevalent in classrooms today, almost a necessity.  While some teachers feel very comfortable using all types of technology from the Internet to Smart Boards, there are still several teachers who are very hesitant, especially if they don’t use technology much themselves.  This article gave some excellent ideas for beginning all the way up to advanced tech activities.  One suggestion I could see a lot of teachers using, no matter what their comfort level with technology, would be e-mail pen pals.  I think this would be a good way for both the teacher and the students to ease into using the Internet and allow them to feel more comfortable and confident with their computer skills.  For teachers, they suggest review games using premade templates or PowerPoints for Jeopardy, Who Wants to be a Millionaire, The Weakest Link, and other popular game shows.  This is something I already do and the students love it because it makes the review more interactive and lively.  Plus, it encourages all of the students to get involved in the game.  I also felt having the students complete webquests was another great idea.  There are so many premade ones that teachers who don’t feel comfortable enough with their technology skills to make their own can still have their students complete one.  Of course, as the teacher becomes more acquainted with computers and the Internet, they can begin making their own webquests that are tailored to the specific needs.  As you can see, this article proves anyone can incorporate technology into their classroom, even the technophobic teachers.

7 Brilliant things Teachers Do With Technology

This article focuses on seven ways in which teachers can and are using technology in the classroom in order to help each student become a better and more prepared student for the rest of their lives. 

1.        The first positive listed is that teachers are empowering students with technology.  This is not saying that technology should be used as a crutch, but rather that it should be used as a propellant.  It states that brilliant teachers have themselves experienced the power of technology and help guide the student to use technology in extremely productive ways.

2.       The second area in which technology is being used is to creatively find and use resources.  This includes teachers using their own resources to find new and creative ways in order to obtain new technologies in the classroom and incorporate them into the classroom.

3.       The third area of technology is making conferencing real-time.  This refers to increasing the amount and ability to communicate with the students home.  In today’s technological world there are so many new ways that a teacher can communicate with parents including; email, websites, online grading books, wikis and phone calls.  Having all these options make it possible to allow the parent to stay more informed about what the student is actually doing in school without having to actually go in to see the teacher.  This also allows the parent to be informed about things without having to wait for the semester conferences.

4.       The fourth way that teachers are incorporating technology into the classroom is to put kids in touch with the world.  This refers to making the students more aware and able to obtain information about what is taking place in the world and to learn more about other cultures.  This can also help them to dream bigger and learn how to empathize with others.

5.       The fifth way that technology can be used by a teacher is to accept the role of co-learner.  This means that no one has all the answers to everything, and a teacher needs to be able to admit this when it happens and use their resources to obtain the answers that they need.  The article states that sometimes it is beneficial to have the student teach the teacher something about technology; this can both help the teacher and also give the student a chance to show what they know in a positive manner.

6.       The sixth step that teachers can use technology to benefit the classroom is to use the kids own devises to teach them.  Students are already more advanced when it comes to technology than some educators, so rather than working against it a teacher should embrace new technology.  One of the strongest examples is smart phones.  So many students are familiar and own a smart phone and there are numerous educational tools that can be accessed using this form of technology.

7.       The last positive thing that a teacher can do is to delight in the discovery, the newness, and the fun that technology holds.  Embracing all the amazing things that technology allows us to do is so important when being an educator in today’s world.  Using different technology tools can be fun, exciting, and can increase the interests of the student.  The article states that brilliant teachers use technology’s engagement ( not entertainment) power.

I found this article to be interesting.  The seven examples of how technology can be beneficial for the classroom and students all seemed to in some way increase interest, increase communication, and increase the ways in which a student can learn.  This was just a summary of the article, more can be found at

http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/columnists/johnson/johnson033.shtml

Education Leaders Promote Higher Users of Mobile Learning Technology

Administrators and curriculum directors all play a role and responsibility in helping teachers how to use technology. The article suggests that they can help teachers achieve this by assisting them in using technology at higher levels to meet learning goals.  One of the most current technologies is "mobile learning" with the use of tablets and Smartphones.  According to the article, when new technology is introduced to teachers its is generally shown at its lower level of learning such as for memorization.
Students can use Google images to contrast visual information important to subject area learning.

I agree with the article when it comes to new technologies.  If we want our students to be successful in today's world, its important to keep up with technology and to keep abreast of emerging new technology. I know as a teacher I often say to myself that I can't possibly add one more thing to my to-do list. Let alone try to use technology at a higher learning level.
New technology can be frustrating and counterproductive when it is used improperly or when teachers are not trained adequately. The tools that are designed to improve the performance of students and teachers are only as effective as the people using them.

Using technology is not about teaching the use of technology itself, but rather it is designed to help teachers deliver the required curriculum in a way that integrates the subject matter through various resources and learning styles.

Teachers should not teaching technology for technology’s sake, but teaching curriculum. Technology is like a chalkboard and when effectively integrated into a school, technology can help create a better learning environment at higher levels of thinking.

http://eduwithtechn.wordpress.com/2012/02/15/education-leaders-promote-higher-users-of-mobile-learning-technology/

Jake McMahan sped and tech

http://site.aace.org/pubs/foresite/SpecialEducation.PDF

The article I chose focused on the need to provide access to technology to special education students following as closely to form as providing technology to general education students. This is important to me because I believe that all children should have equal access to as many tools as possible to ensure a higher quality of life. The law agrees with my premise. In 2004 Congress passed the Assistive Technology Act, that basically states that all students must have access to the same technology tools. Most espcecially, the law states that state governments must provide for reutilization, loans, and device demonstrations for special needs students.
I was intruiged by the article's pronouncement of universal design for learning, or UDL. This theory posits that technology can help all students tailor their needs in a flexible manner by employing technology to better understand ideas and better express themselves. The article discussed how some software programs can better help special educaton students enhance their problem solving skills in subjects such as science and reading. I found that to be very interesting because I have never seen that employed in the classroom before.
The author talked about the importance of being cognizant of how lesson planning with the use of technology in mind will affect the students' chance of being successfull with said technology. Although that seems like an obvious statement, I would wager that not nearly enough educators take the time to think about how the use of technology could help or hinder their student's educational outcomes.

Overall, I felt the article provided some excellent information about how software could b specfically employed to help sped students in an array of subjects. I was intrigued by the UDL and plan to look into this theory in greater detail.

Jessica Croy:

Article:  Effects of Technology on Classrooms and Students

http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech/effectsstudents.html

            The article “Effects of Technology on Classrooms and Students” focuses on the positive impact that technology has had on the classroom.  First, they describe the change in the teachers’ and students’ roles when technology is used in the classroom.  Teachers become facilitators of learning.  They are no longer a distributor of information.  They are able to work with individual students and small groups and are able to dialogue more easily with students are discuss how they are showing what they have learned.

            With technology, students are expected to take a more active role in learning, rather than a passive role.  Since there is usually a protect or expected outcome when technology is incorporated in a lesson, students must put the effort into showing exactly what they learned, which is definitely different than a regular assignment or test.

            The article also points out that the use of technology in the classroom can increase the motivation of students, as well as their self-esteem.  Many students are highly skilled in using computers and different software and can shine when using technology; even students that don’t necessarily shine in other aspects of the classroom.  Personally, when I mention a project using the computer lab or laptops are all very excited and are ready to get to work.  I definitely agree that using technology can improve students’ motivation and self-confidence.

            Using technology also allows students to improve their ability using computers and other technical skills, as well as learn more complex tasks.  This prepares them for the future when technology will play a larger role in higher levels of school and in the workplace.  Although technology will change during this time, students will build a strong background and be more comfortable learning new elements of technology.

            Lastly, the article discusses how students’ ability and willingness to collaborate increase when technology is incorporated in the classroom.  Some students step up as peer tutors and help others with their projects.  Also, many group projects involve technology.  Students with different amounts of prior technological knowledge and creativity levels can push each other and share knowledge.

Technology brings "new PE" to schools

Technology brings “new P.E.” to schools

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2008/06/10/technology-brings-new-p-e-to-schools/

I have been teaching Physical Education for 5 years. In those 5 years I have been to many state, district and national conventions for P.E. All of them have had something in common and that is that technology is going to start playing a huge roll in PE classes in the future.

With all the technology that kids are using these days from video games to IPads, cell phones, and computers if we want to keep them interested in school work we are going to have to start incorporating some of these things as well.

This article talks about all the PE programs nation wide who have started asking for money through grants to purchase new equipment for the gym. Not balls and scooters but gaming systems and heart monitors.  There are so many different systems available to us now such and the WII or X-box Kinect that offer different ways to keep kids physically fit.

Using the Wii you can get kids moving and physically active without having to play traditional PE activities. This will allow those kids who hate PE because they are not good at sports to join in on the fun.  You can also include heart monitors and pedometers to closely monitor student’s effort and health. 

3 Tips on Integrating Technology in the Classroom

The article states that integrating technology into the classroom is not a one step process.  According to Bob Wise, President of the Alliance for Excellent Education, "You can't just slap a netbook (computer) on top of a textbook and say "Great, now we have have technology."  The article goes on to talk about the First Annual Digital Learning Day that was held on February 1, 2012.   The purpose of the day was to celebrate K-12 instructors that have successfully brought technology into their classrooms.  Educators, students, librarians, parents and community members were invited to learn about classroom innovations and get new ideas. 
According to the article, "good teaching, especially the kind that involves working with evolving technologies sometimes requires good advice.  Three main points were:
1. Plan Ahead:
The teacher must develop their own personal goals of how to incorporate technology into the classroom.  Goals should include the three "T's"; how can teaching be improved, what technology will be used, and how time will be used more efficiently.
2. Try Something New
Search resources for lesson plans that use technology.  Animoto was mentioned as one tool, it allows students to create and upload videos.  One idea discussed was "flipped classrooms".  Students watch/listen to teacher recorded lectures at home and use class time to work on projects.  This enables the teacher to become more involved with the students. 
3. Become an Educational Designer
Technology allows teachers to "design" their curriculum by choosing and developing the kinds of content their students access and the technologies their students use.  Technology can be used to show students assessments quickly so that teachers can identify their student understanding and provide assistance to struggling students.
I agree with the advice given in the article in that incorporating technology isn't simply putting students in front of a computer.  To use technology successfully in the classroom you need to plan ahead but you also need a list of resources.  I like that the school district provided a Digital Learning Day for their staff and students.  I think all school districts should include a technology as part of professional development days.
   
http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/high-school-notes/2012/01/25/3-tips-on-integrating-technology-in-the-classroom