Lynde Conroy-Technology in the Elementary Classroom

http://www.naesp.org/principal-januaryfebruary-2012-technology/technology-integration-new-21st-century-learner


This article discusses how today's young learners are expected to learn far more than core curriculum standards. Student's will be expected to be technologically fluent, even in elementary school. Students may become bored by traditional technology in the classroom, and will need to be exposed to extra stimuli and ever-evolving changes to technology. This indicates that teachers will need to continually evolve and update their technology knowledge and application just to keep up with what our young students are doing. This presents several questions: while the challenge and shift in technology is a positive step for education, how will this be implemented by school districts? How can staff receive training and access to new technology, or is "keeping up" with the students technological discoveries realistic or even feasible?http://www.naesp.org/principal-januaryfebruary-2012-tehnology/technology-integration-new-21st-century-learner

Cooper Blog Post- Using Webquest in the Classroom article

http://alicechristie.org/edtech/wq/about.html

Summary

Dr. Christie emphasizes the way that Webquest can engage learners, and she discusses how a Webquest guides students through a process. She explains the two types: short-term and long-term. Short-term can be finished in less than a week, whereas long-term can last up to a month and often requires students to transform what they've learned into a creation piece. In addition, she shows ways that Webquests can benefit students' use of the internet, such as comparing and contrasting websites and understanding the difference between reliable and unreliable websites. Finally, she describes the different components of a Webquest, and emphasizes how they can be used to connect students with real-life experiences.

James Watson Article: The false promise of classroom technology.

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-11-11/the-false-promise-of-classroom-technology

This article talks about how it is good to have technology in schools such as computers and computer labs however they are not a substitute for teachers. The article goes on to talk about how there was a study where computers were dropped off with no instructions and within weeks students were on Disney channel and other social media sites.That study didn't show where computers helped students that much.In a separate study students were given computers that were specifically designed and could only go to certain sites and sites like YouTube and Disney were blocked. those students showed more educational growth. In the end computers are of great value but the educators need to be educated on how to correctly use them in the classroom to make sure they are doing more good than harm.

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-11-11/the-false-promise-of-classroom-technology

James Watson

1. This site would be useful for students to do group work outside of school. This site would make it easy for students to work together without having to be in the same place. It would be really good for students who may not have transportation, or for students that have practice after school and they could add their portion when they get home or from another library. This would allow for projects to be completed without the stress of setting up specific meeting times and places.

2. Teachers can use this for assignments that may stretch across several weeks to have students collaborate when they are not at school or if a student is home sick. This site also allow for teachers to check on how much work everyone is doing, as well as if they are struggling or if it is to easy for a student that way a teacher can tailor it to a specific student.Teachers can also give quick feedback on assignments. Another good thing is all of this is in one place you don't have to go from site to site.

Ipads are the newest tools for some preschoolers

This article discussed how ipads are becoming present more and more in the early childhood grades.  It pointed out many districts that have purchased classroom ipad sets and have begun to do studies on how the students progress academically when using them.  This article was written in 2011, so I'd be very interested to see the results of this study.  The article also discussed how ipads will not take away the importance of paper/pencil or hands on learning.  This is an important point to make because many of our youngest children learn best by manipulating items in their hands rather than taking a finger across an ipad to solve a problem.  There was a comment about how OT/PT professionals are seeing ipads help with handwriting and fine motor skills.  I agree completely with this, as I have a student this year who had become so frustrated with writing time because of his poor motor skills.  Now after practicing handwriting games on the ipad, he has a renewed sense of confidence in himself and writes great stories that I always knew he had in his brain but could never get onto paper.  I think the article did a nice job of explaining how valuable the technology we have is, but also to be cautious about only using ipads and other devices to teach with.  Teachers are still very important and hands on learning will always be one of the best ways to learn.  I hope teachers can find a way to incorporate technology into their teaching in order to engage students, but also remember to include social skills building and other modes of learning as well. 

"Study: Emerging Technology Has Positive Impact in Classroom" from US News

http://www.usnews.com/education/high-schools/articles/2011/07/14/study-emerging-technology-has-positive-impact-in-classroom

Technology is quickly becoming a must for teachers and students. From transportable digital libraries to homework help and tutorials at home, technology is improving the lives of students. Studies are showing an ever increasing benefit to bringing technology into the classroom. However, there is still a disconnect between what technology can do and who has access to it. In Chicago Public Schools there are over 400,000 students but only enough computers for a fourth of them. Some teachers are now putting their lectures online and assigning them as homework so classtime can be devoted to practice and not teaching. Students without computer or internet access will miss out on valuable information. Plus, pre-recorded lectures do not offer the teacher-student interaction required to ensure students are grasping concepts. This last example appears to be a good idea but I would advise against widespread implementation. Also, school budgets remain a hindrance to being able to equitably bring technology into the classroom.

While some teachers may roll their eyes at technology in the classroom, it is becoming an ever increasing necessity. Students are living in a different world than most of us grew up in. They are more stimulated and more tech savvy than many of the teachers in front of them.  It is up to schools to keep up with the times and accept that more and more studies are advocating for technology in the classroom to meet the ever growing tech savvy student population.