Joseph Ruiz

How I Blended My Math Class

By Silvestre Arcos

http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2014/06/18/gp-arcos-math.html

 http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2014/06/18/gp-arcos-math.html?tkn=VYSD4BS39s60blKnfPJR1Vo0xJ55v7wcqNsz&print=1

The article talked about how a  teacher uses the Khan learning website in the classroom. The article stated the benefits it gave the teacher such spending more time with students one-one and the feedback Khan gives him. 

Students scores rose on standardize testing. Using Khan and mini-lesson gave the teacher the ability to focus on individual development and Khan gave the students the chance to dig deeper as the whole class catches up.  The author also stated using technology like Khan teaches student independence and responsibility.

I have been hearing about Khan from my friends that are teacher how they also share some of the benefits of Khan. I see education in STEM fields and the use of Khan increase  due to the fact it's a great way to help with individual development. Teachers and students sees the feedback as the learning process is happening. 

Education groups back $2 billion Wi-Fi plan

http://thehill.com/policy/technology/211468-education-groups-back-wheelers-2b-wi-fi-plan

Key Senate Dems push back on FCC’s Wi-Fi plan
http://thehill.com/policy/technology/211638-key-senate-dems-push-back-on-fccs-wi-fi-plan

The two related articles talk about a proposal by the Federal Communications Commission to reform the E-Rate funding program. The program, which allocates billions of dollars to schools and libraries, funds technological improvements, particularly in internet connectivity. The proposed shifts focus on modernizing the application process to make it easier and more transparent, and also to shift the funding focus toward having Wi-Fi in all schools over the next few years. The proposals have had a mixed response in educational groups. Most are in favor of the modernization process. At issue is the focus on Wi-Fi; some groups including some U.S. Senate Democrats see the focus on Wi-Fi as having unintended consequences. They say that by requiring a large portion of the budget to go to Wi-Fi, funding for basic connectivity in less-populated rural areas may get swept aside while more federal dollars go to making already good systems even better. 

Why Integrate Technology Into the Curriculum?

Article link: http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-introduction

In this article on Edutopia, the authors discuss several reasons that technology should be integrated into regular classroom curriculum.  The approach reminded me of the multicultural course I took last month; just as multicultural perspectives need to be a natural part of any lesson plan, so do technological elements.

Many adults and educators are frustrated at the extent to which technology has taken over society.  However, our job as educators is not only to teach kids about the past, but to prepare them for the future.  Their future is going to include new and changing technologies, and incorporating them into our classrooms is vital.

I also liked the mention of technology aiding teachers in teaching with different strategies and assessments.  Being open to the use of technology in the classroom means giving students more chances to learn and retain.  I'm excited to use the tools that I've gained in this course to prepare my students for their technology-filled futures.

The Integration of Instructional Technology into Public Education: Promises and Challenges

Rodney Earle is concerned with the integration of instructional technology in the classroom and this article seeks to answer the fundamental questions of how it has been done and why. Earle begins by attempting to define the concept of technology. Earle responds to a rather dated definition of technology by Webster’s in stating, “this limited focus on machinery at the expense of process ignores the true sense of technology as ‘the systematic application of scientific and other organized knowledge to practical tasks.’”

Earle continues by explaining the implications of this definition in the public mind as well as its present application in the classroom. He reviews many studies in which the use of technology becomes a concern. The opposition state that our schools will become “overwired” while our children our undertaught. Those in high favor of technology point out how it improves student motivation and enhances student learning. Recently, the negative social effects of technology (specifically social networking) on our students are becoming more evident, but Earle points out Hadley and Sheingold’s 1993 theory that technology “must go beyond information retrieval to problem solving; allow new instructional and learning experiences not possible without them; promote deep processing of ideas; increase student interaction with subject matter; and promote faculty and student enthusiasm for teaching and learning.” Earle wants his readers to know that integrating technology into the classroom is not about technology, but rather about content and effective instructional practices.

The remaining portions of the article deal with the process of accepting change, identifying the restraining forces (funding, time, support, training, etc…), and discussing further studies about the reality of the place of technology. In his final reflection, Earle quotes Margaret Honey by concluding that in order for technology to have real gains in any educational situation the following must exist: leadership, solid educational objectives, professional development, adequate technology resources , time, and evaluation. The most lasting idea in Earle’s argument is that the teacher remains the most important aspect of student success, with or without technology. 

Please see the below link for the full article:  http://isites.harvard.edu/fs/docs/icb.topic87187.files/Earle02.pdf

Lynn Beistline - How Technology Trends Have Influenced the Classroom

Technology has changed immensely over the last couple of decades. This has caused a change in the way that students, and adults, learn. Teachers need to find ways to create engaging classrooms that reflect a classroom of tomorrow.

This article takes a look at the increase of technological interactivity, the on-demand access to it, and how the human brain craves it. To adjust to this in the classroom, teachers should provide students with multiple mini-brain break activities to help re-invigorate student minds to keep them interested in the lessons being taught. Because we as a society, especially here in the United States, do not have to wait for much of anything, the way teachers teach in the classroom needs to change.

Having nearly everything accessible at any moment with the touch of a button, students are no longer limited to what is available in the school library, or the names websites given to them by teachers. This is a HUGE challenge in the classroom as it impacts everyone in different ways. Some students have access to technology 24 hours a day 7 days a week. While, others only have the access while at school. Technology can also only be useful when teachers embrace it in a positive way and are able to teach their content in a way that reaches all students of the digital age. Until then it will be an uphill battle to reach students at the deepest level of learning, enjoyment, and investment.

Article: How Technology Trends Have Influenced the Classroom. March 5, 2014. http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/03/how-real-world-technology-use-has-inflitrated-change-classrooms/.  Accessed 07/04/2014.

10 Reasons Today’s Students NEED Technology in the Classroom

This article discusses that as technology in the world increases, it makes since that it should increase in the classroom setting as well.  There are ten reasons why technology should be used in the classroom.  The first reason is that it will help prepare students for their future careers.  Students need to know how to utilize wireless technology.  Using technology is also a good way to encourage diversity in different learning styles.  Technology is thought to encourage collaboration and get students to interact with each other.  Students need to learn to be tech-savvy because that is what the world is becoming.  Students enjoy technology so they stay engaged in the information being taught and also are more apt to learn.  Technology provides up to date information easily and quickly for students.  With technology, the teacher is able to encourage the students and can coach them rather than do passive learning.  Technology is thought to make students more responsible and it makes them feel like they have control over their learning.  Finally, with the use of technology, students are able to access their class materials online.  This is quick, cheap and information is often creative and eye-catching. 

Technology has its pros and cons in the world in which we live.  Yes, it is a great tool for learning but it also has drawbacks.  Students can be hurtful towards one another with the social media sites.  Since technology is increasing in the world, it is important that it is used in the schools as well.  School is meant to prepare students for the future and to be productive members in society.  It is important that they are knowledgeable once in the real world.

http://www.securedgenetworks.com/secure-edge-networks-blog/bid/95375/10-Reasons-Today-s-Students-NEED-Technology-in-the-Classroom

Bradley Bowker
Flip Your Students Learning.

This article focuses on the benefits of using a flipped classroom modle.   One of the biggest benefits of using a rippled classroom is that the teacher can more effectively use class time for higher learning.  As for technology it suggested using screencasts, recorded lectures from a computer, to create lessons for students to watch outside of the classroom.  These lectures/lessons can be loaded on the school server or on a website so that students can have access to them when out of school.

One of the biggest concerns I have is that this use of technology can be disadvantageous for students who do not have internet connectivity at home.  The article have a suggestion to help this: it suggested that teachers can make DVDs of their lessons as well.

Another benefit using recorded lectures is that teachers can create a classroom where students can learn at their own pace.  For students who need extra time learning content they can re-watch lectures as many times as needed.  It also allows students who do poorly on an assessment to come back to the lecture and freshen up on information they may have missed.