Haltian’s Snowfox Offers Screenless GPS Child Safety ‘Phone’

This article was about a new tracker phone for young children. Rather than handing out a smartphone to their 7-year-old, parents can now purchase a sleek and simple Snowfox. Snowfox was developed by Finland-based company Haltian; the company's main focus is to offer a simple communication device and also allow parents to track their children's movements through an app on their phone. (In fact, up to five family members can be approved to be able to track the student's movements.) It also sends automatic geofenced notifications when the child enters or exits their school, or when the child is entering an area that they aren't supposed to be in. There are no screens to break on the Snowfox, and a single charge can last up to a week before running out of battery.
While the innovation and safety features of the Snowfox are commendable, the most important thing to me about this new device is the simple fact that it's an alternative to a smart phone. One really good quote stuck with me from the article, "“I see way too many young kids with smartphones these days. Simply looking around, you can see kids playing with their devices and not doing stuff kids should be doing, like playing with friends outside, being in social situations and also interacting with the world around you...There have been multiple articles on kids suffering from delayed speech development, neck pains and posture development, which have been related to excessive smartphone usage at a very young age.” I think that the Snowfox will be an excellent alternative to smart phones, and that kids will get to still be kids without having a handheld device chuck-full of apps for them to play. 
This is a device that when I have children some day, I would highly consider purchasing this Snowfox phone for my kids. Right now the Snowfox costs roughly $160 with a monthly connectivity subscription of about $11. It's only available in Finland right now, but Haltian hopes to expand to the States in the near future.

http://www.educationnews.org/technology/haltians-snowfox-offers-screenless-gps-child-safety-phone/

What is the Perfect Balance of Technology in the Art Room? by Tracy Hare, The Art of Education

What is the Perfect Balance of Technology in the Art Room?

By Tracy Hare, The Art of Education

https://www.theartofed.com/2015/03/13/what-is-the-perfect-balance-of-technology-in-the-art-room/

This article is all about how to find a sweet spot of technology to hands-on, physical materials within the art classroom. The following are some of Tracy's suggestions:

• Make use of the pre-installed software with many capabilities instead of over-downloading very specific apps that won't be used that often. 
• "Challenge yourself to think of technology not as an art-making medium but as a tool to deepen and expand some other, typically-forgotten aspects of art education."
• Keep available technology in mind as you read the standards.
• Use technology as organization and communication tools, but not as a substitute for face-to-face communication.

I feel very fortunate to have found this article because I've been fairly nervous about incorporating technology in my future art classroom. I have found Tracy's ideas to be encouraging and will keep them in mind as I take on classroom technology. I absolutely plan on using technology as an organizational tool and I appreciate her tip on using the pre-installed software. It's really easy to get swept up in the newest app and forget about the very useful, moldable, non-specific parts of technology. I do few less apprehensive about classroom technology after reading this article. 

How Technology is Moving Arts Education Beyond the Classroom

This article interested me as I am pursuing a degree in art education. With the modern use of technology, digital art is much more prevalent, but yet art education seems to disintegrate. "Students are using film to engage critical thinking and explore a more tangible form of science and art," according to Marie Mashyna. The students are using a number of different digital tools emphasizing the relationship between technology and art. Currently, many schools are experiencing financial issues that often lead to cutting out the arts education, but with the use of arts and technology, more and more educators are seeing the importance of the combination. We live in a time where creativity and innovation are two of the most important components of future workers, but yet arts education is the first area cut. With the use of technology, as educators, we can demonstrate the importance of arts in education.

http://remakelearning.org/blog/2013/08/21/how-technology-is-moving-arts-education-beyond-the-classroom/

For Some Schools, Learning Doesn't Stop On Snow Days

http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/01/26/464298874/for-some-schools-learning-doesnt-stop-on-snow-days


This article parallels very well with what I have been learning as a a future educator. The idea that technology helps kids learn and absorb information more efficiently holds true with this article from NPR.org. Most kids are connecting with friends from all over via internet and different technology apps; so, our teaching should reflect that. I admire that the teacher in this school takes advantage of snow days to keep kids engaged even if it is for a short amount of time. When I was in school technology was frowned upon or at the very least it was used as a treat for us students. Every day we are presented with new strategies to teach through technology and it is clearly receptive for students. It is important to take advantage of these technology teaching tools because our world becomes more technologically advanced everyday and so should our students. Obviously, not every subject will work as well as Mr. Tonsoni's economics did. But, I do believe it is a process of trial and error. As post college students we see that learning never ends and what a better way to teach that than through a snow day. The simple online engagement will keep students actively thinking and better prepared for when they return to class the following day.

LinkedIn Offers New Options for Students

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2011/07/28/linkedin-offers-new-options-for-students

I read an article about the upgrades of LinkedIn that are directed towards college students.  I was very interested in this article because I introduce the idea of LinkedIn to my juniors that are preparing for college.  I let them know that a new version of a resume is a LinkedIn profile.   This article brings up a lot of good points in the idea that it matters how you put your information on your profile.  Employers don't want your information thrown up on the page, they want to see it divided into sections so it looks more professional.  I also found it interesting that prospective employees are now seeing the effects of "participation awards"  this is watering down the effect of receiving an award.  It is having a huge effect on students, they are feeling defeated after not receiving a job because they are used to always getting some type of reward .

Does Technology Belong in the Classroom? Finding a Balance

Technology itself creates learning.  Students are constantly learning how to use new and different apps, websites, and tools.  In this article, two different people present their opinions as to whether technology should be used in the classroom or not.
Lisa Nelson argues for the use to technology.  She points out the wide number of resources available to make learning more exciting, and no longer boring.  Any subject can be tied to something online, and resources can be utilized that would otherwise not be. She points out that teachers can monitor students' use of technology, just as they monitor student behavior.  Proper training is necessary to do this though.
Jose Antonio Bowen argues against the use of technology.  He says that the face-to-face interaction between student and teacher is the most important.  The teacher needs to teach the students to integrate information they know and find, usually online.  They teach critical thinking skills and how to apply the facts they see. He argues that students need to be able to learn the "mental stillness" that we can't find with technology, which constantly and quickly answers questions.  Taking time to think and process helps the human mind grow.   He isn't calling for "a complete ban on all technology", but writes that it takes humans to teach others how to be human.
Personally, I feel that there needs to be a balance of technology.  Students need to know how to think without out it, and how to communicate face-to-face.  I see the benefits of technology, and I also see how students are quickly loosing the ability to think independently and problem solve, as well as communicate clearly without a screen in front of them.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/does-technology-belong-in-classroom-instruction-1431100454