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/
Monday, July 18, 2016
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.
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.
Sunday, July 17, 2016
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 .
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 .
Sunday, July 10, 2016
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
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
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Technology and Classroom Instruction
Bill Gates and Classroom Technology
In an article by Amy X. Wang on Quartz's website, Bill Gates gave his views on technology and its function in the classroom. Gates stated that technology should be used to keep our students engaged and involved in the lesson, and I understand the point he is making. But it's hard. There are only so many sites that a teacher can find and when she does find these awesome, amazing websites she needs to find time in her lesson plans to use them. Which is all fine and dandy, until she realizes it's already March and she has four more chapters to get through. I would love to use technology more in my classroom, but my problem is I run out of time for everything I'm expected to get through.
Gates also mentions in this article that the kids who love technology have easy access to it and use this technology to their advantage. But it's the kids that need technology that have no access to it. I would love to put lessons online that my students can re-watch at home or give my students lots of sites to help them study for that big test. And most of my students will use those sites. It's Bill who needs the extra practice, but his family doesn't have internet so I can't reach him.
The article with Gates also mentions that technology hasn't proven itself enough yet. Teachers don't have enough information to show that using technology in their classroom boosts what the student learns. And, if there isn't enough research to back up the benefits of using this technology every day, am I really going to break my back trying to implement it into my lessons every day?? Especially when my school is not one-to-one with gadgets.
http://qz.com/634289/bill-gates-explains-why-classroom-technology-is-failing-students-and-teachers/
WATCH THE
FIRST-EVER DRONE DELIVERY FROM SHIP TO LAND
This site
drew my attention because I am currently working on getting some type of drone
or robot for my students to work with. I think it will keep them interested in
coding if what they are about to code can fly across the sky or maneuver across
the room.
There are so
many ways drone are changing our lives. We started out with them flying around
and taking pictures that we could not take from the ground and now they are
working on delivering items. If someone was working in an area that they needed
to give a village a vaccination, they could fly the vaccine in with a drone and
not expose those people to new diseases.
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Robot "runs" away...again
http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2016/06/24/artificially-intelligent-russian-robot-makes-run-for-it-again.html
I was intrigued by the title of this article, and after reading it I still find it humorous. The robot was designed so that it can recognize where objects are and move around them, and it apparently did this when a gate was left open and the robot moved out onto the street. The robot is being designed for potential use as a tour guide or concierge with a screen that can display text and the ability to recognize spoken words. Some people think that the "escape" was actually a PR stunt, and the way the company has reacted does not seem to put this idea to rest.
Either way, it is amusing to think of a robot that "wanders" out into traffic and blocks a lane on a street for almost an hour (it was about 40 minutes) before being found by the company that made it. After two escapes in less than a month one of the co-founders was quoted as saying that they may have to "dismantle" the robot so that this doesn't continue.
As funny as this may be, I think it also shows how the idea of self-driving cars and similar inventions actually have the potential to move through an area without coming into contact with something else. However, I am not sure what sort of speeds this robot is capable of, and I think we still have a long way until the public feels safe with cars driving but no one in the driver's seat. However, I do find it interesting at how quickly technology is moving and I sometimes wonder what it will be like in 10 years, or 20 years. To think that my first flip-phone was in high school, and now children in elementary schools have smartphones...I am not sure if this is a good thing or not. Hopefully all of the stories and movies about robots taking over the world do not come true!
I was intrigued by the title of this article, and after reading it I still find it humorous. The robot was designed so that it can recognize where objects are and move around them, and it apparently did this when a gate was left open and the robot moved out onto the street. The robot is being designed for potential use as a tour guide or concierge with a screen that can display text and the ability to recognize spoken words. Some people think that the "escape" was actually a PR stunt, and the way the company has reacted does not seem to put this idea to rest.
Either way, it is amusing to think of a robot that "wanders" out into traffic and blocks a lane on a street for almost an hour (it was about 40 minutes) before being found by the company that made it. After two escapes in less than a month one of the co-founders was quoted as saying that they may have to "dismantle" the robot so that this doesn't continue.
As funny as this may be, I think it also shows how the idea of self-driving cars and similar inventions actually have the potential to move through an area without coming into contact with something else. However, I am not sure what sort of speeds this robot is capable of, and I think we still have a long way until the public feels safe with cars driving but no one in the driver's seat. However, I do find it interesting at how quickly technology is moving and I sometimes wonder what it will be like in 10 years, or 20 years. To think that my first flip-phone was in high school, and now children in elementary schools have smartphones...I am not sure if this is a good thing or not. Hopefully all of the stories and movies about robots taking over the world do not come true!
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