Journal 9

Journal 9
Are Schools Inhibiting 21st Century Learning
By Dave Nagel

Project Tomorrow conducted a 2007 “Speak-Up Survey” that polled more than 367,000 education “stakeholders”. The participants varied from 320,000 students, 25,500 teachers, 20,000 parents, and 3,200 administrators. The survey asked various questions on technology in the classroom. Overall, the statistics suggested that individuals are for technology in the classroom as an aid for learning. For example, teachers and students expressed interest in educational gaming, online learning, and online classes. They also showed support for online research databases, 1:1 labtop programs, and technology in the classroom. The article even suggested that students may be even more technology adept than their teachers.
I believe the article brought up a good point in that many businesses and higher educations are using social networking as a communications and collaborative tool. As teachers, I believe one of our big responsibilities is to prepare students for adult life. As a result, we must envision what the world will be like in this century. Thus, technology must be incorporated into classroom because it is so widely used in the work world.

Questions:

1. What are the pitfalls of student internet use?
There are many educational resources on the internet. It serves as a great tool and quickly find a vast array of information. However, there are many sites that are not educational. The internet is so large and almost anything can be looked up. Often times, students do not use the internet as an educational resource.

2. What are the most widely used computer programs in today's job world?
I believe that Microsoft word, excel, and powerpoint are the most widely used tools in today's job world. Furthermore, email and adding attachments are such a big way for communicating in today's world. Many jobs today use some form of technology.

Journal 8

Journal #8
The Future of Education-Learning while Mobile
By Mark Vant Hooft

Technology is so commonly used today in a rapidly changing world. Learning is becoming just as unpredictable as the world is. In the classrooms, it is apparent that formal education and technology are butting heads. But, technology is bringing changes into learning and the classroom. The article discusses how technology will affect the future of education. It talks about learning while mobile. This involves students today using handheld computers and mobile phones to access information. Mobile learning is social, collaborative, and can be done at any place or time. Learning is not just limited to inside the classroom. On the internet, learners talk about what they know and share it with their peers or teachers. The context of learning is always changing from the classroom to just about anywhere. As a result, the author states that mobile learning can serve as a bridge between schools and society. The author then goes on to discuss what learning will look like while being mobile. MyArtSpace is a service that helps students spread their learning between schools and museums. In the Frequency 1550 project, students become pilgrims for a day and use mobile phones and pictures to learn what life was like in 1550. In the National Museum of Natural Science, students take a tour with an audio voice that discusses artifacts in the museum. By using a GPS system, the computer can tell where the student is located in the museum and talk about the exhibits in that area. The author then goes on to discuss some of the challenges that are there from mobile learning. He talks about a “participation gap” in which the demands for literacy are different than just giving presentations to students for pure entertainment. Also, the opportunities, skills, and experiences of each students are broad. He also worries about a “transparency problem”. In this section, he discusses how advertising, news, and media can give students biased information. There are also ethical concerns that could be present in what the child can view. The internet is so vast and many types of information can be found. Despite the pitfalls, he believes that mobile learning will become more popular and is the wave of the future. It allows for students to gain skills in creative thinking, problem solving, interacting with technologies, and expanding one's mental capacity.

Questions:

Why is learning while mobile such an important issue?

The world is becoming more and more technology based. With this trend, we cannot expect it to stop. The future will rely even more heavily on technology. Our goal is to prepare students for their future. As a result, we must get them to become technology efficient and aware. Furthermore, we do not want to limit students to learning just inside the classroom. There is so much to the world and reading is not the only way to learn. Students are able to retain information better if they can see and hear it as well.

What about the pitfalls?

I believe that students can abuse the internet for their own personal interests. I believe more in online research databases at school. An important concept is to get students to critically think and not be swayed by the propaganda and biased opinions that can exist on the internet. It is important for students to check their sources.

Journal 7

Journal #7
Making Field Trips Podtastic
By Aliece M. Weller

This article enlightened readers with the interactive technology that is going on at the Boston Museum of Science. The museum gives a guided toward by using wireless and handheld devices for students on a field trip. The museum combines a mix of technology with podcasts, multimedia creation, web research, and interviewing. The whole museum is connected to the internet through a Wi-fi connection. The podcasts are very interactive and are more than just watching television. Students answer questions, play games, read, and are guided along by an animated monkey. The podcasts are on handheld computers and an mp3 player is not needed Students are allowed to take pictures, record audio, and record notes on their computer. They can also access additional information through the internet. The learning module at the museum can also be customized by the teacher. The educator can ask quiz questions, assignments, or readings to their production. It allows students to explore the museum visually, auditory, and physically. Thus, it taps into all the learning senses which allows all types of kids with different learning styles to be successful. Students learn and are also having fun. The museum also passes the NETS (technology requirements) for students. The set up at the museum did not use fancy or expensive equipment. Only headphones, microphones, digital video cameras, iTunes, Garage Band, and HTML internet were used. The quizzes were written on Java Script. All of these are basic technology programs that any individual can use. Today, and in the future, learning is becoming more technology and interactive oriented. The museum does a great job in adjusting to the new generation.

Questions:
1. Is the museum a fun learning environment for kids of all ages?

Yes. The article showed pictures of elementary school children really enjoying the museum. But, the podcasts are a fun way to learn for somebody at any age. Furthermore, teachers can customize the questions they want to ask their students.

2. Is the museum and equipment expensive?

First of all, it is apparent that not all schools will have the resources to be able to fund a trip like this. I believe the the handheld computers and equipment is expensive. It is unfortunate that there are probably going to be some schools that cannot afford the trip. Also, not every school has access to computers and so much equipment.

Journal 6: "Podcasting"

A podcast is a collection of movie, video, or audio clips that are then posted on the internet. The word “pod” refers to the Apple iPod and the word “cast” refers to broadcast. The Apple iPod was the first place podcasting scripts were developed. New content of the podcast can be added or deleted. The most common ways to listen to a pod cast is by a mp3 player or a computer using media player software. Podcasts were originally designed for radio shows but the tool has become very popular in education. Students can listen to pod casts of lessons that they have missed and can share information with anyone at any time.

After reading the discussions, I have found that there are many sites that support downloading of pod casts. Many teachers had questions on how they can post their pod cast on the internet for everyone to see. Some pod cast websites are paid sites and some are free. Posting a pod cast involves uploading the audio file to the website or server and then creating a link for it. I have found from the discussions that creating a pod cast is very easy. All one needs is a computer, a microphone, and the internet. Many of the comments provided links to pod casts. I watched a math teacher discuss fractions to his students and I also viewed a link that featured high school students discussing the tragedies that are occurring in Darfur, Sudan. One teacher created a beginner website with how to create a pod cast in layman’s terms. I liked the website because it did not contain any of the computer geek knowledge that I do not understand.

http://www.how-to-podcast-tutorial.com/what-is-a-podcast.htm

http://youthradio.wordpress.com/- a podcast of students discussing the tragedies of Darfur

Journal #4

Journal 4
“Storytelling in the Web 2.0 Era”
By: Glenn Bull

This journal discusses the advances in technology and user participation. In today’s internet age, the web serves as a platform for lightweight applications created by users. For example, individuals can use user created programs such as Flickr, Blogger, MySpace, and YouTube. All of these programs are available for free. Furthermore, the web allows for sharing and “remixing” between users. One of the great things about the internet today is that it is a collaborative effort. Individuals can write blogs that attach audio and web site links. In the educational setting, the web serves as a great tool because it is informative, easy to use, and free. Many schools have tight budgets and spending is very limited. Students can gain an understanding of technology and internet through programs that are free. This was illustrated by Mr. Levine, teacher, who created 50 different ways on the web to tell a story about his dog. He used many different story telling tools and broke them down into categories. The categories for story telling tools consisted of Slide Show, Timeline, Mapping, Comic, Scrap book, Media, and Mixer. He then talks about some beneficial programs that are out there. These programs consisted of Xtimeline, Google Map, Torpedo, and Voice Thread. All of these programs are free and aide in the easy of educational development for the students.

Questions:

1. What about censorship?
One of the great ideas about the free internet programs is that they are collaborative in effort. Thus, individuals work together in order to make sites clean. It is not just up to one person to monitor all the efforts of the program. In blogger, peers can flag another peers blog if they feel there is offensive or obscene material on the blog. The collaborative approach also applies to Wiki programs such as Wikipedia.

2. How it be used in the classroom and will children be able to figure out these programs?
Each program is very instructive and easy to use. For example, google map can be used in geography or math classes. Students in this day of age are very good at understanding programs and the program's abilities. They learn very quickly because they have grown up in a technological age.

Journal #3

Journal #3
“Five Don’ts of Classroom Blogging”
By: Julie Sturgeon

In this article, Julie Sturgeon discusses the benefits and dangers of having students participate in classroom blogging. She interviews three people and talks about the five don’ts in classroom blogging activity. She starts off with interviewing Brock Dubbels, high school engineering teacher, who talks about his experience with classroom blogging. Mr. Dubbels believes students perform better when they know that their peers will be judging their work and not just the teacher. He also warns that students will push the line on what they are allowed to say over the internet. Thus, teachers need to be careful, but the reward in the end is worth the risk. Julie Sturgeon’s first don’t is to not just dive in. It is very important for teachers to set up guidelines and rules for the student. Once the parameters are set, the students know the realm in which they can operate on the blog. Blogging serves as a good way for students to get excited about writing non-fiction. Most students feel that writing is a very boring topic. She then goes on to advise teachers to not confuse blogging with social networking. Blogging is different from sites like MySpace and face book. Blogging is about students helping each other get through coursework while MySpace is just a social networking site for play and fun. The author then confides in Jeffrey Yan, CEO of Digication, who warns for teachers not just jump into the free blogging sites. Class Blogmeister, is a very easy blogger tool that helps filter information and is more suitable for a classroom setting. Also, the author suggests that blogs should not be sequential. Instead, they should be organized by topic. This makes it easier for students to organize and go back over their work that was done a while ago. Sturgeon’s last piece of advice suggest that teachers should also be participating in the blogging. She advises not to let students be the only bloggers.


Questions:

1. What about students who do not have access to a computer at home?

Students should be able to have access to computers on campus. Furthermore, students can sign into the blog webpage on any computer. They do not need just their computer at home. Thus, computers can be accessed anywhere. This includes the computer lab, library, or even a friend’s house.

2. How do you prevent students from copying what other students say?

Students should not be scolded for their responses. The main point of blogs is for students to practice writing thoughtfully and critically about the subject of interest. Also, blogs allow students to read their peer responses. Since these peer responses are viewable, students should be asked to pose responses. Teachers should review the blogs and should notify students if the educator is suspicious of copying and pasting by the student.

Journal #2

Journal #2
"Speaking Math: Using Chat in the Multicultural Math Classroom”
By Janet Graham and Ted Hodgson

Summary:
This article discusses the results of an experiment conducted in math classrooms at Osbourn High School. In an Algebra II classroom, students talked to peers through online discussions about the math concepts that they had learned in the classroom. The course management system (called Moodle in this case) consisted of chat rooms and discussion boards. Chat rooms allow for students to talk in real time discourse. Forums promote discussions at different times of the day. One limitation is that Moodle, like most of the CMS software, does not allow math symbols. Thus, only math vocabulary could be used between the students. One benefit the discussion boards and chat room have is that it allows teachers to dive into their minds of their students. Teachers can review what their students write and gain insight into the students thought processes. On the next day, teachers can discuss or review the topics that were most challenging to the students. Students benefit by thinking critically and working with peers. In the article, a specific example is given in which students are unsure about the definition of a polynomial . Based on the groups responses, the teacher goes over the concept and definition. Another benefit of the program is that non English speaking students use the program as a tool for learning the language. Many times, non native speakers are not ready to talk in English because they do not feel comfortable enough. But, the forum allows the student to read other’s responses and use them as a grammatical template, and then produce a well constructed response. The non-native English speaker then participates in the conversation and has an alternative way to learn English. In the article, an example of this was portrayed with Justin, a native Spanish speaker. Students learn how to discuss topics electronically which is becoming an important tool in technology. They also get to discuss math concepts with peers in order to better understand what is going on in the classroom. During class, students would go to a computer lab and discuss the math concepts in small groups. CMS allows the teacher to assign students to small groups. This was most beneficial because some students did not have computers at home. Another benefit is that students were able to find students who had the same class but at a different time of day. They were able to find members who were of similar background and diversity as them. Thus, students did not feel so isolated.

Questions:

1. How beneficial can the program when students cannot even use math symbols on the forum?
The forum alone does not serve as the student’s homework. Students are still expected to solve the math problems and show their work. It serves as an aide for students to talk with others about the ideas and concepts going on. Teaching is not only left to solely the teacher. Students become educators for their peers. The forum can also be used for other subjects as well and may even be more beneficial.

2. What about students who do not have access to a computer at home? Are they at a disadvantage?
Students who do not have an access to a computer will not benefit from the program. They could also possibly feel animosity towards others who have this access. Students should have access to the computer lab during lunch and after school hours. It would depend on what the district offered. The best situation would be for students to use the computer lab in class. This will allow all studen

Journal #1

Journal #1
“Social Networking for the K-12 Set”
By Jim Klein

This article is about social networking for students and teachers in the school districts. The social networking site serves as a great place for teachers, students, and parents to communicate. It also gives students a chance to use technology on a daily basis. In many schools today, technology is not being used by teachers because it is expensive and complex. The only teachers that really use it well in the classroom are your tech “junkies”. As a result, the SUSD Teacher and Student Community Site serves as an easy to access social networking site for students and teachers in the Saugus school district. Furthermore, the site allows for workgroups, opportunities to discuss social and legal issues, and an effective learning environment. Also, it allows for students to view work of their peers. It can even let them view the work of peers from the same school district, but different school. This can show if students are on the same district path. Members can also put their content on their ipods. The site is also regulated by teachers and the district. Thus, the site can be regulated for viewing by the general public, site members only, small groups, or even just themselves. The site promotes communication between students and teachers. It also allows students to work on group projects or even go over lesson reviews. Students are working with technology while studying for their classes. It is a nice way to incorporate technology into education without making technology a separate lesson.

What about low income students who do not have computers?

I believe that social networking is a great idea and can serve to be very helpful for students. However, in order for it to be completely effective, I feel that every students must have a computer with internet access at their home. However, this is not to say that students cannot benefit from the program. They can log onto any computer that has internet access. This can range anywhere from the school classroom, library, or computer lab. The main thing is for school districts to make computers easily accessible for their students.

How can I use this technology tool as a way for to get students serious about their education?

As a future science teacher, I would like for students to research information off of the computer. The internet serves as an encyclopledia. I would set up internet links to science web sites. I will also post articles that relate to what we are discussing in class. This will show students that the issues discussed in class, also are real life topics in the world today.

Intro Letter about me

Hello. My name is Anthony Adamucci and I was born May 21, 1984 in San Diego, California. I went to kindergarten at Rolling Hills Elementary in Rancho Penasquitos. After that, I attended Turtleback elementary and Bernardo Heights Middle School in Rancho Bernardo. However, my family moved to Temecula in the middle of my seventh grade year. From there, I attended Vail Ranch Middle School and then moved on to Temecula Valley High School. I graduated high school in 2002 and then moved back down to San Diego for college, where I attended UC San Diego and graduated with a B.S. degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology in 2006.

I would say that my experience with technology is average. I can play around with word and excel. However, I can’t get much past that. I use the internet quite frequently. I always check my email, espn.com, and of course, my myspace and face book accounts. I have always been a PC person because that is always what we (my family) have had. However, I am eager to get comfortable with the Macs. At my work, I use computers occasionally for internet searches, emails, and Microsoft word and excel. Currently, I am using the Microsoft word 2003 edition.

The CSUSM/COE Mission Statement was not a factor in my decision to come to Cal State San Marcos. However, I know that I want to help and assist students in their education. I want to be able to reach and help any student no matter how different or diverse they are from me. Therefore, I like that CSUSM promotes diversity.