Reflections on Technology

"I've got a new idea for an App, it's called 'Go Outside.'"

~Tom Griswold

Our discussions this summer have been very eyeopening to me as both a student and a future teacher. I've always been able to see both the good and bad side of technology, but that what "good" and "bad" really means has expanded over the past six weeks. I now see how technology can be used productively in the classroom without it interfering with other work and thought processes, but I also have come to realize that as a teacher, what goes on outside the classroom is almost entirely out of my control. Here's what I mean:

It's almost scary how hooked kids are on technology. And I'm not saying that I'm not one of them. I text, check Facebook, listen to music, and send emails as often as almost anyone my age, but when I know it's time to focus on an important task, I'm able to put all of those other things out of my mind. As I said in class on Friday, my phone is always on silent (unless I'm expecting an important call). This is partially because I really don't like talking on the phone (if it's important, that person can leave me a message and I'll call him back when I have time), but it's also because I don't want to hear the constant ring or vibrate of my phone every time I get a text message. When I feel I need to, I'll check my phone for any messages. So don't be offended if I don't respond to you five seconds later; you're just not my number one priority right now.

The question was asked about how technology is changing older generations. Let me attempt to answer that from my own experiences, because I think it depends on the person. My mom, who never really tried to stay up-to-date with modern technology, now loves playing games on the computer and always asks me "Why do you never answer your phone?" On the other side of things, my dad, who at one time had to have the latest software as soon as it came out, is now perfectly content with what he has until it practically dies. Oh, and he is also one of the few remaining people in the United States without a cell phone, which he absolutely refuses to buy.

I love Lauren Fardig's use of Facebook chat where she sets up a time one night a week when her students can contact her and ask her questions about homework or projects. I think this is a great way to stay connected with students at home. I know when I was in high school, I would come across a question in my homework that I didn't understand, and I would struggle for an hour trying to make heads or tails of it. And even then, half the time I would interpret it incorrectly and get the wrong answer. The only thing I wonder about connecting with students after school hours, especially through the Internet, is if a student  who was angry with his teacher could accuse that teacher of inappropriate language or behavior. Is there a way to make Facebook a safe environment for the teacher-student relationship?

I'm still confused about how exactly I will want to incorporate technology into my future classroom, but I think I'm headed in the right direction in understanding how students today use modern technology and how it can be used effectively for student learning. And most importantly, I believe that as a teacher, I need to inspire my students through the use of technology.

"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires."

~William Arthur Ward

Gen M's Multitasking Obsession

"A weakness of all human beings is trying to do too many things at once."

~Henry Ford

I was so excited to read a couple of articles about the dangers of modern technology! While I believe that technology can be useful in the classroom, I also see the current and future generations obsessed with texting, Facebook, and email, so it was refreshing to read about the not-so-pretty side of modern technology.

In my opinion, we have become too distracted by technology. It's not enough anymore to just make a phone call; now our cell phones need to be able to surf the Internet, text, and play games while we talk to someone. We no longer are able to give one person our complete attention. We have to divide our attention among different people and tasks.

While Gen M's behavior of dividing our attention and multitasking has become common in today's society, I still find it incredibly annoying and frustrating. I have a friend that texts other friends or updates Facebook while we our hanging out, and it always makes me feel like I'm boring or not interesting enough. It has become so common to do multitask in public situations, and I wonder how this will fly in the professional setting. How will bosses respond to their employees playing around on a computer while they are trying to talk to them? Apparently like this...

And because this video connects back to our discussion on gaming, is it really OK for the gaming industry to send the message that it's alright to not listen to your boss?

While modern technology has given people powerful new communication tools, it apparently can do nothing to alter the fact that many people have nothing useful to say."

~Leo Gomes

Podcasting

"I believe that podcasts are a great opportunity for the kids to share their work with others and broden their horizons while learning more about technology."

~Parent at Salem Middle School, Apex, North Carolina

I have to admit, before Friday's class I had not had much experience with podcasts (listening to them or creating them), but I now see how beneficial they are. They offer so many possibilities for student learning, from students listening to an author discuss his new book, to recording their own podcasts that summarize or argue an opinion from a reading. I had so much fun writing and recording my own podcast- selecting music, deciding if and when to crack a joke, and putting inflection on certain words and sentences.

In some ways, podcasts give students the opportunity to ease themselves into being comfortable with public speaking. Most of us, including myself, don't look forward to standing in front of a large group of people and giving a speak. Some don't enjoy watching videos of ourselves or listening to our voices. Podcasts allow students to practice their "speeches," hear themselves talk over and over again, and build confidence by giving them multiple opportunities to re-record their voices before they publish their podcasts. Listening to every student's podcast as a whole class would help students feel confident about their prepared talks because, unlike a live speech, they won't stumble over their words, forget a line, or get red and embarrassed from standing in front of a group of their peers.

I can't wait to do more with podcasts, as both a student and a future teacher!

"I think the most radical thing about podcasts is that you put them on iTunes!! This is so cool!"

~Student at Salem Middle School, Apex, North Carolina

Playing is Learning

"You have died of dysentery."

~The Oregon Trail

In our first educational technology class, we made a list of types of technology we remember from school. The most popular one? The Oregon Trail. Is it surprising that a game that we played in elementary school is our favorite and most memorable form of technology in schools? Not really.

I, too, remember the days we went to the computer lab in 5h grade and played different educational games, from The Oregon Trail to Logical Journey of the Zoombinis to Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego. At the time, we were just excited to sit in front of a screen and play a game, but looking back on it now, I can definitely see the value in playing educational games.

The Oregon Trail not only teaches students a little bit of history, it also forces children to make decisions (How much do you want to spend in a shop? How much weight do you think you can carry?) and take risks (Ford the river, caulk the wagon and float it, or wait for conditions to improve?). I, for one, have always dreaded taking risks, in games and real life. But at least with a game, I could always go back and start again.

But this is one criticism I have about games- you can always do it over. In real life, there is no "restart" button. Also, it is possible to become too focused on gaming, to the point that it becomes a major distraction and possibly an obsession or addiction.

I never played many video games growing up (in fact, getting a GameBoy Color for Christmas one year was the highlight of my childhood gaming experience). While I don't see how games like Grand Theft Auto or Call of Duty have much, if any, educational value, I can definitely see how students can learn a lot about decision-making and planning from other less violent games.

And there is, of course, something to be proud of when the game is finally completed and you have succeeded in your mission!

"Congratulations! You have made it to Oregon!"

~The Oregon Trail

Jeanna the Queena

"Librarians have always been among the most thoughtful and helpful people. They are teachers without a classroom. No libraries, no progress."

~Willard Scott, NBC TV weatherman

Monday's class was very eyeopening for me. We discussed in small groups how we would teach a lesson on the Japan Tsunami. Because my group consisted of English and world language majors, we decided to write a lesson plan that incorporated English and foreign language classes in the school. This was a great opportunity to work together to learn how to plan a lesson from two different perspectives.

Our librarian/media specialist, Jeanna, gave us some great ideas about how to teach students to search different databases and find information that is relevant. I remember being in high school and dreading research projects because I had no idea how to even start searching for material. My number one choice: Google. This led to hours of completing numerous searches which produced very few relevant results.

I have a whole new appreciation for what school librarians/media specialists do every single day for their students. Their roles are essential for students to succeed. They provide information, encourage and promote student learning, and help teachers better educate students.

Yay Concept Maps!

I am very grateful to Jeanna for showing us exactly how to teach our students to search for data. I also know now that a school's librarian/media specialist is someone very special and has a lot to teach students. There really is nothing better than having another teacher to help students with assignments and higher learning. 

"What can I say? Librarians rule!"

~Regis Philbin

Teaching the Japan Tsunami through Letters

"We don't know the number of victims,

but I pray that every single person can be saved."

~Japan's Emperor Akihito, on Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

It is important to teach students about natural disasters around the world, especially in classes other than history. Many students probably don't follow the news, and it is essential that they study these natural disasters and have a better understanding of the causes and effects. American students need to know about and make connections with the lives that are changed by these disasters.

As a future English teacher, I believe that one great way of encouraging students to learn about the victims of the Japan Tsunami is to have them write letters to Japanese students. Even if their letters contain more than information about the tsunami, such as favorite sports, hobbies, and family life, students are still learning about the lives of those affected by the disaster. Students at Penn State Brandywine wrote letters to Japanese elementary students shortly after the tsunami, shown in the video below.

And it's not just college students who have done this. Students at Forest Ridge Elementary School, Robert Hunter Elementary School, and J.P. Case Middle School in New Jersey have banned together to write letters and collect donations to help Japanese children. They recently received a reply letter from the principal at Oofunato Elementary School thanking them for their support. He also sent pictures of the school, showing the damage from the tsunami. I believe that this is a great way to help students learn something about the Japan Tsunami that they wouldn't normally hear from the news while also encouraging and supporting the students of Japan who are struggling from this disaster.

"'I feel encouraged and energized,' our students at Oofunato Elementary School were saying as they read the letters. The message of 'people around the world are thinking about you!' brought tears to the eyes of some."

~Masaaki Kashiwazaki, Principal at Oofunato Elementary School

All A-Twitter

"Speaking as a computer scientist, I view all of these as poor man's email systems. Twitter's success is wonderful and it shows you that there are many, many ways to communicate."

~Eric Schmidt, Google CEO's verdict on Twitter

Okay, so after class on Friday, my opinions on Twitter have changed slightly. I still don't like it as a personal, spill-my-guts-to-the-world-in-140-characters-or-less social networking site. But for professional reasons, I can definitely see how a teacher can learn a lot from other teachers. It's a great way to follow people from around the world and learn new teaching tactics and techniques.

To my college friends who have found me on Twitter and are now following me, please don't be offended that I'm not following you as well. In my opinion, that's what Facebook (and texting, emailing, and calling) is for, so my Twitter account is going to be strictly professional.

I think it will still be difficult to avoid all the pointless rambling on Twitter, but I'm going to do my best to only follow people that I can actually learn from. A 2009 study showed that most tweets (77%) are "Pointless Babble" or "Conversational." The tweets I'm interested in, "Pass-along Value" and "News," add up to only 13%. Maybe these numbers have changed over the past two years (I hope they have!), because I'm sorry, but I don't want to know what you had for dinner or why he dumped you after dating for only two months. If you really want to tell me about that stuff, call me.

So, Twitter, thus far you have redeemed yourself in my eyes. We shall see if you will continue to intrigue me over the next several months.

"Suddenly, it seems as though all the world's a-twitter."

~Newsweek