This article focused on the technological characteristics of students in today’s classrooms. It talked of the idea that teachers are often quick to judge their students as being “extremely techno-savvy” and also that students from low-income households are less technologically advanced than others. These ideas are followed by seven questions that are suggested to ask one’s students in order to better understand their current level of understanding in technology. I especially agreed with the suggestion that students might not be as technologically advanced as we may think, instead, it states, students are much more welcoming to technology and excited to learn and experience new things when it comes to technology. By embracing it as well as students do, we might be able to better understand and accept technology, especially in the classroom. The idea of informal learning also was brought up. This suggests that students may be more technologically advance because of their constant use of cell phones, social networking sites, and digital music. This way of learning how to use technology informally creates channel into more formal learning such as within the classroom. Lastly, students recommended that as teachers, we both engage and prepare students to use technology.
How has informal learning influenced the way you look and/or know technology?
Informal learning is a large part of how I become more technologically advanced each day. With the use of social networking sites and digital music, I am able to somewhat teach myself how to do things that I would have never dreamed of doing previously. Because of informal learning, I am much further technologically advanced than I would be without social networking sites and digital music, etc.
In what ways would you both prepare and engage your students with technology?
One way in which I would prepare my students for “the real world” using technology would be to create our own classroom social network. In this way, we could learn the appropriate uses of social networking websites and help students use them in order to further themselves after high school. One way I could engage my students would be to use computers for numerous different in-class activities. Not only does this allow students to learn different technological ideas, it also saves paper!
Greenhow, C. (2008).Who are today's learners?. Learning & Leading with Technology. 36, 16-17.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Journal #2 - WEB 2.0 Today's Technologies, Tomorrow's Learning
When reading this article, I found myself constantly thinking of ways to implement social networking into my teaching. I absolutely love how today's world makes use of technologies like the Internet to help spread word of numerous ideas, in this case, class lessons, questions, and information for students. It would be a dream to be able to use this 100% of the time and have everyone be able to properly use it but that is obviously not going to happen. This idea brings me to my first question:
1. How would one be able to implement this into their classroom and still be able to involve parents?
Parents are often wondering what goes on within a classroom and although newsletters, syllabi and notes home can get them the information they need, an up-to-the-minute source such as a social network would be a more significant tool for them. One way in which a teacher could implement this practice is through their school's Back-To-School Night. With parents in front of them, a teacher could show them a quick how-to on the network and have them each sign up. By keeping parents involved, students might be more involved as well.
2. In which ways would you be able to work around bumps in the road such as lack of student interest and lack of technology?
Like I mentioned before, parent involvement is key to student success. One way to keep students interested is to keep parents interested. If the parents have no interest, there is most likely less interest for students as well. At the high school level, I think that student suggestions would work as well. By receiving input from students regarding what their most-used social networking site is, a teacher could possibly use that one for their class because students are already familiar with the site.
The lack of technology problem could come into place within the students' homes. If the teacher was able to give a list of places that offer free computer and internet use, students might feel more comfortable with the idea of a classroom social network.
Groff, J., & Haas, J. (2008). Web 2.0: Today's technologies, tomorrow's learning. Learning & Leading with Technology. 36, 12-15.
1. How would one be able to implement this into their classroom and still be able to involve parents?
Parents are often wondering what goes on within a classroom and although newsletters, syllabi and notes home can get them the information they need, an up-to-the-minute source such as a social network would be a more significant tool for them. One way in which a teacher could implement this practice is through their school's Back-To-School Night. With parents in front of them, a teacher could show them a quick how-to on the network and have them each sign up. By keeping parents involved, students might be more involved as well.
2. In which ways would you be able to work around bumps in the road such as lack of student interest and lack of technology?
Like I mentioned before, parent involvement is key to student success. One way to keep students interested is to keep parents interested. If the parents have no interest, there is most likely less interest for students as well. At the high school level, I think that student suggestions would work as well. By receiving input from students regarding what their most-used social networking site is, a teacher could possibly use that one for their class because students are already familiar with the site.
The lack of technology problem could come into place within the students' homes. If the teacher was able to give a list of places that offer free computer and internet use, students might feel more comfortable with the idea of a classroom social network.
Groff, J., & Haas, J. (2008). Web 2.0: Today's technologies, tomorrow's learning. Learning & Leading with Technology. 36, 12-15.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Introducing Jenna . . .
Hello class! My name is Jenna Albert and I currently live in Murrieta, CA. I grew up in Escondido, CA and attended elementary through high school there. I first went to North Broadway Elementary for K-2 grades. Next, I went to Rock Springs Elementary for 3-5. After elementary school I went to Rincon Middle and then on to Escondido High School where I graduated in 2004. From high school I came straight to CSUSM. I am currently in my final semester here trying to finish up my Bachelor's Degree in Economics. After I finish I plan on entering the credential program to get my Single Subject Credential in Mathematics.
I have been working with technology for many years now. I have to say that by default I am a PC person, but I am hoping that my next computer purchase will be a Mac. Technology is a large part of my everyday life. From school to work I am constantly signed on to e-mail and using different programs to get tasks done. I use Microsoft Office 2007 on my laptop computer and I have 2003 on my desktop so I am familiar with both.
One part of the College of Education Mission Statement that speaks to me is the idea of diversity. I currently work at San Marcos Adult School and Twin Oaks Continuation High School in San Marcos which allows me to work with a broad range of students from the ones that are behind in credits, working toward their diploma to the adults that never received their diploma. I think that by being able to speak to a diverse group of students, an educator is better prepared to succeed and allow their students to succeed.
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