Multimedia in the Classroom
Huey-Ling Fan & Michael Grey
The benefits of providing technology in classrooms has proven to be helpful for students and also the developers in this this article. Providing multimedia composition for middle school children proved to be helpful, significantly to the boys but also surprisingly to the developers of the program.
This article explains the benefits of working with computer programs, explaining difficult subjects such as Composition or even Physics have proven themselves to be "less restrictive" than a textbook style approach. Multimedia can be interactive and delightfully engaging without the humiliation of being wrong in front of the class. Working through academics in a non threatening way allows intimidated students to press on. With the advantage of pressing on through academia, the student continues the learning process and finds new strengths they have, maybe strengths they were not aware of previously.
What I found most powerful from this article was the impact the programs had on the developers. Developers gained more knowledge in the content they were creating for students. This may be the most powerful information I have read yet! For the creators, whom obviously have knowledge in the subject, to get something out of using multimedia tools rather than textbooks, how could it not be helpful to a student who is learning a new subject with new eyes.
I believe one of the most important steps for a student in learning is involvement. With use of multimedia, there is significant proof in engagement and the will to stay involved without the fear of being wrong on front of others. Any outlet to educate and motivate should be embraced. I think this article provided a positive outlook on using technology over reading out of a textbook.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
A New Classroom
"In A Digital Future, Textbooks Are History" by Tamar Lewin
There are certainly clear signs of technology taking over the classroom in all grades, but the most cost effective yet frightening is the thought of losing our textbooks in the classroom. Nowadays we all see students bringing their own laptops to class, recording lectures onto their own personal computers rather than receiving worksheets, or dittos. The digital age is making its way past the computer lab and into every classroom but at who's expense?
With the alteration of paper leaving and computer screens replacing what we once held in our hands, I worry if we may be placing too much trust in technology. As Tamar Levin explains, our children live in a different world today. The idea of removing textbooks and replacing them with Internet class links seems helpful to schools in regard to cost, millions of dollars as a matter of fact, but at what cost will it be for our next generations? Lewin explains "our states Governor has set up a slow transition that would supersede high school science and math textbooks with free, “open source” digital versions. The idea sounds fantastic unless a student does not have access to a computer at home. Lower income families may suffer, and a classroom may suffer if computer troubles arise while class is in session.
I promote education of technology in the classroom and believe it is vital to our students futures, but will all students benefit? What will come of our libraries and all our texts intended for research and historical significance? Will all these books be discarded by students?
The most damaging comment in this article was intented to be the most positive motivating drive for this change to take place. Neeru Khosla, a founder of CK-12 Foundation creating "flexbooks" fpr the classroom explains that these sites can be used anywhere and can be anything an educator wants them to be and that educators can even print out the "textbooks". My question for her would be then who would be paying for that? The teacher or the parents? If a lower income family couldnt afford a laptop for their 5th grage child, could they afford to print out a textbook for each subject every year? If no, who would pay to save the students education?
There are certainly clear signs of technology taking over the classroom in all grades, but the most cost effective yet frightening is the thought of losing our textbooks in the classroom. Nowadays we all see students bringing their own laptops to class, recording lectures onto their own personal computers rather than receiving worksheets, or dittos. The digital age is making its way past the computer lab and into every classroom but at who's expense?
With the alteration of paper leaving and computer screens replacing what we once held in our hands, I worry if we may be placing too much trust in technology. As Tamar Levin explains, our children live in a different world today. The idea of removing textbooks and replacing them with Internet class links seems helpful to schools in regard to cost, millions of dollars as a matter of fact, but at what cost will it be for our next generations? Lewin explains "our states Governor has set up a slow transition that would supersede high school science and math textbooks with free, “open source” digital versions. The idea sounds fantastic unless a student does not have access to a computer at home. Lower income families may suffer, and a classroom may suffer if computer troubles arise while class is in session.
I promote education of technology in the classroom and believe it is vital to our students futures, but will all students benefit? What will come of our libraries and all our texts intended for research and historical significance? Will all these books be discarded by students?
The most damaging comment in this article was intented to be the most positive motivating drive for this change to take place. Neeru Khosla, a founder of CK-12 Foundation creating "flexbooks" fpr the classroom explains that these sites can be used anywhere and can be anything an educator wants them to be and that educators can even print out the "textbooks". My question for her would be then who would be paying for that? The teacher or the parents? If a lower income family couldnt afford a laptop for their 5th grage child, could they afford to print out a textbook for each subject every year? If no, who would pay to save the students education?
Friday, September 4, 2009
Creative Approaches to Literature
Chatting It Up Online: Student Talk To A Favorite Author, Pamela Livingston
Pamela Livingston explains her experience with her third grade class of all boys, and author Mary Pope Osborne via live chat. The school has already inspired the boys to read the “Magic Tree house” series she has written, and this opportunity through technology allows the boys to make a connection from the fantasy within the book, to the creator of the story, or fantasy. I found Livingston’s article to be incredibly helpful and gracious to the advice she gives to fellow educators. An organized teacher who is ready before “go-time”, is always going to be at ease, but Livingston offers suggestions from experience, such as not informing the class too early in the set-up to prevent disappointment. Instead, save the surprise for later, a couple weeks before the actual chat. Testing hardware, working around network firewalls, having IT support on standby during the chat and providing oneself with a teachers copy of students questions is essential to recovering from any mishaps that may be unforeseen.
This article inspired me to use a live chat opportunity as soon as possible. The instant gratification of the students due to the celebrity feel of talking to someone special creates positive role models and educated aspirations. These opportunities also create memorable experiences for young students, who share with other students on the playground and in conversation, thus inspiring other students to learn and desire more out of all aspects of learning.
Standards: NETS-4
Pamela Livingston explains her experience with her third grade class of all boys, and author Mary Pope Osborne via live chat. The school has already inspired the boys to read the “Magic Tree house” series she has written, and this opportunity through technology allows the boys to make a connection from the fantasy within the book, to the creator of the story, or fantasy. I found Livingston’s article to be incredibly helpful and gracious to the advice she gives to fellow educators. An organized teacher who is ready before “go-time”, is always going to be at ease, but Livingston offers suggestions from experience, such as not informing the class too early in the set-up to prevent disappointment. Instead, save the surprise for later, a couple weeks before the actual chat. Testing hardware, working around network firewalls, having IT support on standby during the chat and providing oneself with a teachers copy of students questions is essential to recovering from any mishaps that may be unforeseen.
This article inspired me to use a live chat opportunity as soon as possible. The instant gratification of the students due to the celebrity feel of talking to someone special creates positive role models and educated aspirations. These opportunities also create memorable experiences for young students, who share with other students on the playground and in conversation, thus inspiring other students to learn and desire more out of all aspects of learning.
Standards: NETS-4
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