Technology in Ethiopian Schools: Connecting Children from Various Cultures By: Judit Szente
This article talks about two schools in Ethiopia, which with the help of U.S. Agency for International Development was able to get computers and other technology, as well as the training needed to use them. They picked two schools in Ethiopia that are very poor and have never had the ability to use technology before. They were taught how to use this technology with the hopes that it would help them break away from horrible poverty rates that many of them face. They were taught how to use the technology for school as well as to make many things such as wedding invitations, business cards and brochures. They also made PowerPoint presentations about their lives that they were able to share with children in Buffalo, New York. The children in Buffalo also made presentations that they sent to the Ethiopian schools. They did this with hopes that the students could learn from one another and learn to appreciate each others differences.
Should students have correspondences with other counties?
Yes! I think that letting students understand how children live in other parts of the world is important. They need to see that people all over still have many of the same wants and goals in life as they do. I think that showing students how different a person is as well as how they are similar helps reinforce the ideas that we may all be different but that differences are okay.
How can students have an experience like this?
There are many sites on line as well as programs that allow students to gain pen pals in other countries. Although students may not always be able to talk to kids in poorer areas such as Ethiopia it is still important for them to have correspondence with people from different areas. I think that ever student should have the opportunity to learn about another culture. I think the best way to do this is directly from a person of that culture.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Journal # 9
Project-Based Learning Around the World By: Kristen Weatherby
This article talks about a new project that was introduced by ISTE and Microsoft to schools around the globe. This project integrated technology into their school programs and trained teacher on how to implement these programs in the schools. Many countries don’t have the training and resources that the United States has for technology. Microsoft launched the Partners in Learning initiative and with the help of ISTE proposed this curriculum to 101 countries. Of these countries 50 said that the program could fit into their curriculum. This was a large task since not only the language had to be changed for each program but also the content to form more localized content. Danish schools are one of the many countries who accepted the program and are already using it. This program allows teachers to develop student’s skills in many areas including cooperation, analysis, presentations and written and oral communication.
How are they changing the program for each area?
Microsoft and ISTE worked hard to make sure that the curriculum fit each country they implemented it in. One example given in the article was a change they made in Danish topic of whaling. Originally there was supposed to be a section about whaling in Japan, but since they have the same problems in Iceland which is close to them they changed the topic to better fit the area. Changes such as this were made in ever area so that the curriculum was especially made for them.
Should this program be implemented everywhere?
I think that if the program is found to be successful which according to the article many schools have found it to be then yes more countries should implement it. I think that to be successful in the world today that you have to understand technology. If we teach students around the world how to use it they can be more successful when they go into the working world.
This article talks about a new project that was introduced by ISTE and Microsoft to schools around the globe. This project integrated technology into their school programs and trained teacher on how to implement these programs in the schools. Many countries don’t have the training and resources that the United States has for technology. Microsoft launched the Partners in Learning initiative and with the help of ISTE proposed this curriculum to 101 countries. Of these countries 50 said that the program could fit into their curriculum. This was a large task since not only the language had to be changed for each program but also the content to form more localized content. Danish schools are one of the many countries who accepted the program and are already using it. This program allows teachers to develop student’s skills in many areas including cooperation, analysis, presentations and written and oral communication.
How are they changing the program for each area?
Microsoft and ISTE worked hard to make sure that the curriculum fit each country they implemented it in. One example given in the article was a change they made in Danish topic of whaling. Originally there was supposed to be a section about whaling in Japan, but since they have the same problems in Iceland which is close to them they changed the topic to better fit the area. Changes such as this were made in ever area so that the curriculum was especially made for them.
Should this program be implemented everywhere?
I think that if the program is found to be successful which according to the article many schools have found it to be then yes more countries should implement it. I think that to be successful in the world today that you have to understand technology. If we teach students around the world how to use it they can be more successful when they go into the working world.
Journal # 8
Virtual Schooling By: Niki Davis and Dale S. Niederhauser
Virtual Schooling has been the new boom in the education system. Many school systems are beginning to add virtual schooling or online classrooms into their system. Virtual schooling is similar to regular schooling in that it involves a group of people that work together to form the education system. The most important is the student who has to have some self motivation and drive since unlike a real classroom they won’t have a teacher patting them on the back to stay on task. They do have many of the same people as a regular school has, they have a teacher who makes sure students are doing their work, and an administrator who oversees the entire operation and makes sure things are running smoothly. They also have a facilitator, who has the special job of helping the student decide what classes to take, proctor exams and help the students through their course. Virtual Schooling has become very popular because it helps a variety of students. It gives advanced students more classes, allows students to move through work at their own pace and helps students that aren’t able to make it to a regular classroom.
Should schools require students to take at least one virtual class?
I think it would be a great experience for every student to be required to learn how an online class works. I think that it will be hard for students that are not naturally self motivating but will help them learn skills like time management when they don’t have a teacher breathing down their neck to turn in assignments. Many colleges offer online courses and I think to prepare students for the college experience they should understand what an online course is like.
What are the drawbacks of this program?
One problem that I could see arising is students not being able to self motivate themselves to get the work done. Unlike regular classrooms there is not always a set time where the student must be working on their schooling. This allows students more freedom to choose when they want to do their assignments. I think this could be good for some students but also cause problems for others.
Virtual Schooling has been the new boom in the education system. Many school systems are beginning to add virtual schooling or online classrooms into their system. Virtual schooling is similar to regular schooling in that it involves a group of people that work together to form the education system. The most important is the student who has to have some self motivation and drive since unlike a real classroom they won’t have a teacher patting them on the back to stay on task. They do have many of the same people as a regular school has, they have a teacher who makes sure students are doing their work, and an administrator who oversees the entire operation and makes sure things are running smoothly. They also have a facilitator, who has the special job of helping the student decide what classes to take, proctor exams and help the students through their course. Virtual Schooling has become very popular because it helps a variety of students. It gives advanced students more classes, allows students to move through work at their own pace and helps students that aren’t able to make it to a regular classroom.
Should schools require students to take at least one virtual class?
I think it would be a great experience for every student to be required to learn how an online class works. I think that it will be hard for students that are not naturally self motivating but will help them learn skills like time management when they don’t have a teacher breathing down their neck to turn in assignments. Many colleges offer online courses and I think to prepare students for the college experience they should understand what an online course is like.
What are the drawbacks of this program?
One problem that I could see arising is students not being able to self motivate themselves to get the work done. Unlike regular classrooms there is not always a set time where the student must be working on their schooling. This allows students more freedom to choose when they want to do their assignments. I think this could be good for some students but also cause problems for others.
Journal # 7
Technology in the Early Childhood Classroom By: Elizabeth Ross Hubbell
This article deals with using technology in classrooms with young children. There are many myths in society that using technology with children will lead to “unwired brains, lethargy, hyperactivity or physical impairment”. This article says just the opposite and says that instead of hurting children, that technology if taught correctly can help build on their knowledge. The article says that it is important for students to be introduced to technology in the correct ways. Like any new material the technology has to be modeled for them. There are many benefits to using technology to help enhance lessons. Computers allow students to visualize ideas that are being taught in the classroom. Many programs also allow students to work at their own level of knowledge and have options to choose how hard you want to make the game. This allows both beginners as well as student who need practice to build on their ideas. This article showed many ways of how technology can really help younger students. It gives great examples of sites and programs that help teachers bring technology into the early childhood classroom.
Are computer taking the place of teachers?
If computers are being used right they should not be taking the place of the teacher at all. I think that computers should be used to only enhance an idea that a teacher has already touched on and should never be used to solely teach an idea. Computers are a great way for teachers to let students practice concepts and build on and visualize ideas. If a computer is being used the right way then it should be helping the teacher instead of taking their place.
How can technology be used to help build on students knowledge?
There are many ways that students can benefit and on their knowledge of a subject through technology. One way is through interactive games. There are many sites on the web that allow students to learn while playing games. This helps students to become more engaged in the topic and have fun while still learning. They can also use programs such as kidspiration where they can organize their ideas or make simple pictures and write about them. There are many programs and sites out there that help students learn in fun creative ways.
This article deals with using technology in classrooms with young children. There are many myths in society that using technology with children will lead to “unwired brains, lethargy, hyperactivity or physical impairment”. This article says just the opposite and says that instead of hurting children, that technology if taught correctly can help build on their knowledge. The article says that it is important for students to be introduced to technology in the correct ways. Like any new material the technology has to be modeled for them. There are many benefits to using technology to help enhance lessons. Computers allow students to visualize ideas that are being taught in the classroom. Many programs also allow students to work at their own level of knowledge and have options to choose how hard you want to make the game. This allows both beginners as well as student who need practice to build on their ideas. This article showed many ways of how technology can really help younger students. It gives great examples of sites and programs that help teachers bring technology into the early childhood classroom.
Are computer taking the place of teachers?
If computers are being used right they should not be taking the place of the teacher at all. I think that computers should be used to only enhance an idea that a teacher has already touched on and should never be used to solely teach an idea. Computers are a great way for teachers to let students practice concepts and build on and visualize ideas. If a computer is being used the right way then it should be helping the teacher instead of taking their place.
How can technology be used to help build on students knowledge?
There are many ways that students can benefit and on their knowledge of a subject through technology. One way is through interactive games. There are many sites on the web that allow students to learn while playing games. This helps students to become more engaged in the topic and have fun while still learning. They can also use programs such as kidspiration where they can organize their ideas or make simple pictures and write about them. There are many programs and sites out there that help students learn in fun creative ways.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Journal # 6
Social Justice: Choice or Necessity? By: Coleen Swain and David Edyburn
This article deals with the idea of technology as a social justice issue. According to the article, “In 1992, the U.S. Department of Labor’s SCANS report noted that at least 80% of all jobs in the next two decades would require workers to be technologically fluent”. This means that students who are not given the opportunity to learn through technology will be at a disadvantage later on it life when they enter the workforce. Students that are not given the training needed to use technology will be at a disadvantage for the rest of their lives and will have a harder time gaining the higher paying jobs. Many teachers give students access to computers but still aren’t engaging them in using technology for “higher-order thinking”. They instead use technology as a treat for finishing work, or to type up a paper they have written, or to develop “vocational skills”. Using the computers in these ways give them an introduction to technology but doesn’t show students how to use technology to better their ideas and gain more knowledge. For schools that don’t have the money for computers this article gives great ideas on how to gain access to computers and software that can better student’s education. This article shows the importance of bringing technology into the classroom and the disadvantages students will be at if it is not.
How can I incorporate technology into my classroom to help students gain the abilities they need to succeed?
If computer access is available I would hope to take at least a couple lessons a week that I can add a technology component to. This can be something as simple as having them chart their ideas on a program such as kidspiration. I could also have they go online to learn more about the topics we are focusing on in the classroom. By making students go online and look up data you are not only engaging students into the topic you are focusing on but also teaching them how to research online and find good resources. I think that by adding little lessons in that incorporate technology will help them later on in life when technology will be a large part of their lives.
Should a teacher have the choice to not use technology?
I think that it’s the schools responsibility to make sure that every student is well educated and ready for the “real world”. In the workforce today it is required for most jobs that you have basic skills with technology. Therefore I think it should be ever schools job to teach students about how to use technology. I think that schools should train their teachers and require each of them to pass their knowledge down to the students. I think like any other subject such as math or science teachers should be required to cover it.
This article deals with the idea of technology as a social justice issue. According to the article, “In 1992, the U.S. Department of Labor’s SCANS report noted that at least 80% of all jobs in the next two decades would require workers to be technologically fluent”. This means that students who are not given the opportunity to learn through technology will be at a disadvantage later on it life when they enter the workforce. Students that are not given the training needed to use technology will be at a disadvantage for the rest of their lives and will have a harder time gaining the higher paying jobs. Many teachers give students access to computers but still aren’t engaging them in using technology for “higher-order thinking”. They instead use technology as a treat for finishing work, or to type up a paper they have written, or to develop “vocational skills”. Using the computers in these ways give them an introduction to technology but doesn’t show students how to use technology to better their ideas and gain more knowledge. For schools that don’t have the money for computers this article gives great ideas on how to gain access to computers and software that can better student’s education. This article shows the importance of bringing technology into the classroom and the disadvantages students will be at if it is not.
How can I incorporate technology into my classroom to help students gain the abilities they need to succeed?
If computer access is available I would hope to take at least a couple lessons a week that I can add a technology component to. This can be something as simple as having them chart their ideas on a program such as kidspiration. I could also have they go online to learn more about the topics we are focusing on in the classroom. By making students go online and look up data you are not only engaging students into the topic you are focusing on but also teaching them how to research online and find good resources. I think that by adding little lessons in that incorporate technology will help them later on in life when technology will be a large part of their lives.
Should a teacher have the choice to not use technology?
I think that it’s the schools responsibility to make sure that every student is well educated and ready for the “real world”. In the workforce today it is required for most jobs that you have basic skills with technology. Therefore I think it should be ever schools job to teach students about how to use technology. I think that schools should train their teachers and require each of them to pass their knowledge down to the students. I think like any other subject such as math or science teachers should be required to cover it.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Journal #5
How to Fight the New Bullies By: Rosalind Wiseman
This article deals with the newest form of bullying which is cyberbulling. The article gives information on bullying as well as was to stop it. At the very end of the article it gives some statistics that really shocked me. “90% of middle school students have had their feelings hurt online.” I was amazed at how high those numbers are. The article says that schools are trying to figure out ways to lower the numbers. They are changing bullying laws to include cyberbullying in them. They are also trying to make laws so that bullying that happens off campus to other students can be penalized. The does a good job of explaining why this statistic is so high. Children often don’t see what they are doing on the computer to have any consequences in the real world. Many students say things and do things online that they would never do in person. Hopefully soon schools will have consequences for the student’s actions since obviously parents are not doing the job.
How can a teacher stop cyberbullying?
I think it’s a teacher’s responsibility to talk to their students about the internet and the consequences that can result from it. Student’s need to understand that what they do on the internet can affect them in life. Many people doing realize that they are talking to another person and not a screen. I think that it’s a teacher’s job to help the students realize that they need to respect others online the same way they should in the classroom. I think it is a teacher’s responsibility to teach students rules if they are going to use computers in the classroom.
Should schools be able to punish students for their behavior out of school?
I think that if two students are talking outside of school and one is being a bully that the school should have a right to stop it. Even if bullying does not take place on campus it still affects the child when they are there and have to interact with the kids that bullied them. It is the schools job to make students feel comfortable and safe at school so they can gain the education they deserve. This can not happen if a child is has been threatened by other students whether it was on or off campus.
This article deals with the newest form of bullying which is cyberbulling. The article gives information on bullying as well as was to stop it. At the very end of the article it gives some statistics that really shocked me. “90% of middle school students have had their feelings hurt online.” I was amazed at how high those numbers are. The article says that schools are trying to figure out ways to lower the numbers. They are changing bullying laws to include cyberbullying in them. They are also trying to make laws so that bullying that happens off campus to other students can be penalized. The does a good job of explaining why this statistic is so high. Children often don’t see what they are doing on the computer to have any consequences in the real world. Many students say things and do things online that they would never do in person. Hopefully soon schools will have consequences for the student’s actions since obviously parents are not doing the job.
How can a teacher stop cyberbullying?
I think it’s a teacher’s responsibility to talk to their students about the internet and the consequences that can result from it. Student’s need to understand that what they do on the internet can affect them in life. Many people doing realize that they are talking to another person and not a screen. I think that it’s a teacher’s job to help the students realize that they need to respect others online the same way they should in the classroom. I think it is a teacher’s responsibility to teach students rules if they are going to use computers in the classroom.
Should schools be able to punish students for their behavior out of school?
I think that if two students are talking outside of school and one is being a bully that the school should have a right to stop it. Even if bullying does not take place on campus it still affects the child when they are there and have to interact with the kids that bullied them. It is the schools job to make students feel comfortable and safe at school so they can gain the education they deserve. This can not happen if a child is has been threatened by other students whether it was on or off campus.
Journal #4
From Toy to Tool By: Liz Kolb
The article “From Toy to Tool” deals with using cell phones inside the classroom as tools for assignments instead of the toys that teachers usually see them as. Many schools ban cell phones in schools with the fear that students will be text messaging instead of working as well as using them to cheat. This article shows how cell phones can actually benefit teachers. Cell phones many times have recording features on them as well as camcorders and cameras. Even ones that don’t have any of these can still be used at video recorders using Audioblogging through different 1800 numbers. This article was interesting because cell phones have always held a negative view in schools, with many schools banning them altogether. This article shows how instead of banning something that is part of many people everyday life the ways that even cell phones can be incorporated into classroom assignments.
What is another project students can do using Audioblogging?
A project that I think would be fun for the kids is interviewing their parents/guardians. By having children interview their parents; their parents are able to see what they are doing with their cell phones and better understand how they are being used. This also gives the children time to get to know their parents/guardians and allows them to find out things they may have never known before (ex. did you have a dream job as a child?). If the children do a project on their parent/guardian students who don’t have cell phones can use their houseline instead and still get a feel for how the program works.
Can this be used in an elementary school classroom?
I think that a fewer number of students will have cell phones in elementary school but that the project is still do able. Teachers can get grants to try and get a few cell phones for the class to share or can use their home phones to do interviews. That was students get the idea of how they can use this technology later on when they get a cell phone.
The article “From Toy to Tool” deals with using cell phones inside the classroom as tools for assignments instead of the toys that teachers usually see them as. Many schools ban cell phones in schools with the fear that students will be text messaging instead of working as well as using them to cheat. This article shows how cell phones can actually benefit teachers. Cell phones many times have recording features on them as well as camcorders and cameras. Even ones that don’t have any of these can still be used at video recorders using Audioblogging through different 1800 numbers. This article was interesting because cell phones have always held a negative view in schools, with many schools banning them altogether. This article shows how instead of banning something that is part of many people everyday life the ways that even cell phones can be incorporated into classroom assignments.
What is another project students can do using Audioblogging?
A project that I think would be fun for the kids is interviewing their parents/guardians. By having children interview their parents; their parents are able to see what they are doing with their cell phones and better understand how they are being used. This also gives the children time to get to know their parents/guardians and allows them to find out things they may have never known before (ex. did you have a dream job as a child?). If the children do a project on their parent/guardian students who don’t have cell phones can use their houseline instead and still get a feel for how the program works.
Can this be used in an elementary school classroom?
I think that a fewer number of students will have cell phones in elementary school but that the project is still do able. Teachers can get grants to try and get a few cell phones for the class to share or can use their home phones to do interviews. That was students get the idea of how they can use this technology later on when they get a cell phone.
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