How I can use 2.0 Tools in my classroom (Week Five)

A great project for students -- creating their own PowerPoint presentations combining research information, sound, graphics, and then presenting the assignment in class. The internet contains a plethora of resources for researching just about any subject matter as well as making one's own graphics. I believe an assigment using 2.o Tools would bring out a student's creativity and imagination making the process of the graded assignment that much more enjoyable for the student.

Assignment #1

Technology Literacy.doc

Excel Spreadsheet for Assignment 1.xls

SMART Board (Week Four)

Thoughts on SMART and how I can use it in my future classroom: As teachers, we are ONLY limited by your own mind and creativity -- that and plus the fact that we did learn that it doe snot know how to spell. Such a minor detail considering EVERYTHING else the SMART Board CAN do. Amazing! I'll do my best to have on in my personal classroom and perhaps advertise so other teacher will have one as well. Limitless. You can: play games, link to web sites, add sound, add various backgrounds, spotlight (hiding all information on the board except for what the spotlight reveals), and the rest depends on YOU. I want one.

Observing School's Link (Week Three)

The web site for the school I am now observing seems easy to get through. It includes separate web links to various grades. Each link provides information specific to each grade. A few features included in the web site are: calendar of events, instructor’s information with degree obtained and number of years teaching, theatre arts with pictures and information regarding the plays they have put on in the past years, and letter from the principle. There are not many things I find confusing about the website. I feel the site includes information beneficial to parents, students, faculty and those interested in attending the school. A link to Bellevue Christian School can be found to the right of this post.

Technology Standards (Week Two)

I am aware of the fact that there is a plethora of technology standards for various forms of technology to be used in the classroom setting; I have much to learn. I may know the name of specific technology resources, such as the SMART Board, but have yet to engage in an actual hands-on experience. I admit, I am less than a novice in understanding technology standards; perhaps, that is why I am in this class.

Article Review

“Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants” written by Marc Prensky -- one of three articles assigned for class reading -- stood out to me for its content regarding those now referred to as Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants. This article definitely challenged my limited knowledge of the subject matter. One of the remarkable things I learned was that “experiences lead to different brain structures.” I knew that with experience we gain immense knowledge but I never knew it would actually change the structures of our brain. Also in the article, Dr. Bruce states that “although we may not know if this is literally true, we can say with certainty that their thinking patterns have changed.” Another interesting point that I learned was that this group - the younger generation - has been given the name Digital Natives for they are known as a people whom speak the digital language of computers, video games, and Internet. In the opposing manner, those not born into the digital speaking world are considered Digital Immigrants.

Before reading this article, I always thought of legacy as pertaining to "a legacy one leaves" behind once they pass away. In the article, “Legacy” content includes reading, writing, arithmetic, logical thinking, understanding the writings and ideas of the past, “Future” content includes software, hardware, robotics, nanotechnology, genomics, etc. it also includes the ethics, politics, sociology, languages and other things that go with them.

It is important to keep up on technology for as it ages it changes. Perhaps, as we age we change. Which ever aspect you personally choose to attain, truth remains: there is a significant gap between Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants and we as educators need to take on the responsibility of bridging that gap.