week 13 synthesis

Think just about everyone is agreeing on the Jenkins book - wouldn't it be great to have free internet!  I think we should get a petition going LOL  I still feel - and many do as well - that although the basics of math, reading, and writing are so important and must be learned for further growth, technology skills as well need to be taught so they can be able to  assimilate into society easier in their future.  Even if they only go to work at  McDonalds so many of the machines they use are like computers so must know some skills so they can operate the machines!

Week 13

The children that are in the elementary school right now, will be immersed into a world of new and miraculous technology when they graduate from high school.  For this reason, we must expose/teach these kids about the media and how to use technology to their advantage.  What I see now from my own kids is communiction via texts, facebook, twitter, instagram and so much more, it seems to me that if they do not understand the basics of these programs and how to use them they will be lost as adults and unable to function in society.  I also think about the future of education - take our class for example - it has been completely via blogs and a few podcasts that's it!  Is this the future of college?  will most classes be given via the internet?  I think they will and our students need to understand how to operate computers and their programs so they will be able to participate in these classes and gain the knowledge they seek.  So, yes we definately need to our students at least the basics when it comes to media literacy so they can succeed in the future and become successful citizens.

Jenkins Synthesis first readings

This has been an easier and more interesting read, which I think everyone is agree to.  I think we all agree that the school systems need to get more on board with the advancement of technology equipment, but do they have the funds.  I am sure many school systems in the bigger cities do, and I often wonder if my special ed department is just full of it when they tell me there isn't even money to purchase my kids a couple of sets of headphone - I mean really?!  I guess that's where our creativity and imagination comes into play, as well as our own money HAHA

Jenkins

First of all sorry for the delay on this post, my computer crashed, I've been on Spring Break this week so couldn't use my school computer so had to wait for my son to come in today and bring me his to use.

I feel that the internet and technology is being taken over by the teen population.  They live on their iphones, computers, or anything it seems that is electronic.  I am often amazed at what my students can teach me on how to not only operated a computer when I've hit a snag, but websites and such that can make my life a little bit better.  Websites that can site for more, make graphs, research and more.  These kids brains seem to wired for technology, unlike mine!  They are amazing when it come to videos, music creations, digital imaging.  I think that these concepts can so easily be incorporated into the classroom to help them and their classmates learn.  My daughter loves her digital media class at school, I amazed at the artwork she has made by only using the computer.  What scares me, well not really scares me, but makes my brain hurt, is the speed at which technology is increasing changing!  I just can't keep up with it, nor do I beleive many school districts can.  With funding increasingly deminishing many computer and equipment that crashes or gets broken is not being replaces - at least that is how it is in my district.  I used to have 4 computers I am now down to one and am told there are none to give me to replace those that have crashed.  How does this help my students?  well it doesn't!  The one I have is extremely old and outdated and many programs won't even run on it.  I would love to have technology to used with my kids, but as for now I just have to rely on the old fashion way of therpay LOL!

Cuban Chapter 4 Synthesis

While reading the blogs I feel that most believe that computers are important in the the classroom, but how we use them to teach our children is more important.  Computers are wonderful and can transport the kids all over the world, but they must have guidance and direction from the teacher in order for the computer work to be truly effective in learning.  Some feel that computers are not all they are cracked up to be and should not be used often in the classroom, but when your evaluation includes a section for "use of technology" and you are marked off if you don't use technology during your evaluation, you are reminded that those higher up expect you to use technology even if it's not relevant - well, at least that's my opinion.  So, computers are good, it's just we have to know what we are doing and be able to guide the kids in the right direction for it to be truly an educational experience.

Cuban Chapter 4

I think that computers will help enhance education if the teachers will just open up to the fact that they must learn knew ways of teaching.  I've read a few other posts, and I think we all agree that the older teachers that have been around for a few years are reluctant to try new things and/or ask for help from the younger ones to show them how.  I wonder if the older teachers feel that by asking for help it might show a lack of intelligence on their part, but in reality it shows a lack of intelligence by not asking for help.

Another issue is not only the lack of training from our schools, but the inability to purchase the new equipment because of lack of funding.  I am a speech therapist and wanted a SmartBoard like everyone else in the building so for 2 years I asked for one and finally got it.  Although it took almost another year for maintenance to come and hang it in my room, when all was finished I looked forward to playing with it and figuring it out, however, something was missing.  They had found me a board, but there was no money to buy me a projector so I still couldn't use it!!!  So there it still hangs, useless on my wall for the past 4 years - what a waste and misuse of funds!!!

can't respond to posts either

to sjames123teach - I tried as well to respond to your post but couldn't :0(  I even tried to log in and it wouldn't let me log in - computers are wonderful when they work, but when something doesn't I get so frustrated!!!