Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Big Surprise! ("E" Posting)
I was observing in a high school English class two weeks ago and discovered something amazing. I walked in and the few students who were already there were on laptops. My first thought was, where did they get laptops? As I walked further into the room I realized that there was a huge loading dock for a class set of Dell laptops. I thought it was incredible that the students had access to such high-tech technology. They were working on projects in groups on MovieMaker, but each student had his/her own laptop to do their share of the work. If all schools had tools like these in every classroom, I think the educational system would be a lot different (positively)!
Internet=Bad? ("A" Posting)
This article addresses the issue of too much internet usage by kids and teens. It states that the amount of telelvision watched is being replaced by the amount of time kids spend on the internet. It goes on to say that parents find the internet to be both good and bad. It allows them to explore and learn about things they like, but it also can be a dangerous place. The increasing amount of online sexual predators and inappropriate websites for kids make the internet a scary thought for parents. The parents know the internet is a learning tool for home and at school, but are worried about the possible outcomes.
I chose this article because it starts to answer the question I last posted: can technology become too much and too overwhelming for children? This article presents the argument that technology/internet is becoming so popular among kids that it is used more than the television. But this internet use has consequences, and very scary ones at that. Technology use needs to be monitored, and I also believe that the more children are on the internet, the more curious they become. Schools need to encourage the use of technology, but make sure to educate students about the negatives and the scary aspects. Kids are naturally curious, especially when it comes to the limitless world-wide-web.
"Parents: Internet is a double-edged sword" By: Debra Lau Whelan
I chose this article because it starts to answer the question I last posted: can technology become too much and too overwhelming for children? This article presents the argument that technology/internet is becoming so popular among kids that it is used more than the television. But this internet use has consequences, and very scary ones at that. Technology use needs to be monitored, and I also believe that the more children are on the internet, the more curious they become. Schools need to encourage the use of technology, but make sure to educate students about the negatives and the scary aspects. Kids are naturally curious, especially when it comes to the limitless world-wide-web.
"Parents: Internet is a double-edged sword" By: Debra Lau Whelan
Using Technology Appropriately ("C" Posting)
I found an article on the ednews.org website that was written by the the writers at Cable in the Classroom. It was explaining how kids these days are immersed in technology outside of school, and sometimes that can be unsafe if not used correctly. The article says that schools should realize that media is all around the children, and the students should learn how to be thoughtful when using technology. Some examples were: how to see the hidden messages in media, how to use the internet appropriately, how to publish and write on the internet correctly, and to know the consequences of the actions used on the internet. At the end of the article were statistics, and one stands out in my mind: educators predict that students use all kinds of technology outside of school for four to five hours a day.
All in all, I liked this article. I liked how it addressed the issue of how much kids are actually using technology. I believe students should be taught how to use computers and the internet correctly, for their own safety. Also, the internet provides so many opportunities that, with the help of teachers, students can do something really creative and new. The content of the article was good and fact-based, and it helps me understand the importance of technology in the modern students life. This raises the question, can the technology that kids use become too much and too overwhelming?
Media Literacy Skills
All in all, I liked this article. I liked how it addressed the issue of how much kids are actually using technology. I believe students should be taught how to use computers and the internet correctly, for their own safety. Also, the internet provides so many opportunities that, with the help of teachers, students can do something really creative and new. The content of the article was good and fact-based, and it helps me understand the importance of technology in the modern students life. This raises the question, can the technology that kids use become too much and too overwhelming?
Media Literacy Skills
"Little Kids, Big Projects" ("A" Posting)
The article I found is about how four different classes of young students had a great experience with computers. They used Powerpoint, Microsoft Works, digital cameras, scanners, spreadsheets and other mulitmedia tools to make eBooks and weather maps and post them on the internet. The article explains that technology can be successfully used with young children, but it needs to be put simply. If it is too complex they will not be able to interpret all of the elements at one time. The article ends with the idea that kids are already using these kinds of technology at home, so why not use it at school.
I chose this article because it was a positive take on how young children are using computers and technology in the classroom. I think technology is important and kids should be using it early so they can be accustomed with it. I do not believe, however, that the younger age groups (k-3) should be put on a computer during class by themselves. I find that to be almost worthless, as the children are not paying attention and are more worried about the person sitting next to them. This article brings up the idea of using children in groups so that they can also build "technology social skills" and use modern communication. It answers my question by saying that young children can use technology if given the chance, plus a little patience.
"Little Kids, Big Projects" By: Carol S. Holzberg
I chose this article because it was a positive take on how young children are using computers and technology in the classroom. I think technology is important and kids should be using it early so they can be accustomed with it. I do not believe, however, that the younger age groups (k-3) should be put on a computer during class by themselves. I find that to be almost worthless, as the children are not paying attention and are more worried about the person sitting next to them. This article brings up the idea of using children in groups so that they can also build "technology social skills" and use modern communication. It answers my question by saying that young children can use technology if given the chance, plus a little patience.
"Little Kids, Big Projects" By: Carol S. Holzberg
"Little Kids, Big Projects"
The article I found is about how four different classes of young students had a great experience with computers. They used Powerpoint, Microsoft Works, digital cameras, scanners, spreadsheets and other mulitmedia tools to make eBooks and weather maps and post them on the internet. The article explains that technology can be successfully used with young children, but it needs to be put simply. If it is too complex they will not be able to interpret all of the elements at one time. The article ends with the idea that kids are already using these kinds of technology at home, so why not use it at school.
I chose this article because it was a positive take on how young children are using computers and technology in the classroom. I think technology is important and kids should be using it early so they can be accustomed with it. I do not believe, however, that the younger age groups (k-3) should be put on a computer during class by themselves. I find that to be almost worthless, as the children are not paying attention and are more worried about the person sitting next to them. This article brings up the idea of using children in groups so that they can also build "technology social skills" and use modern communication. It answers my question by saying that young children can use technology if given the chance, plus a little patience.
"Little Kids, Big Projects" By: Carol S. Holzberg
I chose this article because it was a positive take on how young children are using computers and technology in the classroom. I think technology is important and kids should be using it early so they can be accustomed with it. I do not believe, however, that the younger age groups (k-3) should be put on a computer during class by themselves. I find that to be almost worthless, as the children are not paying attention and are more worried about the person sitting next to them. This article brings up the idea of using children in groups so that they can also build "technology social skills" and use modern communication. It answers my question by saying that young children can use technology if given the chance, plus a little patience.
"Little Kids, Big Projects" By: Carol S. Holzberg
Small Keyboards for Small Hands ("A" Posting)
This article is about how there is a keyboard out there that will help young children. This keyboard will be able to help children use the computer without having to "hunt-and-peck." It is 20% smaller than a regular keyboard. The keyboard is a bit pricey, with the cost at around $99, but it can enhance the child's ability to use a computer. The keyboard is called "LittleFingers."
Although this seems to be a great idea and investment, I have never seen these keyboards. Maybe I have missed these small keyboards in the classroom? Also, the price seems a bit high for school to afford. Schools have budgets, and when important products like the LittleFingers are made, schools should have the money to buy them. Overall this article was useful, but I have never seen this product in the classrooms I have observed.
"A Wee Keyboard for Smaller Hands"
Although this seems to be a great idea and investment, I have never seen these keyboards. Maybe I have missed these small keyboards in the classroom? Also, the price seems a bit high for school to afford. Schools have budgets, and when important products like the LittleFingers are made, schools should have the money to buy them. Overall this article was useful, but I have never seen this product in the classrooms I have observed.
"A Wee Keyboard for Smaller Hands"
Negatives of Early Computer Use ("A" Posting)
This article explains that early use of computers for children is negative. It is a short article explaining a study of children ages 5 to 15 who are shadowed for five months. First, the researchers found the the children under the age of nine lacked the motor skills to use the keyboard properly. Second, the younger children tended to talk while using the technology. They said as soon as the child sat down with the computer, they were looking for someone to talk to. Overall, the article was a bit short but it brought up a strong opinion.
I chose this article because it was focusing on the negative aspects of the early use of computers. It does not fully answer my question because I do not think it was a complete enough article. On the other hand, I liked the article because it restated the fact that keyboards can be too complex and large for younger students. My new inquiry question is, do they make or are they making a keyboard for smaller hands? Maybe then the young students won't have such difficulty.
Does Not Compute
I chose this article because it was focusing on the negative aspects of the early use of computers. It does not fully answer my question because I do not think it was a complete enough article. On the other hand, I liked the article because it restated the fact that keyboards can be too complex and large for younger students. My new inquiry question is, do they make or are they making a keyboard for smaller hands? Maybe then the young students won't have such difficulty.
Does Not Compute
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