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

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

"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

"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

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"

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

Do the Educators need to be Educated? ("A" Posting)

This article is about why educators choose to introduce computers to young children so soon. Twelve teachers were chosen to be asked questions on the topic of using technology with the early grades. They were asked why they put computers in their classrooms, and most say that the management made the decision. They wanted to remain up to date with technology and provide a new learning experience for the young children. The rest of the article reviews some studies that were done in Canada and in America. They covered what kind of skills the children were learning and particular and exact reasons why principals and board members decided to put computers in the classrooms.

I chose this article because it covers a different side of what I have been discussing. My main question is how young is too young for children to be introduced to technology. This article brings up the side of why do the educators choose to bring the computers into the classroom. I like it because it really goes in depth and asks a lot of educators their opinion. This article raises a new question, are the educators educated about age-appropriate computer use?
"The Reasoning Behind the Scene" By: Suzy Edwards

Using eBooks as a mathematical tool! ("A" Posting)

Sometimes I stumble on an article that is pretty much perfect for the topic that I am looking for, and this is one of them. This article is about how teachers can create their own educational "digitial books" for their classrooms. The article focuses more on the subject of math and how the digital books could help. For example, the teacher can easily find eBooks online or purchase them for the classroom, but there are limitations. By creating their own eBook, the educator can include their own math strategies and really zone in on where the students are at in the curriculum. The article also writes that digital books follow many of the different educational board standards about how visual and aural lessons offered by technology can engage young children and enhance their cognitive and social abilities. The article also includes testimonies of teachers who have created their own eBooks and shown them to the students. The article then finishes off by giving many tips on how to make the digital stories successful and how to even make them with your students. Overall, this article was very informative.

I chose this article because it not only addresses the idea of using eBooks in the classroom, but also the idea of creating your own. I am creating an eBook for my computer class, as I said before, and it is really neat to see that actual teachers are making and using them. I also like how it explains how students should make their own too, or help the teacher. This article expands on my questions and ideas of how eBooks will help in the classroom. But all of my previous posts have been how eBooks can help reading. I have never even thought about how it can help math...maybe I should look more into that idea?

Reading and Writing the Digital Way! By: Trena L. Wilkerson

My Own eBook ("B" Posting)

Like I posted before, we are using eBooks in my Intro to Computers in Education class. But now we have to make our own. I have been working on mine for about 2 or 3 weeks now, and I am becoming my own biggest critic. I believe eBooks can be fun for students, so I want to be able to show my future first-graders my eBook. My eBook is about how I tutored a sixth-grade girl one summer and discovered that she was not able to read very well, and how we overcame her issues.

I am learning from this activity that the small details are what makes an eBook look and work well. Pictures need to be engaging and the writing needs to sound just right. The challenge I have found in this project is the narration and how to engage the reader. I am overcoming that challenge by enhancing my voice, trying to sound more excited or more upset when needed. From this project I am learning one thing about myself: patience. This project takes time and patience, practice and experimentation. I want it to be interesting and fun so that I can use it for instruction one day.

Can video games help children learn? ("C" Posting)

This newspaper article I found on the internet is about how video games can enhance the learning process for children. The MacArthur Foundation is funding a $50 million research project to make educational video games that can be played at home or in the classroom. The experts in the article say that video games are motivating and give instant feedback, which can allow students to be more interested in their learning. The games will be educational and not violent, and because video games are so popular, the games may be welcomed with open arms by kids and teens.

I really liked this article because it is introducing a new idea of how to use technology in the classroom. I know that video games are really popular for the new generation, and students will find them really fun to use. I also liked the article because it interviews more than one expert, to get a well-rounded view on how this idea is going to pan out. Technology is the wave of the future, so people need to mold it into all kinds of forms to help kids in the classroom. Educational video-games are also great because they can be motivational and good practice for students because it gives instant feedback.
Video Games

Early Computer Use ("A" Posting)

I have found a GREAT article about the effects of early computer experience on young children. The article is about a survey of 122 preschool children enrolled in a rural Head Start program school in the United States from 2001-2002. The test was administered to find the relationship between early computer experience and cognitive and motor development. About 75% of the children had access to computers, either at home or elsewhere, and they performed better on measures of school readiness and cognitive development. Thought, overall, there was no relationship in this study between early computer use and visual and gross motor skills.

I chose this article because it was a scientific study and not just opinion based. This article actually goes against my idea of some students being too young to use computers. But, the article does state that the test was only given over a year and they could have tested the long-term effects too. A negative point that I found about this test was that it was given in a rural county where only 53% of the children had computers at home. That is not a real representation of the majority of children in the United States. Most have access to computers and all kinds of technology, and I still believe it can hurt young children if used in great amounts or without supervision.
"Early Childhood Computer Experience and Cognitive and Motor Development" By: Xiaoming Li and Melissa S. Atkins

Thanks Megan! ("D" Posting)

Thanks Megan for your comment! I am glad you found this topic eye-opening. Children can sometimes be too young to use technology in the classroom, and I hope this article and my future articles will be of interest to Megan and the other contributors. I really liked Megan's comment, and I am glad she thought it was important to give her own opinion. Thanks again, Megan!
Now Megan's comment brings up a great idea: grade-appropriate technology use. I believe technology is the future of education, but we can't forget the "old-school" way of learning, either. Smaller children need to focus on the basic learning elements: reading, writing, and simple math. Technology can not me too overwhelming for them or the students will be lost in the simple studies. Also, Megan asks the question if I would use computers in my future classroom and have my students use computers at home. I believe using computers at home is very important, if possible, because it allows students to learn at their own pace and do what makes them feel comfortable. On the other hand, computer use in the classroom needs to be limited in the early grades. Computers can be distracting and confusing for them. Megan, I am going to look for more articles about young children using technology at home and in the classroom.

Complications for young students ("A" Posting)

The article is about young students (kindergarten and first grade) who are being introduced to technology. It covers the topic of how early on should students be taught to type properly on keyboards and use computers. Will teaching them how to properly type on a keyboard hurt their hand-eye coordination? Also, keyboards are too large for the younger student's little hands. The article also skims that idea that if computers are used to write, the student's writing ability will be hurt.
I chose this article because it starts to answer my previous question that I posted. My question was, when are students too young to be using technology on their own in class? It does not completely answer the question, but now I can look for more articles to continue answering the question. The article does not give a specific age, but it does touch on the complications younger students would have with computers. I will look for more articles on this question, but this article was a good start.
"Kindergarten Keyboarding" By: Lauren Barack

Lesson Plans ("B" Posting)

In my Introduction to Education class, I have to do a lesson plan for a first grade classroom. I want to use technology in some way, and I have been coming up with all types of ideas. My final idea, I think, is to use powerpoint in an interactive, hands-on way. I am going to use the endings of words, probably "i-c-e", and allow the students to come up and hold big letters and make different words. I'll put a picture of dice on the powerpoint with "_ice" and they will have to pick the letter "d" to make the word.
As I have been setting up this project, I have learned that using the overhead and powerpoint, I can show a larger presentation than I would have been able with a posterboard. The challenges I am having is what the other children will do while the one child is up at the front picking out letters. I think I will have some sort of worksheet so they can follow along. I have learned that I can use technology with first graders, even as a group. I feel like I am finally overcoming my technology "fear".

eBook Project ("B" Posting)

In my Introduction to Computers for Education class, we have been experimenting with eBooks. eBooks are narrated and animated stories you can play on the computer. We had to rate 5 different eBooks, and then later on we had to show two of them to a child. I chose my cousins to read the books to, and she really enjoyed it. She thought her teacher should use them in the classroom.
What I learned from this activity would be that teaching can be enhanced with technology. Teachers should not be scared of using computers with their students. One challenge that I found with this project is that some students may rely on the narration too much and would lack in their reading. As a result, the only way to overcome that challenge would be that students should continue to read real storybooks, too. I learned that I shouldn't be scared to try new things with students. Sometimes I'm wary when it comes to technology...

Too young? ("E" post)

I did a classroom observation the other day at a local elementary school. I was observing a kindergarten classroom who were at a lower reading level. They were using computers to practice reading comprehension. I would walk around and watch the students interact with the computers, and most of them were doing fine. A few of the students were not concentrating and seemed too immature to be using the computer on their own. This raises the question, when is a student too young to be introduced to technology?

WELCOME!

Welcome to Tech for Tykes! What I am hoping to create in this blog is a place where Education students can share ideas with one another. I will use what I am learning in my Technology for Education class to create conversations about how technology can be more integrated in the classroom, mainly younger students. Hopefully all will go well, but this is my first blogging experience so be patient with me! Thanks!

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