After reading Technology in the Classroom: The Good and Bad my eyes were opened to some new facts about children and technology. This article start by explaining a scenario with a kindergarten teacher who already uses technology in his classroom with children at such a young age. However, the students were able to take one lesson and connect it to many other things they learned previously on the cell phone and ipad available to them. I personally do not think this is a bad way to learn. The students are more engaged when using technology rather than listening to a teacher lecture. One comment in the article suggests technology is used for purposes of being a pacifier or babysitter. However, when used in the classroom in the right way it can be used for learning purposes.
The main thing we should take into consideration when allowing children to use technology is the difference between engagement and addiction. There is a difference. If the children are using technology for useful purposes rather than entertainment, technology can actually be a great way of learning. As parents and teachers, I feel it is our duty to know the difference between the two and the purpose for which the child is using technology. According to the article, "More than half of all children ages 8 and younger have access to a mobile device at home, either a smartphone, a video iPod, or an iPad or other tablet". The children are obviously using technology, so we should make sure it is used as a learning tool. Although I agree with technology use, I also agree with the article that children should also have time to learn other needed skills as well. There should be a healty balance between the two.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Computer Terms
What is software?
Downloadable material to be used on the computer for certain purposes. Gives intructions to the computer so it can run what you want it to run.
Ex: Microsoft Office
What is hardware?
Anything you can touch on the computer is known as hardware.
Example: Keyboard
What is CPU?
Central Processing Unit- carries out instructions from your keyboard for example (like the brain of the computer)
What is RAM?
Random Access Memory- non-volatile, helps the computer to run at faster speeds
What is ROM?
Read Only Memory- saves information even if the power is shut off
What does a hard drive do?
The hard drive is used for storage of materials you can access later.
What is a server?
A very large central processor that many devices can run off of.
Example: Google
Downloadable material to be used on the computer for certain purposes. Gives intructions to the computer so it can run what you want it to run.
Ex: Microsoft Office
What is hardware?
Anything you can touch on the computer is known as hardware.
Example: Keyboard
What is CPU?
Central Processing Unit- carries out instructions from your keyboard for example (like the brain of the computer)
What is RAM?
Random Access Memory- non-volatile, helps the computer to run at faster speeds
What is ROM?
Read Only Memory- saves information even if the power is shut off
What does a hard drive do?
The hard drive is used for storage of materials you can access later.
What is a server?
A very large central processor that many devices can run off of.
Example: Google
The Machine is Using Us
The digital text we use on the computer is more movable and workable than written text. We use the computer so much that we are used to this kind of text. In fact, we are the ones responsible for the computer. Essentially we are the machine. We are the ones teaching the machine new ideas. This is true because we are the ones who are responsible for organizing the data on the web, we are the ones who make the computer run. In fact, we are so involved in the web that a blog is born every 1/2 second. To me that is a shocking fact. To sum up, because we are the machine we should rethink the information we tell the computer. We should rethink our identity to the computer.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
The Dirty and Dangerous Side of Tech
Before reading this article I never really thought about what may be inside of my computer or smartphone. Honestly I would not have thought about poison being inside of these devices. However, I learned that after my use of the device is over the real harm begins. Three major events take place and can be very dangerous.
Mining is the first of those events. During the process of mining land is destroyed which results in poisons being released. The next event is manufacturing. Someone's job is to put these devices together. That person most likely comes in contact with these poisons. The final event is end life. Most of the time when we "recylce" our old devices only the wanted parts are taken out and the rest of the device which contains poisons is just thrown away.
Even though some poisons have been banned new unknown products are being used. In efforts to reduce the amount of poisons we could buy these new devices less often, see how environmentally friendly the device is, and recycle the device yourself so you know it is in the right place.
After reading this article I am now aware of the many dangerous poisons which are inside many of the devices I use daily. I learned it is important to use these devices carefully. Also, when it come time to get rid of the device I should properly dispose of it myself. I should also make efforts to be conscience of what devices I buy and how often.
Mining is the first of those events. During the process of mining land is destroyed which results in poisons being released. The next event is manufacturing. Someone's job is to put these devices together. That person most likely comes in contact with these poisons. The final event is end life. Most of the time when we "recylce" our old devices only the wanted parts are taken out and the rest of the device which contains poisons is just thrown away.
Even though some poisons have been banned new unknown products are being used. In efforts to reduce the amount of poisons we could buy these new devices less often, see how environmentally friendly the device is, and recycle the device yourself so you know it is in the right place.
After reading this article I am now aware of the many dangerous poisons which are inside many of the devices I use daily. I learned it is important to use these devices carefully. Also, when it come time to get rid of the device I should properly dispose of it myself. I should also make efforts to be conscience of what devices I buy and how often.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Pay Attention
This video encourages me as a future teacher to engage my students by using technology. Students today already use many forms of technology everyday. Why not use this same technology to help the students learn in an exciting way in the classroom? This form of teaching would ensure the student's attention and excitement. I believe technology use in the classroom would always keep the lessons new and interesting. This video opened my eyes to new ways to use cell phones, ipods, and other electronics in the classroom that I had never thought about before.
The fact that very low percentages of students who will actually graduate from highschool felt as if the work they are doing in school would actually help them in there future careers. This is a shocking fact to hear because these are the students who are graduating and going out into this world to hopefully make a positive impact. These students are going to school to gain more knowledge to take out into the world, yet these same students feel the work they are completing in highschool has little meaning and effect on them. I believe the students should be eager to learn new things and technology could be the key to that.
Technology has little use in most of my current classrooms. Only in two out of my five classes do we actually use technology outside of the classroom for assignments other than writing papers. Maybe if we use more technology in our classroom students would be more engaged in the lessons. In my future classroom I would really like to use technology when possible. This video allowed me to see many ways technology can be used in the classroom that I did not even think about before. I believe this would keep my students interested and eager to learn in a new way.
The fact that very low percentages of students who will actually graduate from highschool felt as if the work they are doing in school would actually help them in there future careers. This is a shocking fact to hear because these are the students who are graduating and going out into this world to hopefully make a positive impact. These students are going to school to gain more knowledge to take out into the world, yet these same students feel the work they are completing in highschool has little meaning and effect on them. I believe the students should be eager to learn new things and technology could be the key to that.
Technology has little use in most of my current classrooms. Only in two out of my five classes do we actually use technology outside of the classroom for assignments other than writing papers. Maybe if we use more technology in our classroom students would be more engaged in the lessons. In my future classroom I would really like to use technology when possible. This video allowed me to see many ways technology can be used in the classroom that I did not even think about before. I believe this would keep my students interested and eager to learn in a new way.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Manti Te'o
Honestly I am not sure what to think about the Manti Te'o situation. I do not know why anyone would want to make up an online girlfriend. I especially would not do this if I knew it would blow up in the news. However, if his friend played this joke on him or if he was truly set up I feel really sorry for him. It was said that his grandmother and girlfriend died on the same day. To me that is ironic and hard to believe, so i see why this may have been a hint. If he really thought he was in a relationship and found this out on the same thing that is just a cruel joke. I feel if you are going to be in an online relationship you should do some research to make sure the person is who they say they are. It would be very easy to lie to someone you do not have to meet. I feel this is a terrible thing to do, but unfortunately this kind of thing happens quite often. Another similiar event occured for Texas when a player faked his identity to continue playing college football. I do not believe it is right to fake your identity to keep living in your glory days. There is really no need for faking your identity at all. He was to old to be playing football with college students. I think he should have moved on with his life instead of stealing someone's identity. He should have known he would caught when he was in the spotlight.
About Me
My name is Kristyn Arnold. I am currently a sophomore at Southern Miss. I am working to get my degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in English. I love working with children, so I knew long ago I wanted to be a teacher. I can not wait to become and teacher one day. The main reason I want to become a teacher would have to be to have a positive impact in a young child's life. I am the oldest of two children. I have one younger brother who has become like a friend to me the older we get. I really enjoy spending time with my friends and family. They mean everything to me and I do not know where I would be without the support of my friends and family.
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