Journal #1

"Social Networking for the K-12 Set" by Jim Klein

The focus of this article is on social networking and how the use of technology can improve so many aspects of education for K-12 teachers, students and parents. It discusses several examples how educators can implement technology into their classrooms that improve "communication and collaboration". Some of the ways in which technology can improve education are Web-based document sharing, blogging, RRS, and podcasting to name a handful. There were many positive benefits to the use of technology in the classroom such as eliminating barriers between students, teachers, and parents. For example, the use of a classroom blog helped to keep not only the students informed on what is going on in class but their parents as well. Through this classroom blog, classes are able to share their thoughts and knowledge about specific prompts. Tools like this such as blogging or web-based programs allow students to interact with peers in their class or students in the same district in a "safe controlled environment". Usage of technology actually instills a sense of community in the students and allows them to explore other aspects of the subject than just the textbook and classroom lessons.

Reading this article made me reflect about all of the ways in which I could possible use these methods in my own classroom later on. Being a student at CSUSM and already using WebCT for all classes I'm now understanding how these programs are making teaching more effective. I an odd way, many people might think that technology makes things more impersonal resulting in less interaction with peers. I'm finding the opposite to be true about the use of technology because it allows students like myself to review peer work, ask questions, and converse in ways faster than I can ever remember being possible as a former K-12 public school student.


QUESTIONS:
1. How can technology tools like the ones discussed in this article help me as an educator? I already know by taking my Education 422 class and reading this article that technology will be a large part of my classroom when I begin to teach. I'm already planning that I can begin my own classroom blog for each class that I teach to keep my students and parents informed. Also, the problem of parents depending on their children to be honest with them about assignments they need to work on is a thing of the past. Now, parents of my students will simply need to check my class blog and see what assignments their children need to complete. I truely believe that schools should be implementing web-based programs like WebCT to help organize student and teachers. As a future educator, I would think that having assignments submitted electronically be easier than simply handling loose papers all of the time with the risk of them getting lost. Podcasting is something I know nothing of but if it helps me become a more effective educator, I will be willing to try it.

2. List one way that technology allow for a more equal education for students from all socio-economic backgrounds? First, if a student has access to the web there is a wealth of resources for him/her for researching subjects of all kinds. I'm also learning that programs that we use to have to pay for are now readily available to use for free. For example, my neice and nephew come from a family with very limited income. They have always struggled with the fact that they didn't have the money to purchase Microsoft Word. Now, with programs such as Google Docs, they are able to work equally along side of their peers without feeling like they don't have the same resources to do their assignments.