Journal #10

"iPods in Science" by Jared Mader and Ben Smith

The article discussed many uses of the iPod in conjunction with science curriculum. The goal is to "create productive learning experiences" using resources that most students already have. This constructivist approach to teaching including utilizing the iPods video and photo capabilities for digital flashcards, PowerPoint lesson plans that can be stored as jpegs, class lecture notes, problems, diagrams, and charts. Students can sync this information to their computers at home and have access to it for review later on. In Biology, pictures of dissection, anatomy and physiology could be loaded to iPod. In Geology, rock/mineral identification slides and photos could be used. Another method mentioned in the article is podcasting. This includes sound and video podcasting. For example, a student can review missed experiments or demonstrations or review parts they simply didn't understand the first time. The possibilities are endless but the authors feel that educators should teach in ways that students learn best so they can 'interact with the content material".

Seeing that my goal is to teach science in middle school, I really valued the ideas in how to integrate the iPod and into future teaching. The use of the iPod for teaching really benefits both the students and the teacher because not only do students get to work in familiar and more engaging ways to them but the teachers save time by not having to re-teach content to students if they missed or need to see experiments/demonstrations again. I believe that this feature is very valuable for busy teachers who I have found have little time to create lesson plans for their classes. This way, students have more resources to learn the content material and teachers can focus their time on developing more educationally rich lesson plans for their students.

1. I really liked the idea of using iPods in science classes but what about the students who don't have an iPod...how will they be included?

2. The article mentions two programs used for podcasting; Audacity and LameLib and I was curious whether these programs were free to use for the teacher?

Journal #9

"Technology Incentives: Motivating Teachers to Attend Professional Development Training" by Virginia Richard

Research is showing that engaging students with tools such as technology equals higher achievement. In effort to increase the use of technology in the classroom, technology incentives are being used to motivate teachers to actually learn how to use technology. The program is basically funded by grants and/or private organizations such as HP or Best Buy. Incentives such as PDA's educational software, flash drives, laptops, scan converters, or digital cameras are earned by educators when they pass levels of training in technology. Basically, a plan for success starts with the district by supporting schools in their goals to increase the use of technology in classrooms. Administrators must then promote technology use in classrooms to their teachers with additional support such as "peer coaching and mentoring" that shows reluctant teachers additional assistance after their training. Initially, all educators should be assessed on their skills with technology and offered training courses appropriately. The article's school model for technology incentives is Polk County Schools in Florida who have been very successful with technology incentive program and increasing technology use and student engagement in their curriculum.

To be honest, I had not known or heard about technology incentives for teachers before reading this article. I kept thinking that this was a very creative way to get teachers excited about using technology in their classrooms. Typically schools really don't have a lot of financial resources available for some of the devices and software that could benefit their student learning but the goal of technology incentives would definitely attract my interest if I knew I had the support and be given the tools to implement them into my classroom. As a whole I believe that this program is a win-win situation for schools, teachers and students. It really seems to be a positive way to entice teachers (even reluctant ones) to continually participate in training about current uses of technology in education.

1. I am curious about whether technology incentives are being used widely throughout California?

2. As our state's budget shrinks, could California public schools afford the support staff mentioned in this article to aide teachers in the use of the technology in their teaching?

Journal #8

"Disabled Bodies, Able Minds: Giving Voice, Movement, and Independence to the Physically Challenged" by Diane Curtis

This article discussed many case studies regarding the use of assistive technologies for students in schools. One case study was a student named Ardian is without the use of his limbs and is a participant of the program called TACLE (Technology and Augmentative Communication for Learning Enhancement) which is a districtwide program that Adrian is a part of where his teacher of three years finally discovered that Adrian had control over his eyebrows thus he is now able to communicate through a computer his needs and wants. Another student named Niara with cerebral palsy uses a speech-generated technology that recognizes cheek movements to express herself. The goal of the teachers at Redwood Heights Elementary in Oakland, CA is "allow their students to achieve their potential". TACLE and other programs are advocating along with students and parents to ensure that disabled people are included in all activities at school. Allowing disabled students to participate gives them a chance to stretch themselves and see what they are "cable of accomplishing". DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) are not tolerate school administration who feel that they don't "have a responsibility to include those with disabilities in every school activity possible" or think that aides can substitute technology that gives students with disabilities more independence.

The case studies in this article really taught me a lot about what assistive technologies potential for students with disabilities. I was really amazed the patience that the teachers of these students who worked three years and finally found a way that their student could communicate...with his eyebrows. Such dedication is nothing short of inspiring and I couldn't imagine how much frustration the students who are unable to verbalize what they need/want feel when they are finally given a method to do just that. The technologies that are available to disabled students are definitely something that schools should be investing. I also believe that creating a more inclusive environment for disabled students in school activities is a goal that all schools should be working towards. Not only does including disabled students in activities benefit them but it also benefits the rest of the students in the school by learning that disabled students are a part of our world and are a part of our lives.

1. The assistive technologies mentioned in this article such as communication computers will definitely benefit disabled students but I was concerned how schools here in California will be able to afford these devices now that the state's educational budget has been cut so severely?

2. Are students eligible to receive these communication devices to use at school through the programs mentioned in the article or through the federal government? Would they be covered under health insurance?

Journal #7

"Are Schools Inhibiting 21st Century Learning" by Dave Nagel

The author of the article discussed how the potential for utilizing technology in education is being inhibited by schools or not implemented at all. Nagel states that the "idea of technology in education is to enhance learning, not limit it" but he believes that school IT departments are doing just this by limiting technology that will reach this goal. According to Project Tomorrow, teachers, parents and administrators do not even know that this is occurring in their schools. Security practices used to filter websites are one example of limitations on the use of technology in education. Since students are typically the first ones to adopt technology for personal and educational uses it is important that we engage our students with these technology methods to enhance their learning. Some of the uses that Nagel expresses a need to integrate education technologies such as social networking, educational gaming, online learning, and mobile technologies as was to "boost engagement". Students and teachers have both been receptive to the ideas but only about very few teachers that were surveyed were currently using these methods in their classrooms.

Reading this article I was actually very surprised to find that very few teachers were taking advantage of the current technology that is available to enhance their teaching and curriculum. I have to agree that students today would be more engaged in what they are learning at school if their teachers of administrators integrated the technologies that they are mostly familiar with in their education. For students today, technology is a part of their everyday lives and it only seems logical that they would be responsive to it in their educations. There are so many opportunities for educators to take advantage of but I really feel strongly that training of teachers in how to integrate technology is the first step. Many teachers are already overloaded with work and mandatory curriculum that possibly they may need someone in each school to help them learn about the opportunities that they can utilize in their classrooms.

1. In regards to mobile technologies, it seems like an excellent opportunity to "extend learning beyond the school day" but according to the survey, approximately 50-60% of student actually had these mobile devices mentioned so what happens to the other 50-40% of the student who do not have access to mobile technology if teachers do decide to use it?

2. Nagel states that web filtering, security practices are inhibiting learning for the full potential of 21st century learning but I am also concerned if these security practices are lifted then how can we as parents ensure that our children are gaining access to websites and information that is not appropriate for them or educational?