JOurnel #4

From Toys to Tools by Liz Kolb

Cell phones in the class room have always been somewhat of an annoyance to teachers. Its too easy to cheat, too easy to send messages to classmates, and their distraction level is really hi. not to mention the stupid ring tones that go off when your trying to have a lesson. Liz has come up with a way to use the cell phone as a teaching tool. its called Audio blogging, and can be a great tool! Manny students have cell phones and has become a way for students to communicate with their piers. Cell phones Liz argues is a way to teach students about their phone. Many students don't have phones or don't know their limitations. (charges) Students are encouraged to use their phones in interviews, their parents, classmates or just tape sounds. then after they record using their phones they then send them to their autioblog. although this usage of phones in the classroom is unique Liz still believes that phones inside the class should still be monitored. Ie no phones unless its for the activity.

Question #1 what are some of the limitations of phone homework?

The answer to limitations are relevant, all students wont have cell phones, certain plans may charge for the service of audio blogging, and their always a privacy issue. to answer worry about all students not having cell phones, one could possibly get cell phones just for the class room, with a little ingenuity you could have the phones donated to the class if you worded it right the the cell phone companies. Students that have cell phones can do a homework assignment about their phone, limitations and services that they get. They could even do a research about what phone would be best for the class. Third is privacy, Privacy is always an issue especially with kids. If you you a blogger for your audio home work your blogs are open to the public. You will have to teach your students not to give any names on they audioblogs, as well as copy rite laws, this is another teaching experience. Although there are several aspects of audio blogging that you might be questioning the only way for you to find out if it is right for you is to do it yourself. Experiment and have fun.

Question 2. Besides simple audioblogs what other things could you do to teach using phones?

Phone have the ability to take pictures and some record short movies. your students can post a blog, put their audio with it and even a picture or two of the thing there doing. You are now encompassing allot of technology in your class just from a little phone. Group cell phone projects are a great way to enhance presentations. Also with every new assignment add a cell phone option. continually using phone in all courses of work will cause the students to be more aware of there cell phone usage. Now lets look at lessons where phones could be used. students writing about their neighborhood could tape sounds on their street, for reports on anythings students could tape interviewees. In history students could go tape themselves pretending to be their in that time frame. IN Math students could figure out the difference between cell phones and personally rate them, or could figure out how much it cost them a day to have a phone. With everything creativity is the key, the more creative you are with your lesions the more the students will have fun with it. If they are having fun and learning at the same time, the better they'll remember the lessons.

Journal #2 Breathing fire into web 2.0

Breathing Fire into Web 2.0 by Justin HArdman and David Carpenter

WEb 2.0(my dragonNet) has come a long way from its beginnings. from a calender and Email service to a full flung cooperation with open ended communication between students teachers, and parents. web 2.0 has several advantages for teachers. Teachers can post their assignments and due dates online with direct feedback from their students. this cuts down on paper and enables the students to use the computers to how they are used to using them. Students will also have the opportunity to post their work for other to comment on. Teachers can use these posting as demonstration's for other classes in the future. myDragonnet as an opportunity for your class to use it like they would my space collaborating and talking together in a safe environment. WEb 2.0 is not perfect and with all things, web 2.0 will need to be improved upon as new technology comes. but web 2.0 remain as one of the best tools for schools to use for communication between students peers and teachers.

Question #1. What level of students could this be used for?

MyDragonNet can be used by anyone at any level. IT is still a great way for students to keep track of what is coming up in class by using the calendar. There are sections for students to have drop boxes, postings, email links, and future assignments. Teachers can create a class web page that can be tailor made to the teacher. it is also a helpful tool for teachers to talk to other teachers about situations that may arise. For students my Dragon space tries and for the most part accomplishes the use of all communication methods that the students are familiar with. If your students are advanced they could explore and use the tools allowed to communicate with classmates and their teachers. Students that aren't that techno savy can still use the features that are their, and learn from other students on how to do things. The outcome being that through the process of time and just using MydagonNEt students will help teach each other to form a techno savy class, that will prepare them for life in a technology world.

question #2 Could students use myDragonNet after they are out of My particular class?

IT is hoped that the school that you are in will collective use MyDragonnet over several years. If adopted students will have an electronic portfolio that will showcase that students work. By showcasing that students work he or she will be able to present themselves with a body of work. In this way a student will be more apt to get a job or go to College with a built in re pore. Dragonnet will help your students succeed in life. Students will first use my Dragon space to chat and form friendships, then they will start to post, then put up pictures much like my space. but My DragonNEt has several more features then a simple my space. DragonNet is first a way for school and teachers to make teaching easier. by use of the calendar, email, posting, web pages, and all its other featurs, teachers can help their students not fall behind and provide them a way to seek help from their fellow classmates. Besides teachers, Mydragonnet is a way for parents to contact the teacher and informs the parents when things are due, thus allowing the parent to have more information about what is going on in the classroom.

Journal #1

Finding new ways to Connect
by Eleanor Yang Su

Professors are finding it harder to keep interest with the student population. Teacher are having their students instant messaging, and checking their E mail during lecture time. Because students not paying the most riveting attention to the teacher, teachers are becoming more inventive. They are using this technology in the class room. From simple things like power point presentation, to remote control style clickers that automatically lets the teacher know how well the students are retraining the information of the lecture. Teachers have found ways to interact more appropriately with their students during this time of information, using the students strength for the learning process. Some of the old teacher believe that teachers should not rely to heavily on technology, but It is the way of the future. Multi-tasking is hear.

Question 1. During the time of IM and Internet options, I pod etc, How can you find the right balance in your classroom?

This question you will have have to answer over and over again as your students become more adapt at using technology, and as technology changes. The problem come with how teachers view technology and how their students view technology. If teachers fall behind in the tecno curve they feal inadequate about teaching, and shy away from it more and more. Technology can be great! Don't look at technology as trying to entertain or as an attention getter, look at it as a way to a more productive teaching style. Use technology as a way to get the job done. Cover the material with Technology as a aid. The by product of technology as an aid involves the student and more do pay attention, and their will be more interaction between student and teacher. All teachers are different, what is needed is for you as a teacher to incorporate technology as tool to help you teach, but finding the balance is up to you. You and you alone know your students.

Question #2 I need Ideas on how to use technology with my students?

The simplest way is, is to start a web page for your class. where the students can talk to other students about their homework and about what they are learning. Some of the benefits of this are 1. students will help other students learn the information. 2. if their are any problems you can know about it. if the problem is more widespread you can address it in your next lesson. if the problem is singular it can be addressed as well. ON your web page you can have homework notices, info, etc allowing students to have a resource page helps students know what is assigned and what is due.
be creative ask your students what they would like (you don't have to listen you are the teacher) but your students will help you with what they need. Dialogue is always good. Have Fun