Observing Technology

In the classroom where I work as a paraprofessional, the teacher has a white (smart) board. I find this quite interesting because she can put the image from her laptop directly on the marker board without the use of another computer. It does take a few minutes to set up though and it is very touchy. The teacher has to tap the marker board several times to transfer her Powerpoint text to the board, and sometimes it transfers too much at once. Otherwise, I think the white board is a very good tool.

Conversations-EdTechTalk

I listened to Conversations on EdTechTalk last Sunday. First, the people in the chat room were very friendly & helpful. There was a lot of talk about Internet safety and Face Book with children. Some people in the chat room thought safety could be monitored just by putting up blocks to negative information. My teenage daughter undid our blocks when she was thirteen. No matter what we did, she undid it. Kids are very smart now and the best solution is: take the power cord when you are not at home to monitor your children and put it under your pillow at night!

Teachers Evaluating Websites in the Classroom

Teachers must evaluate Websites students are visiting, especially for research, because many Websites look authentic but are not. For research papers, teachers can bring their students to the computer lab and monitor what is on the screen and is already printed. Teachers can explain what to look for in an authentic Site. Hopefully this gives students a better idea than a simple lecture in class. Obviously, teachers should be doing this to teach students how to find their own accurate Websites at school and at home so that students will learn.

Providing Students With Technology Access

I am a paraprofessional to a student with Autism in an Animal Science class. There are only 2 computers in the back of the room and no other access to technology. Sometimes, they visit the computer lab for a research paper. Most of the money goes to feeding and caring for the animals in the kennel. They earn a little money when they take donations for occasional dog grooming. This is a tough call. The only answer I have for more access to technology, is more fund raising like the dog grooming. Students could also obtain jobs at their local vets office. They know enough (it is a vet 2 class) and the job would look great on a resume. The students are juniors and seniors so they are old enough. I think they would do it for more technology to make class more interesting.

Stealing or Sharing?

When I read about Creative Commons I first thought about stealing. Having an English background, I was trained in the importance of copyrights. Then I remembered how I enjoy group discussions in class (we never have enough time) and I didn't mind if someone else expanded on my idea. I was even complimented. So now I'm on the sharing side.

Wikipedia

Wikipedia sounds very interesting, but I think it could be difficult to sort out inaccurate information at times.

Reflections From Chapters 1 and 2

My Reflections Both Came From Chapter 1:

1. Ustream:
This concept was interesting because I heard of it but didn't know what it was. To be able to sit at a lecture with a webcam, jilm the events, and send it over a wide network for people to see is interesting. You could do that at a concert - anywhere! That's broadcasting.

2. The Web 2.0
I was interested in the education part where no longer is information sent and received, but it is shared over networks. Students can attend classes on-line and actually interact with other students and the professor. I think the economy was referred to as becoming flatter and the same time - I don't understand this.

Ah! What's going on??