Entry 5

Dear parents,

With technology consistently improving and entering our homes we find our children playing with the newest gadgets.  The question is raised, how much is too much?  We find our children spending more time on the computer then they do outside.  Well, recent research performed by Sandra L. Hofferth shows that increased screen time actually helps our children academically.  The children experience more reading, problem solving, and communication then previously expected.  Personally I believe their should be equilibrium between being on the computer and being outside, it's nice to know that the increased screen time is not hurting our children academically.

Any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me.

Mr. Patton

Entry 4

Dear students and parents,

           I wanted to share this informative article regarding cyber bullying. I encourage everyone to take the time to thoroughly read this article.  Cyber bullying is an increasing problem and needs to be addressed.  Having a thorough knowledge on the topic and taking the proper steps cyber bullying can be prevented.  Any questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to contact me.


Mr. Patton

Article Ten

www.stopbullying.gov provided an in depth article explaining cyber bullying.  Cyber bullying is a type of bullying that occurs through electronics such as text messages, emails, and the internet.  Although cyber bullying eliminates physical abuse it can affect kids severely in other areas.  With cyber bullying we see children being bullied 24/7, even when they are alone.  Offensive messages, rumors, and pictures can be spread to a wide audience very quickly.  In many cases these messages, rumors, and picture are hard to delete and find the source from which they came.  It is important that children, parents, and teachers are aware of the severity cyber bullying presents so they can prevent it from occurring.

Cyber bullying is a serious issue that should consistently be addressed.  Children, parents, and teachers should be aware of the effects that it has on children. Knowing how to prevent cyber bullying is very important.  Adolescences' communication through technology should be monitored until they are at an appropriate and matured age.

Article Nine

Sandra L. Hofferth, a family science professor and director of the Maryland Population Research Center, made a positive connection with computer use and test scores.  Hofferth claimed increased screen time resulted in more reading, communication, and problem solving.  Hofferth also concluded that playing video games resulted in more reading, problem solving, and communication.  Surfing the web did not increase these skills.  Mimsy Pangilian, a mother of two, made an interesting comment on the research.  "It's a relief that it's not harming them academically, but that's only part of the picture, they never have an opportunity to be bored, or know what their own thoughts are, because there's not much time to be introspective."


I found the research on adolescence computer time and their test scores to be intriguing.  Hofferth made several good arguments, such as the increased amounts of reading, problem solving, and communication skill that take place during computer time.  But a mother also made a good point regarding the children not having time to be introspective and not being able to truly know their own thoughts.  Like with most things their needs to be equilibrium.  It is good to know that increased computer time is not hurting our children academically.  But to much computer time wont give the children time to find out who they are.

Article Eight - Will the Kindle Change Education?

A Kindle in the classroom could serve as a great tool at the right price. The Kindle is not only an upgrade to an old paperback book, but an upgrade to the library. The Kindle is able to hold over 1,500 books. Every student would be able to have a copy of a book. The Kindle weighs a mere ten ounces; this would eliminate the students having to haul around heavy backpacks.

If proven cost efficient, Kindles and other tablets would be a great accessory to any classroom. Allowing the students to have multiple books stored on a small device. Having a classroom textbook on a Kindle would be great. Instead of having to sift through pages and pages of information the students would be able to search for keywords, taking them directly to what they need. The students would be able to change the text size or the background lighting. I believe at the right price every classroom needs a set of Kindles.

Article Seven - Getting Personal With Technology

Forest Lake Elementary School, in Columbia, South Carolina, has taken a step forward with technology integration.  Forest Lake Elementary doesn’t have the newest and shiniest technology, but they have a determined and dedicated staff that believes technology is needed in the classroom.  The teachers allow the students to use the technology to complete assignments and projects. This allows for the students to keep interest. For example, one student chose to create a comic strip for his writing assignment. This allowed for the student to complete the assignment using his strengths. Another teacher uses the technology to continually assess where her students are at with specific problems. The technology allows for the teacher to see which problems her students are missing. If the students are missing common denominators, then the next day she will focus the lesson on common denominators.

Many school districts make the comment that they cant integrate technology into the classrooms because they lack the funding. It’s not what technology you have, but its how you use the technology. In Forest Lake Elementary you see teachers using technology in various ways. While one teacher uses the technology to assess her students another is allowing the students to pick which gadget they want to complete a given assignment. Many times you see a classroom using technology in the wrong way. They may have a big fancy white board, but the only thing they do is take notes from it, you can do the same thing with a textbook. You have to use technology in a way that encourages learning and motivates the students.

Article Six - Rules to Stop Pupil and Teacher From Getting Too Social Online

When used properly social media and the Internet are effective tools in the classroom.  In recent years there has been many inappropriate relationships involving teachers and students. Many of these relationships have stemmed from private conversations through text messaging or online platforms.  School districts across the country are taking action by imposing strict guidelines that ban these private conversations. Many teachers disagree with these strict guidelines being imposed on their classrooms.

I understand both sides to this argument. The school districts imposing strict guidelines are trying to protect the teachers and students.  The teachers see social media as a great tool to get the most out of their students.  There has to be equilibrium between the school districts and the teachers.  Social media is a great tool and should be used in the classroom, but private messaging and text messaging should be eliminated.