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.

Tutorials - Entry Three

Hello Parents,

     As we approach the halfway point for this six weeks I want to allow every student the opportunity for tutoring. For the next three weeks I will be available on Tuesday's and Thursday's one hour before school and one hour after. This would be a great time for the students to work on homework, projects, or to study for the upcoming test. If there are any questions or concerns please contact me. Thank you.

Mr. Patton

Article Five Reflection

After reading the article regarding cell phones in the classroom, I believe if this idea were to be successful it would depend on how the teacher applies the cell phone in the lesson. Teachers who have discipline issues will have students abusing the idea of having a cell phone in the classroom. But if a teacher takes the necessary precautions I believe a cell phone could be another tool used in the classroom.

Article Five

This article examines the pros and cons of using cell phones in the classroom. The articles states that the pros of using cell phones is how fast the students respond to answers, while the cons are how the cell phones become distractions. One teacher said the cognitive load is higher, while another teacher said he has yet to find a high level thinking lesson plan that involves cell phones. The teachers who found cell phones successful used a polling device. This would allow the students to receive a question on their phones and reply back with an answer that would show up on a digital board in class.

Article Four Reflection

I love the idea of keeping it simple in the classroom. I have found that this leads to the best opportunities for learning. To have the students rebuilding and fixing old computers in a shop class is genius. This would truly allow for the students to understand how computers actually work and would serve a better purpose in the workforce. Technology is a great way to educate our students, but we must use technology in an efficient way and teaching software is opposite of that.

Article Four

In the article written by Todd Oppenheimer, "Tech Made Easy: Keeping It Simple in the Classroom," we learn about Tom Snyder's theory on technology in the classroom. Snyder is popular for his idea of having one computer in a classroom. He believes "the job of technology is not to break up the traditional classroom's group endeavors but, rather, to stimulate them." Snyder goes on to say that having one computer in the classroom makes the teachers job simpler. In today’s schools we teach the latest software to our students, but by the time these students reach the workforce this technology is outdated. This article suggests that we should spend more time concentrating on the history and fundamental principles of technology. An example of this idea would be a "shop-class" where the students received outdated or broken computers and were given the opportunity to rebuild the computers.

Timeline Project - Entry two

Dear Parents,

                  This is just a reminder that your child's timeline project is due in exactly one week. The remainder of the project is to be done outside of class. Remember, if used correctly, the internet is a great tool for researching the necessary information to complete the timeline. As the students prepare to finish their timeline I encourage parents to practice internet safety. As we know the internet has an abundance of knowledge and is a great educational tool, but with that comes dangers of the internet. I look forward to seeing each and every students final timeline.

Thanks,

Mr. Patton

Assistive Technology - Reflection

It's encouraging to see the needs of our students being reached with the help of assistive technology. With our schools integrating assistive technology we are able to reach out to those students who previously struggled with special needs. Not only are these students able to complete simple tasks in school, they are given the opportunity to excel.

Mr. Patton

Assistive Technology - Article three

Lisa Wahl wrote an encouraging article regarding assistive technology in the classroom. With advances in technology we are now capable of allowing a kindergarten student with cerebral palsy to participate in classroom activities, a high school student with a reading disability is able to listen to the computer read aloud, a student with extreme dyslexia uses a word processor to take notes, and a student with one hand uses a customized keyboard.  Lisa Wahl explains that assistive technology is not always a computer or electrical device, but it also includes a variety of tools for students. This includes a triangular pencil grip that allows the student to properly grip the writing utensil, another student uses a transparent yellow film overlay to increase the print contrast in a book, and a third student uses a back card with a long horizontal window cut out that allows him to see just a single line at a time. Assistive technology makes teaching and learning more effective.

Mr. Patton

Internet Safety - Article two

Dear Parents and students,

Recently I have come across an article regarding internet safety. Rachel Pomerance discusses four internet safety tips that will keep our children safe. The article encourages parents to simply talk to their kids about internet safety. Secondly, all equipment with internet access should be secured. This includes the latest security software, web browser, and operating systems. Another safe way to browse the internet is to establish rules, this includes the amount of time allowed online and websites that are acceptable. Lastly the article encourages parents to become familiar with the internet.

With summer just around the corner I encourage parents and students to read this article. With more time spent at home comes with more time spent online. The internet comes with many risks, but it is also filled with so much educational material. Parents and students should be prepared to protect themselves while browsing the internet.

Constructivism : Entry one

I encourage parents to take the time to read through this article over Constructivism. This is a hands on approach to learning that your children will have the opportunity to take part in this school year. Your children will not be repeating back facts, instead they will be investigating, discovering, and working together to find answers. Again I encourage the parents to find time to read this article, as it will explain more in depth what your children will be experiencing this year.

Technology Integration in the Classroom : Article one

In recent years technology integration in the classroom has been a debatable topic. The argument has not been if we should be integrating technology into the classroom, rather how we should be integrating technology. In the article by Soledad Mackinnon, "Technology Integration in the Classroom, Is There Only One Way to Make it Effective?" you will discover two ways to integrate technology. The first being directed instruction, which uses technology to drill and practice previously learned skills. The other option is constructivist instruction, which means that technology would be used to help the students analyze, investigate, collaborate, share, build, and generate on what they already know. The article concludes that there is no right or wrong answer, yet it is the educator who will ultimately make the difference.