cyber safety

This assignment is one that shows how scary technology can be if left unfettered !  I think it all comes down to adults using common sense.  When did parents begin to be so concerned about the privacy of their children? It is because of thought processes like that , our children pay a heavy price in being exposed to things much to early.  For instance, sexting. Well, gee, if a parent was checking their child's cell phone history , would the child really think it was a good idea? Parents want to trust their children, as I do mine, but that should not blind them to the reality.  Peer pressure can overcome even the most dependable child's good judgment. I always tell my boys, "Make me the bad guy. Tell your friends how I check your phones and your computers and that you want to continue to remain ungrounded from life". Parents need to step up and do their jobs!

low income rural school program

I continued my quest for information about providing technology to low income schools and found there is a federal program called Rural and Low-Income School (RLIS) Program.  The program provides money to the school districts which the district can use for various items.  On average , a school district received $57,000 per year.  This would be just a drop in the bucket for operating costs of most schools. Further, the money is not just earmarked for technology, the schools have discretion in how they use it . A report by the RLIS found that districts used the money for  hiring teachers, providing professional development, and purchasing instructional materials, and educational technology, such as computers, Smart Boards, and software.  If the school district only receives $57,000 that isn't even two teachers' salaries in many areas. 

No wonder technology hasn't been improved more than it has in these districts.  The money should be only allowed to be used for technology. There will always be some need that cannot be met, but that need should not be technology.  If the future for our students involves the need to learn about technology and incorporate it , then we are doing the students a huge disservice by not providing them with the tools they will need to be successful in their futures!

computer access for low income

I had heard last year about a program called Computers for Africa and was very interested in finding out about it. Their web page , www.computers4africa.org , states that they have provided 2232 computers for 132 communities and are setting up their internet systems free of charge.  That made me very happy but then, thanks to this class, I started wondering , what about our own students? Is there a way for them to gain free computers and access from their homes? A search of the web found that there is a program called, www.computersforclassrooms.org  , that provides computers to low income families for a small fee. The cheapest computer is $90. However, this does not include the cost of the internet connection. A search of the internet revealed that there is a non profit group , www.one-economy.com , that will provide access for free in some areas of the country. Further, Juno provides up to 10 hours a month of dial up connection for free. Based on this information, I don't understand why it is so hard for the school systems as a whole to access these same resources and upgrade their technology so that is the information I am hunting for now!

Providing technology to low income students-research

I am very interested in how we, as a Nation, can provide technological resources to our students who are from a lower socioeconomic background.  Based on what we see about test scores from the schools these students attend, if technology really is the wave of the future and is going to be the answer for providing higher quality education, these are the schools we need to target first to fill with the technology they need. I want to learn if this is economically or even physically feasible due to the condition and age of many inner city schools.  Also, do the administrator's of those districts even want to spend their funds on technology or are there greater needs?

digital storytelling

WOW! I had trouble uploading, downloading, getting my microphone to work, trying to get the music at the correct volume and now, I AM SO READY TO DO IT ALL AGAIN!! My preschoolers LOVED seeing themselves in the story! Talk about a bunch of preschoolers clamoring to want to know how it all worked ! I was so excited too. (never thought I 'd type those words in).  Very scared of next project but I will say as my preschoolers do, " I think I can, I think I can!"
The digital storytelling can be used in the classroom in so many ways.  The teacher can direct the story or the students can. We made a digital story in my room that the children collaborated on and made with minimal direction from me and they are PRESCHOOLERS! They were so excited and really took ownership of the project. They retained the information much better because they were figuring out a lot of it for themselves.  In this instance, the technology method of the storytelling was more effective than the traditional method. A class book which would have taken a day or two to put together , due to having to get the digital prints printed at a local store, was able to be completed in a few minutes as we downloaded the pictures immediately.  The children LOVED hearing their own voices in the story. I think this is important too for speech issues. It gives a teacher something that a parent can actually listen to and may help them understand a teacher's concern for a child's speech.

Chapter 4

What a lot of interesting technology is out there for teachers to use. I really like the idea of student blogs so that they can write what they are thinking or needing help on in real time. This is more effective than a traditional method of journaling because the teacher has immediate access to the students' work as soon as it is posted.  Also, students may feel more free to ask questions through the blog. Many students don't like to raise their hand to clarify information but the blog makes that a more private solution.  Also, I had not considered how important on line learning could be for small school systems to offer higher level classes to students who need them but be unable to obtain them within their own school system.

webpage

I was very disappointed with my web page grade.  My own fault though. I didn't even realize I hadn't added the GOOGLE presentation.  What was I thinking? Oh well, try , try again and make sure I start using a check off list like I do in my preschool classroom. The web pages I went to that my classmates made looked AWESOME! Great job!

chapter 3 tools

WOW ! What a lot of information!! I found out about things on the internet that I had no idea existed and have been able to share them with my 20 and 17 year old.  I really feel this class is going to benefit my sons as much as it does me. They use the internet a little but mainly just use their cell phones for texting (they don't have access to internet from phone).  I think as they look at the information I am providing them, it will make their college careers a little easier. That online bookmarking is going to be a lifesaver! I have had to tell my husband several times that we can't go on a trip because I have an assignment due and since we don't have a laptop, I couldn't carry my research with me. With online bookmarking , I will be able to log in from the hotel computers and continue where I left off! I am so excited about this!

Classroom webpage

I was so nervous about this assignment but ended up thoroughly enjoying it! My page may not be as cool looking as some but I think I hit the high spots.  I did have problems with my useful links page and even the instructor's ideas didn't work so who knows what the glitch is! I was excited to share it with the families I work with and my boss. My favorite part of it was my art survey- it has a very cool look to it!

Chapter 2

This chapter and article made me really stop and think. How will we , as teachers, be sure the information our students' obtain from the web be factual? With all of the conspiracy theories and the like, how will we be sure our students learn to filter fact from fiction when many websites look very official?  I did like the Revised Taxonomy's use of verbs instead of nouns.  Learning does need to be very hands on and active. I just returned from the TAEYC conference in Chattanooga where I saw my first SMARTBOARD ! HOW COOL ! I could have played with it all day long except for the lady behind me who kept clearing her throat! Hmmm.  I must admit, I am technologically impaired and am in despair about my web page but seeing the SMARTBOARD and having a hands on experience made me re-evaluate my abilities and I am going to go back to my web page creation and try , try again!

Last assignment

WOW!  I must say. This last assignment has me worried. After reading and watching the video about the future of a classroom, I am so unsure if I will have the "stuff" to be an effective teacher since this is my THIRD attempt to place this on my blog!  REALLY?? I am just not this dumb but technology is really a challenge (other than email which I do very well) :)   I chose the mountain as my background because to me it represents this class, a tall , slippery slope.  I tell my preschoolers to always say , "I think I can, I think I can" and I am really having to practice what I preach.  I have tried to get my web page going with no success.  I haven't figured out if it is me or my older computer but I have a horrible feeling it is ME!! Our poor professor, I may have to do a "drive by " for instruction! My first inclination is to drop this class and save my GPA but I know it will still be out there if I want to finish my degree and I have NEVER quit anything in my life so 45 years is probably too late to start but I will take any and all prayers offered!!

My first post

This is my very first post, on my very first blog which took me almost three hours to figure out! This class is one I probably should have taken in the classroom setting because I really need my hand held! Dr. Alexander ,please be patient with me- there are sure to be a lot of emails asking questions!