I had never read the NETS or NJCCCS before taking this class, so it was definitely very refreshing to see that guidelines were created for teachers to follow when implementing technological literacy into their lessons. While the NETS provides a general overview of technology standards and performance indicators for teachers and students, which can be used as a reference, it seems that the NJCCCS provides a more detailed guideline to follow, as it specifies the progress indicators for each grade level.
As the NJCCCS states that by the end of Grade 4 all students will know how to access the Internet to solve real life problems, I think it's great that this important skill will be taught so early on. Since the study by DeKlerk and others found that students will form negative attitudes about technology if there is no formal technological experiences in early education, I agree that it is extremely important to introduce technology education in order to provide the most thorough and efficient education.
Since it is evident that advanced technological skills are needed in nearly every career, I think it's vital that teachers follow the guidelines set for specific grade levels by the NJCCCS and continue to sharpen the technological skills of their students to insure that they will succeed in a competitive workplace in this Digital Age and that of the future.
It's sometimes funny to think that most of my technological skills were learned by repetitive use in my jobs after college and not so much in school as students are taught today. The first time I used Google was actually while working as an intern for ABCNEWS.com in my senior year in college. And to think, it's now being used by fourth graders on a daily basis!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Internet Safety & 21st Century Learners
After watching three videos for class on the topics of internet safety and 21st Century digital learners, I think it's extremely important for parents and teachers to consistently educate their children and students on both the positive and negative aspects of using technology. As evident from the YouTube video, Internet Safety II, as well as numerous news stories and television specials, including Dateline NBC's 'To Catch a Predator' , there are many child predators lurking in the digital world. These predators take advantage of young, naive children online everyday. Here's a link to the 'To Catch a Predator' package online, which includes many interesting articles and videos related to children's internet safety. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10912603/
I'm sure many parents believe that their children are smart enough to not reveal personal information, such as their name and address online, but the frightening reality is that many children are extremely comfortable communicating online and believe that whoever they are talking to online is just as innocent and real as they are. I think it is vital to show children age appropriate videos demonstrating how children can get themselves in trouble online with strangers on the other end. Though they may be frightened by the reality of some of the negative situations that occur through online chat rooms or social networking sites such as MySpace, I definitely think it will ultimately serve as a very beneficial education for them.
On a more positive note, after watching the video 'A Vision of K-12 Students Today', which focuses on the importance of engaging the 21st century learner through a digital education, I think it's extremely refreshing to know that students want to learn through technology.
Though many are already spending time listening to their iPods and playing video games on their computers, I think it's important for teachers to consistently guide their students through their learning of important lessons by using technology. Many children view the internet and other digital technology as a form of entertainment, and I think by implementing technology in their lessons, teachers can continue to engage their students, while they make learning fun and pleasurable.
Though I wasn't surprised by the video's statistics regarding the amount of time children spend using technology, including 3 1/2 hours per week gaming and 5 1/2 hours per week on the computer, I was shocked by the statistics on teachers' use of technology, including 76% of teachers who never used blogs, wikis or podcasts, 14 % of teachers who let their students create something with technology and 63% of teachers who never do. I think these are very frightening statistics and hopefully more teachers will soon catch on and realize how important technology is to the future of their students.
I'm sure many parents believe that their children are smart enough to not reveal personal information, such as their name and address online, but the frightening reality is that many children are extremely comfortable communicating online and believe that whoever they are talking to online is just as innocent and real as they are. I think it is vital to show children age appropriate videos demonstrating how children can get themselves in trouble online with strangers on the other end. Though they may be frightened by the reality of some of the negative situations that occur through online chat rooms or social networking sites such as MySpace, I definitely think it will ultimately serve as a very beneficial education for them.
On a more positive note, after watching the video 'A Vision of K-12 Students Today', which focuses on the importance of engaging the 21st century learner through a digital education, I think it's extremely refreshing to know that students want to learn through technology.
Though many are already spending time listening to their iPods and playing video games on their computers, I think it's important for teachers to consistently guide their students through their learning of important lessons by using technology. Many children view the internet and other digital technology as a form of entertainment, and I think by implementing technology in their lessons, teachers can continue to engage their students, while they make learning fun and pleasurable.
Though I wasn't surprised by the video's statistics regarding the amount of time children spend using technology, including 3 1/2 hours per week gaming and 5 1/2 hours per week on the computer, I was shocked by the statistics on teachers' use of technology, including 76% of teachers who never used blogs, wikis or podcasts, 14 % of teachers who let their students create something with technology and 63% of teachers who never do. I think these are very frightening statistics and hopefully more teachers will soon catch on and realize how important technology is to the future of their students.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
My First WebQuest...
As my first assignment and presentation for my Computers in Curriculum Design & Evaluation class will be due on either September 24 or October 15, depending on which date we are assigned, I have already begun the research that will assist me in creating my first WebQuest. Although I have never heard of a WebQuest before taking this class, I think it is an extremely interesting way to conduct a lesson while implementing technology in the classroom. I definitely think it's vital to encourage students to continue to use the internet while they research and learn, and a WebQuest seems like a great technique.
Though we are not required to create an actual WebQuest with live links for this project,
I think I'm going to go ahead and give it a shot anyway using QuestGarden, http://www.questgarden.com/. It seems like a fairly easy way to create it, and the 2-year subscription fee is only $20. Since, I will be a certified teacher ready to work in less than two years, I think it's a good idea to purchase the subscription now. That way, I can give it some real practice, and I'll be ready for the time that I may actually want to use a WebQuest for teaching a lesson in my first year of teaching.
As for now, I'd like the topic of my first WebQuest for this class to be Writing a Persuasive Essay, since I'm really hoping that my first teaching job will be for Middle School Language Arts. I'm really excited to be moving forward with this project and hopefully finishing sometime within the next week. I'll be sure to include a link to the finished product!
Though we are not required to create an actual WebQuest with live links for this project,
I think I'm going to go ahead and give it a shot anyway using QuestGarden, http://www.questgarden.com/. It seems like a fairly easy way to create it, and the 2-year subscription fee is only $20. Since, I will be a certified teacher ready to work in less than two years, I think it's a good idea to purchase the subscription now. That way, I can give it some real practice, and I'll be ready for the time that I may actually want to use a WebQuest for teaching a lesson in my first year of teaching.
As for now, I'd like the topic of my first WebQuest for this class to be Writing a Persuasive Essay, since I'm really hoping that my first teaching job will be for Middle School Language Arts. I'm really excited to be moving forward with this project and hopefully finishing sometime within the next week. I'll be sure to include a link to the finished product!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
An Introduction...
I just created my first blog for my Computers in Curriculum Design & Evaluation class, which I'm taking as part of my Master's in Teaching program at Saint Peter's College. As I just recently left the corporate world, after spending more than 6 years working in the journalism and media relations fields, I'm really excited to be a full-time student working toward a complete career change. I'm really looking forward to becoming certified in both elementary education, K-8, as well as Middle School Language Arts, and I plan to complete the program by December of 2009.
Though I am already somewhat technologically advanced, it will be really interesting to learn how to implement technology in the classroom setting. I look forward to working with Dr. Luongo, as well as all of my classmates!
Though I am already somewhat technologically advanced, it will be really interesting to learn how to implement technology in the classroom setting. I look forward to working with Dr. Luongo, as well as all of my classmates!
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