As a student in IT444 it may seem obvious what a blog is...but to others who may not know this article would be a great one. The article includes ways that blogs can be used in the classroom. Suggestions are made to teachers as well. Blogs can provide students with real world application in writing. Allowing students to create class newsletters or portfolios is a great way to make students feel like their work is worth something, that people will see their work. Having students use blogs as a means for them to journal their thoughts on a specific topic. In this way students could use the blog as a classroom discussion tool outside of the classroom. Also, on a classroom management standpoint, blogs could be used to communicate with fellow teachers as well as parents.

Including blogs in a physical education class would be great for the students to log what they have been doing outside of class to stay fit, or log what they have been eating. In this way a teacher could easily check and see in real time how that student is doing.

McDowell, D. (2004). Blogging techniques for the K12 classroom. In B. Hoffman (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Educational Technology. Retrieved June 05, 2008 from: http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/articles/bloggingtech/index.htm

Danger Online! Educating Kids and Parents About Internet Safety

The Internet can be a very informative tool when used correctly in the classroom. There are plenty of very helpful and insightful web pages that can enhance any subjects curriculum. However there are plenty of sites that can be considered detrimental to the classroom learning environment. In this article, Peter A. Gulatta, an FBI agent provides tips for students, parents and teachers on how to avoid the dangers of the Internet. Some of the tips include what information is safe to send over the Internet, this includes no pictures of students should be posted on the Internet as well. Gulatta also points out that predators can be anyone and that it is easy for them to hide behind the cloak that the Internet provides.

One of my greatest fears of incorporating the use of the Internet into my classroom is that one of my students might get hurt. Either from an inappropriate website they say or because they made a poor decision to give out personal information. I found that it was common knowledge that the parents and teachers are responsible for guiding the kids on what websites are okay to visit and which sites are not okay. Informing students that some people will not be honest with them on the Internet, basically anyone can post anything they want, it doesn't have to be verified or checked by anyone. I think it is good that school computers systems block many websites that might be considered harmful

http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/tech043.shtml

Laptops for All: Using Technology to Go Beyond Traditional Curriculum

Providing personal laptops to all students in a classroom may seem like drastic measures for a school to take, but it has been done in New York. Mott Hall School was able to provide each student with their own laptop. This article takes a closer look at a science class where the students are able to conduct an experiment on their own, and look to the teacher for guidance when needed. The laptops are being attributed to the students meeting or exceeding the state standards. The laptops are not specifically used in the teaching process, according to the article the tried and true method of pen, paper, scissors and glue are still being used.

The success at the Mott Hall School as provided the opportunity for another Mott Hall School to be opened. At the new school students and staff will discover the benefits of handheld computers to enhance the curriculum and learning.

As we develop as a society and kids are more apt to use cutting edge technology outside of the classroom, I think it is important that we provide the same sort of technology within the classroom. It is like a sixth sense that kids have the make them gravitate towards using the newest and most advanced types of technology. Providing laptops for every student will be impossible for some schools and schools districts; however I think there is a huge benefit to providing each student with an opportunity to broaden their learning potential.

http://www.edutopia.org/laptops-all

Winning with Information Literacy

dollar after dollar can be spent on expensive and trendy hardware and program software to improve instruction the public school system. But who is there to teach it if teachers are not continuing their eduction in technology literacy. It is sited within this article that studies claim that teachers are not prepared to instruct students with newer aged technology. Some teachers have stated that using technology in the classroom will take away from time that could be spent within state standards, of which teachers are held accountable. This article suggests that teachers assign work that incorporates the three steps of Information Literacy: prospecting, interpreting and creating new ideas. Instructing students with technology requires that a teacher relies heavily on scaffolding. Otherwise students are left without a clue on what they need to do in order to complete a task (as I know from times when I didn't pay attention in IT444).

Also, it is classes like IT444 that help prepare teachers to teach using technology. Teacher preparation is essential for effective teaching techniques. As stated in the article there needs to be switch from training sessions to learning and invention. In this way teachers are more likely to incorporate new techniques into their classrooms and lessons.
although this article was written some time ago, many of the issues that were discussed are still very prevalent today. Even though I have taken two instructional technology classes, and plenty of other lessons on including technology within my physical education classes, I feel as though I do not have an adequate knowledge of the subject. I don't feel comfortable if I had to always use some sort of technology in my lessons. However I hope to use technology and spice up the sometimes monotonous subject of physical education. I think using technology will help me to better relate to my students and their parents.

http://fno.org/sum00/winning.html

Tech Teacher: iPod, uPod

After reading this article I realized how easy it would be to incorporate podcasting into the classroom. This kind of integration allows for students to easily connect to the wide world around them. Students can easily perform interviews over the Internet using technology such as Skype or iChat. Those two programs are both free Internet phone services. What is also convenient about podcasting is that is fairly inexpensive; all that is required is, simply, a PC (an old one will work just fine), a $15-$20 microphone and a free editing program such as Audacity.

I think that podcasting would and can be a great addition to some classrooms. I don't necessarily see a use for it in the physical education setting, but perhaps within the English or social studies realm. I always think it is great when teachers find new ways to stimulate student learning.

http://www.edutopia.org/node/3949

Simulation Nation

Simulation technology and certain activities are being advocated by many teachers, including Marc Prensky. He sees a great need for the integration of simulation technology into the public school system. Prensky sees a growing trend in careers using the simulation technology among them are: engineering finance, medicine as well as military. Because this type of technology is being used by actual companies it is a real world experience that students have an opportunity to become acquainted with. The biggest problem associated with the integration of technology is a lack of funding, time and teacher knowledge of the program. Presnky points out that the greatest asset to any teacher are their teaching colleagues.

Simulation activities and programs can be a great way to safely help students see real world problems. They can help students to stay motivated and interested in the subject area. I think these programs are great ways for teachers to implement real world issues into the classroom. I would love to see more of this in the everyday classroom.

http://www.edutopia.org/simulation-nation

Too Much Technology

At a high school in Alexandria, Virginia there is an English teacher who thinks that technology is partly causes a lack in student learning. According this teacher, student simply point click, type and click again to find the answers. There isn't any thinking going on, simply searching the computer for an answer is not becoming proficient in subjects such as math, or writing. The English teacher has been at the high school for 30 years and feels like the school simply implements new devices or programs simply because they are available.

I have mixed emotions on this type of article. I can completely see where this man is coming from. However, I also see a great need for technology to be included in the classroom. Whether we like it or not technology is and will be a major part of our lives. I also think that the teacher may not be setting proper boundaries for his students; if used effectively computers and computer programs can be a great way to teach new skills.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/08/AR2008020803271_2.html

Technology and Disibilities

Throughout this article there are examples of ways to make technology more user friendly and applicable to students with disabilities. According to this article technology can make even the most stubborn students more apt to learn and participate simply because technology appeals to such a wide range of student interests. Embedded within the article is a chart that lists and describes ways to combat different disabilities using technology; from ADHD, to BD, to the blind and deaf students. Using technology also works to motivate the 'normal' or students without disabilities because as it is apart of their everyday life as well.

I like the idea of incorporating technology into the physical education setting. Engaging students in new ways is always an important part of any teachers job. I feel as though games like Dance Dance Revolution, and music as well as Power Point presentations would do a great job of motivating students to remain active. I can see a Power Point presentation working well within a physical education setting. I think that it would be useful in posting the agenda and learning targets for everyone to see.


http://www.techlearning.com/db_area/archives/WCE/archives/dianesn1.php