Post V

1. Dr. Robert's presentation had a few surprising details about technology usage and the implications that may have on students. I was shocked at the rate at which technology use is growing: every 5 years! I'm worried about children's background knowledge gaps and ADHD-like behavior if their technology use is not monitored closely and used in moderation. His presentation also brought forth the importance of elementary school students having as many tactile and concrete experiences as possible so they do not lose the tangibility of information. I wonder if in this age of media accessibility, combined with more single and older parents, if media usage has increased due to parents using it to give them a break?

2/3. It seems this article tells a similar story to others we've read about privatizing public education. I do see online education being a benefit to students with learning disabilities or other special learning needs. I do not see it being a substitute for a live teacher, cost saving or not. If schools are offering online courses because they do not have the budget to pay teachers or offer electives/make-up classes otherwise, then funding needs to be reallocated so they can. I fear that the students taking online courses will receive a myopic education and will not be educated in a well-rounded and balanced way. My school community would definitely benefit from having online courses for students who are dyslexic or have other processing disorders, among other disabilities, but only with strict monitoring by a teacher; not at home where parental supervision may be at a minimum. I will use technology and online assignments in my classroom, but not as a way to pass students through more quickly (and cheaply). 


4. http://www.glogster.com/ A multi-faceted poster creating website. I love how this website will allow students to use music, video, as well as graphics and text to create posters. I would not use this as a substitute for hands-on, artful posters, but it would be a great way to engage musical learners and those with a propensity for graphic arts. 


http://quizlet.com/ This is a flash card creating website that incorporates images with vocabulary words and definitions. This is a great tool for giving students access to richer study material whether using it for ELD, science, social studies, math, etc.... This website allows students to play games with their flash cards with one another or as an entire class. 


http://mrholshoe.com/Teachers.html This website has a few fun things I could see myself incorporating into my classroom now and in the future. There are fun timers that expose students to time and numbers while providing a visual time reminder. Perhaps it may give some a better sense of time. It also has graphics programs that could be fun as a bonus or a digital graphics art lesson to accompany other arts lessons like watercolor, collage, etc....


http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com I could use this website right away. It has many cool puzzles and games a teacher can create using one's own content requirements. I could use this site to also link to videos and resources for nature study. There are virtual field trips and other videos that would help build students' background knowledge on a variety of world cultures.