Article 12: Laptops for all

Furger, R. (2001). Laptops for all: Using technology to go beyond traditional curriculum. Edutopia. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/laptops-all
Article Summary:
Mott Hall School is a math, science, and technology academy in New York Community School District Six that decided to bridge the digital divide by creating a program and curriculum around the use of laptops for every student. The school worked out payment plans between the parents and the district and taught each of the children safety measures to carry a laptop to and from school so that every student eventually had a laptop. This took about 3 years before all students had their own computer, but the time put in is definitely paying off. Every class and grade level is using these computers to advance education. Some students are using them to gather data in a science lab. Some are designing kites in a scale model in Excel.
The teachers in the school are leading the charge in creating thought provoking and rigorous activities. They are creating clear rubrics for the projects. Students are excelling in their education and enjoying learning through project-based studies.

My Thoughts:
I think that more teachers should take the lead like the ones in this article. It would be nice to be more proactive so that more of our students have laptops to use in school and at home. Teachers are constantly worried about assigning homework involving a computer because they never know if a child doesn't have one at home or not. I think it's great that these students are doing more project-based work. It seems to be very effective in achieving learning of different subjects. It takes a lot of effort and time to be a teacher of this caliber. I commend them for their hard work and their desire to give these kids the best education possible.

Article 11: Assistive Technology

Wahl, L. (2003). Assistive Technology: Enhanced Learning for All. Edutopia. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/assistive-technology-enhances-learning-all

Article Summary:

There are many ways to assist students with disabilities in education today. Assistive technology (AT) refers to valuable tools or strategies that are used to include students in a wide range of learning styles in a classroom. Some AT are devices and services that are federally mandated for students with disabilities while other AT can be useful to regular education students. There are barriers to implementing AT such as the time it takes to assess every child's needs, the lack of AT-experienced teachers and the need for more funding.
There are many success stories for the use of AT in education. There are devices to assist in reading such as yellow film overlays that increase the print contrast, cards with just a window cut out so a student can only read one line at a time, and programs that read to students as they read along in the book or on a computer. Some schools incorporate student helpers to come into classrooms of younger students and provide one-on-one help.
There are many ways to assist disabled learners and learners of all levels with different types of technology, whether it be a computer or something as simple as a slanted desk.

My Thoughts:
Everyone has special needs to some extent. Students with disabilities are often thought of being the only students that need AT, but something as simple as a microphone and sound system for the teacher can benefit every student in the room. It is important to recognize different learning styles of our students and recognize that every student could use assistance once in a while. There are great programs and devices for disabled learners, but we need to be aware of other devices available to all learners. Also, there are many everyday devices that can be used as an educational tool. The iPhone or iPod Touch, for example, have several applications that can be downloaded that can help students of all abilities. The iPhone has an app available that will amplify the sound of someone in the room. A student who has difficulty hearing or focusing on the teacher could use this app and plug in headphones so that he may only hear the teacher. There are also apps available that do sign language or that speak something that is typed.

Article 10: Why wikis?

Reynard, R. (2009). Why wikis? Campus Technology. Retrieved from http://campustechnology.com/Articles/2009/02/04/Why-Wikis.aspx?Page=4

Article Summary:
Knowledge construction and collaboration of learners is not a new idea, but using a wiki to support these ideas is new. A wiki can support and facilitate collaboration and knowledge construction among students. Educators are usually focused on giving knowledge to their students, but don't necessarily focus on whether those students maintain that knowledge. Knowledge can be developed through a wiki because the students not only understand what they hear or read, but they have to incorporate that knowledge and apply it into a relevant situation. Educators typically focus on information recall but don't always evaluate how knowledge is developed. A wiki is a dynamic setting because people can edit and add and change the information on the site. As knowedge is gained and improved upon, the wiki will change as well. Wikis can be used for collaborative writing that depends on participation of several students at once. This promotes communication and collaboration which are important skills for students to possess. Having a public place to post information also motivates students to "own" their ideas and ensure that what they are posting is accurate.

My Thoughts:
I think wikis are a great resource for student collaboration. Most people think that Wikipedia is not a reliable source for information, but the fact that it is a dynamic resource, it is constantly being updated by more knowledgeable people. If the information posted on a wiki is incorrect, it is not likely to last very long on the wiki before someone updates and improves the information. I think that learning to collaborate with other students is a great skill for kids to have. Communicating with peers is important and teaches kids to be better collaborators in college or society, in general. Also, by posting information onto a site that other people could learn from, students have to truly understand the material in order to conceptualize it and put it into writing. Studies show that the best way to learn something is to teach someone else. A wiki will provide that opportunity for students.

Article 9: Tech Without Support

Moses, A. (2008). Tech Without Support: IT Snags Hamper Schools' Technology Use. Edutopia. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/ikid-school-technology-support

Article Summary:
It seems that technology is being pushed into education at a rate that technology support can't keep up with. The National Education Association surveyed teachers and found that half of the teachers don't bother using new technology in their classroom because of insufficient support. There wasn't anyone to help them set up the technology, show them how to use it, or fix it when it wasn't working. Many schools or districts have one support person for thousands of students. It could take days to weeks to fix a problem. Some schools are incorporating the help of tech-savvy staff or students to stay on top of the need for tech support people. A school in Illinois has a student club called, TechCrew, that meets after school to fix computers and works in the summer time for $8-$9 an hour to fix and upgrade the school's computers. Other states incorporate the Mouse Squad program that trains students to be tech troubleshooters. The students are given limited access to the server for security purposes, but are still able to update software, set up printers and other time consuming tasks saving the schools about $17,000 a year in tech support.
In order for schools to move forward with technology use, support needs to exist and be readily available regardless of who is doing the support. Teachers, students or support staff can all be useful if trained to do so.

My Thoughts:
This has been a constant frustration in my district. We have good tech support staff in our district, but there are few of them and many students and teachers. We put in help tickets when there is a problem but sometimes it takes weeks to months for a support person to address the ticket. Meanwhile, teachers are giving up on incorporating new technology into their lesson plans because it becomes more of a hassle to the teacher than it is beneficial to the students. The article states that tech support is setting the speed limit for technology use. It isn't ideal for teachers and students to perform tech support duties, but it is an option that more districts might lean toward using just to keep up. I think that districts in the near future will be giving serious consideration to funding of tech support and having more people on staff to keep up with the ever growing use of technology in schools.

Article 8: Podcasts: Where's the Learning?

Deubel, P. (2007). Podcasts: Where's the Learning? THE Journal. Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/articles/2007/06/07/podcasts-wheres-the-learning.aspx

Article Summary:
Creating podcasts in education is increasing in popularity. What is a podcast? Inspired by Apple's iPod, the term podcast can be thought of as "POD" (playable on demand) and "broadcasting". A podcast is an audio file on the internet that can be received via RSS feed on the internet or on an iPod or mp3 player. They are one-way communications much like a radio program. You can subscribe to a podcast on some sites such as Podcast.net where your topic of choice is automatically sent to you.
How are podcasts helpful in learning? Creating a podcast helps students develop literacy skills. Students are more engaged in learning because of the uniqueness of the technology. There is no limit to how podcasting can be used in the classroom. They can provide weekly class news updates, report on field trips, share class discussions or book reviews. Students can record notes and lectures into foreign languages for university students that speak english as a second language. Podcasting can support audio learners by recording textbook chapters or class lectures. They provide students with real-world experiences. Podcasts can be used at all age levels. Even elementary students can create them with guidance. Podcasts have the potential for creating 'positive, rewarding learning experiences'.

My Thoughts:
I like that this article not only describes what a podcast is, but gives many ideas on how to use them in education. Podcasting is on the rise in popularity in schools and there are so many different ways to use them. I think that at the most basic level, they motivate students to learn just because they are fun to make and different than the typical pen and paper projects. They can be helpful to learners of all levels. They can be very helpful to ELL students who need to hear the words spoken as they read them in the text. They can be useful to special education students that have difficulty taking notes during a normal class period. The student can subscribe to the podcast that the teacher creates and listen to them at home, pausing and rewinding as needed. Most podcast programs are free and the equipment needed is inexpensive.

Article 7: Technology reshapes America's classrooms

Szep, J. (2008). Techonology Reshapes America's Classrooms. Reuters. Retrieved from http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2547885520080707

Article Summary:
This article describes how school as we know it is changing in the current age of technology. One state-funded school in Boston has 650 students that each receive a laptop at the beginning of each day and check it back in at the end of the school day. All the classwork is done on free applications such as Google Inc's Google Docs or Apple's iMovie. All textbooks are online and there are many programs that make learning fun such as the software FASTT Math, which is a collection of math games and lessons. Teachers and students both maintain blogs and communication between parents and staff is through instant messaging. Discipline issues have dropped, attendance levels have increased. The students are able to work in a differentiated environment all in the same classroom.
There are quite a few online schools that are gaining in popularity among students too. Rather than go to a school building, students are opting to login from home. Online enrollment in the U.S. has reached the 1 million mark already. K12 Inc, based in Virginia, offers online classes in 17 U.S. states. They project that by 2019, 50 percent of high school courses will be taught online. Online schools are funded the same as brick and mortar schools, but they don't always get capital dollars or bond issue dollars, so they typically receive about 70 percent of the per student spending that an average school receives.
Apex Learning Inc is based in Bellevue, Washington. They are also seeing a similar surge in demand. Enrollment rose 50 percent to 300,000 students in the 2006-2007 school year and likely the following year as well. The biggest enrollment that they are seeing is actually in a regular high school setting that is offering these online courses to kids that are not succeeding in the existing programs.
These online programs are expected to boost achievement and increase the two-thirds high shcool graduation rate.

My Thoughts:
I have mixed feelings about online schools. I have many unmotivated students that aren't successful in a normal high school setting that drop out and enroll in online programs. Often, these students re-enroll in our high school within months of leaving because they weren't motivated to do their coursework in the self-paced environment. Some students do succeed though. These programs are useful for students who are behind in credits. We offer a couple of Apex classes that are created to help students catch up in classes that they failed in previous years. The students still come to the school building and attend a class led by a teacher, but the class is held in the computer lab and students work online at their own pace. One social studies class that was offered last year had only 10 students enrolled and attendance was poor so the class was not offered this year. I think that these classes can be beneficial to teens that have children in high school or that don't do well in the structured schedule of a normal school day. Enrollment is on the rise, but I also see a lot of students try it and fail to succeed. I do like the idea of the Boston school where students are motivated by the use of technology and the parents and teachers are communicative and support each other.

Article 6: iPods in Class

Butterfield, G. (2007, April). Tech teacher: ipod, upod. In Edutopia. Retrieved March 9, 2010 from http://www.edutopia.org/node/3949

Article Summary:
Podcasts are a fun, easy way to share your thoughts and ideas in a radio station sort of way. This article describes how easy and affordable it is to create a podcast. All you need is a computer with a microphone and speakers, and a podcast program for recording. There are several programs that are free to download such as Audacity. There are even programs that you can phone in your podcast and record it such as a voicemail. You don't even need to own an iPod to enjoy listening to podcasts, you can subscribe to them online and listen to them on your computer. The program creates a special kind of URL called an RSS feed that is like your own personal radio channel.

My Thoughts:
Podcasting would be a fun activity for students to create a newscast about a particular topic and then create their own class "radio station" that the other students could subscribe to and learn more about each others' topics. This seems like it would be a cheap, easy way to get kids to listen to each other and teach each other rather than me lecturing to them. Many of my students have iPods and mp3 players that they listen to all the time. It seems like it would be a great idea to teach them that these can be educational tools and not just for listening to music or playing games.

Article 5: Technology and Academic Achievement

Foltos, L. (2002, December). Technology and Academic Achievement. Retrieved February 10, 2010, from New Horizons For Learning website: http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/technology/foltos.htm

Article Summary:
Schools have increased spending on classroom technology to more than $5 billion a year. This spending has increased due to the belief that increased technology use will improve student learning. All of this money has been spent, but the technology is not being used as much as thought. Surveys have shown that fewer than 20% of teachers use technology more than once a week and up to half of teachers aren't using it at all. Educational technology supporters still believe that technology will make a difference in education, but they are relying on anecdotal evidence. This article describes two recent studies that were done to help strengthen the case for technology use in the classroom. The first study "Does it Compute: The Relationship between Educational Technology and Student Achievement in Mathematics" showed that technology did have positive benefits on NAEP test scores for 4th and 8th graders. However, the technology wasn't always beneficial. The study found that if the technology was used for drill and practice types of exercises, it actually was worse for student learning than not using the technology at all. The benefits were seen when students were given computers to solve simulations.
The other study outlined in this article was based in Missouri schools. The started the eMints program that is designed as a comprehensive approach to assist teachers in integrating the technology into their teaching. The teachers were trained to use project-based learning and emphasize critical-thinking skills. The study found that many teachers were not sufficiently trained to use technology to help student learning. Teachers need to be trained to incorporate inquiry-based learning and true technology integration in order for the use of the computers to make a difference in student learning. The MAP tests (Missouri state tests) showed positive results and marked improvement in test scores of students enrolled in the eMints classrooms compared to students not in the eMints classes.
Technology is not a "silver bullet", it needs to be paired with instructional strategies such as project-based instruction. Technology needs to involve more complex work and higher-order thinking and problem-solving in order for it to be beneficial. If teachers are expected to use technology, they need to be trained in a supportive environment where they can collaborate with their peers and learn from one another. Current professional development focuses too often on the computer itself instead of technology's potential role in learning and teaching.

My Thoughts:
I have found that most professional development involving technology is very basic, short and doesn't promote application to the classroom setting. It amazes me how much money and resources are available to incorporate technology into teaching, yet there is so little actual use of it because of a lack of training of the teachers. How can we expect to keep up with technology and its effective use in our classrooms if we don't know how to use it effectively? Teachers need to fight for more useful professional development. We can't be expected to be given a computer and know how to make it the best tool for our students unless we are trained to do so. I think this article is frustrating and encouraging at the same time. Frustrating that there is so much potential going to waste yet encouraging that there is an answer out there. Luckily my district seems to be jumping on the bandwagon and we are doing a fine job at providing training for teachers that want it and providing opportunities for collaboration with our peers.

Article 4: Computers in Public Schools

Guthrie, J. (2003, March 17). Computers Idle in Public Schools. USATODAY.com. Retrieved March 10, 2010, from http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2003-03-17-guthrie_x.htm

Article Summary:
James Guthrie, a Vanderbilt University professor of public policy and education, has traveled around the country to different schools and has seen that computers are not being used as much as they can be in public schools. Teachers are still using "old" technology such as overhead projectors and chalkboards. Nine out of ten public school classrooms are connected to the internet. Schools have one computer per five students. All this access and students aren't using it. Teachers are not trained to use the technology, so students are missing out on using it. Public schools are spending $20 billion a year on professional development, but very little of that is being used to train teachers to use technology. Guthrie suggests that the $2 billion that taxes raise annually to put internet and computers into public schools should be diverted to the schools that actually use it and away from those that aren't. His idea is to create competition for the money to encourage people to use it more effectively for our students' benefit. Perhaps losing the money will get the attention of school leaders and will encourage them to use technology more often.

My Thoughts:
The article says that only schools with an extraordinarily dynamic principal or superintendent are using technology to full advantage for student learning. In our district, we have a great group of people that are leading the charge, so to speak, for increasing technology use in the classroom. T3 or Teachers Teaching with Technology is our district's way of encouraging more teachers to use technology and is providing the training to do so. Every year, more and more teachers are signing up to be part of this technology movement. Students at every level in our district are benefiting because of it.
It surprises me that there is so much money going to waste. I didn't know that $2 billion a year comes from a phone tax and that there are federal grants that are matching these funds. It seems ridiculous to have the money and the classroom connections and not train our teachers to take advantage of it. This is the digital age and we need to be able to keep up with it in order to prepare our students for their future.

Article 3: Using Blogs with Students

Reynard, R. (2008). Avoiding the 5 most common mistakes in using blogs with students. Campus Technology. Retrieved from http://campustechnology.com/articles/2008/10/avoiding-the-5-most-common-mistakes-in-using-blogs-with-students.aspx.

Article Summary:
This article is written by a woman who has used blogs in her university graduate classes for 5 years and has put together a list of 5 common mistakes that people make and how to address each one proactively.
The first mistake is Ineffective Contextualization. If a teacher does not provide a clear context that the blogging tool will be used in, then the students will not see the benefit of using that tool for learning, which will eventually lead to the student rejecting the tool altogether. The most effective use of blogging as a tool is for self reflection and thought processing, therefore a teacher must provide thought provoking questions for the student to blog about.
The second mistake is Unclear Learning Outcomes. In order to maximize the blog as a learning tool, a teacher must be clear about the course objectives, the student learning objectives and needs, as well as future application of that learning.
The third mistake is Misuse of the Environment. Blogs are not the same as a wiki and should not be used as an online discussion forum. Blogs are intended to be individual publications. Students should be encouraged to articulate their own thoughts and learn through the process of self reflection and developing their own voice.
The fourth mistake is Illusive Grading Practices. Grading a blog needs to be made clear at the beginning with a specific rubric so that students know exactly what is expected of them before beginning the assignment.
The fifth mistake is Inadequate Time Allocation. When using technology in a class, we often don't discuss time as a factor. An assignment such as a blog should be left open until the end of the course to help maximize the benefit to the student. Students should be made aware of the benefits this tool will provide them and what the expectations are for the assignment.

My Thoughts:
This article was helpful to me because I have tried using blogs in my high school classes but have found that it was not an effective learning tool. I did not set a clear grading rubric and did not have the expectations of my students clear in my head before giving the assignment. I used the blog more as a journal or thought log, but did not pose thought provoking questions to my students that would encourage them to think beyond the basic questions. I also encouraged my students to reply to each others' posts in the hopes to encourage the beginnings of a discussion about the topic. The author thinks this is not the best use of a blog. In the future, I will try to use a blog to promote self reflection and individual learning rather than a group discussion.

Article 2: Beyond Social Networking

Reynard, R. (2009). Beyond Social Networking: Building Toward Learning Communities for All. Campus Technology. Retrieved from http://campustechnology.com/articles/2009/07/22/beyond-social-networking-building-toward-learning-communities.aspx

Article Summary:
This article introduces the idea that social networking is an important tool for creating relationships and for connecting and socializing but it needs to evolve into exchanging actual ideas and constructing knowledge between students. The heart of Web 2.0 technology is building social constructivism on social interaction. Social networking is on the rise in younger populations as well as in older groups of people. Most young students are impressed that their teachers are on a Facebook page or other social networking site.

Social networking may be a great beginning to building a community, but it doesn't necessarily lead to a community of learners. It is important to engage students beyond the social aspect and encourage them to construct knowledge.

Most skills that are developed on a social networking site can lead to another skill or be developed simultaneously. Social networking can "encourage youth to develop the skills, knowledge, ethical frameworks, and self-confidence needed to be full participants in contemporary society."

My Thoughts:
Social networking is definitely a big component of a teenager's life. Over the past several years, I have seen more students switch from MySpace.com to Facebook.com. I polled two of my freshman classes and, on average, 49% of my students still use MySpace, but 69% use Facebook regularly. Only an average of 25% use Twitter. Students are spending hours a day on social networking sites. It would be great to see these students using this time in a more educational manner. It would take time and training of the students to create the atmosphere that a teacher desires, but it is possible. Students ask me all the time to add them on my Facebook friends list. Unfortunately, it is awkward because teachers aren't supposed to socialize with students. I have pondered how I would create a Facebook page that my students could be on my friend list and we could have intellectual discussions about different topics in science. So far, I have not perfected the idea for a page that wouldn't cross the line between "cool" and "creepy". I do have a Twitter account that I post about my daily use of technology or science and I allow my students to follow me. I definitely agree that social networking should go beyond just socializing with peers and cross into the realm of education. Whose job is it to teach our kids to reach that point? I don't know. In my opinion, they should learn these skills before leaving high school because they would be valuable skills to have in college and beyond.

Article 1: The Digital Divide

Nagel, D. (2008). Digital divide? What digital divide?. The Journal. Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/Articles/2008/06/23/Digital-Divide-What-Digital-Divide.aspx?Page=1

Article Summary:
This article describes a study of teenage students in the midwest that are from low income families, making less than $25,000/yr. The study shows that regardless of their family income, these students have access to computers and the internet. 94% of these students use the Internet, with 82% of them using it at home. More than three-fourths of these kids have a desktop computer at home and a third have a laptop. Many of these students are on a social networking site, mostly myspace, but some on facebook. The kids reported that they use these sites for social networking, but also recognize that using these sites help build 21st century skills such as creativity, communication skills and being open to diversity.
The author was encouraged by these data because the students are using technology more than she thought. This allows teachers to foster these skills and extend the learning opportunities beyond just social networking.


My Thoughts:
The statistics in this article are encouraging to me. When I have shared ideas with coworkers about assigning homework on a computer or on the Internet, I have met resistance because my coworkers assume that not all my students will have access at home. In our district, we have over 30% of our students qualifying for free and reduced lunch. However, when I have taken a poll of my students, typically there is only 1 or 2 in a class of 30 that do not have Internet access at home. We offer after school tutoring and the public library offers free Internet, so even students that don't have home access, have access somewhere. I will continue to create assignments using technology because I do believe that these 21st century skills are important for our students to learn. Developing technology skills is not only important in high school, but important for college and beyond.
The article says that 77% of the students are on at least one social networking site like myspace or Facebook. I think that it is our responsibility as educators to teach these students proper etiquette of using these sites. We should incorporate lessons that increase awareness of cyber bullying and other such topics that will create trouble for our students. We can teach our students that social networking can be a skill that they use in education.
Overall, I'm encouraged by the statistics in this article because it backs up what I'm seeing in my classroom. I will continue to use technology in and out of the classroom.