journal 10

The article talks about how students of the 21st century have lost interest in simply reading a text book and listening to lectures. A ninth grade history teacher by the name of Jennifer Dorman decided to mix things up in her classroom and used technology to do so. Her class used old films, audios, and music to help learn the ideas and events around world war II. Using technology in the class updates it to the current time and helps keep the interests of the class. Using simple aids such as technology can really spike the interest in the subject. I like the example about the business class this really shows how the littlest thing can make a big difference.
1. Because these types of assignments are very time consuming do you think they are worth the effort?
I honestly do believe that activities that are hands on and interactive are most helpfully. Many students get a better understanding of the concept when they have a little control over the situation and over the learning. Take making a documentary of world war II the students have to teach themselves the information and present it in a fashionable manner. Students are more likely to learn something in that manner rather than in a lecture.
2. Would you be willing to demonstrate any of the ideas told in the article?
If the opportunity arose where i could use an activity like the ones in the article i most definitely would! I strongly encourage interactive instruction in the classroom.

gender gap

journal 9

Journal 9
Reynard, Ruth (October 2008). Avoiding the 5 most common mistakes in using bogs with Students. http://www.thejournal.com/articles/23434

When using technology in the classroom it is important to apply it when necessary. This article discusses how to apply blogging to the classroom and what not do as well. Blogging and other sources of technology are extremely important for the classroom seeing as technology is furthering education and it is not going away any time soon. When implementing blogging into the classroom it is important to address infective contextualization, ineffective learning objects, misuse of the environment. Explaining the purpose of the assignment is important so that the students will value the project. All student need to understand the manners and rules of blogging.

Would you use blogging in the classroom?
Depending on the grade level being taught I may consider using blogging in my classroom. I believe that every class is different and depending on the mannerisms of the class would heavily weigh on whether or not the use of blogging would further their education.
In your opinion what would be the grade level to start blogging in the classroom?
I would have to say that blogging should not be used anytime before the 6th grade and maybe that is too young.

journal 8

Journal 8
A '"Fantastic Super" Use of Technology: Closing the Digital Divide.
http://www.edutopia.org/fantastic-super-use-technology

The article, A “fantastic Super” Use of Technology focuses on the great importance of communication within the classroom as well as outside the class and in the homes of the students. There is no reason or excuse that a student’s parent or guardian can not be involved or informed. The article talks about keeping parents informed which Scrogg’s does by having each family have computer which is limited to different programs but gives a clear line of communication between them. When the student is picked up from school their guardian can already be aware of the activities and lessons that went during the day; this way questions about the lessons can be asked. This is a great way to enforce what the student has learned.
Do you think having a class webpage or teacher site would help communication between teachers, students and parents?
I believe having a web site or some kind of updated profile can greatly open doors to communication. Parents are just as busy as teachers; a website can help keep a clear line of communication without the hassle of emails and remembering to call so and so back.
What is another way of communication that may be more cost efficient?
A weekly newsletter describing all the lessons to be done during the week along with a time period available for phone calls for questions that may need to be answered faster than an email.

journal 7: blogging

Journal 7: Blogging
I followed a few different articles about blogging. One article talked about how middle school students were using blogging in the classroom to help discuss topics that were learned in the classroom. The teacher will lecture about a certain topic and then post a question on a blog for students to discuss and debate about that topic learned. Another article I read was about people’s feeling when blogging. Do your feelings get hurt if no one comments on your blog and how does it make you feel? So what is blogging? The best way I would describe blogging is simply by saying it’s an online journal. You can write on any topic for as long you want. It can be your opinion or educational. I felt this article talking about incorporating blogging into the middle school classroom was very inspiring and helpful for me as a future teacher.