Why Twitter Should be Used in the Classroom

Twitter is a free service that is easily accessible through any computer with internet access and through smartphones.  Students can setup email and text notifications to inform them of important messages from their instructor and classmates, which helps them to stay up to date with classroom announcements and discussions.   Twitter can be used as an effective way to increase class participation.  Twitter breaks the shyness barriers that some students have during lectures.  Students that may not normally ask questions or offer face-to-face feedback, have the propensity to participate more when they can ask a question or post a comment online.  Twitter allows class discussions to continue long after the class has concluded.   Twitter also provides a landscape for students and facilitators to develop better relationships.

There are many creative uses for Twitter in an educational setting.  Here is a list of a few ideas:

A Message Board for Parents

Brainstorming Forum

Discussion Board

Make Announcements

Collaborate on Projects

Take a Poll

Share Resources

Knowledge Sharing

News Resource

Follow Politicians & Events

Social Cultural and Ethical Issues Surrounding Twitter

Since Twitter is a public social networking website that is open to all, there are many social, cultural and ethical issues surrounding Twitter.  The most prevalent issues among school aged students are cyberbullying, harassment and receiving sexual advances.  Cyberbullying and harassment on social networking sites can present itself in many forms including posting threatening messages, posting embarrassing photos and videos, teasing, spreading rumors, and publicizing private messages.  Cyberbullying and harassment can cause emotional distress on children and has been linked to many teenage suicides.  Pedophiles use social networking sites as a playground, searching for their next victim.  Pedophiles often disguise themselves as children in order to gain a child’s trust and lure them into harmful conversations and situations.    

Hackers use social networking sites to spread viruses and malware in order to steal personal data and information that is often times used to commit fraud and identity theft.  Oversharing is another issue with social networking sites.  Many users will post too much information about themselves including their age and birthday, address and phone number, relationship status, their place of employment and work schedule, their school, and actively use the “check-in” feature to post their whereabouts.  Posting “On my way to the airport. On vacation for 2 weeks!” is not the greatest idea.  It lets potential criminals know that if they want to rob you, now is a good time.  Many children have gotten kidnapped after posting their current location and their school or work schedule.  Posting birthdays, addresses and phone numbers is generally enough data for a criminal to steal a person’s identity. 

Proper safety precautions should be taken when using social networking sites such as Twitter.  It is best not to publicize any information that you would not want a perfect stranger to know.  Twitter updates are automatically added to a public timeline.  Twitter users should update their security settings to make their tweets (twitter updates) private so that only their followers (friends) can see them.  This can be done by following the steps below.

1. Log into Twitter.
2. Click “Settings” in the upper right corner of the screen.
3. Under the “Account” tab check off “Protect my updates”.
4. Click the “Save” button.

It is important that students are careful not to make inappropriate postings on Twitter.   Pictures and updates that students post online may seem innocent and harmless to the student and their peers; however, their pictures and postings can easily be misinterpreted by faculty members, employers, parents and law enforcement officials.   Employers are now using social networking websites to research potential employees to find out things that are not disclosed on a resume or found in a background check.  Law officials are using social networking websites to collect evidence and build cases against defendants.   College administrators are monitoring students social networking profiles and in some cases placing social networking restrictions on their students.  For example, some colleges are not allowing students who play sports to have profiles on social networking sites.  The monitoring of social networking sites has raised much controversy over the issues of freedom of speech and privacy concerns. 

Preparing for the Future

Whether we are educators or not, as adults we should embrace the advancements of technology in order to understand and keep up with future generations. This past weekend I saw my little cousin who is not even two years old doing the finger flick on a smartphone to change the screens. I was amazed. Eventually we will be living like the Jetsons. It is best to embrace it so that we will not be left behind.

How Instructors Can Address the Challenges with Using Electronic Telecommunication Tools?

There are many ways that teachers can overcome the barriers or challenges involved with telecommunication in general. In order to deal with technical difficulties, the instructor should try to avoid them from occurring in the first place. Instructors should select the simplest technology available that will meet the needs of the project goal. There are many software options available and sometimes instructors choose the one with the most bells and whistles. Having too many useless features will often times confuse and or frustrate students enough that they do not participate. When it is a distance learning situation, a student may feel as though help is not available or they may not know where they can find technical support. Therefore simpler is better.

It is impossible to avoid all technical issues, and sometimes the simplest software will not meet project goals. When an instructor has to use a more complex software, the instructor should insure that technical support is available. 24/7 technical support would be a great perk, but it is not likely. I was really surprised when I called flashline support at a stupid time of day and somebody answered! I was informed that they were open 24 hours a day and I instantly felt a higher level of comfort knowing that help will always be just a phone call away.

Overcoming the battle with nonresponsive students and making sure students understand the goals and procedures kind of go hand in hand. It is important for the instructor to actively participate with the students and to provide constructive feedback. Instructors should be sensitive to different styles of communication and try to incorporate a nice balance between online discussions, interactive presentations, video and teleconferences. Video conferencing can supplement a student’s desire for face to face communication. Instructors should also provide a phone number with “business hours”. Emailing students updates, assignments, course information and feedback will increase participation. Even if all this information is available through the courseware, some students do not login as often as they should. Emails will encourage them to stay focus and remind them about important topics and deadlines. Consistent communication will encourage students to stay motivated and participate in the project. Consistent communication will also ensure that the students have a proper understanding of what is expected of them.

Technology Effectiveness in Classrooms

There are a lot of people who believe that a traditional classroom which does not focus on technology is the best way for students to learn. In my opinion, when educators show resistance to the use of technology in classroom settings, the resistance is generally based on fear and lack of knowledge and understanding. Technology adds so much value and so many benefits to learning experiences. I feel as though technology enhances learning for students of all ages, backgrounds, intellectual capabilities.

The chapter states that:
• Students can learn faster in computer-based instructional contexts.
• Students attitudes toward their classes are more positive when they include computer-based instruction.
• Children with special needs can achieve more in technology-rich environments.
• Students of all ages and levels can achieve more across the curriculum in technology-rich environments. (Egbert, 2009, pg 13)

The Department of Education conducted a study that compared course material taught online versus traditional classrooms from 1996 to 2008. The study examined students in K-12 as well as in adult learning environments. The study showed that “students doing some or all of the course online would rank in the 59th percentile in tested performance, compared with the average classroom student scoring in the 50th percentile. The study concluded “On average, students in online learning conditions performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction.” (Berger, 2009)
I do not think that technology should or even could replace teachers or classrooms; however, technology is becoming more and more significant in our lives. There aren’t many occupations where technology does not play a vital role. Therefore, teachers should use technology not only as a means to enhance learning, but also as a way to help students become acclimated to its use and prepare students for the outside world.


Berger, N. (2009, August 19). Study Finds That Online Education Beats the Classroom. New York Times. Retrieved January 19th, 2011, from http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/19/study-finds-that-online-education-beats-the-classroom/

Egbert, J. (2009). Supporting learning with technology: Essentials of classroom practice. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.

Reflections

After my first semester back, I feel like I am back in the swing of things.  I really enjoyed this class.  I learned a lot and I used many different technologies that I was not familiar with.  I had never written in a blog before and I thought it was a cool assignment although I probably won't keep up with it after the class is over.  I was familiar with wiki's from using Wikipedia but I had never worked on one.  I am not sure how I feel about someone being able to change my work, lol.  I work as an information technology specialist providing support for my employer's intranet; however, I found the website assignment the most challenging.  Probably because I am not a teacher, so developing instructional material and quizzes was a bit overwhelming for me.  The podcast and webquest assignments were very fun.  I really enjoyed creating the podcast and I learned how to make an mp3!  All in all I really enjoyed this class and I can't wait for the next semester!

Assistive Technologies - Section 508

As a Department of Defense Civilian working as an Information Technology Specialist, Section 508 compliancy is something that is very important and meaningful in my everyday life.  Section 508 Compliancy ensures that people with disabilities have the same access to government documents as people without disabilities.  This law applies to all federal agencies that use electronic technology and information technology.  The government website for Section 508 compliancy defines the Section 508 law as:

“In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities. Inaccessible technology interferes with an ability to obtain and use information quickly and easily. Section 508 was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology, open new opportunities for people with disabilities, and encourage development of technologies that will help achieve these goals. The law applies to all Federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology. Under Section 508 (29 U.S.C. ‘794 d), agencies must give disabled employees and members of the public access to information that is comparable to access available to others.”

I work on the ePortal which is the intranet for Defense Finance and Accounting Service.  It is my job to make sure that the ePortal is accessible to all people with disabilities, including the visually, hearing, and mobility impaired.  Part of my daily routine is to ensure that all documents that are placed on the ePortal follow Section 508 compliancy laws.  People who wish to publish documents to the ePortal must complete the proper training classes, get approval from a Community Manager and then submit a request to become a Content Manager. 

The ePortal’s documents are stored in a document repository called WebTop.  Acceptable documents are word files, excel files, PowerPoint presentations, and pdf files.  Currently Microsoft Access files and Publisher files are not acceptable due to the inability to check them for Section 508 compliancy.  In order to publish a document on the ePortal, Content Managers must initiate a workflow.  The Content Manager logs into their Webtop account and uploads a document.  I receive a notification that a document has been submitted and I go to WebTop and download the document to my machine and check the content for compliancy. 

Ensuring that documents are 508 compliant is a pretty simple task.  A document is 508 compliant if a screen reader can read the information properly.  In order to check word documents for Section 508 compliancy, you would need to press ctrl + A on your keyboard.  Everything in the document should be highlighted.   If there is something that isn’t highlighted, that portion of your document is not 508 compliant.  There are rarely any problems with the text in a word document.  Generally if there is a problem with 508 compliancy in a word document, the problem usually is caused by an image or graphic.  If you copy and paste an image from another source, the image is considered outside of the document and the screen reader will not recognize the image.  When pasting an image from an outside source, it is best to use the “paste special” option instead of paste.  All images, pictures and clipart must contain alternative text.  Alternative text can be added by right clicking on the image and selecting format picture.   In the dialog box that appears select the web tab and insert a description of the image.  The screen reader will read the alternative text to the user. 

It is important to remember to avoid using fancy fonts or a font under 12 points.  Background images and watermarks should not be used because it makes it difficult for people using screen magnifiers to see the text.  Most screen readers will not recognize a string of text as a word if all capital letters are used, instead the screen reader will read each individual letter.  Use capitalization appropriately.   PowerPoint and Excel documents follow the same principles.  With excel documents it is important not to use color coding as the only means to differentiate text.  A screen reader will not recognize color coding.

With the help of assistive technologies, students can use computers, conduct online research, and read and write papers.  Here is a diagram that I use at work when explaining the different types of assistive technologies.

There are many free high quality assistive technology devices available so there is no reason why schools and businesses should not utilize them.  A small of list of free devices can be found at http://www.thefreecountry.com/utilities/free-screen-readers.shtml.  In my opinion, the best free screen reader available is NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA).  The directory of free devices describes NVDA as:

“NVDA is a Windows screen reader that supports browsing the web with Internet Explorer and Firefox, reading and writing documents with office programs, sending and receiving email with Outlook Express, producing spreadsheets with Microsoft Excel, using command line programs in DOS windows (that is, the command prompt), managing the computer through things like My Computer, Windows Explorer, Control Panel applets and other general Windows tasks. It supports numerous languages, including English, Brazilian Portuguese, Czech, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Portuguese, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, and traditional Chinese. It works with the speech synthesizer engines that comes with Windows XP and Vista, although you can also use the open source eSpeak speech synthesizer, which is reputed to be clearer and easier to listen to.”

Schools should incorporate assistive technologies and Section 508 compliancy procedures as a standard practice.  Assistive technologies eliminate the barriers that visually impaired students face in their everyday life and allows them to function in our technological world. 

Resources

Section 508. (October 2010). Retrieved March 29^th, 2011.  http://www.section508.gov/index.cfm?fuseAction=Laws

Heng, C. (August 2010). Free Screen Readers.  The Free Country.  Retrieved March 29^th, 2011. http://www.thefreecountry.com/utilities/free-screen-readers.shtml. 

Does the Digital Divide Still Exist?

Does the Digital Divide Still Exist?

The article that I choose to read was entitled "Redefining the Digital Divide: Beyond Access to Computers and the Internet" by James R. Valadez and Richard Duran.  The article was extremely outdated, referencing studies done back in 2002 and 1999.  I think that our society has come a long way as far as computers and internet access.  The digital divide probably does still exist on a very small level.   I liked how the article referred to the digital divide as being multidimensional with three levels including motivation, possession, and skills (p33). 

Possession

Twelve years ago having a laptop and internet connection was a luxury, now it is commonplace.  Computers and laptops were a lot more expensive a decade ago, now you can get a quality laptop or desktop computer for $300.  People in more rural areas were limited to dial up internet connections, now most everyone has access to high speed, broadband, DSL or Wi-Fi.  It seems as though most teenagers and even preteens not only have a laptop with access to wireless internet connection, but also a smartphone with 3G internet access, regardless of race, sex or geographical location.  I am sure there are still quite a few disadvantaged children in our society without a computer, but I do not think that the difference between races is as dramatic as it was a decade ago.  Not because people are no longer poor, but because the price of computers and internet connection has decreased tremendously.

Skills

I do believe that schools with a higher socioeconomic status have access to better technology than schools with a lower socioeconomic status.  Schools with a lower socioeconomic status have fewer resources available to them.  School districts in more affluent neighborhoods have higher tax brackets than less affluent neighborhoods, which results in enhanced technology and an overall higher quality educational experience.  Schools with a higher SES have computers, projectors, whiteboards, and many other high tech gadgets; whereas, schools with a lower SES may only have computer access in the library or computer labs.  So even though all students may have access to the internet at school or at a library, the overall access for some students is still very limited. These students have less technical skills and are not as proficient in conducting classroom research on the internet. Some students may even lack discernment when trying to distinguish credible internet sources versus non credible sources.   

Students in higher SES schools have access to advanced software that fosters learning and creativity.  These students have classes specifically designed to teach computer skills.  I live in Chagrin Falls which is the Kenston School District.  Kenston offers students many computer classes including a Computer Applications class, an Intro to Computer Science class, a Website Design & Maintenance class, and an Advanced Web Development class.  Kenston ranks number 82 out of 100 in the state of Ohio.  Our OGT, SAT, and ACT test scores are far above the state averages, resulting typically above 97% in most categories.

Teachers are affected as well.  Teachers in schools with higher SES's probably have their own personal computers at their desk with access to the internet, email, curriculum and grading software.  Teachers in schools with lower SES's probably don’t have a computer in the classroom at all and have to resort to using a grade book.  These differences directly affect the quality of learning and the ability for students to develop technical skills.     

Motivation

I personally know many individuals who are unemployed and are currently on government assistance; however, they still have home internet access.  There Facebook statuses are updated daily, they are tweeting constantly and YouTube is their favorite site.  Creating resumes and searching for jobs is the furthest thing from their minds.  Most students have access to computers and internet, but what they are motivated to do online can differ drastically.  I don’t think that this “divide” is based on race or circumstance.  Motivation comes from within.  I grew up in a very rural area where high speed internet was not an option. Even today, my parents are still unable to get high speed internet access.  Even though dial up was all that I had at home, which made online research very frustrating and time consuming, I still excelled in school.  I went on to college and completed my bachelors degree in Information Technology and graduated with honors, despite my disadvantage. 

Conclusion

Does the digital divide still exist?  Maybe, but I don’t feel as though it is a major issue in our society.  It would be interesting to see the results of an updated study.  I “googled” digital divide and went back to the National Telecommunication and Information Administration’s website and all the information that I came up with was outdated.  I feel as though disadvantaged children have just as much of a change to be successful as other students.  They just have to work harder at it.          

Resources

Valadez, J.and Duran, R. (2007). Redefining the Digital Divide: Beyond Access to Computers and the Internet.  University of North Carolina Press.   Retrieved from: https://vista8.kent.edu/webct/urw/lc1272029085011.tp1326278827151//RelativeResourceManager?contentID=1326278973151

Brazburg, J. (May 2010). The Digital Divide-A Tale of Two School Districts. The Innovative Educator. Retrieved from: http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2010/05/digital-divide-tale-of-two-school.html

Cyberbulling

I was a victim of traditional bullying all throughout my elementary and high school years.  I grew up in a very small town where there weren’t many African Americans.  From first grade through sixth grade, I was the only black student in the entire school.  The other children were so cruel.  I was always the last person picked to be on any team, I never had anyone to play with during recess, I was always excluded from after school activities, children would through rocks and mud at me at recess and on the bus, and I would get teased nearly every day.  In high school there were about 9 other black students, but the bullying didn’t get any better.  The kids were older now so it became much worst.  Hearing the “N” word was a part of my everyday routine. The kids would chant songs and make monkey noises in the hallways.  They even went as far as putting bombs in my mailbox, toilet papering my house, and they once even broke out all the car windows in my driveway.  I graduated in 1999 and back then the internet was still new, we were still on dial up, and pagers were the “in” thing.  At least when I got home from school the bullying stopped and I could be free from torment until the next day.

With cyberbullying, for the victim, the torment never stops.  Although it is logical, I didn’t realize that cell phones were used to engage in cyberbullying.  Before I conducted this research I correlated cyberbullying with social networks such as Facebook and MySpace.  Cyberbullying has gone beyond text messages and tweets.  Children are creating websites, recording videos to share on Youtube, bullying in chat rooms, on gaming sites, on blogs, and with internet polling as well.  Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullies can create false identities, which would prevent the victim from knowing who they are being bullied by and why.  With cyberbullying, a photo, a video, and a website can go viral for the whole world to see and for multiple bullies to join in on.

Cyberbullying is a very serious problem affecting many adolescents in our society.  There are many negative affects related to cyberbullying.  According to The Cyberbullying Research Center:

Many targets of cyberbullying report feeling depressed, sad, angry, and frustrated….Victims who experience cyberbullying also reveal that are were afraid or embarrassed to go to school. In addition, research has revealed a link between cyberbullying and low self‐esteem, family problems, academic problems, school violence, and delinquent behavior. Finally, cyberbullied youth also report having suicidal thoughts, and there have been a number of examples in the United States where youth who were victimized ended up taking their own lives. (Hinduja & Patchin, 2010, p.1)

I found it very surprising that schools run the risk of being sued for trying to stop cyberbullying.  Even though cyberbullying usually takes place off of school grounds, it generally involves students from the same school; therefore, you would think that schools would have some rights as a disciplinarian to stop cyberbullying from occurring.  I also was shocked to learn that there are specific criminal charges such as cyberharrassment and juvenile delinquency. 

It seems as though cyberbullying is hard to prevent, hard to stop, and hard to prove.  I feel as though with more and more technological advances, this problem has the potential for enormous growth.  The first step to prevent cyberbullying is to take it more seriously.  A lot of adolescences and adults brush it off as no big deal, when in actuality it is affecting many lives and some cases taking them.  Parents need to become aware of the common warning signs of cyberbullying.

A child or teenager may be a victim of cyberbullying if he or she: unexpectedly stops using their computer or cell phone; appears nervous or jumpy when an instant message or email appears; appears uneasy about going to school or outside in general; appears to be angry, depressed, or frustrated after using the computer or cell phone; avoids discussions about what they are doing on the computer or cell phone; or becomes abnormally withdrawn from usual friends and family members. (Hinduja & Patchin, 2010, p.3)

 Schools can help prevent cyberbullying by encouraging their faculty and staff to talk to students about cyberbullying and the affects it could have on others.  Faculty members can also give students advice on what to do if they are a victim of cyberbullying.  The school as a whole should implement a cyberbullying policy and enforce Cleary stated consequences.   Schools should post cyberbullying warning signs in computer labs, install monitoring software, and block certain sites.

I am not a teacher or a parent, but as an individual I feel that I can help prevent cyberbullying by getting the word out to as many people as I can.  This can be done by simple word of mouth, facebook, or on my blog.  I volunteer at a community center, and I am going to talk to the director about implementing a cyberbullying awareness series with the after school tutoring programs. 

Hinduja, S. Ph.D. , & Patchin, W. Ph.D. (2010). Cyberbullying Identification, Prevention, and Response. Cyberbullying Research Center. Retrieved from http://www.cyberbullying.us/Cyberbullying_Identification_Prevention_Response_Fact_Sheet.pdf

http://cybersmartcurriculum.org/cyberbullying/lessons/6-8/dealing_with_cyberbullying/

Children & Ergonomics

Children seem pretty resilient.   I am not a teacher or a parent; therefore, it never occurred to me that a child could develop health issues like carpal tunnel, back problems, and computer vision syndrome, especially due to the use of electronics.   Computer Vision Syndrome is a condition that I didn’t even know existed.  On the webpage entitled Children and Computer Vision Syndrome, Larry Wan explains the effects of how the tremendous growth of computer usage has contributed to issues with sight.  At a rate of 94%, nearly every American family has access to the internet at home.   On the webpage he states, “In 2009, 29 percent of American children ages 8 to 18 had their own laptop computer, and kids in grades 7 through 12 reported spending an average of more than 90 minutes a day sending or receiving texts on their cell phones.”  He also explains that, “Computer use demands fine motor skills from young eyes that are not well developed. Only when the visual system matures is a child better able to handle the stress of a computer on that system.”  This would explain the increase in sight problems amongst children, teenagers, and young adults.  According to the website, the National Eye Institute conducted a study which found that over the past 30 years nearsightedness has increased more than 66% among Americans. 

As a teacher, there would be many ergonomic considerations to think about when it comes to children and students in general.  Most schools supply size appropriate chairs and desks; however, I have never seen a classroom with size appropriate keyboards and mice.  Before conducting this research, I was familiar with ergonomic keyboards and the “hand shake” designed mouse.  However, I was unaware that there were different sized keyboards and mice available to better suit children.  The keyboards for children are really neat because they have smaller keys and shorter distances between the keys, which reduce the strain on little fingers and shoulders.   Some of the keyboards have color coded keys which is a wonderful tool to use with children who are just learning how to spell. 

Using adjustable keyboard trays, document holders, and anti glare screens, while making sure that the monitor is sitting eye level with the child are all simple inexpensive, yet highly effective ergonomic tools that should be considered in the classroom.  Teachers should also that they are providing adequate break times.  Combining all of these ergonomic tools and precautions has the power to prevent potential health problems.  Taking preventative measures is much easier than dealing with health problems after they occur.  

There are probably a lot of parents who are unaware of the computer related health concerns.  Teachers should take the opportunity to educate parents of the potential problems and the simple adjustments that parents can make to their personal workstations.  Most children use the same computer area as their parents and simple things like adding a footrest, a lower back pillow and a phonebook or a booster seat can make a huge difference in making computer usage safer in the home.  Teachers can send a quick handout home to parents or discuss simple tips during an open house. 

Google Docs – A Web Based Word Processor

Google Docs is a remarkable tool that is very similar to Microsoft Office.  It allows the user to create word documents, spreadsheets, and slideshow presentations.  You can even save the documents with Microsoft Office extensions so that the files are compatible with the Microsoft Office Suite.  Users can also import Microsoft Office content and Adobe pdf’s as well.  Users have the ability to format their documents and there is a spell check feature. 

The beauty of Google Docs is that unlike desktop word processors, users can access their documents from any computer with internet access.  The documents are saved to Google’s servers, so there is no need to worry about storage devices.  The documents are automatically saved continuously; therefore, the user will never loose data.  After creating a document the user can keep it private, publish it as a Web page, email it, or share it on blog.

With Google Docs groups have the ability to work collaboratively on documents.  Different users can work simultaneously on the same the document.  If the user chooses to share the document with others, the user can adjust the privacy settings depending on the level of access desired.  Additional users can be added as viewers, which would allow them read only access, or added as collaborators, which would give them full edit rights.  There is also an option for collaborators to add other collaborators.  Up to 200 collaborators and viewers can be added to any document; however, only 10 users can access the document at the same time.  Each document will contain a Revisions tab that will list all of the versions of the document.  That way if a collaborator makes an unwanted change or mistake, the document can be reverted back to an earlier version.

Google lists several ways that teachers can incorporate Google Docs in the classroom:

·         Promote group collaboration and creativity by having your students record their group projects together in a single doc.

·         Keep track of grades, attendance, or any other data you can think of using an easily accessible, always available spreadsheet.

·         Facilitate writing as a process by encouraging students to write in a document shared with you. You can check up on their work at any time, provide insight and help using the comments feature, and understand better each students strengths.

·         Create quizzes and tests using spreadsheets forms, your students' time stamped answers will arrive neatly ordered in a spreadsheet.

·         Encourage collaborative presentation skills by asking your students to work together on a shared presentation, then present it to the class.

·         Collaborate on a document with fellow teachers to help you all track the status and success of students you share.

·         Maintain, update and share lesson plans over time in a single document.

·         Track and organize cumulative project data in a single spreadsheet, accessible to any collaborator at any time.

These are just some of the many ways that Google Docs can be utilized by educators.  Google Docs is a very high-quality application that has the potential to be beneficial to everyone in some way.  To use Google Docs a user must first register.  However, if you already have a gmail account, you can start using Google Docs today.  Simply go to https://docs.google.com and login.

Penzu - An Online Diary and Personal Journal

Penzu (www.penzu.com) is an online personal journaling site.  Registered members have the ability to create online journal entries.  Users can add text, titles, images, and the journal entries are automatically dated.  Journal entries can be kept private, shared, printed and emailed.  The user has the ability to make their entire journal private or make specific journal entries private.  Only the user has the ability to edit the journal entry.  Users can download the Penzu application to their smartphones for easy use and access from wherever they are.  In an article called Web 2.0 Tools for Teachers, Nik Peachey list different ways that teachers could potentially use Penzu in an educational setting:

Create digital materials - You can create your own online materials using texts with images and share them with your students.

Writing portfolio - You can use it to set written homework task for students. These are then neatly stored and can be reviewed as a kind of writing portfolio and shared with parents or employers.

Professional development journal - You can use it as your own personal development journal to reflect on your teaching and your reading about teaching.

Lesson summary - You can also record what you did with the classes each lesson and send it to them as a summary or reminder.

Model process writing - You can use it to create models for writing activities. You could use a new entry each time you redraft to show how the text changes through the process steps of brainstorming and drafting to the finished product.

Learner diaries - You can get your students to use it as a learning journal and write in what they learned from each lesson. They could share these entries with you.

Action research feedback - You could use it for action research feedback by asking students to reflect on aspects of your teaching and then send you the response using the anonymous message feature. (Peachey)

These are just some of the ways that Penzu could be used in an educational setting but the possibilities are endless. 

Curriki - An Online Community for Educators

Curriki is an amazing tool for teachers.  It is a wiki page that is updated by teachers for teachers. Curriki enables teachers and instructors from around the world to come together as a group and share resources, lesson plans, activities, and new Web 2.0 tools.  Curriki has "trusted partners" that donate material for entire courses to the site.  The content that is uploaded by the general users is screened and evaluated to ensure high quality and direct value. 

It is very easy to search Curriki's repository for content and learning resources that match specific subjects and education levels.  The user has the ability to print, download, and save the information to their computer and mark it as a favorite so that they can easily retrieve it.  Registered members are given a personal members section where they can manage selected content.  In the members section users can create collections of curriculum found in the repository.  These collections can stay private or they can be shared with a group.  For example, if the students from Technology & Learning created a group on Curriki, the students would all be able to collaborate to create a collection, add curriculum and relevant resources to the collection.

On Curriki, users can create all kinds of content including wikis, worksheets, quizzes, rubrics, and use templates to design lesson plans and WebQuests!  The best part of all is the user does not need any technical knowledge with Curriki’s easy to use forms and templates.  The user can publish their content or make it private.  Members can create groups or join groups based on their specific interest and need.  Curriki is a free resource.  To join Curriki or for additional information, please go to www.curriki.com.

Students are making Web 2.0 grow wild!

50% of all blogs on the Internet are authored by teenagers
96% of all students engage in social networking
57% of teenagers create online content
50% of 9 to 17 year olds visit websites they see on TV - even as they continue to watch
76% of teens favor user-generated video clips and content - the most of any online content

Sources:
Grunwald Associates study, March 2008
Pew Internet & American Life Project, November 2005
Study from the Cable & Telecommunications, Association for Marketing, February 2008


Preferring the Web to Watching TV
-For children ages 10 to 14 who use the Internet, the computer is a bigger draw than the TV set,
according to a study recently released by DoubleClick Performics
- 83 percent of Internet users in that age bracket spent an hour or more online a day,
but only 68 percent devoted that much time to television.
- While 72 percent of the children online belonged to a social networking site (usually MySpace),
60 percent of them said they rarely or never read blogs.

MINDLIN, A., The New York Times, Preferring the Web Over Watching TV, August, 2008

Students in Technology Based Classrooms

There are a lot of people who believe that a traditional classroom which does not focus on technology is the best way for students to learn.  In my opinion, when educators show resistance to the use of technology in classroom settings, the resistance is generally based on fear and lack of knowledge and understanding. Technology adds so much value and so many benefits to learning experiences.  I feel as though technology enhances learning for students of all ages, backgrounds, intellectual capabilities.

In the book entitled Supporting Learning with Technology, author Joy Egbert states that:

·         Students can learn faster in computer-based instructional contexts.

·         Students attitudes toward their classes are more positive when they include computer-based instruction.

·         Children with special needs can achieve more in technology-rich environments.

·         Students of all ages and levels can achieve more across the curriculum in technology-rich environments. (Egbert, 2009, pg 13)

The Department of Education conducted a study that compared course material taught online versus traditional classrooms from 1996 to 2008.  The study examined students in K-12 as well as in adult learning environments.  The study showed that “students doing some or all of the course online would rank in the 59th percentile in tested performance, compared with the average classroom student scoring in the 50th percentile. The study concluded “On average, students in online learning conditions performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction.” (Berger, 2009)

I do not think that technology should or even could replace teachers or classrooms; however, technology is becoming more and more significant in our lives.  There aren’t many occupations where technology does not play a vital role. Therefore, teachers should use technology not only as a means to enhance learning, but also as a way to help students become acclimated to its use and prepare students for the outside world.

Egbert, J. (2009). Supporting learning with technology: Essentials of classroom practice. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.

Berger, N. (2009, August 19). Study Finds That Online Education Beats the Classroom. New York Times. Retrieved January 19^th, 2011, from http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/19/study-finds-that-online-education-beats-the-classroom/

Google Reader for Android!

I am new to blogging and RSS feeds, so I was excited to find out that there is a Google Reader application for Androids!  This will make it even easier to stay up to date on everyones blogs.  Simply go to the marketplace on your Android and search for Google Reader.  If you are not using Google Reader as your RSS viewer, there are plenty of other readers available including Wordpress, Pulse News Reader, BuzzBox News RSS and lots of others.

The Google Reader app allows you to search and subscribe right from your phone!  It synchs your preferences and supports multiple accounts.  In your settings you can turn on volume key navigation, which enables you to use your phone's volume buttons to navigate through your blogs.  When you are viewing a blog that you find interesting you have the ability to share the blog on through Facebook, Twitter, email, or a text message simply by pulling up the menu and selecting send.  And of course the Google Reader app has all of the basic features like editing folders, starring, liking, sharing, and unread counts.

So if you have an Android or Smart Phone, check out your marketplace and select a reader that's right for you!

Blogging as an Educational Tool

I have never have been a fan of blogging because I felt as though it was a waste of time. I didn't really think there was any purpose to blogging besides people going online and sharing their thoughts about random topics. I would have never even considered that blogging could be a beneficial education tool.
I was reading an article entitled "Blogs in Education" by Scott Huette and he included a list of educational uses for blogging that I thought were very interesting and I would like to share them.

You might like to create a reflective, journal type blog to…

• reflect on your teaching experiences.
• keep a log of teacher-training experiences.
• write a description of a specific teaching unit.
• describe what worked for you in the classroom or what didn’t work.
• provide some teaching tips for other teachers.
• write about something you learned from another teacher.
• explain teaching insights you gain from what happens in your classes.
• share ideas for teaching activities or language games to use in the classroom.
• provide some how-to’s on using specific technology in the class, describing how you used this technology in your own class.
• explore important teaching and learning issues.


You might like to start a class blog to…

• post class-related information such as calendars, events, homework assignments and other pertinent class information.
• post assignments based on literature readings and have students respond on their own weblogs, creating a kind of portfolio of their work.
• communicate with parents if you are teaching elementary school students.
• post prompts for writing.
• provide examples of classwork, vocabulary activities, or grammar games.
• provide online readings for your students to read and react to.
• gather and organize Internet resources for a specific course, providing links to appropriate sites and annotating the links as to what is relevant about them.
• post photos and comment on class activities.
• invite student comments or postings on issues in order to give them a writing voice.
• publish examples of good student writing done in class.
• show case student art, poetry, and creative stories.
• create a dynamic teaching site, posting not only class-related information, but also activities, discussion topics, links to additional information about topics they are studying in class, and readings to inspire learning.
• create a literature circle.
• create an online book club.
• make use of the commenting feature to have students publish messages on topics being used to develop language skills.
• ask students to create their own individual course blogs, where they can post their own ideas, reactions and written work.
• post tasks to carry out project-based learning tasks with students.
• build a class newsletter, using student-written articles and photos they take.
• link your class with another class somewhere else in the world

After going over this list of educational uses I realized the value of blogging in education and I now would use it in my own teaching and I would highly recommend that other instructors utilize the tool as well.

2011! The Best Is Yet To Come!

I am so excited about going back to school!  It is time to refocus my life and accomplish some goals.