Week 3

VIDEO: 

I had seen this video before but I really enjoyed it.  I agree that technology should be used in the classroom to teach certain subjects.  I think that as I teacher I will make assignments that can be done on fun internet sites that are still educational so that the students actually enjoy doing their homework.  I know that students bring cell phones and ipods to school. I don't agree that they should be openly used and be encouraged to be used by the teachers because what if just one of the students in your class doesn't have an ipod, or doesn't have a cell phone because their family can't afford it.  I think that students will bring these devices whether you ban them or encourage them.  In the video it suggested you assign students to text people to find out certain information, bonus points for someone who gets it out of the United States, in a different language etc..  This is really a fun idea but in actuality if all the students but one had a cell phone it would almost be social humiliation for that student.  On the other hand I think that these assignments could all be done on the computers using email because a larger population of students have access to a computer at home or in a library.  I think that technology is essential to the learning atmosphere in the classroom but at the same time should be used carefully and cautiously.  If students are openly allowed to bring cellphones and ipods then how soon will they become a bigger distraction than a benefit? 

Class Discussion:

 This week in class I learned about a lot of tools that will help me communicate with my students, parents, and colleagues.  The first tool is google sites: when I become a teacher I plan on using this site to help me communicate with both my students and the parents.  The calendar feature on the site will help me to communicate to them upcoming events because I know that when I was a student I oftentimes forgot to tell my mom about things coming up or I would forget to give her the note we were supposed to take home, the permission slip to sign etc.  On the site there is also a homework page this will let parents know what we did in class and what is homework, this is also useful for students who miss class because of illness or vacation.  The class website will also give a list of fun educational websites that the students can play around on.  It will also be fun to post student work so that the parents can see the progress their kids are making.  I plan on communicating with my colleagues through a blog because it is really easy to comment on each others posts and give suggestions and ideas.  Some of the drawbacks of these really useful tools is that it doesn't promote face to face communication with parents or colleagues because it is much easier to just post on your own time instead of finding time when both can meet and discuss problems, solutions, ideas etc.  I think the way to maximize the benefits is by balancing the amount of time using it vs. face to face communication.  By realizing that in some situations other communication methods can be more effective will also help in maintaining this balance.