Journal #5

“How to Fight the New Bullies” by Rosalind Wiseman

The article states that Cyberbullies use e-mail, instant messages, cell phones, and social networking sites to humiliate and threaten others. What makes cyberbullying so easy and tempting is the anonymity the Web provides. But, fortunately, the legal and educational systems are trying to solve this problem. Cyberbullying is very common. Statistics say that 90% of middle school students have had their feelings hurt online. Also, 40% have had their password(s) stolen and changed by a bully. The article gives some advise about what parents can do to prevent cyberbullying. For example, they can attach rules for appropriate use of technology and consequences if the rules are broken, and they can teach their children not to share passwords.

1. How can I prevent cyberbullying between my students? I can create a lesson for the class where before using a technology device for our assignments, we can together come up with guidelines for using technology ethically. I can give them examples of statistics where cyberbullying has occurred and how it has affected both, the bully and the victim.

2. If there is a sign of cyberbullying inside my classroom, how should I react towards the bullies? First, I would remind them of the guidelines that they set themselves and how they violated them. Then, I would limit or restrict their access to the computer or cell phone, depending on how serious was the situation. If it were a major and critical case, I would have to definitely let the administrators know.

Journal #4

“From Toy to Tool” by Liz Kolb

In the article, the author proposes that cell phones can be learning tools. Since cell phones are part of a student’s daily life, teachers are starting to relate this device to constructive knowledge in their classroom. An audioblog is a voice message from a phone that immediately posts to a blog site. They can be posted anytime from anywhere. Audioblogging with a cell phone creates opportunities for students to conduct interviews. One worry of using blogging coupled with audioblogging in the classroom is privacy and protecting students. The article states that “Blogger.com is not a password-protected blog site and so anyone can read the blogs and audioblogs posted by the students. Despite these concerns, there are a lot more benefits of using audioblogging. The last sentence of the article states, “Students can transform cell phones from being just a social toy to a learning tool in their everyday lives.”

1. How can I introduce the use of cell phones in a science or math class? In science, students can use audioblogging to collect sounds from animals, waves, cars, etc. Or they can create their own sounds for a class assignment. They can interview people for a science or math project. Also, in math they can use audioblogging to rationalize a difficult math problem.

2. How can I as a teacher control the use of audioblogging posted in a Web resource for class? One way would be to create the blog myself and set the password so that I can have all access. So every time that there is a new post I would be able to check if it is appropriate and let a student know if he/she needs to change something.

Journal #3

“Video in the Age of Participation” by Glen Bull

The article starts by saying that “digital video is the next frontier in the technology world.” So nowadays, teachers have to determine ways to relate the video resources to learning outcomes. In the article we find that the Discovery Education unitedstreaming Web site offers digital video resources in a format that provides connections to explicit curricular objectives. These resources are keyed to content area and grade level with links to state standards. The site has been divided into segments that allow teachers to quickly locate the exact clips that fit their specific teaching objectives. Approximately 70 % of the schools in the U.S. currently subscribe to unitedstreaming services. In the article we also see that a new generation of Web 2.0 sites provide online digital video editing that enables teachers and students to create montages of video clips on the Web.

1. What is the use of the Discovery Educator’s Network (DEN) initiative? It provides access to content and mechanisms for connecting that content to instructional objectives. More than 9,000 workshops have been offered to more than 200,000 teachers since DEN was launched.

2. How could I link the video resources to my classroom? With the digital video resources I would be able to quickly locate clips that are related to my lessons. So I would save time and use it for creating other creative tasks for my students. Also, it is possible to download video clips ahead of time, which is an advantage in case that the school network is limited.

Journal #2

“Breathing Fire into Web 2.0” by Justin Hardman and David Carpenter

The article starts by stating, “Today’s methods of social networking and the technologies that support them offer powerful examples of how educators can connect to the real world of our client population.” Schools are trying to adapt so that they can engage with the Web 2.0 world. They do this by including into their teaching the use of wikis, forums, and blogs. Also, administrators are integrating classroom management software and curriculum mapping systems to schools. The Hong Kong International School (HKIS) created myDragonNet. This is a single, Web-based tool that meets the needs of teachers. With myDragonNet it is easy to manage a variety of resources and media types. The calendar in myDragonNet is completely personalized, bringing together class, co-curricular, and personal entries. Also, with this program, students and staff are encouraged to customize their pages. So, the aspects of Web 2.0 are being used to meet the user’s educational collaboration, and communication needs.

1. Why do teachers need a three-component system? They need it to enhance communication and collaboration for themselves and their students to support classroom and co-curricular activities; to provide curriculum mapping, resource repository, and archive resources; and, to serve as an online portfolio management system to support student and teacher reflection with a longitudinal review of their learning.

2. What would the electronic portfolio portion of myDragonNet provide for students and teachers? It will provide with a digital storage and display tool to save, share, and showcase their work.

Journal #1

"Professors adjust their methods to reach technology-savvy generation" by Eleanor Yang Su

This article talks about the Millennial Generation. Also, known as "Generation Y" or "Echo Boomers," these young people are described by researchers as "individuals whose lives have been shaped by the Internet and the constant introduction of new electronic devices." Professors are getting frustrated because their students have started "multitasking" with technology instead of listening to their lectures. So, teachers have started to look for ways to still give out their class while using and implementing on the technology that the young people are very used to use. For example, professors are posting lectures, grades, quizzes, and conferences on the course website. In the article it is quoted that “one device that’s growing increasingly common in college classrooms is the clicker.”

1. How can I use a electronic device to make my class more engaging? The use of creative PowerPoint can make my lectures more interesting. The colors, visuals, and sounds of the slides can make my students get engaged in the class if I use as visuals and sounds, things that they like.

2. Does having a course Website help the students to be more informed and day-to-day with the class? Posting notes, slides, grades, and a discussion board into the class’ website will make it easier for the students to be on task while they are still on their favorite hobby.