Integrating Computer Technology into the Curriculum

This class has been a great experience for me. I don't remember the last time I took a class in which I actually learned something new, and I was challenged with trying out teaching approaches I was not exposed to previously.

Since beginning the class, I've begun to bookmark many places that I've explored via the internet to utilize them in the near future. I've even considered the possibility of pursuing a master's in educational technology or online teaching.

I've started a new Webquest for my son, Marley. This summer I'll have him explore some of the topics he's been interested in recently like geology and archaeology and have him create a product using some of the Web 2.0 technologies. I forwarded the final copy of my Webquest to a principal who is considering granting me the opportunity to become the literacy coach at her school. She really enjoyed the Webquest and thought that her teachers would buy into an activity like this.

I've invested in a video camera that my son and I will also use this summer to create his Lego Saga Mini Series. Coincidentally, we had been discussing for the past several months spending some time this summer creating a few videos to upload on Youtube.

I could see incorporating what I've learned into my classroom. I guess it would depend on the site I'm working at and the community I service as to exactly how I would use the tools discovered in the course. I could create a blog account that provides experiences that students are having on a daily basis so that parents can see what we're doing in class. Webquest projects geared to learning especially in the upper grade levels. Video taping lessons and providing them on podcasts for parents to view and help support at home. For example, let's say I decide to do a lesson on blending that I have on podcast and then parents have access to and can use as well at home to support reading fluency. There is so much that can be done, and I look forward to trying some of what I've learned in this upcoming school year.

Thank you Christina for your patience and insight.

Good luck to everyone.

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Web Safety

Educating students on web safety is as easy as 1-2-3. I teach 6 and 7 year olds so I rely primarily on parents to assist in the use of web surfing at home. Early on in the year, primiarly at back-to-school night, a quick overview on web safety can be shared. Pamphlets can be distributed to parents for reference at home.

For older students, prior to allowing them to surf the web, teachers can establish computer use agreements that they must follow at all times. They could be required to use certain kid-friendly sites and engines when doing research, depending on the district's internet policy and firewalling.

As a component of character education, students can be exposed to ways of appropriate web surfing and given tips on keeping safe. In the school's newsletter, resources, such as, http://www.connectsafely.org/, that help with web safety can be cited for parent information.

Teaching children healthy ways to surf the web should be one of educators' top lesson.

eLearning

Learning websites are a great resource for teachers. Teachers can use the site within a lesson or as additional practice in the classroom or at home. Learning websites can substitue homework and minimize paper waste that can effect the natural environment. The sites can be used to provide practice in specific skills. For example, http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/ allows students the time to build on skills in grammar and math. While http://www.jayzeebear.com/math/index_tito.html drills on math facts.

Additionally, many learning websites are taken from television programs on PBS. One such show is "Between the Lions." The site found at http://pbskids.org/lions/ provides opportunities for students to listen to stories while tracking the words on the bottom of the screen, as well as, play games that teach literacy and download audio and video clips.

eLearning allows students to have fun while they learn.

Educational Technology Standards

Recently discovered on the International Society for Technology in Education, http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/2007Standards/Profiles/NETS_for_Students_2007_Profiles.htm, were the frameworks or suggestions of ways students should be introduced to the use of computer technology. The site lists six broad areas students will be able to perform based on developmental age. In addition to these domains, specific behaviors are then provide as examples of what the student should be able to do.

I’m currently a first grade teacher who has had little experience in the lab with her students exposing them to the standards. In one district, the first grade class had a computer prep time and attended classes once a week for 50 minutes. However, in the current district I work at students do not have a computer class nor do I have any in my classroom. The school provides the opportunity to use the library which houses a class set of laptops, but applications on the computers are limited. Also, it is difficult to download other applications without purchasing a site license, which is costly. Students and teachers are allowed to browse on the Internet. Interestingly, I found some sites the students were able to use as additional sources for learning, nevertheless, not all the experiences listed on iste.com were addressed.

Students this past year were able to create stories using keyboarding towards the end of the year when they were more comfortable with writing and sounding out words. Previous to that time, I modeled to students how to use the mouse, click and open Microsoft Word and get around the keyboard.

So, in total as I look at the recommendation offered, I was able to cover experience numbers 1, 7, 9, and 10. I would like to in the future spend more time having students explore the other areas of computer technology.

In addition to standards given for the student population are those for teachers. Again, I would like to spend more time in the future to provide the arena for students to create products using computer technology. In reference to professional growth, I haven’t been able to locate as much professional development in the computer technology area. Computer technology is NOT tested in California STAR exam given yearly. Additionally, I’m in a Program Improvement district, which typically spends more time giving workshops in literacy and math than in any other area. If I wanted to take any professional development classes, I’d have to pay for it personally.

Copyright

Well my thoughts are as follows: Teachers have so much content to cover in many grades. At times, the curriculum offered by the district doesn’t provide opportunities for students to make connection with what they’re learning. I have found myself creating literacy posters that may have involved photocopying parts of storybooks the students have read from their anthologies or those read during a teacher read aloud. Interestingly, there has never been a mention of copyright law knowledge or fair use during any part of my credential training or professional development.

In the article I read titled “A Teacher's Guide to Fair Use and Copyright” http://home.earthlink.net/~cnew/research.htm#Introduction there is mention of the teacher’s responsibility of being aware of such laws and that teachers have the burden of demonstrating honesty in the use of copyrighted media. I’ve observed many times specific software left behind by a teacher that previously occupied the classroom in which a new teacher is now its tenant. The new teacher ends up using the software in his classroom for instructional purposes making the assumption that the site has a license for its use on all computers located in the school. I’ve probably made that mistake myself.

I think it’d be easier if somehow there were a mechanism or device that would prevent certain media from being downloaded on a computer without checking the appropriate use. It’s really hard to keep up with all the legalities of things, especially when all one is trying to do is provide the best learning experience for students. Additionally, copyright law is constantly changing.

In the article, “Fair Use Guidelines for Education Multimedia”, http://www.utsystem.edu/ogc/intellectualproperty/ccmcguid.htm#1, there is a section that caught my attention in which it is warned that care should be taken when downloading images from the Internet. I download images all the time and print them to make vocabulary cards. Vocabulary cards are a great for visual learners and English learners. I’m not selling the cards and I’ve never leant them to anyone else, but now I worry about such practices in school.

Cuba