I read parts of the articles about Technology. We discussed some of them in class on Tuesday. The one thing that got brought up was the fact that there were very few people onboard of the study of software that were educators. If they are going to do a FEDERAL study on reading and math software why aren't they asking teachers for input, help, and suggestions with this study. The No Child Left Behind Act has caused some stir among educators, superintendents and the board of education, and now Congress is implementing this study to help with the No Child Left Behind Act. Millions of dollars are being spent on this study, yet there are still school districts all over the United States that are no up to date on books, supplies or technology. Sometime I wonder if political people actually know what is going on in the "real world".
I also enjoyed reading how YouTube is one of the new technology trends in 2007. After discussing it in class on several occasions, I have actually used YouTUbe videos for several class discussions in class. I find it amazing what you can find on YouTube from the hilarious to the education to the completely stupid (as well as inappropriate). I also liked looking at the Teacher Tube lessons, and wonder if I would ever have enough guts to do something like that (not really!). There are so many technological advances taking place in 2007 and I am sure it is only going to continue on this fast track. I can't even imagine what education will be like in the next 10 years with technology.
I remember writing once about what I though like would be like in the year 2020, and I thought about flying cars and living in space and such. Okay, so maybe no flying cars or living in space, but for certain there will be reality technology that will allow you to think you are flying your cars or allow you to feel as if you are living in space.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
Technology
Through the last week there have been heavy thoughts and concerns on every one's mind. First the water came, and it just kept coming. Through technology of the television, computers and telephones we were able to realize that the rain just wasn't your typical shower. The weather men used their technology to know just how bad it would be. People were warned...people were told, but I am not sure many listened. I was the fortunate one, and didn't get any water. The only issue the water caused me was to figure out a new, and yet much longer way to work. People in the flooded areas had much more to worry about. The technology that towns have, there should have been better communication. I know that the reverse 911 would have been a quick and easy way to warn people in flood areas that they need to get out, instead of having to rescue them in the middle of the night or throughout the following day. I actually got two reverse 911 calls, one on Sunday and one on Monday, to warn me of the awful conditions of the roads, and to be aware of local and home flooding, as well as the fact that they did declare a "state of emergency" so I was asked to stay off the roads. I think that this type of technology is very useful and could be used more often to keep townspeople in the loop of things.
The other thing that of course is on everyone's mind is the horrible and tragic event at Virginia Tech. Yes, they did get an email, but was that enough, and was it quick enough. Apparently not considering that 30 other people died after the email was sent. They have discussed on tv and in several articles that I have read and seen that text messages to cell phones is an option that should be used. Of course it seems logical enough since I am sure that most college students have a cell phone. I know that I got an email from Montclair asking me to register my cell phone. As a resident of the small town of Dumont, where a VT casualty lived, a small town bonded during this harsh time, and of course technology was in the mix as well. Again, reverse 911 calls were sent out telling the town residents that the middle of town would be closed due to the wake of Matthew LaPorte, and a police sign was posted in the middle of town paying respects to Matthew LaPorte.
I think that we always seem to brag about the technology things we have, but yet at times when technology is crucial, we realize what technology we really don't have or don't know how to use.
Hopefully through these tragedies we can understand, use and implement technology in an easy and informational way.
The other thing that of course is on everyone's mind is the horrible and tragic event at Virginia Tech. Yes, they did get an email, but was that enough, and was it quick enough. Apparently not considering that 30 other people died after the email was sent. They have discussed on tv and in several articles that I have read and seen that text messages to cell phones is an option that should be used. Of course it seems logical enough since I am sure that most college students have a cell phone. I know that I got an email from Montclair asking me to register my cell phone. As a resident of the small town of Dumont, where a VT casualty lived, a small town bonded during this harsh time, and of course technology was in the mix as well. Again, reverse 911 calls were sent out telling the town residents that the middle of town would be closed due to the wake of Matthew LaPorte, and a police sign was posted in the middle of town paying respects to Matthew LaPorte.
I think that we always seem to brag about the technology things we have, but yet at times when technology is crucial, we realize what technology we really don't have or don't know how to use.
Hopefully through these tragedies we can understand, use and implement technology in an easy and informational way.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Technology - is everyone ready for it?
As I read through the chapters when I was on vacation, and I read about the various programs available, and I began to wonder how many are really out there that we don't know about. Is what we use good enough? Is there more out there that I can use? Is there something better than what I already use? It just amazes me how fast it all turns about.
I then began to discuss this technology with my mother who taught for 27 years (retired 2 years ago). As I brought up the video ipods and using them in the classroom, she wondered "what the hell is a video ipod". Then I asked her about the use of computers as more than just a typing tool (word documents). Besides emails, that really the only thing my mother uses it for. I then went off on a tangent and started to discuss the use of smartboards with my class and my geometry unit that I am doing my matrix on. She had no idea what a smartboard was, and when I started to explain it, I got to "it's similar to a touch computer screen"...and that was it, I lost her. I continued to read and discuss various technology with my mother and then my father and it was all too much for them to handle. (of course an hour later I had to help set up their new VCR and program it for them, so that should say it all!!).Programs and technology change so rapidly that as soon as I enjoy using something with a lesson or a subject, it's old news and something else is there ready to take it's place, and I have to learn something new all over again. I am used to that and I am ready to leap forward, learn more, use more, and engage in more technology as it becomes available.
** On a side note, while in Arizona, it amazed me on the school systems out there. They are ranked 48th or 49th in education - basically due to the immigrant workers. A friend of the family had a 200% turn over rate from AUgust so far in her classroom (1st grade). She doesn't have any of the same students in her class that are in her class picture taken in September. I thought that was amazing. I also thought the fact that the only computers that are found in certain school districts are those donated by companies and such (which are usually out of date). And also, very hard to use a wireless laptop in the middle of the desert!
I then began to discuss this technology with my mother who taught for 27 years (retired 2 years ago). As I brought up the video ipods and using them in the classroom, she wondered "what the hell is a video ipod". Then I asked her about the use of computers as more than just a typing tool (word documents). Besides emails, that really the only thing my mother uses it for. I then went off on a tangent and started to discuss the use of smartboards with my class and my geometry unit that I am doing my matrix on. She had no idea what a smartboard was, and when I started to explain it, I got to "it's similar to a touch computer screen"...and that was it, I lost her. I continued to read and discuss various technology with my mother and then my father and it was all too much for them to handle. (of course an hour later I had to help set up their new VCR and program it for them, so that should say it all!!).Programs and technology change so rapidly that as soon as I enjoy using something with a lesson or a subject, it's old news and something else is there ready to take it's place, and I have to learn something new all over again. I am used to that and I am ready to leap forward, learn more, use more, and engage in more technology as it becomes available.
** On a side note, while in Arizona, it amazed me on the school systems out there. They are ranked 48th or 49th in education - basically due to the immigrant workers. A friend of the family had a 200% turn over rate from AUgust so far in her classroom (1st grade). She doesn't have any of the same students in her class that are in her class picture taken in September. I thought that was amazing. I also thought the fact that the only computers that are found in certain school districts are those donated by companies and such (which are usually out of date). And also, very hard to use a wireless laptop in the middle of the desert!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)