Technology Accessibility for Students

There is no denying that technology is integral in our current society. With this in mind, we must decide if it is necessary for schools to be a facility in which students learn how to use these tools. If we are working on preparing students to face the modern world and be successful in todays job market than I would say yes, it is entirely necessary we use all means at our disposal in order to give all of our students the tools they need to be able to succeed, and that includes a strong knowledge of how to use computers and computer software.

As I stated before we must make this possible for ALL students, and that is where the main problem comes to light: what is to be done about the students who do not have computers of their own? If we are teaching classes in computer literacy but our students do not have the tools to do this work at home, how are they going to succeed? Some people believe that for this reason it is unfair to teach these subjects and there for forgo all of computer tech classes, but this puts everyone at a disadvantage. We should not sacrifice the education of all because of the challenge of a few.

Instead we should figure out ways in which to take those who are without with us. Teachers have the option of staying after school or coming before in order to work with students on the computer. Another solution is always to have students get their own library cards, but this is an option that teachers may also have to take an active role in. The teacher may need to research libraries near the student to make sure they have access to them. Yet another option could be to make all assignments due in class. This would mean constructing a very well thought out lesson plan and managing time extremely well.

All students have their disadvantages. Some are raised with parents who do not take the time to help them with math, reading or any other subject for that matter. Some are not able to buy the right shoes for gym class. Some have issues that keep them from learning as effectively as others. If we make these same students participate in all the classes they may have disadvantages in, why would we not work to have all students involved in the learning of computers? Especially when research, such as the one in the article "who are today's learners" we find that most all families, even low income families, still have computer access. It is a tool that is almost more important than math now because, well, it can do it for us. It is especially important to note that a lot of computer software itself comes ready to work with people at different levels- this includes ESL, IEP and TAG students. Much of it allows for differentiation, something we are always fighting for.

So it is the teachers mission to find ways of challenging students to use computers often, in different ways, and then allow each and every student the opportunity to have hands on experience with computers. And in order to do this first of all we must have the computers in the schools. This means teachers and administration doing research and fighting to obtain these necessary tools for their students.

How powerpoints make me feel....

I loved in the presentation Alexis gave how all the visuals had a nice clear contrast that supported her text. She used flow charts to explain what was happening with the environment and I loved that! I also liked how she had photos of satellites and sechis and what they did. It was very clear. I thought she did a great job of focusing her images.
There were times on other peoples slides that I felt a bit bombarded by photos. There were some well constructed collages, such as Josh’s , but some people put too many photos of themselves and friends on one slide so I couldn’t really focus because I was doing a where’s Waldo on their face.
If I were to redo my slide show I would definitely have a stronger contrast between my background and my text. It was hard to read because they were too close in color. I would also play more with collages and hyperlinks. I really liked how Alexis had her video play right away and then disappear. I would try to do that too.
I think that powerpoint can be a very useful tool. I am not very big on lecturing, but I do think that using photos and video can be engaging. I think it is also important to use as many questions as possible to stimulate discussion when using powerpoint. That way you avoid lecturing.

GREAT POWERPOINTS PEOPLE!

Is Chat Speak Destroying English?

If "chat speak" is a threat to the English language as we know it than we should quickly eradicate Shakespeare and poets such as e.e. Cummings from the classroom. These writers took far too many liberties with the English language to be considered role models for aspiring writers! In truth, these writers have such a vast understanding of language that they are able to play with its rules in order to create something else. I completely agree with Greg Monfil when he says
"And a teenager experimenting with a
sprinkling of profanities in her conversation
with peers will not suddenly
forget how to converse properly with
her grandmother."
In order to be successful people we have to develop the ability to communicate differently with different people. This includes vernacular, volume and vocabulary.

If we never experimented with language how would we have gone from fire being a point and a groan, to someone creating the word "fire" to someone taking those sounds and putting them on the page. And here students are, playing with the sounds and physical representation of sound. Our students are thinking abstractly and creatively and instead of embracing it we are going to exclude them?

Cyber Bullying

Cyber Bullying comes in many forms. It can be lewd comments, insults or threats to safety. It can be on social networking sites, through text messages, or on web pages.It can be the sharing of a persons personal information, false slanders, and real or edited photos. It can be from someone you know, someone you think you know, or even someone unknown. In any case it is real abuse that causes true emotional harm.

I can recall a time when I would be on AIM chat for hours on end in junior high. I remember there were several times that I would receive cruel and hurtful comments from people I didn't know, and I do remember feeling depressed and even more uncomfortable at school than I had before. This is how it affects schools and why I think it is an issue schools need to be aware of. The emotional harm doesn't go away when you walk into the school, it can impact your students inside the walls as well. In general teachers and faculty should be watching for increased signs of anxiety and depression in students. If we detect them we should talk to the student and ask if there is anything happening that we can help with. We can take other methods to combat it before it gets to this point.

I am not a proponent of monitory students personal computers. I believe this to be an invasion of privacy as well as far too much time and resources committed from the school. I agree with the no side of the point counterpoint article when they said we should spend that energy creating better lessons and after school activities for our students. I would go further to saying we should use that energy creating a strong moral community inside our classrooms. If we make or place of learning somewhere students feel safe, respected and heard than they will be more likely to ask for help.

The first step is for all the teachers and faculty to educate themselves about the law. It is not in our rights to punish students for actions taken outside of school activities unless they are a direct threat to another students safety. For other issues of bullying we should create an awareness in our student body of what bullying is and how it is inappropriate in real life as well as on line and WHY. When we involve students in the understanding of moral responsibility to one another, we help build better characters and head these problems off at the pass. We must also educate students as to the best ways of dealing with cyber bullies, most importantly DO NOT ENGAGE. Record the evidence. If it is hurting you bring it to a parent, school official or law enforcement agent. Students should know that they are not alone and that we are there to help them succeed and keep them safe. We must also take steps to educate the parents as well. We should talk about these threats in meetings and send home information with students so that parents can watch for signs from home as well.

We have a responsibility to educate our students and that can only be done when students feel safe.If we educate them to the threats and dangers that exist, and the best ways of handling these situations when they arise, we have a better opportunity to ensure this safety.

When I googled myself...

The majority of what I found were links to reviews from plays I have been in or organizations I am a part of. There are also some videos of auditions and interviews I have done.

Here is a link to a recent review for The Ladies Man

Here is a link to an arts organization I work(ed) for PATA

Here is a link to a video interview with me for How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents

I really need to remove some photos from myspace that involve me being dressed in ways I wouldn't want my students to see. I also want to remove all photos of myself drinking.

I do think that it is important to be a positive role model to students and therefore adhering to community standards is a good idea. I think violence and substance abuse are things that teachers should not be related with. I also think that if you put it out there than you should stand behind it, so if we should be held accountable for our speech.

In the article I thought it was interesting that a student teacher would actually have subbmitted such forbid images as the dotted line that said "cut here". I can't understand how a person wouldn't realize that this is a negative image that should not be projected to impressionable youth. If that is the message you are trying to send then you should get out of teacher.

To protect myself I am going to be careful about what I choose to share publically online. I will also try to google myself frequently so that I can edit what comes.

REFLECTION!!!!!!

I would have to say that I feel as though I am a digital immigrant although I grew up in an age where one would expect me to be a digital native. I prefer to write ideas out by hand, I prefer to read a book, and I prefer to sit down and talk to people face to face rather than online. In Prensky’s first article he gives the following statistics, “ Todays average college grads have spent less than 5,000 hours of their lives reading, but over 10,000 hours playing video games (not to mention 20,000 hours watching TV)” (Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants). I feel as though I grew up in a different world. In High School I had rarely ever played video games, other than in the summer, and normally I would spend my down time reading a good book. I spent most of my time being actively involved in theatre or hanging out with friends, where does that factor in?
I believe that this actually interaction is something that may be lacking in schools. Prensky writes “As a result of their experiences Digital Natives crave interactivity—an immediate response to their each and every action. Traditional schooling provides very little of this compared to the rest of their world (one study showed that students in class get to ask a question every 10 hours) 26 So it generally isn’t that Digital Natives can’t pay attention, it’s that they choose not to” (Do they really Think differently?). Why not engage students by getting them up, getting them talking? Why not encourage them to ask questions in class? I do not believe that making everything a computer game is going to serve the students. I completely agree that students and people in general, have short attention spans, so I think the cure is getting students up and actively engaged in group activities, discussions and exercises.
Lecture style is something that our students will not learn best from. In class we have repeated the statistic over and over that we only retain 10% of what we learn from lecture. I think this is what Prensky meant when he stated “The fact is that even if you are the most engaging old-style teacher in the world, you are not going to capture most of our students’ attention the old way” (Engage Me, Or Enrage Me). Although this is true there are many best practices that can involve students other than just getting them on the computer playing games. Have them work together. Have them form questions. Have them create art.

In High School and College there was very little technology used, and that which was I found less than engaging. PowerPoint presentations were the worst, because that usually meant a lecture. The best form of technology was videos, if they were interesting and relevant and the class had the time to make connections to the video after viewing. And of course much of my research assignments were done online. I will give the internet credit for this, it saved me the task of searching through more books for knowledge, but did that really help me to learn more? I don’t think so.

The main ways I can see incorporating technology into my classes is by having students bring in movie clips, music and articles they find online that are relevant to our teachings. I also find that creating your own multimedia products can be very stimulating and engaging for students. I love that the internet has provided an avenue for students to find a wealth of information and images, but I do not think it should replace individuals thought development, reflection and connection. I will use it as a tool to stimulate real life interaction as opposed to replacing them.

Introduction

Name: Nicole Virginia Accuardi

Endorsement: Theatre and Math

My favorite animal: The magical unipeg because they are a combination of my two most favorite animals: a unicorn and a Pegasus. What is not to love?

I think this one is particularly beautiful. Fat and sassy is my favorite.