Friday, August 8, 2008

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Journal 5

Connecting Depth and Balance in Class
Kuhn, Matthew S. (2008). Connecting depth and balance in class. Learning & Leading, 36, Retrieved August 6, 2008, from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=August_No_1_1&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4077&ContentID=21318&DirectListComboInd=D


This article Connecting Depth and Balance in class Kuhn talks about how technology in education has evolved and improve over the last few years. Technology now makes learning more fun, creative and interactive. These new tools of technology helps adapt to many different learners and helps them be more creative and helps them think in a more critical way. Tools such as blogging and social networking teaches students how to collaborate and interact with their fellow classmates
1.What are other tools of technology is available today in schools? Other things like having a wiki colloboration websites are used so students can work together and see what other students think about certain subjects of important matter.
2.Why are some teachers so afraid to incorporate technology in their classrooms? I believe the lack of training and knowledge in technology is the main reason why the older teachers are afraid to use these new tools although they are very effective. I think schools need to take responsibility in training and educating older teachers about these new and effective tools for teaching.

Journal 6

Soule, Helen (August 2008). Transforming School Communities: Creating Dialogue Using Web 2.0 Tools. Learning & Leading With Technology, 36(1), 12-15.


The article is about communication systems that need to be made for students, parents, schools and their communities. This is system that can be used according to Helen Soule is the Web 2.0 tool. All educators, staff and teachers must be proficient in the use of this tool and should be able to teach others how to use it as well. This tool should be used to communicate messages to their audience in a clear and concise way. The presentation should be easy enough for anybody to understand and should be audience specific towards the students, the community and or the teachers. Some of the tools that can be used on Web 2.0 can be blogs, webinars, podcasts and social networking. I believe by using this type of technology it would be more effective for parents to check their emails or blogs rather than to count on the student to deliver the message.

1. Why should more schools incorporate this new way of technology to communicate with the community and parents?
According to the article, we live in a very busy and hectic society these days and parents and the general public spend more time in front of a computer now then ever before so the chance of them running into an email or blog online is greater than if they waited to get a letter from their students.

2.How do parents and the community learn about these web 2.0 tools? Schools should encourage parents to attend meetings with the school to inform them of these tools. Even maybe giving a tutorial on these tools on campus of a school.