Does Your District Need a Technology Audit?
By Howard Pitler
This article discusses what a technology audit is and how it would benefit school districts. A technology audit within a school district would be nothing but a benefit to the school. Audits are not inexpensive, but the cost will be well worth it when done. A technology audit will determine whether the network within the district is technologically efficient. After the audit is complete, suggestions on the processes that are being run within the district should be updated and improved. In the end, a technology audit will ensure that you are maximizing your technology dollars, and aligning your technology instruction with your curriculum, along with a well trained staff, and higher student achievement through technology.
What is a good technology audit?
A good technology audit would be used as an objective and independent tool, and would be used in a constructive manner.
What should you be aware of when choosing an audit service?
Be aware that the service is going to be expensive. Attempt to get the full comprehensive service to ensure that everything has been looked at. Make sure that the audit company is not making their company a one-stop-shop for all solutions. Your solutions should be processes to improve on instead of products.
5.03.2007
Journal 8
Virtual Schooling
By Niki Davis and Dale S. Niederhauser
This article talks about virtual schooling, which is quickly climbing the popularity charts around the world. Virtual schooling is a way for students to learn at their own pace; outside of a classroom. Many students learn better in this atmosphere instead of the classic classroom setting. They communicate with teachers in small groups through video conferencing, email, and other internet communicative procedures. Within each remotes school, there is an onsite facilitator and technological coordinator. The facilitator carries out the procedures between administrators and parents and students, while the technological coordinator helps students with any technical difficulties they may be having. Virtual schooling is something that should be considered at every school. Because of the increase in technology, and how much our world relies on technology, why not learn from it as well…
Why should schools have virtual schooling as an option?
Schools should have this option in order to suit the needs of students better. This option is not only a great opportunity to try something new, but it also allows more flexible school hours, along with less transportation. It is slowly becoming a requirement to offer it at schools. Michigan is the first state to put that law into effect.
How popular is virtual schooling becoming?
In 2005 and 2006 the enrollment number of students in virtual schooling increased by 100%.
By Niki Davis and Dale S. Niederhauser
This article talks about virtual schooling, which is quickly climbing the popularity charts around the world. Virtual schooling is a way for students to learn at their own pace; outside of a classroom. Many students learn better in this atmosphere instead of the classic classroom setting. They communicate with teachers in small groups through video conferencing, email, and other internet communicative procedures. Within each remotes school, there is an onsite facilitator and technological coordinator. The facilitator carries out the procedures between administrators and parents and students, while the technological coordinator helps students with any technical difficulties they may be having. Virtual schooling is something that should be considered at every school. Because of the increase in technology, and how much our world relies on technology, why not learn from it as well…
Why should schools have virtual schooling as an option?
Schools should have this option in order to suit the needs of students better. This option is not only a great opportunity to try something new, but it also allows more flexible school hours, along with less transportation. It is slowly becoming a requirement to offer it at schools. Michigan is the first state to put that law into effect.
How popular is virtual schooling becoming?
In 2005 and 2006 the enrollment number of students in virtual schooling increased by 100%.
Journal 7
Digital Citizenship
By Anita McAnear
This article also discusses the importance of students becoming technologically advanced, and at the same level. Digital citizenship gives students the means and knowledge to protect themselves online and learn about the risks and consequences of using the web. Virginia passed a standard to incorporate the teaching of internet safety into the curriculum. This should be followed by other states as well in order to ensure equal opportunity as well as safety. There are many websites that allow parents, teachers, and students to explore and learn about issues concerning safety online and also shows how to incorporate this topic into the classroom with free lesson plans.
What are some of the websites that teach about digital citizenship?
• NetAlert (http://www.netalert.net.au), Australia’s Internet safety advisory body, provides resources for teachers and librarians and advice by grade levels and by risks.
• i-Safe (http://www.isafe.org) for middle school students incorporates classroom curriculum
with community outreach to students, teachers, parents, law enforcement, and concerned adults.
• ID the Creep (http://www.idthecreep.com) is another online simulation for students sponsored by the Ad Council and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
• NetSmartz (http://www.netsmartz.org) uses age appropriate, 3D activities to teach children and teens how to be safer when using the Internet.
What does digital citizenship mean?
Digital citizenship is trying to gain an awareness of technology in regards to social, ethical, and human issues standards. If digital citizenship is accomplished, everyone will know the basics of technology in order to succeed in life.
By Anita McAnear
This article also discusses the importance of students becoming technologically advanced, and at the same level. Digital citizenship gives students the means and knowledge to protect themselves online and learn about the risks and consequences of using the web. Virginia passed a standard to incorporate the teaching of internet safety into the curriculum. This should be followed by other states as well in order to ensure equal opportunity as well as safety. There are many websites that allow parents, teachers, and students to explore and learn about issues concerning safety online and also shows how to incorporate this topic into the classroom with free lesson plans.
What are some of the websites that teach about digital citizenship?
• NetAlert (http://www.netalert.net.au), Australia’s Internet safety advisory body, provides resources for teachers and librarians and advice by grade levels and by risks.
• i-Safe (http://www.isafe.org) for middle school students incorporates classroom curriculum
with community outreach to students, teachers, parents, law enforcement, and concerned adults.
• ID the Creep (http://www.idthecreep.com) is another online simulation for students sponsored by the Ad Council and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
• NetSmartz (http://www.netsmartz.org) uses age appropriate, 3D activities to teach children and teens how to be safer when using the Internet.
What does digital citizenship mean?
Digital citizenship is trying to gain an awareness of technology in regards to social, ethical, and human issues standards. If digital citizenship is accomplished, everyone will know the basics of technology in order to succeed in life.
4.30.2007
Journal 6
“Social Justice – Choice or Necessity”
By Colleen Swain and David Edyburn
This article discusses the issues of technological use in the classroom. Technology can not just be available to students in the classroom, but it has to be taught and understood on how to be technology savvy. Bringing technology into the classroom is now considered to be a choice made by the teachers, but by choosing to not incorporate technology into the classroom students are being disadvantaged. They are being held back from opportunities that continue to be more technologically advanced such as college applications, college homework, school assignments, etc. We as future teachers need to incorporate technology into the classroom and into the curriculum. Social justice is slowly improving in order to make education more equal, but until technology is a part of social justice, children will not have equal opportunities in upper education, and all learning aspects of life.
How does social justice have to do with technology?
Social justice is helping our educational system become more equal. By doing so, we need to have the same opportunities no matter what our gender, sex, financial situation, or background is. Technology is increasing all over the world, especially when it comes to higher education, so we have to prepare our students with the same technological resources. In order to do that, technology needs to be incorporated into social justice.
What are some of the effects of students not being technologically advanced?
Students will not know how to be as efficient at communicating over the web, processing paperwork electronically, submitting transcripts and applications, and completing schoolwork online.
By Colleen Swain and David Edyburn
This article discusses the issues of technological use in the classroom. Technology can not just be available to students in the classroom, but it has to be taught and understood on how to be technology savvy. Bringing technology into the classroom is now considered to be a choice made by the teachers, but by choosing to not incorporate technology into the classroom students are being disadvantaged. They are being held back from opportunities that continue to be more technologically advanced such as college applications, college homework, school assignments, etc. We as future teachers need to incorporate technology into the classroom and into the curriculum. Social justice is slowly improving in order to make education more equal, but until technology is a part of social justice, children will not have equal opportunities in upper education, and all learning aspects of life.
How does social justice have to do with technology?
Social justice is helping our educational system become more equal. By doing so, we need to have the same opportunities no matter what our gender, sex, financial situation, or background is. Technology is increasing all over the world, especially when it comes to higher education, so we have to prepare our students with the same technological resources. In order to do that, technology needs to be incorporated into social justice.
What are some of the effects of students not being technologically advanced?
Students will not know how to be as efficient at communicating over the web, processing paperwork electronically, submitting transcripts and applications, and completing schoolwork online.
3.11.2007
Journal #5
“How to Fight the New Bullies”
By Rosalind Wiseman
This article talks about the issues and threats that students deal with online. With the wide array of communication through the internet also comes new problems, and for teens, the issue is rising dramatically. Since sites such as mySpace, You Tube, and Facebook, children all too often deal with being bullied online. While IMing, or text messaging, students feel invincible. They are not dealing with anyone face to face, and can even be anonymous, while at the same time are able to pass it around faster than word of mouth. This causes students to say things that they would never confront someone with. The person who is threatening others doesn’t have to worry about what the other person thinks, or how anyone reacts to the comment, so sometimes the bully doesn’t even know they are wrong.
What is a cyberbully?
A cyberbully is someone who uses email, instant messaging, cell phones, text messages, photos, and videos in order to humiliate and threaten others. Cyberbullying can be very damaging because it is a vicious circle between students. Once a rumor is spread and gets started, who know where it has gone, and who else has sent it anywhere.
What can parents do to help stop cyberbullying?
Parents should establish rules and consequences with their children when it comes to technology and keep the computer in a family room, not a child’s bedroom so the information is not private. Teach children to establish passwords and not to share them and also keep a filtering system on the computer. Monitor what your child is doing on the computer and while not “spying” or “overreacting”, know what they are getting into and what they are interested in.
By Rosalind Wiseman
This article talks about the issues and threats that students deal with online. With the wide array of communication through the internet also comes new problems, and for teens, the issue is rising dramatically. Since sites such as mySpace, You Tube, and Facebook, children all too often deal with being bullied online. While IMing, or text messaging, students feel invincible. They are not dealing with anyone face to face, and can even be anonymous, while at the same time are able to pass it around faster than word of mouth. This causes students to say things that they would never confront someone with. The person who is threatening others doesn’t have to worry about what the other person thinks, or how anyone reacts to the comment, so sometimes the bully doesn’t even know they are wrong.
What is a cyberbully?
A cyberbully is someone who uses email, instant messaging, cell phones, text messages, photos, and videos in order to humiliate and threaten others. Cyberbullying can be very damaging because it is a vicious circle between students. Once a rumor is spread and gets started, who know where it has gone, and who else has sent it anywhere.
What can parents do to help stop cyberbullying?
Parents should establish rules and consequences with their children when it comes to technology and keep the computer in a family room, not a child’s bedroom so the information is not private. Teach children to establish passwords and not to share them and also keep a filtering system on the computer. Monitor what your child is doing on the computer and while not “spying” or “overreacting”, know what they are getting into and what they are interested in.
Journal #4
“From Toy to Tool”
By Liz Kolb
This article discussed ways to use a cell phone as a learning tool instead of a “toy”. Teachers all across the country feel like cell phones are a distraction when it comes to learning, but when used in the right way, they can enhance students’ learning capabilities. An audioblog is “similar to a podcast; it is a voice message from a phone that immediately posts to a blog site. Gabcast.com is a site that allows students to produce audioblogs such as interviews, at no cost, and have it immediately posted to their blog site.
What are some advantages of using audioblogging?
Audioblogging can have great potential in the classroom. Students can actively engage in certain activities and participate in group blogging activities as well. Many students already own cell phones so it is an easy to use resource. Students will learn to use cell phones as a resourceful tool instead of a “toy”.
What are some risks involved in audioblogging?
Privacy issues, cost issues, and copyright issues are all involved with the use of audioblogging. On blogger.com, every blog is open to the public which means that there is no privacy to what is posted. Cost is an issue in only some situations. Gabcast is free and only uses cell phone minutes but if you want to block your posts from outsiders it will cost you to upgrade. Teachers also may chose to pay for a cell phone plan in order to ensure that students can use extra minutes and have a way to audioblog. The last issue is copyrighting. Students need to be aware of the copyright issues on certain types of music, interviews, etc. This knowledge will be used throughout their lives, so it isn’t a bad lesson to combine with the audioblogging. Remember, for years now, students have been bringing cell phones to class whether they are allowed or not. This could be a great way to give your students the opportunity to use their cell phones in a positive way, and give them the responsibility to bring their phones into the classroom.
By Liz Kolb
This article discussed ways to use a cell phone as a learning tool instead of a “toy”. Teachers all across the country feel like cell phones are a distraction when it comes to learning, but when used in the right way, they can enhance students’ learning capabilities. An audioblog is “similar to a podcast; it is a voice message from a phone that immediately posts to a blog site. Gabcast.com is a site that allows students to produce audioblogs such as interviews, at no cost, and have it immediately posted to their blog site.
What are some advantages of using audioblogging?
Audioblogging can have great potential in the classroom. Students can actively engage in certain activities and participate in group blogging activities as well. Many students already own cell phones so it is an easy to use resource. Students will learn to use cell phones as a resourceful tool instead of a “toy”.
What are some risks involved in audioblogging?
Privacy issues, cost issues, and copyright issues are all involved with the use of audioblogging. On blogger.com, every blog is open to the public which means that there is no privacy to what is posted. Cost is an issue in only some situations. Gabcast is free and only uses cell phone minutes but if you want to block your posts from outsiders it will cost you to upgrade. Teachers also may chose to pay for a cell phone plan in order to ensure that students can use extra minutes and have a way to audioblog. The last issue is copyrighting. Students need to be aware of the copyright issues on certain types of music, interviews, etc. This knowledge will be used throughout their lives, so it isn’t a bad lesson to combine with the audioblogging. Remember, for years now, students have been bringing cell phones to class whether they are allowed or not. This could be a great way to give your students the opportunity to use their cell phones in a positive way, and give them the responsibility to bring their phones into the classroom.
Journal #3
"Video in the Age of Participation"
By Glenn Bull
This article discusses the wide world of video streaming online today. There are so many resources that are available to students and teachers that we don’t take advantage of. There are live digital videos, educational videos connected to teaching standards, and editing services to allow you to fit the video to your curriculum. We as teachers and future teachers need to start incorporating the large world of video on the internet into an effective teaching tool for our students.
What are some ways to incorporate online videos into the teaching curriculum?
The Discovery Education United Streaming Website provides videos that connect to different learning objectives and activities. Other sites to retrieve classroom-oriented videos are Annenberg Media (http://www.learner.org) and PBS (http://www.pbs.org/teachersource).
How can you use video editing services in order to fit your teaching standards?
Discovery Educator’s Network provides a way to edit and remix unitedstreaming content that is licensed for students and teachers. Only one-tenth of the unitedstreaming users participate in the remix program. It is a great way to edit the videos to fit your content and then republish them for other teachers to use. Next Vista is also an established site used to edit and share videos along with new Web 2.0 sites that are beginning to share videos. All these efforts are made for teachers to incorporate technology in the classroom, now it is up to us to use our resources.
By Glenn Bull
This article discusses the wide world of video streaming online today. There are so many resources that are available to students and teachers that we don’t take advantage of. There are live digital videos, educational videos connected to teaching standards, and editing services to allow you to fit the video to your curriculum. We as teachers and future teachers need to start incorporating the large world of video on the internet into an effective teaching tool for our students.
What are some ways to incorporate online videos into the teaching curriculum?
The Discovery Education United Streaming Website provides videos that connect to different learning objectives and activities. Other sites to retrieve classroom-oriented videos are Annenberg Media (http://www.learner.org) and PBS (http://www.pbs.org/teachersource).
How can you use video editing services in order to fit your teaching standards?
Discovery Educator’s Network provides a way to edit and remix unitedstreaming content that is licensed for students and teachers. Only one-tenth of the unitedstreaming users participate in the remix program. It is a great way to edit the videos to fit your content and then republish them for other teachers to use. Next Vista is also an established site used to edit and share videos along with new Web 2.0 sites that are beginning to share videos. All these efforts are made for teachers to incorporate technology in the classroom, now it is up to us to use our resources.
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