Digital Blog Post #C - Chapters 7 & 8

The three things from Chapters seven and eight I would like to further explore and reflect on are:

1) Learning with Computer Games
2) Communication using Texting/Emailing
3)Creating a Teaching Blog

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.



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DIGITAL BLOG POST #B - CHAPTERS 3 & 5

The three things from Chapters three and five that I would like to further explore and reflect on are:

1) How technology opens a window for creativity
2) How technology makes new patterns of communication
3) How to evaluate online 

To start off with this blog, I would like to talk about how technology opens a large window for creativity. It states in the book, "Transforming Learning with New Technology" that computers transform the process of expressing one's ideas using writing. Because of technology, writers have multiple ways of publishing their work. They can publish it through a hardback book, e-book, blog, etc. Technology may not affect everyone, but it does significantly help those studying graphic designers, scientists, and even people in mathematics.

Another way technology helps creativity, is that it opens an easy window to communicate with multiple people at the same time in different areas of the world. They can collaborate their ideas with each other to come up with a bigger and better idea with at a quick pace.

With that being said, technology opens a very large window for communications with students. They can now talk to each other when doing group projects, or even get help, from the comfort of their home. Today, kids are constantly on their phones or the computers. This can help keep students engaged in the work they are doing and make things more interesting for them. Students that are interested in their work tend to do more, and succeed in what they are doing.

Are you ready? Sure you are! (n.d.). Retrieved 2015

When students get assignments that require online sources, there may be some websites that are not very accurate, or reliable. The book also states the four categories internet content can be put under and they are, misinformation, malinformation, messed-up information, and mostly useless information. Websites like wikipedia.com, is a very good example of one that is not very reliable because anyone can change the content of it. You just have to make sure you pay attention to everything online, and know that you can not always believe everything you read online!

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Digital Blog Post #A - Chapters 1 & 2

The three things from Chapters one and two that I would like to further explore and reflect on are:

1) how technology affects students in their everyday experiences inside and outside the classroom
2) how technology can engage students during lessons and
3) is there a way to disconnect from the technology being used.

First off, technology is everywhere. No matter where you look someone is using a form of technology, whether it be a phone, tablet, or computer, etc... It changes the way children are being raised and taught. In the book "Transforming Learning with New Technologies," it states that children ages 8-18 are members in the iGeneration. This means they have grown up using computers and other technologies during their everyday lifestyle. I mean think about it, when you are out at dinner with your family, how many children do you see on their phone instead of socializing with their family. It is amazing how much technology has gotten to people.



Now talking about inside the classroom, what do you think happens? Do you think teachers ignore the fact that their students are on the phone all the time? Do you think they try to incorporate the new technologies into their teaching?  Some teachers have gotten to the point to where they are incorporating the cell phones into the lessons. For example, I had a college professor who during the lesson had a survey for us to do and we had to text our answers in and we all saw what answer was picked as it was being picked. It could even be as simple as having students go home and search information on the computer.

Lastly, is there any way to stop using the technology in front of us? Or at least limit it? My opinion is no. I think it is too late for that. I think it has gotten to the point where it is prominent no matter where you go. Teachers all have Smart Boards in their classrooms. Technology will always be around and always improving. I think we have to come to terms with that because if we do not, then we will not be able to keep up with what is going on in the world around us.