bianca

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Maddux, C.D., Johnson, D.L., & Willis, J.W. (1997). Educational Computing: Learning With Tomorrow’s Technology. Boston: Allyn & Bacon

click on the link to be intrigued:

http://www.sedl.org/pubs/tec26/cnc.html

i read this article “building on technologies promise” and was blown away on how useful and informative it was. i could not believe how interesting it was and how easy it made technology sound. one excellent benefit of computers is that “Students can work through a computer-based activity at their own pace. Rather than 25 individuals working together on one activity, technology allows independent completion of work. Those who begin to fall behind can receive an instructor’s individualized attention while others can begin to tackle more complex tasks” This in turn allows teachers to develop new classroom management strategies of challenging the highly intelligent students whist working with the struggling ones. computer software can provide opportunities for students to become independent learners and give their work a touch of their own. for example they may add personal photos or a voice over for an English narrative. students can even add color, motion pictures and comments to spruce up their work. Another incredible point made by the article is that “Students can build on their own understanding by using computers as resource tools, as work stations for individual learning, or as communication channels to share their ideas with other learners“. children can develop and discover answers to their personal queries and form interest groups by connecting with sites such as edublogs, wikki spaces and hound bite. here children can be children and find out answers to their educational questions and have fun socializing at the same time. this article is quite long but i asure you, that once you start reading you will be so intrigued and excited to start your own technological based classroom. i know i was. i really recommend reading this article as it puts a new light on using computers in the classroom.

 

http://www.flickr.com/search/?l=cc&q=+children+audience&m=text

Harris, J. (2002). Wherefore art though, telecollaboration? Learning and Leading with Technology, 29(6), 54-63.

The reading “Wherefore art thou, telecollaboration” By Judi Harris, speaks exactly of what i am interested. technology providing children with a a voice and communication with the rest of the world. Judi explain the many ways that technology connect children and helps them to learn collaboratly. these examples include:

Interpersonal exchange- are those activities “in which individuals talk electronically with other individuals, individuals talk with groups or groups talk with other groups. Interpersonal Exchanges include: key-pals, global classrooms, electronic appearances, telementoring, question-and answer activities“ (Harris, 1998, p. 18).

Information collection and analysis:  which “involve students collecting, compiling, and comparing different types of interesting information” eg  information exhanges, database creation, electronic publishing” (Harris, 1998, p. 18).

Problem solving: “activities that promote critical thinking, collaboration and problem based learning. Problem Solving structures include: information searches, peer feedback activities, parallel problem solving, sequential problem solving, and social action projects.” (Harris, 1998, p. 18).

i think that these examples are excellent ways in which teachers can incorporate computers into the classroom, to help set up communication between students and the rest of the world. At the beginning of the reading, the article explains that 75% of teachers believe that technology is valuable in education. however only 35% of teachers use it in their classroom.of course we all have our own personal reasons such as computer illiterate, time , unreliable computers, lack of computers ect. but this is no time to make excuses, as there are so many fascinating and exciting activities that teachers can involve students and help celebrate students work.  Judi expresses that teachers that use computers to allow students to get in touch with the world, are the ones that engage students straight away. students get tired of always having the same audience, same peers to express ideas and same people to critique their work. give children variety and use some of the examples  above, allow them to have a different set of people every day. yes that sounds hard, but with technology all you have to do is log on and there’s a whole world waiting to discover what children have to offer.