Journal #8

"The 1,000-Mile Microphone Cable" By Glen Bull

This article describes the possibility and freedom the internet really has to offer. Through the internet we have now been accustomed to new forms of art such as; video, audio, text and images. This author discusses primarily on the audio portion of these major art forms. He focuses on Skype, which is a digital phone on the internet with access to any phone line in the world. This service will allow the classroom to connect to another classroom around the world for a day of discussion and introduction. Another program the author talks about is Jamglue, which is an audio editor that allows for collaborative learning, editing and sharing of information. This program can be accessed and edited from any computer with an internet connection. Sites like these are perfect for a classroom. For example, the teacher will put a reading on the internet, the students will then have to listen and record their thoughts or post them on the site as a collaboration. These advancements are starting to make the technological era much more connected than ever before.

Question 1: Have you ever heard of Skype or an internet phone?
Until my education class in college I have only heard of video conferencing which is basically done with those little cameras for the computer. Skype, a phone that can connect me to the world sounds like a great idea.

Question 2: Do you see these as educational?
Absolutely. I can picture myself going on the internet every day as a teacher and calling a friend or family (my brother Scott--teacher) with Skype for advice about anything. Jamglue also sounds like a great way to store and retain information. Posting notes, homework, deadlines, and instructions will be something for my students to recall to. There will be no excuses!

Journal #7

"Virtual Schooling" By Niki Davis and Dale S. Niederhauser

Journal #6

"Learning Connections: Technology in the Early Childhood Classroom" By Elizabeth Ross Hubbell

This article is in total support for the introduction of technology during our childhood, which i think is a great perspective. When we are children we are surrounded by technology. This curiosity for our surroundings should be developed not only on our own but in the classroom as well. The author gives a few examples that will incorporate technology, connectivity and knowledge. For example, Kidspiration is a program that allows the students to interact with technology and information. It is a graphic organizer program that not only documents progress, but it is fun, effective and can be shared to family or class members for retention. I have had the chance to work on this program and I thought it was the easiest, coolest way to document information. It really was the first chance I got to align my work and show my talents to be displayed to my future students; highly recommend. Another example the author uses is Starfall which is a .com. It can be found on the internet and easily incorporated into any classroom. This author gives some concrete examples of how those examples can and should be used in a classroom setting. All in all, technology should be delivered into our children's minds at any age. If we don't do it who will?

Question 1: Are you pro or con for the introduction of technology at such young ages?
I am all for technology so I think I'm a pro. If my kid or student is going to need technology in the future I do not want to be the person to withhold information, I want to be the person delivering it in as many ways as possible. Besides another perspective never hurt!

Question 2: Do you think technology will become a daily part of classroom life?
Honestly I wouldn't doubt it. I can totally picture children needing wear a wrist band for their attendance that is taken by a scanner in the attendance building. This will promote responsibility, the truth (ditching) and technology in the classroom.

Journal #5

Social Justice: Choice or Necessity? By Colleen Swain and David Edyburn

This Article to me was one of the most interesting articles to read. It really gave me a powerful technological perspective of inclusion in the classroom. First off, what is social justice? In this article David Miller is quoted, "Very crudely, I think, we are discussing how the good and bad things in life should be distributed among the members of a human society." What I think he is trying to convey is that the computer (technology) is a gateway to information; this information needs to be discovered, developed and most importantly shared amongst society. If technology was incorporated more into the classroom there would be a change in how knowledge is discovered; it will create new representations of their knowledge (Power Point, Movies, Web Design etc.) and will enhance students learning. In the future jobs will require that you are technologically savvy, so why not start children/students off on the right foot. If this technological inclusion could be incorporated daily, used routinely and reflect real-world applications, there is no telling how far our children will exceed our dreams for success.

Question 1: Where do you stand on instructional technology in the classroom?
Personally I think it's great. The interaction between students and teacher is much more appreciated and noticed. If I had more chances to take technology classes in the past, I would have jumped on them the second I heard; I guess A+ Certification as a Junior in High School will have to do.

Question 2: Do you feel jobs in the future will really be that technologically dependent?
Yes and No. There will be base paying jobs that will demand nothing of the employees in a technological sense. But, if you want to make some money, than you better know technology, it will be the way to go, there is no telling when the advancements will stop.