Blog Post #D

In chapter five, I found it interesting that the percentage of seventeen-year-olds who read for fun everyday decreased by thirteen percent in just twenty years. When I read over that statistic I kind of said "whoa" to myself. That information ended in 2004, and when I think about where we are now with so much new technology, I'm worried to know that statistic. But I argue, who's to say people aren't reading on the computer, iPad, Kindle, iPhone? The list goes on and on. I don't think it would be fair to rule out that possibility! I know that those devices make it more convenient to read. You can find so many different types of reading besides books; You can read the news daily or read articles. That list goes on, too! It would be interesting to know what the statistics are now. 

By bnovak1994 | View this Toon at ToonDoo | Create your own Toon

 Next I thought I'd dive into writing's biggest rival: Wikipedia. Since this website has been of existence, it has masked itself as a reliable source of information. People all over the world Google one noun and they will get Wikipedia as the first source. I decided to test that hypothesis by typing the word "jazz" into the Google search engine box. Low and behold, wikipedia was the first result. The problem here is that it is the first amount of information to click on, and seems like it will give you the information you need. I distrust this website personally because I have come across false information TWICE. It really bothered me that so many people were reading that information thinking it was factual. The book states that many teachers discuss this website with their students to make them aware before they make the mistake. 

 Finally, as I wrapped up the chapter the book mentions cyberbullying. Although this topic is addressed a lot and practically everyone is aware of the issue, I do not think it can be overemphasized. Cyberbullying is defined as "willful and repeated harm through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic equipment"(Hindjura & Patchin, 2009, p.4) What bugs me about that definition is the word repeated. Why is it not considered cyber bullying the first time? I think that is a flaw and should be revised. I know there are some apps in place to protect against a cyberbully attack like ReThink. ReThink delivers a notification after a harmful text is about to be sent. This may make someone double take what they had said and possibly choose not to send it.

References:

Hinjura, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2008) Bullying beyond the schoolyard:Preventing and responding to cyberbulling. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press

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.

 World's fastest way to create cartoons! (n.d.). Retrieved September 25, 2016, from http://www.toondoo.com/MyToondoo.toon 

Blog Post #B Chapter 2

  For this chapter, I found something interesting immediately: The Pew Internet and American Life Project's grouping of technology users. There are nine categories and everyone that uses technology fits one! I would classify myself as a Media Mover, which is a person who uses online and mobile devices regularly as a way to connect with other people socially. My father, on the other hand, would be a Roving Node, someone who uses media for work purposes and to gather information. Though many of us can fit slightly in multiple categories, I think this is a pretty interesting categorization process. The book says to take a quiz called "What Kind of Tech User Are You?" from the Pew Internet and American Life Project's website but I was unable to find it. I did find a similar quiz, however, and I am considered a slightly addicted tech user.

Take the quiz here!

Moving right along, I was drawn to the section about barriers to technology use. Before I read the section, I thought about what that could mean. All that could come to mind was insufficient funds, but discovered later on that there were many reasons. Having a computer in a classroom seems ordinary, but while some public schools may have the latest and greatest, others have out of date technology. Many resources aren't compatible with older models of printers, computers, overheads, DVD players, et cetera. Other obstacles include teaching schedules where some teachers have over an hour to instruct and can play with many different technologies as opposed to those with thirty minute classes that never have time to get to any interactive learning. Also, some teachers are not as comfortable with new technology and opt out of it.


I noticed that this book considers students to be far more advanced with technology than teachers. On page 39, the book lists many different technologies ranging from email to calculators, smart phones to mp3 players. I think it is weird that the book is basically saying we are not fluent with technology and cannot operate without a user manual. Maybe that is why this class is so important, so that we can flee from the mold of being stuffy teachers that can't have fun or keep up.

References:
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.

What Kind of Tech User Are You? (n.d.). Retrieved September 11, 2016, from https://uquiz.com/ZPze5h?embed=False

PowToon - Brings Awesomeness to your presentations. Retrieved September 11, 2016, from https://www.powtoon.com/home/

Blog Post #A

Ah... it feels good to be back! I am much more prepared for these blogs, and eager to reflect upon the material!

1. In chapter one, it was apparent that it was going to be broad and more of an overview. I did find some interesting topics, however. The book refers to a "digital childhood" which most children born in the mid to late 1990's were apart of. A digital childhood indicates an upbringing with access to televisions, computers, gaming systems and more. I recall a very early memory of playing the simplest, elementary games on a computer. I would play, and learn, with CD-ROM games like Tonka Truck, JumpStart Preschool (my favorite), and more. Although it seemed normal to me, I realize now that I was a member of a new community. 

2. Alongside my generation is a close relative, the iGeneration. These children are growing up using iPads and iPhones as early as the first day home from the hospital. Although they aren't using them all by themselves, parents are using them as tools to calm their children with music and videos, or to distract them during car rides, eating at a restaurant, and more. I have seen this first hand and I have yet to really form an opinion about it since I do not have my own children. Since it is embedded in a child's mind almost as a need, teachers are using technology to their full advantage! Online learning games are one example of how teachers are benefitting from the use of technology. 

3. When I read about having a digital identity as a teacher, I pondered what mine was. Even though I grew up with technology, I only had access to computers for school. I may be "old fashioned" but since I will be teaching middle schoolers, technology may be more distracting than anything. I do not think I will have my own identity until I am submerged in a class setting where I won't have much of a choice than to figure it out. 

But why should I use technology? Click here!

It seems as though I will need to incorporate technology to connect with students via videos, learning games et cetera. I hope to develop more in these areas to really hit home with my future students. 

I love TED talks! 

Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.