Class Three

Although I missed class this week due to illness, I read chapter three and found many things important.  Firstly, I was happy to read about FairTest on page 72 of the text.  I am very against standardized testing in the way it is being used today.  I feel that students DO need aptitude tests to see how they stand in comparison to others, however, I feel standardized tests are misused by the school system.  Children are threatened that if they fail the tests they will be left back or not graduate.  Children, especially elementary age, do not need to be so frightened by school.  By putting so much emphasis on the tests, students and teachers lose sight of what is really important- learning.  FairTest claims to be an "assessment reform advocacy organization".  Their job is to evaluate standardized tests and make sure they are effective.  In regards to testing, I also agree with Popham's view stated on page 74-- We need better tests rather than no tests at all.  The tests we have in place today are scare tactics to scare children into studying harder and scare teachers into teaching by a school-appointed textbook.  Where is the fun? Creativity? Where are the tangents and spur of the moment conversations in the classroom?  Those things are lacking in todays elementary schools.

Two Questions I have for this week:
1) What are some ways we can incorporate non-computer technology into the classroom? Ex- Audio/video tape, Cameras/ camcorders, ect.

2) Are there any websites for teachers to share their lesson plans, if there is, do teachers use it or do they keep their ideas to themselves?

Reflection on Class Two

So far the class has been going great.  I like that it is more of a discussion based class where we share ideas, rather then a professor standing at the room and reading notes off of a screen.  I feel this is going to make me remember more information from the class.  I also enjoyed hearing the different answers when we were asked to define Technology and Educational Technology in our own words.  There were many different outlooks and we learned that there is no clear definition to the word "technology".  I also enjoyed the videos that we saw.  The one of the children made me think...  While technology and iPads are great, great teaching resources, it makes me wonder...has technology made us lazy as parents?  I know my two month old daughter likes to be pointed towards the tv.  The lights and colors entertain her.  While it may be harmless now, am I doing her a disjustice in the long run?  I grew up on books and more books.  I want my daughter to be a reader, not a TV watcher.  My parents used to turn off the TV and make us go out and play outside.  Living in an apartment, I don't have that luxury.  Will my daughter be a slave to the TV? I don't think so.  It makes me wonder about the children learning sight words on the iPad, reading with the iPad. Where is the teacher, the parents, why can't someone read the child an actual book?  The children in the video were not "reading along to a book" on the iPad, the iPad was reading it TO them. Will that really build their reading skills? I guess only the future will let us know...

Blog about Class One

Today was our first class.  There is a lot of information to process.  I rated myself a 7 out of 10 in terms of computer skills, however, I never created a blog before.  This should be a great learning experience for me.  I am studying to be an Early Childhood Educator and I feel that this class will be of importance since most children are exposed to iPods, iPhones and computers very early on.  It would be sad if a five year old has better technology skills than their teacher, so I am compelled to stay up-to-date on the latest technology.  I have ordered the textbook online and will update my blog with my response to the readings when it arrives.

Happy Blogging!

Helaina