Bango: As a new generation of educators we must adjust to the great technological changes advancing in the new era of the Internet. Many quality tools are now available online, e.g., Hawaiian resources. Other first hand learning experiences are also important. A blending of the the new 21st century technology with familiar traditional models will facilitate effective teaching and learning.
Bango’s Jan. 31 comment: We all agree that technology is changing the way we teach and learn. Teachers can recognize the dangers and help to minimize the risks of accessing the Internet for themselves and their students. “Touchée!”
Charlene: Weblogs, Blogs, Wikis, and Webspaces have changed the way we learn; from the old: simple books and in class discussions and limited materials, to the new: now fast and vast collaboration; policing is a concern to keep contributors honest.
Karlie: The Internet has evolved a lot and will continue to change. Young children are sometimes better adapted to the use of the personal computer and the Internet than their teachers or adult family members. Example: A typical Internet savvy second grader can show an adult a thing or two.
The Read/Write Web is changing how we all learn. Children now have easy access to learning with the click of a mouse. It is important that educators teach children how to be safe in navigating the web.
Whitney: If you have any food allergies, please let her know. And if you are craving any special dishes, e.g., fresh baked lobster, crab, escargot, etc., she is game in preparing such delicacies for her dinner night. Don’t delay. Post a response to her right away.
Corina: Online news services are soliciting contributions from their readers. These days--every article is or becomes in essence--a blog itself. Collaboration in the form of video may present dangers to the unsuspecting audience. Journalistic entities should caution viewers in advance of the presentation of any harsh or graphic news content.
The gap in how kids and their parents view privacy is increasing. Because kids have the tools, they have the expectation to be always plugged in online. Corina questions the appropriateness of the things her peers sometimes post online. Her parents taught her better.
Technology has become an indispensable educational tool for students today. The 2- to 5-year-old age group is the fastest growing age group accessing the Internet. We as teachers have the responsibility to teach students proper Internet etiquette. Students should be groomed for safe Internet navigation for use at both school and home and know how to avoid or respond to the wrong types of network content.
Mae: Mae has a supportive, loving and amazing family. She has returned to school to earn her teacher’s certification. Mae currently teaches third and fourth graders reading and math, students with special needs and appreciates connecting with the problematic ones, especially when real learning takes place. Mae on Chapter 1: The first chapter is helpful as an introduction to the technology and terms we will be discussing in the course. She is enthusiastic about learning.
Mae’s Feb. 3 comment: The new “digital” generation has gained greater advantages over those of their parents and grandparents. New ways of learning now take the form of classroom computers, Internet access and online testing. Not all schools have equal budgets however every student should be offered an equal opportunity and access to a computer in the classroom. We must provide students with the necessary tools to insure their success in a changing world.
Emily: Emily’s reading of our text makes her think of her niece who at age seven cared for a “Tamagotchi” type virtual pet online. The niece, now age 10, continues to navigate the Internet and web in amazing ways from virtual pet care to instant messaging.
Our text talks about the new “digital” generation and discusses the social media kids are using today, tools some adult users don’t know about. Teachers need to bring these tools into the classroom environment. The further advancement of these Internet technologies will help students learn independently and collaboratively.
The textbook and class (Education Media and Technology) is just what the doctor ordered: 1) what tools we need to learn, 2) how students are using the Internet, and 3) what technologies we need to bring from the outside to inside the classroom environment. Emily is excited about using Ning as a part of her teacher’s toolbox.
Seneca: Seneca is not surprised to discover the fact that many young children are using the Internet. She has cousins as young as age 10 who access social networking sites. We learn from reading and also interacting with others. The Internet as the “Read/Write Web” is the grandest and most conducive form of interactive and collaborative media known to exist. What this means for children is that due to the influence of access to the Internet, their educational development is now growing at a fast rate and will continue to accelerate exponentially. Not every thing one finds on the Internet is reliable information. As children continue to access media technology, safe web browsing should be implemented in the classroom.
Ashlynn: Technology is slowly [quickly!] changing our world. [These days] kids start using the computer, offline/online video games, or the their parents’ cell phones at a very young age. While a Kindergarten student, Ashlynn remembers the school had green chalkboards and no computers. Then at Kamehameha, the school had a computer for every student, whiteboards and screen projectors. This change is a good sign to show what technology can and will do for the benefit of education. The advent of computers and online instruction in the classroom helps the shy student open up. Social network collaboration is helping all students grow. Integrating the “online classroom” into the curriculum is highly democratic. The value of education and our careers as teachers are both promising and bright.
Cody: Cody is a senior completing his B.A. degree in art and aspires to teach at the elementary school level after he also earns his “TEP.” He plans to implement his artistic skills creatively and positively. And he emphasizes patience in the teaching and learning environment as opportunity for growth.
Cody’s Jan. 28 comment: Students have already shifted to different means of learning and are adapted to using their “hypertext minds” both inside and outside the classroom. Many educators may remain ill-equipped to embrace the change. The new teaching and learning environment is now one of collaboration.
Kurtis: (I commented on Kurtis’ Blog post as part of our Ning1 assignment. See that post). The Internet has evolved into a Read/Write Web. We need to take advantage of what these newly developed tools offer to help shape education in the present and the future. Children are fast learners and are accessing the online environment at younger ages in the form of blogs and social networking applications like facebook, twitter, myspace, flickr and others. Technology has brought changes in the past fifteen years: access to a larger volumes of information, new ways of learning and the trend toward collaborative writing and publishing. Teachers can guide students about safe methods of navigating the online environment and help minimize any inherent dangers without sacrificing the benefits to education this technology can promise.
Jade: Changing technology is shaping how children learn in new ways and it is happening quickly. We are experiencing quick advances in technology above what seemed fast just ten years ago. Examples include what we witnessed in the early emergence of myspace and other social networking tools. Because access to the Internet is now easy, it is important for teachers to continue to reinforce in students safe means of its navigation. The evolution of this technology will continue and with it dangers will emerge. Students best be provided safe outlets for its use.
Megan: Some traditional teachers may feel overwhelmed and sense they are unable to keep up with the swift changes occurring in Internet and media technology. “‘Not too worry, Bu!” “Can Can, Vernas!” Teachers must embrace this changing technology and implement new tools in their classrooms including social networking applications like facebook and Ning, blogs, wikis and others. Safe navigation and appropriate conduct are important concerns. We must move forward. Megan is enthusiastic about the class and what she will learn from it.
Iris: Technology has changed and expanded the learning environment of children within a single generation. The Internet now offers a global reach in the easy access of information and research inside the classroom setting. We need to be careful in our use of this technology so to remain safe in navigating the Internet. Teachers are key in this regard. Iris anticipates a great semester working together in mastering new technological teaching skills.
Satomi: Internet technology is now a big part of our daily lives and we need to make it a big part of our educational lives also. The Net offers great potential for future generations. Our strength will reside in the connections we make by the access of everyone. It is important that we maintain a foundation rooted in our indigenous knowledge and culture also.
What we've been doing in class:
- Class #1, 1/13/11, We joined in meeting our fellow students, introduced to the class by other students (a clever format); we went over the syllabus; we were instructed to use the Laulima interface and Ning
- Class #2, 1/20/11; we used the Elluminate, the virtual room application; we looked at previous projects (websites); we were assigned to create Ning, Skype, PBworks, and other online accounts: Lynda, and others
- Class #3, 1/27/11; we held the group collaboration photo/video contest and learned how multi media like photo and video engages differently than text does
- Class #4, 2/3/11; in this course we are using both the “IBM” PC and Apple MAC computer platforms
- Web 2.0 building skills
- Power Point tutoring on the pretty white MACs
