Digital Portfolio

My website is finally complete! Click here to visit. 

A lot of hard work went into making this website, but I think it gives a great description of all we have learned over the course of the semester. Not only did we learn how to make a website, but we learned a lot of new techniques to create different projects. All of these projects are featured on my website. You'll also find information about me, my educational philosophy, and links to some cool resources.

I'd love to know what everyone thinks about how my website turned out, so take a look and leave me some comments!

IConn and Digital Equity

     I definitely think that IConn is a great resource to ensure digital equity because it gives database access not only to faculty and students, but to all CT state residents as well. All you need is a valid CT public library card, which is free! This kind of data base allows adults and children to access millions of articles and other sources of information regarding many different topics. The database is great for personal enjoyment or for completing school projects.

     There is clearly a divide in regard to technology in our country. Just in our state we have so many different groups of people that live in many different ways. Unfortunately, many do not have access to much of the technology available today because either they cannot afford it, or their school districts do not have the funds to include it in the school curriculum. Today, most public and school libraries have at least a few computers, and with just a library card, anyone can gain free access to a multitude of information, which is surely shrinking the digital divide.

     For my own personal use, I found that Educator's Reference Complete database seemed useful. My future career as an educator would definitely benefit from having access to the newest research articles about new teaching methods or new breakthroughs in child development. I hope to work in the elementary grades, and therfore the Kids InfoBits database would likely be beneficial to utilize. My higher-functioning Special Education students would likely be able to use the database to work on class projects or search for some fun new information.

Computer Delusion

     The article "The Computer Delusion" by Todd Oppenheimer addresses the issue that school districts are using technology as a "fix all" solution to the problems that exist in our education system. The newest technology is always sought after as the best way to enhance and improve our classrooms and lesson plans. But how far are we going to go before computers and other technologies are running our classes for us?

     I definitely believe that computer delusion is a real issue in not only our classrooms, but in society in general today. New technology is NOT the answer to our problems. Of course certain technologies have improved our students' learning experience in the past, and it will continue to improve also, but we as educators cannot let these improvements take over our teaching responsibilities. There are many things in school that children cannot learn via technology. Let's make it clear that it is also not a good thing for students to be sitting at a computer or staring into another electronic device for too long every day. Too much computer use can cause headaches and pain in the eyes and hands/wrists.


     In Todd Oppenheimer's article, he addressed a new technological school in California where students completed all classes and lessons on computers. I immediately thought of their social well-being. Sure, we have social networking that allows us to interact with friends online, but do these students get the chance to simply sit and have a conversation? You have to make friends the old fashioned way before you can chat with them on Facebook or Twitter (or at least, you should). Technology classes are also replacing classes that focus on the arts and technical/vocational trades, with the fear that students who do not participate in these classes will not be prepared for the tech-savvy world that sits before them. Let's make it clear that college and computers is NOT right for every student, and without the opportunities to learn a trade in high school, where are they left when the graduate? These opportunities should continue to be available for students who may not succeed academically or who do not fit into the college mold.


     I am not against technology at all. In fact, I love to be up-to-date with the latest products, apps, sites, etc., but there is a fine line between enjoying and benefiting from technology and becoming dependent on it. Yes, the world is changing and we are relying on technology more to get us through each day. It definitely has a place in schools, but we cannot let it take over a majority of the learning that needs to take place.

Digital Equity

     After reading the articles provided to us, it is pretty clear that there is a digital divide in certain areas, namely in gender differences and in areas that are socio-economically different. One article discusses the notion that female students tend to avoid classes or programs that focus on the narrower aspects of computer science. This may be because this area lacks creativity and is very straight-forward. Another article addresses the fact that school districts in low-income areas can be so desperate to raise their under-achieving students' test scores that they purchase programs that drill information into students' heads, yet lack any opportunity for real comprehension. School districts in higher-income areas may not have this kind of an issue, and therefore their students are able to use programs that allow for a deeper understanding of the information because less pressure is on them to improve test scores.

     As educators, the notion of a digital divide implies that we need to correct it in the best ways possible. For some teachers, this may mean adding some creative or personalized components when studying computer science or similar subjects, in order to encourage more female students to gain interest. Unfortunately, for teachers in low-income areas, there may not be as much opportunity to improve this divide because of mediating factors. Because of No Child Left Behind, teachers and administrators are under immense pressure to raise test scores and improve rates of proficiency. Unfortunately, this means that many students will be drilled with information in order to regurgitate it on future assessments. This does not leave much time for new methods to be introduced. However, teachers must do the best they can to ensure that students are able to comprehend what they are learning. This can be done by asking students to apply the information they have learned to new situations. Without the ability to manipulate a piece of information and apply it to a new situation, students will not have gained the deeper understanding necessary for full comprehension.

Non-Linear Powerpoints

     Prior to the class on non-linear powerpoints, I had never heard of this concept, considering that I had never been assigned a project that required anything more than a bunch of slides, clicking from one to the next. I actually had fun learning about and making this type of powerpoint, and think it could be a great resource for teachers to create quick and informal quizzes and tests for their students. If parents wish, they could also quickly create something to help their child prepare for a test in a fun way.
I can also see teachers using non-linear powerpoints as an interactive activity on a SmartBoard. Students could come to the board individually and select their answers, making for a great review lesson.

Reflections

     I have definitely found many things that we have learned in this class useful for my own personal benefit. For example, I have always wanted to learn how to use Photoshop, and although this is definitely a program that takes awhile to master, I'm glad that I at least caught a glimpse and was able to work on my own project. I won't go as far to say that the material we have been working on is challenging, because I am pretty computer literate and I think I pick up on things quickly. So while a program may be new to me, my prior knowledge about computers has allowed me to understand how to use these new programs or techniques fairly quickly. 
     I hope that during the second half of the semester we can touch upon some of the programs designed to meet the needs of students with special needs. I know that this information is not in the syllabus for the coming weeks, but it would be nice to discuss using SmartBoards or technology that serves as communication resources for students who have speech difficulties. Since I am studying to be a Special Education teacher, this material would be very beneficial to me. Overall, I believe that I have learned a lot in this class and hope that I can continue to benefit from it and put it to good use in my future role as a teacher.

Inquiry-Based Learning

     I believe that as a student I have definitely used inquiry-based thinking and learning, but perhaps I have not been aware of it. I find that asking questions during a lesson is a way to further your learning, not an implication that you are confused by the content and need further clarification. That being said, I think that educators at any grade level should encourage their students to ask questions, and not give the impression that questions are wasting valuable class time or diverting from the subject matter. Who knows, a question that one student asks could give another student the answers they were looking for, but were too shy or uncomfortable to ask. A question one student asks could help others to look at the curriculum in a new way that they hadn't thought of and create some new insight.

     This being said, I believe that I, as a future educator, will be encouraging my students to ask questions. Although my students will be receiving special education services and may not be capable of the deep multidimensional thinking that typical students can do, this does not mean that they will not be curious about what they are learning. Students should always be encouraged to become excited about the subjects they are learning about. Discouraging asking questions is basically saying that we want students to memorize information and regurgitate it on a test, plain and simple. Students should take away something more from their education, because school is about learning new things and taking these ideas to another level of thinking, not passing tests and moving on. Now that I have been made aware of this type of learning, I will definitely be making an effort in the future to encourage student inquiry.