Equal Access

I believe it is the responsibility of both parents and the educators to provide equal access to the digital world to children. I feel that educators should teach students the current tools that would benefit the students both in the classroom and their daily lives. However, I think it is up to the parents to maintain the students’ knowledge. An educator can provide technology education by teaching lessons using technology and assigning homework that allows the students to utilize their skills they have learned. I understand not all students have access to a computer or internet in the home. However, there are public libraries and school libraries with free computer access. Also, students have other electronic devices such as cell phones and I-pods with internet access.

As mention before, I believe parents should also be held responsible for students utilizing their technology skills. This can be done is by making sure students are keeping up with their assignments. Also, if parents take advantage of the free computer programs in their community, it will help parents engage with students with their assignments.

Parents as partners

http://www.edtechtalk.com/node/4909 

The presentation I did attend on ed tech talk was “Parents as partners”. The presenter was Cale Birk, the principal at South Kamloops Secondary School in Kamloops, British Columbia. Mr. Birk discussed the importance of not only having school staff and parents interact with each other, but also the students. I believe a student’s opinion should also be considered, since they are the one that the education pertains to. Birk also mentions how he has witness the decrease of parent’s involvement as the students move up in school. With this in mind, Birk included additional features on the school website to enhance interaction among staff, students and parents.

During the presentation, Birk talks about the importance of educators using technology to teach both students and parents. He mentions how students do know how to use technology; however they need to be educated on how to use technology when learning new material. I agree with this statement. There are numerous websites that could help students with learning different subjects. In addition to, with the technology we have today, students can explore different cultures and exotic locations without leaving the classroom. On the school website, there are tutorial on how to use free tools that are useful for both students and parents. Birk gives examples of, blogger, wordle and google docs in his presentation.  

The school website also has chat rooms that could help parents have conferences among school administrators and other parents. This is something I believe is beneficial. Both parents and educators are busy, and may have conflicting schedules during the day hours. It may be easier for both to set up a time during the evening that works for them to discuss the child’s behaviors or academics without having to leave home. This school site also allows parents access to their child’s grades and assignments.

I believe in order for success, communication is essential. Keeping all parties in constant communication (parents, teacher, and students) would not only improve the education of the child, but improve both the school and the community as a whole. Birk shared additional ways to include parents in school events, news and surveys. The school also submits information by twitter, text messaging and direct e mail if granted permission from the individual. Everyone has a preferable way of communicating. I believe by having these options accessible, it may increase engagement among the educator, the parents and students.

Pros and Cons to Using New Media in the Classroom

Pros and Cons to Using New Media in the Classroom

Published May 08, 2008

http://www.publicschoolreview.com/articles/21

Written by Grace Chen

This article discusses both the advantages and disadvantages of using media in the classroom. Twenty years ago, less than half of Americans did not own personal computers nor was internet usage common in the home. This has changed. Today, majority of Americans possess a personal computer and internet, or has easy access to both. Since twenty years ago, there has been an increase use of technology globally (cell phones, internet, I pods etc.). With this, wouldn’t it make sense to teach the upcoming generation how to utilize technology in the classroom? I believe this is the case. 

Some of the advantages discussed in this article were the fact that kids have had exposure to new media/technology at a young age compare to their parents. Kids still learn how to read the traditional way. However, they have also learn how to read other “text”, such as movies, television shows, commercial and other types of “new media” text.  With this advantage, kids are able to decode and process advertisements and other types of media better than adults. This could help them for when they become active members in the working world.

As of their having advantages of technology, there are some disadvantages discussed in this articles. Having electronic devices, such as television used as a tool for learning how to read instead of books or poem, will decrease a child’s ability to read. According to Grace Chen, studies have shown that “using new media is not a horrible tool to assist in teaching, but that using these medium as a primary resource takes away from students the ability to develop their imagination and creative thinking “(Chen p.1). The article also discusses how students today are known to have decrease scores in language arts. This may be due to over exposure to visual media. 

After reading this article, I have come to the conclusion that technology should be used in the classroom. However, I do not believe that technology should take the place of the essentials of learning subjects taught in school. However I feel that it could assist with educating students. For instance, students could use electronic books instead of hard copy textbooks or novels. Integrating technology in the classroom is important because of how much our world relies on it. In order to be successful and stay current globally, it is important for students to be educated on how to use technology in their daily lives.