The New Way to Learn

After reading the Juke's article from module 1, I realized that teachers and education administrators have a huge task to undertake right now more than ever. It is our responsibility as educators to understand the ever-changing psychology of learning, and adapt our teaching styles to suit the needs of each new generation of students. The curriculum needs to be taught in ways that our students are comfortable with and can relate to. The way we are comfortable learning is not stimulating enough for students who have grown up with computers and high-tech gadgets in their homes. It is necessary for us to challenge ourselves and learn to be fluent in modern technology in order to teach our students using high standards and working them at the proper level. As teachers, it is especially important to keep informed and continually learn of new advances in technology as well as be aware of any new resources as they become available.
The Secretbuilders website seems to be a great new resource being developed. It includes many of the desirable features and assets discussed in the Juke's article. Designing projects with this website and others like it will be a fitting way to educate the current generation of students. Working online in an interactive community where their ideas are published to a wide audience of their peers will be a motivating and enjoyable way for students to learn. It incorporates audio, visual, text, and individual creativity to stimulate the fundamentally different way that students now learn. Students and teachers can take a personal interest in using a site like this because it is a very adaptable tool, and when used well can support any type of lesson with successful results.

Internet Safety

I just finished watching the three videos on internet safety that are linked to modules 1&2. I assume the first one is meant for teenagers, the second one for children, and the third one for very young children. The first one seemed like a teenager's project for a computer class. Whoever made the video put some personality and style in it, using music and text effects. They also included some good information about websites that could be helpful to other teenagers who may be encountering some troublesome situations on the internet. The second video had a catchy rap tune that would certainly appeal to kids, though I'm not sure how much information would really stick with the viewer after watching. The third video for young children was my favorite. It was very age appropriate, repeating the rules several times, using consistent graphics, and explaining internet safety in the simplest terms possible.
Student safety is a top priority for educators. I remember back when I was in elementary school, how much time and effort my teachers spent going over fire safety, stranger dangers, how to cross the street safely, and other basic skills to keep students safe in their everyday lives. These days students spend much of their time on the internet. How to behave responsibly online and how to react to situations that will occur when using the internet are becoming important life skills that teachers will have to incorporate into their lessons on staying safe.

NJCCCS Technology = WOW!

I am completely impressed by the standards set for technology education in the state of NJ. If technology programs in all schools can be implemented well enough to support this curriculum it will do wonders for the next generation of students. Having been through school before much of this technology was available has left me somewhat in the dark when it comes to dealing with life in the computer age. From the simplest tasks, such as paying bills, to major undertakings, such as earning a college degree, computers have become absolutely necessary for successful day-to-day living. Being able to master using the computer and internet before leaving high school will give students amazing opportunities that will make their lives much easier.
I am currently student teaching in a fourth grade class, and just today witnessed the students in action during their technology class. These 9 year old children were creating Power Point presentations, something I did not learn how to do until last year! The students all seemed very comfortable navigating their way around the computer, using a program called Kidspiration to create word webs to plan out the information they wanted to include in their slides. They were taking pictures with digital cameras that they will later upload onto the computers and use for their presentations. The school district is doing its best to follow the state curriculum, and it is evident that its efforts to make technology accessible to the students has been extremely beneficial.
As technology advances, it seems it would be in the public's best interest to start educating students on using computers at an even younger age. As soon as students learn handwriting they should learn to type. As soon as students start taking notes they should be issued laptops. The way things are going with the growing need to conserve our natural resources, I would not be surprised if textbooks become entirely computer or even internet based, and students start submitting their homework via email. Though it seems foreign to me (for now!- I am getting better), and possibly most of the older people in this country, it is completely necessary that we educate the next generation to be able to keep up with the times, and grow up prepared for the changing world.

First Blog Post

Hello,
Welcome to my blog! This is my first post just to try things out and see how it all works. I'll be back posting again very soon. Goodbye for now!
~Ginette