How do public policies impact the use of technology?
In the district I work for, our policies are very specific in regards to technology. There are specific guidelines for acceptable uses of all technology during school time and on district-owned devices. There are policies regarding gaming, email, social networking, chatting, account creation, etc.
How are these policies impacting students and teachers?
These policies make it very difficult for me as a teacher. I often hear of a new website or technology that I would like to use in my class, but I am unable to use it because it is blocked by the district. We can petition for the district to change the accessibility of the website/technology, but the wait period can be several months. It is also hard for teachers to know which sites are accessible to students because our policies are different from those of our students. We may be able to access the site without a problem, but our students may be blocked from the same site. My district goes so far as to block sites such as Weebly (unless you use the paid version).
I have run into other problems with district policy interfering with state curriculum. There is a class that I would love to teach which is all about social networking, pod casting, etc. However, the sites needed to effectively teach this curriculum are nearly all blocked by the district. We are only allowed to demonstrate the use of the sites at school. We cannot require our students to practice using them. I feel that this takes away the fun of the class; therefore, I have decided to keep this course out of our course catalog.
Yes, I do believe some policies are necessary. But are they really effective? How many students bring their own smart phones and access any sites they want while on school property? Do we really have the ability to control the content our students are viewing? At what point do we leave that to their own discretion?
Monday, July 28, 2014
July 15
What technologies might we use to enhance cognition?
Of course the answer would be technologies that promote HOTS, 21st Century Skills, etc. I really enjoyed the presentations that were made in class. I started compiling a list of technologies that are amazing and would be great to use in a classroom:
Of course the answer would be technologies that promote HOTS, 21st Century Skills, etc. I really enjoyed the presentations that were made in class. I started compiling a list of technologies that are amazing and would be great to use in a classroom:
- Remind.com
- Codecademy
- Nearpod
- Prezi
- Kid Blog
- App Maker
- App Inventor
- GoAnimate
- PowToon
- Brain Pop
July 10
What types of skills and thought processes are considered higher-order?
I really think a graphic is a great way to represent this question.
I have put a lot of thought into a new system for measuring student achievement in my class. I want this to work seamlessly with HOTS. I really like the idea of using badges. I saw badges in action when I took my son to the Country Music Hall of Fame. They had an interactive room where you earn badges as you learn about the music industry. The new ACM Gallery and the Dinah and Fred Gretsch Family Gallery offer visitors a hands-on immersion into today’s country music with artifacts from today’s country stars and a series of technology-enhanced activities that will allow guests to become “Certified Country.”
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How does/might technology hinder and/or enhance cognition?
In "Now You See It" many references are made to the fact that technology is not distracting and not bad, we are just not used to the form of attention that is required by it. "we concentrate in a different way when we are making the connections, when we are clinking and browsing, than when we are watching or listening or even reading a book."
I really think a graphic is a great way to represent this question.
I have put a lot of thought into a new system for measuring student achievement in my class. I want this to work seamlessly with HOTS. I really like the idea of using badges. I saw badges in action when I took my son to the Country Music Hall of Fame. They had an interactive room where you earn badges as you learn about the music industry. The new ACM Gallery and the Dinah and Fred Gretsch Family Gallery offer visitors a hands-on immersion into today’s country music with artifacts from today’s country stars and a series of technology-enhanced activities that will allow guests to become “Certified Country.”
How does/might technology hinder and/or enhance cognition?
In "Now You See It" many references are made to the fact that technology is not distracting and not bad, we are just not used to the form of attention that is required by it. "we concentrate in a different way when we are making the connections, when we are clinking and browsing, than when we are watching or listening or even reading a book."
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
July 8
What types of skills and thought processes are considered higher-order?
Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) include activities that require critical thinking, problem solving, creating, analyzing, evaluating, inferring, extrapolating, deducing, applying, and perspective taking. In these types of activities we really want kids to be applying their skills in different settings, in real-life situations, thinking outside the box, etc.
How does/might technology hinder and/or enhance cognition?
The concept that excites me the most is the idea of using technology to make learning fun. I am so inspired by the idea of turning my classroom into a game environment. If my students are having fun, they are going to learn better. I want to implement some sort of badge system as a form of reward and assessment. I think I can find a way to tie the badges into the different standards and objectives in my class. Technology is what our students know and love more than anything. If I can use what they know to teach them new things, they will feel a lot more confident in themselves. I am so excited to try something along these lines...
Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) include activities that require critical thinking, problem solving, creating, analyzing, evaluating, inferring, extrapolating, deducing, applying, and perspective taking. In these types of activities we really want kids to be applying their skills in different settings, in real-life situations, thinking outside the box, etc.
How does/might technology hinder and/or enhance cognition?
The concept that excites me the most is the idea of using technology to make learning fun. I am so inspired by the idea of turning my classroom into a game environment. If my students are having fun, they are going to learn better. I want to implement some sort of badge system as a form of reward and assessment. I think I can find a way to tie the badges into the different standards and objectives in my class. Technology is what our students know and love more than anything. If I can use what they know to teach them new things, they will feel a lot more confident in themselves. I am so excited to try something along these lines...
July 1-3
How might technology be used to encourage students of all ages to explore identity?
In my classes, I think it would be great to try a few different options. I teach a Business Webpage Design class. In this class it would be fun to teach them html code while building a site all about them. The different tabs on their site can represent different pieces of themselves and their identity. In Computer Technology, I thought it would be fun to let my students explore their identity while as a final project in presentations. They would be able to use the presentation software of their choice (PowerPoint, Presentations, Prezi, etc.). In Computer Technology 2, I could take the project a little further by having them create a more interactive presentation complete with hyperlinks, animations, and sound.
In my classes, I think it would be great to try a few different options. I teach a Business Webpage Design class. In this class it would be fun to teach them html code while building a site all about them. The different tabs on their site can represent different pieces of themselves and their identity. In Computer Technology, I thought it would be fun to let my students explore their identity while as a final project in presentations. They would be able to use the presentation software of their choice (PowerPoint, Presentations, Prezi, etc.). In Computer Technology 2, I could take the project a little further by having them create a more interactive presentation complete with hyperlinks, animations, and sound.
June 24
How Does Identity Develop Over the Lifespan?
Identity starts as a baby with exploration much in the same way that cognition develops. As a toddler, we are influenced by those who model behavior for us. As a child, we start to make some of our own judgments and decisions. As a teenager, we really start to define who we are and make decisions based on our needs and wants. Hopefully by the time we are an adult we have a good idea of who we are. Those of us who don't are probably the ones who are lacking in satisfaction and feel a little lost.
Identity starts as a baby with exploration much in the same way that cognition develops. As a toddler, we are influenced by those who model behavior for us. As a child, we start to make some of our own judgments and decisions. As a teenager, we really start to define who we are and make decisions based on our needs and wants. Hopefully by the time we are an adult we have a good idea of who we are. Those of us who don't are probably the ones who are lacking in satisfaction and feel a little lost.
June 26
How Does Technology Impact Social Skills?
I see a definite change in social skills due to technology. Kids do not have as many face-to-face/voice-to-voice conversations. I think this can be harmful because it is very important to develop good interpersonal skills. I see definite problems in communication. I also see that it can cause real issues with listening skills. My students think they are great multitaskers, but they actually just end up missing all of my instructions when they are using technology rather than listening to me.
How Does Technology Impact the Development of Identity?
If technology affects social skills, doesn't it also affect the development of identity? Doesn't the development of social skills impact the development of identity? I definitely think the two go together. Our friends, family, and other social factors play a big roll in our identity development. Maybe we love technology. Our likes and dislikes are a part of our identity. Maybe we "value" technology. Our values are definitely a part of our identity.
How Does Technology Impact the Development of Societies and Cultures and the Ways in Which Children are Socialized?
I think when we watch the news and have a chance to view other countries and the changes that exist because of technology or the lack of technology, we can see the definite impact. There are so many countries that function without the use of technology. These countries are the most poor countries. Our more affluent countries have a great deal of technology available to their members. Technology may also help with the blending of cultures. What I mean by blending is that cultures can be influenced more by other cultures because the "walls" can come down through the use of technology.
How Does Technology Impact How We Respond to Social Issues?
Social Media!!! Need I say more? Information spreads like wildfire thanks to social media. This is not always good information. Rumors fly freely without control. Bullying is an ever increasing issue that our youth have to deal with thanks to social media. People use email and text messaging to ask people out and to break up with them. It is so much easier for us to pass judgement and express our opinions when we don't know the people we are communicating with. It seems like we expect anonymity when we are using technology...isn't it the exact opposite? Aren't we having our identities stolen due to technology? Funny how there seems to be a double standard of opinion there.
How Do Modern Children and Adolescents Differ from Their Predecessors?
Some of the changes I have noticed in today's adolescents include the following: a general lack of respect for others, everything is a right to them rather than a privilege, they all need their own cell phone so that they can talk to their friends, they would rather text than make a phone call (me too), they are extremely talented at computer games and the general use of technology, they have a desire for instant results or instant erasure, they are losing critical thinking skills due to impatience, and they are super smart and talented (when they want to apply themselves).
I see a definite change in social skills due to technology. Kids do not have as many face-to-face/voice-to-voice conversations. I think this can be harmful because it is very important to develop good interpersonal skills. I see definite problems in communication. I also see that it can cause real issues with listening skills. My students think they are great multitaskers, but they actually just end up missing all of my instructions when they are using technology rather than listening to me.
How Does Technology Impact the Development of Identity?
If technology affects social skills, doesn't it also affect the development of identity? Doesn't the development of social skills impact the development of identity? I definitely think the two go together. Our friends, family, and other social factors play a big roll in our identity development. Maybe we love technology. Our likes and dislikes are a part of our identity. Maybe we "value" technology. Our values are definitely a part of our identity.
How Does Technology Impact the Development of Societies and Cultures and the Ways in Which Children are Socialized?
I think when we watch the news and have a chance to view other countries and the changes that exist because of technology or the lack of technology, we can see the definite impact. There are so many countries that function without the use of technology. These countries are the most poor countries. Our more affluent countries have a great deal of technology available to their members. Technology may also help with the blending of cultures. What I mean by blending is that cultures can be influenced more by other cultures because the "walls" can come down through the use of technology.
How Does Technology Impact How We Respond to Social Issues?
Social Media!!! Need I say more? Information spreads like wildfire thanks to social media. This is not always good information. Rumors fly freely without control. Bullying is an ever increasing issue that our youth have to deal with thanks to social media. People use email and text messaging to ask people out and to break up with them. It is so much easier for us to pass judgement and express our opinions when we don't know the people we are communicating with. It seems like we expect anonymity when we are using technology...isn't it the exact opposite? Aren't we having our identities stolen due to technology? Funny how there seems to be a double standard of opinion there.
How Do Modern Children and Adolescents Differ from Their Predecessors?
Some of the changes I have noticed in today's adolescents include the following: a general lack of respect for others, everything is a right to them rather than a privilege, they all need their own cell phone so that they can talk to their friends, they would rather text than make a phone call (me too), they are extremely talented at computer games and the general use of technology, they have a desire for instant results or instant erasure, they are losing critical thinking skills due to impatience, and they are super smart and talented (when they want to apply themselves).
Saturday, June 21, 2014
June 19
How is American culture changing?
I think peoples' values are definitely changing. It seems that people value connections they make online more than connections that are made face to face. I will be honest; I find it much easier to simply email or text someone than to call them on the phone or go visit them. I think with all of the changes in technology, we are becoming such a fast-paced world. We are trying to do too much with too little time.
What do we value?
What do we need to safeguard and what can be lost?
I found it very interesting that Digital Nation mentioned that technology causes memory loss. Before there was printed text, poets had poems memorized. When text was invented, there wasn't a need to memorize the poems, so their memory capacities weakened. Is the same thing happening because of digital technology? Do we no longer need to memorize facts because it is just as easy to look them up online?
I was impressed with South Korea's program to teach children about online safety. I think this is an important aspect of technology that is not being taught well at an early age in America.
I think peoples' values are definitely changing. It seems that people value connections they make online more than connections that are made face to face. I will be honest; I find it much easier to simply email or text someone than to call them on the phone or go visit them. I think with all of the changes in technology, we are becoming such a fast-paced world. We are trying to do too much with too little time.
What do we value?
I found it very interesting that Digital Nation mentioned that technology causes memory loss. Before there was printed text, poets had poems memorized. When text was invented, there wasn't a need to memorize the poems, so their memory capacities weakened. Is the same thing happening because of digital technology? Do we no longer need to memorize facts because it is just as easy to look them up online?
I was impressed with South Korea's program to teach children about online safety. I think this is an important aspect of technology that is not being taught well at an early age in America.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
June 17
How does technology impact cognition?
Everything affects cognition. We are making patterns and connections any time we are paying attention to something. Technology does seem to increase the need for "multitasking." We tend to engross ourselves in multiple forms of technology quite consistently. Are we really doing a good job at any of those tasks if we are splitting up our time so much? If we are switching back and forth too often, are we making proper connections and retaining important information?
How does technology impact memory?
Technology can be a pretty positive component to memory. Technology presents things in a visually exciting format. Technology provides multiple forms of information. This increases the likelihood that we will see information in a form that coordinates with our individual form of retention. We have pictures to help with visual cues, sounds to help with auditory cues, and the ability to create amazing things to help us learn and retain by working hands on.
How does technology interact with the brain's reward centers?
Technology provides instantaneous feedback which is what we all want. We want it now! We want to be told how great and knowledgeable we are. Computer games, if created properly, and very effective at gaining our attention and holding our attention for long periods of time because we are rewarded on a regular basis. We level up, we earn badges, we earn more powers or weapons. What a rush! No wonder technology is so addictive...
How does technology impact cognitive development?
It was mentioned by someone in our discussion yesterday that kids who are introduced to technology before the age of 2 will have some developmental issues. That is frightening. I must have done a lot of damage to my own kids. I remember many times that I turned on the TV for my own child to entertain them while I made dinner or did the dishes. Oops! I can definitely see how too much of the same activity does not give our brain enough "exercise." It is important to have a lot of variety in our technology just as we should have variety in our media.
How do modern children and adolescents differ from their predecessors?
We definitely live in a world today where kids want instant gratification. They want to be entertained. They don't want to find something to entertain them; they just want it to happen without effort. My kids are always "bored"; however, I don't see them trying very hard to entertain themselves. When I was growing up, we were so good at making up games of our own, role playing, being active. We entertained ourselves. My kids are definitely lacking in that department. At school, kids do not want to have to think about a solution, they want to be given the answer if they don't know it immediately.
Everything affects cognition. We are making patterns and connections any time we are paying attention to something. Technology does seem to increase the need for "multitasking." We tend to engross ourselves in multiple forms of technology quite consistently. Are we really doing a good job at any of those tasks if we are splitting up our time so much? If we are switching back and forth too often, are we making proper connections and retaining important information?
How does technology impact memory?
Technology can be a pretty positive component to memory. Technology presents things in a visually exciting format. Technology provides multiple forms of information. This increases the likelihood that we will see information in a form that coordinates with our individual form of retention. We have pictures to help with visual cues, sounds to help with auditory cues, and the ability to create amazing things to help us learn and retain by working hands on.
How does technology interact with the brain's reward centers?
Technology provides instantaneous feedback which is what we all want. We want it now! We want to be told how great and knowledgeable we are. Computer games, if created properly, and very effective at gaining our attention and holding our attention for long periods of time because we are rewarded on a regular basis. We level up, we earn badges, we earn more powers or weapons. What a rush! No wonder technology is so addictive...
How does technology impact cognitive development?
It was mentioned by someone in our discussion yesterday that kids who are introduced to technology before the age of 2 will have some developmental issues. That is frightening. I must have done a lot of damage to my own kids. I remember many times that I turned on the TV for my own child to entertain them while I made dinner or did the dishes. Oops! I can definitely see how too much of the same activity does not give our brain enough "exercise." It is important to have a lot of variety in our technology just as we should have variety in our media.
How do modern children and adolescents differ from their predecessors?
We definitely live in a world today where kids want instant gratification. They want to be entertained. They don't want to find something to entertain them; they just want it to happen without effort. My kids are always "bored"; however, I don't see them trying very hard to entertain themselves. When I was growing up, we were so good at making up games of our own, role playing, being active. We entertained ourselves. My kids are definitely lacking in that department. At school, kids do not want to have to think about a solution, they want to be given the answer if they don't know it immediately.
Friday, June 13, 2014
June 12
How much media do children and teens consume each day?
According to the "Generation M2: Media in the Lives of 8- to 18-Year-Olds," children are consuming an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes to using entertainment media across a typical day. That is unbelievable to me! That means that kids are getting home from school, accessing media immediately, and continue to use some sort of entertainment media until nearly 11 pm. Where is the time for homework?
How does the type of media consumed impact cognition?
If the media is engaging, cognition can be improved. Engaging would require some unique thought process or activity. Some good types of media would be reading a book or playing an active video game (wii Fit, xBox Kinnect, etc.). If an activity is repeated too many times, it becomes a reflex to us and is no longer improving cognition. It is important to have variance with those activities. It is also important that we don't try to "multitask" too often. If we spend too much time switching between tasks, do we really become masters of (create neural connections to) any of them?
According to the "Generation M2: Media in the Lives of 8- to 18-Year-Olds," children are consuming an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes to using entertainment media across a typical day. That is unbelievable to me! That means that kids are getting home from school, accessing media immediately, and continue to use some sort of entertainment media until nearly 11 pm. Where is the time for homework?
How does the type of media consumed impact cognition?
If the media is engaging, cognition can be improved. Engaging would require some unique thought process or activity. Some good types of media would be reading a book or playing an active video game (wii Fit, xBox Kinnect, etc.). If an activity is repeated too many times, it becomes a reflex to us and is no longer improving cognition. It is important to have variance with those activities. It is also important that we don't try to "multitask" too often. If we spend too much time switching between tasks, do we really become masters of (create neural connections to) any of them?
Thursday, June 12, 2014
June 10
How does cognition develop over the lifespan?
Cognition begins as a baby in the womb. Babies can hear their mother's voice, music, and other sounds. This is when we first start to form patterns for recognition.
We have a sort of "tunnel vision" throughout our lives. In "Now You See It," Cathy N. Davidson calls it "Attention Blindness." What this means is that we are trained to pay attention to certain things and to ignore (we are oblivious) to everything else unless our attention is drawn to it.
When we are babies, the adults in our lives choose what we should pay attention to. They make sounds, shake things in front of our faces, etc. to gain our attention. When we are young children, we continue to learn in much the same way. Our brain will form patterns based on voice inflections, volume, smells, colors, etc..
We train our brain to pay attention to certain things. We can also un-train our brains to pay attention to new things and form new patterns. When we are in school, our teachers choose what they want us to pay attention to; they provide us with our educational patterns.
What role does the environment play on cognition?
Our environment is what we use to form cognitive patterns (sights, sounds, smells, colors, volumes, etc). Cathy N. Davidson suggests that we learn fear from the change in the tone of our mother's (or anyone else's) voice. We learn to like the music that we are first introduced to until we form a new pattern. Because we are observers when we are babies, our environment plays a huge role in our cognitive development.
Cognition begins as a baby in the womb. Babies can hear their mother's voice, music, and other sounds. This is when we first start to form patterns for recognition.
We have a sort of "tunnel vision" throughout our lives. In "Now You See It," Cathy N. Davidson calls it "Attention Blindness." What this means is that we are trained to pay attention to certain things and to ignore (we are oblivious) to everything else unless our attention is drawn to it.
When we are babies, the adults in our lives choose what we should pay attention to. They make sounds, shake things in front of our faces, etc. to gain our attention. When we are young children, we continue to learn in much the same way. Our brain will form patterns based on voice inflections, volume, smells, colors, etc..
We train our brain to pay attention to certain things. We can also un-train our brains to pay attention to new things and form new patterns. When we are in school, our teachers choose what they want us to pay attention to; they provide us with our educational patterns.
What role does the environment play on cognition?
Our environment is what we use to form cognitive patterns (sights, sounds, smells, colors, volumes, etc). Cathy N. Davidson suggests that we learn fear from the change in the tone of our mother's (or anyone else's) voice. We learn to like the music that we are first introduced to until we form a new pattern. Because we are observers when we are babies, our environment plays a huge role in our cognitive development.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
June 3-5
How do we think?
We think by using our brain cells which are called neurons. Our neurons send electrical signals to other neurons. The electrical signals are converted to a chemical within your brain. The chemical it creates is called a neurotransmitter. Different neurotransmitters are created for communication/transmission with different neurons.
How do we learn?
Every experience we have is recorded in the brain. When an experience is recorded in the brain, a connection is made between neurons.
How do we remember?
If we have the same experience over and over again, our neurons become stronger or are "trained." If you don't consistently remind your neurons, your neurons start to forget the connection that it had made. In order to remember properly, you had to have paid attention when the memory was being created.
We think by using our brain cells which are called neurons. Our neurons send electrical signals to other neurons. The electrical signals are converted to a chemical within your brain. The chemical it creates is called a neurotransmitter. Different neurotransmitters are created for communication/transmission with different neurons.
How do we learn?
Every experience we have is recorded in the brain. When an experience is recorded in the brain, a connection is made between neurons.
How do we remember?
If we have the same experience over and over again, our neurons become stronger or are "trained." If you don't consistently remind your neurons, your neurons start to forget the connection that it had made. In order to remember properly, you had to have paid attention when the memory was being created.
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