Equality! Wednesday, Jan 30 2008

 I think that some very valid points were brought up in Jsarnett’s blog in which he looks at equality in technology not to mention other areas.  Valid questions were presented in this blog such as:

Will we ever be totally equal?  Well…can you think of ANYTHING in which every state, school, occupation, life, etc. is equal?  I can’t…and I doubt it will ever be….but as strive to give our students the best, obstacles will always be part of that journey.

I have to agree with the comments made and the questions ask in this blog entry because things are never equal.  It really doesn’t matter in what area one is discussing, because at no time does anything ever receive equal treatment.  It is my opinion that technology is no exception.  I also agree with the fact that as educators, we need to try and make things as equal as possible for our students!

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What is social networking technology? Wednesday, Jan 30 2008

I apparently posted this entry with just a title and forgot to write about my question – this is what happens when someone gets to much on their plate.  So here we go; what is social networking technology?  According to a post by Danah Boyd, “Let’s define our terms” she presents the question: what does social networking technologies mean to you?  From reading Ms. Boyd’s post, there has apparently been a major debate regarding a previous post she made when she stated that sites like Facebook and MySpace really doesn’t have an educational purpose in the classroom. 

So in answering the question that was presented in this particular post, I would have to say that my definition of “social networking technologies” would have to be any type of technology that brings individuals together in a cyberspace environment for the purpose of sharing information and communicating about any topic and/or subject of interest to them.  So I guess that to define these types of technologies would include chat rooms, on-line networked games (WOW, Runescape, etc.), on-line dating services, blogs, discussion boards, etc..  I must add that I feel that some are more effective than others for the purpose of networking!

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A New Way of Communicating Tuesday, Jan 29 2008

As we look at communication and how it has changed over time, I believe that the blog: Time Goes By – What it’s really like to get older provides good insight into how some individuals are just not “keeping up with the times”.  Apparently a new book by Sarah Boxer called Blogs is new to the market and trys to show the world what blogs and the blogging community is all about.

As we move through the technological age, there is a new form of writing that can be found, which is much less scripted.  I must admit, that individuals are a lot less stressed when it comes to grammatical errors not to mention spelling when they are blogging.  But in many cases, I do believe that this is due to the fact that the thoughts are flowing and to stop for such foolishness as grammar and/or spelling would “kill the moment”.

I have been a secretary for much of my adult life and I am a product of the old business schools where one must type fast and be very accurate.  I was trained to type 70 wpm with little error and proof read like a demon.  That was in the days of typewriters (how many remember what those are?).  But as time goes by and technology advances people are communicating on a global perspective and it is my opinion that spelling and grammar has become a second thought.

I understand what Ms. Boxer is saying about blogs and bloggers but I think it may be time that she moves into the 21st century and have respect not only for the old way of writing but also for the new technological way of writing.  My opinion on this matter is that one should have a very large knowledge base regarding a subject they wish to write and comment about.  My best friends dad always said: “Its okay to be stupid but to open your mouth and let everyone else know you are stupid is just not acceptable!”.

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Thin Walled Classrooms – How Effective Are They? Monday, Jan 28 2008

Dr. Lowell has requested that we take a look at the term “thin walled classrooms”.  After some research it is my findings that thin walled classrooms represent classrooms that are not binded by walls and can stretch across geographical regions.  As we look at culture and technoloogy, this would be a wonderful example of how culture and technology intersects.  With this type of classroom environment, I am not sure how the language barriers work but I do believe that it would be a wonderful experience for all those involved in this type of educational environment. 

When I think about the type of “thin walled classrooms” I would like my students to be involved with, I would like to see one that addresses how other countries utilize technology in their educational settings.  I teach Information Technology and I think that it would be a wonderful experience if my students could interact and communicate with students learning the same concepts.  This would be an excellent way for students to pair and share across the globe.

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The Importance of Access Saturday, Jan 26 2008

I always enjoy reading Clarence Fisher’s blogs and since week two focused on “access”, I felt that this blog was a prime example of how important access is :Remote Access: Choosing Tools.  Clarence provides insight into the important role technology plays in today’s educational system.  He also talks about his take on it as a parent of a child who needs access in order to succeed.

After reading this blog entry, I really began to see how an individualized computer for each child could be very benefical.  I also have a ten year old son which was “lucky” enough to get a laptop for christmas.  I have noticed that he too enjoys school work much more because he likes to “research” topics. (don’t get me wrong, that is not all he does – most of the time is spent on games). I have not let him take it to school yet because I am not sure of his responsibility level.  But I will have to say that my son also goes to a school where his laptop would be more than welcome.

As we look at access, we need to really stop an assess how many of our students in classrooms today really have access.  We also need to stop an look at how many of our educators and leaders are promoting access.  I think that Clarence Fisher ask some fairly interesting questions in this particluar blog entry:

But what if Alexander attended a school where he was not allowed to bring in a laptop from outside? What long term disadvantage would he be in because of these policies? What effect would that have on him and his learning? How will it effect his vision of information, of access, of learning with his having access at his desk to the world from the age of ten?

As educators, we need to ask ourselves these questions.  When we think of disadvantages because of the lack of access it  would be too numerous to count.  It used to be that different places throughout the United States progressed at different rates because of where they were located.  For example, I lived in Michigan and my cousins lived in rural eastern Kentucky.  When I would come to visit, I had access to many different things that they haven’t even heard of yet (i.e. music, popular toys, etc.)  Many of the “technologies” back then hadn’t made it to the rural areas of the US.  We really don’t find that in today’s society and mainly that has to do with “access”!

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Access and Educational Opportunity: Does it really exist? Friday, Jan 25 2008

As we read and look at the information that Dr. Lowell wanted us to think about in week 2, I would have to say that the information on pages 12 and 13 of the textbook discusses some of the things we are trying to address, which is access and educational opportunity and does it really exist.  Lets take a look at what the textbook states four important aspects assoicated with access and how they relate to educational opportunities:

1. Access to up-to-date hardware, software, and connectivity:  I think Dr. Lowell hit the nail on the head when he stated; “consider what the term “up-to-date” means” in his most recent blog entry: phaedrus » Blog Archive » Four Barriers? Really?  As educators, we focus on wanting the most current “up-to-date” technology but what is “up-to-date” in regards to technology.  I think we know when something is “out-dated” because one will not be able to use it or will not correspond with todays technology standards.  But anyone who deals with technology knows that the minute you push the button to order your “new computer”, that something newer and better is being invented!

The second access that the books talks about is meaningful, high-quality, and culturally responsive content and the opportunity to contribute to that content.  It is my opinion that the Internet provides this form of access for any educational opprotunity but it is not always utilized by students and teachers.

Thirdly, it states access to educators who know how to use digital tools and resources.  This is interesting because the textbook stated that while schools were “quick to hop on the hardware-acquisition bandwagon, they dedicated very small percentages of budgets to training in how to use these resources”.  I believe that if they are refering to the public educational system, the textbook would be correct.  As an educator, when I see the new technology come into the schools, I find that teachers toss them in the corner because they may have only had a 30 minute training on the equipment and really have no idea how to utilize the technology in their lessons.

And we come to the fourth type of access mentioned in the textbook.  Access to systems sustained by leaders with vision and support for change via technology.  I find that leaders are even worse in utilizing technology because they are not in the classrooms and the most they do with technology is e-mail mean messages out to their staff.   Most leaders in the educational systems are quick to purchase technology without actually knowing how it will impact the educational process.

I had a professor once, that was also an Assistant Superintendent of a district in our area, and he stated that he never purchased technology (hardware, software, etc.) unless the principals and teachers could demonstrate the impact that it could have in their school and/or classroom.  So as an educator, I always try to ask myself when I am wanting new equipment, how will this impact me as a teacher and are my students going learn better by having this type of technology.

I think that as educators, we have trouble providing opportunities that allow them “access” through technology because classrooms are not computer labs and even in todays world, not all students have computers with Internet access at home. (OMG can you believe that!)  I am lucky in that I teach in a computer lab and my students do have access but my students haven’t been trained to utilize that access for educational purposes.  Students can find any game but when ask them to research a country, they act as though they don’t know how (go figure:) ).

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Is the World Really Flat? Tuesday, Jan 22 2008

Dr. Lowell pointed out a blog written by Stephen Downes: Half an Hour: The Village on Stilts and after reading his take on his visit to Malaysia, a comment was made regarding a statement made by Thomas Friedman indicating that the world was flat (in technological terms) but I wanted to stop and assess that comment for just a moment.  Yes, the world is becoming flat because of technology but I feel that we have a long way to go to get there.

For those of us who live in the United States and don’t really travel to “see the world” (which most of us don’t because of money) we are very “narrow minded” about what is really out there.  I love the US, don’t get me wrong, but we are a very spoiled nation in that we have everything that we want or need at our finger tips – literally!  But other areas of the world are not so lucky; they do well just to have safe drinking water. 

We are very fortunate in that we do have technology and that our educational system  along with our culture embraces advancement but other areas are not so lucky and when we are stuck in the classroom and not experiencing the world, I think we have a tendency to forget what goes on in the “real world”.  As educators, we must remember, that since we do have the “tools” to know what is really going on in the world, it is our responsibility to educate our children and hopefully provide them with the knowledge on how to help change the world to where it really is flat!

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Social Networking Sites – What role do they play in education? Monday, Jan 21 2008

After reading the blog that Dr. Lowell refered us to, apophenia – danah boyd, I would have to say that Danah Boyd brought up some really good points regarding MySpace and Facebook sites, aka SNS (Social Networking Sites).  I also agree with Boyd when she states that these types of websites really don’t have a place in the classroom setting.  These sites are basically supportative tools for students beyond the classroom in that they provide a wonderful opportunity for students to communicate with each other but they are not educational and I am not really sure how they could be used as an educational tool (I will have to give that some thought!).  Most students use sites such as Facebook and MySpace as a way to communicate with the individuals they already know and most are afraid to go beyond that small group because of what they have been “taught” about Internet safety and the people that are out there.  Which as a teacher and a parent, I am really glad that this is the case.

Maybe as educators we need to rethink the SNS and try to tap into the appeal that they have with the young generation.  As educators, we all know that we need all the help we can get to keep the youth actively involved in the educational process

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Intersections of Culture and Education Wednesday, Jan 16 2008

When we come to an intersection in a road, it is usually a fairly easy choice as to which way we need to turn based on where we need to go.  But on some occasions, we may just be out for a friendly drive and take a chance on the turns we make.  In these instances, some of our turns may lead us down a road where wonderful treasures can be found or great scenery can be viewed.  Other times, we may end up in a part of town that may not be what we are used to.  But regardless, we are never lost, only temporarly misplaced!   In Dr. Lowell’s blog, he makes reference to a blog in which he reads called Time Goes By in which the author discusses how a teacher had the ability to stagnate her desire to become a writer at the early age of 15.   Dr. Lowell talks about how this is a prime example of how culture and education meets at an intersection. (phaedrus » Blog Archive » Time Goes By: Here’s an intersection of Culture and Education.)

I found this blog to be very enlightening because it provides a perfect example of how adults view concepts differenly then children and on more occasions than not, are not open minded enough to help water the garden that lives within children’s minds.  As educators, hopefully we are older than the children we teach (especially at the elementary and secondary levels) and our culture will be much different then the culture our students are experiencing.  But we still are responible for providing them with an educational experience that will help them to flourish in any and all areas that interest them, much like the 15 year old girl in Time Goes By who felt she had written a wonder creative story in which “Houses had Personalities” but her teacher, which was from a different culture, had another opinion about her story.

Dr. Lowell presents the questions: Does it happen today? Could it happen today? What effect has technology had on Education or Culture that would have any bearing on a teacher’s ability to gut punch a kid like this?  In my opinion, it does still happen today in more classrooms than not!  Technology does play a role in culture and education but I am not sure that it has helped to eliminate the gut punching of children in classrooms throughout the world!

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Education, Technology, and Culture: Where does it all fit in? Tuesday, Jan 15 2008

When the topic of education, technology, and culture and the relationship between the three was presented by Dr. Lowell in his “Things to Write”, I went to www.dictionary.com to determine what the “technical” definition was for all three.  This was my findings:

Education: Is the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgement, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectully for mature life.  It also stated that is was the act or process of imparting or acquiring particular knowledge or skills, as for a profession.

Technology: Is the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society and the environment, drawing upon such subjects as industrial arts, engineering, applied science and pure science.  The sum of the ways in which social groups provide themselves with the material objects of their civilization.

Culture:  Is a quality in a person or society that arises from a concern for what is regarded as excellent in arts, letters, manners, scholarly pursuits, etc.  A particular form or stage of civilization, as that of a certain nation or period.

Now, what does all this mean and what is the relationship between the three?  I have absolutely NO idea! (just kidding)  In the English language, it is funny how words have meanings and the meaning may conjure different images for different individuals.  For me, the relationship between the three (education, technology and culture) would be something like this:

Education is an integral part of any culture along with technology and vise versa.  For any society to be successful, they must have all three along with a respect for what each one represents.  It’s kinda like asking: “which came first, the chicken or the egg?”  Which came first, culture, education or technology?  In my personal opinion, I would have to say that each are closely inter-related but would probably fall in the order in which I stated above.  According to the definition stated above, culture deals with a “quality” in a person or society that arises from concern.  In most societies, the major concern is improvement and this is where education falls.  Education allows a culture to advance and compete at a global level and through education, comes technology.  Technology is a tool that allows for advancement within a culture along with education.  Now with all that being said, how do we keep all three advancing through time?

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