My Reflection

As I look back, I hve a smile on my face. I has been a wonderful journey. I must say though that at times there were frustration. I said works like, " I can't do this," but it all paid off in the end.

To be honest, I feel very powerful, it that i am more knowledgeable about technology and how I can use web 2.0 tools in my classroom and personally.

I have truly grown. The intimidation that existed before starting this course is gone, in regards to technology. As I continue on my journey, I must admit that this is just the starting point for me. This course has open up the beginning of something that I intend to continue to explore.

As a prospective administrator, I will be an advocate for technology in and school that I am working in. With all the knowledge that I have gained, and will be gaining. I intend to use, and use productively.

I must also say a big thank you to my instructor. First of all for yoyr teaching style, and the methods that you used in the deivery of this course. In Jamaicac we would say BIG UP sir!!

The Future of Mobile Computing and Education

According to Wikipedia, mobile computing is a form of human- computer interaction where a computer is expected to be transported during normal usage.  Mobile computing has three aspects: mobile communication, mobile hardware, and mobile software.   Mobile computing is 'taking a computer and all necessary files and softwares out in to the field. It is being able to use a computing device even when being mobile and therefore changing location.  Portability is one aspect of mobile computing.

One of my favorite quotes as I mention in one of my previous blogs, "Learning is not static it is dynamic." School Districts will have to get on board with technology, more so mobile technology. Not all will be where they want to be at the same time, but they will be revampting their technology plans to include more than they presently have.

The Gartner, Inc. identified 10 top technologies that will be strategic for most organizations in 2011.

• Cloud Computing
• Mobile Applications and Media Tablets
•  Socal Communications and Collaboration
• Video
• Next Generation Analytics
• Social Analytics
• Context-Aware Computing
• Storage Class Memory
• Ubiquitous Computing
• Fabric-Based Infrastructure ans Computers

With these projections by Gartner a leading company in IT research and emerging trends, school will want to educate students to be equipped for the world of work. After all what would our role be if we are not equipping students with the necessary skills to function in society.  However, some students are presently using these outside of the classroom.  The graph below shows how mobile devices are used for learning.  School Districts will have no doubt but to venture into this lanscape of the rapid changes in technology.

As technology continues to infiltrate every corner of the K-12 educational space, administrators, teachers, and students are undoubtly curious about what's coming around the bend in 2011.   Will more school embrace students-centric mobile devices? Will the cloud continue to reign?  To get the answers to these questions the Journal spoke with a handful of technology experts and came up with a short list of top tech trends you will want to watch in the new year. According to The Journal - IT Trends Feature:

1. There will be more momentum for mobile devices in classrooms with an eye toward affordable alternatives to traditional 1:1 rollouts.
2. Web-based instruction will gain more traction at the K-12 level
3. More tech-based monitoring and assessment tols will be incorporated into the instructional mix
4. The cloud will help ease the finicial burden on schools while helping to expand technological capabilities
5. Teachers will have access to expand professional development programs

 According to Roland Rios, director of instructional technology at Fort Sam Houston Independent School District in San Antonio, TX. "Schools are smartening up and letting students use their tools in innovative ways," said Rios, who added that he expects such initiatives to be centrd on concepts like,"ubiquitous learning" and 24/7 access to technology. He went on futher to say that " the schools that "get it" will be the ones that stay ahead of the tech curve. "As educators, we really need to stay on top of this stuff, instead of just catching up."

Another educations commented about the clickers and she said " take the classroom clickers for example, which teachers use to engage studnets, even in the most srowded of classrooms. Combine the assessment tools with the clickers,  and teachers can quickly ascertain whether a lessonhas "sunk in "  or determine whether futher instruction is needed." This technology device gives teachers ral-time data instantly, instead of having to wait for the graded papers and tests to come back.

Advantages of mobile computing in the classroom

1. Improves the delivery of instruction
2. Caters to diversity of learners
3. Students can be actively engaged even from thier seats(Clickers)
4. Conserves on time
5. Readily available information for tecaher and students
6. Global learning

Disadvantages of mobile computing in the classroom

1. Cost effective
2. Unavailablity of Web 2.0  tools
3. Distracting to students

I will conclude my blog with this YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fnh9q_cQcUE







Technology: To Use Or Not To Use?

In response to the question. I do not think teachers have the luxury anymore to choose. The vision for most schools nowadays is technology integration. Catering to the diverse learning styles of our students is the key. As a teacher the students we teach daily are accustomed to using technology daily at home. They spend several hours at home on their PSP, Nintendo DS, iPods, cells phones, My Space etc. etc. Administrators want to know that teachers are using technology in the classroom. Some schools will have more devices that others. But I guess what ever you have available you are expected to use, and I must say use creatively.

In reaction to Dr. McLeod's question , I would say that us teachers do not have a choice. Do we? Any good teacher would want to go with what is best for the children they teach. I would think that incorporating digital technologies in to my daily instruction would be the appropriate thing to do. Any particular classroom is comprised of students with diverse needs and a variety of learning styles. These styles need to be catered for in order for learning to take place, and if using technology is the answer to this , then I am going to use it. If I do not know much, then I am going to get myself equipped.  The students we teach daily are completely "wired" (as one person said), outside of school. So if keeping them "wired" in the classroom is what it takes to keep them engaged, and learning. Then, that what I am going to do.

Development does not have school attached to it( my opinion). If there is a teacher that is willing to step out of the box, and get things done. Then s/he should do it. As you know it will not be easy on the part of the teacher, but if that particular teacher can justify why such as technology is needed, and how it can facilitate learning, administrators will support.  It all goes down to proposal writing. Use empirical evidence to show why this development is for the benefit of students, and thus school.

One of my favorite statement is that "Learning is not static, its dynamic." I am sure all teachers share this view. So we as teachers need to continually upgrade ourselves. My opening video sums up how some of us feel at the start of venturing into something new, and how we feel are actually doing it. Sometimes it turns out better than we think.

Horizon Report

The Horizon Report has really given me an insight  as to where Tecnology in going.  One of the latest trend in technology as referred in the report is mobile computing. This a very powerful computing device that has grown over the past three years and is growing.   From reading this I was taken back to the start of the course where Wendy and "My PLE" and all the things she was doing on her cell phone. Also Mrs. Davis in her class where she got the students to link all their Web 2.0 tools to their cell phones so information can be access anywhere.

Both The Horizon report and Classroom 2.0 are media where technology users and experts can dialog with each other about technology devices, their impact in education and teaching and learning. The future is bright for my first graders as I can see the direction that technology is heading. This is just a snopsis of what the future holds for technology. The report can help with technology planning in that school district and school boards can get an insight of technology trends so they can plan accordingly.

National Education Technology Plan

The National Education Technology Plan 2010

“By 2020, American will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world.”

Barack Obama, Address to Congress, February 24, 2009.

The National Education Technology Plan

After reading the National Education Technology Plan (NETP), I can say that the vision is similar to the Cumberland County Schools Technology Plan (CCSTP) in that both plans are geared to  equip students with the neccessary skills needed to functional as global citizens with students from other countries.  The NETP has nave some effect on the CCSTP as technology is identified as a major factory in catering to the digital natives of the 21st Century.  Both plans are geared to producing technologically literate students.  The NETP recognises that "technology is at the core of virtually every aspect of our daily lives and work, and we must leverage it to provide engaging and powerful learning experiences and content, as well as resources and assessments that measure students achievement in more complete, authentic and meaningful ways." The CCSTP "would be a catalyst to ensuring that all  students that walk through our doors would leave armed with the knowledge and technology and technology skills needed for a successful future in the new millennium."

The NETP presents a model of learning powered by technology, with goals and recommendations in five essential areas: Learning, assessment, teaching, infrastructure, and productivity.

 I must say that based on what I have seen in my school  and school district technology, plays a very vital role in education. This is evident as all classrooms are equipped with a smart boards, at least 2 computers and elmos. Teachers are trained in how to use these tecnology devices to enhance the teaching and learning process daily. To equip each classroom with these technology devices is a big task. The School Board  did play a big role in this.

Based on empherical evidents School Boards should have come to realize that technology is important. I invite you to read this Blog:- vision.http://blogs.esri.com/Info/blogs/gisedcom/archive/2007/11/13/new-21st-century-technology-education-report-offers-vision-and-actions.aspx

This video is also a good one too, that can be used to show school boards how important it is to equip schools with the necessary web 2.0 tools needed.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-ZVCjfWf8

Schools can "educate" their school boards that web 2.0 tools are essential in school as part of daily learning, by showing them the positives of using the tools in the classroom. These include:

Positives

1. Enhances the teaching and Learnig Process

2.Motivates learners

3. Allows for active engagement

4. Student centered lessons

5. Equip students with technological global skills

6. Differentiated instruction

7. Caters to diverse learners

Negatives

1.Costly equipment - both to install and service

2. Abuse of access

"If the School Board lacks the vision the School District and students will perish." 

 School boards are important in the decision making process where education is concerned, so they have to visionaries where 21st Century technology is concerned in education. If this happens the presidents vision will be realized.



Internet To Block or Put A Lock!





To Block Or Put a Lock



The internet is a powerful source of information and forum for free expression. It has become one of the most popular sources for accessing information and communicating with friends, family and people across the globe.  However, sometimes users use the internet in negatives ways. These include cyber bulling, slandering, and pornography.

There have been several debates as to how much internet access should be allowed in schools in recent times. In December 2000, Congress passed The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requiring all public schools that receives federal funds for internet access to install blocking software.  Specifically, CIPA requires schools and libraries that receive federal funds for internet access under the E-rate Program of the Universal Service Program and the LSTA to adopt internet safety policies. CIPA requires schools to:

1.      Monitor the online activities of students under 17 years of age.

2.       Restrict access of minors and adults to visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography  and content that are harmful to minors.

I think internet access should be controlled in schools.  However, as the web above shows teachers could have more access to more websites that do students. Yes, I want students to have access, but most students cannot be trusted and will go farther than are expected to.  I strongly agree that access to the internet impacts learning. These 21st  Century students love these technology devices and they gravitate to them. The internet is one way that teachers can motivate students in the classrooms. When teachers have more access to some sites they are able to pick material that is suitable for students.  Many of these web 2.0 tools such as YouTube and Twitter have many advantages and can impact learning in many positive ways. There are several educational videos that are available on YouTube that can be used to enhance the learning process and cater to differentiated instruction in the classroom.  Twitter can be used to help students in their writing and also motivate them to write more.   

Technology is the most effective way we have found for introducing students to the global nature of information. It allows users to find, synthesize, and share information in a variety of unique ways. Cumberland County schools (CCS) District Technology Policy students have Legal obligations. Students in Middle and High school have internet accounts and they and parents have to sign an agreement stating that they agree to adhere to all federal, state, and local laws regarding the use of technology. 

Internet in schools

Teachers and students have access to the same number of sites via the internet, such as yahoo and google. Some sites that are blocked by CCS are Facebook, Twitter, YouTube just to name a few.

As a teacher at CCS I would be happy if some of these sites were made available to teachers.  However not only CCS but a number of other school district also block these sites. This is telling me that some teachers cannot be trusted as well.  As Steve McLeod stated in his article Blocking the Future and I quote, " If a district has decided to figure out ways to facilitate technolgy usage and empower students and staff, the policies will follow accordingly. If a district determine to treat technology from a fearful or wary standpoint, its policies will reflect that position as well. 

Education, Supervision and Monitoring

 
It shall be the responsibility of all members of the Cumberland County Schools

staff to educate, supervise and monitor appropriate usage of the online computer

network and access to the Internet in accordance with this policy, the Children’s

Internet Protection Act, the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act, and the

Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act.

Procedures for the disabling or otherwise modifying any technology protection

measures shall be the responsibility of the Executive Director of Technology or

designated representatives.

Fake MySpace/Facebook Issues - My Stance

Social networking is a way for one person to meet up with other people on the net. Social networking sites are online communities of internet users who want to communicate with other users about areas of mutual interest, whether from a personal, business or academic perspective.  The specific functionality of the various sites may differ, but in general, the sites allow you to provide information about yourself and communicate with others through email, chat rooms and other forum.

The popularity of social networking sites, such as MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and others has exploded in recent years, with usage in the United States increasing 93% since 2006, according to Netpop Research.   The sites are popular not only with teenagers, but with adults as well: the number of adult internet users having a social networking profile has more than quadrupled in the past four years, according to the Pew Internet and American Life Project.

Social network sites are growing in popularity as attack vectors because of the volume of users and the amount of personal information that is posted. The nature of social networking sites encourages you to post personal information.  Because of the perceived anonymity and false sense of security of the internet, users may provide more information about themselves and their life online than they would to a stranger in person. The information you post online could be used by those with malicious intent to conduct social engineering scams and attempt to steal your identity.

According to the Cumberland County School (CCS) District Technology Policy students have Legal obligations. Students in Middle and High school have internet accounts and they and parents have to sign an agreement stating that they agree to adhere to all federal, state, and local laws regarding the use of technology. These include but not limited to:

701JAR 5L120 Prevention of Objectionable Material Transmitted to Schools via computer

KRS 434.854 Misuse of Computer Information

The Student Technology Use Policy is intended to work with other District School policies. Violations of school discipline codes and/or other policies where technology is used can be considered a Violation of the Acceptable Use Policy. Students are not permitted to do the following: Harassing, insulting or attacking others. 

 Violations of these policies may result in restricted technology privileges suspension of all technology privileges or other consequences deemed appropriate. The consequences will follow the guidelines in the School/District Code of Conduct/Discipline Policies and deemed appropriate by the school principal and/or district Superintendent.

As a prospective administrator maybe I would have reacted to the situation as the administrators reacted in the cases I have read. If a student should create a slanderous MySpace or Facebook profile about me, my reaction would be dependent on the content of the slander. I think I would want to probably file a law suit, just to teach the students involved a lesson, as one principal did.

From my perspectives school districts should include policies in their School’s Code of Conduct where parents and students sign at the start of the year. These should include the consequences in creating slanderous profile of both staff and students on the various social networking sites, such as Facebook and MySpace. I would ensure that students are aware that when they indulge in these activities it could have lasting implications.

For example middle and high school students should be aware that college admissions officers and school administrators, do visit these sites and in some cases, admissions are denied to applicants, or disciplinary actions have been taken because of information or photos posted on line. Employers also review these sites for information about potential job applicants.  

Some consequences I would include as an administrator are:

• Suspensions of up to ten days
• Ensuring that student make a public apology and recant slanderous/malicious profile created

 What Administrators May Legally Do

These are some relevant Case Laws that can support administrators if they decide to take legal actions against a student who creates malicious or slanderous profiles about them on MySpace or Facebook:

1.      Bethel School District v. Frazer, which said public schools, could “prohibit the use of vulgar and offensive terms in public disclosure.”

2.      Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, which said, “educators do not offend the First Amendment by exercising editorial control over the style and content of speech so long as their actions are reasonably related to legitimate, pedagogical concerns.”     

3.      Morse v. Fredrick, which ruled that school officials, could censor a student’s speech that was “reasonably viewed as promoting illegal drug use.”

4.      1976 district court case that upheld school jurisdiction over off- campus student speech. Fenton v. Stear, where the court ruled “when a high school student refers to a high school teacher in a public place on a Sunday by a lewd and obscene name in such a loud voice that the teacher and others hear the insult, it may be deemed a matter for discipline in the discretion of the school authorities.