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.