The use of iPod Touches in the classroom strikes me as best when used with individuals. The reason for this is not because the applications are more suitable for individuals, but rather because of the physical constraints that the size of the iPod Touch dictates. Now, with the 5th graders I see, pair work would work with the iPod Touches only if the students were in same-sex pairs. The screen size is small enough that the students would need to be cheek-to-cheek, and the boy-girl pairs I see working together are reluctant to even talk to each other. I'm sure that this differs class to class and grade to grade.
I have learned a bit about the iPod Touch, since I haven't used them much before. I realize now that some applications only work when you have connection to the internet while others work without a connection. For example, the Dictionary.com app works when connected while the Merriam-Webster Dictionary works while offline. Also, the battery life of this little device is quite impressive. I've only had to charge my iPod Touch once this quarter, and it retains its charge even when not in use. Basic as this seems, it is critical for the functionality in a classroom setting. Knowing that these devices can be used for prolonged periods without charging will greatly increase their usability in the classroom.
I am still wondering about the process of getting iPod Touches (or any other technology, for that matter) for the classroom. Where do we apply for grants and/or who do we apply to? I realize it was a long process to get the iPod Touches for us to use. Will it be easier or more arduous to obtain these resources for use in a public school?
Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Tech Post 2: iPod what?
I don't know if I'm alone here, but somehow I don't think so. Unfortunately, I have not been able to use my iPod Touch in any classroom except for the purpose of recording conferences and interviews. For these purposes, the iPod Touch has been a great assistant. It's fantastic to actually get to engage in talking with students rather than being bogged down by note-taking.
Nevertheless, I have not used any of the apps or other features with my students. I think the main reason behind this is that with only 1 iPod Touch available, it is impossible to have our students engage in this style of learning. I could demonstrate with it under the doc cam, but a computer does the same job, only better.
Consequently, my opinion about the use of iPod Touches to assist with differentiated instruction has not changed since my first post on this topic. I still think that there is a lot of potential for these devices to assist in learning; but, because I haven't seen this technology in action, I have not developed any more specific ideas or questions about using iPod Touches for differentiated instruction.
One theoretical question that I have is about where the line is drawn between complex instruction and differentiated instruction when it comes to utilizing technology. Is the benefit of the personalized instruction provided by each student having an iPod Touch worth the minimization of group work that results? Would a different tool (such as a laptop, with a bigger screen) lend itself better to fostering social and emotional learning? This makes me wonder whether or not iPod Touches are the best available technological tool for enhancing classroom learning.
Nevertheless, I have not used any of the apps or other features with my students. I think the main reason behind this is that with only 1 iPod Touch available, it is impossible to have our students engage in this style of learning. I could demonstrate with it under the doc cam, but a computer does the same job, only better.
Consequently, my opinion about the use of iPod Touches to assist with differentiated instruction has not changed since my first post on this topic. I still think that there is a lot of potential for these devices to assist in learning; but, because I haven't seen this technology in action, I have not developed any more specific ideas or questions about using iPod Touches for differentiated instruction.
One theoretical question that I have is about where the line is drawn between complex instruction and differentiated instruction when it comes to utilizing technology. Is the benefit of the personalized instruction provided by each student having an iPod Touch worth the minimization of group work that results? Would a different tool (such as a laptop, with a bigger screen) lend itself better to fostering social and emotional learning? This makes me wonder whether or not iPod Touches are the best available technological tool for enhancing classroom learning.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Tech Post 1: Differentiated Technology
iPod Touches are a fantastic, relatively-affordable way to provide differentiated instruction. Below are a few ways that I see iPod Touches could be used to help some of the students in my classroom.
For students who are advanced readers, the iPod Touch provides access to an Amazon Kindle app, on which all of the copyright-free classic literature is available for free! Students will be able to access more literature through this electronic medium than is available at their school (and even local) library. Also, the iPod Touch has a free app that accesses Dictionary.com, allowing students to look up words quickly and build their vocabulary as they read. Having access to this literacy-development tool would be purely beneficial as long as students are reading on the iPod Touch at appropriate times during the day.
Many students need a starting place for organizing their responsibilities. Thus, instead of the soon-to-be "old-fashioned" paper planner, students could use the organizer on the iPod Touch. They have the options of creating voice memos for themselves, typing brief reminder notes, or using the calendar feature. For this to be truly effective, the students would need to be issued their own iPod Touch for the year and be responsible for taking it home, charging it, and treating it with care. The iPod touch offers a great opportunity for students to develop their organization and accountability skills.
The iPod Touch has many free apps that offer reference material, such as math formulas and explanations for how they're used, how they originated, and examples of the formula in action. These reference materials could be used to help support students who thrive with visual aids. Also, this kind of iPod Touch tool could help students learn how to make the most of their resources and develop independent learning skills.
The iPod Touch could also be used as a keyboard/typing instrument. Many students who have physical trouble writing cannot get the assistance they need to scribe, and they do not have access to a computer to type. If students had iPod Touches, they could use these to assist them in completing assignments which would otherwise require hand-written work. One disadvantage of using the iPod Touches for this purpose would be that typing is difficult and there is no Word document format for the iPod Touch. However, using this tool to help students complete work would probably still be more beneficial than having students sit around when the rest of the class is doing hand-written work.
Some students prefer to not speak in front of the whole class to offer their opinion. Thus, having iPod Touches would provide a way for students to participate in surveys and other real-time problem-solving without having to speak in front of the class. Ideally, other strategies would be used to help all students feel comfortable sharing their ideas with the class. However, this is a great interim activity that would help all students participate by using a different medium.
For students who are advanced readers, the iPod Touch provides access to an Amazon Kindle app, on which all of the copyright-free classic literature is available for free! Students will be able to access more literature through this electronic medium than is available at their school (and even local) library. Also, the iPod Touch has a free app that accesses Dictionary.com, allowing students to look up words quickly and build their vocabulary as they read. Having access to this literacy-development tool would be purely beneficial as long as students are reading on the iPod Touch at appropriate times during the day.
Many students need a starting place for organizing their responsibilities. Thus, instead of the soon-to-be "old-fashioned" paper planner, students could use the organizer on the iPod Touch. They have the options of creating voice memos for themselves, typing brief reminder notes, or using the calendar feature. For this to be truly effective, the students would need to be issued their own iPod Touch for the year and be responsible for taking it home, charging it, and treating it with care. The iPod touch offers a great opportunity for students to develop their organization and accountability skills.
The iPod Touch has many free apps that offer reference material, such as math formulas and explanations for how they're used, how they originated, and examples of the formula in action. These reference materials could be used to help support students who thrive with visual aids. Also, this kind of iPod Touch tool could help students learn how to make the most of their resources and develop independent learning skills.
The iPod Touch could also be used as a keyboard/typing instrument. Many students who have physical trouble writing cannot get the assistance they need to scribe, and they do not have access to a computer to type. If students had iPod Touches, they could use these to assist them in completing assignments which would otherwise require hand-written work. One disadvantage of using the iPod Touches for this purpose would be that typing is difficult and there is no Word document format for the iPod Touch. However, using this tool to help students complete work would probably still be more beneficial than having students sit around when the rest of the class is doing hand-written work.
Some students prefer to not speak in front of the whole class to offer their opinion. Thus, having iPod Touches would provide a way for students to participate in surveys and other real-time problem-solving without having to speak in front of the class. Ideally, other strategies would be used to help all students feel comfortable sharing their ideas with the class. However, this is a great interim activity that would help all students participate by using a different medium.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Privacy, Please
With all the other communication options out there, it's a wonder that blogging still exists.
In many ways, Twitter and Facebook have dominated the market for communication between us and our vast number of friends. These tools allow us to express our feelings about the latest news in our lives and broadcast them to a huge audience of, theoretically, people who care about us.
Blogging differs only insomuch as there is an expectation that you will write more than a couple of sentences. Also, it is a medium for which you can choose to be anonymous...although one could argue as to the effectiveness of this (since most of you reading this know who I am). I think that blogging is the best (and maybe only) tool online that is most similar to keeping a journal. My only huff is that I wouldn't want people snooping around in my journals...so why would I want them to read my blog?
Nevertheless, blogs, along with all the other technological fancies we've used this quarter, are yet another tool for us evaluate whether we want to pursue or not. Certainly, as teachers, blogging does enable us to become one step closer to forming a professional community. However, I think that there are more effective tools that we could use to form that professional alliance, maybe even wikis or a simple discussion forum platform.
Somehow, despite these months of writing publicly, I still feel that the words here ought to be more private. I suppose that's why Blogger gives you the option of customizing your audience.
In many ways, Twitter and Facebook have dominated the market for communication between us and our vast number of friends. These tools allow us to express our feelings about the latest news in our lives and broadcast them to a huge audience of, theoretically, people who care about us.
Blogging differs only insomuch as there is an expectation that you will write more than a couple of sentences. Also, it is a medium for which you can choose to be anonymous...although one could argue as to the effectiveness of this (since most of you reading this know who I am). I think that blogging is the best (and maybe only) tool online that is most similar to keeping a journal. My only huff is that I wouldn't want people snooping around in my journals...so why would I want them to read my blog?
Nevertheless, blogs, along with all the other technological fancies we've used this quarter, are yet another tool for us evaluate whether we want to pursue or not. Certainly, as teachers, blogging does enable us to become one step closer to forming a professional community. However, I think that there are more effective tools that we could use to form that professional alliance, maybe even wikis or a simple discussion forum platform.
Somehow, despite these months of writing publicly, I still feel that the words here ought to be more private. I suppose that's why Blogger gives you the option of customizing your audience.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Solitude - Parachilna Gorge
Why are we stuck with using textbooks as our only classroom resource? Look at the vast amount of information in this photograph! Students could learn about a different country, weather, land formation, biology, and virtually anything else to do with the environment, not to mention how the exquisite artistic element of photography will most likely engage students so much more than a textbook.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Making Decisions: Considering Legal Issues
The other night, I was listening to some Intelligence for Life on the radio. They were talking about how we have to be extra conscious about the photos that we post on the internet. This may seem like a no-brainer, but the example they gave made me recalibrate my thinking.
The radio program gave the example of a doting parent wanting to share pictures of their baby with their friends. If they were to post a cute picture of their baby splashing in the tub on a site such as Picasa, they might find themselves faced with charges for distribution of child pornography. Obviously, the doting parent had no intention of committing such a heinous act, but in this world of digital document distribution, we must rethink the way that others interpret our actions.
When we hear stories of teachers being charged for any sort of wrong action or behavior I wonder whether they were aware of the legal issues behind their choice. Given, some of the messes that these teachers find themselves tangled in are probably regretted, blatant errors in judgment. However, there must be many situations that do not present themselves as obvious, wrong choices...like sharing your cute baby pictures with friends on the internet!
The radio program gave the example of a doting parent wanting to share pictures of their baby with their friends. If they were to post a cute picture of their baby splashing in the tub on a site such as Picasa, they might find themselves faced with charges for distribution of child pornography. Obviously, the doting parent had no intention of committing such a heinous act, but in this world of digital document distribution, we must rethink the way that others interpret our actions.
When we hear stories of teachers being charged for any sort of wrong action or behavior I wonder whether they were aware of the legal issues behind their choice. Given, some of the messes that these teachers find themselves tangled in are probably regretted, blatant errors in judgment. However, there must be many situations that do not present themselves as obvious, wrong choices...like sharing your cute baby pictures with friends on the internet!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Techie-Trekkies
Isn't it absolutely astounding how we, the young generation of tomorrow, are engulfed in the finite details of the modern technological age? Where is the line drawn between gorging ourselves on the tools at our disposal and retaining our privacy?
Every new generation of technology makes older ones more accessible. Example: the latest model of iPhone may be ghastly expensive, making one that is 1 generation older now affordable.
Everything is becoming digitized; which is probably a good thing. But, is it entirely a good thing to not retain a hard copy of data? What happens to businesses? When will the internet, remote-servers, networks, hard-drives, etc. become so reliable that we switch entirely over to electronic record-safekeeping?
Key word: safekeeping. How private are remote servers, or "cloud-computing" practices? For me, this is one of the most intriguing tech topics that is emerging (alternately, if you're in the tech world, this is old news). Do we trust that a third party will keep our secrets secret? How can they?
Technology runs every aspect of our lives. In fact, we have become so symbiotic with tech that we have no control over how it impacts our lives. Think about the medical field (automation and tools) and engineering feats (drawings, structural calculations); there's no way we're ever going back to the days of guess-and-check and multiple assistants, blueprints and algebraic scrawls.
That's all been left in the dust. Where do we stand now?
Every new generation of technology makes older ones more accessible. Example: the latest model of iPhone may be ghastly expensive, making one that is 1 generation older now affordable.
Everything is becoming digitized; which is probably a good thing. But, is it entirely a good thing to not retain a hard copy of data? What happens to businesses? When will the internet, remote-servers, networks, hard-drives, etc. become so reliable that we switch entirely over to electronic record-safekeeping?
Key word: safekeeping. How private are remote servers, or "cloud-computing" practices? For me, this is one of the most intriguing tech topics that is emerging (alternately, if you're in the tech world, this is old news). Do we trust that a third party will keep our secrets secret? How can they?
Technology runs every aspect of our lives. In fact, we have become so symbiotic with tech that we have no control over how it impacts our lives. Think about the medical field (automation and tools) and engineering feats (drawings, structural calculations); there's no way we're ever going back to the days of guess-and-check and multiple assistants, blueprints and algebraic scrawls.
That's all been left in the dust. Where do we stand now?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)