DBEJ #2 Web 2.0 and Emerging Learning Technologies/Learning Styles

Quote: "Most of the students have an iPod"

Response: I feel this is a dangerous assumption especially in poor rural areas like most of West Virginia. School districts that have trouble coming up with funds for federally mandated yet unfunded programs will not be able to keep up with the high cost of improving/upgrading technology regularly. "Rural schools are often hard-pressed to provide modern technology in regular programs for students." (Inman-Freitas, 200). This is a quote often found in journals, newspapers and legislative discussions. To assume students/parents in these areas would be able to is simply unrealistic. While technology has its place in the classroom and certainly many benefits we must not assume that all students will have the same access to the most recent state of the art devices.

References:
Web 2.0 and Emerging Learning Technologies/Learning Styles. (2011, May 19). In WikiBooks. Retrieved January 26, 2012, from http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Web_2.0_and_Emerging_Learning_Technologies/Learning_Styles

Inman-Freitas, D. (2000). Efficient financial management in rural schools: common problems and solutions from the field. ERIC Digest, 1991(08),

Hopefully you can tell.....I am an Aural/Vision learner. I learn mostly by seeing something new done and hearing how to do it. I HATE classes that all information is found in the text without explanation during a lecture or hands on experience. Recognizing that my students learning styles will be as varied as their hair colors, I would try to offer information in a variety of styles to support their learning.

Applying ISTE standards to support my teaching style I would choose:

1d.	model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments.  I would work with students using computers to show actual demonstrations/simulations of how to complete assignments.

2c.	customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources. Independent study projects done on computers that could be programmed to adjust to students needs and learning styles

3c.

communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats. I would incorporate email, visual media and newsletters to convey information to students. Offering a variety of resources so that students could acess information in a way that is comfortable to them.

Poll Responses

Go to my poll:  http://www.polleverywhere.com/free_text_polls/LTM5MTU5NDc5Nw

Double Entry Journal #1

Quote: " Simply put, we cant keep preparing students for a world that doesn't exist"

Response: In Virginia Heffernan article "Education Needs a Digital-Age Upgrade" (heffernan, 2011), Ms. Heffernan makes the argument for overhauling the educational process to increase the use of technology in the classroom. While I agree that we should incorporate more technology use in the classroom I think we need to beware of turning over too much of the classroom to digital media. Ms. Heffernan's agrument that "Simply put, we can't keep preparing students for a world that doesn't exist" is also a warning against the use of too much technology. Many advances and upgrades are made each day, and often by the time one learns the use it is already outdated. Therefore, while introducing technology and its available uses, it is more important to teach children to think for themselves and encourage independence. It is also important to teach values, ethics and social interactions that are best modeled through human interaction.

Reference:  Heffernan, V. (2011). Education Needs a Digital-Age Upgrade. New York Times

Related Resource:  http://www.ehow.com/about_5435887_disadvantages-technology-classroom.html offers some interesting drawbacks to too much technology in the classroom.

My name is Carolyn. I am a post grad student returning to get a degree in Elementary Education with a Math 5-9 certification. I grew up as an Army brat so moved frequently and really dont claim to be "from" anywhere. I currently live in Jane Lew, Lewis County and have been in WV for the past 20 years and proud to call it home now. I am just starting this journey with my goal to teach math at the Middle School level.