Digital Divide

Dear Principle,

 

            The digital divide is getting bigger every year. We need to keep up with this demand for more technology in the class room. Many of my students do not have the access to a computer or the Internet. Digital Divide is the gap between the people who don’t have access to the digital technologies and the people that do. There are many effects of the digital inequity. Many are the effects on school and how students use the technologies. Many things affect it like ethnics, geographic, societal and economic factors (Pollard P.157).

            There are many things that can be done to address the digital divide. One thing that was just recently shown to me is the modified smart board. It is the same thing as a smart board but it is cheaper then the actual system. This allows the students to use the computer to do activities on a class scale.

            Also teachers can assign projects that can be completed in one or two class periods. This will allow the students without access to technology that can’t get to it. This is something that is an easy solution to the technological problems.

            Another solution to this problem might be a fundraiser for the school. The teachers can put a fundraiser together to raise money for the technologies needed in the class room. They can set up many events in the community to get them

            These are my recommendation that could happen. Teachers can help in the class room and the community can help to raise money for the school. There are many things online that can help with the digital divide. Many new technologies are online that are free. If there is anything I can do just say.

 

 

                                                                                                Thank You

                                                                                                            Travis Houde

INTERNET SAFETY

There are many things that we can do to protect our children from Internet dangers. Every computer comes with parental controls that can be set to block websites and filter out bad stuff. The bad stuff they would filter out is websites with pornography and Internet predators. As for me, I can address Internet safety in many ways. I can give my students the websites that I have approved for them to use. I can also give them some rules that they will follow during their Internet experience.

            I started some research on my own and I found a good website for teachers. This site has many different rules and tips for teachers to help with Internet safety. Here are some of the tips they give teachers.

Ø  Once the class has started, but before the computers are turned on, discuss what is expected when the students are online.

Ø  Remind the students of any Acceptable Usage Policies they have agreed to.

Ø  Avoid letting students search and wander - they could end up entering areas that are unsafe. Select a few sites of interest and stay focused.

Ø  Look out for students turning off monitors quickly, laughing at something on the screen, grouping around someone else's computer or looking embarrassed. These are all warning signs for potential trouble.

Ø  Reward students who are acting responsibly in the class when on the Internet.  Make them a positive role model for the rest of the class(http://www.netalert.gov.au/advice/safety_advice_by_group/internet_safety_tips_for_teachers.html).

 

This site can help teachers and me for later on. This site has a lot of good advice for teachers who deal with computers more. 

Classroom Netiquette Guideline

Rule 1: Use the golden rule. Treat others how you want to be treated.
Rule 2: Only visit sites that I have provided for you.
Rule 3: Keep all Personal Information personal. That means don’t give out your passwords or phone numbers to any one.
Rule 4: Avoid searching for things that can be other thing then what you intended it to be.
Rule 5: Be creative when emailing. Use abbreviations and emoticons to say what you mean. Its fun and gets your point across.

jigsaw learning

The jigsaw cooperative learning technique is a good way that I can use in my classroom. I hope to be teaching P.E. or math at a basic level. If I decide to teach math, I can use this technique to help my students learn. “The jigsaw classroom is a cooperative learning technique with a three-decade track record of successfully reducing racial conflict and increasing positive educational outcomes.” (Jigsaw Classroom) I will use this technique to help my students learn more and take more away from the lesson, instead of just doing it.
As I read more about the technique, I realize that I have done this before in my other classes. This technique uses groups of individuals to gather data about one topic or subject. Then they get together with the other individuals that have the same subject and discus it with them. After they discuss, they will go back to their jigsaw groups and present the information they obtained. Each kid is getting the information that they need without having to do the research. The jigsaw website says “First and foremost, it is a remarkably efficient way to learn the material. But even more important, the jigsaw process encourages listening, engagement, and empathy by giving each member of the group an essential part to play in the academic activity. Group members must work together as a team to accomplish a common goal; each person depends on all the others. No student can succeed completely unless everyone works well together as a team. This "cooperation by design" facilitates interaction among all students in the class, leading them to value each other as contributors to their common task.” (Jigsaw Classroom) I feel this is very true. I have done this in the short time I have been at Boise state and in high school.
I like this technique and I think it works. The only drawback I see is that they kids will know a lot about the topic they covered and not enough about the others. The test might have information that some students did not cover so the students in the jigsaw group will get it wrong. As I read the strategy page that was provided, I did not see where that would come into play. If I were to follow that, I do not think the students would learn.
A teacher can use this technique to benefit the students by making them improve there listening skill and making them focus on the subject at hand.

assistive technology

There are many reasons why we need to have assistive technology. On the assistive technology site it defines assistive technology as "any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability."( IDEA, 1997, 20, USC, Ch. 33, Sec. 1401 [25] US). Depending on the disabled students at the school, they should budget for technologies that will help them to learn. Some of the students do not need any high tech gadgets, others do need them. ( learning point associates)

technology

I think technology is a key role in teaching. As a coach, I see fellow coaches that are teachers use technology. Many teachers use computers, email, word processor, excel and PowerPoint to get the students to know the information that is being taught.

As a coach, I have to email weights of the kids to the schools for tournaments. I use excel to put the kids weights into their categories. As a teacher, I will have to use power school and other grading programs. I will also have to create syllabus's and worksheets using word.

Technology is a big part of teaching. If I am able to work with these technologies, I will succeed in my chosen field. I plan on teaching physical education or mathematics. Today most students are proficient in technology. A teacher needs to be able to keep up with the growing demand for technology. Technology also allows for teacher to explore new way to teach their students. The student is also learning about the technology that they will be using in the work force.

In one of the articles about technology, it talks about students being "digital natives." I think this is a good term for the students. We live in a world of computers and ipods. The generation under me is going to know how to do many of the basic things by the time they get out of elementary school. Many young kids have cell phones. That is a technology that will allow teachers to stay in touch with the student and with the parents.