Below is a website which is intended to help parents talk with their children about navigating the Internet safely. It includes information on using social networks, cyberbullying, and protecting computers from malicious software. Take a look.
"Net Cetera: Chatting with Kids About Being Online,"
The guidebook is part of a project involving government agencies and technology companies to provide practical tips on Internet use. The Web site includes experts' tips on a range of computer-related topics, games to test your tech smarts, and videos about online safety.
taken from Digital Education
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Music + Work = Success????
This is an interesting read for parents as well as educators. As I was reading through this post I was listening to some background music via Pandora. I am constantly listening to music as I work, and I wonder if it is beneficial to allow students to do the same...
News Flash? Screen Time Detracts from Homework
Students would rather do just about anything than their homework. There's no news there. It probably won't be a surprise either that more than three-fourths of middle school students spend three hours or more a day in front of a computer, television, or cellphone screen. All this time with technology, a new report says, comes at the expense of homework, which the majority of students devote less than an hour to each day.
The "Raytheon U.S. Middle School Students Math Habits Study" looked at the habits and attitudes of middle school students toward math and homework.
The report, however, seems to suggest that students would be doing homework if they didn't have all this screen time, an assumption that probably wouldn't match up with reality. It also doesn't necessarily account for the time students spend in front of the television or computer while doing their homework.
I know I'm not the only mother in the world who regularly hounds her children about turning off the television during homework time. I'm sure I'm not the only one who loses that battle on a regular basis either.
My kids, and especially my middle school aged daughter, insist that they concentrate better with background noise. That is their perception, but research suggests otherwise. Studies on students who multitask—do homework while exchanging text messages while listening to music on their MP3 player—have found that they do not generally do any of the simultaneous tasks as well as they could.
Some teachers, however, told me recently that they now allow students to listen to their music through headphones at times during class, resulting in more students seeming to focus intently on their work. At Atlanta's Roswell High School, students are allowed liberal use of their music players, although cellphones are still banned. When I visited the school earlier this month, several students told me they are better able to concentrate on academic work when they are listening to music.
Of course, as a card-carrying middle-aged person I'm supposed to dismiss such utterances as youthful foolishness. I stopped to think twice about my own attitude, however, when I donned my earbuds while writing a story the other day, a habit I've picked up to drown out the noise and activity around me in the office. I was making great progress in analyzing my notes and doing some final research on the Web while working on my piece. But after about 40 minutes of deep concentration, I snapped out of my trance when the song I was listening to repeated. It was only then that I realized my player was set to repeat mode and that the same song had been playing over and over the entire time.
What's the policy in your school?
Smartpen
I'll give the Armstrong-Ringsted CSD, and the AEA (Becky Kinnander) a bit of a pat on the back for bringing this new technology to the fingertips of our students...
SIIA names top education market products
The Livescribe Pulse Smartpen and the Waterford Assessment of Core Skills (WACS) have been named the top products in the Software and Information Industry Association's Innovation Incubator program, which connects developers of promising new education technologies with industry leaders and established organizations. Key words: SIIA, Livescribe, Waterford Institute, Ed Tech Business Forum, education technology
Are Cellphones a Health Hazard??
One legislator in Maine, as well as the mayor of San Francisco, would like to raise awareness of the potential of cellphones to cause brain cancer, although scientific evidence to support that claim is mixed, according to this Associated Press article. Andrea Boland, who serves in Maine's House of Representatives, as well as Mayor Gavin Newsom, want cellphones to carry warnings that they may contribute to brain cancer.
According to the article, some countries require a cancer warning on cellphones, but none of the 50 U.S. states or the federal government requires such a warning. In fact, "the European Parliament has passed a resolution calling for governmental action to address concerns over health risks from mobile phone use," says the article.
However, the National Cancer Institute says that, so far, results from studies about the subject have been mixed and inconsistent. Part of the problem, researchers say, is that cellphones haven't been around long enough to determine long-term effects.
Considering how ubiquitous cellphones are, especially with teens and twenty-somethings who often use cellphones exclusively, it seems like more research on this subject is desperately needed. What do you think? Should legislators err on the side of caution, or wait until more definitive research comes out before taking action? And what role should schools play regarding this issue?
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Thoughts on Technology Education...
The Texas Legislature has agreed to allow individual districts to decide whether to continue requiring credits of health, PE, and computer applications for graduation.
I feel as though this is a question that should be pondered by all... The Armstrong-Ringsted CSD has lowered the amount of PE credits that are required for a student to graduate. We have also "opened up" the "old" computer applications requirement to include any class that the Business Department and Industrial Technology departments offer, as well as Graphic Design (a computerized Art class).
Question:
Starting in kindergarten, are students so immersed in computer education that by the time they graduate, basic computer skills are mastered, without the computer technology credit we require?
Some feel as though the "learning as you go" approach will not work because the technology curriculum is not mapped out and taught in a sequential manner to the students. Is this how students learn best? In an organized and planned manner with adequate assessments along the way. I'll pose the question again, would our students have the technical skills they need if we did not require them to take the computer technology credit?
Now to create some real confusion: Are schools teach students the technology skills needed in the future? Will student be using computers like we are using them now? I remember when I was in school and I was supposed to learn how to type correctly. I was to place my fingers on the home keys and develop the skills of "proper" typing. Well, if anyone has ever been in my office while I am typing they will quickly see the manner in which I type (not the proper way). I recently took a jump into the next century and started to text with my cell phone. Once I started to text, I figured out that those typing skills that I was "supposed" to learn back in typing class did not pertain to this type of communication. My "solo mission" typing skills work great for this sort of communication. Now I will say that it would have been very helpful when I was in college if I had listened in typing class I may have completed my term papers in half the time.
Do schools do justice in regards to the amount of technology exposure we offer our students?
I feel as though this is a question that should be pondered by all... The Armstrong-Ringsted CSD has lowered the amount of PE credits that are required for a student to graduate. We have also "opened up" the "old" computer applications requirement to include any class that the Business Department and Industrial Technology departments offer, as well as Graphic Design (a computerized Art class).
Question:
Starting in kindergarten, are students so immersed in computer education that by the time they graduate, basic computer skills are mastered, without the computer technology credit we require?
Some feel as though the "learning as you go" approach will not work because the technology curriculum is not mapped out and taught in a sequential manner to the students. Is this how students learn best? In an organized and planned manner with adequate assessments along the way. I'll pose the question again, would our students have the technical skills they need if we did not require them to take the computer technology credit?
Now to create some real confusion: Are schools teach students the technology skills needed in the future? Will student be using computers like we are using them now? I remember when I was in school and I was supposed to learn how to type correctly. I was to place my fingers on the home keys and develop the skills of "proper" typing. Well, if anyone has ever been in my office while I am typing they will quickly see the manner in which I type (not the proper way). I recently took a jump into the next century and started to text with my cell phone. Once I started to text, I figured out that those typing skills that I was "supposed" to learn back in typing class did not pertain to this type of communication. My "solo mission" typing skills work great for this sort of communication. Now I will say that it would have been very helpful when I was in college if I had listened in typing class I may have completed my term papers in half the time.
Do schools do justice in regards to the amount of technology exposure we offer our students?
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Food for Thought...
In regards to the current status of Educational Reform in our State, as well as around the Nation, here are a few thought provoking quotes taken from the book I am currently reading:
(Catching up or Leading the Way)
"We are faced with a choice of what we want (in schools): a diversity of talents, of individuals who are passionate, curious, self-confident, and risk taking; or a nation of excellent test takers, outstanding performers on math and reading tests."
"Researchers suggest that in order to nurture creativity, schools need to set aside physical space for long-term projects and research as well as adopt a generous field trip policy."
So, what is the Armstrong-Ringsted CSD currently doing in regards to creating a nurturing and creative environment for our students?
Via our District's Professional Development Opportunities, Mr. Waldstein, our Curriculum Director recently introduced to the staff to some glimpses of what the Iowa Core Curriculum and their research says about meaningful field trips or at the very least transforming our classrooms into whatever the class is currently studying (immersion).
Do our Teachers really transform their classrooms? You bet!
If you walk into Ms. Redman's Mathematics room you would quickly determine what they are studying. There is an enormous rainbow taking up the entire wall which deals with pennies and mathematical facts. Her classes are having a competition that deals with pennies, and the pennies will eventually be donated to a charity.
Ms. Redman and Mr. Fitzgerald also transform their classrooms and the Middle School Hallway into Pies as they celebrate Pie Day on March, 14th of every year. (3.14). What a sight that is, makes me hungry for Pie just thinking about it...
I also remember back to last year when Mrs. Gappa was studying rain forests with the Elementary students. I walked into her classroom one day and the students were transforming the classroom into an actual rain forest. They were busy cutting out pictures, asking questions of each other, working together as teams, as well as asking the teacher some questions.
These are only a few of the glimpses of what the teachers and students are busy creating and learning in this district.
(Catching up or Leading the Way)
"We are faced with a choice of what we want (in schools): a diversity of talents, of individuals who are passionate, curious, self-confident, and risk taking; or a nation of excellent test takers, outstanding performers on math and reading tests."
"Researchers suggest that in order to nurture creativity, schools need to set aside physical space for long-term projects and research as well as adopt a generous field trip policy."
So, what is the Armstrong-Ringsted CSD currently doing in regards to creating a nurturing and creative environment for our students?
Via our District's Professional Development Opportunities, Mr. Waldstein, our Curriculum Director recently introduced to the staff to some glimpses of what the Iowa Core Curriculum and their research says about meaningful field trips or at the very least transforming our classrooms into whatever the class is currently studying (immersion).
Do our Teachers really transform their classrooms? You bet!
If you walk into Ms. Redman's Mathematics room you would quickly determine what they are studying. There is an enormous rainbow taking up the entire wall which deals with pennies and mathematical facts. Her classes are having a competition that deals with pennies, and the pennies will eventually be donated to a charity.
Ms. Redman and Mr. Fitzgerald also transform their classrooms and the Middle School Hallway into Pies as they celebrate Pie Day on March, 14th of every year. (3.14). What a sight that is, makes me hungry for Pie just thinking about it...
I also remember back to last year when Mrs. Gappa was studying rain forests with the Elementary students. I walked into her classroom one day and the students were transforming the classroom into an actual rain forest. They were busy cutting out pictures, asking questions of each other, working together as teams, as well as asking the teacher some questions.
These are only a few of the glimpses of what the teachers and students are busy creating and learning in this district.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Welcome
Welcome to my first Blog Page. This is my attempt to try and stay as current as possible to the student's we are serving here at the Armstrong-Ringsted CSD in regards to technology use. The main objective of this page is to try and keep parents and student in the loop in regards to current "happenings" in and around the Armstrong building...
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