Journal #4

Basham, J. D., Perry, E., & Meyer, H. (2011). It's in the bag. Learning and Leading with Technology, 39(2), 24-27. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-september-october-2011.aspx T

he article, “It’s in the Bag” introduces us to the Digital Backpack, a backpack full of different forms of technology like a laptop, a tablet, etc. for the use of students. The digital backpack is beneficial for students because it includes lesson plans and activities pertaining to class provided for by the teachers. With this technology, teachers can change and modify lessons based on their students needs by just the click of a button. The idea of a “digital backpack” to me seems a bit skeptical. The article included no information as to how schools will receive funding for such a thing. Just one bag would surpass over a thousand dollars! And that is only for ONE student! And what happens when a student damages the products included in the digital backpack? The article included no information pertaining to that either… Do their parents pay for it? Do the taxpayers pay for it?

Q. Have there been any studies with students using the “digital backpack?”
A. Yes, students used their backpacks while on field-trips with their class. Elementary School Students went to the zoo and used pictures and videos where they created presentations. Middle School Students used their backpacks to research fossils and write a paper on it. And high school students created a movie using video cameras.

Q. How many studies have been conducted according to the article? How realistic are they?
A. Three studies had been performed, all three in different areas of schools. An elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. Personally, I dont think that the backpack idea is very realistic, because schools arent exactley provided with the adequate amount of funding to begin with, let alone to buy this digital backpack. However, if grants are available, provided by those that believe and are passionate about the idea, funding may be accessable.

Journal #3

Morehouse, J. (2011). Students dig up dirt to learn about internet safety. Learning and Leading with Technology, 39(2), 34. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/Leading_and_Learning_Docs/september-2011-learning-connections.sflb.ashx

The article, “Students Dig up Dirt to Learn about Internet Safety” Morehouse discusses a lesson plan he has created in order to teach his students the importance of online safety and the proper precautions that should be made. He starts out by informing readers what can be found through the use of the internet and how that information can affect various parts of one’s life.  His lesson plans involves students piecing together information about a specific person using the internet as a tool and then having them presenting their findings. By participating in this assignment, students experience what it means to be safe on the internet and become more aware of the dangers of giving out too much information about themselves.

Q. Why is internet safety so important?

A. Internet safety is important because of sensorship. It is important to sensor information about yourself on the internet for many reasons. Some common risks would be when applying for jobs, elected offices, or schools information about your personal life should not be too available.

Q. What can I do to keep  my information more private?

A. You can better sensor yourself by making your personal and social network sites private to only specific viewers. You can also decide to disengage yourself with social networking all-together. And if you do not like that idea, you can simply use social networking for professional uses only.

Journal #2

Ferguson, H. (2010). Join the flock. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(8), 12-14. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/Leading_and_Learning_Docs/June_July_2010_Join_the_Flock.sflb.ashx

McClintock Miller, S. (2010). Enhance Your Twitter Experience. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(8), 14-17. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/Leading_and_Learning_Docs/June_July_2010_Join_the_Flock.sflb.ashx 

The articles, “Join the Flock” and “Enhance Your Twitter Experience” discuss the many educational benefits that Twitter acquires through a Professional Learning Network, or “PLN.” They express the importance of networking with fellow educators. Ferguson talks about the processes of building relationship with colleagues and then slowly learning from them at work, whereas Twitter has the capability of quickly turning strangers into a community of learners and educators. Miller says that without Twitter, she would have never been able to connect with teachers around the world who have helped her with lesson plans. The articles also go in further in depth discussing the steps in creating a Twitter and how to link up with others.

Q: How can I find other educators to follow?
A: One way to find people to follow is by checking out lists that people create and then discover even more Tweeters from there. This will slowly build your PLN. You can also search for key words that will hook you up with many users with similar interests. It can be beneficial to search through more followers of those you are following and read through their short bios.

Q. What is a PLN?
A. I PLN (Professional Learning Network) is an online community of individuals trading information and learning together. It can be for one specific purpose, or it can be more of a broad subject. For instance, you may become a part of an educational PLN, or you can be more specific and become part of a historical educational PLN.