Cell Phones in Schools

This morning on CBC radio there was a discussion on the use of cell phones in high schools. There are problems with students text messaging and making calls during class time, and in more severe incidents the cameras are being used to film people in locker rooms and the videos are posted on You Tube. Some schools in the United States have banned cell phones completely. Students and parents argue that cell phones are useful for potential emergencies and for making arrangements for rides after school. Parents feel better knowing they can contact their child if necessary. The teacher being interviewed believes that these are valid reasons for students to carry cell phones, and doesn't think that phones should be completely banned from schools. However, rules regarding use need to be established and enforced. Inappropriate use of phones disrupts the learning environment for all students. I agree with this teacher; I think that banning phones is a little extreme, but rules need to be set and most importantly, enforced by teachers.

The Art of Penmanship

A few people have discussed on their blogs the possibility of penmanship becoming obsolete as people use keyboards increasingly more. I think that it is important to teach children both penmanship and keyboarding skills, because both are necessary. While children should be encouraged to use computers for writing, they should not become dependent on a machine to do their writing for them all the time. What happens when the power goes out? And isn't it easier and cheaper to jot something down on a sticky note than to use a PDA? There is also something much more personal and special about receiving a hand-written letter than an e-mail. On the other hand, for people who struggle with spelling, writing on a computer is an enormous advantage thanks to spell check. It comes down to a matter of personal preference, but I think that both hand-writing and keyboarding skills should be held in equal esteem in education.

Citizen Journalism

As I was getting ready for school this morning, I was listening to CBC radio, and they were talking about the development of what is called "citizen journalism". Basically it is where people who are not journalists by occupation are writing and informing others about news items. For example, the trial regarding the murders of prostitutes on the Pickton pig farm in BC is receiving massive media attention. A news website (I can't remember what it was called) has hired sex trade workers to attend the hearings and report on them. The rationale behind this is that these people will have insider's knowledge of the case and can perhaps give a more in-depth perspective than the average journalist. As is happening in other areas of expertise through technology, people who are not "professionals" are being given the chance to contribute their own unique knowledge and skills. Supporters say that this results in a type of journalism that is more subjective than objective, and perhaps lends a more human perspective to the news. Opponents worry that if everyone were to become "journalists" that many conflicting stories would result and credibility would be nill. This would lead to a very untrusting view of anything that is seen and reported in the news - it would become harder to discern fact from fiction.

This is yet another example of how technology is restructuring the way we live our lives and receive our information. At this point I lean towards getting my news from traditional forms of journalism because these people are held to certain standards of credibility. At the same time, though, even professionals have the capacity to make mistakes and be dishonest. I am already critical of the media, and I think that sometimes what isn't said says just as much as what is said. Perhaps more truly relevant stories will come out of citizen journalism, things that might not be brought to our attention otherwise. Anyone can recap the latest celebrity weddings and breakups from the last year, but how many people are truly aware of the plights of people in places in Africa like Sudan and the Congo? If anyone has any thoughts on this I'd be glad to hear them.

Thoughts on Tuesday's Class

So I have to say, I was having my misgivings about this computer class last week, but I am starting to come around. The reason I am taking this class is because I think it is important as a teacher to keep up with the times, and I wanted to learn more about computers and how they can be used in the classroom. So far it has been challenging trying to figure things out - a lot of times I feel completely lost in class - but without challenge, there can be no real learning, right? Things will get easier as I become more comfortable using computers, I think. I am keeping my mind open, and I am learning some really cool things. I had no idea that the database program on Google existed, and I see how it could be a very useful tool when keeping track of student's grades. I am already pretty familiar with using Microsoft Word, but it was neat to learn all sorts of tricks and shortcuts on the program that I didn't know about before. Things are looking up!

Tech Task #1

My name is Vanessa Richter. Some of my favourite things in life include my cat named Frank, red velvet cake, figure skating, and Monty Python. I am 22 years old and grew up in the little town of Nokomis, Saskatchewan. I lived there with my parents and my sister who is three years younger than me. I went to the same school from Kindergarten to Grade 12, which was a great experience. After graduation, I attended Briercrest College for three years, where I received a BA in General Studies. Ever since I was a kid I knew in the back of my mind that I wanted to be a teacher, yet I did not want to commit to anything until I was absolutely sure. I had a lot of time to think about what kind of career I wanted during my time at Briercrest, and came to the conclusion that I definitely wanted to be a teacher. I am now in my second year of the Elementary Education program at the U of R, but because I have a semester’s worth of transfer credits from Briercrest, I am currently taking the classes that I would normally be taking in my eighth semester. This means that I will end on my internship, which everyone in their fourth year tells me is a great thing!

My first experience with computers was in elementary school, with the old computer screens that were composed of fragmented images in orange and black. The Mavis Beacon typing program was obligatory, and in our free time we got to play games like “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?” and “Midnight Rescue”. My family bought their first computer when I was ten years old. Oh, the excitement! I used that computer to play many games, and as I got older, to type out school assignments. When I was fifteen we bought a new computer that could handle the Internet. I didn’t use the Internet that often, only to e-mail and do research for assignments. Up to this point, that is basically what I have used computers for – to type essays, e-mail people, and look up information. I often find myself annoyed with friends who spend all their spare moments on the Internet, and I think it is especially rude when they are IMing at the same time they are talking to me on the phone. I guess this explains my limited use of computers – I see how they have the potential to make us a self-centered, isolated society, and I don’t want to be a part of that. However, if used properly I think computers are useful tools in communicating and learning, and I would like to gain more knowledge of how to use technology to its best advantage.

I think that technology can be a powerful educational tool in the K-12 classroom. A whole world of ideas and information can be readily accessed, and kids can use computers to present their assignments in non-traditional ways. Kids who struggle with reading, writing, or math may be exceptionally good at using computers, so it gives them a chance to succeed at something and boosts their self-esteem. Technology can also increase their global awareness, helping them understand that there is a world beyond their own experience, with people who are just like them but who lead different ways of life. It helps them realize that they are part of a larger community. While I think technology can be used effectively in classrooms, I also think that its use should be limited. Kids need plenty of personal interaction and hands-on experience. They need to learn how to do research in a library and experience the pleasure of holding a book in their hands. It must be emphasized to them that although computers are great for learning and communicating, they are merely tools to accomplish these aims and should not be used at the exclusion of other forms of learning.

Through this class I want to learn more computer skills and grow more confident in using technology. I want to discover websites and resources that I can share with my students and that will aid me in my teaching. Teachers must stay current if they want to effectively interact with their students; technology is here to stay and is slowly transforming the way we live. I think it’s important for me to educate myself as much as possible about technological trends so that I can view them critically and use them to their best advantage. Right now I feel a little out of my comfort zone in this class, but I hope that by the end of this semester I will feel more comfortable with technology.

Blog #1

Well, here it is, my first blog. My friends will be so impressed, because I have a reputation of being technologically impaired. I have made this for my computer class, and hopefully by the end of the semester I will be a technological whiz! Here's hoping...