Bree Colwell
Journal #9
“Technology in Ethiopian Schools” is an article published in the March 2006 issue of ISTE’s magazine “L&L”. I found this article to be profoundly interesting. A U.S. agency developed a program for the students in Ethiopia. The U.S. wanted to integrate technology into their schooling. The students were provided with computers, scanners, cameras, printers, projectors and education on how to use these items. This program was beneficial to the students because this new technological knowledge provides students with an opportunity to be able to keep up with the demands of the world. Over half of their country is below the poverty line and with this knowledge the students can get a better job in order to support their families.
1) As a teacher, how would you convey to your students the benefit of an education in technology?
I would show my students how many jobs use computers every day, from McDonalds to Washington Mutual. I would then assign homework and only half of the class was allowed to use the computer and the other half to use another resource. I expected the same from all students, and they would then say “That’s not fair” we would then have a discussion about how everyone needs to be equal and how technology is important no matter where you go.
2) Are there other topics that could be taught along with the previous lesson?
I feel that teaching compassion and cooperation is a large part of being a teacher. These as well as many other valuable lessons could be incorporated into the previous lesson. Show that the U.S. is helping other countries with their education for students would be my starting point to a larger lesson on how compassion and cooperation never ends.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Journal #8
Bree Colwell
Journal #8
Virtual Schooling is an interesting topic because I myself and down the middle about why or when we should implement VS. The students who have a difficult time getting to school weather it be because of transportation or personal obligations I think VS is a great idea. A great example would be the students who were displaced due to Hurricane Katrina, they are having difficulties with personal obligations and if they had the resources to keep up in their school work, VS would be a great tool for them. On the other hand, those students who just don’t want to go to school are missing out on a social aspect that I feel all students should experience. Making friends at school is a great networking tool for life. I don’t know where I would be with the friends and experiences that I made while in high school.
1) Do you think a virtual teacher can replace the classroom teacher?
Personally I feel that the VS teacher is very important, but the relationship that you build with your teacher on a daily basis is so important. It is the beginnings of learning how to work with peers and superiors that you might not like or agree with. Many times students who live on the computer lack a sense of belonging to an affiliation and going to school provides that.
2) Do you think VS will contribute to the constant growth of childhood obesity?
Walking around campus will burn more calories that sitting at a computer. When enrolled in a school, there is PE and or recess where students run around and get their heart pumping. When they eat lunch in the cafeteria, the lunches are healthier because of district standard but if the student were at home, they would eat what ever was faster to make.
Journal #8
Virtual Schooling is an interesting topic because I myself and down the middle about why or when we should implement VS. The students who have a difficult time getting to school weather it be because of transportation or personal obligations I think VS is a great idea. A great example would be the students who were displaced due to Hurricane Katrina, they are having difficulties with personal obligations and if they had the resources to keep up in their school work, VS would be a great tool for them. On the other hand, those students who just don’t want to go to school are missing out on a social aspect that I feel all students should experience. Making friends at school is a great networking tool for life. I don’t know where I would be with the friends and experiences that I made while in high school.
1) Do you think a virtual teacher can replace the classroom teacher?
Personally I feel that the VS teacher is very important, but the relationship that you build with your teacher on a daily basis is so important. It is the beginnings of learning how to work with peers and superiors that you might not like or agree with. Many times students who live on the computer lack a sense of belonging to an affiliation and going to school provides that.
2) Do you think VS will contribute to the constant growth of childhood obesity?
Walking around campus will burn more calories that sitting at a computer. When enrolled in a school, there is PE and or recess where students run around and get their heart pumping. When they eat lunch in the cafeteria, the lunches are healthier because of district standard but if the student were at home, they would eat what ever was faster to make.
Journal #7
Bree Colwell
Journal #7
“Should schools regulate offsite online behavior?” was published in the March 2007 “L&L” by ISTE and it was amazing. There are two sides to every story and this is no different. Nancy Willlard spoke on the yes side stating that cyberbullying over flows into the classroom and makes the learning environment hostile and the students feel unsafe. Lynn Wiettecha spoke on the no side stating that teachers already have a long list of responsibilities with the state standards and is it realistic to ask teachers to take on another responsibility. Lynn made a very good point about teaching children to look both ways before crossing the street, it is not reasonable to expect the teacher to walk everywhere with the students and assist at all street crossings. I personal feel that offsite online activities should fall on the parent’s shoulders.
1) How would teachers monitor offsite online postings?
If the school district is having difficulties with cyberbullying, then the school should hire a professional computer person to constantly monitor the websites. It is amazing how knowledgeable the students are with computers.
2) Should students be responsible for solving situations that happen online?
I feel that students learn how to handle situations that occur outside of school. Parents should be involved with their children so they know if there is a problem with classmates. Learning how to handle yourself is a part of growing up.
Journal #7
“Should schools regulate offsite online behavior?” was published in the March 2007 “L&L” by ISTE and it was amazing. There are two sides to every story and this is no different. Nancy Willlard spoke on the yes side stating that cyberbullying over flows into the classroom and makes the learning environment hostile and the students feel unsafe. Lynn Wiettecha spoke on the no side stating that teachers already have a long list of responsibilities with the state standards and is it realistic to ask teachers to take on another responsibility. Lynn made a very good point about teaching children to look both ways before crossing the street, it is not reasonable to expect the teacher to walk everywhere with the students and assist at all street crossings. I personal feel that offsite online activities should fall on the parent’s shoulders.
1) How would teachers monitor offsite online postings?
If the school district is having difficulties with cyberbullying, then the school should hire a professional computer person to constantly monitor the websites. It is amazing how knowledgeable the students are with computers.
2) Should students be responsible for solving situations that happen online?
I feel that students learn how to handle situations that occur outside of school. Parents should be involved with their children so they know if there is a problem with classmates. Learning how to handle yourself is a part of growing up.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Journal # 6
Bree Colwell
Journal #6
“Social Justice: Choice or Necessity?” was an article published in the March, 2007 in Learning & Leading with Technology magazine published by ISTE. I found this article to be profoundly interesting. David Miller defines social justice as how the good and bad things get distributed among the members of human society. I think it is very true that students need to be technologically fluent in order to keep up with the fast past education system. So many students fall behind each year because they don’t have the same opportunity as other students in their class. In the article a section on “Examining the Framework” stated that students are expected to hand write a rough draft to the can later type it on a computer when the class goes to the computer lab. I feel that hand writing a rough draft is really important because student can’t always rely on spell check. They also need to know proper grammar and sentence structure because the computer will not pick that up for them. With many programs such as Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, and the public library students can have access to technology.
1) How can the state make technology more justified?
I think the state should distribute the computers more evenly across the schools depending on the school population. I feel each student should have the same opportunity whether they go to South Central High or La Jolla Country Day.
2) How do the low income schools provide internet for their students?
The internet company should donate a subscription to the school district so the students are able to use the internet and the money that would be use for the internet could go to more supplies.
Journal #6
“Social Justice: Choice or Necessity?” was an article published in the March, 2007 in Learning & Leading with Technology magazine published by ISTE. I found this article to be profoundly interesting. David Miller defines social justice as how the good and bad things get distributed among the members of human society. I think it is very true that students need to be technologically fluent in order to keep up with the fast past education system. So many students fall behind each year because they don’t have the same opportunity as other students in their class. In the article a section on “Examining the Framework” stated that students are expected to hand write a rough draft to the can later type it on a computer when the class goes to the computer lab. I feel that hand writing a rough draft is really important because student can’t always rely on spell check. They also need to know proper grammar and sentence structure because the computer will not pick that up for them. With many programs such as Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, and the public library students can have access to technology.
1) How can the state make technology more justified?
I think the state should distribute the computers more evenly across the schools depending on the school population. I feel each student should have the same opportunity whether they go to South Central High or La Jolla Country Day.
2) How do the low income schools provide internet for their students?
The internet company should donate a subscription to the school district so the students are able to use the internet and the money that would be use for the internet could go to more supplies.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Journal # 5
Bree Colwell
Journal # 5
This article was published by Parade on February 25, 2007 entitled “How to fight the new bullies”. To tell you the truth, this article hit a little too close to home. I was a victim of school and IM bullying. I was in middle school and I wasn’t the prettiest girl in school there for I had very few friends. The popular girls though it was funny to pick on those less fortunate. To this day I remember crying and wishing I could be accepted for who I was. This article talks about how many students are bullied by others and the sad thing is that the originator will not be caught. In many cases the bullied child is too scared to say anything.
1) How would you reduce bullying in school?
I would have the students write down something they don’t like about themselves and then turn it in. I would read the comment, which would be anonymous, and have a discussion about everyone has something they would like to change, therefore we need to accept students for how they are. Each student is important and they need to feel needed.
2) How can parents be informed of their child’s behavior?
I would tell the parents that the child’s computer should be in a visible place so the information can be well monitored. Many times children stay up to late playing games and talking to people online they shouldn’t be. Parents should have controls on student’s computers so they only have access to child appropriate sites.
Journal # 5
This article was published by Parade on February 25, 2007 entitled “How to fight the new bullies”. To tell you the truth, this article hit a little too close to home. I was a victim of school and IM bullying. I was in middle school and I wasn’t the prettiest girl in school there for I had very few friends. The popular girls though it was funny to pick on those less fortunate. To this day I remember crying and wishing I could be accepted for who I was. This article talks about how many students are bullied by others and the sad thing is that the originator will not be caught. In many cases the bullied child is too scared to say anything.
1) How would you reduce bullying in school?
I would have the students write down something they don’t like about themselves and then turn it in. I would read the comment, which would be anonymous, and have a discussion about everyone has something they would like to change, therefore we need to accept students for how they are. Each student is important and they need to feel needed.
2) How can parents be informed of their child’s behavior?
I would tell the parents that the child’s computer should be in a visible place so the information can be well monitored. Many times children stay up to late playing games and talking to people online they shouldn’t be. Parents should have controls on student’s computers so they only have access to child appropriate sites.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Journal # 4
Bree Colwell
Journal # 4
“From toy to Tool” is an article published by L&L and written by Liz Kolb. This article talks about how cell phones can be used in the classroom as tools. Instead of a teacher telling the students not to bring their cell phones to class, the teacher reminds them to bring the phone. By logging on to Gabcast and following the instructions given, teachers and students can post their own information. For teachers this is great because students can now interview first hand and take the interview and post it online for everyone to see and hear. The teacher has made her phone available to use if a student doesn’t have one, but they can also call from a land line because they are using a toll free number.
1) How could teachers use this technology to better there classroom?
Teachers can do so many things with this new technology. They would be able to post homework help online so that students could have their very own tutor at home. They could also log on to get homework if they were out sick. The teacher could post information while on vacation if need be and if the computer was down. The possibilities are endless.
2) Explain one lesson plan that you could use this Gabcast for.
The students would meet up with a historical person (someone who witnessed or lived through a historical event). They would take their phone with them and interview the person. During their presentation to the class, the student could refer to the interview as audio clips.
Journal # 4
“From toy to Tool” is an article published by L&L and written by Liz Kolb. This article talks about how cell phones can be used in the classroom as tools. Instead of a teacher telling the students not to bring their cell phones to class, the teacher reminds them to bring the phone. By logging on to Gabcast and following the instructions given, teachers and students can post their own information. For teachers this is great because students can now interview first hand and take the interview and post it online for everyone to see and hear. The teacher has made her phone available to use if a student doesn’t have one, but they can also call from a land line because they are using a toll free number.
1) How could teachers use this technology to better there classroom?
Teachers can do so many things with this new technology. They would be able to post homework help online so that students could have their very own tutor at home. They could also log on to get homework if they were out sick. The teacher could post information while on vacation if need be and if the computer was down. The possibilities are endless.
2) Explain one lesson plan that you could use this Gabcast for.
The students would meet up with a historical person (someone who witnessed or lived through a historical event). They would take their phone with them and interview the person. During their presentation to the class, the student could refer to the interview as audio clips.
Journal # 3
Bree Colwell
Journal # 3
This article was published by L&L and written by Glenn Bull entitled “Video in the age of participation”. I had no idea how many different resources there are available to teachers on the internet. Through various websites, the weather and climate are just a click away. For example, National Geographic’s web cam you can see Pete’s Pond, a wild Africa site. It is amazing how you can “see” what is going on in other countries. Over nine thousand workshops have been given to over two hundred thousand teachers about DEN (Discovery Educators Network). DEN provides teachers and students with capability to edit and remix licensed unitedstreaming content. About seventy percent of schools in U.S. subscribe to unitedstreaming services. It is up to the teachers to link resources to learning outcomes.
1) How could I use the National Geographic web cam in my classroom?
I would have my students log on to the web came once a day at the same time to see what the animals/people in other countries are doing. I would have them track what they see and have them write a summary of any patterns or non patterns that they observed.
2) How could students incorporate web cams into their everyday life?
For those students who are surfers, they can check out the waves before heading out to the beach. They could also communicate with distant relatives on a regular basis.
Journal # 3
This article was published by L&L and written by Glenn Bull entitled “Video in the age of participation”. I had no idea how many different resources there are available to teachers on the internet. Through various websites, the weather and climate are just a click away. For example, National Geographic’s web cam you can see Pete’s Pond, a wild Africa site. It is amazing how you can “see” what is going on in other countries. Over nine thousand workshops have been given to over two hundred thousand teachers about DEN (Discovery Educators Network). DEN provides teachers and students with capability to edit and remix licensed unitedstreaming content. About seventy percent of schools in U.S. subscribe to unitedstreaming services. It is up to the teachers to link resources to learning outcomes.
1) How could I use the National Geographic web cam in my classroom?
I would have my students log on to the web came once a day at the same time to see what the animals/people in other countries are doing. I would have them track what they see and have them write a summary of any patterns or non patterns that they observed.
2) How could students incorporate web cams into their everyday life?
For those students who are surfers, they can check out the waves before heading out to the beach. They could also communicate with distant relatives on a regular basis.
Journal # 2
Bree Colwell
Journal # 2
The magazine Learning and Leading with Technology published by ISTE wrote this article entitled, “Breathing Fire into Web 2.0”. I found the article interesting how something was designed for one particular use, but has adapted to fit the needs of many. MyDragonNet was designed initially for online storage and calendar system but has evolved to a communication device for students, teachers, parents and many others. Now the person you wish to get a hold of is only a click away. They are comparing it to Web 2.0, which is very helpful in todays fast past world.
1) How would I use this or a similar version in my classroom?
I would be much more available to my students, co-workers, parents and much more. I would also post my lesson notes and slides so the students can ask questions even though I am not right by there with them. Students would also be available to help each other so they could work collaboratively.
2) Would students find this helpful?
I think many students who don’t do their homework have questions and don’t know whom to ask. Many times parents have forgotten how to do math problems and the correct English grammar usage. I feel students would benefit greatly thus improving the quality and quantity of homework turned in.
Journal # 2
The magazine Learning and Leading with Technology published by ISTE wrote this article entitled, “Breathing Fire into Web 2.0”. I found the article interesting how something was designed for one particular use, but has adapted to fit the needs of many. MyDragonNet was designed initially for online storage and calendar system but has evolved to a communication device for students, teachers, parents and many others. Now the person you wish to get a hold of is only a click away. They are comparing it to Web 2.0, which is very helpful in todays fast past world.
1) How would I use this or a similar version in my classroom?
I would be much more available to my students, co-workers, parents and much more. I would also post my lesson notes and slides so the students can ask questions even though I am not right by there with them. Students would also be available to help each other so they could work collaboratively.
2) Would students find this helpful?
I think many students who don’t do their homework have questions and don’t know whom to ask. Many times parents have forgotten how to do math problems and the correct English grammar usage. I feel students would benefit greatly thus improving the quality and quantity of homework turned in.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Journal # 1
Journal #1
The article was written by Eleanor Yang Su of the Union Tribune and was titled; “Professors adjust their methods to reach technology-savvy generation”. This article is very interesting because I am one to multitask. To tell you the truth, I was eating dinner while reading the article and it is so true. Teachers are having a hard time keeping the attention of their students. When the students bring their laptop, cell phones and PDA’s into the classroom, the teachers are now competing with the laptop or any other device that the student would be using to communicate or entertain themselves.
1) What are some ways that teachers can regain the interest of their students?
The teachers who incorporate technology into their classrooms, seem to have a higher interest level. Some teachers are using “clickers” which are remote answer devices. These clickers allow the students to become more interactive with the class discussion with having to speak out in front of the class. The teachers can also create web conferences so students who have questions are able to ask classmates while working in their homework. Teachers can also post their lecture notes and slides so students can refer to them when needed.
2) Can students effectively multitask?
Researchers say that students can multitask well, but not as quickly. Students also tend to make more errors. This is where the “Quantity over Quality” statement comes into play. Most college students would rather be doing something else, but if they have to do it, then they will also do something the enjoy at the same time.
The article was written by Eleanor Yang Su of the Union Tribune and was titled; “Professors adjust their methods to reach technology-savvy generation”. This article is very interesting because I am one to multitask. To tell you the truth, I was eating dinner while reading the article and it is so true. Teachers are having a hard time keeping the attention of their students. When the students bring their laptop, cell phones and PDA’s into the classroom, the teachers are now competing with the laptop or any other device that the student would be using to communicate or entertain themselves.
1) What are some ways that teachers can regain the interest of their students?
The teachers who incorporate technology into their classrooms, seem to have a higher interest level. Some teachers are using “clickers” which are remote answer devices. These clickers allow the students to become more interactive with the class discussion with having to speak out in front of the class. The teachers can also create web conferences so students who have questions are able to ask classmates while working in their homework. Teachers can also post their lecture notes and slides so students can refer to them when needed.
2) Can students effectively multitask?
Researchers say that students can multitask well, but not as quickly. Students also tend to make more errors. This is where the “Quantity over Quality” statement comes into play. Most college students would rather be doing something else, but if they have to do it, then they will also do something the enjoy at the same time.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Intro letter for Bree
Good day fellow classmates, I am Bree Colwell and this is my second semester at CSUSM. I went to Juniper elementary school for Kindergarten then moved on to Rincon for first through half of fourth grade. At the time Rincon was a K-8 school and when Rock Springs was built in the middle of the year, most of the elementary students went to Rock Spring and Rincon became a middle school. I finished fourth grade and all of fifth at Rock Springs and then back to Rincon I went for 6-8th grade. My mom married my step dad who owned a house in Valley Center so we moved up to Valley Center where I went to Valley Center High School all four years. When I graduated I went to Palomar for three years and then on to CSUSM. I got married to the most wonderful man in May of 2005 and we currently do not have any children, but all my nieces and nephews are over all the time, and I love it. We do, however, have a dog and she will be two in July. She is half German Sheppard and half Australian cattle dog. We love to travel and spend time with our family.
I am alright when it comes to technology. I am most definitely a PC person. When I get on a Mac, I am a total dork. I am comfortable with my digital camera, my computer and my cell phone, other than that, no way! I use my computer and cell phone on a daily basis and my camera sits there till vacation time rolls around or my nieces and nephews are around doing silly things, I have six under the age of three so they are bound to do silly things often.
The COE mission statement is fantastic and I can see everyday how each person involved with the COE is really striving to meet each word in this statement. To tell you the truth I didn’t even look at the mission statement when I applied to CSUSM. When I first read it, I thought to myself, “Yea, Yea, they are just words to sound appealing. I know it really won’t be like that.” Boy was I wrong! I word “collaboration” is taken to a whole new level and I love it. I feel that all the teacher and students are here to help me succeed and together we can make my college experience a great one.
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