At times, the growth of technology is difficult to comprehend. Last week we played a game during the class period. Except, this game was no typical game. This game was like a world. You get to create a character, then customize your character. You can travel to different worlds, run businesses, and build buildings. People even use real money to buy things for their world in this game. That blows my mind! To be quite honest, it kind of frightens me. That almost brings into question, what is reality?
The week before, we had the opportunity to use Google Earth. Google Earth can take you to almost any place on the globe. At some places there are even models of towns. I visited Lambeau Field, and had a close-up of the 50 yard-line. I also had to check out my hometown of course. There were no models of the buildings, but the streets were all there. It was amazing.
These are examples to why it is so difficult to keep up with the latest technology. Things are constantly changing, and they change much too fast for me.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Article 3: Survival of the Skilled
http://cct.edc.org/report_summary.asp?numPublicationId=243
This article came from the Center for Children and Technology's website. It was written by Margaret Honey, Shelley Pasnik, Chad Fasca. The article is about how there is competition for jobs that comes from every part of the world. It stresses the importance of children in the United States to become skilled in order to compete for these jobs. According to the article, in 2000, 85 percent of the jobs in the United States required skilled workers. The article also states that Americans need to prepare for the digital future. Skills that students will need include: learning and inovation skills, information and media literacy skills, life skills, global awareness, and health and wellness awareness. They also emphasize that our youth have to take advantage of the new opportunities that they have in other parts of the world.
It is really amazing to me how fast technology changes. I do not consider myself old, but it is unbelievable how much new technology there is from when I was a kid. This new technology has shrunk the world, as information can get from one place to another so rapidly. I certainly agree with the authors of this article that we need to prepare for this technological world.
This article came from the Center for Children and Technology's website. It was written by Margaret Honey, Shelley Pasnik, Chad Fasca. The article is about how there is competition for jobs that comes from every part of the world. It stresses the importance of children in the United States to become skilled in order to compete for these jobs. According to the article, in 2000, 85 percent of the jobs in the United States required skilled workers. The article also states that Americans need to prepare for the digital future. Skills that students will need include: learning and inovation skills, information and media literacy skills, life skills, global awareness, and health and wellness awareness. They also emphasize that our youth have to take advantage of the new opportunities that they have in other parts of the world.
It is really amazing to me how fast technology changes. I do not consider myself old, but it is unbelievable how much new technology there is from when I was a kid. This new technology has shrunk the world, as information can get from one place to another so rapidly. I certainly agree with the authors of this article that we need to prepare for this technological world.
Monday, October 1, 2007
2nd article
http://horizon.unc.edu/projects/monograph/CD/
This article was written by Jerry Dawson, the Marketing Director for Perian Spring Software. Dawson claims that in order for software to be effective in the classroom their must be four characteristics in place. These characteristics are: presentability, accountability, customizability, and extensibility. I agree with Dawson on these points. Software must be able to engage students, but also meet the standards of the school and the state. If the technology being used is not adequate, it has no business being used in the school. I also like the option of providing assessments on software. I think it would give the students a break from the traditional routine of paper and pencil testing. On-line grade books are an efficient way to reveal students' grades to them, so they are able to judge where they are at. Customization is also important, so the teacher can tailor their instruction to fit their lesson plan and meet the needs of the student. Extensibility is another key that I think is interesting. The idea behind this is to take the software beyond its environment. Lessons could be shared on the internet, or students could have on-line pen pals. I think it would be neat for students to interact with others from a different part of the world. I particulary enjoyed the part of the article where Dawson talks about needing knowledge of technology for future careers. That is very important, because as educators that is what we will be doing. We will preparing students for their future.
This article was written by Jerry Dawson, the Marketing Director for Perian Spring Software. Dawson claims that in order for software to be effective in the classroom their must be four characteristics in place. These characteristics are: presentability, accountability, customizability, and extensibility. I agree with Dawson on these points. Software must be able to engage students, but also meet the standards of the school and the state. If the technology being used is not adequate, it has no business being used in the school. I also like the option of providing assessments on software. I think it would give the students a break from the traditional routine of paper and pencil testing. On-line grade books are an efficient way to reveal students' grades to them, so they are able to judge where they are at. Customization is also important, so the teacher can tailor their instruction to fit their lesson plan and meet the needs of the student. Extensibility is another key that I think is interesting. The idea behind this is to take the software beyond its environment. Lessons could be shared on the internet, or students could have on-line pen pals. I think it would be neat for students to interact with others from a different part of the world. I particulary enjoyed the part of the article where Dawson talks about needing knowledge of technology for future careers. That is very important, because as educators that is what we will be doing. We will preparing students for their future.
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