Writing, Word Processing and Thinking: Ch 3 Reflection

In learning more about how word processing and the advances in composition can affect education I found it fascinating to learn about infrared keyboards. These “keyboards” that project onto a flat surface are an incredible innovation. The certainly can extend the possibilities of a PDA-- especially for special needs students, I’d imagine. Also, such technology can solve the problem of space in a classroom. It is unlikely that full sized desktop computers will ever reside on every American student’s desk. However, the likelihood of having a handheld PDA with a projected keyboard on the desk is more feasible and rational for space-use issues in the classroom.
“Given the computer's capacity to create other media, there is little excuse for other media not directly contributing to the concepts being developed instead of serving as decoration. Teachers will have to confront these issues in order to grow the incentive for change.” (Houghton). There is so much more that images and audio can be used for other than the express purpose of decorating text. As teachers become more comfortable with inserting useful audio, images and video into their lessons, hopefully they will extend this knowledge to their students and include such insertions in the skills they teach for composition.
‘The 1994 National Assessment of Educational Progress report noted that students who watch at least four hours of television each day had lower average reading scores than their peers who watched less.” I am certain a more updated study would find similar, if not more disheartening, results. I wonder what difference it would make if just one of those tv-watching hours were spent reading on a daily basis. But, such a change would imply a value placed on reading by the family of the child. That means the adults have to be role models for literacy as well. Which can be difficult at the end of a long work day when all mom or dad wants to do is space out in front of the television. It is a difficult but not impossible trend to set at home.
“Composition is not what it used to be”—clearly! The advances in outlining are just the beginning of the changes that exits in composition today compared to decades and centuries past. Even still, the pen on paper approach seems to continue to dominate in the school setting. What would it take to get teachers on board with new ways to think of composition?
The Kairos article threw me off at first, not sure what to think of it but I like it’s inclusion in the chapter. I like that it is an example of a different way to think of composition. Yeah for integrated media!
I love the idea of a wiki because everyone is included and the public can feel like a part of the information creation. However, this public editing can also make it dangerous to fully rely on the information found in a wiki because false information can easily be included. Using a wiki is a good way to encourage kids to find multiple sources of information and to check that they all support the same ideas. Students need to be sure of the validity of the information they use, checking multiple sources can be a step toward this. My school system is going to create a wiki of essential vocabulary for 6- 12 grades, it will be exciting to see how teachers respond to using this wiki in their instruction…or how they resist the tool!
I think it is true that students and teachers alike need more multimedia training. I see it even at the school where I work. There are some teachers who are still “allergic” to using email! It is an essential tool, it is the foundation of communication within the school building and system…the teachers have to adjust to these changes. Also, there are many opportunities in our school building to incorporate all kinds of multimedia into instruction. Many teachers do not take the time to play with the great tools that we have in order to feel comfortable enough to use them in instruction. More training is necessary, and maybe even a mandate by the principal that all teachers use certain programs or tools each quarter. However, I acknowledge the negative vibe that can come from any kind of mandate…it’d just be better if teachers wanted to use the tools on their own, without such a strong push from administration.
“Our future is determined by our imagination not our tools” (Houghton). Here, here! I like to think of the future of technology and the progress of the human race this way too. It implies that there really is no limitation to the possibilities that may come our way and that we can make happen in our own lifetimes. We are not limited by the tools we have or will have, only by the extent of our endless imaginations! Here’s to brain power and mind power! Alternative energy sources for the 21st century.

Intro to Web Processing: Ch 2 B

It is interesting to think of links and linking in a context broader than just that of the internet and connections between websites. Connections between information and knowledge have existed since the beginning of human thought. It is overwhelming to think of the distance humans and technology specifically have traveled to arrive at a time when we talk about links beyond those that the brain makes to help form knowledge to those that we confront daily on the internet. These internet based links seem so much more abstract compared to the knowledge forming links we are constantly creating in our lives. Abstract or not, their relevance in our own lives continues to grow as computer and internet literacy become even more essential for daily functioning in our high-speed, webber-net world.
The Conference on College Composition and Communication makes their position on machine-assessment of student writings clear—they are fiercely opposed. As well they should be! One’s writing is an extension of his or her humanity and intelligence. To take away this personal element of one’s writing by evaluating it through a machine defeats the purpose of expression through words, which is to get those words out to other people…humans, not machines. I am glad that the conference also agrees about this because a trend toward machine assessment of student writing would be one in an unfortunate direction that would devalue the process of writing itself.
I was not aware that used and old model PDSs are aware in a second-hand market. I think it is a fabulous thing to do considering issues of computer access across varying social and cultural lines. The Palm Pilot described in the reading surely has its own style and system that would take some time to figure out for a new user, and is not an exact simulation of sitting a computer. But, it is very close! Close enough to give a student access to word processing and internet use, these elements are key to shrinking the digital divide. Between this option and the $100 laptop project almost any student who wants access should be able to get access to 21st century technology and thus the skills necessary to navigate this technology.

Article: A Beginner's Guide To Integrating Technology

This is a great motivational article to get educators on the road to technology integration!
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech130.shtml

Reflection: Media Integration; Multimedia and Powerpoint

I agree with the idea that “intentionally presenting the same ideas and details using different media and/or using different speeds should increase deeper integration of the ideas” (Houghton). All I have learned in this graduate program to prepare me to be a master teacher echoes this exact idea. We know that students all learn in distinct ways. As teachers, it is our duty to ensure we are presenting information in ways that recognize the diverse learning needs of all students in our classrooms. On top of this, students will retain and hopefully comprehend new ideas more readily when multiple media sources are used to present new information. I know that for me, when I search out new information I try to read about the idea, ask friends about it, and sometimes find a related film or documentary.
The idea that WNC could end up on the “wrong side of the digital divide” is highly significant for educators. As much as the geography of our lovely region makes for a great place for tourists to visit and an even better place for rural communities to maintain their mountain heritage, it also can impede technological progress for its inhabitants. As the population of our area grows with the increase of folks and businesses moving here to escape urban life local government and educational institutions have to step up to address the issues of information technology and how to keep WNC up to speed. I was happy to read about the programs and initiatives already underway to keep WNC competitive in this arena.
The short movie Warriors of the Net provides a good explanation of the internets inner workings. The simplified terms used helped to break down the basic principles of how information gets from one place to another. It is good for users to have this sort of background to better understand exactly what systems are at work in order to make internet usage possible for the public. I am glad, however, that the movie wasn’t any longer than it was. The music was a bit much for me.
I am glad that eNC has included the mandate to encourage everyone in the state to use technology, including the internet, “to improve their quality of life and their economic prospects.” It can not be denied that the internet is now and will continue to be an integral part of daily life for those in our state, this country and beyond. There is no stopping the technological advances already made in the past century, what’s best to do is fully accept it and do all you can to understand it.
“Until a critical mass of computer technology is available to the teacher, beginning with at least a projection system in each classroom, the incremental investment of digital resources for instructional purposes in classrooms is largely wasted” (Houghton). Here, here! The idea of spreading out the wealth and giving each classroom too little to effectively integrate technology is rediulous. It makes much more sense to me to fully update entire classrooms, one at a time, as opposed to spreading out the technology in such a way that it is not useful. It is a shame to see situations in which a teacher feels like he or she is not doing enough to integrate technology but is only given one classroom computer for 30 students. It seems like a naive move by districts that make this choice.