Learning Module_13 Discussion Posts

Learning Module_2
Discussion Post 1: DIGITAL NATIVES Read to learn more about the war between digital immigrants & digital natives. Answer the following prompt after reading the article. I wonder

As technology rapidly advances, I wonder how we will overcome the digital divide between the haves and have-nots within our own U.S. schools? Although the article discusses India, I cant help, but think of how this will impact students within the U.S. In American schools today, so much work has been done to remove economic barriers to provide a quality education for all. Although we are far from perfect, we have come a long way. My schools strict dress code as well as our numerous outreach programs comes to mind, as we work diligently to provide an education that is accessible to all. With the accelerated advancement of technology, I cant help but wonder how will we continue to level the playing field for all of our students? How can we keep up? Even though students will have the same opportunities during school hours, so much will separate students at home. The hierarchies created by access to digital technologies is a real concern that I have for my students. Mrs. Johnson - You make a great point about "digital stupidity" and whether it really has to do with being a digital native vs. immigrant. Students can very well be digital natives, but be uneducated in the proper use of technology. In our article, I strongly agreed with Shah's argument that "simply providing the equipment does not help young people understand how that technology can better their lives without education and training." With technology advancing so quickly, this makes our job of educating students in how to use it safely, legally, and ethically even more important.
DISCUSSION POST 2: REPLY TO THIS POST Prompt: What techniques could you use to teach your students about copyright laws?

This weeks readings and activities have taught me a great deal about copyright laws. I, of course, understood plagiarism as not using someone else's work and claiming it as my own, but I truly did not know the details in the Fair Use Guidelines for Teachers and students. This is a valuable resource that I will be passing along to other teachers. As far as techniques to teach my students about copyright laws, I will need to keep it simple and fun to engage my first grade students. Most first grade students understand that it is wrong to take things from others without their permission. They know that stealing and lying is wrong. I think it would be effective to begin having a conversation about honesty and why its wrong to steal tangible items. From there I would connect the importance of also not taking things that dont belong to you in the virtual world as well. This week I enjoyed learning about Digital Passport and I think I could use some of the ideas in the Creative Credit Module Guide and the Family Tip sheet. Another online resource that would be engaging for first grade students is: http://www.netsmartzkids.org. This website is great for younger students and has videos, games, e-books, songs, and printables. There is a movie entitled, Ready, Set, Internet Digital Ethics

that goes perfectly with the topics of this week. Also, teaching digital ethics through being a good model and talking to students about why you did or did not do something is an effective technique I believe. Ashley - Up until this point, I also have felt very unprepared in my schooling to teach technology topics such as digital ethics to my students nor did I truly understand the importance. I am thankful to now be learning ideas of how to teach digital ethics to my students. Thank you for sharing your idea about posting various media and having your students decide if it is lawful or unlawful. I think this is a great idea! Students would have a lot of fun doing this activity! I agree that many students truly have no idea that they are even participating in illegal activity. Elizabeth - I like your ideas for taking work or renaming work to prove to students that this is wrong. I certainly think you would get a big reaction out of them which would be a nice lead into talking about digital ethics. Whitney - I think using the clicker system as a pre and post test would be a great way to show growth in students' understanding about copyright. Ms. Miller - thanks for sharing those more age appropriate websites. They look great for reaching our younger kids!

Learning Module_3
DISCUSSION POST - MODULE 3 DUE 9-16-13 Read the view points of web based learning below. Formulate an opinion on the matter. Research web based learning and back up your statement with a fact or quote. Also, respond to one other classmates post. Use the guidelines for posting that were discussed in the first class. VIEW POINTS OF WEB BASED LEARNING 1. One of the values of using the web to access course materials is that web pages may contain hyperlinks to other parts of the web, thus enabling access to a vast amount of web based information. A virtual learning environment (VLE) or managed learning environment (MLE) i s an all in one teaching and learning software package. A VLE typically combines functions such as discussion boards, chat rooms, online assessment, tracking of students' use of the web, and course administration. VLEs act as any other learning environment in that they distribute information to learners. VLEs can, for example, enable learners to collaborate on projects and share information. 2. Newer technologies such as computers and video conferencing are not necessarily better (or worse) for teaching or learning than older technologies . . . they are just different . . . The choice of technology should be driven by the needs of the learners and the context in which we are working, not by its novelty.Bates AW. Technology, open learning and distance education. London: Routledge, 1995

After gathering online research and reflecting upon my experiences with web based learning, I believe that virtual learning environments will be gaining momentum and we will be seeing them occur in more and more classrooms. The advantages seem to clearly outweigh the disadvantages: ability to link resources in many different formats, can be an efficient way of delivering course materials, resources can be made available from any location and at any time, potential for widening access-for example, to part time, mature, or work based students, can encourage more independent and active learning, and can provide a useful source of supplementary materials to conventional programs. (Cantillon, Peter, Jollie, Carol, & McKimm, Judy. Web Based Learning. British Medical Journal. 326 (2003): 870-873. Print) Within my own experiences I have enjoyed the benefits of: referencing and learning from multiple sources of information, working at my own pace and from multiple locations, interacting and learning from my peers, and simply the capability to visit information more than once. As an elementary teacher it is difficult for me to visualize this occurring with younger students. I can see it being more beneficial for secondary students. However, the above cited article I read also cautioned, the learners needs and experience must be taken into account. Appropriate technology and reasonable computer skills are needed to get the best out of web based or online learning. No matter the age/gr ade much planning and preparation are needed in order to make it successful for students. I have certainly enjoyed my experiences with web based learning and I am excited about the opportunities this could provide our students. I do, however, need help visualizing what this would look like for much younger students. Jordan E. - You bring up some interesting points regarding the pro's and con's of web based learning. I believe that web based learning does increase student engagement and offers exciting new learning opportunities for our students, however, I agree that "it cannot be sold as the end-all be-all to education" as you spoke to. I am a reading interventionist and I worry about some of the effects technology has on our young readers. For example, many students today use digital books and as a result their Concepts about Print are much lower because they are not physically handling books. Another example is with correct letter formation, which plays a huge role in directionality of reading. If teachers use typing applications on their smart boards or letters and words just "pop up," students are not seeing the correct model of formation. I definitely think in the lower elementary grades, a balance between web based learning and traditional methods are important.

Learning Module_4
Discussion Post: Module_4 (Due 9-16) In your opinion, what is an effective use of video in the classroom? Remember to use these suggestions when commenting to a post. (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11323883/ius%20info/r505/module_1/Handout_Blog_Co mments.doc)

I love the statement in our article, "A teachers value is not in the information stored in their head, but rather their ability to pull together the best learning resources to produce a desired outcome." I agree that teachers should not simply be distributors of knowledge from "their head", but rather more like skilled artists who use a variety of tools and resources to paint a masterpiece or create the very best lessons for learning. Videos are excellent resources for bringing in visuals, music, and demonstrations of things that students might not otherwise have access to. When I was a

classroom teacher I showed students "Bill Nye the Science Guy" videos that pertained to our current unit of study in science. The students LOVED these videos because they were funny, explained the concept in numerous and entertaining ways, and incorporated music videos on the topic of study. Without a doubt, my students benefited from watching these videos. I certainly believe that videos should be purposeful and students should be held accountable for information learned as a result of watching. This could be through discussions, written reflections, or quizzes. I very much agree that watching videos is not "cheating" and "if someone can say it better than you - let them."
Discussion Post 2: Using resources that are available to save time. (DUE 9-16-) Now that you know how to create your own video, try to find a video that has already been created that can work for that same unit or lesson. Use YouTube, schooltube, teachertube, or any other resource that you find.

Mrs. Johnson - I agree with you, "I dont think videos or movies should replace teaching, but supplement the material." I think we all know teachers who use videos way too much in their day to day lessons. They are not supplementing the material, but rather relying on videos to teach the material or they are not purposeful in using videos. I like how you use guest speakers to deliver information from a first hand account and then use videos if they are not available. I agree, I don't think students could have possibly understood mental health disorders on the same level without showing the videos. I found a video that is similar to my video about Context Clues in reading. My video gave examples of different types of context clues, whereas, this video gives more of the definition. It also provides a good example of using context clues to determine the meaning of the word "mediocre." The video is a short song that is catchy. For this reason, I think my kids would really enjoy it. I think both videos would work well at the beginning of teaching students about context clues.

Learning Module_5
Discussion Post: Module_5 DUE 9-16 Share two problem solving strategies that you use in your classroom. What makes them effective? Be sure to include the grade and subject.

As a reading teacher, my problem solving strategies are different than most others. For my youngest readers, I teach several different problem solving strategies for figuring out tricky words. These problem solving strategies include: get your mouth ready to say the first sound, look at the picture, look for chunks in the word that you know, skip the word - read on, then reread, think about the meaning of the story, and reread the sentence. These may seem like simple problem solving strategies for proficient readers, but for those just learning how to read, they require explicit instruction and practice on each one. Another strategy I use with my students in reading is to have them make predictions before they read. In fiction their predictions are based on what they think will happen, but nonfiction

it's what they expect to learn. This helps set a purpose for reading and they can afterwards confirm or deny their predictions. Other problem solving strategies that I like to use with my older students are graphic organizers and acronyms. Graphic organizers I like to use with students include: SQS charts (schema, questions, synthesis), Venn diagrams, double entry journals, and topic, detail, response charts. As far as acronyms, we use A.C.E. when answering short answer questions about a passage. (A - Answer the question, C - Cite your Evidence, and E - Extend your response). I think it's important to have several problem solving strategies at your disposal for different types of learners and for different purposes. Justina - I agree with you....teaching content through songs is a wonderful way to help kids problem solve. Songs are so great to teach with because all ages love them! Songs are engaging and truly helps students remember important information. My daughter is only two, but I am amazed at how well she can remember songs. Ms. Turbeville - I love your strategy for "click and count to 5." Nothing seems more frustrating than a "happy clicker" who has frozen up the computer. I like how you teach them to be the problem solvers, putting the responsibility back on the student instead of constantly raising their hand for help. Great ideas!

Learning Module_6
Watch 3 screencasts & reply with an opinion, idea, or observation. Elizabeth: Nice job covering this story telling tool. I feel like I know a lot about Story Bird from watching your video. If students don't pay to download their book, does it just stay on the website? Can others view it? It would be a real disadvantage if students could not print out a copy for a free. I also agree that choosing from the images on Story Bird is very limiting. This tool would be much better if students could upload pictures or draw their illustrations. The books that are available for students to see, who are they written by? Other students? If so I would be a little concerned about their quality and possible appropriateness. The class page where you can see students' visits and last log in is a nice feature. Jessica - The scenes and props look fun and would be very motivating for students! I like the "For Teachers" section because it helps teachers get the most out of the website. I also think the printable worksheet is a great idea to have students pre-plan their work to help students stay focused when it was time to create their story. I think students would love to create their own story and then read and show it to the class using a projector or smartboard. This was a great website!