Article Review #5- How to Use Technology in Education

Article Review #5- How to Use Technology in Education

By: Frederick M. Hess & Bror Saxberg

            In ‘How to Use Technology in Education’, Frederick M. Hess and Bror Saxberg both mention that when books were first introduced it helped many students, even when the teacher was not available because it gave the students a wide reach of knowledge. However, they are arguing that books are fixed because they have old information and technology is something that can be updated therefore all educators should use technology as their main source of teaching. They also mention that virtual instruction makes it possible for students to access real, live teachers, which sometimes is unavailable in schools. This is one point in the article that I disagree with. The mere fact that both Hess and Saxberg are stating that live teacher are not available in schools is irrelevant and false. Teachers are available in school; in fact it is one place in which they are available in almost all of the time. The logic that these authors are using behind this statement is false because teachers are always available to help the student body. Although teachers may not always have the answers to some questions, which would have been a better argument to make in this article, teachers still are able to guide students in the right direction. Some students need a human teacher to show them the right path, which is something that the computer will not be able to do. The compassion that a teacher can give students, a computer will not be able to give, not even in a million years.

            Nevertheless, something I do agree with in this article is that the authors mention that the books never hurt anyone nor did it work miracles however, the same goes for technology. Moreover, they state that they hope technology can reimagine teaching and learning just as books did, the difference is that this time they hope that the ‘hope’ part, turns into reality. I am also hoping that technology brings a better future for all.

How to Use Technology in Education 

Article Review #4- Students Technology in the Classroom

Article Review #4- Students Technology in the Classroom

By: Wes Rodgers

            In ‘Students Technology in the Classroom’ Wes Rodgers, states that technology in the classroom is no longer a new idea. He states that instead of complaining about this idea, we can actually look at the positive side and understand the importance of having it in our classrooms. He also states that computers can be used a means of communication which is something I completely agree with. Sometimes students are better off communicating with one another via the Internet about academics than not communicating at all with one another. Rodgers states that there are three advantages with technology in the classroom, the first one being the wide range of uses that has the potential to reach students of all learning styles. The second one being that there is a lot of interest/motivation involved with using technology. This is something I completely agree with. Living in the 21^st century, students are mostly motivated by the Internet and using such advantage can be proven to be very beneficial for both students and teachers. And the third advantage of why technology should be involved in the classroom setting is because technology helps better prepare educators for future lesson plans. I also agree with this because I cannot imagine having to write 100 sheets of lesson plans without a computer or Internet access; it would be too chaotic. Technology in the classroom definitely helps teachers in numerous ways and it should be implemented.

            Furthermore, Rodgers mentions the many important skills students gain by using technology in the classroom. He mentions that students improve on their attitudes, confidence, writing skills and math skills. Auto-correct helps students visually see their mistakes and they improve on them, which helps their writing skills tremendously. Students also watch less television and they improve their problem-solving/critical thinking skills by doing so. This article was very important for me because as an educator, it made me understand the importance and benefits of implementing technology in my classroom setting.

Students Technology in the Classroom

Article Review #3- Study: Emerging Technology Has Positive Impact in Classroom

Article Review #3- Study: Emerging Technology Has Positive Impact in Classroom

By: Ryan Lytle

            In ‘Study: Emerging Technology Has Positive Impact in Classroom’ Ryan Lytle, interviews Stacey Roshan. Roshan is an advanced placement calculus teacher at Bullis School in Potomac, M.D for grades three through twelve. Roshan states that students were ‘stupefied’ and left the classroom with more questions than answers when she would teach in the traditional classroom lecture method. After Roshan noticed that her students were not exceeding on the AP exams, she decided to change her teaching method.

            Roshan used Camtasia Studio, a screen recording and video-editing program to upload her lectures on iTunes and assigned the students homework using this method. She found that this method was much more effective than the traditional classroom lecture method. She calculated the data of her students’ exams comparing the two methods and she found that teaching with video gave students an average of 4.11 on their AP exam versus the 3.59 average before the video method. She also stated that approximately one-third of her students scored a five, the highest score you can receive on an advanced placement exam after she adapted to the video method. Lytle also stated that 78% of teachers have said that technology has a positive impact in the classroom because it makes students more productive.

            I believe that the spread of technology in the classrooms is inevitable. As children grow, technology will also grow and having it implemented in your classroom will not even be a question. Technology does have a positive impact in the classroom and I agree with Lytle because technology is not something you can stop from growing. Sooner or later, educators are going to have to implement technology in their classrooms because that will be the only way to accommodate students from this century. Not only will implementing technology in the classroom benefit students, it will also benefit teachers by making their lessons flow smoothly and promptly. 

Study: Emerging Technology Has Positive Impact in Classroom 

Digital Project- The Water Cycle- Jeopardy Game

Water Cycle- Jeopardy Time

The Water Cycle :)

The Lost Ring ;(

Beans Experiment- The Movie

After four tries, I finally got my time lapse video to be perfect. This was a great opportunity for me to learn how to make a time lapse movie. ENJOY :)