Final Reflection

Overall, I would have to say that I am ending this course feeling very optimistic.  I feel I have learned some very practical and helpful technologies that I will actually use in my classroom and encourage other colleagues to use as well.  I have enjoyed working on this course's content, and I feel as though I have learned and applied a lot of newly acquired knowledge.  I am almost excited for school to start (I said "almost") so that I can put into practice what I have learned!

The Computer Delusion

The first thing I felt when I read Oppenheimer's article was shock and horror.  I cannot imagine something more terrible than cutting art and music programs in order to make way for new technology.  Now don't get me wrong, I feel that technology is very important in education, but if we start cutting disciplines, what are we using technology to teach?  It seems counter-intuitive to cut educational programs in order to buy more tools to improve education.  But I am not really that surprised because most decisions made in education are counter-intuitive.  The fact that teacher think technology is more important than reading, history, science, etc. is probably a good example of why our educational system is in shambles.  Again, I think technology is important in education, but it is not more important than education itself.  I fear for my children if that is the philosophy our schools and educators are adopting.

When hearing about the misinformation found in the "studies" surrounding computer technology, again, I can't say I was surprised.  Technology is a tool not a panacea.  Technology will not fix bad teaching.  Best teaching practices such as project-based learning, collaboration, inquiry-based learning, and UDL all improve student learning.  Technology is a piece in that puzzle, not every piece.  Ortiz's experiences at Sanchez school just reinforce this idea.

The article states, "Other options mentioned in the group's report -- reducing class size, improving teachers' salaries and facilities, expanding hours of instruction -- were considered less important than putting kids in front of computers."  I have to strongly disagree with sentiment.  Nothing is more important than small classroom sizes and good instruction, not even technology.    I also strongly disagreed with Michael Fellows, who stated: "Most schools would probably be better off if they threw their computers into the Dumpster."  This is a ridiculous and backwards statement.  We need to find a middle ground between the two sides.  We need to have students who have experience in the real world and with technology.  In this society, students need to be developmentally ready for anything.  I also disagree with the idea that student shouldn't be exposed to the inaccuracies of the web.  Students need to be taught about credible resources, not protected from them.

Overall, I think that this article made some very valid and interesting points.  However, I think they are far too pessimistic about technology and its virtues.  Overall I agree with Steve Jobs (quoted in this article): "'What's wrong with education cannot be fixed with technology,' he told Wired magazine last year. 'No amount of technology will make a dent.... You're not going to solve the problems by putting all knowledge onto CD-ROMs. We can put a Web site in every school -- none of this is bad. It's bad only if it lulls us into thinking we're doing something to solve the problem with education.'"  Well said Steve.

Reflections (Post 8)

In this course, I have learned a lot of applicable information in a very short amount of time.  I like how the class learns and completes practical applications of new technologies that could definitely be used in the classroom.  This method makes me more likely to actually use the technology in my own classroom.  It also helps me build a portfolio for job interviews!  

The technology I found the most useful so far would have to be the use of blogging.  I really like the opportunities that blogs and discussion boards may present in a classroom.  I feel that their interactive nature and their easy-to-use and easy-to-moderate format make using blogs very educationally friendly.  It changes up the mundane and opens pedagogical doors.  I would say that I have found every technology we have worked with thus far to be helpful and practical.

The most challenging technology I've worked with in this class would definitely have to be Photoshop.  It is a complicated program with endless possibilities.  I am very excited to continue to work with Photoshop in the future.  It really adds the ability to be creative with digital images.

For the rest of the semester, I would like to continue to learn new technologies that I can use in my classroom.  I would like to become better versed in MovieMaker and iMovie.  I would also like to learn how to make interactive quizzes that can be scored on the computer instantaneously.  

So far, I have learned a lot in the class and find it to be very interesting and applicable.   

Copyright Infringements and the "Unfair" use laws (Post 7)

For educators, copyright issues have dangerous implications.  As educators, not only are we responsible for following copyright laws, but we are also responsible for making sure students know and follow laws as well.  Laws are the cornerstones of any society.  Whether educators agree with the laws or not, they need to make sure that the rule of law is upheld.   If an teacher breaks the law, that sends the message to students that laws do not have to be followed if an individual doesn't want to follow them.  This is a dangerous precedent to set.  How can a teacher then be angry or punish a students for copying and pasting an assignment or not following classroom rules?  Educators cannot have a "do what I say, not what I do" attitude.  They must be good role models for their students.

Not only is it important for their students that teachers follow the law, but it is important for the teachers themselves.  Teachers may get themselves into a lot of legal trouble if they break copyright laws.  Penalties for breaking copyright infringements range from steep fines to jail time or both, depending on the severity of the offense.  It is not a secret that teachers do not make a great deal of money, so it is important that teachers follow the law so that they do not end up losing what little money they do have.

On a personal note, I do disagree with the changes that have been made in our copyright laws.  As stated in Dr. Langran's article, it is clear that Thomas Jefferson did not intend to have such lengthy copyright laws (26).  He first intended 28 years as the maximum length of copyright.  Now we have 70 years AFTER the author's death.  That means that people are not allowed to freely use materials until 70 years after an author dies.  Who gets all of that money?  Not even the author's children will benefit from this law (unless the author dies right after obtaining copyright.)  I feel this law is a crime against society.  Teachers use materials, books, music, etc. to enrich society, clearly not to make money.  If districts and teachers have to pay exorbitant amounts of money to pay for the copyrighted material of someone who died 50 years ago, they have two options: either do not use the material at all (robbing students of important exposures to culture and information) or use less materials to teach students what can be afforded (again limiting students' access to culture and education).   Districts with less money have to teach fewer things because of budgetary restraints, which means that students form poorer areas start out life at even more of an educational deficit.  To me, such laws should have never been passed because they are against the foundations of our country and the intents of our founding fathers, and they are crimes against our children and society.  In the end, these laws promote the legacy of the lazy rich and hurt our children.  I can't think of something more unjust and despicable.  To me, these laws spit in the face of America's basic ideals of freedom.

UDL Concept Map and Reflection (Post 5b)

I feel that UDL is a very interesting pedagogical initiative that has a lot of merits. I feel it is wonderful to meet the individual needs of your students in a meaningful way.  However, I do questions the practicality of creating 5 different options or types of lessons, worksheets, etc for every preparation, especially if a teacher has 4 preparations.  I think there needs to be a happy medium in the world of appropriate accommodations.  

I love the idea of using digital media (such as eReaders, etc. to accommodate students based upon their individual needs.  However, I do fear that objectives and standards will have to be lessened in order to achieve this UDL model. For example, if an essay assignment has more than one objective (to write organized paragraphs and to write in cursive handwriting) according to CAST, most students can't handle both objectives.  That is a serious reduction in rigor for students who may would benefit from additional practice.  I do think that modifications and accommodations should be appropriately made for all students, but I fear that lessening standards, so students only complete what they are good at and enjoy is a slippery slope.  

We are trying to educate students, true, but we are also trying to prepare them for the real world.  In a real job or in college, people cannot pick and choose what they want to complete, and they they are expected to meet certain standards.  As a secondary teacher, I like incorporating technology and offering options to students, but I do feel there needs to be a balance between planning lessons based upon individual and collective standards. 

Concept Map (Post 5a)

Jabberwocky VICTORY! (Post 4)

This image is the finished draft.  I inserted a cartoon monster's head, colored in the monster's head and neck, edited out Jean's body and hair, inserted a sword into Leslie's hand, edited out some shadows, added a title, re-sized the photo, and changed the color to give the picture a "vintage" look.  I used Photoshop and Picniks to edit this photo.

Here is the original picture!