Journal 1

Extreme makeover: Updating Class Activities for the 21st Century

Shifflet, Rena & Toledo, Cheri (2008). Extreme Makeover: Updating Class Activities for the 21st Century. Learning and Leading with Technology. June/July, 34-35. Retrieved on august 7th, 2008 from, http://www.pdfdownload.org/pdf2html/pdf2html.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjheil65.googlepages.com%2FJournal1.pdf&images=yes

As future educators in the 21st century we are responsible for providing our kids with up to date knowledge rich with technology. With the omnipresent budget cuts that seem relentless, it is refreshing to know that there exist a variety of free tools to enrich curriculums. All of the web-based tools that are discussed in this article provide students with more then an outlet to gain knowledge; they provide an opportunity to explore untapped creativity and an avenue to work collaboratively with their peers. Children in the 21st century are expected to be proficient with skills based in technology and having these tools readily available and free well, it makes my job a lot easier.

Question:
Is administration open to the idea of using web-based tools in the classroom?

To preface, my answer is just an attempt. There are a lot of dangers lurking on the World Wide Web so; it has now become the teacher’s priority to provide his/her students with tutorials based in safe and non-abusive practices. Also the person who erects web-based activities can monitor any changes made. With all of the above said, I think that there lies a greater number of advantages than disadvantages when using web-based tools. Therefore, administration may be open to the idea of these technology rich applications.

Blogging Right Along

Mader, J, & Smith, B (2008). Blogging Right Along. Learning and Leading with Technology, June/July, Retrieved August 7, 2008, from http://www.pdfdownload.org/pdf2html/pdf2html.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjheil65.googlepages.com%2FJournal1.pdf&images=yes.

Blogs can be used in the classroom as a way to assess students’ comprehension of material among other things. Having a blog in the classroom affords an environment of collaboration and a common ground for assignments and current events in the classroom. When used properly, blogging is a powerful technological tool that can be used in the classroom that automatically sets up a sense of community and belonging. I look greatly forward to teaching biology to high school students and I feel that having a classroom blog will provide my future students with a place to post and discuss assignments where then their peers can assist with any outstanding questions.

Question:
How does a classroom blog ensure that students are submitting quality assignments?

Since students post their assignments to a communal blog, they may be more concerned with their peers’ impressions. Also, a classroom blog is web-based and is thus can be available to the masses for viewing. With this said, students will take a sense of pride and ownership in their work and as a result produce quality assignments.