Jenn's Blog 422: October 2010

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Journal #4 Nets-T 5

For this assignment I had to read, summarize, analyze, and reflect on an article from the digital edition of Leading and Learning with Technology.

Journal#4: Computing In The Clouds

Johnson, D. (Dec/Jan 2009-2010). Leading & Learning with Technology, Computing In The Clouds. International Society for Technology in Education, 37(4).

Doug Johnson; the author, started out the article by explaining what cloud computing is. He states: “Cloud computing relies on applications and file storage that reside on a network, a district intranet, or the internet itself.”(Johnson 2009-2010) He wrote about his transition to strictly cloud computing, and called it “living in the cloud”. He listed all the cloud programs he switched to, and explained how he made the switch. He also summed up the pros and cons of cloud computing and gave testimony for why schools should purchase netbooks and utilize cloud computing.

I found this article to be informative and well written. I agree with the author; schools should make the transition to netbooks, and should utilize cloud computing. The staff and children would clearly benefit from this. I had no idea that netbooks were so reasonably priced. I appreciate that Doug listed the programs that he switched to; this makes it easy for people reading to be able to start living in the cloud themselves.

Questions:

Will netbooks and cloud computing make one-to-one laptop programs more realistic for schools?

When I first learned about the laptop programs in journal one, I thought it was a great idea but would clearly be hard for schools to adopt this program for financial reasons. The netbooks are cheaper than a laptop. They are also smaller and weigh less, making it easier for the student to transport it to and from school. If the school makes use of cloud computing, they could cut back on the costs of purchasing programs for the computers, and put the money elsewhere. Another added bonus is for the forgetful kid who can never remember to bring his laptop; it’s not that big of a deal because all his/her work is in the cloud and can be viewed from any computer.

Will cloud computing always be available for free?

No one will be able to know for sure if cloud computing will always be free. However the author in the article states that cloud computing is made possible through advertisements. I don’t for see this changing. Many businesses only advertise online. My only concern is what happens to schools if all the sudden they have to start paying for programs that they have adapted to, that were once free?

Journal #3 Nets-T 5

For this assignment I had to read, summarize, analyze, and reflect on an article from the digital edition of Leading and Learning with Technology.

Journal #3: Bring the World into your Classroom
McDermon, L. (Sep/Oct 2010) Learning & Leading with Technology, Bring the World Into Your Classroom. International Society for Technology in Education.

The title for this article Bring the World into Your Classroom; was appropriate and explains the jest of the whole reading. The author starts out the article by giving examples of ways that technology can enhance the learning experience in the classroom. She goes on to give examples, which supports how students would benefit, and all the possibilities of learning through technology. The author also gives valuable information to the educator on how to get set up to teach through technology and reiterates why it is important for our students to be up to date with 21st century technology.
I found the article to be straight to the point and useful. I appreciate how she gave information on how to get started. Her ideas about videoconferencing were wonderful. I have never heard about the program Read Around the Planet, or Megaconference Jr. These programs are splendid ideas and I’m grateful that they have been brought into our education system and I am hoping that more and more schools catch on soon. This stuff is amazing; I want my daughters to have access to programs and opportunities like these. As a future educator, I decided to print out the article and save for when my turn comes to have a classroom. And then; hopefully I will be able to incorporate some of Linda McDermons suggestions into my classroom.
Questions:
Bringing technology into the classroom is fairly new, and therefore I haven’t heard much about it. I am wondering, if you were to be able to show videos in the classroom for learning purposes, how would you go about getting them approved?
I would assume that you would have to get it approved by your principle, but I am also wondering if schools even allow teachers to use internet videos. I have observed in plenty of elementary classrooms and I have never seen it done. And if the principle approves it; do you have to stop there, or keep going and get the parents permission as well? These are all issues that are unclear to me.
How will the students benefit from learning how to video conference?
Like the author, I also believe that this is the 21st century world and it’s important for students to be exposed to the technology that is around them. By videoconferencing the students have to utilize other technology skills that they end up learning so many skills in one conference. Videoconferencing can expose a student to the possibilities of the web. Think about how often they will probably use this acquired skill in the future for their benefit. They could use it in future education, they could use this skill to help get a career, or they could use it for their own personal benefit.