Thursday, April 26, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Article #2 Post-Apple Textbooks
The idea of having an Ipad in the hands of every child is great in theory. Having a faster, more up to date, lighter version of a textbook on a five pound tablet could make the life of a student a lot easier. Is easier where we are headed in society though? I understand that we are in a digital age and these students are growing up in a different time than anybody could have ever imagined. I also understand the financial strain that the textbooks put onto a students family. But these things will not be solved by the Ipad.
First of all an Ipad costs roughly $500 and then each textbook is going to run around $15. Now while the cost of the textbook is intriguing compared to the $70-100 that they usually pay, the unforeseen costs that are involved with technology cannot be planned for. In an average elementary school where Ipad's are given out to every student, we are talking about around 350 Ipads. Forget about the original price of them for a minute because that number is astronomically high for a school and think about the maintenance costs that will build up. With 350 Ipad's in a condensed area, being handled by young children keep in mind, a school would have to have someone to fix all the bugs, problems, malfunctions, and software updates. A teacher is not qualified in this area so a school would be in need of an apple technician on a daily basis. Add this to the price of wireless routers all around the school, enough to feed wireless internet to 350 individual Ipads.
Second, the poor get poorer and the rich get richer. The schools that are in need of new textbooks because theirs are outdated or torn up are the ones in low socioeconomic areas. These schools cannot afford to purchase Ipads. The schools that can afford to buy the Ipads are the ones in "rich" neighborhoods or high socioeconomic places. These schools are already well funded and have all the resources they need. I have seen both, the "rich" school usually has computer in every classroom with extra laptops available for checkout. The technology is the newest versions and students more often than not have at least one computer at their disposal at home. In the "poor" school there were no computers in classrooms, they had a class designated for the learning of computer programs.
Lastly, the University of Washington did a study where they gave 100 students kindle fires for free. These students reported back after the quarter had concluded. The overwhelming response of the students was that they did not like having the electronic version of their books. Since an online textbook can only show a few pages at a time and depending on the font you use, the page numbers differ. It makes it nearly impossible to refer back to a previous page when you are studying for a test or doing research. Furthermore, students said that they did not like being able to post sticky notes or highlight information that they found informative to their cause.
This is why I do not believe we should move to an all electronic base of text. The value of holding a book and reading paper adds to a child's education. The cost of having these Ipad's would bankrupt schools and students families. I think that the Ipad's would be great for in class work within groups, having a few within a classroom would be extremely beneficial.
First of all an Ipad costs roughly $500 and then each textbook is going to run around $15. Now while the cost of the textbook is intriguing compared to the $70-100 that they usually pay, the unforeseen costs that are involved with technology cannot be planned for. In an average elementary school where Ipad's are given out to every student, we are talking about around 350 Ipads. Forget about the original price of them for a minute because that number is astronomically high for a school and think about the maintenance costs that will build up. With 350 Ipad's in a condensed area, being handled by young children keep in mind, a school would have to have someone to fix all the bugs, problems, malfunctions, and software updates. A teacher is not qualified in this area so a school would be in need of an apple technician on a daily basis. Add this to the price of wireless routers all around the school, enough to feed wireless internet to 350 individual Ipads.
Second, the poor get poorer and the rich get richer. The schools that are in need of new textbooks because theirs are outdated or torn up are the ones in low socioeconomic areas. These schools cannot afford to purchase Ipads. The schools that can afford to buy the Ipads are the ones in "rich" neighborhoods or high socioeconomic places. These schools are already well funded and have all the resources they need. I have seen both, the "rich" school usually has computer in every classroom with extra laptops available for checkout. The technology is the newest versions and students more often than not have at least one computer at their disposal at home. In the "poor" school there were no computers in classrooms, they had a class designated for the learning of computer programs.
Lastly, the University of Washington did a study where they gave 100 students kindle fires for free. These students reported back after the quarter had concluded. The overwhelming response of the students was that they did not like having the electronic version of their books. Since an online textbook can only show a few pages at a time and depending on the font you use, the page numbers differ. It makes it nearly impossible to refer back to a previous page when you are studying for a test or doing research. Furthermore, students said that they did not like being able to post sticky notes or highlight information that they found informative to their cause.
This is why I do not believe we should move to an all electronic base of text. The value of holding a book and reading paper adds to a child's education. The cost of having these Ipad's would bankrupt schools and students families. I think that the Ipad's would be great for in class work within groups, having a few within a classroom would be extremely beneficial.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Assingment #2
DehydratedWater
1. Who owns it?
Buy Hydrated Water
2. When was the domain first registered and when does it expire?
Created on 9/10/2000
Expires on 9/10/2012
3. How has its appearance changed since it was first created?
4. Does it appear to be updated regularly?
No it does not, there are press releases that date 3/1/2004, 8/19/2001, and 4/24/2001. These press releases are over seven years old and the website was last updated on 9/17/2011.
5. What other websites link to it? In what context?
One links sends you to amazon where you can purchase dehydrated water capsules for $2.95. Also there are links to a temp agency and a new identity website that work on the "cool jobs" page.
6. Does the information seem credible and supported by other sites?
No this website does not seem credible at all.
The White House
1. Who owns it?
whois.dotgov.gov
2. When was the domain first registered and when does it expire?
?-?
3. How has its appearance changed since it was first created?
?
4. Does it appear to be updated regularly?
Yes it was updated on April 19th, 2012 and has pictures and podcasts from all of the presidents recent appearances.
5. What other websites link to it? In what context?
6. Does the information seem credible and supported by other sites?
Yes, absolutely. The podcast, photographs, and blogs are all updated and are by credible government sources.
1. Who owns it?
Buy Hydrated Water
2. When was the domain first registered and when does it expire?
Created on 9/10/2000
Expires on 9/10/2012
3. How has its appearance changed since it was first created?
4. Does it appear to be updated regularly?
No it does not, there are press releases that date 3/1/2004, 8/19/2001, and 4/24/2001. These press releases are over seven years old and the website was last updated on 9/17/2011.
5. What other websites link to it? In what context?
One links sends you to amazon where you can purchase dehydrated water capsules for $2.95. Also there are links to a temp agency and a new identity website that work on the "cool jobs" page.
6. Does the information seem credible and supported by other sites?
No this website does not seem credible at all.
The White House
1. Who owns it?
whois.dotgov.gov
2. When was the domain first registered and when does it expire?
?-?
3. How has its appearance changed since it was first created?
?
4. Does it appear to be updated regularly?
Yes it was updated on April 19th, 2012 and has pictures and podcasts from all of the presidents recent appearances.
5. What other websites link to it? In what context?
6. Does the information seem credible and supported by other sites?
Yes, absolutely. The podcast, photographs, and blogs are all updated and are by credible government sources.
Should we let students opt out of face-to-face education?
Absolutely not, the interactions that students have with fellow students and faculty members is vital to the learning process. Although we are going to a more technological form of education, the social interaction aspect of learning is still one of the most important. Not only do these interactions help students learn but it also prepares them for the real world after school by working with a partners or in small groups. Employers are looking for young people who have the capability to both work well with others and by themselves. If education is not face-to-face where will the students be getting that experience in interactions.
If a student is passionate about opting out of face-to-face education for an online version I would tell them that there is a way that they can do both. College classes, and now even high school classes are turning to a half and half approach where a student spends half the time in the classroom and half the time on an online forum. This way the student is both getting the interactions they need and the technology they desire. Their response might be that they are still interacting with their fellow classmates on a discussion board or a blog. To this I would bring this discussion up, is our society socially awkward because of social networking. The once routine meet for coffee is now a skill that not all can do. Public speaking, presentations, whole group conversations are all a dieing skill because people have opted out of face-to-face interactions. My goal for my students is for them to be prepared to enter the working world once they have finished school and the best way for them to succeed in doing so is by having face-to-face interactions in the classroom.
If a student is passionate about opting out of face-to-face education for an online version I would tell them that there is a way that they can do both. College classes, and now even high school classes are turning to a half and half approach where a student spends half the time in the classroom and half the time on an online forum. This way the student is both getting the interactions they need and the technology they desire. Their response might be that they are still interacting with their fellow classmates on a discussion board or a blog. To this I would bring this discussion up, is our society socially awkward because of social networking. The once routine meet for coffee is now a skill that not all can do. Public speaking, presentations, whole group conversations are all a dieing skill because people have opted out of face-to-face interactions. My goal for my students is for them to be prepared to enter the working world once they have finished school and the best way for them to succeed in doing so is by having face-to-face interactions in the classroom.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Educational Websites
1) Scholastic
A great website for teachers, parents, and students of all ages. Scholastic has a full database with thousands of books that include the genre and grade level equivalent for teachers to use. In addition, this website has blogs of actual teachers and their experiences.
2) Ed Galaxy
Ed galaxy has a variety of articles on different subjects about the hot topics in those fields. They have every teaching subject covered as well as a database for lesson plans.
3) Math Playground
This is a great website for students struggling with mathematics. It includes games on the computer to play as well as games that can be played anytime.
4) Exploratorium
This is a middle man website that gives ten great website for any and all subject matters.
5) White House
Any and all information pertaining the white house including fun facts and first pets. This website also includes an interactive tour around the white house.
6) Fun Brain
An interactive, entertaining, and engaging website for young students. Math activities, reading materials, mad libs, and games which are all educational.
7) Starfall
Starfall is focused on reading, reading, and more reading. It has a wide variety of text for all different reading levels.
8) Enchanted Learning
A combination of different tools that teachers can use with their students. Printable graphic organizers and activities for the classroom.
9) PBS Kids
Anything you could ever want as a teacher is on this website. Videos, lesson plans, activities, games and much more.
10) Skippy Jon Jones
The very popular children's books is a great place for students to explore. Video's and games are included with this website as well as author information and read aloud s.
A great website for teachers, parents, and students of all ages. Scholastic has a full database with thousands of books that include the genre and grade level equivalent for teachers to use. In addition, this website has blogs of actual teachers and their experiences.
2) Ed Galaxy
Ed galaxy has a variety of articles on different subjects about the hot topics in those fields. They have every teaching subject covered as well as a database for lesson plans.
3) Math Playground
This is a great website for students struggling with mathematics. It includes games on the computer to play as well as games that can be played anytime.
4) Exploratorium
This is a middle man website that gives ten great website for any and all subject matters.
5) White House
Any and all information pertaining the white house including fun facts and first pets. This website also includes an interactive tour around the white house.
6) Fun Brain
An interactive, entertaining, and engaging website for young students. Math activities, reading materials, mad libs, and games which are all educational.
7) Starfall
Starfall is focused on reading, reading, and more reading. It has a wide variety of text for all different reading levels.
8) Enchanted Learning
A combination of different tools that teachers can use with their students. Printable graphic organizers and activities for the classroom.
9) PBS Kids
Anything you could ever want as a teacher is on this website. Videos, lesson plans, activities, games and much more.
10) Skippy Jon Jones
The very popular children's books is a great place for students to explore. Video's and games are included with this website as well as author information and read aloud s.
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