Reflection 6

I remember in high school when I would have to collect data and draw it in pie charts or bar graphs. This was mostly used for math and science but sometimes with history as well, and I always thought it was boring and confusing. I read an article called "10 Fascinating Data Visualization Projects" and expected it to reflect something similar to what I had done in high school.....not even close!! I was honestly amazed at the amount of really interesting information I found, and the awesome visual effects. I am now searching where and how I can make these different types of graphs because of how effective they are. I have never been excited about data collecting until now, which is making me realize that if we are using technology correctly how much of a difference it can make in our future students lives.

Reflection 5

I read an article  on free digital workshops that are used to help students from grade school all the way up to high school learn how to create apps and design robots. This article talked about how it's not only important for technology to be there, but for students to understand how and why it works. The process of learning how to create these apps is education in itself. This is a type of education that students are getting excited about, and it is important to look at this in a positive light. They have the ability to create whatever they like, whenever they like. I am really excited to learn more about this workshop program and where I could possibly learn how to design and create apps and robots! I think if we use technology the right way, education will go somewhere it has never gone before.

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Reflection 4

Recently a friend and I watched a Youtube video about "coding." This was the first time I had ever realized that I could potentially learn how to create websites and apps. I was really interested in this so I began to research the topic, when I came across an article called "Kids Code the Darndest Things." This Article features several videos of young kids who have created apps, video games and websites. I was honestly blown away when I began watching these videos. These kids were standing in front of audiences speaking publicly about their passions for technology, the ways they got creative and how exactly they got involved. Their public speaking was far better than mine was even in high school, and the amount of knowledge and creativity was outstanding. The fact that they are able to think up such creative designs in their heads and transfer it onto a computer or some other form of technology is truly amazing. I think we need to encourage students to branch out and use technology to advance their creativity levels. This article has changed my perspective on technology and has made me realize why it is so essential that we use it to further our students education. Technology takes students' potentials to an entirely new level as it provides limitless creativity for them to explore.

Reflection 3

Another cause for concern when it comes to technology, is that social media is lessening students' abilities to read and write properly. This article is interesting as it is written by a writer himself who grew up before social media and is now watching as his children are constantly engaged with Twitter and Facebook.  The author of this article makes the argument that social media may actually be helping in regards to reading and writing. One of his points is that these days we are reading more than ever. The whole basis of social media stems on our ability to read. The fact that Twitter also has a 140 character limit forces those tweeting to be concise and effective in their writing. What I really like about this article is that it points out the flaws, for example the lack of good grammar and spelling, but it also shows the positive aspects of technology. There are pros and cons to technology in education, but whether we like it or not this is where our generation is headed.

Internet Safety (Reflection 2)

One of the main concerns with the use of technology in schools, specifically with younger children, is that it can be dangerous. We are all familiar with the scams and viruses that are passed along through the internet. I came across this website that has given a solution to this issue which I think is a great resource. Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization that has created a "passport" for both students and teachers alike. CSM has partnered with Harvard's School of Education in an endeavor to teach students internet manners and ways to keep themselves safe. This passport has multiple games and videos that bring up different scenarios and situations that could happen via the internet, while providing the student with appropriate solutions in order to keep themselves safe. I think this is a really great tool because it makes learning important internet lessons fun for students and raises awareness about specific problems that can occur while online.

Twitter in the Classroom (Reflection 1)

I had never though about using twitter in the classroom until I stumbled across this website. The article discusses several different ways that twitter can be used as a benefit to the class for example, classroom development. In order to have a healthy classroom I think it is important for students to know each other on a personal level and having twitter aids that. Not only will students be more comfortable in class and sharing information with each other, they are exposed to multiple cultures and ways of life through learning who others are outside of the classroom. As far as a more educational purpose, Twitter can be used as a tool to connect students to their teachers outside of class, and because twitter is usually linked to a phone, feedback is more prompt than emails.
There are many other examples of ways that Twitter can be used to further education inside of the classroom and I really recommend people to click on the link above! It is interesting to see that social media is not just the distraction from class that many people think it is, it can also be used to promote learning.