Digital Badge B

1     All of these technology tools can be overwhelming and a little intimidating.  Prior to this class I had never even heard of Web 2.0 tools.  On page 24 of the textbook, there is quite a long list, many of which I am already familiar with; but had no idea they were called Web 2.0 tools.  Now that I already know what a few of these are and how to use them; perhaps it will be easier now to continuing learning about other tools and how to integrate some of these into the classroom.  This website Web 2.0: Cool Tools for Schools is loaded with an abundance of tools that are available to teachers. 

By Smerrell | View this Toon at ToonDoo | Create your own Toon

       On page 34 of the textbook, the section titled Critics of Technology in Schools.  It seems difficult to know exactly how much technology time students should spend in the classroom.  I have read with the use of technology it helps to develop creativity but according to this section of reading, too much “right-and-wrong-answer computer games limits the development of children’s creativity.”  So what’s the right answer?  How much is too much?  This article from TechNewsWorld.com is very interesting and says that technology leads to improved reading skills.  But on the other hand too much technology can make a child feel ”anxious, restless, bored and aggressive” (LeClaire, 2006).   I guess it is once again a balance, knowing what the limits are and setting strict guidelines.

Students these days are definitely digital natives as explained on page 38 in the textbook.  As I stated in my previous post, they can just pick up any kind of electronic device and figure out how it works.  And those digital immigrants who require the owner’s manual struggle to even understand how to turn the machine on.  This particular section further explains that these students who were brought up using technology are more likely to learn from “electronic and computer environments.  So it is up to the schools and the teachers to provide the technology that these students need to succeed. 

LeClaire, Jennifer. (2006, September 6).  Kids and Tech: How Much Is Too Much?  Retrieved from http://www.technewsworld.com/story/52677.html

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.