Chapter 5 - GIS & GPS

Compare the features and instructional applications of GIS and GPS tools. How can educators use GIS and GPS tools to enhance student learning?

GIS stands for Geographic Information System, which the book describes that it "is a computer system that is able to store in a database a variety of information about geographic locations." So this allows students to make connections a place and the qualities or features behind that specific place on the map. Educators can use GIS to help with students with scaffolding or to make more connections in order for the lesson to "stick." So teachers can teach about the area that a location is like Hawaii and include such data as the agriculture, what beliefs are practiced there, the language, etc.

GPS on the other hand stands for Global Positioning System, which is "a worldwide radionavigation system made possible by a bank of 24 satellites and their ground stations." A GPS helps pinpoint where your exact location or position on earth even stating it in feet and inches. In the classroom a good way to incorporate this feature or device is to have a like a worldwide treasure hunt called geocaching. This can help students become aware of positions on maps while having fun at the same time.

Week 13-Chapter 3

Some people say drill and practice is really "drill and kill." What can teachers do to make sure this kind of use doesn't happen and drill and practice can serve a useful function?

Just like most everything that we do in our lives the way I see it is we have to do everything with balance or moderation. Same concept applies here with drill and practice. We need to determine when is the appropriate time to have a student use drill and practice techniques as well as how long they should use it. We have to pay attention to the student’s learning style. Some students may not need to use drill and practice because they clearly understand the lesson, however others that are maybe not grasping the idea can get some benefit out of using drill and practice. Granted, it’s only for a set time like 15 minutes in order for them not to get "killed" so to speak.

Another way to make drill and practice beneficial is to make it fun for the students. They can have small competitions where the last top two compete in the end for the number one spot. This will eliminate the time that can pass to get bored. So again everything in moderation should be beneficial.

Discussion 11: Distance Learning

In regards to distance learning some educators agree with it and support it but others don’t. Some educators feel that distance learning will help extend opportunities to students that live in the country or far away from civilization so to speak. In addition students will gain computer skills that they may use in their future workplace. Also with distance learning students tend to develop their writing skills more because it requires students to interact through writing on a discussion board or whatever the case may be. It also helps them develop critical thinking skills because students tend to think about their responses more when they are writing it rather than just saying it as it is in the traditional class on campus. It also allows for more student flexibility where students will learn when it is convenient to them. Theoretically I would think it would help students develop a sense of time management as well as responsibility and discipline.

Others however, feel that students will lose interest quickly to where they just drop out with distance learning. Some students may not embrace the flexibility as a way to be responsible but rather irresponsible. They might find it easier to procrastinate when they don’t see the teachers expression reaction to not doing an assignment so to speak. Some teachers also feel that students will not be able to develop the normal social skills as those in the traditional classroom. Those students will not develop proper body language in accordance to the different settings.

Wk 9 Discussion: Chapter 15

On the issues related to training special education teachers to use technology the book talks about how using NETS competency statements are important to sort of measure technological skills gained. The problem however, is that they are finding out that despite efforts to improve teacher technology preparation programs, they have still not been modified enough to get teachers to measure up to the NETS standards. Therefore most teachers end up starting their teaching career with little experience with technology integration. Also to add to the issues, from what I understand is that they need a more demanding assistive technology delivery system because apparently it’s not automatic for a student to get a device that is needed without having to make like some sort of petition.

In the book it describes what no-tech, low-tech, and high-tech solutions are for special students. An example of no-tech is like a one handed individual typing with one hand. Low-tech would be like using highlighters, dictionaries, and organizing systems. High-tech is when we get to the interesting gadgets like powered wheelchairs, smart boards, types of hearing aids, electronic spelling checkers, all kinds of calculators etc.

Discussion 7: "History Wars"

The "history wars" are between educator’s views of what range of social studies should be taught. Some educators or those in education system hierarchy believe that social studies should be limited to just the most important history themes or historical events where as others believe that social studies should encompass a wider range of themes or history and civics as termed in the chapter. Those that view social studies as requiring more themes believe that it should include such themes that will help the students gain a more personal approach to history. Some examples would be like going beyond to incorporate the immediate local history in addition to the main curriculum. Some implications of technology are that with the Internet becoming more readily available, students will rely and go to the information found on there rather than going to a reference or a book on history. The problem is that many times students are not critical enough to distinguish which data is reliable and which is data is not factual at all.

Some concerns that arise with students’ ready access to information on the Internet is that they might run into some inappropriate sights which depends really on what is being studied but the danger is there. One main concern that probably happens more often is what I was mentioning earlier, which is that many times students may not know how to weed out the good information from that bad. Some students may also be so gullible to believe everything they find on any website. Many students are also shy and may prefer to get their answers on the Internet rather than asking the teacher even though many times it might not be the correct or can be extended further by the teacher.

Discussion 5

I think media literacy is important to a certain extent however I think print literacy will always be most important. I believe that print literacy is the foundation or basis in order to be able to grasp media literacy with more ease. Consequently, if a student doesn’t learn how to read, then he/she won’t be able understand any of the information that they may find through media. Also if a student doesn’t learn how to write then they won’t be able to get their ideas across or communicate with the world. Learning how to write on paper helps with coordination and a means of sort of printing symbols in the mind. I see it like the reason for learning long division. We don’t really learn long division because we’re going to use it all the time but simply to understand the process behind the short cut. I think the same idea goes for writing.

It’s good to have basic knowledge of media literacy. There really is no getting around it, regardless of what job or career that you go into because even if you’re a construction worker you need to have basic media literacy in order to look for available positions or to apply for a position. Sure you could go to the newspaper to find something, but you have such a wider spectrum when you go online. You can get by without having media literacy however you’re basically making things harder for yourself.

My basic view is that both print literacy and media literacy are important but I think they go hand in hand. For best efficiency I think you can’t have one without the other these days. Granted I stand firm in my belief that print literacy will always be most important.

In the chapter it mentions that the meaning of literacy has changed so much and I think this new meaning overall supports my position. It also talks about how teachers need to keep up with the information age in order to prepare students for this new world out there. The way I interpret this is that they are assuming that print literacy is already in place and in order to enhance education, media literacy needs to be sprinkled in. Ultimately, this supports my view because I believe that print literacy need to be in place first and foremost before basic media literacy is incorporated.

Discussion 3

TIP Model Phase 4-Preparing the Instructional Environment Esmerelda is having her students do a social studies project in which they do "virtual interviews" of experts on various periods in U.S. history. She schedules time in the computer lab and has them locate experts by searching Internet sites. She gives them an initial list of sites, but encourages them to branch out from there, looking for additional sites on their own. There is no lab manager and she has to go back to the classroom for periods of time as they work, but she knows they are competent Internet users and can be trusted not to leave the lab without permission. For their contacts with experts, she has them prepare a standard email with the school name; their names, ages, addresses, and personal email addresses, if they have one; and a description of what they would like to know.

1. Assuming she is correct that students will not leave the lab with permission, is Esmeralda's plan for having students use the Internet a good one? Why or why not?
It's a good idea to a certain extent. It's good for the students to be able to navigate become familiarized with the Internet and learn about the topic they are researching. The fact that she gave the students a list of sites provides a bit of a safety net, for the first couple of minutes of their research however one must fear when they start navigating on their own without the supervision of an adult. We can assume they know what's right and what's wrong but why give them temptation. It concerns me also that they are putting in personal information. I don't think we could trust the students to differentiate between a reliable source vs. an unreliable one. Ultimately I think there should be some kind of supervision at all times because like someone mentioned in class these kids are quick and witty. It's better not to even give them the chance to do something they are not suppose to be doing.

2. Do you see any problems with the email she is having them send?
I most definitely see a problem with their emails. I would'nt feel comfortable for any of my future children to be giving out our address to complete strangers. Yes they may be experts so to speak but there are predators everywhere. I just don't feel that that kind of personal information is required from the expert they find. I think just an email should suffice and for those who don't have an email then those students can go in a side group with the teacher to create one. Furthermore, I think a teacher or computer lab staff member should be there to approve the expert that the student finds before sending any kind of communication. We can't trust that all students will make the right judgments about these experts that they come across.

3. How would you change her plan to improve it?
I think she should wait for there to be a lab manager or at least another staff member available to help guide the students in the lab before doing this assignment. I think she should also do her very best to take care of everything she might have to do in the classroom before begnning this assignment that way she could be present in the lab for monitoring. I like the idea of having a list ready for the students to start their search from but I think once they have branched out they should have the teacher or staff member approve what they are viewing in order to make sure they are on the right track.

-Paula Partida