Chpt. 5-6 in EIA textbook

The Patriot Act really stuck out at me when I read through this chapter. I knew we changed security measures in airports, train stations, buses etc., but I didn't realize to what extent it affected us as individual people. For the FBI to be able to search a person's premisses without a search warrant because they have resonable cause is scary. I personally think that takes away too many of my rights. Then to be able to seize property that constitutes evidence of a criminal offense without me knowing or them asking permission, wow! My heart went out to the attorney from Portland that was actually accused but later found innocent. I'm all for getting the bad guys but I think we need to rethink this a little. Chapter six was a good in depth review from our other book. The fact that hackers do dumpster diving is a really good reason to own a shredder and use it ALL the time! The most interesting part was on line voting. I don't think I would participate until a lot of things changed. I do believe that voting would be quicker and more convenient, but I think it will cause more problems than helps. Even though it would be convenient people still won't take the time to sit at their computers to vote and what if they don't have a computer! The idea that people will pay someone to vote a specific way in the privacy of their home, it will happen. I find it hard to believe that hackers won't hack in and change my vote or put a virus into my computer because I didn't vote the way they thought I should. It just seems like a lot more hassle to put voting on line then to do it like we do! If we had a more concrete way of controlling the web, then it might be more feasible. I'm sure it's possible and probably will happen in the future.

The School of the Future

This article talks about schools in the future and how they will be community-style centers operating 7 days a week, 24 hours a day and that computers will become an essential ingredient in the recipe for an effective school. In these schools students will see and hear teachers on computers with remote learning. They will learn at times that are most convenient for them, but will have to attend actual school when required for appropriate social skills. All students will have laptop computers. They will have a special phone system used by teachers and students to find information or speak to experts in different subject areas. All lessons will be multidisciplinary and students will have individual learning plans. Utah State University is working toward the future school like the one above by identifying the most effective teaching approaches, techniques and ideologies. They encourage innovations and adapation to specific circumstance and assist the creation of a community of parents and teachers who support each other in improving schools. I personally think this goes to far. I think computers need to enhance teaching not take it over!

Laptops Change Curriculum and Students

This article talks about a middle school in Connecticut where all the students have laptops. They think the children have a greater interest in reasearch, writing and projects they need to do. They feel the computers give the students a sense of discovery everyday and keep them more focused and on task. They made all this happen by having their school system spend $2 million on the computers, but families pay $60 a year for insurance so they can take the computers home. Other ways to fund a computer program like this would be getting a grant from an outside source, donations or a combination of all three.
The pros and cons are: The cost of the laptops and whether this technology is necessary. The fact that students who don't have computers at home are at a disadvantage. The lack of administrative support on how to work computes into the curriculum, the experiences to feel confident in using them and the fact that they are a part of society and here to stay!

The 411 on One-to-One Computing

This article talks about one to one computing which essentially means every student has regular, reliable access to technology. They can use it anytime and anyplace. It address teachable moments as breaking down classroom walls and engaging students in real world learning. The basic types of technology used are laptops, handelds and tablet PCs.
Laptops are functional, easy to learn, support is readily available, it has integration helps and they have cross-platform capability. The disadvantages are that they cost $1,000 or higher, they are heavy, not real mobile and there is the physical barrier making it difficult for teacher to monitor.
Handhelds are cost efficient, functional, have task-specific hardware and mobile. They weigh the littlest and all software will transfer to PC or MAC. The disadvantages to the handhelds is the size(small screen), they have limited features and you need to spend time learning how to use, install and troubleshoot with them.
Tablet PCs are very mobile, have many handwriting capabilities, are easy to handle and very compatable. The disadvantages are that they have limited software, limited educational materials and they are the most expensive of the three.

Author Says Technology Brings False Promises to Schools

This article is based on an interview with Todd Oppenheimer, author of The Flickering Mind: The False Promise of Technology in the Classroom and How Learning Can Be Saved. He talks about how the current emphasis on technology use in schools is draining resources from other subjects and prevents the students from deveolping critical and creative thinking skills. It talks about how computers are shifting learning values from quality to quantity and this is causing students to look at the quantity of information instead of how to think about the information. In this authors opinion the key to technology is to use it as a supplement and not a replacement for traditional studies. I totally agree with this statement, I think computers need to be used as a resource only. He states that children need to learn the fundamentals of play and creativity from people and real situations not from simulated images. I also found it interesting that software companies don't have to "jump" the same bureaucratic hurdles that textbook companies do. I think that should be changed.

How Teachers View Technology

A company that provides technology to K-12 schools called CDW-G took a survey on teachers views of technology. The survey determined that teachers believe that a computer is a valuable tool that improves student academic performance, attention in the class and comminication with parents. Seventy two percent of the teachers surveyed believed that the students who have computers at home were at a greater advantage then those who didn't have them. I totally agree with this statement. It talked about the greatest obstacle of technology was the shortage of computers. What I thought was interesting was that techers who rated computers being very useful were the ones who have had the most training. I think it is very important to be trained in technology as a teacher and not just thrown in and expected to know!

Technology in Schools: Some Say It Doesn't Compute!

This article talks about all the reasons technology may not be so good for schools. They talk about the possibilities of visual and postural problems, emmissions from the machines, children being sedentary instead of active and software that is not necessarily relevant. The question was asked are they really motivated to learn by the computer or motivated to play. Sometimes I wonder this myself when I put my 1st graders on them, but at the same time some children are more willing to do the math facts on the computer and practice then the old fashioned flash card way. It talks about research that shows different schools that have done studies and they show no correlation between computers and achievement. I think this means we need to keep studying the idea of computers in the classroom and make sure it is harmful or helpful!