Emerging Technology

I'm exploring Edublogs.  Edublogs is an education blogging service.  You can create and manage students and teacher blogs.  You can customize designs with videos, photos and podcasts.  The blogs are safe and private.  You can add and update blogs through email.  Blogs can also be customized using the features on the website.  This site is useful because students and teachers can use this website to communicate.  I learned how to use Edublogs from the website.  It is very user friendly if you follow instructions.  After following instructions, create your blog and customize it.  Here is the blog I created: http://kwaltersiupui.edublogs.org/

Texas instruments

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Texas instruments

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My Delicious Account

I have tagged some articles and I found them to be very interesting. I encourage you to read them!
http://www.delicious.com/keishawalters37

Introducing myself and exploring my first blogging experience!

Hello everyone... My name is Keisha Walters.  This is my second year at IUPUI.  My major is elementary education.  I want to teach third grade.  I'm originally from Gary, IN.  I love to shop.  My friends and family are very important to me.  I also like to sing, spend time with my friends and family, go to church and anything else fun! I knew that I wanted to be a teacher because I have a passion for children.  I just really want to make a difference in the lives of young children.  I also want to make sure that they have the best education possible. 

This is my first blogging experience and it is much easier than what I thought it would be.  This website really made blogging easy and it also makes it seem fun.  I like the different ways that you can design your blog.  This website makes me more creative.  The only advice that I would give to you guys is to just take your time.  Don't try to rush making this blog and make sure that you follow directions.  

Assistive Technology

 Today, education has changed so much.  Many years ago, education was based on reading, writing and arithmetic.  Now, it is so much more.  Schools are expected to focus more on technology.  Studies show that there are six elements of 21st century learning.  The six elements are core subjects, learning skills, 21st century tools, 21st century context, 21st century content and new assessments that measure 21st century skills.  With that being said, how can teachers concentrate on basics while implementing these 21st century skills?

     One major problem in schools is the No Child Left Behind act.  This act just focuses on standardized testing.  This puts pressure on the school district, principles, teachers and students.  Every school is put under pressure to make sure that their students pass the tests.  I know from experience that most students don't take the tests serious and that's why the scores are so low. It doesn't matter if a student is computer savvy or is gifted in the arts, if they don't pass the test, the reputation of the school is ruined and they also lose funding.  In the article, "21st Century Skills: Will our Students be Prepared?' John Bailey says, "After all, for many educators today the governments No Child Left Behind program is synonymous with high-stakes testing and a narrowing vision of what constitutes achievement."  

     Government funding is what keeps technology in the schools.  Unfortunately, today's economy is not up to part so most schools are losing funding.  This is unfortunate because this means less technology for students to learn with.  Students need to be aware of the different technologies surrounding.  In areas with poverty, students already don't have much technology around so this lessens their opportunities of being well rounded students.  This lessens their chances to learn how to use the Internet, laptops, Microsoft Word and Powerpoint.  Students will need to know how to use these things because they will need in college and in the work force.

     So, what is the answer to help students succeed when it comes to basic skills and using technology?  It starts with the teachers.  If students don't have access to this outside of school, teachers should use all of these ideas in the classrooms.  This can help the learning process become more creative and will encourage the students to learn.  Teachers can incorporate current technology in their daily lessons.  In the article, "21st Century Skills: Will our Students be Prepared?" Eeva Reeder says, "All human beings learn by doing, analyzing, talking, processing and problem-solving.  Talking at kids never has been and never will be an effective way to help them learn."

     Teachers can implement technology with just a simple classroom projector.  In the article, "Ten Ways to Get Beyond Powerpoint with Classroom Projectors," it states that a teacher can be very creative using his/her projector.  They can use to help implement different things such as reading/writing, math, science, social studies, timer/stopwatch, games/quizzes, board work, graphic organizers, lectures and drama/theater.  All those areas help students prepare for college and the real world.  It also covers basic subjects, the arts and just organization.

     With all of the technology in today's society, there is still hope for students.  They can still learn basic skills and advance in technology also.  The No Child Left Behind act can still help students but only if the use of technology is included.  If schools implement more technology usage, the tests scores will go up because the students will flex their brains more.