Digital Story: What is Earth's Location in Space?

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Lesson Plan for EDU 533

Lesson Plan: Plate Tectonics

Real World Technology Use: Learning Through Technology Interview

In a small, private school in Haverhill, MA, on the third floor of one of the oldest schools in the district, there is a small, yet fundamental revolution happening behind the doors of the computer room.  Starting in fourth-grade, students at St. Joseph School are learning what it means to program, code, create applications, use presentation tools and build their own website.  First and second graders are learning how to tell stories digitally.  Kindergartners are able to type a message to their parents about their school year and what they love best. All this happening, and only one teacher behind it all.  Her name is Mrs. B and she has transformed, encouraged and gave meaning to many of her students’ lives through the use of technology.  

Introducing Mrs. B!

Mrs. B has been teaching for 28 years.  She came to Massachusetts from St. Louis when her husband got a job in Boston.  Since the time she began at St. Joseph School she was assigned the role as computer teacher.  Today, her focus and career are spent teaching students about computer applications and programming.  Of course being the computer teacher she uses technology everyday.  Some of the basics, or essential components of her lessons, center around her computer and SmartBoard.  Other types of technology that she uses on a regular basis include laptops, tablets, response systems, cellphones and scanners. The Smart Response Clickers are a favorite among the younger children. Watching Mrs. B and her interaction with the students, it is clear that she wants them to reach out and learn for themselves.  Of course she offers guidance but she is strong on having the kids figure it out for themselves before coming to her as a last resort.  

School Background:

Before I get into detail about Mrs. B and my observations obtained during this assignment, let me give a brief background of the school.  As stated before, St. Joseph’s School is small.  Roughly three-hundred students roam the hallways of this once all boys, French speaking school.  In the “big” school you will find classrooms ranging from Kindergarten to 8th grade. Up the hill, at the “little” school is where you will find the Early Childhood Center.  Mrs. B is responsible only for the students in K-8.  This means she must teach children as young as four all the way to thirteen year old teenagers.  She see students from grades 1-8 twice a week and Kindergarten only once per week.  Two years ago, her lab also got a makeover.  She received twenty-seven new, touchscreen computers.  Imagine the students and their face’s when they saw this! Going to computer class had now become almost as fun as gym class!

Observations:

While I was observing Mrs. B, I watched as students created and built their own websites through Weebly.  At the start of the school year, Mrs. B assigned each child a Gmail account, allowing them to access these types of tools.  The students had a very basic, yet precise hand-out on how to make a website using Weebly.  She encourages them to work on it outside of school, and for the most part students do.  They come to class the next period eager to show her what they have found out while exploring tools on the site builder or simply because they wanted her to see the updates and changes they made to their site.


I was also lucky enough to be observing one Thursday morning, when all of a sudden, the internet went out. Try having a computer room full of middle school students and no internet connection! Pure and utter chaos. The students acted as if they had no idea what they should do.  No internet? How will they ever have computer class? 

Some.

Most.

This was the thought running through most of their minds.  It brought me back to when I was in computer class as a young student and the internet did not even exist.  Now, I know that sounds cliche, but it is true.  We never had access to the internet, yet still had computer class.  Even when Mrs. B allowed the students to have free-time and play games on the computers, due to the lack of an internet connection, they still complained and yearned for their 4G network on their phones.  

Technological Errors:

When talking with Mrs. B I uncovered that her biggest problem she faces has to do with the internet and connection issues.  At one time, maybe even two years ago, this was not the case.  Now, the server is overloaded with teacher, student and staff devices.  I know this can be frustrating in my class when I have planned a lesson involving a video clip or demonstration online and it takes 20 minutes to load the 20 second clip!  So, I can only imagine the frustration when your whole lesson is based on the sole fact of the students connecting to the internet.  She even made it a point to state that rarely has her equipment ever failed her, rather just the internet.  If one program is not working, she can use another.  When she is unable to connect though, it is not as simple.

Reflections Overall:

As a teacher, I know having someone in your room, observing you from the back can be tedious and straining. Some teachers put on a show for the observer in order to make an appearance. With Mrs. B, it is evident that this is not the case. Though I did witness a few students who had problems navigating a page or saving their work, for the most part they knew to figure out the solution or ask a peer for help. Students were eager to show their friends their new blog post or website. One 7th grade student, who does poorly in most other subjects, was able to make a game using Scratch and show others how he did it. The feeling of accomplishment gleaming across his face. In the end, my overall reaction to this experience is that we need technology integration. As educators, we are responsible for teaching students how to use technology and use it correctly. Mrs. B did mention that she feels most teachers use technology and integrate it into their daily lessons based on their comfort level. They may be timid in reaching out or changing their ways. I can't imagine not wanting to self-educate and explore my option. Maybe this is due to age difference? I really am not sure, but I hope the future calls for more technology and computer science integration. I hope teachers like Mrs. B continue to make a difference in the lives' of our youth. We want them to embrace the tools they have at their fingertips, have respect for what they do with their identity online, and become a productive member of the digital society.

Image Sources:
St. Joseph School school building
No Internet Comic (Top)
No Internet Comic (Bottom)
Stable Life, Stable Internet

Week 5: "Digital Nation" and "Growing Up Online"

Documentaries Viewed and Discussed:

Growing Up Online 2008

Digital Nation 2010

Compare and Contrast:

Let’s begin with some of obvious comparisons of these two films.  First off, both documentaries are focused on one aspect of almost everyone’s life: technology.  Rachel Dretzin, producer of both films, continues her journey from 2008 to 2010 to try and answer some of today’s most difficult questions: how does technology play a role in our youth and how will it play a role in the long run? Are technology and the internet a way to isolate ourselves from the world or bring us together? If so, how do we promote safe and efficient ways to use these tools and resources?  These are some of the main points that both documentaries explore and question.

Now for the main difference among these two movies: Growing Up Online, filmed in 2008, had a central focus on teens and how technology may be affecting them.  Digital Nation, though only filmed two years later in 2010, had a shift on that focus when it opened up by stating that everyone is consumed by technology now.  It is not just a question about how technology is affecting our youth but about how it is affecting our mothers, fathers, grandparents and even toddlers too young to talk.  

Thoughts on Multitasking:

If I were asked the question of whether I believe I could multitask 5 years ago, I would of told you that I am a master at it.  However, as I have grown older and gained more responsibility I can ensure you that I am indeed NOT a multitasker.   For instance, I am not fond of online classes.  This may seem odd for someone who is going to school for a degree in technology education, but the distractions and lack of a “real” teacher do not allow me to get fully absorbed in the material.  It just does not seem organized to me.   This is why I fully agree with Dretzin when she comes to the realization after viewing results of a scientific study in Digital Nation, that it turns out all multitaskers are terrible at all aspects of multitasking.  Even though we like to believe we are great at it, science proves us wrong and it is another example of humans taking their intellectual abilities too far.  The pressure is on though for our youth to stay connected through text, Facebook, email and various other networks. How are going to ensure that they are using technology in a creative manner and not as a distraction?

Technology Addiction:

The question of addiction and technology,from my perspective, is that in order to prevent a problem, we must first look at why it is happening.  Incorrect usage of technology and addiction is the result of improper education on how to use it.  Also let’s look at who is monitoring the individual that may be having a problem?  Just like with any other addiction, they do not happen overnight.  A child or adult did not become addicted to a video game or the internet overnight.  It happened overtime and when it began to interfere with their life (homework, work, family, love life, etc.) then it becomes an addiction and problem from an outside perspective.  We need to embrace technology as a new way of living in order to get away from the cliche that it is ruining society.  Should we be concerned? Well, of course we will always have “problems” but we need to learn how to better prevent these problems.  It was amazing to see this already being done in South Korea. In Digital Nation we see first graders from South Korea learning about netiquette, or internet manners. Some may see their measures as extreme but it is necessary if we want to adapt to the needs of the 21 century learner.  We must instill that technology is a tool, not a friend.

Video Games in Education:

Some children love reading, some children love to paint, some children are athletes and some children enjoy playing video games.  This is not “new” news.  Of course, many children enjoy playing the gory, first-hand shooter games more than the puzzle or educational games, but they are video games none the less.  My question as an educator is how can I excite, motivate and engage the students who have a love for video games?  Just as I try to engage my bookworms, artists, and jocks, I must try to engage my video game players.  Well, I am fortunate to have an excellent technology teacher at my school.  We collaborate and share all the time.  Last summer I took a course at MIT in Scratch and StarLogo TNG with her.  (These are two computer programming tools for those that are unfamiliar.)  I learned the power of coding and how to bring digital programming into my curriculum.  Just this year I had a few students create a replica of an ancient Egyptian civilization using StarLogo.  A few chose to use Minecraft.  They loved the idea of this and the results left me speechless.  To put it in simple terms: I do not believe that videogames are a waste of time, unless they are consuming your time.  It all comes down to moderation.

 

Screenshot of StarLogo Programming Software

The Power of Digital Tools:

The amount of digital tools available for educators and schools is infinite.  Schools now have the ability to relay information to parents at the click of the mouse or notify a student of an assignment before they even get off the bus.  However, many schools and educators do not know how to properly use these tools and just what exactly is available to them.  That is why it is up to future teachers to start searching and sharing their experiences and ideas.  Do I think being able to take a virtual field trip to King Khufu’s Great Pyramid will make or break a struggling school? No. But it will allow a child who has never and perhaps will never visit Egypt, a chance to visit virtually.  The student will gain a better understanding and appreciation of the material being taught.

Teaching Digital Responsibility and Parents:

I personally believe that parents today have a better idea on what their children may be doing online.  When I was growing up, the internet was growing with me.  It was my “friend” and my parents were just getting introduced to my “friend”.  Today’s parents know this “friend” better.  They are more aware of the dangers and the risks associated with this “friend”.  Of course their are some parents who are still in the dark but from what I have seen from most of my middle school parents is that they do try to stay connected and involved in their child’s “digital” world.  As for who is responsible to teach the children about proper usage, I believe it is a skill that begins at home but is also reinforced in schools.  We teach our children manners (well, most of us) and expect that they go to school to be taught the same manners.  Same goes for proper use of technology and the internet.  When I went to school I was taught how to write a proper business and friendly letter.  Times have changed.  Now, instead of a business letter I should be teaching my students how to write a professional email.  Instead of teaching my students how to look a word up in the dictionary, I should be teaching them how to look up a reliable source on the internet.

Ruining Digital Footprints:

Of course many kids and adults are ruining their lives without knowing.  Look at all controversies that have started with Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Instagram, etc.  Many of these people were just naive though. They were uneducated on how their choices online would affect them in reality.  Again, it comes down to being properly educated about the risks of being careless with their digital footprints.  Can you imagine reading a note five years later you may have wrote to one of your friends in middle school about a teacher you hate?  I can’t but today’s youth can.

"Stranger Danger" and Today's Technology Scare:

I am quite surprised when I talk to my students about online "stranger danger". Children today know much more than we give them credit for. Just as I was told never to take candy or a ride from a stranger in grade school, these children are being told never to give out personal information online. It is still odd to think that their are unstable people out there prowling the internet for naive, young children but it is reassuring to see that most children know what to avoid. I think a major portion of this problem stemmed from online chat rooms which is an aspect of the internet world rarely explored by today's youth.

Sources:

Digital Nation
Growing Up Online
Netiquette image
Growing Up Online Image
Digital Nation Image
Scratch Image
StarLogo Image