Week 6 Summary

I would like to first thank everyone for their wonderful posts! Everyone had some really interesting and important information to share, it was nice to read!

Here are the questions, and some key points that were brought up for each of the questions.

1. Describe ways in which you can become "digitally literate." Describe ways your classroom can become "digitally literate."

Everyone believes that their students should become digital literate because that is the direction that the world as a whole, and the world of education is headed.

Being digital literate also allows the teacher to reach more students because they can now access multiple learning styles to help the students be more successful.

There are many teachers who do not know how to use the technology that is available and thus, they are not educating their students.

Another factor is that technology is always evolving, and it is difficult to stay current.

2. According to the video: "Web 2.0...The Machine is Us/ing Us Part 2," virtual reality is a likely outcome of the participatory Internet. Do you agree? Why or why not?

Is the virtual world something that we really want, how is it possible?

This is about people sharing, trading, and collaborating (Google search) and helping each other progress in a forward direction

3. Do you think it is important for students to be assessed on their "technological literacy?" What about students that are "being left behind?" Do you think it is fair to assess students on their technological skills when some can't even read at grade level?

Problems with assessing technological literacy are the money to get the technology and the education of the technology to use it in the classroom.

Everyone agrees that it is important to become technological literate.

Those who are in the lower income are in a rut because they don't have the money to move forward, and they don't have the resources to progress forward.

Should be taught, but should not be part of assessment because it adds one more to an extensive list that students are struggling with in order to be successful.

The older generation of teachers are left behind because they don't have the training of the technology.

Not everyone has access to the Internet or to other technology while at home, which puts them behind other students who have the money to have the technology and be successful.

4. According to the summary of findings of "Teens and Technology," teens seem to use the Internet for personal reasons such as talking with friends, playing games, but they are not using the computer for educational purposes. Will incorporating computers into lessons really keep students engaged? Do you think they will be engaged in the lesson simply because it is different from using the textbook and worksheets? Or do you think they will eventually become less engaged in the lesson because they are using the computer for "school work" not for playing games and talking with friends?

Teachers should know and monitor what their students are doing so that they stay on task and do not go to places on the Internet that are inappropriate.

Using the Internet takes away from the stigma of learning through books/worksheets.

Using technology also incorporates different learning styles and thus reaching more students than one teaching style.

5. How has technology in the classroom changed since you have graduated from high school? What are the positive and negative effects of these changes on education and learning?

Did not use to have computers and photocopiers; but did have ditto machines, and electric typewriters.

Technology has benefited students because it opens the world up and all the possibilities for students.

Over the years, technology has improved significantly. We now have smart carts (DVD, VHS, voice recording, etc.); ELMO; Smart Boards; computer labs; Blackboard

Technology is always evolving, even in the past four years.

Teachers are relying on home usage of technology more and more.

Technology is appealing to visual learners.


Again, I would like to thank everyone for contributing to the discussions! Everyone did a great job!!!