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Andy Haugen Tech Review

Trade Journal: International Society for Technology in Education

Dan Brown, “Rural Districts Bolster choices with Online Learning.” Leading and Learning, March/April 2012, Vol. 39 Issue 6.

In this article Dan Brown discusses online courses at high schools located in and around Eugene, Oregon. Most of the schools have less than one thousand students in attendance. Many of these high schools have developed online courses that students can take. Many were skeptical about the program when it started but so far there have been some good results. The schools are offering online courses where a student is monitored during the day by a mentor at the school while they do the work. These programs are not limited to problem students which is commonly assumed online high school courses are for. Many students who participate in the online program are taking courses to make up credits in order to graduate but many are taking classes to further their education. For example, Spanish II is not offered at one of the schools and many students are taking the course online so they are better their chances of getting accepted to and attending a four year university right out of high school. Students get to take courses that might not otherwise be available to them and the school does not have to hire another instructor. Part of the reason the schools switched to online courses was because the cost was considerably less than having to hire a staff member in times of short budgets. There are problems however, since not all students qualify to take online courses through their high school and it really depends on the school they attend. Also, not all teachers are on board with the online course decisions and there are scheduling conflicts when students can do the course in the day.

I thought this was a good article and it will be interesting to see if online courses become more widespread down the road especially since they cost a lot less. There does need to be qualifications in order to be eligible for an online course and to monitor one. It is a good idea for students to experience a class from an outside source if the school does not offer it. I personally would not have been interested in online courses when I was in high school but if students can take them it will reach that many more students.

Ted Talk

Creator George Dyson

Title: George Dyson at the Birth of the Computer

URL: http://www.ted.com/talks/george_dyson_at_the_birth_of_the_computer.html Accessed 5-29-12

The Ted Talk that I watched was by George Dyson on the development of the computer and the men who created it. This was an interesting presentation because I knew very little about the first computers and the author lays down the basis for how the entire technology craze started. He mentions that technology was inevitable and it was bound to be created and that those who were instrumental in building the first computers in the United States also were involved with creating the first atom bomb. The first computers were very primitive and the idea was that the computer was a mechanism that could have two ideas at once. The computers were very large, slow, on twenty four hours a day, and memory was stored in vacuum tubes. Dyson ends by noting how the men had the vision and knew what they wanted the computer to do but they just did not have the capability to get it where they wanted to go at the time.

I found this talk very good because as a society we do not often think anymore about what computers used to be like because today we know them as small, fast, and extremely capable. It is important to understand where technology was and how we made the advance we did because I believe it helps us better understand how we got to this point and what direction we can take the technology in whatever that next step is.

Webinar

Creator Google and Oregon Department of Education

Title: Oregon Department of Education and Google Apps Education Edition Recorded Webinar.

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af1z8c_wKpQ Accessed 5-25-12.

This Webinar was put on by employees from Google and the Department of Education from Oregon. Oregon is the first state to open up to Google Apps education edition to all public schools across the state. Google and the Oregon Education Department have an agreement to work together. This is a big step for education because the apps include mail, sites, calendar, groups, and documents among others. It is a very important resource for schools to have and having used it at Pacific for a number of years it is highly valued by the school and students and used for multiple different subjects and classes. The goal is to help teachers manage students work better and for teachers and students to become more organized while offering a set of technologically advanced tools that allow for a unique and advanced learning perspective in the 21^st century. The idea is that through these apps learning can be collaborative yet individual through things like Google Docs or site teachers have created. Another quality is that these apps are very safe and there are no advertisements which make for a more secure learning environment. Also, the school districts can save a lot of money if a switch is made to Google Apps because of all the tools in one place. However, schools are not required to sign up and receive Google Apps and there are many teachers who are not aware of the capabilities these apps can provide and some are against it. Finally, many schools do not have the proper broadband that complies with the apps so additional costs would occur.

I think Google Apps is a great tool. I had never used it before coming to Pacific but I thought it was more widespread at all schooling levels by now which is not the case yet. At my Westview high school placement all of the students use Google Apps. At Pacific I know Google Apps are heavily used by students and staff alike. I think it is something that every school should have, that does not mean every teacher has to use it but the tools really help students learn and in a different way through apps like Google Docs especially in this technologic age.

Educational Apps

Name: Constitution for Mac

Creator: Clint Bagwell Consulting.

URL: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/constitution-for-mac/id402375865?mt=12 Accessed 5-27-12.

This App is the Constitution of the U.S. in full and has other key information. There are biographies and other pertinent information about the time period when the document was written and would work well for any American Studies or government class. The App is free and has many companion Apps such as the Declaration of Independence for Mac which is free as well. It is a great source to brush up on details for both students and teachers alike.

Name: Simple States

Creator: Kidbitz Inc.

URL: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/simple-states/id462002214?mt=12

This App deals with Geography and is less than a dollar to purchase. It deals with U.S. basics such as capitals, state flags, and animals. There are games and quizzes and it can record the most common incorrect answers so those questions can be focused on to study. This App is probably best suited for those in grades 3-8 but could be useful at any level because most people both students and adults need a geography refresher and learn something new.

Resource, Organization, Blog, Other

Name: Social Studies for Kids

URL: http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/teachingresources.htm

Accessed: 5-29-12

This is a great teacher and student resource to increase knowledge about history. This site encompasses a wide range of topics from timelines to cultures, to presidents, book reviews, war, and games. It covers multiple time periods and subjects areas and I am really impressed with everything it has to offer and the information could be useful not only at the high school level but in a K-12 setting. The down side is that there are some ads within the website.

ISTE Website

URL: http://www.iste.org/welcome.aspx

The ISTE website offers a vast array of technology resources for every style of teacher that could be implemented in the classroom. There are many good books and it is nice that a web archive exists for the Leading and Learning journal. They have many ways to connect with others such as through blogs, conferences, and webinars which can really increase knowledge and is a good social networking tool. I do not like the fact that even if you are a member at the basic level it costs a good sum to view a webinar. Considering that there are many good webinars out there to view for free it seems ISTE is limiting its audience. There is good information on what ISTE’s goals are and what their focus is but the website still feels vague in some areas especially under the “About us” tab. Overall, I think this webpage has some great tools for not only teachers but students, coaches, and parents and it just depends on what a person is looking for.