Tech Trends: eBooks

I have found that eBooks have pros and cons.  I like them better for fun rather than education.  With the Nook and the Kindle it is a great way to have your library everywhere you go.  I can see that it is very beneficial for someone who is an avid reader, like my brother-in-law.  I have a couple of Dr. Seuss books on my iPhone for my son - he LOVES them because they read to him and have sound effects (by the way, he is only 4 months old!).

On the other hand, as far as eBooks at textbooks, I am not a huge fan.  I purchased an eBook out of a "help I need my book now" situation and it was the biggest waste.  First of all, the book expired so the money that I spent on it is now gone...and so is the book.  Second, I could only view it on one computer.  Thankfully I had downloaded the book to my laptop otherwise I could have only read it at my desk.  Even then I could only read it on the computer; I couldn't just pull it out on a car ride.  Third, I really do like being able to flip through the pages rather than scroll or click.

Some people really like eBooks.  They are environmentally friendly and they do cost less.  I cannot say that I am a huge fan.  Even though my little one loves his iPhone versions of Dr. Seuss, nothing beats sitting down with the actual book for a bedtime story (plus if he chews on the pages it is cheaper to replace than the iPhone).

Day to Day Technology

There used to be a time in my life when a computer didn't matter and neither did a cell phone...I was about ten years old then.  I remember we got our first computer when I was in 5th grade.  I remember my dad being so excited because it had a 56MB hard drive!  Now I carry sixteen times that amount in my pocket on a flash drive and thirty two times that on my cell phone.  When I was younger the computer was more of a privilege now it is a necessity. 

With technology being so prevalent all around us it is important to work to balance your physical life with the virtual one.  I do feel like I have two separate lives at times.  I have a physical job and I have a physical social life.  I also have virtual job (school) and a virtual social life (texting, email and Facebook).  No matter what I am doing I lead both lives simultaneously.  With a new baby I would much  rather be spending more time in the physical world, but the demands of school keep me well occupied with the virtual one.  I am ready to be finished with this degree so that I can truly find a balance. 

Sometimes the two lives come together as a hybrid when I find myself in a stimulating game of "Words with Friends" with my friend right beside me.  Why don't we get out the Scrabble board?  Because our cell phones do it all!  In a magazine article I was reading the author spoke about the "mobile command center" (aka, the cell phone).  It is so true.  I can access my personal email, my work email, and my school email all through one application.  I have done class assignments on my iPhone when in a pinch for time and not able to be at my computer.  I unfortunately feel like I am missing something important when I don't have my phone.  The cell phone has become like an appendage.

Social Networking for Edcuation

Social networking has the potential to help or hinder students.  First and foremost, if it is to be used in an educational setting, students should be encouraged to use proper grammar and mechanics when typing and talking to one another.  It is so tempting to use internet slang, emoticons, and “txt” abbreviations. I have used a type of educational social networking with my students in the past called ThinkQuest.  It is a very cool tool to have with your students.  You can manage your classes and monitor their activity.  They can communicate with you and other students through comment boards and private messaging.  It is also possible to make polls that your students can cast their vote on.

By using these types of tools, students can greatly improve their computer keyboarding skills and their communication skills.  These skills can only be improved upon if they are taught and encouraged to use it correctly.  Having a social networking that is able to be monitored is the best way to go.  When using ThinkQuest we actually had an issue with cyber bullying.  If we had not been able to monitor student activity – including private messages – this could have continued.  If you are using a social network that is not monitored then those situations could be harder to manage and prevent.

Social Networking for Edcuation

Social networking has the potential to help or hinder students.  First and foremost, if it is to be used in an educational setting, students should be encouraged to use proper grammar and mechanics when typing and talking to one another.  It is so tempting to use internet slang, emoticons, and “txt” abbreviations. I have used a type of educational social networking with my students in the past called ThinkQuest.  It is a very cool tool to have with your students.  You can manage your classes and monitor their activity.  They can communicate with you and other students through comment boards and private messaging.  It is also possible to make polls that your students can cast their vote on.

By using these types of tools, students can greatly improve their computer keyboarding skills and their communication skills.  These skills can only be improved upon if they are taught and encouraged to use it correctly.  Having a social networking that is able to be monitored is the best way to go.  When using ThinkQuest we actually had an issue with cyber bullying.  If we had not been able to monitor student activity – including private messages – this could have continued.  If you are using a social network that is not monitored then those situations could be harder to manage and prevent.

Asynchronous and Synchronous Online Environments

Given the choice between the two types of environments’ I can see that there can be benefits to both types of environments.  The asynchronous is nice because it is schedule free.  There is not a specific time that you have to be at your computer - which is why most people take online courses.  However, the asynchronous courses are not as close knit.  Discussion boards are not my favorite things.  Sometimes there is not an authentic way to respond to two people on a discussion board when everyone is saying the same thing.  That is probably the hardest part of the discussion board. 

On the other hand, a Synchronous class seems as though it could be more beneficial for discussion.  I have never been a part of a synchronous class, but I think for a topic it is more effective to be able to talk directly to whomever you are discussing with and get immediate feedback.  Our use of Second life was interesting and one way that a class can be synchronous if each student has capable access.  I unfortunately did not; I lost connection and then could not make it back.  Of course, the downfall would be that there would be a designated time that could interfere with work and/or family time.

Presentation Software

Presentation software is a great way to enhance the learning environment. I remember when I started taking classes online during on my A.A. degree a great deal of it was just "read this...fill out the notes". From time to time there was a PowerPoint to view. Now with software that allows the instructor to voice over it feels more directed rather than "teach it to yourself". I am a learner that benefits from both auditory and visual instruction. It helps me tremendously to be able to hear commentary and read the slides. I like that I can pause and replay the presentations as well so that I can make sure I am fully understanding.  It would be nice if there was a way to ask questions during a presentation and get immediate feedback.

Online Communities

FACEBOOK! Need I say more? Facebook is the most visited online community for me. I use it daily - no hourly...on my phone, at home wherever. I use it to stay in touch with friends and family. I have also reconnected with several friends from my elementary school years. This last year was very exciting because my best friend from fifth grade and I were both pregnant together via Facebook. She is in Ohio and I am in Virginia but it was like we were next door. Other online communities that I frequent are some gaming areas like "Words with Friends" on my iPhone, and craigslist.

The Nature of Technology Adpoption in Schools

This is my fifth consecutive year as an elementary school teacher. The first two years I taught in central Florida in a very large county. Every classroom in our school was equipped with a SmartBoard, projector, document camera, and at least four student computers. In addition, each teacher was given their own laptop. These laptops could be used at school, at professional development meetings and at home or anywhere it was needed. Our school also had a student response system that we could check out and use.
Currently I am teaching at a school in a smaller county in Virginia. Each classroom still has a SmartBoard and projector, but I have only seen one document camera in the entire school, and one student response system. In addition to our student computer lab, we have a class set of laptops for student use in the classrooms, an iPod cart with learning applications, and a couple of iPads that the teachers can check out and use at school.
Comparing these two schools it would appear that on one level there may be a barrier related to funding. I also believe that another barrier may be the willingness of some teachers to learn the technologies. Teachers sometimes feel as though they have so much to do already with the demand of testing and paperwork so finding the time to learn something new that is not required gets put on the back burner.
I do not believe that there is always just one barrier. Sometimes the funding is there but not the participation.

Who is Alisha Ruble?