Journal 4

Moderating and Ethics for the Classroom Instructional Blog.
By Patricia Deubel.

This article examines the implementation of blogs into the classroom. Patricia Deubel presents valid arguments on both the benefits and dangers of having blogs in the classroom. Using a blog in the class she argues, is beneficial to students that are less likely to participate in classroom discussion. Often, more times than not, these students would like to participate but are either too shy or have a learning disability that prevents them from doing so. Deubel goes on to point out that if these students try to participate, many times they withdraw out of embarrassment or find themselves drowned out by more confident/vocal students. Conversely, Deubel says the dangers of having a blog in the class affects both teachers and students; blogs require a lot of work to maintain and if not done correctly will die off. Deubel gives a list of things to consider while maintaining a blog. This list includes the ethical behavior that students should adhere to while using the blog. She makes it a point by noting that, “educators are charged with keeping students safe and instilling ethical considerations in them.” In her conclusion, she highlights what to monitor in the world of the blogosphere, such as “misrepresenting opinion from fact, plagiarism, conflicts of interest, and newer trends, such as word of mouth marketing.” Overall, Deubel sees blogs as a positive educational tool, if operated and maintained properly and I agree with her.

1. My first question is, by using discussion Blogs, do you diminish student participation in class? I believe there is a definite danger here, students may feel justified in participating less in class because of the work they’ve done in their weekly Bloging. However, this issue can be addressed by the teacher. He or she can open up class discussion about the Blog; giving all students a chance to participate in class. The likelihood that class participation will increase is much greater because of the interest in the class Blog.

2. My second question is, will I use a Blog in my classroom? The answer is yes, I will implement a Blog into my class because I think the benefits out weigh the dangers and if done right, can be a positive experience for both teachers and students. One of the great things about a Blog is that it constantly introduces technology into the learning environment of the student and prepares them for life after school. If there is any chance of helping my students to better succeed in life, I’m all for it.

Journal 3

Social Justice: Choice or necessity? By Colleen Swain and David Edyburn


This was a interesting article about equal opportunity in the classroom for students. Evidentially, the issuance of computers in the classroom hasn’t been a nationwide mandate in spite of government studies. As this article indicates, the U.S. Department of Labor did a study in 1992 which noted that, “at least 80% of all jobs in the next two decades would require workers to be technologically fluent.” This being said, it’s hard to believe that it’s not mandatory for every classroom in the U.S. to be equipped with computers or has integrated technology as part of the class curriculum. Technology is a great tool; it often makes learning more efficient, challenging and fun for students. Technology if implemented correctly in class can help students from all types of backgrounds including those with learning disabilities. Students with minor to severe learning disabilities can improve their academic progress through programs tailored to meet their needs. This benefits other students as well. Disabled students get the help they need while not taking away learning time from other students that the teacher may otherwise ignore due to time constraints. The teacher can evenly distribute his or her time to the entire class giving everyone an equal opportunity to learn.

1. My first question is, why don’t all teachers use technology in the class? The use of technology is not only practical as an educational tool but it’s becoming a way of life. New generations of kids are often more familiar with technology than the older generations of teachers. Teachers from the baby boom generations, most of who are retiring did not grow up with the familiarity of technology as a way of life. Many older adults are just now familiarizing themselves with the use of cell phones, where as younger generations see cell phones as a mandatory way of life. Therefore, older generations of teachers are unfamiliar with the benefits and use of technology and tend to be afraid of it. These attitudes make it less likely for them to implement technology in their class. However, through education, I believe the tide is changing and teachers will be implementing technology into the classroom more.


2. My second question is, what can teachers and administrators do about the lack or technology in schools? First of all, there needs to be a national dialogue about the importance of U.S. students learning the proper technical skills to be competitive with students from around the world. Secondly, teachers that have the technical knowledge need to help out those that don’t. Finally, parents and the public need to put pressure on their elected officials to mandate the implementation of technology into schools as well as providing adequate training to better prepare teachers to integrate it into their class. These are small but realistic steps that can be achieved as long as people care enough to make it happen.

Journal 2

Real Life Migrants on the Muve: Stories of Virtual Transitions, By Ross A. Perkins and Cathy Arreguin

This article is about a sophisticated program that was developed in the 1970’s that has now been simplified, given a “second life” and integrated into the classroom by educators. This “second life” of the Muve, created by a San Francisco-based lab, is becoming a hit among educators, schools and Universities. Evidently, this program has been designed to be used as a grid system with the use of virtual graphics for students to design concepts/construct them in class. Some teachers have already implemented this Muve system into their lesson plan and class curriculum. They have created a math/geometry lesson allowing student to recreate/design Ellis Island or learn about history in a technical 3-D environment. There has been a great success in education achievements among students who have used this program, especially among disabled students whom experienced increased levels of self-esteem due to the ability of the program to help them learn.

1. My first question is, how could I implement this into my class to help students? First off, I would have to do some research to find a application that would suited for my students. I will be careful not to pick an application based on its popularity but rather on the practical application of it and tailor it to my students and of course make sure that it’s fun.

2. My second question is, how as a teacher can I use the Muve to effectively connect to my students, ensuring that they’re learning the concepts presented in class? I believe the answer is through communication. Students learn the best when the teacher can effectively communicate to them. Essentially, this program will allow a mode of communication in a multi-dimensional manner by allowing the student to learn through lecture as well as through technical achievement i.e. the student designing/constructing the project. By infusing technology with student’s passions, students will not only become more productive but will enjoy learning and thus, want to learn more.

journal 1

Your Google Guide: By Doug Johnson


This article is as the title indicates: a guide on how to properly use Google as a search engine. Doug Johnson breaks down this article by first introducing some commentary on the uses and possibilities of Google. Next Johnson goes on to pose questions for the reader on how Google has been integrated into their lives and the affects that is had on it. Finally, towards the end of the article, Johnson provides some astonishing statistics on Google users. For instance,“80% of people using Google never proceed past the first page of results and have never used the advanced feature.” What an amazing statistic, I would have thought that people wouldn’t venture beyond the first page to find what their looking for.

1. My first question is that I wonder who these people are and if they had learned about Google in work or school? It really is an amazing statistic; I wish that Johnson would have gone into depth a little more on the background of the people. For instance, Google is a world wide search engine, does this stat. take into account world users or is it focused primarily on users in the United States? I believe it has to be a global statistic because in most of the world (with the exception of technological developed nations (Europe/and parts of Asia, including Japan), lags behind the U.S. in the introduction of technology into the classroom. The U.S. is fortunate to have a shift in attitude towards the introduction of technology into the classroom, however there is a lot more that can be done.

2. This leads to my second question, how I as a teacher can remedy this statistic. Eighty percent of people using Google never proceeding beyond the first page is unacceptable; whether this statistic includes foreigners or not it has to be changed. I can’t change the world but I can sure change my class. First thing I’m going to do is read this article to all of my students and survey them, asking them the same questions. Secondly, I will have them take a one or two day seminar with a computer research specialist such as the school Liberian. Last but not least, I will integrate Google in my class lesson plans to familiarize students with it and make sure they understand the usefulness and benefits of doing academic research with it.

Introleter1

My name is Chris Evans and I was born in San Diego at Kaiser hospital. I grew up in North San Diego County in Carlsbad and Vista. I graduated from Rancho Buena Vista High School in Vista, from there I went on to San Diego State and graduated with a degree in Philosophy. I'm currently studying for my single subject credential in social science where I hope to become a high school teacher.

My overall technical experience is not very deep. I 'm familiar with PC's and have very little experience working with Macs, however I'm excited about this opportunity to work with one. I have heard nothing but good things about the Mac, especially concerning its immunity to viruses. I'm looking forward to utilizing the power of the Mac.

The mission statement is a statement of commitment both to the student and to the educator. The University's goal to adequately prepare the teacher with the right set of tools such as reflective teaching ultimately enables the teacher to become directly involved with the students education. The teacher is no longer confined to simple lectures but is able to interact with students in a hands-on manner such as computer work shops. This allows the student to develop practical as well as intellectual skills. They key to the mission statement is the fact that it is student-centered and removes the importance away from the teacher and places it on the student. This shift in attitude allows the student to become the focal point of the educational experience and flourish unfettered by stifling demagogary.