Journal 10, Talk is Cheap

The article “Talk is Cheap,” by Jeffrey Branzburg explains Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). This program can be very useful when having English Learners in a classroom. VoIP can help them learn the English language. They can interact with other students and people from other places on earth. They have a variety of languages to choose from. They can learn about other cultures, religions, norms, and history of other countries by interacting with other students from a particular place. Students can work in groups via this program. It is similar to Instant Messaging, but with voice.

Why is it useful for students?

It is useful because English Learners can interact with other people who do not speak their language. Not just that, but students can interact in a conference style.

Does it involve the teacher?

Yes, it definitely involves the teachers. They engaged in classroom projects that explores other peoples and cultures.

Can I download it in a PC Computer?

Yes, we can download it in a PC, Mac, and Linux.

Journal 9, Digital Citizenship

Digital Citizenship by Anita McAnear. This article is really educational and informative. We as teachers need to teach our students the importance of been safe online. Especially now a days we hear about predators online molesting our children. We as teachers need to include it in our curriculum, as long as the district and the school where we work permit us. They should not oppose because we are educating and trying to help our students to how to be safe online.

I am glad that the State of Virginia passed a law that relates to this issue. As of March 2006 all school districts integrate the teaching of internet safety into their curricula.

Where can I find more information about this issue?

Gerald Bailey and Mike Ribble have a Web site devoted to digital citizenship. http://www.educ.ksu.edu/digitalcitizenship/

Another web site where we can find more information about internet ethnics, safety, and security is the cyber ethics, cyber safety and cyber security institute, (http://edtechoutreach.umd.edu/C3Institute/)

Why do all States in the United States do not teach this issue in class?

They might not teach it because teachers have a lot of work already, but they might incorporate it in the future if they see some results with other school districts.

Journal 8, Virtual Schooling

Virtual Schooling, by Niki Davis and Dale S. Niederhauser. This article shows and proves how technology has been increasing in school settings complying with the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB Act). I think that Virtual Schooling is a good program to have students take because it is keeping them up to date about technology. At the same time I disagree having students take this course because it is not the same as having a face to face instructor.

It is a good program to have, but teachers and administrators have to have certain requirements to teach a Virtual Course. Not just that but people who are in charge of the Virtual Schooling are under pay. They do not get pay well for the job that they do.

Overall, this program has its pros and cons.

Why some high schools required all students to take a Virtual Course before graduation?

I have no idea why would it be, but I believe that it is a great course for students to take. It is preparing them their future and college experiences.

What is Virtual Schooling?

It is describe as a course or any other type of program that is online. It is like a classroom where students and teachers interact, but instead they are doing throughout the help of a computer devise. Students and teachers can be in different parts of the world and still be able to teach.

Journal 7. Technology in the Early Childhood classroom

The article by Elizabeth Ross Hubbell, Technology in the Early Childhood Classroom, was a really good one to read because i agree and think that if we teach and train our students at an early age to use technology, then they are more prepare for what they see outside of school. For example, they might get an idea of how to use a new skill learn in class at home. But some people disagree because it is not appropriate because it will cause "unwired" brains.

I think that by using Kidspiration, BBC Little Animals activity Centre, and Get Ready to Read sites we are introducing an appropriate technology for students to gain experience, skills, and knowledge.

I assumed that students gain a better knowledge when they are pair up with a higher student grade level because they will work together to correct and make opinions about a designated class assignment.

Why do people opposed to teach technology to early childhood classroom?

I think that people opposed to teach technology to early childhood because they are developing their brain and knowledge. but i think that we could teach them simple, easy lessons about technology because we can prepare students for future experiences.

What grade level should teachers start teaching technology to students?

Teachers should start introducing small pieces of technology to students at an early age that way they can start building up knowledge for future experiences, skills, and knowledge.

Journal 6. Social Justice, Choice or Necessity?

I thought that the article, Social Justice: Choice or Necessity? By Colleen Swain and David Edyburn was really interesting. I was amazed to know that within two decades more than 80% of the jobs will required some kind of technology knowledge. So, teachers and future teachers must have to incorporate the usage of technology in their classroom to prepared students for the outside world of technology and its advances.

In order for us to teach and introduce new ways of technology we have to have access to a computer in classrooms. Without enough or any computers teachers can not teach or introduce a new skill about technology. So, if we have computers in our classrooms they are very beneficial because we can teach students the new technology of the world.

We teachers and future teachers should locate and search for instructional resources that will support what we are teaching about technology.

Would long time teachers be replaced in district schools since some of them do not know that much about technology?

I think that it is a good thing that we teachers will be or are incorporating technology in our classrooms, since there will be more jobs open in the future that will consist of technology skills. At the same time, I would not like to see some teachers be replaced from their long time position because they do not know enough about technology. For example, my sister’s teacher who is an elderly does not know anything about technology. She does not know how to use PowerPoint properly.

How would we know if students are learning or understanding what we are presenting them?

The article mentions that we should keep a journal with comments for each child and for lesson plans. Which I think is a good idea because it will helps us focus and concentrate more on our students and see if they are progressing.

Journal 5. Optional, How To Fight the New Bullies

"How To Fight the New Bullies," By Rosalind Wiseman, In this article we learn that technology can be very helpful, but yet very hurtful and invading. I can't believe that students use the online and cell phones to bully others. Students are not safe in schools or at their house.

The other day when i was at the gym working out i saw a guy taking a picture of his friend working out. His friend was leaning forward with his hands in the air. I do not know why would he do that, but it made me think about this issue that is been explain in this article.

Gyms should have a no cell phones allow in the Workout rooms because it invades ones privacy and we never know if there is someone in the gym trying to take some pictures of people in a not appropiate position.

Students and people are finding new ways to bully others if it is not in person it is anonymously with the help of technology. Parents and school staff should not allow cell phones during school. I believe that by having cell phones 24/7 students spend less time doing school work. Nowadays, we can download music and games to cell phones.

How can school staff and parents fight the bulling?

I think that parents should not let their children take cell phones to school and staff should be responsible for maing sure that kids are not using their cell phones during school hours. Or parents should check their children calls, messages, and textt messages to see with whom they talk to.

How can we stop bullies using cell phones?

I think that all cell phones should have a caller ID that way we can prevent suicides, and bullies.

Journal 4. From Toy to Tool

I think that the article, "From Toy to Tool" by Liz Kolb, Shows an important effect on how technology has been affecting our lifes. Cell phones are a huge part of our daily life. without them we would not be able to communicate effectively or even with relatives living away from us.

Now, cell phones are also or could be use to do class projects. Students can learn how to use it their cell phone ina safest way. Also, they can learn how to get the best out of their cell phone.

Students could enjoy and better themselves by using the cell phone when recording audio, taking pictures of others, and by the simple use of some other devices. Students could easily just add interviews, pictures, and audio to their blogger. Students could even do porjects and/or assignments with the use of cell phone.

The negative side is that people have access to their bloggers and it is not protected. Anyone can log in it. Users have the option to pay a certain amount for protectign their blog from other people to login in. With that say it has its positives and negatives.

Would Cell Phones inproved students learning?

According to this article, it teaches them how to use them adequately and appropriately. So, It expands their learning and experiences with cell phones.

Should Students be using cell phones in schools?

In my opinion, studens should not be allow to use cell phones at school because they would be spending more time on the cell phone then on books. They should use their cell phones when doing projects like recording an audio, and taking pictures for their project.

Journal 3 Video in the Age of Participation by Bull

The article, "Video in the Age of Participation," by Glenn Bull is really informative and educational. I could not believe that the digital videos taken by the National Geography were being use by teachers to help them incorporate them into the classroom. The best part is that they do little short videos for teachers to use. I think that it is really helpful. The unitedstreaming program is being use by 70% of all schools in the United States. I think that the means that this is a really good program to have and to be part of because it looks and it sounds to be effective for students and teachers to incorporate into their lectures. I feel like this is going to be very useful in the future by schools because it sounds like it has very good potential to be use by schools.

How would teachers learn how to use Discovery Education Unitedstreaming program?
The Discovery Education Unitedstreaming offers workshops for teachers who join the program to help them use and understand it.

Is this program beneficial for teachers and students?
I definitely think that this is a very beneficial program, if not there would not be 70% of all United States schools supporting it and been part of it. Plus, it gives short video clips that teachers can use for class projects, homework, and assignments.

Journal 2. Breathing Into Web 2.0

The Article, Breathing Fire into Web 2.0 by Justin Hardman and David Carpenter is a very interesting, informal, educated, and could be useful once schools start using it. It is very helpful for teachers, students, and parents because teachers can post assignments, tests, projects, and other important information that is related to the class and students. As a result, parents can log on this web site as many times as they wish to check for the assignments for the class.

This kind of technilogy could be very helpful for teachers because we can arrange and have a schedule of aasignments, and even test. It could also be very usefula dn helpful for us because it contains web email. Which we can use to communicate with parents regularly and in an easy way.

This type of technology could be helpful for teachers and students because we can storage personal and achievebale results for future references.

How would the use of Web 2.0 or myDragon on net change technology in schools? It would make the lifes of teachers alot easier and parents too because they can view when there is going to be an exam in class. It would defenetely be hard at first for teachers because they have to get use to it, but i think that after a while it would be easy to use.

Would it change students network? I don't really think that it would change students network. it is going to make their lifes easier, just liek the lifes of their teachers and parents.

Journal 1. Professors adjust their methods to reach technology-savvy generation

In the article, Professors adjust their methods to reach technology-savvy generation written by Yang Su. It gives us an overview of how technology has being involved in the education of not just students, but professors. Students from SDSU and UCSD either watch videos in their laptops, listen to music, or text message while they are in class. So, some classes have a web site component that helps students interact with the professor and students. Students are able to view grades, notes, and even take quizzes. Due to new technology advances students interact more with the professor via email rather than going to the professor’s office. Now, teachers are starting to use clicker, a new device that is growing increasingly in college classes because they are a lot of students and by using the clicker the professor gets everyone to participate. It is a devise like a control remote and students have to click a button to answer the question.
Instant messaging, students are more social and make more friends via Instant Messaging. The shy students talk more via IM than if they were face to face. Students increase their networking and have more friends. They plan get-togethers.
Question 1: why would some classes have a web site component and not others?
Answer: I think that some classes have a web site component and not others because it depends on the subject of the class, the professor, the material that is being use, the amount of work that students have to do and how long the class is. Also, it is easier for students to get a hold of their class mates to ask them questions and to interact with them.
Question 2: what would happen if we start using a web site component for elementary, middle and high schools to be part of the class for parents to connect to the teacher?
Answer: I think that the would be a great idea because teachers can post their students grade, and any other comment that they might want to post like important dates for the semester, the homework for the day, and whenever the is going to be a test that way parents would know to help their children study.

Journal. Intro letter

Hello, Everyone:

My name is Jose Mendoza. I am a first generation college student of my family. I was born in Guanajuato, Mexico, south of Mexico City. I attended Primary and Secondary school in Guanajuato, in a school call Guadalupe Hidalgo. At the age of 13, I came to the United States 3 days before my birthday. I did not know English at all. Once I got here I attended Del Dios Middle School for one month, then I went to San Pasqual High School where I learned English in one and a-half years.

I am not a huge fan of technology because sometimes it gives me headaches. But I am a PC person because i am used to use them correctly now after 5 years of owning one. At first, it was not easy for me to use high technology items like the Computers because I come from a country family and I used to be a cowboy. So, it was really hard for me to adapt to computers technology. Now, I depend a lot in Technology, I carried my laptop with me everywhere when there is school because I can do assignments while taking a break between classes and whenever possible.

The College of Education Mission Statement doe speak to me when they say “ We are committed to Diversity, Educational Equity, and Social Justice” because when I apply to CSUSM I was looking for a program that would be Diverse and that would show I pride in what they do. This was not really a factor on my decision to apply to CSUSM when I applied but now it is because I now know what the Mission Statement means to the College of Education and to me because I am experiencing it, now.