#8 Digital Rights Group Alleges Google Invades Student Privacy

            In the article “Digital rights group alleges Google invades student privacy,” the author writes exactly that. Google is accused of invading students’ privacy by checking their Internet search requests. Google disputes the claim, however. The Electronic Frontier Foundation alleges Google is following the activities of students’ grade k-12 through their Chromebook computers. Google has previously signed a “Student Privacy Pledge” which EFF is claiming they are breaking. EFF is calling on the FTC to investigate further, but Google says they are following the laws enforced by FTC. Google has previously been charged after creating a technical loophole to shadow online activities. Now, Google has agreed to period privacy audits.

            Lately, there have been a lot more issues concerning the privacy of technology. This article just proves that personal privacy can be easily invaded without your knowing. I think it is important that the EFF continued with their complaint about Google. They very well could have left it alone after Google said it was not true. Since this has been a previous issue with them, it is important that they had some sort of reprimand.  The privacy settings on technology should always be checked to make sure personal information is not freely floating around.

#7 Life on Mars

            In Sheyna Gifford’s article “Life on Mars,” she writes about the potential life without technology. Sheyna writes as if she is on the planet Mars. Although it seams like she is on the real planet, it is only a simulated world, sMars, on Mauna Kea in Hawaii.  There are six simulated astronauts to split the tasks of being a space architect, an engineer, scientists, and a crew doctor. The first mission had to deal with the “martian” being released. However, the media that called about this situation had a 20-minute communication delay. In that case, they first found out that they were unable to take phone calls, have Skype interviews, do live media appearances, or be filmed, photographed or recorded. So if there were ever any problems on sMars, the six of them would pretty much have to figure a solution on their own. They find that their chief concerns revolve around the sun, air, water, and rock. These items are what work off of each other to produce the necessities they need for survival. To understand the needs of each other, the main goal of this project is collaboration and finding out what people actually need to live, work, and survive together on other planets. Each person is to use his or her strengths, knowledge, and resources at hand to pull their weight in making this community run smoothly. The six of these people were sent to complete this project to help press humanity into the Universe. The task was created by technology, as will the trip to the actual planet Mars, but having people on the planet will be more about the physical human bodies living in cohesion rather than the technology that surrounds them.

            Sheyna Gifford’s approach to writing about technology was very different from the typical technology article. The discussion of life on sMars and relating that to the topic was an interesting way to go about talking about using technology. I appreciated how, in the end, it all boiled down to those six individual bodies. There was technology that got them to this point, but once they were actually there, it sort of seemed to vanish. Working together to find solutions to problems was more of a priority than relying on the use of technology to solve them. It seemed as though they were isolated. No outside communication because of the delay meant no call for help. And that was the most interesting thing to me about this article. They relied on each other and learned what it was that people needed to survive. I think this whole simulation is very relevant in today’s world. Everyone gets so absorbed in technology that we forget to pay attention to those around us. We, as humans, should be most important rather than the information technology can bring. Technology is a great thing and we are extremely lucky to have it at our fingertips, but it is something that can and does negatively consume our lives and our use of communication with other human beings.

#6 What does research really say about iPads in the classroom?

            In Jeanne Carey Ingle and Tanya Moorehead’s article “What does research really say about iPads in the classroom?” they discuss whether the use of iPads is a good or bad thing. Jeanne is a teacher and part-time professor who has written several grants to bring technology into her schools and Tanya is a professor who loves using technology as a teaching tool. The two of them conducted a study in which they assigned fifteen pre-service teacher interns to an elementary school. They assumed these younger teachers would automatically know how to use an iPad, but they were wrong. So, they had to train these interns just like they would have to train the students because not all of them know how to use such technology. They found that iPads were not the cause of an improvement in classroom learning, but teachers who integrated the technology for Project Based Learning. The research also claims that iPads improve student engagement by letting them help train their classmates or by allowing them to choose an app or the like for class that day. They concluded by sharing how research has demonstrated that iPads have the potential to level the playing field for all students. They discuss how the research was conducted in inclusive classrooms with diverse learners. And how this research showed that the more teachers use technology, the more comfortable children will be using it. The use of iPads in classrooms helped provide an innovative learning experience for each student.

            During my k-12 schooling, technology was not incorporated into the schools as much as they are now.  We had a library with numerous computers to use when we were to do research papers and there were a few classrooms with smart boards. When I graduated, a nearby school granted each student with either an iPad or iMac. I thought this idea was absurd. But, after reading this particular article, I feel a little differently. I particularly like when Jeanne discussed her experience with Edward and his use of the iPad. There are so many students who do have both home and learning challenges, which are the main causes as to why they do not perform well in schools. Noticing the strengths and interest of each student and then incorporating that into the lesson will help to make them feel important. I also like the idea of allowing some freedom for students to determine which apps they use during class because I feel like that is another way to get them more excited about learning. Jeanne and Tanya wrote how they conducted their research in an inclusive setting, which is important to me as a future Special Education teacher. I appreciated how they took such a variety of students to incorporate the use of iPads. When I do become a teacher, I am sure I will definitely use technology. And I hope I will use it in such a way so that each student is fully engaged.

#5 John Hunter

John Hunter: World Peace Game

• Experimental Education career
• Job interview in 70's for teaching gifted children
• After hired asked "What do I do?" 
• Had the reply of "What do you want to do?"
• Started World Peace Game in 1978
• Four layers of different environments 
• Where children can make meaning out of their own understanding
• Intended to solve world crisis
• Hoping this game will help the children learn how to fix the world in reality
• Self evident assessment- not teachable
• Only way to win is if everyone succeeds
• Social, economic, warfare issues
• Determining what is right from their own selves
• Taught compassion

#4 10 Most Engaging Uses of Tech Integration

Technology in the classrooms can be used to enhance student engagement if used effectively. There are ten examples listed of ways to incorporate technology. Audio and video feedback helps for students to not solely focus on the grade they received, but more clearly understand why they were given that grade. This type of feedback is more personal and also helps to accommodate both visual and auditory learners. Digital portfolios are used for students to be able to share their work and have their peers, parents, and teachers comment on them. Blended learning gives opportunities for students to learn at their own pace by having alternate resources such as a course website, Facebook learning support groups and recorded podcasts that they are able to access at home. It also frees up time in the class to allow for questions and deeper thinking. Social media enhances students’ engagement, if used properly, with tools such as Facebook or blogs. Game-Based learning helps for students to recognize their achievements causing them to be more mindful of their progress. Collaboration tools allow for students to show off their multimedia skills by giving more freedom in what they share. These types of tools also create a deeper interaction between the students. Design thinking lets the students choose more of what they want to share, helping to keep themselves more interested. Another example is given for reaching individuals and groups by explaining how technology allows for students to maintain access of projects they have done by saving them in an online folder and being able to share those later. Allowing the students to track their own progress using technology helps to create a sense of self-advocacy for them by being able to monitor all of their previous work. Visual literacy is also a great accommodation for those who are more-so visual learners. Each of these ten examples describes ways in which technology can help foster a greater development for learning.

Saga Briggs did an excellent job composing this article. By listing these ten factors separately, she was better able to clearly define them. She provided a lot of content in her work, which helped to show her credibility. Each bullet was also followed by an example, which helped to paint a picture of what exactly was being said. I do agree that technology can be very beneficial in classrooms if used properly. I also firmly agree with the quote from David Geurin that was used at the start of the article, “Classrooms don’t need tech geeks who can teach; we need teaching geeks who can use tech.” Technology cannot be used effectively in the classroom if the teacher is not knowledgeable of how to use it. However, if the teacher is knowledgeable, it is up to them to decide which ways of using technology would be most beneficial for their students. For example, I have never been provided an audio or video feedback for my written assignments. After reading Saga’s explanation on this topic, I think that is a great idea for teachers to consider. It happens all too often that I wonder where I went wrong or what I actually did well because of a lack of explanation. I also really like the idea of game-based learning due to the fact that I would consider myself mainly a visual and kinesthetic learner. I think this use of technology helps to accommodate different styles of learning and helps to keep the engagement because it makes class time more exciting. Because of Saga’s descriptions, I was able to understand these ten specific ways that technology can be used to enhance students’ engagement. Her written account of this helps for me as a future educator to better understand effective ways of teaching.

#3 Digital Tools Evolving to Track Students' Mindsets, Emotions

Benjamin Herold writes about the evolving technology in schools that tracks student’ mindsets. This technology is put in place to understand the different ways of learning and have teachers be able to cater more to each individual student. The research gathered is from things such as students’ facial expressions, heart rate, and pupil dilation. This research is then analyzed for signs of boredom, confusion, or engagement. Organizations are working to use digital resources to measure noncognitive competencies. The software they use is to recognize each student’s strengths and weaknesses. Other companies are using technology for assessing how individuals learn. Although there are privacy concerns, many district leaders are excited to see the evolvement of this new wave of technology.

After reading this article, I both agree and disagree with this advancing technology used in schools. Benjamin Herold presented the material with factual information and gave viewpoints from different approaches causing me as the reader to be more inclined to pay attention to what was being said. Although the content of this article did not show statistical evidence, it did explain the modes and reasoning behind this technology. Herold’s writing made me think it was a positive thing for teachers to want to understand more about how every student learns differently. However, I was not made as enthusiastic about the research based on students’ emotions. After the issue of privacy was brought up, I do think delving too much into students’ personal lives can make school seem less about getting an education and more about counseling. I think it is important for teachers to know what is causing their students to not do particularly well on assignments, but I also think there is a fine line between wanting the best for each student and getting too involved.

#2 A Teenager's View on Educational Technology

             Soraya Shockley writes about both the advantages and disadvantages of technology used in classrooms. She discusses, in depth, the effects of tablets, teacher websites, Google classroom, Khan Academy, Twitter, white boards, Evernote, and Google drive. Shockley writes of positives of each of these technology sources. However, she does focus on the negative attributes of each. The main issues she shares about EdTech are cheating, privacy concerns, inequality in access, and price. Shockley understands technology is the future and EdTech will continue to develop, but from her student perspective she shares that her most memorable education moments have come from the hands-on experiences.

            I think that Soraya Shockley did an excellent job on her blog piece about EdTech. I would have to completely agree with her on most topics. Even though I have never worked with sources like Khan Academy or Evernote, I can still relate to the use of technology in classrooms. Personally, I think technology is something we are very fortunate for. However, I think technology is taking away from personal interactions. Like Shockley, I learn better by physically doing. Often when technology is incorporated into classrooms it acts as a major distraction. It also is not always presented in the clearest manner, so I seem to feel like I always have to reteach myself. Much like Shockley, I am very thankful for the use of the technology I have at my fingertips. I do wish that teachers and administrators would be more aware of the student’s opinions on technology and better incorporate their needs.