Digital Blog Post #F

Chapter 8: Communicating and Collaborating with Social Media

 Each chapter we open ourselves up to gives more and more information about new things! The first immediate thing that caught my attention was the section called Synchronous and Asynchronous Communications. The reason this came to my attention was because I have no clue what either one of these mean. It's interesting to learn new things. I learned that synchronous communications are communications that happen immediately, in real time. An example of a synchronous communication is a telephone conversation because it happens in the moment, immediately. Asynchronous communications are involve a communication with a delay involved, not immediate. An example of these exchanges are email exchanging or commenting on social media sites. I think it is important in class to discuss these different types of communications with the students and provide them with an ability to contact you outside of class for help for classwork only. 

The next section that grabbed a hold of my attention was the section labeled Understanding Textspeak and Textisms. I thought this section would be perfect for me and I would understand everything because I am 18 years old. Textspeak or digitalk is basically terms that involve shortened words or symbols throughout technology. I thought this would be my section, but as soon as I saw the first set of words, my thoughts were mixed up. I had no idea what was being said in the first set of words, the other ones I knew. I believe that it would be good for teachers to incorporate textspeak into what they need to learn because it is important to know what students are talking about. As teachers, we have to promote a safe environment for the kids. If we collect a phone and see something that is a dangers towards others we can promote it. 

The last thing that interested me was the section labeled Building a Standards Wiki. The reason this interested me was because we have to create a wiki with classmates. A standards wiki would be very useful to the classroom because all the notes that the class would have would be all in one place. It would all be organized so that if students are unable to pick up some of the information from class, they can go home and look it up again.

Test on the blog

<div id="fq-brd" data-id="18020"></div> <script src="//flipquiz.me/custom-scripts/embed-board.js" type="text/javascript"></script>

Digital Blog Post: #E

Chapter 7: Exploring Problem Solving with Software, Apps, and Games

This chapter was very beneficial to my learning about the software that teachers use daily with students. To begin with, the first point that interested me in the chapter was the section labeled Types of Software. This section was short, but still informative. I didn't know there was a couple different types of software to be learned about until I read this chapter. For example, system software was discussed in the section. System software controls what is going on in the computer and how it functions. In difference to that, application software goes more in depth with the controls of the computer. It produces many different services for people to use. This includes different word, presentations, databases, spreadsheets, and etc that we all use almost everyday. I found it very interesting because I thought programs like these had their own controls, not controlled by the same base software.




 To continue, the next section in this chapter that really interested me was Building, Inventing, and Creating Software. I found just the heading interesting just because I was intrigued on how to do those things. I did not realize until I read the section that it was basically just creating projects throughout PowerPoint, Word, or Excel. These are what I know to be as basic skills only because I've used them my whole life. Now, I could see how others may think differently. Those who have not been exposed to technologies at a young age have a harder time learning how to use the programs. While there are usually tutorials for these programs, someone who is not used to using the computer will not have a very easy time with these programs. Something someone sees as simple is not always the same view to the other. When teaching, I believe I will keep those thoughts in the back of my mind, knowing not everyone will be exposed to the same things.

Lastly, the section labeled Debates about Games and Gaming really got my attention. The only reason this got my attention was because every time I have been in a debate class there always was something about games and gaming. It was mostly directed towards the violent games, but I still found it interesting that they place it in every educational material. Video games do sway youth, which is why I believe that educational games are a good idea. Now if there was an educational video game that involved violence, I would not support that at all. In my teaching strategies I want to incorporate education computer games for the students. Now that students in younger grades are required to do some of their work online, I believe incorporating educational games into part of their time spent on the computer would be well worth it.  

Digital Post #D

Chapter Five: Teaching Information Literacy and Digital Citizenship

 There were many points of interest in this chapter, as well as the others. The first point of interest that sparked my attention was the section e-Books and e-Readers. I don't really pay much attention to e-books and e-Readers. I know, as a student at Florida SouthWestern State college I have access to them, but I don't know much about them. While they are convenient, there are some people who believe that e-books and reading online does not cause as much intellectual growth as reading from printed texts. E-books are books that can be read throughout devices that can use internet such as computers or e-readers. In addition to that, on these devices there are apps that allow you to read all sorts of books, other than the e-books, and including downloadable textbooks. These are almost weightless items and so easy to handle. I feel like the online ability to read informational as well as fun books  is necessary in today's society. Today is all about technology! Students will go days without their books, months even, but not a day goes by that they don't have their phone, tablet, iPad, etc with them. I'm glad that technology has evolved so much, to try and make it easier on everyone to be successful in life. The academic abilities of students are going up thanks to e-Books and e-Readers! This is a great tool for teachers and students to use in the school environment. In addition to that, if students choose to go into business, e-books can benefit their businesses!

The next section that aroused my attention was Strategies for Conducting Effective Searches with Students. The reason this grabbed hold of my attention was because I didn't realize there was actual 'strategies' some people looked at in order to maintain a safe and effective environment for the students on the internet. There are four different steps in order to create that environment including: 

• Introducing Search Sites Designed for Students
• Teaching Students to Critically Evaluate Search Results
• Using Visual Search Tools 
• Ensuring Safe Online Experiences for Students

Continuing, I didn't realize search sites needed to be specified for students to use. I thought it was common sense "use Google" or "use Bing." Now I get that it's just because I'm older I think that way. When I was younger it wasn't common sense for me to use those sites. I guess it's a learned habit now. I see why we have to teach that to the younger students, and sometimes the older students as well. Also, I believe that the part that teaching students to critically evaluate search results should be readily enforced. Some students will choose websites for projects and such that are not credible sources for information. I know that before I started paying attention, or having strict criteria on what to use, I would always be in the wrong for using a non-credible site. It is important for students to learn that they must research the author of the site and find their background information to see if they are a credible source for the topic at hand. In addition to that, I believe that the visual search tools are important as well. Some people are better off as visual learners, so it's important that they have a visual on the topic at hand. In the search results videos appear that they can watch to see if it's the topic they are looking for. Lastly, I think that another great addition to provide searches for the students is ensuring a safe online experience for each of them. I believe that preselected sites is not only safer, but it is also helpful to students if they are researching a certain topic. They will be closer to the information then if they went out on their own.

 The last addition to this weeks piece on chapter five that caught my interest was the section Responsibilities of Digital Citizens. I believe that once someone uses the internet there is certain rules that they should follow. The internet is supposed to be a safe place. I believe that students must be told the certain rules to follow because without having the knowledge of the rules, a student shouldn't be held accountable, but they are. It is a teachers job to inform the student on the dangers of plagiarism and cheating. That is the most important aspect that students must stray from.