Article #3 Making Field Trips Podtastic

Making Field Trips Podtastic
This article is trying to explain to educators a new way to use technology in and out of the classroom. They are persuading teachers to use hand held computers and mp3 players as pod casts during class, field trips, and after school programs. Already at museums, and other places there are virtual tours and field trips that can be taken on computers, and hand held computers. This allows the student to take pictures, find articles, and answer interactive questions about any subject. This technology can open up so many avenues for educators to engage their students on a level that is entertaining and educational. " Beyond the advantages of customizing the learning experience for students, the hand held field trip supports several national standards too." (weller)
I could see myself using this kind of technology in my p.e. classroom. To tell the truth I had to think about it a lot. I was wondering how and what kind of field trips does a p.e. class take? Then I thought about setting up a field trip to a stadium of a sport that we are learning. Having them virtually go to a stadium and talk to individuals there, those individuals would ask them questions that are related to that sport. They can talk to the players and learn some plays. Answering questions that are specific to game strategies, scoring, and rules. I thought that would be interesting for a group of students do together on a computer. For tennis they could go to England and watch Wimbledon. Golf they could go to Pebble Beach. This would work for any sport. I think that it would be a great way to change up a p.e. class for a day. This way of teaching p.e. would include those kids that do not really enjoy the psychical side of p.e. They could still learn multiple sports and see what interest them in each sport, even if they don't enjoy playing it.
" The power of this model is in its simplicity, therefore, its flexibility. (Weller) The model of virtual tours, and interactive learning is designed to be simple. The school provides the hand-held computer and then provides the software for each lesson. The students have prior technological experience and will pick this up quickly. This also allows them to be creative and innovative. "The design of a field trip model of this type requires a lot more initial effort on the educators, but one that pays large dividends. (Weller) This model as been proven to work by Harvard University Technology and Innovation and Education program. "This does work, and the student really enjoy it." (Weller)
The way that this model is set up, and the freedom that it given to the students makes sure that it covers all six net-s standards. It is creative, safe, innovating. Leads students into developing a knack for technology. It prepares students to be able to use technology as a asset in the future occupations.

Reference: Weller, Aliece M., John C. Bickar, and Paul McGuiness. Making Field Trips Podtastic. ISTE, 2008. Web. 24 June 2011.

Article #2 Breathing Fire Into Web2.0

Breathing Fire Into Web 2.0
The article "Breathing Fire Into Web 2.0" was written to educate and pursued teachers and administrators to apply new technology to their schools. They write " walking into a typical school these days is like going into a time machine back to the old days. (Hardman). They are stating that the schools today are failing to relate to today's kids technological experiences in the real world. They found a school in Hong Kong that is doing a Great job utilizing web 2.0 to teach and educate the students in and out of the classroom. They used a web service known as myDragonNet. MyDragonNet was originally made to be a calendar and organizer for the teachers and school. After doing research with the students, they redesigned it a little and made it now a full fledge educational device. The teachers now post all their resources, homework, videos, schedules, and much more on myDragonNet for the students, parents, other teachers, and the administration to view and use.
They are using the information that they found to educate schools on how useful and important that technology can be for the students. Quote, " it seems like we are educating our youth for the past rather than the future." (Hardman) They are wanting this article to be used as a guide to schools on ways to use technology in their own classrooms, and to continue to find new ways to do so.
I am wanting to do something like myDragonNet in my own p.e classroom. It would be nice to advocate for an entire school wide service like this, but if that is not available I am planning on having some sort of blog, note board, or web page for my class to use. I will put videos, homework, test, information, and schedules up for the kids, parents, other teachers, and administrators to view and use.
In conclusion this article is to be used as a tool to lay down a foundation for a schools web 2.0 uses. To inspire schools to look towards the future and not on the past. That schools need to do their best to educate and prepare our youth for the future and not hold them back in the past. Teach to them on their level. By setting up a service that can be used on web 2.0 sites. Communicating to each other, doing homework, and researching on sites like myDragonNet.
Nets-s
This article is informing and persuading schools to adopt a myDragonNet like web user to their curriculum. By doing this they are covering all six sections of the nets-s. Having students use something like this will allow them to experience safe web usage. This will show them how creative they can be with technology. it covers it all. They get to experience technology that they will be using in the work force in years to come.

Reference: Hardman, Justin, and David Carpenter. Breathing Fire Into Web 2.0. N.p., 2007. Web. 23 June 2011.

Who are today's learners

Christine Greenhow's "who are today's learners" was a short article on the youth of today's perspective of technology use. She explains that kids are looking and expecting teachers to use technology in their teaching more, " Students imagine new uses of technology in school more creative, interactive, and media oriented like at their home and future real life scenario setting" (Greenhow) Article is trying to persuade teachers and educators to use and apply modern technology to their teachings. The use of technology in the class room can maximize your time and efforts. I can see myself using tech ology in my classroom. Having a class website that informs them of the lessons in that unit, upcoming trips and a board for comments from students and parents. I also want to use a camera to record scrimmages and practices to help aid student learning in sport related education. I am also wanting to use heart rate monitors to determine a students activity based on their own effort and not outcome. In her article she is trying to convince all teachers to use all 5 of the nets-s. She wants the students to be competent in technology, understand the dos and do nots, and to be creative and utilize technology to it's full potential. I see how Greenhow is communicating that students today will be able to grasp technology whether they come from rich or poor homes. Students will pick it up when taught. I see that this article is a big push for students to be competent in the use of computers, and more specifically the Internet. " On the country, that students from rural, or low income school districts showed little significance differences with their computer use at home." (Greenhow) I also got from this article that she was trying to bring awareness to teachers that students want more technology use in the classroom. " They wanted more technology learning in school, as more entertaining, than traditional academic learning in school. (Greenhow) As a teacher we must engage and prepare the students by using technology in and out of our classrooms.

Referance: Greenhow, C. (2008). In Who are todays learners. Retrieved June 16, 2011

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