WEB 2.0 : Today's Technologies, Tomorrows Learning - Jennifer Groff and Jason Haas

This article talks of all the different leading technological innovations in today's society. It goes on in detail about different popular activities such as social networking, simulations, and digital games. Groff also explains how although these things are such a big part of our lives, they are unwelcome in our classrooms because they can be disruptive. She describes how researchers are studying these activities to find any potential benefits of these technologies. "Hands-on, real world learning experiences are the ideal way for students to learn anything". 

(Q1): Can such technologies be beneficial if used in the classroom?

(A1): Yes, I believe that in incorporating these technologies in our classrooms can benefit our students. If capable of incorporating the material into these hands-on activities, I believe students would be more interested in what they were learning. “By bringing school into the modern era, they like it and relate to it.”

(Q2): What strategies could you use to make this task successful?

(A2): I believe that if you want this task to be successful it would be a god idea to explore these technologies yourself before trying to implement them in the classroom. Another idea that might work would be to partner with a colleague, that way you have the needed support. Support is always necessary in success and the more resources you have the better, and more successful you will be!

First Grade Online - By Celeste Oakes

In this article, Oakes refers to the opportunities that are available by incorporating technology in the classroom. She discusses how sometimes teachers are afraid to try and integrate telecommunications or new resources within the learning process. By taking a telecommunications class she was able to learn about the internet and how to incorporate telecommunications in her teaching. Oakes went on in saying, that if students were empowered to undertake activities involving technology, their experiences would be enhanced by these powerful learning tools". Teaching the students how to use computers gave them the opportunity to learn how to use email and incorporate language arts by practicing their writing skills. By the end of the year, she concluded that "They have taught me that the only limitations to using telecommunications with young students are those we impose ourselves by failing to empower them".

(Q1): Is technology important for first grade students?

(A1): Technology is important for everyone. Starting at a young age could prepare students for the technological future they have ahead of them. All Student love interaction on hands on things, so the use of computers and videos would be a great opportunity to grab their attention. (we all know how good the attention span is of young children!)

(Q2): In what other ways could we incorporate use of this technology for first graders?

(A2): I feel that it could benefit many student to use math simulators online to practice different math skills. They could work on many things like building base-ten block or learning to add through hands-on activities. 

Coach, Nurture, Or Nudge - How Do You Learn Technology Best? -By Kimberley Ketterer

In this Article, Ketterer discusses how there are three different learning styles that people tend to fall under when they are learning new technology: The Coaching Style, The Nurturing Style and The Nudging Style. She says the the Coaching Style consists of a person who is not afraid of taking risks within the classroom and who are eager to teach lessons and embrace feedback. These learners continually are challenged until they meet their own comfort level. The Nurturing Style consists of people who lack the confidence in their technology skills to incorporated technology into the everyday learning environment. The key to this style is to applaud small achievements and build up confidence. The last style of technology learning is the Nudging Style. These learners are those who are successful with present technology, but are unsure about where technology is headed. They need to be pushed to into learning how to intergrade technology but after being informed are comfortable in using technology. Ketterer says that teachers who are reluctant to provide this access to student create a "hole" in students' education. I believe this if true and we all just need to branch out and continue to learn.

(Q1): What is your Technology Learning Style?

(A1): My Style of learning tends to be the Nudging style. I feel as though I am capable of teaching new technology, because I am good with it, but I only learn about the new sources of technology when I am told about it. I don't always find myself looking for new resources, therefore I am unable to teach them if I do not know them!

(Q2): Could you improve your style? 

(A2): I could most likely improve the way I would teach technology by being more assertive. Making the effort to find more resources and learn more about the technology to come I could inform others and together we could expand our knowledge. I look forward to learning about how to incorporate technology in lesson plans and hope to successfully pass on the skill of being 'computer savvy'.