Week 5 Entry

Myths and Realities About Technology in K-12 Schools

I think this was a great article. I liked the way it was written and agreed with most of it. I know that the article was focusing on the actual student use of technology but the impact of technology is far greater. As a teacher technology has changed everything from how teachers communicate to the way the find and create their own lessons. I often find the textbook curriculum is lacking and go strait to the computer. Between the internet and having other teachers are able to send you something instantly it can be an incredible tool.

Lastly, I would like to comment on myth # five
"Equity can be achieved by ensuring that schools in poor
communities have the same student-to-computer ratios as
schools in wealthier communities."

I think there is more to the way the haves and have-nots use computers. I have been able to work with both. Students with a lot of computer access at home really do have an advantage even if the classroom technology is the same. They have so much of the basic skills already set that it easier for them to walk into a classroom and do work. I had 10-12 year old students with their own websites, blogs and amazing typing skills. When given a task they could easily put the technology to use. Most of the students I work with now have very little computer access and this makes trying new things difficult.

WebQuest Search

My first experience with a WebQuest was as a graduate student last semester. I not very impressed. I felt it was confusing and time consuming with very little outcome. Needless to say I was disappointed with the whole idea.

I am trying to keep an open mind when searching for a WebQuest to use for my own class. I really do think WebQuests would be an exciting tool for student learning and engagement. My students want to use technology and they do not have the opportunities that I’ve seen at schools. So my quest for the perfect WebQuest continues.

I have found great WebQuests but many of then that are for upper elementary grades require a lot of reading. My fifth grade students are all ELL or former ELL and when they click on a task to search for information and see full screens of words are going to be discouraged.