Cutting Cookies

After reading an article from Read Write Web titled "Cutting Cookies"  it is amazing that we have the capabilities of now putting the computer system on the dash instead of the engine compartment.  With this new system you are able to access directions, temperatute controls, and audio.  Ford Motor Company is creating these wonderful uses of technology within their vehicles in hopes that they are helping customers to personalize their products.  They are focused on identifiying and incorporating appropriate apps for the driver.  It willl be interesting to see what they will be coming out with in the next few years.  The more high tech the vehicle becomes though, will people be able to afford them?  Also, if it breaks it will not be a cheap fix, so will it really be worth the cost in the long run?

Web Spying Lawsuit

From reading the teacher magazine article "Pa. School Settles Web Spying Lawsuit" I was disturbed.  The school was trying to locate missing laptops based on their finding devices on the computer but in doing so took many pictures of the student without their knowledge based on the webcam option on the computer.  They agreed to pay $610,000 for the two lawsuits but what else was done?  Who was the person in charge of looking for these computers and why did they take over 400 photos in two weeks? 

If the school is willing to lend out laptops to students to use, than they need to be trusting of the students.  If they are missing one they should know who has taken it or if they don't than just use the located device to find it.  Do not take any pictures of the student, you know that even taking a picture in class is wrong unless you have the students permission.  Technology and its advances are becoming so incredible that you need to be careful of what you are doing and how you are using them, otherwise you could get yourself or your district into big trouble like this Pa. school did.

Writing Workshop

After reading the Edutopia article about the "Writing Workshop" I realized that what I am doing in my English class is a great tool to reach many students.  I have my students write in a notebook and work on starting pieces but not necessarily finishing them until it comes to a final draft and they need to choose between one of the three pieces that they have started in the previous weeks.  We do incorporate mini lessons on how to improve their writing for grammar throughout, which the article makes a mention of.  Also, students do seem to take more pride in their writing doing it this way, especially when they know they are not graded on spelling, grammar, structure, etc. all of the time when they are writing and when you do praise them for writitng that you see they are excelling in their self-confidence begins to rise.  I feel that writing workshops should be an essential part of every English class to aid in student writing performance and make them feel more comfortable.

AYP

AYP is a unique measure to decide if schools are making progress.  I do not feel that one test should determine whether a school is making adaquate yearly progress.  Also when you think about the percentages of students who have to pass 58% in reading and 46% in math, are these scores truly "good" percentages to show that students understand the material?  If it was a normal classroom score that would be failing.   So as the article mentions should the bar be rasied, that way we know if more students are truly struggling with the concepts and need that extra help or reteaching? 

Facebook News Feed Code

I don't honestly know a lot about Facebook because I don't have an account.  However, after reading that article it was interesting to find out that someone could essentially be "stalking" you possibly and you might not even know it.  If someone is new to Facebook and does not have many followers sometimes their posts do not even come up for others to see.  Also, there are times when you don't even have to request them as friends which is interesting.  The creators of Facebook esentially have the power and can sort of controll what is being put out there and what is not.  Also, the more friends you have, the more clicking on your site, the higher priority your replies are for more people to see.  I was very intrigued by this information because I thought you could always see everyones posts, but as this little experiment showed, sometimes you may not show up at all to others...very odd and possibly scary.

Cyber Bullying

I read the article in Edutopia about Cyber Bullying and was proud that people were standing up for these children that face this type of torment.  Cyber Bullying is a huge issue with the growing number of students who use the internet on a daily basis.  Many students don't realize that hurtful comments or pictures shared on the internet is the same as doing it face to face and can carry the same consequences. 

It saddens me to think that some students, especially the gay and lesibans, that were mentioned in this article are being targeted for this type of bullying.  The bullying is so hurtful to these students that they are taking their own lives just so that they don't have to deal with the ridicule anymore.  This truly breaks my heart.  These students need to know that it is okay to be themselves and come out when they are ready.  They need to be assured that people will support them.  I feel that everyone is unique and has their own personality so no one should have to hide behind a wall and not be their true selves just because they are worried about being bullied. 

As the article mentioned everyone needs to learn how to show compassion and truly care about people as individuals no matter what.  If people did this bullying would not be an issue.

First Blog

I am completely new to blogging and I have to admit I am a little nervous.  I don't know exactly what to expect, but I will try my best with my posts.  Hopefully some of you will be interested in what I have to say :)