6TechnologyReading

Place links to interesting and informative technology readings here, be sure to include your name!

=How to Bring Our Schools Out of the 20th Century = [] Reviewed by Katharine Tucker-Peterson Reviewed on 6/18/2010 // Description: // This article describes the nature of technology in schools (there is not enough instruction concerning technology) and how it is viewed by the staff as new and scary. It also includes how educators can use technology to their advantage. The article stresses how important it is that students know how to manage it, interpret it, validate it, and how to act on it regarding the effective use of technology stressing that just Googling something doesn’t equal competent research. // Applications // : This article discusses a lot of things we’ve already covered in class, but it can still be applied through using the examples given from other schools and the success rate of those new strategies. // Evaluation // : Though this article is 4 years old, it still gives great advice that can be used currently to help parents and teachers promote the use of technology in public schools.

By Denise Schmidt, Judi Harris, and Mark Hofer [] //Reviewed by:// Dawn Lang //Reviewed on:// 6/20/2010 //Description:// This article begins by explaining the overwhelming task educators have to teach literacy and technology, not to mention all of the other curricular areas we are responsible for. With this task in mind, we need to begin looking at ways to connect technology and make it a meaningful part of instruction. The article discusses how teachers usually plan based on content standards and that assisting teachers with technology integration based on this type of teacher planning can assist them in making good instructional plans and doesn’t make technology “one more thing to do”. The article includes a list of activities specific to literacy curriculum and how they can be met using technology. The entire list is not available in this journal, but is available in the wiki that is cited in the article. //Application:// I found the activity types connected to the technologies to very helpful in thinking about and planning for ways to use technology to teach what I am already teaching and being held accountable for. //Evaluation:// The wiki has activity types and integration ideas for all disciplines, not just literacy. This was the 7th in a series of articles addressing tech integration in the different disciplines so all of us could walk away with something from the wiki that could replace or enhance what we’re already doing in our classrooms.
 * Grounded Tech Integration: K–6 Literacy**

**Author:** Michelle R. Davis @http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2010/06/16/03networking.h03.html?intc=mvs
 * Reviewed by:** Alyson Reynolds
 * Reviewed on:** 6/21/2010
 * Description:** This article explores how social networking is being used in schools with students and professional development. It highlights the opportunities for global connections and collaboration.
 * Applications:** This article would be a great conversation starter in a committee or staff development situation. Many of the social networking sites mentioned cause immediate concern when considering opening them up to students, especially in the elementary setting.
 * Evaluation:** I was able to relate to the author's concerns about difficulties with school and school district policy. I have to admit, I have big concerns about these social sites in the elementary setting. I do see possibilities in the future and this article has given me some great ideas.


 * Title: Connecting to the 21st-Century Student**
 * Author:** Josh Mchugh
 * Organization/ Website:** Edutopia
 * Reviewed on:** 6/22/10
 * Reviwed by:** Chris Zimber
 * Description:** The article discusses the challenges of teaching and engaging the next generation of learners or as they call it the "MEdia Generation." Mchugh brings up the idea that teaching strategies need to adapt to the brains of young people who are used to being bombarded and shaped by various information streams. He discusses the need to make students creators rather than consumers and that they benefit from creating their own learning environment both of which can be achieved by using many of the tools available on the web. The article also discusses a lack of technology uses in many schools because teachers are unable or unwilling to adapt seemingly simple tools like the internet into regular instruction. Not surprisingly, this results in boredom and lack of engagement for too many learners across the country.
 * Application:** The article could add to our class discussion about the challenges of meeting the needs of 21st century learners. It provides some interesting insights and ideas which could also serve as the foundations and ideas for our classroom instruction.
 * Evaluation:** I believe this article can serve many audiences. It contains some interesting information which we could use and discuss as technology leaders. Additionally, the information and explanation is straightforward and might be useful to share with colleagues who may be apprehensive about the need for tech in the classrooms.


 * Title: Learning, Teaching and Scholarship in a Digital Age**
 * Author:** Christine Greenhow, Beth Robeliam, Joan E. Hughes
 * Organization/ Website:** American Educational Research Association
 * Reviewed on:** 6/22/10
 * Reviwed by:** Dylan Dyer
 * Description:** This article discusses the uses of Web 2.0, how it is different than the Web of the past, and how these innovative new tools are influencing learning and teaching. This article discusses the importance of how learning frameworks must change and adapt to how technology is changing the classroom. The authors explain that it is necessary for educators to embrace these new tools and make them accessible to students and also a viable part of instruction.
 * Application:** This article applies to our class discussions and how we are trying to always balance instructional frameworks with new technologies.
 * Evaluation:** I think this is a article that is worth reading. It has many insightful perspectives and I agree with the authors viewpoints.


 * Title: [|Promoting Technology Integration Through Collaborative Apprenticeship]**
 * Author:** Evan Glazer, Michael J. Hannafin, Liyan Song
 * Organization/Website:** Educational Communications and Technology
 * Reviewed on:** 6/24/10
 * Reviewed by:** Corey Lynn
 * Description:** I don't think I'm supposed to be sharing this article in this way without the authors' permission, so please keep this in your brain only. This article postulates that teachers are never going to be successful integrating technology into their instruction unless they practice what they preach as teachers: Modeling, Mentoring, Collaborating, Practice, and Gradual Release of Responsibility. The article places all these things under the umbrella of 'apprenticeship' and says that professional development with technology can no longer occur in isolated bursts of training; technology learning must happen with mentors and in learning communities and needs to be applied in the classroom right away. The article even lays out the stages of technology learning, from Introduction, through Developmental and Proficiency, ultimately to Mastery.
 * Application:** I think as technology leaders in our buildings, this article has a lot of great ideas about how we can empower teachers and change the face of technology integration at our sites as we know it...as long as we can get administration and faculty on board with devoting time and collaboration toward the end goal.
 * Evaluation:** The article doesn't really give specifics on just how to structure or schedule these golden apprenticeships or how to get administrative support, but it does raise the question of why it has taken teachers - of all people - so long to figure out that even as adult learners we need to follow the 'I do, we do, you do' progression when it comes to technology learning. We should know better.


 * Title: **[|Teaching with Technology]
 * Author:** Jim Lengel 
 * Organization/ Website: ** Hunter College School of Education / Power to Learn
 * Reviewed on: ** 6/26/10
 * Reviewed by: ** Bruce Barker
 * Description: ** This article discusses blended learning – the combining of technology and online learning with a classroom environment. It uses the the history of American schooners and their gradual adoption of technology as a metaphor for American public schools over the last half century or so It looks at many the many facets of blended learning that teachers must take into account
 * Application: ** Many of us are becoming ‘blended’ teachers – choosing and utilizing online tools to varying degrees and dealing with all the issues that the software and hardware present, while still managing an actual classroom of students and all the array of challenges that come with that. While the article doesn’t state //how// teachers should operate in this blended environment, it does pose many questions that they should take into account when planning their instruction.
 * Evaluation: ** I like the metaphor that they used. It is quite applicable to what we are dealing with today – trying to work in that technology that will have a positive effect on our students’ learning, just like boat builders have done since the time of schooners. It makes it a more interesting read.

Title: Student Perspective: "Smart" New Technology Finds Place at Lakeland Author: Sylvan Laner Website: Accomplished Teacher by SmartBrief Reviewed on: 6-26-10 Reviewed by Pablo Benitez Desrciption: This article focuses on the efforts of Lakeland High School in purchasing interactive whiteboards--Smart Boards and how administrators and teachers hope that this will improve teaching and student learning. In order to obtain your smartboard, teachers had to write a proposal explaining how they would incorporate it. Evaluation: I think this article is very interesting. It seems to favor and conclude that SmartBoards will help teaching and learning. What I find interesting is that in the class, Brent revealed that most research concludes that the boards do "no damage". This article takes the side that the boards will help but who really knows? I think more research should be made to see if these expensive boards are worth it or not.

**Title: Learning Technologies article in classroom by Thomas Chandler and Heejung An** [|learning technologies in classroom social studies] Reviewed by: Steve N. Hinojos Reviewed on: 6/23/2010 Description : Site's John Dewey's - "Understanding influences own beliefs and ideas". Learning need to be applied to real life events and technology helps make that happen.