jessica’s blog

I just viewed a vodcast, which I believe pin points the idea that children are becoming more aware about the kinds or technologies there are to use. This vodcasts shows a little girl using a highly teachnical phone. She is familiar with texting, taking pictures, making notes, using the calendar and making calls. Whatching this little girl play and work all the functions on the phone empahasis’s the importance of using teachnology in the primary school. Children are growing up with a range of exposure to the new technologies and programs and it is important to use teachnology to aid in their development. Take a look at it and see what you think! 

I have just viewed Kimberly’s site and came arcoss an article that made an impact on me. Kimberly states it was written by Idit Harel and is called The Three X’s.  I wanted to know what the three x’s were so I read on. They stood for Exploring, Expressing and Exchanging. I agree with the terms of these words in relation to students development in the primary school. Through having discovery learning in a safe environment, giving opportunities to use creative technologies and then allowing for collaborationg where students share their learning and skills will ultimaetly increase students devlopment in all areas. I recommend having a look at this article.. really interesting!

I just view Louise’s website and she helped me to discover a useful tool that can be used for free on the internet. It is called google calendar.

I went and explored more about this tool and discovered that you can design your own daily, weekly or monthly plan to help you get organised! I found it easy to use and thought it could also be handy to use as a good communication tool between teachers and parents. This would give parents the opportunity to see what events or functions were coming up.

I strongly suggest you take a look at it!

I needed some ideas of using technology in the primary school. I found this website that helped me out. It has ideas for lesson plans, and gives easy to follow explanations of how to use particular softwares. It also has some resources. I found it really useful.

Check out this website… they have great resources for teachers for leson plans and much more… it has fun activities for all age groups and different topics to choose from such as the subjects of art, maths and much more!!! Take a look… very worth while…

Check out this maths website I found on the internet. Sounds like there would be great maths programs that can help students! Click here to check it out!

I have just read an article which was in The Daily Telegraph on April 23^rd 2008. The article is about yet another gadget that has been invented, proving to the public that technology is ever growing. This new gadget was created in the UK and is called the Bluetooth Vibrating Bracelet. It connects to your mobile phone and vibrates on your wrist when a call comes through. This article has just illustrated to me that technology is growing so rapidly… what will they think of next?

I just read an article about the effectiveness of computers used in the classroom, and how much it does lead to students’ improvement in their education. Some interesting students that have been done came up with a range of results, some of which include:

* Students usually learn more in less time when they receive computer-based instruction.

* Students like their classes more and develop more positive attitudes toward computers when their classes include computer-based instruction.

* It can help improve students writing skills

I strongly recommend taking a look at this website as it present many benefits of technology used in the classroom.

While browsing the internet, I came across an article about technology schools. It presented me with some interesting facts I did not know about technology schools. They prepare students for the change that is occurring in today’s society. Students are given the opportunity to learn ‘with’ technology in many aspects of their school as computers are easily accessed. Through the use of technology it states that student’s needs and interests are met. Even though this website is only in relation to technology schools, I still believe the need for online leaning is still important for all students, regardless of where they go to school. We need to give students all the opportunities to excel; this can be achieved through technology offered to them in anyway possible!

Through viewing Lou’s blogs I came across one of her blogs that drew my attention. It is about ESL students using podcasting.

Benefits that arose from the article, in relation to ESL students, is that it gives teachers an opportunity to put work and lessons on to an MP3. Students are then able to take it home, listen to the teacher’s requests and complete the work it at their own pace. I believe this to be very important for ESL students as they need to feel comfortable with how they learn and will enable them to complete their work at their own pace.

I would suggest taking a look at this article as it states the many benefits of podcasting for ESL students.