Original Article: http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/06/28/granderson.raising.nerd/index.html?eref=rss_tech&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_tech+%28RSS%3A+Technology%29
Instead of having your children look up to the pro athletes, or musicians or actors why not have them look at successful people in business, medicine or law. I really enjoyed this resource because it reiterates the message that we as teachers try to get across to our students. It also made me think about how I'm raising my children. I will admit, my 4th grade daughter has posters of Justin Beiber and other Disney kid actors in her room.
Are we sending mixed messages to our children when we allow them to look up to celebrities while at the same time preach the importance of making good grades? I really never thought about it being an issue, well maybe a little bit. But now after viewing this article and video, I may think differently about what type of individuals I expose my children to.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Is College Relevant Today?
Original Article: http://blogs.forbes.com/nathanfurr/2011/06/24/universities-are-dead-long-live-universities/
In the technology driven society of today you can now learn just about anything from the internet. Do you really need an college education to be successful in today's society. This article raises this question and is somewhat interesting especially when many people can point to three of the most successful entrepreneurs in our lifetime that just so happen to be college dropouts in Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs and they could make an compelling case. I like myths that were brought up in the article like how some people say they only use 5% of what they've learned in college or how you can teach yourself everything online, which are simply not true. And more importantly, according to a recent report from the U.S. Census Bureau, a college master's degree is worth $1.3 million more in lifetime earnings than a high school diploma. So while you don't have to have a college education to be successful, chances are you will have a better chance for success if you have one.
In the technology driven society of today you can now learn just about anything from the internet. Do you really need an college education to be successful in today's society. This article raises this question and is somewhat interesting especially when many people can point to three of the most successful entrepreneurs in our lifetime that just so happen to be college dropouts in Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs and they could make an compelling case. I like myths that were brought up in the article like how some people say they only use 5% of what they've learned in college or how you can teach yourself everything online, which are simply not true. And more importantly, according to a recent report from the U.S. Census Bureau, a college master's degree is worth $1.3 million more in lifetime earnings than a high school diploma. So while you don't have to have a college education to be successful, chances are you will have a better chance for success if you have one.
Technology Apps are Changing Education
Original Article:
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/how_consumer_technology_user-generated_content_are.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+readwriteweb+%28ReadWriteWeb%29
I knew it was only a matter of time before those apps that you can download onto your smartphone found there way to your computer. At the ISTE 2011 conference, more and more technology apps are being started. Especially now with the success of the IPAD, teachers now have the ability to download apps like the Show Me app, and use it to enhance lesson. The Show Me apps seems to be a easy to use sort of screencast application that teachers and students can use to create videos. It's great for teachers because it allows you to demonstrate what it is you want your students to learn. It's great for students because it allows them the opportunity to build video portfolios among other things. It's time for me to start building my app for the 2012 convention.
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/how_consumer_technology_user-generated_content_are.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+readwriteweb+%28ReadWriteWeb%29
I knew it was only a matter of time before those apps that you can download onto your smartphone found there way to your computer. At the ISTE 2011 conference, more and more technology apps are being started. Especially now with the success of the IPAD, teachers now have the ability to download apps like the Show Me app, and use it to enhance lesson. The Show Me apps seems to be a easy to use sort of screencast application that teachers and students can use to create videos. It's great for teachers because it allows you to demonstrate what it is you want your students to learn. It's great for students because it allows them the opportunity to build video portfolios among other things. It's time for me to start building my app for the 2012 convention.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Say Yes is Investing in Our Future
Original Article: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/say-yes-to-education-college-tuition-anne-obrien
Despite economic tough times, Syracuse, New York school system is willing to invest $10 million dollars into their Say Yes Program to pay for students to attend college for free. This is great. Finally some news on how investing in education can encourage students to perform better. Many students now have a real incentive to perform at a high level. Parents should also be excited about the opportunity for their children to attend college for free. It's interesting to see if this program improves the 42 percent graduation rate in that school district. If it does then maybe other school districts will provide similar programs.
Despite economic tough times, Syracuse, New York school system is willing to invest $10 million dollars into their Say Yes Program to pay for students to attend college for free. This is great. Finally some news on how investing in education can encourage students to perform better. Many students now have a real incentive to perform at a high level. Parents should also be excited about the opportunity for their children to attend college for free. It's interesting to see if this program improves the 42 percent graduation rate in that school district. If it does then maybe other school districts will provide similar programs.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Best Way to Measure Teacher's Effectiveness
Original Article: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/teacher-effectiveness-measuring-test-scores-elena-aguilar?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdutopiaNewContent+%28Edutopia%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
When it comes to teacher evaluations, most educators cringe at the thought of it. For a obvious reasons administrators must evaluate teachers to provide both positive and constructive feedback to teachers in an effort to make sure that highly qualified teachers are in the classroom. The problem that so many teachers have with the whole evaluation process is that regardless of how well they educate, manage, facilitate, encourage and invest in and for their students, the only thing that matters in the end to administrators are test scores.
At my school, they like to link teachers to each of their students test results and post them at the faculty meeting for all the staff to see. If your students did well on the standardized test you are considered a good teacher and if your students scored poorly then you are labeled ineffective.
My thoughts on this issue is to first eliminate the link between students test scores and teachers. I also feel that their should be more teacher observations by different administrators from other schools to eliminate bias opinions. Another important way to measure teacher effectiveness is by allowing students to be involved in the evaluation process. These methods will allow honest, fair and balanced ways that should be used in the process and could lead to better teachers in the classroom going forward.
When it comes to teacher evaluations, most educators cringe at the thought of it. For a obvious reasons administrators must evaluate teachers to provide both positive and constructive feedback to teachers in an effort to make sure that highly qualified teachers are in the classroom. The problem that so many teachers have with the whole evaluation process is that regardless of how well they educate, manage, facilitate, encourage and invest in and for their students, the only thing that matters in the end to administrators are test scores.
At my school, they like to link teachers to each of their students test results and post them at the faculty meeting for all the staff to see. If your students did well on the standardized test you are considered a good teacher and if your students scored poorly then you are labeled ineffective.
My thoughts on this issue is to first eliminate the link between students test scores and teachers. I also feel that their should be more teacher observations by different administrators from other schools to eliminate bias opinions. Another important way to measure teacher effectiveness is by allowing students to be involved in the evaluation process. These methods will allow honest, fair and balanced ways that should be used in the process and could lead to better teachers in the classroom going forward.
Apple and the IPAD only Scratching the Surface
Original Article:
http://www.readwriteweb.com/enterprise/2011/06/ipad-for-business-round-up-skype.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+readwriteweb+%28ReadWriteWeb%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
With the addition of the IPAD, Steve Jobs and Apple continue to lead the way in cutting edge technology. The IPAD, for those of you that don't know this yet, is a tablet computer (the first of its kind), created by Apple Computers. It combines all of the functions of a regular laptop computer using a built in touchscreen keyboard, with Smartphone technology such as games, apps features, and a whole lot more. The first IPAD was sold in April of 2010 and in nine months had sold over 14.8 million. In January 2011, the IPAD 2 was released. Apple calls it the IPAD 2nd generation and is a slimmer, lighter, and faster with a lot more features than the original IPAD.
Now I am a person that really doesn't like to keep up with the lightning speed technology of today. I bought the Playstation 2 only after the Playstation 3's came out, for the discount of course and I purchase my first smartphone a year ago after my cell phone service provider offered the phone for free after my contract ran out. So I didn't really care to notice the IPAD when it first came out. It was only after my daughter's grandparents bought an IPAD 2 for my daughter as a birthday gift, did I begin to take notice to what Apple is doing. I love how fast the IPAD is. I love downloading the free games and books. I've even purchased some apps that my kids love. I've become a fan and I think my next computer will be a IPAD 3 for myself.
http://www.readwriteweb.com/enterprise/2011/06/ipad-for-business-round-up-skype.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+readwriteweb+%28ReadWriteWeb%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
With the addition of the IPAD, Steve Jobs and Apple continue to lead the way in cutting edge technology. The IPAD, for those of you that don't know this yet, is a tablet computer (the first of its kind), created by Apple Computers. It combines all of the functions of a regular laptop computer using a built in touchscreen keyboard, with Smartphone technology such as games, apps features, and a whole lot more. The first IPAD was sold in April of 2010 and in nine months had sold over 14.8 million. In January 2011, the IPAD 2 was released. Apple calls it the IPAD 2nd generation and is a slimmer, lighter, and faster with a lot more features than the original IPAD.
Now I am a person that really doesn't like to keep up with the lightning speed technology of today. I bought the Playstation 2 only after the Playstation 3's came out, for the discount of course and I purchase my first smartphone a year ago after my cell phone service provider offered the phone for free after my contract ran out. So I didn't really care to notice the IPAD when it first came out. It was only after my daughter's grandparents bought an IPAD 2 for my daughter as a birthday gift, did I begin to take notice to what Apple is doing. I love how fast the IPAD is. I love downloading the free games and books. I've even purchased some apps that my kids love. I've become a fan and I think my next computer will be a IPAD 3 for myself.
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