Lauren Matuska

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I just read an posting on Victoria’s blog that discusses whether computer use in young children is having a positive effect or a negative. the article was written by: Kaveri Subrahmanyam, Robert E. Kraut, Patricia M. Greenfield, and Elisheva F. Gross.

The article discusses such issues as: is sitting in front of the computer the same as sitting in front of the television and does violent computer games cause depression, loneliness, aggressive behaviour and desensitisation?

It also discusses the positive effects that it has shown through studies such as children displaying higher academic achievement when using computers and there is no effect on their social or family relationships.

I found the issues raised interesting and although i do agree that computers can and should be used to develop academic skills I believe that it should be all within moderation.

I believe that a child sitting in front of a computer for three hours playing educational games or sitting in front of the tv playing x-box for three hours would ultimately have the same affect. However if this is kept in moderation by parents and teachers then the child I believe will benefit.

Children need a good mix between physical stimulation and technological stimulation!

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An interesting article that Ayesha discussed titled The Three X’s.

It discusses eXploring, eXpressing and eXchanging.

After having discussed and shared ideas in this e-learning class these three concepts are found throughout children’s learning and is now being related to e-learning.

I feel now after discussing this in class with Matthew that e-learning should just be like any other subject in class which is a mandatory field of everyday learning.

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The article I just read talks about the importance of allowing students to learn through technology in the primary school environment. The article is aimed at teachers who may not be confident or know a lot about technology, suggesting that they need to step out of their comfort zones and break the traditional teacher as leader and allow student input of how they would like to learn.

The article suggests using technology in the classroom to help engage the students. I agree with this suggestion as students are more intrigued when learning from technology based programs. An example of this could be using a computer Maths game where students have to complete a series of questions before continuing to the next level. I believe this would be successful in motivating the students and allowing them to gain the most out of the lesson. One other interesting point the article raised was teachers working in collaboration with students. Givign students a voice and allowing them to work individually and as groups will benefit their learning. The article suggests a variety of ways to incorporate technology based tools in lessons such as webcams and mobile phones.

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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!

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I just read an article called Technology’s Impact 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.

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I have just read the article ‘The Six C’s of Motivation’ by Shiang-Kwei Wang and Seungyeon Han. I believe that developing motivation and interest among students will help to control behaviour management. If students are interested in a topic they will tend to listen and be active participants in a lesson. I believe that the Six C’s outlined below help to do this:

1. Choice

2. Challenge

3. Control

4. Collaboration

5. Constructing meaning

6. Consequences

I strongly recommend reading this article and it can provide teachers with multiple ways in helping to construct a productive and fun learning environment.

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I have just read a post from Kimberly’s blog that provides some great programs for primary students. Here is the list:
# KidsCulture: The Great Explorers, by Susan W. Hixson (3/99)
# Curious George Learns to Spell, by Michele Sands (1/99)
# Thinkology: Clarity, by Susan W. Hixson (11/98)
# Oxford Children’s Encyclopedia on CD-ROM, by Michele Sands (9/98)
# First-Start Biography, by Susan Hixson (5/98)
# Readers’ Guide for Young People, by Gale Mostacciuolo (5/98)
# That’s a Fact, Jack!, by Sandy Scroggs (3/98)
# Mrs. Murphy’s Media Center, by Sandy Scroggs (1/98)
# CornerStone Language Arts, by Elizabeth Sky-McIlvain (11/97)
# Magic Tales II: Sleeping Cub’s Test of Courage, by Charles Doe (9/97)
# Dinosaur Hunter, by Gale Mostacciuolo (5/97)
# Tenth Planet Explores Math: Shapes Within Shapes and Mirror Symmetry, by Elizabeth Sky-McIlvain (5/97)
# Adventures of Ricky Raccoon: Lost in the Woods, by Charles Doe (3/97)
# CCCnet, by Sally Finley (1/97)
# Tesselmania! Deluxe CD, by Elizabeth Sky-McIlvain (1/97)
# Grammar Games, by Jodi Prchal (11/96)
# Trudy’s Time & Place House, by Fay L. Matsunaga (9/96)
# A to Zap!, by Fay L. Matsunaga (5/96)
# Storybook Weaver Deluxe, by Susan W. Hixon (5/96)
# Favorite Greek Myths (Scholastic Smart Books Series), by Mary Alice Anderson (3/96)
# With Open Eyes, by Ellen Baru and Jennifer Howland (3/96)
# School Font Collection, by Susan W. Hixson (1/96)
# The World of Nature (Microsoft Explorapedia Series), by Susan Eblen (1/96)

These programs are a fantastic teacher resource and will be very useful in the classroom.

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According to Edit Harel’s article ‘Building Software Beats Using It’, research over the past few decades has supported the view that children learn best when they are actively involved in an activity through exploration and design. This is known as Constructionist Learning and proposes the idea that the use of computers in the classroom should go beyond instruction toward educating students by putting them in an active role in which they engage in an interactive and meaningful experience. Through new programs such as Logo and Scratch children are not only able to take responsibility for their learning, they are also able to express themselves by publishing and sharing their work. I believe that it is the scope and ability to share ideas (made available by these new learning technologies) that makes using them in the classroom valuable and valid.

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I have just read a post on Kimberly’s blog about a vodcast of a young girl, only two years, demonstrating just how technologically apt the children of this generation are. The vodcast shows the young girl using a mobile phone to text, take pictures and engage in functions which most of today’s older generation (sometimes known as technophobes) would find confronting and far too challenging to comprehend.
It is amazing that children today have so much exposure to technology and are becoming extremely advanced, especially at such a young age, with the technology that is out there today.
Teachers should be using this as an advantage in the classroom and encouraging children to use as much technology as they can. Who knows, the teachers may learn a thing or two!!!!

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