Week 5 Reflection: Is Google Good or Evil?

After having read a bit about Google, it appears that Google, as a company, does not have much integrity. They are a very large company that seems concerned about their employees' creativity, but there are many controversies about their business practices concerning discrimination over age and sex in hiring, as well as user privacy with cookies, length of time user information is kept, use of satellites, copyright, censorship, and many other questionable practices.

On the other hand, I don't think its evil using Google. As a matter of fact I think it's a great research tool, because it gives you a variety of information that could be useful. I believe it's up to the student to use it wisely and responsibly. Google is just a tool; however it's up to the researcher to choose information that it's legit.

Week 4 You Tube video

Hola amigos.

I’ve shown my students the following video. It is good to shown and discuss how writing and texts are shifting with the development of new technologies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gmP4nk0EOE

Week 4 Writing Prompt-You Tube

I think using YOUTUBE videos in the classroom is fine, as long as it's used to enhance the topic being covered. I think that it's like using any other material found in the internet. To my understanding these videos are posted for anyone to use or view. It is important to note or credit the creator when viewing such videos. To me it's like viewing a clip from a news source. As for students posting their own content on this site, they are free to do so at their own discretion. If they are going to share something from the class then the teacher and students need to be aware and should be able choose to participate.

Week 3 Writing Prompt Responses

Article #1 - Students Leave Technology At Home from Education Week
Outside Interests

I think many students learn more from their technological devices than from teachers who rely on traditional methods. Technology can help maintain the students' focus and heighten interest in the subject matter. As a foreign language teacher I think the use of technology cannot truly teach the language. The students can learn more interacting with other people or groups; that is one of the best ways to learn and use the language. In my classroom I use technology as much as I can. I like to share this information about Natural Technology because I think the Natural Technology Plan has the potential of being very successful. Currently there are some problems with the technology coming into the schools ahead of the training, but at least there is an awareness of this problem (as seen in the article by Dr. Glenn Kleiman about this plan). For example, in the goals of the National Technology Plan, it states that “Teachers have more resources available through technology than ever before, but have not received sufficient training in the effective use of technology to enhance learning.” (National Education Technology Plan, from http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/os/technology/index.html)

Dr. Kleiman similarly states that “Teachers have not received adequate training and support for integrating technology into the core of day-to-day classroom instruction…” (Kleiman, Myths and Realities about Technology in K-12 Schools, fromhttp://www.edletter.org/dc/kleiman.htm

Article #2 - Teachers Use You Tube in the Classroom
Teachers tap video-sharing in the classroom

As a teacher I like to use different teaching techniques, be prepared for each day with lesson plans, and yes, at times be prepared to change my plan to incorporate some fun, like playing a game, watching a movie, or singing a Spanish song. In my Spanish class we share videos about different countries. Each episode explores topics of the featured location such as history, fine arts, foods, celebrations, and traditions. After students see those videos they ask me about many different aspects of those cultures and they become more interested in learning. They always want to know more about Latin America. Also I use the Modern Language Laboratory, in which students have to use the computer and CD in order to practice the vocabulary and listen to it. The students also have to use the internet website to practice the vocabulary lesson. This is the website that the students have to use: (http://www.vistahigherlearning.com/). In this website students have to come one day a week and practice the vocabulary lesson that we are covering during the class.

Article #3 - $50 Computer Being Tested in Schools
Low-cost handheld targets elementary students

I think young child today is growing up with technology all around them. Chicago nonprofit calls its $50 “teachermate” an affordable way to give every kid a computer. So, the Chicago $50 handhelds for elementary students would be a good investment. The teachermate is a device that features a 2.5 inch colored screen, with 512 megabytes of internal memory an SD slot for expandability, a built in microphone and speaker and a battery with a life expectancy of at least 4 hours. The teachermate handheld computer sounds great for teacher and students. I think the teachermate can supply to a child’s development of language and math skills; it does not replace the teacher.

Article #4 - Online Speech Pits Students Against Teachers

Online Speech Pits Teachers vs. Students

In Venezuela the school system is very similar to the United States school system. But through all those years as a student and as a teacher in this country, the United States, I have learned that teacher and school administrators may have a great deal of control over the programs of their own classrooms and schools. This article is very interesting and at the same time very important to the teachers because it discusses students defaming teachers and administrators as well as schools in general on their personal blogs and social networking sites. I think here in United Stated students have the ability to express their feelings to the world via the internet, blogs, and social networks as Facebook, Myspace, hi5, etc. I believe that with the internet or social networks parents and teachers have always felt a responsibility to monitor what their young children were exposed to at home and school.

Week # 2 Blog Post Writing Prompt Response

As a Spanish teacher, I think that language not only shapes our culture, but it also shapes our brain, body and behavior.


Podcast: Reading books to learn Spanish
Books: Vista Higher Learning




Vistas: Introducción a la lengua española
http://www.vistahigherlearning.com/
http://books.quia.com/

Title:
VISTAS, Third Edition Web-SAM

Publisher:
Vista Higher Learning

FOTONOVELA
In my Sapnish class the Fotonovela is an abbreviated version of the VHS video program about four college students and their travels through Ecuador. The interactive video CD-ROM follows the textbook. As you watch and listen to the video CD-ROM, you can read the video transcript in Spanish and click to review it in English at any time.


The VISTAS Student Activity Manual also contains VIDEO Assignments related to the Fotonovela and video CD-ROM.


MatildaBy Roald Dahl
Caldecott Award Winners available in Spanish
http://www.csusm.edu/csb/english/lists/caldecot.htm

A New Reference Grammar of Modern Spanish By John Butt, recommended by William


As a Spanish teacher, I think podcast is a good way for teachers, to help other teachers to teach and at the same time help students because teachers can share this educational podcast in their classrooms. I found one interesting PowerPoint about podcast that I would like to incorporate in my curriculum because it allows students a way to improve their listening and speaking skills.

http://www.teacherholly.com/Enhanced%20Podcasting%20for%20Differing%20Levels%20of%20Spanish%20Language.ppt#1

“iPods are loaded with language tutorials, Spanish music and literature and some are even podcast for students and the university community” (Tony Alcarria )
This is Project Leader: Tony Alcarria
http://ipod.gcsu.edu/Course-related/Espanol/index.html


Thanks!!! Garcias



Sugglis Chinchilla

Week #1 Writing Prompt III

Another blog I visited was “bump on the Blog” Brian Grenier is another gather of technical information he presents information from many people in the education field in which they explain how they use technical equipment, for example a live blog in “Dean’s review” has a toddler interacting and learning to count. You can use audio and adjust the volume. His focus is to show the use of this camera and how it connects to a laptop. Adding his “Live” element to the Blog makes it an even more powerful educational tool.

http://bumpontheblog.etowns.net/

Week #1 Writing Prompt II

David, in his blog David’s English Teaching, gathers and presents experiences with information about teaching English. Once you are in his blog, you can click on many options, such as “Teaching English in Mexico” “Teaching English in Italy” etc. Once you are in that country, he has completed accounts from people who have information to share. Also there are grammar focuses in each country, which include a vocabulary builder. “Text –to – Speech.”

http://www.oddcast.com/home/demos/tts/tts_example.php?sitepal

You can type in a word and enters the language and a native speaker, for ex, Diego from Argentina then the person tells you the pronunciation.

http://elt-vocabulary.blogspot.com/search/label/pronunciation

Week #1 Writing Prompt I

On Shawn Brandt’s Blog: TIP Technology Integration Program, he presents information on how parents, teachers and students can have a better awareness by using technology. He uses podcast information, recommends websites such as Google news, relays information from lectures at conferences, etc. I agree with the article Technology Integration Program because I think in this era we need to provide our students with opportunities to become familiar with the uses and value of technology. I believe that technology also can decrease time on tasks by making studying more efficient. Teaching strategies that help students learn at home can save hours otherwise spent commuting, and so on.

http://www.np.k12.mn.us/TechIntegration/