Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Journal 6

Kuhn, Matthew S. (2008, Aug.). Connecting Depth and Balance in Class. Learning and Leading with Technology, [18-21].

This article by Khun begins with the discussion of some positive and negative of new technologies in the educational setting. A negative being that new technologies are being spawned so fast that understanding often precedes their presence in the classroom. But the positive aspect is that technology can give new relevance and efficacy to pre-existing educational paradigms like Benjamin Bloom’s Taxonomy and Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Both of which have been seen as challenging to apply in the classroom. While the organizational characteristics of Bloom’s Taxonomy can represent much of this challenge, the article suggests that organization is a characteristic of utilizing technology. The article also suggests that, along with this organization, technology in the classroom lends itself to accounting for multiple intelligences and individual student’s learning styles, and gives examples of implementation of strategies experimented with at different schools across the nation, and world. The article ends with a statement explaining that even inexperienced teachers can use new technologies in the classroom to aid with the success of students.

1. Is technology necessary in order to develop and maintain learning taxonomies in the
No. But as the article suggests, it easily lends itself with its organizational characteristics.


2. Are multiple intelligences something that a teacher is going to run into in every
classroom, and give an example of one type of technology that can reach at least two different types of intelligences.
Yes. And a PowerPoint presentation would be suitable for visual/spatial learners, who could read along with the presenter, and verbal/linguistic learners, who could concentrate on listening to the presentation.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Journal 5


Soule, Helen (2008).Transforming School Communities Creating Dialog Using Web 2.0 Tools. Learning and Leading with Technology. [12-15].

In this article, Helen Soule discusses the role of technology in the school setting and its importance to everyone, who is involved in the process of education. The usage of technology that is the most emphasized in the article is that of communication. Soule mentions some components of communication that are becoming more and more important: “advocacy of the vision, networking to build formal and informal support, and collaboration with diverse external and internal constituencies.” Web 2.0 is given as an avenue for addressing these components.
Soule continues by talking about different strategies and modes of execution of efficient, appropriate, and wide-reaching communication. The first strategy talked about is the importance of knowing the tools available for communication, and gives several examples. Second, Soule notes the need to be clear in these communications. Blogs are mentioned as an excellent strategy in that it allows the use of multiple mediums, and reactions to these, instantaneously. Other strategies include: knowing your audience, choosing the best form of communication to fit the situation, choosing multiple forms of communication, etc. Soule finishes with further discussion of the important components of communication, mentioned earlier (advocacy, networking, collaboration).

While the use of new forms of communication are becoming more and more easy to use and efficient, should they totally replace hardcopies of handouts and other more traditional forms of communication?

Not at all, these new forms of communication are excellent and efficient, when utilized correctly, but only serve to compliment traditional forms.

Can a teacher use too many forms of communication when contacting parents or colleagues?

Probably not, I know that for myself I like to have information presented to my in different forms. It could become redundant, but I would think that someone would have to bombarded with a message before it becomes irksome.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008