Tuesday, September 23, 2008
The NJCCCS
When I visited the NJCCCS website, I found it very easy to identify all of the cumulative progress indicators associated with my curriculum. Being a middle school special education teacher, I was able to identify every skill my students are supposed to possess by the end of eighth grade. While this information is useful, I had one major question that the website never answered. How do we teach all of these skills? Nowhere on the NJ website could I find suggestions on how to implement this state's curriculum. As a teacher, I would find it helpful to have access to resources that will aid in providing the students with a fluid, coherent curriculum that covers all of the topics listed in the NJCCCS. I think it might be helpful to provide some links that can help teachers with the implementation of lessons that are aligned with the NJCCCS. What do you think?
Monday, September 22, 2008
Digital Learning Video
Great video! I was really struck by how deeply integrated our children are with technology. For kids who grew up watching movies and playing games on the computer, it is definitely understandable that they would have trouble listening to a teacher talk.
I think it is fantastic that giving technology to our students gives them more control over their learning. Children should be expected to take responsibility for their education and their goals. The industrial era is over and we do not need students who learn a procedure from a superior, then repeat it. We need students who are self motivated and capable of finding the information they need to solve the problem they are interested in.
We are giving more control to students but we also need to make sure that students use their time productively. Children have difficulty with self control so we should attempt to remove distractions during class time. Educators should collaborate with computer and cell phone manufacturers to create software that gives teachers the ability to enable/disable features or content.
Designing lessons using technology can be more time consuming but if we create a system to share our lessons and are able to use other's lessons, we will reduce the amount of time we have to spend planning. We won't need to gather resources to make photocopies of because the resources will all be online and accessible.
Avoiding technology integration is a disservice to our children. In a few years most children will have iPhone-type phones that students and teachers will be able to deliver content to. We need to rethink our no cell phones or iPods policies and incorporate students technology. By utilizing the technology students bring to school, we can decrease the amount of additional funding schools spend on technology.
I think it is fantastic that giving technology to our students gives them more control over their learning. Children should be expected to take responsibility for their education and their goals. The industrial era is over and we do not need students who learn a procedure from a superior, then repeat it. We need students who are self motivated and capable of finding the information they need to solve the problem they are interested in.
We are giving more control to students but we also need to make sure that students use their time productively. Children have difficulty with self control so we should attempt to remove distractions during class time. Educators should collaborate with computer and cell phone manufacturers to create software that gives teachers the ability to enable/disable features or content.
Designing lessons using technology can be more time consuming but if we create a system to share our lessons and are able to use other's lessons, we will reduce the amount of time we have to spend planning. We won't need to gather resources to make photocopies of because the resources will all be online and accessible.
Avoiding technology integration is a disservice to our children. In a few years most children will have iPhone-type phones that students and teachers will be able to deliver content to. We need to rethink our no cell phones or iPods policies and incorporate students technology. By utilizing the technology students bring to school, we can decrease the amount of additional funding schools spend on technology.
Internet Safety Assignment
Although many parents and children are now aware of online predators, it is important for parents to remain vigilant and aware as to the many potential risks and dangers our children may face online.
The biggest threat facing children and teenagers on the internet today is not cyber predators but rather irresponsible parents. Children are accessing porn sites, chatting with strangers, and posting inappropriate content on the web because parents are not doing their jobs. The solution to solving the problem of minors on the internet does not involve more intense policing rather it involves holding parents criminally responsible when a child accesses porn, posts inappropriate material, or meets a predator offline.
If my child burns himself on the kitchen stove and I have to take him to the hospital, then the first thing that is going to be asked is: where were the parents when this happened? If the hospital staff doesn't feel the correct answer is given, then the matter is referred to a child welfare agency. When a child meets a predator from online in the real world and gets molested, then the parents are called a VICTIM along with the child. This is utterly insane. The parents of these kids should be arrested and charged with a criminal offense for not properly supervising the child's online behavior as well as keeping tabs of the child outside the home.
Until police begin to file criminal charges against the parents of children victimized online, then there will not be solution to this problem. Instead, responsible adults who use the Internet will be punished in the name of saving the children. I really wish that society would start holding parents accountable for poor parenting and not blaming the big corporations for parental malfeasance.
The biggest threat facing children and teenagers on the internet today is not cyber predators but rather irresponsible parents. Children are accessing porn sites, chatting with strangers, and posting inappropriate content on the web because parents are not doing their jobs. The solution to solving the problem of minors on the internet does not involve more intense policing rather it involves holding parents criminally responsible when a child accesses porn, posts inappropriate material, or meets a predator offline.
If my child burns himself on the kitchen stove and I have to take him to the hospital, then the first thing that is going to be asked is: where were the parents when this happened? If the hospital staff doesn't feel the correct answer is given, then the matter is referred to a child welfare agency. When a child meets a predator from online in the real world and gets molested, then the parents are called a VICTIM along with the child. This is utterly insane. The parents of these kids should be arrested and charged with a criminal offense for not properly supervising the child's online behavior as well as keeping tabs of the child outside the home.
Until police begin to file criminal charges against the parents of children victimized online, then there will not be solution to this problem. Instead, responsible adults who use the Internet will be punished in the name of saving the children. I really wish that society would start holding parents accountable for poor parenting and not blaming the big corporations for parental malfeasance.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Our First Assignment
Wow! Before this assignment I had no idea how to use or set up a blog. It was easy until I got to the user name and title name. I didn't think coming up with a name would be so difficult. I'm still not familiar with many of the options, but as the semester goes on I'm sure I'll get better at blogging. I'm looking forward to learning more about blogging and it usefulness in the classroom. Happy blogging everyone!!! Hope to hear from you soon.
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