Back to School

Well, it's that time again. Today was the first full day back at school. From the looks of it, I'm going to have some pretty good classes this year. I'm looking forward to meeting the new sophomores and seeing my Juniors mature from last year. I've got some new stuff around my room and this will also be the first year I have this blog for my classes. Hopefully, students will look at it every once in a while and maybe even post replies. We'll see...

Chapter 6--Computer and Network Security

Chapter six had a lot to do with the nature of worms, viruses and other threats to network security. It seems that most of the folks who created worms and viruses did so in order to exploit the weak spots in a network's system. I wonder why these weak spots weren't "patched" prior to implementing the system? I guess what I'm asking is why can hackers find these weak spots before the software systems do? Does it have to do with the pressure to get certain products to market, warts and all? Case in point: the new iPhone. This has been the buzz of the phone industry for better part of a year and right away there is nothing but problems with it, and people are already finding ways to get internet acces without activating the phone through AT&T. Tell me that's not a major loophole. So why didn't the folks at apple see this coming? Maybe they knew it had these weaknesses, but couldn't do anything in time for the anticipated release. Similar stuff happened with the Xbox 360 and the PS3 when they were released. Hackers simply make these and other products better by showing the manufacturers where the weaknesses are. It's sort of a never-ending arms race which leads to better and better products and systems that are harder for average people to mess with. All in all, I think that's a good thing. I know that a lot of innocent people have their computers pretty messed up because of some viruses, but the general populace benefits from finding solutions to these problems. Just like they mentioned in the text about how viruses and diseases will kill a lot of people, the survivors are safeguarded against the virus in the future and are stronger for it.

Ethics for the Information Age--Chapter 5

This chapter was pretty lengthy and filled with legal history surrounding a citizen's rights to privacy. I found it interesting that the United States government always attempts to seize more surveillence authority during times of crisis. I understand that this is crucial to the goal of defeating whatever enemy, but historically, this has been abused. Governments can create a crisis situation for the sole purpose of garnering more authority over its citizens. I think many people are good natured and do not understand why the government would want to spy on them, but this chapter helped to re-inform me that the benefits of knowing far outweigh the deficits of not knowing.
After reading this chapter, I am more inclined to live "off the grid" (leaving no electronic footprints, paying in cash, not existing in any sort of database). Having all of one's crucial info linked to databases which can now be accessed without warrants means that the government now has the power to get rid of anyone they deem to be an "enemy combatant". Last December, President Bush signed an executive order into law which formed a tribunal. This tribunal is of his choosing. The purpose of this tribunal is to deem people "enemy combatants", thus making them subject to unwarranted searches and seizures under the new patriot act. What this means is that PRESIDENT BUSH CAN DO ANYTHING HE WANTS TO ANYBODY. He appoints the people who decide this. Once you are slapped with this label, they can do anything they want to you. You have no rights to a trial, no civil rights, and will be subject to torture, provided it is done in Cuba.
I understand the original purpose for the government needing these powers and authorities, but this sort of power was originally balanced between different bodies for a distinct reason; it is far too tempting for one person to not use these powers to corrupt ends.
This is how Rome switched from a republic to an Empire. In all the movies and books about revolutions, this is exactly how it starts. This is even how it happened in Star Wars. It is easy to spot when the story is condensed into 2 hours, but in real life we inch toward this daily, so many people do not seem to notice. But the fact remains, we are on our way to a society in which our rights to things like privacy are whittled away to nothing.

Article 3--The School of the Future

The third article I read was titled "The School of the Future". It painted a picture of "classrooms" which are free of discipline issues, distractions, boundaries, fixed deadlines, and--this is a little weird--the physical presence of students. The school of the future will be heavily dependent on technology to allow students to "log in" to school when they have time instead of at rigidly set times. I definitely see the benefit of this; technology-savvy students who are able to use cutting edge technology to showcase their understanding of complex ideas. However, the drawbacks seem enormous.
1. Monetary cost: Who will pay for this? I have trouble believing that the parents of most of my students will voluntarily cough up money for this, and it certainly isn't coming from the government anytime soon.
2. Socialization: Many students already spend a lot of time on the internet. In a way, it has robbed kids of the ability to approach, speak with, and connect on an emotional level to other people. Socialization is huge. Creating a virtual school would seriously cramp this.
3. Accountability: How do we know kids are doing their own work instead of just cutting and pasting their way to a degree? I have enough trouble with plagiarism now, I can only imagine some of the stuff I would receive if my students didn't do a lot of the work right under my nose.
4. Time: Why would kids need to attend these virtual schools when the mood suits them? What in the world are kids doing other than school? I understand some kids have jobs, but for a vast majority of them, school IS their job.

I really do understand the benefits of having an online community in addition to a real-live classroom. However, I can't fathom the logistical problems associated with this. Instead of the old standby "my dog ate my homework", we would be plagued with hearing "my internet went down" or "my dog ate my computer".
A little over a hundred years ago, the "technology" of having textbooks for students to take home with them and study was a big deal, largely because printed books were in relatively short supply. The increased availability of books through use of the printing press made books available to many kids. This also came at a great cost. It also took a while to train everyone how to learn from the textbook. Year after year, I lose textbooks from kids who don't bring them back. Sure, the classroom of the future will have it's drawbacks; the classroom of today certainly does, too. But I do think that schools will move toward a format which involves more technology, just not this extreme.

Article 2--The Changing Face of Classroom Technology

I think this article can best be summed up paraphrasing a quote from the article. A teacher talks about no longer holding a child's hand through their education, but because of technology they are now "holding the flashlight". This is a great summation of technology's role in facilitating learning rather than being the core of it. One educator spoke of using technology to cover the same old material in a new way. I think that's the best way to put it. Kids don't want to read through books and take notes from a blackboard. Students want to be stimulated and they want to be up and doing something. Technology allows students this opportunity. Students don't want to be led by the nose through lectures and told what to do. Kids want the opportunity to learn for themselves, but first teachers must package content in formats that pique a student's intrinsic motivation. Judging by the availability and use of iPods, DVDs, internet and cell phones, I would have to agree that the way to a student's mind is through technology.

Article 1--How Teachers View Technology

After reading this article, I gained a little insight about some of the things teachers expect from their technology. I especially noted the difference between teachers with less than 10 years expericence and those with more. Of course those teachers view technology differently--it had a different role in their upbringing. In another ten years, new teachers will be doing innovative stuff with computers that totally astounds me. I hope that by taking courses and staying up to date on technology, I can keep technology an important part of my teaching style. Technology is also important to use because even the most tech-savvy teacher doesn't know everything that their students do about emerging technology. Probably the key thing about technology is that it bridges that gap between generations which so often separates teacher and student.

The Blue Nowhere--Post 2

The second quarter of the book moves along a little quicker than the first. We figure out why Phate has been so nice in helping Jamie sneak out for his concert (Santana...very early 2000s). Turns out he just wanted to use him as a pawn to break in (physically "hack" into) to the school. Makes sense when you think about the high level of security involved in the school. Sort of takes away their bragging rights of being so safe. I'm interested to see where this goes with Gillette. I think he escapes. He is turning into a pretty likeable character. Anyway, the book is really starting to draw my attention. Wonder what sort of stunt Phate will pull next...

Here Comes the E-Rate (Egads!) Article 3

This article is a gem from 1997--a full ten years ago. When talking about technology, going back ten years is usually very obsolete stuff. The FCC ruling which provided over 2 billion dollars to schools to fund their technology programs was passed back in the Clinton Era of 1997. I wonder if over the last 10 years that money has shrunk, gotten bigger or disappeared completely. The last 7 years has definitely not been good for school funding. We've since started a war and it is very expensive. I would like to know if this e-rate business is still around in some way or another.

Author Says Technology Brings False Promises To Schools

I found this article to be very interesting. It takes the position that schools are relying on the fact that because they have lots of technology, they have a better school with smarter kids than if they didn't have the computers. I agree. However, I don't think that the teachers are the ones pushing this idea forward. I think it's the administration. At least in our district, the administrators really push the use (and the subsequent purchase of) technology. As a a teacher, I appreciate technology as a supplemental tool. Just in the same way a book is a good supplement and the library is a good supplement. I do not rely on any one thing to teach my students, especially computers and internet. I am constantly telling students that the internet is like a bathroom wall that anyone can write on. Some info is reliable, but lots isn't. I also agree that we're looking at a generation of kids that will be very computer literate, but lack the basic skills to think creatively, adapt, or do much of anything without being prompted. I think computers and technology are nice, but they're not the focal point of my classroom. They're only tools to get the kids enthused to learn.

Is Technology Just For Boys? Article 1

This article takes an interesting viewpoint. I chose it because it blends together the current topics in both classes I am currently enrolled in: Today's Learner and Issues and Ethics in Technology. The articles claims that boys are more apt to benefit from use of technology in schools. I somewhat agree with this mindset, but only to a point. I see that boys may be drawn to the gaming aspects of computers and technology, but lately I am seeing girls drawn to computers as well. This article was written in 2000. Over the last 7 years, computers (mostly the internet) have undergone a transformation of sorts. It has become a very, very social place. Entire sites dedicated to creating and maintaining cirlcles of friends and contacts have sprouted up in this timeframe. Just about every female I have in class has a myspace page and checks it with much more regularity than the males. This is showing that women are drawn to the internet technology, too. It just took the social draw of friend sites to do it.

The Blue Nowhere--Post 1

I am about a quarter-way through this book and so far it is pretty entertaining. There is a lot of lingo being thrown around. There's almost a new term on every page. I am interested in the concept of a killer constantly changing their identity. That is a pretty common theme among murder-mysteries, but using computers to the extent that Phate does is a pretty nice twist. I've known about using someone else's computer from a remote location for a few years now, and the technology is actually becoming common enough to create businesses around the concept. One is called www.gotomypc.com. They specialize in helping traveling businessmen have remote access to their own computers from other cities. Of course, I'm learning that other people can do this too...

ISTE Standards

I had no idea that there was such a formal organization whose sole purpose is to push technology in education. I just thought that it was emphasized, I had no idea there were standards set up and everything. After looking at these standards on what a teacher should be able to do and what their students should be able to do, I realized that I already incorporate a lot of technology into my classes anyway.
The podcasting project didn't go very well last year, but I have been re-tooling it (with the help of our school's tech guy, Andy) and look forward to perfecting it early next winter. To my knowledge, my attempt at podcasting last semester may have been the first attempt to do something of this sort in the district, county or this region of the state. When I would talk to most teachers about it, it was their first time ever hearing of such a thing.
Just using this one project as a guage of what most teachers know and use of technology in the classroom, it probably isn't much. I feel like teachers almost have an obligation to learn about what their students know and sort of be ahead of the curve even when it comes to brand new technologies. Otherwise, the students will be bored with the class because they learn in a fascinating, engaging way outside of school, and are expected to sit and listen and take notes inside of school.
I know I could do more with technology, but overall I feel like I do a way better job of using it effectively in the classroom than most teachers (especially older ones). That's just the nature of getting older. You become set in your ways, but the world moves on. Teachers really don't have that luxury. We have to be able to connect meaningfully with the youthful generation every year. For now, I think I'm doing a good job of that. I hope I can still say that in 20 years...

MAED52: Issues and Ethics in Technology Blog

Turns out, for one of my master's classes I need to create a blog on blogger.com. Lucky for me, I just so happen to already have a blog about technology on blogger.com. Lucky me. I originally created this blog to let parents know about an upcoming podcasting project. Which crashed and burned magnificently. You can read about it in the first post. Anyway, don't think that I made this whole blog just for this class--I already had it up and running since early May.

Podcasts? Podcasts!

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS A PODCAST? Podcasts are a relatively new form of media which samples elements of news, information, entertainment, music and technology. Basically, someone (anyone, really) can sit down with a computer and a microphone and record anything from a song to an essay onto a sound file called an MP3. These MP3s can then be downloaded for FREE off the internet and listened to on computers all over the world. These can even be downloaded onto your own MP3 player (sort of like a walkman). The most famous of these MP3 players is the iPod, so these files became known as "PodCasts" (iPod + broadcast = PodCast).

WHY HAVE STUDENTS MAKE A PODCAST? I decided to do this project because I read an article in NEA magazine about fourth graders on the east coast making podcasts. I thought "my sophomores would get a kick out of this". Another reason is that it combines what many students think of as "boring, stuffy, old history" with the cutting edge technology that a majority of students seem to have--MP3 players. My teacher brain ran wild with visions of students not just downloading the newest hit song, but each other's reports and other forms of projects worked on in class. I also liked the idea of students creating podcasts about historical events for other students to listen to--students teaching students. I also added the pressure of telling them that the whole world could listen to their podcasts and suddenly many of them wanted to put a lot of effort into the project. That sure beats making some big old report that someone reads once and then gets thrown away. I also like to think that this will help students to realize that there's some pretty cool educational stuff on the internet, and that they can contribute something to the internet, too.

WHEN WILL THE STUDENT PODCASTS BE ON THIS SITE? Student podcasts will be uploaded onto this very site (fingers crossed) by the end of the day, May 18th. If sooner, I'll post on here and let students know in class. I will also send home a handout with the website and directions on how to listen to the student reports.