Technology In School Interview

On November 24th, 2016 I interviewed my cousin. Her name is Olivia, and she attends Eagleville Elementary School. She is ten years old and is in the fifth grade at Eagleville Elementary.

I asked her the question, why do you want to use technology for learning? At first her response was a little vague. She responded, I do not know. Once I was given that response, I asked her how are you using technology in your classes now? She then went on to explain that she has been using her cell phone to record video during one of her elective classes. She explained that she was to make a time lapse video. She created paper people, paper car, and paper locations. She did her video over her vacation she had in Chattanooga with her family. She would move the paper people and paper locations, and she would record the movement little by little. She made the video look like the paper people we going to different locations. The project was really neat, and she was very proud of her project. She said she loved using her cell phone in class, and she loved that her teacher let her use her cell phone in class. Once everyone completed the project, each student showed their video through the computer.

She then went on to say that her school has iPads and laptops that are shared through out the school. The equipment can come to the classrooms upon the teacher's request. Olivia said she loves when he iPads come to her classroom and she gets to use them. She has a tablet of her own at home, and she knows how to work the iPads. After her response of she did not know, it seemed to me any kind of learning that involves technology is was excited about.

After hearing her excitement about using technology in the classroom, it made me really want to include as much technology as I can in my future classroom. Whatever technology is available at the time, I would want to use it in my classroom. My ideal technology in the classroom is computers are available for each student. If not computers, I would love to have iPads for each student. I would want to use to the latest educational apps. There are so many apps out that could be utilized in the classroom. I feel like using different apps could help the students academically. The apps could be used to help aide in teaching lessons and digitally assess students. I would want to incorporate technology in my lessons as much as I can.

Texting and the English Language

Today I am going to discuss an online video. The video is a TED talk. The title for the video is called Txtng is killing language. JK!!!’. The speaker of the video is John McWhorter. This video was published in February 2013. Here is the link for the online video: 

https://www.ted.com/talks/john_mcwhorter_txtng_is_killing_language_jk

John begins his TED talk by expressing his opinion about texting. He feels like the invention of texting is a positive discovery. He relates texting to humans speaking. In his video, he says that language was discovered many many years ago, and writing is a tool that came after language and speaking. McWhorter said, "Now don't get me wrong, writing has certain advantages. When you write, because it's a conscious process, because you can look backwards, you can do things with language that are much less likely if you're just talking." He then discusses that we do not speak like we write. Our speaking is much more common and casual. Our writing is usual professional and thought out. What is texting? John answers that question. He says, “What texting is, despite the fact that it involves the brute mechanics of something that we call writing, is fingered speech. That's what texting is. Now we can write the way we talk."Texting has created new structures. Saying LOL and slash in text messages have changed the meaning. LOL usually means laughing out loud, however in some context LOL is used to show empathy in text messages. Slash is used to change the subject in text messages. To wrap his TED talk, McWhorter says, " And so, the way I'm thinking of texting these days is that what we're seeing is a whole new way of writing that young people are developing, which they're using alongside their ordinary writing skills, and that means that they're able to do two things." He then says, " And so texting actually is evidence of a balancing act that young people are using today, not consciously, of course, but it's an expansion of their linguistic repertoire." 

When I was younger, I witnessed texting enter the world of technology. It became a new way to communicate, and texting came into the world like a storm. I got my first cell phone, and i began to text immediately. It was one of the biggest ways I communicated with my family and friends. Young people are learning to text and use technology at younger ages. I agree with John McWhorter. Texting should not be frowned upon or be viewed negatively. Texting is a great way to communicate, and it is not running the English language. In my opinion, texting should be embraced. The English language is constantly changing just like technology. Change is constant, and as a community we should be open to it. 

Sesame Street, Toddlers, and Technology

Today I am going to discuss an online article. The title for the article is called Vocal Tech for Toddlers Encourages 'Anytime, Anywhere, Learning'. The author's name is Lynn Neary. This article was published December 31, 2014. Here is the link for the online article: http://www.npr.org/2014/12/31/374033373/vocab-intensive-tech-for-toddlers-encourages-anytime-anywhere-learning

Neary begins her article by discussing Sesame Street. The show began to air in 1969, and that many people were skeptical. They did not think a television show could introduce math and reading skills to young children effectively. However, Sesame Street has proven that a television show can be educationally and be entertaining. The show has reached many generations of young children. Technology has advanced since 1969, and Sesame Street is also evolving. Sesame Workshop is now being introduced to young children through tablets and smartphones. Michael Levine is the executive director of the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop. He says, "Kids tend to consume across platforms and across settings," Levine says. "They're on the couch, they're in the living room, they're outside even, or they're on the go. So these mobile media and these interactive platforms allow for anytime, anywhere learning." Parents and children were asked to come to the Sesame’s Workshop Headquarters in New York. The children began to play on tablets. In another room, researchers were watching how each child interacted with the mechanics of the game. “We are seeing how he is choosing to help Elmo jump up the beanstalk: Is he swiping? Is he tapping? Is he piloting Elmo with his finger? And the more kids that we put in front of this game, the better we'll understand the intuitive way in which kids interact with it." Sesame Workshop's vice president is Rosemarie Truglio. She wants Sesame Workshop to have a lot of content. Truglio asked educators what developed literacy skills. The educators’ answers were vocabulary. The workshop created a game called Big Bird's Words. The game was designed to use on a smartphone. The game is aimed at showing children the relationship between words. Also the game includes parent interaction. The game wants parents involved and not used as a babysitter. "Ian Rowe, CEO of the New York City charter school Public Prep, says getting parents involved in their kids' education is crucial." Sesame Workshop is launching a partnership with Public Prep Pre-K program. Sesame Workshop is making materials that can be used in schools such as videos. The videos can act as a hook to the teacher's lesson. The videos can go alongside the rest of the lesson. The lesson could include discussion, writing, and crafts. Public Prep's Pre-K program managing director is Haifa Bautista. She wants to incorporate technology in the classrooms for educational purposes. "Once these kids are in elementary school, says Bautista, they will have their own laptops and iPads, so it's never too soon to teach them that technology can be more than just entertainment."

When I was a child, I grew up watching Sesame Street. I loved the characters Big Bird, Elmo, and Cookie Monster. Each character had different traits and looked different. When I was little, I had no idea I was learning while watching television. However, I was learning a lot from Sesame Street. I learned letters and colors. Every afternoon I watched Sesame Street, and I looked forward to watching it on the television. When I was little, tablets and smartphones had not been invented yet. When I have children, I would love to get the Sesame Workshop app on my tablets and phone. I want my kids to love Sesame Street like I did. I also would get Sesame Workshop on my school tablet too. I would feel comfortable using Sesame Workshop as a part of my lesson plans. It would help me integrate technology in my classroom. I know my future students are going to know how to use tablets, smartphones, and computers when they come to school. Technology is becoming apart of every school, and I want my students to learn while using technology. Sesame Workshop is an educational app, and I will have it in my classroom.