Task 1: Deliverable: ScreenR Google Reader

     So far this class has made me feel like an old lady who is so out of touch with technology! I've learned there is so much more than just Gmail, YouTube, and Facebook. This has been my first time using tools like Blogger, Google Reader, Diigo, Twitter, and iGoogle. When I looked over the tasks list in the beginning of the semester, I have to admit, I was pretty intimidated. But I've realized it is so simple and such good resources! I will definitely continue using these tools in the future. I even think that posting blogs on Blogger is fun! I used to think that people who blogged had waaayyy too much time on their hands, but it is so fast and easy.

     There are so many advantages to being a tech-savvy teacher with a refined personal learning network. It allows the teacher to keep in touch with her new generation students and the fast-paced outside world. It also gives the teacher new ways to shake things up and always keep learning interesting.




     My ScreenR video is on "How to use Google Reader". Honestly it took me about 10 tries to get it right. I always wondered how these videos were made, thinking it was a super complicated process that only the super techies knew how to make. ScreenR is such a good tool for online teachers to use.


To view my ScreenR video click on this link: http://www.screenr.com/d1c7

Week 6 Group 6 Current Event

Current Event Topic: iPads... Are they all that they are made out to be as they relate to whole classroom?  Identify an article, blog post or website that takes a position (which you agree with) on the usefulness of the Apple iPad in the classroom.

Group 6 Members: Warren Shaw, KayLee Taylor, & Maile Yap

Online Source: "How Tablets are Invading the Classroom" by Digital Trends

       All three members in group 6 can agree that tablets in the classroom are a useful education tool. Many schools also agree that tablets are useful in the classroom and have begun using them. Students are tech-savvy at young ages that it is easy for them to adopt all forms of new technology. Digital textbook are becoming popular and saves students for lugging around backpacks full of heavy books. Schools are also putting more money towards IT spending, more spending than ever before.

      While tablets such as the iPad, Kindle, Nook, Surface, and Android tablets are cheaper and more handy than desktop computers and laptops, we still believe that is a pretty costly learning expense for something so fragile. We can assume that high school students can be responsible with these learning investments in school, but how about the younger students? Some schools are trying to even get their Kindergartners to use tablets. It could teach them to be responsible with technology, but at what cost?

     In addition, are we beginning to depend too much on technology? How about the "old school" methods of reading actual physical books and hand writing papers and notes? Personally, I still find those methods useful. We don't want the new generation to be totally dependent on technology and be devastated and lost if something like a power outage (or the internet crashing- haha) to ever happen.



The article "How Tablets are Invading the Classroom" by Digital Trends compares the "contenders for the top classroom tablet". Apple iPads are the most popular, but most expensive. Less expensive tablets such as Amazon Kindles, Barns & Noble Nooks, Google Nexus 7's, other Android tablets, and Microsoft Surfaces are also gaining popularity in trials at many schools.