Blog 4 (Chapters 4&6)

             A part of this chapter that I was really interested in was when it spoke about the digital divide in terms of low-income households. As a teacher who works in one of these areas of the Bronx, I struggle with this constantly. I would love to assign a project where my students can research on their own home computers for information but it just isn't realistic. Not only do the majority of my students lack home computers but they also don't have parents who speak english to help them. This means anytime I want to allow an assignment like this, it must be done in the classroom. I really try to allow ipad or laptop access as often as I can in the classroom because they don't get to use it outside the building. When parents are working long hours, it becomes a struggle to get that support, such as brining the child to the library to use a computer. Looking at the bar graph over the years provided in the text book is really a mind opener. While the access is raising over time, it is still lowest in the homes of low-income.
             Group work learning was also highlighted in this chapter. Cooperative learning is stressed across the board of subjects but having students use techonology with group work is also important. It allows the students to be able to work together, communicate with each other while sharing ideas and help each other grow in their abilities. Computers are a really big part of this effort.
            INTERACTIVE WEBSITES are GOLD. I constantly use programs that my students will be engaged in while practicing their skills. Teaching elementary school, it's great when you find a program that the students think is fun and you think is worthwhile. First of all, the kids want to be on the computer. They want to play the Math game or read the science ebooks. That is half the battle.
           Creating a web quest is the perfect way to control the path of the students learning. They are going to be looking WHERE you want them to get their information from, while at the same time, recognizing their task and accomplishing it. It allows room for photographs and videos that will give students a clear view of their topic.


Questions:
1) Has anyone ever used Interactive Videoconferencing with their students? This seemed like an awesome way to get a guest speaker in your class while giving the students a virtual field tirp.
2) Do you think student one to one computer use is best or cooperative group work using the computers?
3) I notice that for my ELL students, simple old fashioned leap-frog learning devices can at times trump certain computer programs that are newer. Does anyone else feel that way?