Journal #3

Lindsay, J., & Davis, V. (2010, March/April). Navigate the digital rapids. Learning & Leading, 37(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues
/Volume3720092010/MarchAprilNo6/Navigate_the_Digital_Rapids.htm




This article was encouraging on how to become a digital teacher. The authors lists do and don’ts on how to change your teaching style to incorporate more technology into your curriculum. They encourage utilizing mobile technology to create different ways of learning. When using technology to “flatten” the walls of the classroom and connect with other classrooms, professional conduct and cultural sensitivity should be displayed. While students are working on these technological assignments a plan must be in order to deal with students who misuse the sites. An example of this would be offensive material displayed on the site. The authors of this article also want teachers to overcome the fear of using technology in the classroom. They feel the hardest part of using technology is in the beginning. As one becomes more proficient with the tools, the lessons using technology will become easier. Lindsay and Davis also state, to not be overly cautious with privacy levels. The authors feel that when students graduate they should have a positive digital file of their work in order to advance them in their next level of study.

Information on how to start different projects was also given. Lindsay and Davis state in their article that www.flatclassroomproject.org was a great tool for middle and senior high students to use. It allows for global partnerships to encourage learning. They also state other projects like Net Generation Education, Digiteen, Digiparent and Eracism that have come about as a result of the Flat classroom project.

Question #1

How comfortable would I be using Flat Classroom Projects in my classroom?

I am not sure what kind of school I will be teaching with my first job. It seems the school would need to be fairly up to date with technology in order to do these kinds of projects. I would like to observe a class that utilizes these tools before I stepped up and incorporated them in my curriculum. I believe that the authors are correct in saying the first part in getting started would be the hardest part to navigate. I would have to research it more but it really seems like a great tool for students.

Question #2

Can there be too much technology in a classroom?

I think there can be. I believe as a teacher we should incorporate some technology into the class room and not be afraid to use it. However the students should have a well rounded curriculum that utilizes other materials as forms of learning. As teachers we need to be aware of the different learning styles each student has and try and address how best each student learns. If we focus on one method too much we may not be reaching each child with our lesson.