CSMFall2014

This article is about Amplify, a new online school curriculum that promises to personalize education for students. While it might appear pricey at $199 per student per year, the price tag includes a preloaded tablet for each student with curriculum content tailored to state standards. This tool is meant to make learning more interactive, as well as track student progress, including areas where the student struggles; early studies have shown positive outcomes in reading and comprehension.

This article discusses a study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, which looked at the correlation of prolonged exposure to screen time and students inability to read facial expressions. This article makes me question how to use technology effectively for students and not just use something with a screen to say I've "incorporated technology" into my classroom. Technology should be a tool we use to supplement our real world experiences in education.

This article explores ELL's reactions to blog-assisted language learning. While ESL students, were enthusiastic to lean through this forum, many factors led to unsuccessful results. Students were hindered by social worries regarding peers having access to their work and by how time consuming this learning tool was in actuality. However, the authors do not suggest giving up on this tool as it is such a new idea and research is still incomplete to date.

Using Global Positioning Systems devices as mobile devices to engage children in mathematics learning. They can use Ipads, Ipods, for finding positioning on a map. They can use Geocaching to make an outdoor treasure hunt. The children can use devices to measure distance between cities and countries, weather, speed, and distance traveled. They can also use hand held devices to measure temperatures in the classroom, and on the playground. Many ways to use mobile devices to support student learning.

This article looks at how exemplary science teachers use technology in their classrooms. It also looks at how often they required their students to use technology as part of their assignments. What I like about this article is that it looks at quote unquote, "good teachers," so one can see how a successful teacher uses technology.

This article shows the possible technology that can be introduced to physical education classrooms. Motion sensors are explained to be a productive tool inside the classroom. They help students know how active they are and it shows the teachers a better idea of how much physical activity the students are actually getting.

Teachers are at the forefront of kids' educational experiences, and it's now incumbent on them, as well as parents and school administrators, to provide children with the guidance and technical skills they need to succeed in their connected future. This article explains how to incorporate some great sites in your classroom to include technology to learning.

In response to the article The 7 Golden Rules of Using Technology in Schools , teacher Patti Grayson wrote a point-by-point summary of exactly how it plays out in her class. Here's her take.

TB Today is Digital Learning Day, a national promotional effort by the Alliance for Excellence in Education to call attention to using technology in schools. More than 10,000 teachers and 1.5 million students have signed up in support to "celebrate innovative teachers and highlight instructional practices that strengthen teaching and personalize learning for all students," according to the AEE.