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Nearly 100% of all Hastings Elementary students have learned how to create basic computer codes. This was accomplished by exposing K-4 graders to something called "block coding" which is where students are given a set of blocks that represent commands. They use these blogs to "debug" and "create" a program. The article also outlines technology literacy.

Aside from jobs we should be teaching children computer science because it will them the thinking skills that will help them become proactive learners and citizens. Technology is part of every day life and it is so important, shouldn't we find the time in the school day for this?

Go into any elementary school classroom today and ask the students to raise their hand if they play minecraft. I am not a betting man but I would put a lot of money on at least 50% of the students raising their hand. It is probably the most popular game today for youths. This article encourages teachers to embrace it. It is technology through a game in which children are learning, and enjoying it! Not the easiest thing to accomplish in a classroom. The article brings pop culture into play while allowing positive learning.

I thought this was a great article. There have been a lot of research on this game that suggests it's a really great learning game. It helps kids to use their imagination as well and critical thinking and math skills. Incorporating this into the school would be a great idea as this is something kids are very enthusiastic about and are comfortable with.

I enjoyed this article, i feel it would be a good idea to at least give it a try. Minecraft is a game that I have heard of an my best friends elementary school aged children play. I think it would be a good idea , the game helps kids use skills they need like critical thinking and problem solving. They also build things, use their math skills, and are using their imagination all while incorporating technology.

This article is a great read for teachers integrating technology! The article specifies why integration of technology in the classroom improves student achievement. The article also gives step by step instructions and which tools are proven to be needed in the classroom. The article also includes where to start. 

This article is an excerpt by Boni Hamilton. This shows her "philosophy" of technology integration; what it is, why integrate, and effectiveness of research. She also talks about how schools need to be properly equipped for integration. She gives ideas of how to start and what the administrators as well as the teachers need to do. As prospective educators ourselves, this would be of great use to us.  

This article peaked my interest: Within the next ten years, de Blasio is requiring all of the city's public schools to offer computer science for all students.These courses will only be offered as electives. The main concern for this is finding enough teachers that are properly trained and training others. Computer science jobs are among the fastest growing. They are also the some of the highest paying jobs.  Computer sciences are primarily dominated by white or Asian males. With these courses being available to all students in elementary schools, hopefully the number of minorities and girls who will be interested will increase.

I can completely relate to this article for the fact that I get confused trying to incorporate and use as many tools as I possibly can. It's important to remember that there are many tools out there, many of them made for the same reason built in different ways. It's good to listen to your students and get feedback about which tools your students like and don't like. The reason so many tools are out there is because different variety of teachers and students like different ones. After reading this article I understand it's also really important to remember to assign one tool for one thing and not to overlap and cause confusion for you and your students in your classroom. This can be especially important in elementary classrooms where students are just becoming friendly with certain tools. Although the majority of the tools out there can do a variety of convenient things, it's better to assign one tool for them all or one tool for each. 

This article acknowledged that with the heavy curriculum of high school classrooms preparing for AP test, Standardized testing and SAT/ ACT testing, it is hard to find the time to add unnecessary technology resources. However, it then lists great ideas to use it everyday. This article is very useful for prospective high schools teachers who want to integrate technology more than power points and research. The best point made was that the more preservice teachers are trained in technology the more they tend to use it in the classroom!

I like this article a lot because it has to do with integrating technology in high-school. Most articles are directed at elementary school teachers and how to make it fun for the kids. Well adding a game or an activity that is fun for a ten year old is not going to please a sixteen year old. Most examples of integrating technology are examples of elementary school activities too. So this article is a nice refreshing take on how to integrating technology in high-school.

It is an old tradition in Finland to teach a school subject dealing with the use of machines, materials, processes, techniques, and tools. Since 1866, educational sloyd (handicraft) has been a compulsory school subject for both boys and girls. In the technology teacher education program at the Department of Teacher Education in Rauma, University of Turku, students are able to take the curriculum for either one or two teaching subjects. In addition to technology education, a second teaching subject, such as an elementary education or mathematics, entitles them to teach in primary school as an elementary or mathematics teacher. In the technology teacher education program, students study a variety of technologies, mechanical and electrical engineering, product design, project studies, research methodology and statistics, educational sciences and ethics, developmental psychology, didactics of technology education, administration, evaluation, and sociology of education.

This is a short article that stresses the importance and the influence that global collaboration through the use of technology can influence elementary-aged children in the development of a positive learning experience. The use of technology, especially with young learners is becoming more and more popular. Children learn technology quickly and are eager to use it in both at home and in the classroom setting. The article explains the benefits that technology has when introducing it at a global level, such as a broadened world view at such a young age!