Article Summaries and Critical Evaluations: Jensen Summer 2010

Ash, K. (2010). U.S. Ed-Tech Plan Urges Rethinking In K-12 Schools. Education Week , 29(24),
1-3.

Professional Practice Article

Summary:

This article delineates the new administration’s plan for the 21st Century Classroom. In
order to meet the goal of increasing college completion rates from 40 to 60 percent, the National
Education Technology Plan was created to outline best practices for integrating technology into
the classroom in effective ways that impact the learner directly.

Some ideas suggested in the plan are online learning, mobile classrooms and utilizing
technology to individualize the learning experience for each student. The goal of the plan allows
for a 1:1 computer student ratio and allows for utilization of resources such as cell phones, iPods,
and laptops both in the classroom and at home.

Concerns about the plan begin with funding, as many districts just don’t have the cash
flow or the infrastructure to support such lofty technological goals. Recognizing the fact that
these considerations will limit the roll out of this plan, the recommendation to educators is to
strive for continuous improvement, staying up to date on current technologies and utilizing
currently available technologies throughout the instructional day.

Critical Evaluation:

I found this article informative in relation to my position as a first grade teacher because
it outlines the expectations that are being set for future technology use within the classroom. I
feel that the goals set forth in the plan align well with general goals for the 21st Century
Classroom and will better prepare our students for the digitally based world in which they will be
living and working.

Limitations of this plan are obvious between a general lack of funding and the fact that
many teachers simply do not have the training to utilize more advanced technologies in their
teaching. I know that locally progress has been made to improve the pupil / computer ratio, but
we have a very long way to go before that ratio will be 1:1. No specific governmental funding
plans were outlined and therefore the vague nature of this makes the plan feel less like a
blueprint and more like wishful thinking.

Beyers, R. N. (2009). A Five Dimensional Model for Educating the Net Generation. Journal of
Educational Technology & Society , 12(4), 218-227.

Theory into Practice

Summary:

This article attempts to arm educators with five principals to help them better understand
the uniqueness of the “net generation” and best expand on current teaching principals and
theories to take learning into the next generation. While the principals suggested in this article
support the tenants of constructivism they attempt to go further. According to the author, the net
generation are modern day constructivists internalizing and manipulating data for their own
agenda.

The five principals outlined in this article are survival, knowledge/comprehension,

synthesis and evaluation, accessing information, and globalization. The idea of these principals
is to take education from a linear process to a time and space continuum. These principals give
educators the viewpoint that reaching these students goes beyond the days of textbooks and drill
and into the endless possibilities of the internet and web 2.0 tools.

One of the implications from this approach is that education needs to shift from being
teacher centered to being learner centered. In order for this to happen, professional development
for all educators is a must in order to familiarize them with not only these principals but the
technologies to be used. Schools must provide internet for all students and work to lower the
pupil to computer ratio. These principals are intended to arm teachers to deal with the net
generation and equip them with an understanding of the complexity of today’s learners.

Critical Evaluation:

While I feel that the author’s connections to theory such as constructivism were valid, I
found some of the principals of the article to be rather vague and confusing. This article was
intended as a guide to help teachers better deal with the complexities of education the net
generation, I feel for the majority of educators it would be a difficult article to understand.

I found the idea of a time space continuum to be particularly accurate when compared
with the linear model of the past. There are no limits for our students with the internet; the world
is truly at their fingertips. Although this article is intended for use by educators I feel professors
and technology specialists would be better suited to digest this information and redeliver to the
general educator on a more basic level.

Cauley, F. G., Aiken, K. D., & Whitney, L. K. (2009). Technologies Across Our Curriculum: A
Study of Technology Integration in the Classroom. Journal of Education for Business , 85(2),
114-118.

Research Article

Summary:
 The purpose of this research article was to determine the effectiveness of a Computer
Comfort Scale (CCS) to be used to determine a student’s comfort and confidence when working
with particular software. The study took place at Pepperdine University and involved
undergraduate business students. In addition to being given the CCS, these students were also
given a computer proficiency test that measured their proficiency using Excel. The goal of the
study was to gauge the relation, if any, between a student’s computer proficiency and their
comfort with using computers. Predictably, those students functioning at a higher proficiency
also showed more comfort and confidence in regard to computers.

These results support systematic exposure for students to computers in general and popular
software in particular. Giving students’ confidence with computers through usage and exposure
will allow for the confidence necessary to utilize such tools in the future.

Critical Evaluation:

While the findings of this research are quite sound, I found that using a computer
proficiency test that only focused on Excel is rather limited in its application. While this is a
useful and widely used too, it certainly doesn’t require all computer skills to master. I feel that
perhaps incorporating a multi layered, artistic tool like photo shop might have provided even
more useful information.

This study was actually conducted in a college setting, but I feel its implications can be
found all the way down to Pre K, because fostering confidence and comfort with working on
computers needs to be addressed as soon as possible to prepare students for the 21st century they
will be living and working in. With my first graders, I do tutorials and provide individualized
practice weekly to begin familiarizing them with important programs like word and power point,
not to mention navigating the internet. I feel that the findings of this study support what I have
long believed, that students need to be immersed in technology from day one in order for them to
build the skills necessary to succeed in our digital age.

Davey, S., Smith, W. S., & Merrill, C. (2009). Internationalizing Technology Teaching with
Blogs and Bananas. The Technology Teacher , 69(2), 22-26.

Professional Practice Article

Summary:

This article tells of an activity that involved 6th grade students in Queensland, who were
paired with college students in the US to create “Edible Lunar Vehicles”. This activity focused
on three key Standards for Technology Literacy and allowed students from far away to learn
from one another. Each pair of 6th grade students would be paired with college students working
to earn their degree in education. Using the internet in general and blogs in particular these
students worked together to meet the requirements of the activity. Once ideas were devised the
vehicles were built and tested by both pairs and conference of effectiveness would take place on
the blogs. The final vehicles were then shared across the Pacific via video conferencing. The
end results even attracted the attention of NASA.

Through this activity the authors were able to exemplify the concept of the world being
“flat”. In this digital age we have vast resource, including people, at our fingertips. Giving
young students the opportunity to collaborate with others around the world will build the sort of
digital community that education is becoming.

Critical Evaluation:

I found this article and the activity described within to be very useful. While I (along
with my students) already correspond with people in Costa Rica and other places via email as a
form of “pen pals” actually doing an activity in this way had not occurred to me. I felt that the
authors of this article did a good job of describing their goals and standards for this activity as
well as the process involved.

I could easily use this model in my own classroom in many different subject areas, all the
while promoting technology standards and a broader global view for my students. I almost feel
that involving the press and thereby NASA made this a much more powerful experience for all
students involved, it made their efforts valid and underscored the importance of their learning. I
would have loved if the authors had given concrete examples of how they might have used this
method with different grade levels or in different subject areas as well.

Ferriter, W. M. (2010). Preparing to Teach Digitally. Educational Leadership , 67(8), 88-89.

Professional Practice Article

Summary:

In this article, the author discusses the need for systemic change within the US
Educational system. According to this author, schools currently subscribe to a “standards based”
one size fits all approach to education. In order to reach the current learner and prepare them to
live in the digital age, we must now differentiate and individualize our instruction to provide an
educational experience that builds on students’ interests and strengths.

Recommendations made for educators to prepare for this impending change include
becoming a digital learner by learning about and using web 2.0 and social media tools. Also
recommended is for educators to create and use screen casts in instruction and familiarize
themselves with synchronous and asynchronous forms of communication. Through the use of
these tools, educators can reach more learners with more relevant and useful information.

Critical Evaluation:
 I feel that the suggestions in this article are very much in line with current trends in
education. We must find alternatives for reaching our learners at home, at different times and
from different locations. Using on line course, social media and web 2.0 tools we will be best
able to engage the digital learner and encourage full participation through flexibility.

These tools also allow for individualization, which is a key component of students
success. I agree with the author that our current “standardized” method of delivering
information is antiquated and worse ineffective for a large portion of our students. I love that
technology allows educators to reach more students and opens up options for learners of all ages.
I look forward to seeing how the landscape of education will change over the next decade as
technology becomes more and more readily available within our schools.

Ramanarayanan, V. (210). Computers and education. Current Science , 98(3), 297-298.

Professional Practice Article

Summary:

In this article, the author discusses the usefulness of computers in an educational setting.
According to this author, although education as a whole is embracing technology through
computers, interactive white boards, and projectors the actual use of computers for instruction is
a very limited tool. He says that computers are useful for certain lower level informational sets
such as raw or organized information, but that for more complex processes like technology and
engineering and humanities the computer is woefully under qualified.

In his opinion, computers serve simply as “show and tell machines” and give know real
opportunity for constructivist learning where the learner actually interacts and synthesizes the
information. In addition, he feels that blindly following the technology trend and focusing our
educational efforts around computers will bring down the level of higher level thinking among
our learners. Failing to produce the scientists and engineers that he feels drive our nations.

Critical Evaluation:

Although the viewpoint expressed in this article was novel and therefore interesting, I
found the author’s claims to be rather short sighted. While I can see his point that some
computer tasks are based more on data and memory recall rather than analysis, there are so many
tools through technology that can provide for experiential and synthesis focused learning. From
virtual dissections to live chats with learners from across the world, computers open our world to
new ideas and experiences that help us to expand our understandings.

In my classroom, I use websites, video clips, interactive models and blogs to open the
world up to my students. These resources allow me to expose my students to content in a way
that lecture or textbooks could never provide, giving them personal connection to the content. I
firmly disagree with the author of this article.
Sawmiller, A. (2010). Classroom Blogging: What is the Role in Science Learning? Clearing
House , 83(2), 44-48.

Professional Practice Article

Summary:

This article focuses on Scientific Literacy which involves the ability to communicate
scientific concepts through reading and writing. The author of this article proposes that the use
of blogs with today’s digital learner will provide a stronger motivation to write about any topic
including science because the forum is open to so many readers and instantly publishable.
Another advantage of blogging in the classroom is that it connects what students are already
doing in their home life with school material, making it more relevant and engaging for them.

In addition to these benefits, using blogs in the classroom also allows teachers to
differentiate further towards the individual needs of their students. It also allows the “silent
students” to have a voice. Those students who are too shy or scared to participate in a class
discussion may flourish in the venue of blogging, allowing them to share their input with the
class. Educators are encouraged to set expectations and guidelines before beginning a blogging
project with their students to ensure proper usage.

Critical Evaluation:

I felt this article did a nice job of delineating the reasons for using a blog in the classroom
as well as giving practical advice of how to go about implementing this method. I agree that
blogging would be highly motivating to students in regard to writing. I am curious to see how I
could incorporate a blog of this nature with my students next year, because of the age difference
I would need to monitor more closely, but I feel the parents and kids alike would love being able
to access and review our writing projects on line. I already make class books it might be fun to
transfer these into blogs to share with the families of my students. While blogging does require
guidelines and monitoring I feel it is a very authentic reason to have our students writing and
therefore incredibly motivating.