Week 7

How far should educators go in matching the technology used in instruction and classroom activities to the technology their students use?

I think that it is a good idea for teachers to try and match as closely as they can to programs and activities that their students use, just for the simple fact that you already know that the students will be intrigued by it, and will be interested in learning more about it. If you take facebook for one example, if the educator could create a website, or page that allows the students to interact, such as this blog, and let them feel as if they are responsible for something that adults use, they usually feel more mature (usually). There will always be that one instance that theres a student that will not take things maturely but that's with anything you do. Another example would be video games. There are already alot of games out there that are played as a video game, but also challenge the student in a way that it teaches them something other than how to blow something up, or run over someone for 10 points.

Are online chats and instant messaging of value in the classroom? Do they add to student learning, or do they distract from “real” instruction?

I think if they are used inside the classroom it can become a distraction, just for the fact that they would chat while the teacher is talking, but just like with passing notes, I see it as if the student is not wanting to pay attention, they should face the consequences of not knowing the material and failing. I think in class things should be mainly teacher/student conversations, and groups as well, and not so much instant messaging. On the other side, if I was the student at home and saw my classmate was on line I would be able to ask them a question, or even work on a group assignment together. So I would think this applies to the situation and not so much in general.

Are there benefits to asynchronous, text-based communication over synchronous, face-to-face communication? In what situations?

I do think there are some benefits to asynchronous over synchronous. Texting is a popular thing to do now-a-days, and mainly because you can type out what you want to say, proof read it, and send it to even mulitple people. It works great when you are trying to stay quiet. Although face-to-face doesn't need to go out of style for the main fact that we lose personal communication. So for this I'm going to say that yes there are benefits, but not anymore to synchronous.

Does using podcasts with students really enhance learning, or is it simply a newer version of passively delivering information?

In my opinion, no it doesn't enhance learning. I think it's another version of delivering information, and not necessarilary a better way either. I think there more ways of putting things outsife of the classroom and on the own of the student makes it easier for excuses not to do something or to even do enough to just "get by." You can't monitor the students progress when assigning everythng outside of the classroom.

Does videogame help develop your studying? Why or why not? Explain. What skills can you gain from it? Do you agree with the article? If you have children, would you let them play videogame every day? Why/why not?

I think in my opinion that videogames could have a positive effect on studying if done with a proper amount, and with wholesome games. I think that everyone needs a break every now and then, and videogames may be the answer. I do have a child, and even though he isn't old enough yet to play games, he still has to be entertained with different things or else he gets bored and gets fussy. Whenever he gets older, yes I will let him play, but they will be games that either I or his father have approved after playing or watching. I will check the rateings of the games, and make sure they are ones that challenge his mind and not how well he can shoot a gun or blow something up. I grew up with two older brothers, so yes I played videogames, and even though they were mario and such, I still felt challenged, and today i do enjoy puzzles and things of that sort. I think some skills you can gain from them are ones that deal with mathematics, by having to remember numbers for codes, or things like that. Or even skills such as remembering where something is. If they are played correctly then a good outcome can occur, but if overlooked they can end up like kids today and live by the tv in the dark. As far as the article, I do agree, because it is important to have codination skills eith your eyes and hands, and challenges that twst your mind.