Top Ten New Technology Gadgets

I found a fun, yet educational article - slide show that showcased 10 top new technology gadgets at: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=2010-gadget-guide-sciam.  What I loved about this article was that the products were not outrageously priced.  They even had a device that helped improve literacy (a type of talking book) for only $10.  What fun options to think of not only for students, but for holiday gift giving as well!  I was really impressed with the camera lenses for smart phones.  Since I work in the field that I also teach in - I don't always have the needed equipment that I might use to video tape a treatment session that might be used in a class later.  Using my smart phone to video tape or take pictures of things is easy though.  Having extra lenses for closer or better photo images is a great idea. They have pedometers that look cool for kids that record there miles online and award points for rewards.  There is even a phone 'alarm' fob that attaches to your keys.  It syncs with bluetooth and it helps locate your phone for you (trusting you can find your keys).  It also allows you to answer calls or place emergency calls through the device even though your phone may be in another location.

Social Media For The Classroom

Bringing technology to the classroom has it's advantages.  Accessing free technology to enhance your students educational experiences also helps the educator.  I reviewed an article about free social media at:  http://mashable.com/2010/10/16/free-social-media-tools-for-teachers/ that outlines 7 resources with detailed information about their features, uses and classroom applications.  They even include video information and demonstrations about each of the offerings.  I found this information helpful and encouraging.  I was impressed and appreciative of the special security features that a number of them provided.  And, even though I teach at community college where my students and I have free training and access to an internet system that already offers discussion forums, quiz sections, etc... I readily was able to identify ways that some of these tools could be used and accessed by other areas of my life for teaching, meeting and collaborating with others.  For example, I would love to organize a church bible study on one of the sites for collaboration and insight. I believe the more we experience the available media, the better able we will be to determine which ones will help us meet our students needs better.

Chance for Dollars for Technology Teaching Solutions

The NEA foundation is offering $2,500 for the best 5 solutions to 4 chosen classroom problems at:  http://thejournal.com/articles/2010/12/01/nea-foundation-looks-to-reward-teaching-solutions.aspx.  These solutions need to cost no more than $500 each.  Once solutions are identified, teachers can petition for up to $500 to be able to pay to implement them.  The problems have to do with: improving math and fracture skills; improving reading skills for students without literacy success; improving parental involvement; and assuring student participation in decision making.  I think this is a great initiative.  It encourages everyone to try to create, improve and share information and ideas for some of the more challenging or ongoing concerns in teaching.  It appears that the NEA will offer opportunities for educators to continue to submit future problem lists for future consideration and future contests.  As we learn more and more through this program - perhaps one of us could develop a viable solution that could win a consideration.  Wouldn't that be great!  It could certainly help pay for expenses!

Podcasting and It's Use for Education

I reviewed a slideshare power point on how to utilize podcasts for health care, but the bulk of information was very complete and usable for any education at: http://www.slideshare.net/rodbrent/podcasting-web-20-implications-for-health-care-education.  It included some free resources that we already know about such as 'audacity', as well as some additional ones.  I found the information very complete and even learned some things from it.  It even contained information about creative commons and how to use it and work from it.


I am beginning to enjoy accessing information from my delicious bookmarks.  I have found it helpful to go back into areas that I already linked and add more tags to them.  I have also started to look at and review other students delicious bookmarks and link those of interest to my delicious bookmarks.  I almost wish we had class longer so that we had more time to interact in this way together.  This class has certainly given us a good start though at building resources that I plan to access and use again and again.

Educational Podcasts

The Educational Podcast Network offers a series of podcasts for a myriad of topics and subjects.  At: http://www.epnweb.org/index.php?request_id=734&openpod=9#anchor9 I found podcasts related to anatomy which I might be able to use with some of my students.  I really enjoyed the statement, "We are a multicast society of speakers and listeners, listeners and speakers, teaching and learning in a life and time of change."  These podcasts were created to help doctors, nurses, students and anyone who had an interest in learning more about anatomy.  The link also provides numerous resources for just about every subject and topic imaginable.  By listening to podcast number 22 on respiration and the diaphragm, I learned about muscles that aid in inspiration and expiration that are not mentioned in the text that my students are currently using.  Over the next few months, I will be reviewing this information to see how I might choose to use it.  I am tempted to potentially use the podcast for a number of students to review and discuss for the rest of the class to learn from.  I also couldn't help but look at other topic offerings noted on the left of the screen.  The categories are easily found for various grades and topics.  As I create things - I may look at posting things in this network for others to find and use.  It has truly been helpful and educational.

Math Skills for Children with Language Processing Problems

I recently reviewed a blog by Ann Logsdon entitled:  "Ways to Teach Math Skills to Children with Language Processing Problems" located at: http://learningdisabilities.about.com/b/2010/11/25/ways-to-teach-math-skills-to-children-with-language-processing-deficits-5.htm#comment-31084.   What I appreciated about this blog was that strategies suggested would work for different courses as well.  She also provides a number of links to other articles and resources to explain information in more detail.  She also provides information about receptive and effective aphasia along with resources for them as well.  Even though most teachers might not have had experience with children with disabilities, I thought this blog would be a good resource - since more and more schools are mainstreaming students with disabilities.  As a therapist, I have also worked with students with these diagnoses to improve their skills in reading, writing, math and science. 

New Jersey's Attempt to Get Tough on Bullying

Apparently in New Jersey there is a push to implement the toughest anti-bullying legislation in schools.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/22/AR2010112204676.html?hpid=sec-education  There has been a concern and an outcry about suicides and harassment, especially that geared toward gays.  With the increase in internet use and technology, it is getting harder to monitor and limit this type of harassment.  Students and their parents have few options and resources once this threat is identified.  And, although their are state suggestions for dealing with this type of concern, there is no law and no school education to help discourage it.

I see the need for a change and agree that something needs to be done.  The article (NJ lawmakers approve tough law to fight bullying) did note that the law is awaiting approval of the governor.  It also noted that some social conservatives had concerns over the bill.  What the article didn't provide was more specific information about the bill itself.  I felt this (lack of information) is a disservice to those reading the article.  Clearly, most would want to protect those that are wronged.  The real question is whether or not that protection comes at a price that would affect everyone in the long run (potential loss of our constitutional rights).  Regardless, I felt this article was a good example of one of the dangers of increased internet use.  I had read other articles earlier in the year that had identified this problem with the recommendations that policies and monitoring be put in place BEFORE students are encouraged to use the internet and computers in school.  I think this would be very wise.