reflection on CURR 314 and READ 411

            Prior to this project being due, we discussed in READ 411 the various technologies that would be appropriate for each content area.  While a social studies major, I was happy to be placed in a group that is filled with English education majors because I was able to get new ideas about incorporating technology in the classroom.  In Read 411, several English majors discussed how Google blogger can be a valuable resource for reflection essays.  Blogger is both free and simple.  The program allows the user to create their own account and post their blogs.  For English this can be a great way to spread literacy outside of the classroom.  Students would be required to keep daily blog in which the professor could access or require the student to print out.  For social studies, students could post their thoughts on readings and be assigned reflection activities in which they have to post their thoughts on current events.   This technology can really inspire students to become active citizens by posting their thoughts or opinions on some crucial matters.  My READ 411 class agreed that this could be a valuable asset toward social studies education. 

            In CURR 314, my class discussed the importance of technology in the realm of assessment.  Teachers are required to utilize technology in the classroom and challenge students to broaden their minds on several new technologies.  A teacher must formulate a plan to assess their students on their use of technology.  In Social Studies, it would be effective to require the kids to save on Google drive or require them to bring a USB drive to class.  Those two saving methods allow students to realize they are accountable for their work because there are several ways to save their information.  Technology is an incredibly important aspect of education. 

The Most Important Technology in the last One Hundred Years

The use of film in the classroom created the greatest impact on education in the United States.  Film enabled teachers to draw change their approach in teaching.  In the 19^th century, teaching was resigned to remote memorization and authoritative teaching.  Students were punished if they spoke out of place and misbehaved.  Education was seen more as a prison than a place of mental growth.  The film technology opened up new possibilities in the classrooms.  Teachers were able to visually represent pictures to prove points and take the classes attention away from the teacher.  In the mock interview with Grace Dubois, Vanessa Domine writes: “Grandma says that only a few teachers actually used the films, and even then just to appease the efficiency-hungry supervisors. I think the students were probably awed by the new technology, but watching films did not necessarily help them learn  the subject matter better or faster than using traditional methods” (42).  While Dubois doesn’t feel that the technology is that helpful, it did change students perspectives about the classroom. 

The film enabled students to find visual representations of things they were learning which enhanced their experience.  Dubois also states: “The goal at the time was to boost productivity and efficiency through the  use of film, but Grandma Bessie told me that when she  retired from teaching in 1931 she had not yet seen any real innovation in teaching as a result of using film in the elementary school classroom” (Domaine 42).  Domaine argues that the technology increased productivity and efficiency of education, which it did.  It really changed the learning world and is still used today. 

Film in the 19th Century

The Picture depicts Film equipment used in the 19th century in schools.  The camera located on the table is something that would resemble a classroom film piece. 

Technology...My tool and My Captor

My laptop, I-Phone, and I-Pad are the three most current influential technologies in my life.  Years ago, I saw the blackberry as the source of all technological development.  That changed when apple’s I-Phone became more affordable to me and totally revolutionized the way I communicate and utilize technology.  This multipurpose mechanism enables me to check the internet, baseball scores, play games, text, tweet, Facebook, and call anybody I want in a matter of moments.  It contains all my appointments and manages my time via a schedule.  Without my iPhone I doubt I would be able to function.  As mentioned in the student video, it has become a part of my daily life.  I am now able to access information incredible easy and with great speed.    The numerous Applications on my I-phone also enable me to access various resources.  In the car, my I-Phone is utilized for playing music.  One student in the student videos described the amount of music played in his daily life and I can honestly say I listen to as much music as him.  For prayer, I access my I-Phone’s “laudate” app to find the Catholic Church’s daily readings, prayer services, saints, bible and catechism.  When I am bored, my iPhone acts a source of entertainment for me.  In my opinion, the iPhones greatest feature is its access to information.  Information is an essential survival tool in today’s society.  We are faced with so much information that our brains cannot easily store it all.  The I-Phone however is as much as burden then it is a resource.  I waste so much time on the phone doing nonsensical things.  Whether its playing games or researching random stuff, I usually waste three hours a day on it. 

My laptop also is an essential device for me.  As a student I couldn’t imagine succeeding in college without one.  My laptop acts as my notebook, and serves me on many projects.  I access word, PowerPoint, excel, and publisher on a fairly weekly basis.  As a history major, I have many assignments that involve extensive time researching in order to write a paper.  To me this is both convenient and practical.  I can access so much information in a matter of seconds while taking notes on the particular slide.  My laptop also allows me to construct different projects in a professional manner.  It enables me to check so many websites for baseball, football, MMA and Amateur Wrestling updates.  The laptop, like the I-Phones most essential feature in my opinion, is its user friendly’s acquisition of information.  I can scroll through websites at lightning speed and learn about new things in a matter of moments.  Sadly, I waste so much valuable time on the laptop because it’s addicting.  I am almost completely dependent on its functions and it intrigues me.  Whether I am checking twitter or Facebook my time throughout the day gets lost. 

My I-Pad is also a very influential technology in my daily activities.  I carry my I-Pad around with me everywhere I go.  It contains various Word files, saved bookmarks, and music.  I utilize my I-Pad in Youth group when I show videos or find web sites that have a valuable Christian message to them.  The kids in the youth group like when I utilize technology because they can relate to it.  This is my newest technology and I am still learning its capabilities.  Like the laptop and I-Phone, the I pad has become another distraction in my life. 

I can relate to the students so much in the videos.  We both pour through Facebook and twitter endlessly which causes us to feel so disconnected in an age of globalization.  It’s an addiction that we face on a daily basis.  We want to know what our friends are doing and we want to remain up to date on the latest gossip.  The music phenomena are also one that I can relate to.  I feel like I always need music to get through my day.  It keeps me entertained and motivated to get done even the simplest tasks.  With iPhones becoming so readily available, the phone enables us to access i-tunes fairly easily and listen to music.  In the classroom it will be essential to incorporate music in lessons because it will get students attention.  The one difference that I can find between the students and I is the professional usage of the technologies.  I believe I use the technology more to perform professionally then they do.