Blog Quiz Continued

The article on Technology Counts 2007 was extremely lengthy, but also very insightful. All of the questions that were asked were very well thought-up, as they all address important isses and many questions that I've been curious about as well. It would appear that those teachers who teach at a grade-school level are understanding and utilizing this new technology the most. Several college professors asked questions, yet theirs seemed to be more questions about the actual process of using media literacy. The comments from those who are involved in a school setting every day seemed to have a better grasp on just how important this is. The part that most inrigued me was the question that was asked by a retired assistant professor in Philadelphia. He asks:

-Question from Michael Carlsson, Asst. Principal (retired) in Philadelphia: Has the use of computers to write meant that students are writing better? worse? no difference?

This is a great question to ask, and to be honest, not very surprising. Being that this man is retired, shows that while he was involved in the school system, the internet wasn't used as greatly as it is today. Again, it is difficult for those who are older to truly understand the importance of new technologies. It can be assumed based on his question, that this man has never taken advantage of all that technology has to offer. He obviously taught/remained in a school before most of these new tools came about.

Though this was a great question to ask, I feel as though it is fairly difficult to know whether or not students are writing better or worse. In relation to Warlick and him talking about the new "instant messaging lingo" that students are becoming more and more involved with, it can be said that maybe computers are only detrimental to the progression of students as good writers. Again, the internet and computer serve also as a reference device, where students can find the answer to nearly any question they may ask. Yet, is the information that students are getting always credible? Not always. This certainly is a question with several answers, none of which are right or wrong.

Another great question that was asked was by an art teacher from "Queen of Pace High School." She asks:

Question from Linda Vorderer, art teacher Queen of Peace High School: Our school is going to issue laptops to each student next year. What ways can I best use this opportunity in the art room. I guess I am asking about 'best practices' as I transition into a wireless classroom and want to use this technology efficiently while still teaching a project-based subject.

Again, another interesting question. The best part about this question, though, is that this woman is an art teacher; not english, social studies, science...and she is questioning on how she can become involved in using a computer in her classroom. What a smart and intelligent lady. She knows the importance of this new digital world and wants to know what she can do to help, although this isn't the standard setting for the computer. Interesting, eh?