Journal #8

Curtis, Diane (2002, October, 1). A '"fantastic super" use of technology: Closing the digital divide. Edutopia, Retrieved December 2, 2008, from http://www.edutopia.org/fantastic-super-use-technology

The “Fantastic super” article I read was about how Mary Scroggs Elementary School is implementing tons of new technology into its classrooms and curriculum. The article described plenty of technological tools that the school uses and that it was able to afford them due to a grant. Some of the tech-tools are using the Internet, wireless laptops, computers in every classroom, Inspiration and HyperStudio, all in a kindergarten through 5th grade setting. One way the technology is helping is by getting parents involved. The school has a web page for every classroom so that teachers can make daily or weekly newsletters, informing student’s parents of what exactly is happening in the school. Also, the school stresses the use of email, but not just between teachers, peers, and the principal, but with parents as well. By using emails, it allows an informal setting for teachers and parents to communicate about anything from how well their student is doing in the class to what the curriculum might be in the next coming months.

What would be the pros and cons of a classroom web page?
I think the biggest pros are keeping kids and parents informed. Parents can check on curriculum and their kid’s grades, and also keep the teachers accountable. I think a con may be if you get an overly aggressive parent, they may be too controlling and the web page would be an outlet for them to use against the teacher.

What would be the most fun kind of technology used in the classroom?
I think the most fun would be the quizzes/polls on a classroom blog. Although they would not necessarily be used for teaching something, they would serve the classroom community better, so that every student has a chance at being involved and voicing their own opinion.