DLP Interactive Projectors

I can hardly wrap my head around how this device operates.  Basically, in the pen there is a bunch of little mirrors and it is like the mirrors take a hundreds or thousands of pictures in fractions of a second.   It then records the data to the computer or whatever program or software one is using.  The advantage of this is the projector does not need a collaborative board.  It can literally be used anywhere!  You can make anything that you want interactive.

Assistive Technology

The adaptive technology video was a nice review of some things I have learned in previous classes.  In video 3 “high tech is not always the best”  is a fantastic point. Simplicity is key.  Adaptive technology should simply make commands easier for students to carry out so they can succeed.  Three technologies that intrigued me were Dragon Naturally Speaking, kurzweil, and success maker.   Dragon Naturally Speaking is a program that essentially types what someone says.  A student is to speak into microphone saying exactly what Dragon is to type.  This is good for students who come up with ideas but forget the ideas or where they are going with the ideas.  This way right when one thinks of something to say they can say it and it will be recorded and typed.  Kurzweil is a reading enhancement program. Texts can be scanned into this program where students can then read them.  It will also read the text out loud.  This is good for auditory learners.  Success Maker is a great program to make up credits.  Students can take all types of courses on this program.  It ranges from mathematics to history to science, etc.  It starts with basic skills and continues to higher level thinking throughout the program.  

Dragon Naturally Speaking is a program that has been out for a while.   There have been many versions of it and the latest version is quite incredible.  When students speak into the microphone the software has an option of whether or not they want the word abbreviated.  It works with Firefox, Explorer and Chrome.  The program now can help one with their vocabulary.  There are options to set up what kind of documents are being submitted and the program will learn words or phrases based on if it is an English paper or a Business paper.  This not only lets you add text but one can say “undo that” and it will undo the last action.  You can type in caps if you say type in caps, and same goes for lowercase.  Dragon Naturally Speaking is used in some phones.  It is similar to Siri on an iPhone, but Dragon is much more accurate and essentially the best version of this type of technology. This is a great way for students to transfer ideas.  

3D Printer

It is hard to grasp the idea of a 3D printer.  I watched plenty of videos to get a better idea of how it actually works.  I still can not seem to wrap my head around the idea of the makerbot. Layers and layers fibers build whatever we want it to create. One part of the article that was fascinating was that it can print a 3D object from a photograph.  Also, the article mentioned printing cells for medical purposes.  If organs can be printed, that creates a whole new dimension concerning the medical field.  The cost of the printers are not as expensive as I would imagine them to be.  There somewhat affordable and seems as though in a couple years schools will be filled with them.  If we can print everything from furniture to food to accessories what will that do to business owners?  Will anyone be able to buy this printer or is limited to certain parties?

Data

To start, my ideal classroom would have multiple means of assessments.  As a Data-Driven teacher I understand that standardized tests will not necessarily help me in all aspects of improving my teaching. Understanding students strengths and weaknesses through a Data-Driven class room will be more effective. I will set goals for example, vocabulary quizzes, writing prompts, reading comprehension questions and see how each individual student performs.  This way I will know what each student is struggling with or excelling in.  I realize the importance of standardized tests so as a teacher I will teach my students the most effective way to answer those questions.  Some students are not as good at taking tests as others so I will help motivate students in that way and teach concepts I know will be tested.  I too will set goals for myself.  I realize there is much to teach so I will push the process along as smooth as possible while setting goals for not only my students but for myself as well.  Concluding, I think the key for a Data-Driven teacher is just improvement.  If a classroom improves just a little bit the teacher is making a difference.  As long as the teacher has a positive environment, sets individual goals, teach effective skills, and progresses throughout the year there will be improvement.

"Rights, Remixes and Respect" and Engage Me or Enrage Me"

"Rights, Remixes and Respect"

I think this learning objective is great for students because it puts them in the shoes of the higher-ups making decisions.  I think it is something they would be interested to do because it involves music and creativity which students can respect and take an interest to.  It allows them to put themselves in others shoes like the creator of the music.  It helps give better perspective.  Remixing and sampling music is a debate that has been and is continuing to be argued over.  Since it is still on-going I think it is interesting to let students make ethical decisions while pretending to be the original writer, producer, etc.  This is a matter that students can feel strongly about since it involves music.  This allows students to understand copyright and how it can be hard to determine what is and what is not.  There is so much controversy for such issues and this assignment teaches students the law, allows students to come to a concise decision, and understand issues on this subject matter.

"Engage Me or Enrage me"

I think the article stands true in the sense that kids are less attentive in schools.  I notice it will my brother and sister that they almost live in a fantasy land.  They only can communicate properly over texting not even speaking over the telephone, they play games for hours on the computer, etc. They both are bored at school and find it pointless.  I am confused myself as to what can be done differently to engage kids.  I think that something needs to be done, but I am not sure that helping them and creating all lessons in games or through the internet is the answer either.  I think teachers can make a classroom engaging in others ways depending on the class.  Maybe the students homework can involve something with their actives so that they are incorporating their fun with homework.  I think if the school system made everything online for instance the students would still be texting during lessons and surfing the internet at the same time as doing work.

Article 1

The story of the apes is incredibly interesting.  The line "well, that's just the way we do things around here" is something I have heard plenty of times.  There are things that just are, things that individuals just do not question because it has been the same throughout time.    Brains are wired differently now than years ago due to technology.   How can technology change the way brains are wired?  With that being said there are better ways to learn than others.  As said in the article, individuals process visuals much faster than text.  Does that mean individuals today are smarter than 50 years ago? Does that also mean teachers have to change their style of teaching and incorporate more pictures, videos, sounds, etc into lesson plans?  This article makes me feel a bit anxious honestly.  I am more old fashioned in the sense that I believe in books not kindles/nooks.  I like writing things on paper instead of using a computer.  I think there is something about having concrete things in front of you that is essential to learning.  Flipping through a book, highlighting, making notes is part of the process.