Using Freely Available Resources to Promote the Study of Science and Technology in the Elementary Classroom

As a future science teacher, I find it important to one day promote the use of technology in the classroom. Today's generation is clinging to technology, so what better way to get the students involved than to introduce computers into education at an early age. Elementary teachers should allow students to gain access to fun websites to engage in science. ScienceKids.co.nz/ is a great resource that contains fun games, experiments, quizzes, videos, and lessons that elementary students will enjoy and learn from.

The US has tried to improve the use of science and technology in Elementary, but their main priority is Middle and High School. Elementary students are fully capable of learning higher levels of science, but are not given a chance because they have limited access to resources. I find it very important for Elementary schools to have available internet because they can start working on their scientific reasoning at early age; this also allows the students to be prepared when entering Middle and High School.

Engaging Elementary students at multiple levels of reasoning is wonderful.  This is why allowing computers for this age group is very beneficial.  Providing computers for Elementary students is a great way to promote the use of science and technology in the classroom.  The internet has a wide range and variety of solid resources that allow children to engage in science in a fun way.

Like I said, it is important to introduce science and technology as an Elementary teacher.  Allowing the students to have access to available resources, such as Science Kids, will build a solid foundation of science.  This website has a lot of games, activities, videos, experiments, and quizzes that will allow the students to interact with.  I believe this website will prove that science and technology is fun and will even promote an interest in science later on by taking advanced science courses later on in life.

http://ehis.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=a7b3b434-3a64-4ac3-9406-69a97601eb17%40sessionmgr10&vid=2&hid=3

Post 6

1.  Software is applications and  games.  It gives instructions on how to interactive with the person.

2.  Hardware is what  you can physically touch on the computer.  Such as the mouse, keyboard, and the monitor.

3.  CPU stands for centeral processing unit.  CPU carries out instructions from the keyboard to the motherbaord of the computer.  The CPU can also be considered the brain of the computer.

4.  RAM stands for random access memory.  The more RAM the faster your computer runs.  Everything that was stored in the computer is lost when the power goes off.

5.  ROM stands for read only memory.  It helps boot the stystem up and it does not erase when the power goes off.

6.  A hard drive saves information so that you can easily get access to it from any computer.

A server sends out information.

The machine is using us

Digital text is a lot more flexible than writing.  Text can easily be edited with just a click of a button.  A word can easily be bolded, italicized or underlined.  The web is no longer just linking text together, but it is bringing people together by using links and videos.  We are putting all of our information into a machine;  It is crazy how much the internet can do for people.  People depend on google search for finding answers to practically anything.  The machine uses us to sell off personal information that we put on the internet.

Pay Attention

After watching Pay Attention, I would use the information in numerous ways to engage my students.  Using technology allows visual and audio learners to stay focused and enjoy what they are being taught.  It is important to teach children with different methods because lecture is not allowing reaching out to all students.  The goal is to keep children in school, not to let them drift away because they think school is a no fun zone.  Education should be made interesting by using technology that kids already know how to use.  Technology such as ipads, cellphones, and kindles are valuable and can be used to help educate the classroom.  Ipads and cellphones can be used to access blogs, twitter, and the internet.  Ipads and cellphones have scientific calculators on them so there is no excuse for children to put up their technology.

The statement that made an impact on me is "if you can't stop them, join them".  Teachers are not allowing students to use their technology in class.  If you can not stop them, then why not allow the students to use it?  Allow students to do a pop quiz using their cellphones to text the answer.  Even updating blogs on the students reflection of the class.  Technology can be used in several ways.  So why not allow the child to use it to learn with?

I will definitely be using technology in the future in my classroom.  Children obviously do not want to put up their technology.  I can see where it can feel like jail coming to school for them.  I will find ways to bring in computers and cellphones to engage students into the lesson I am teaching them.  Not all students learn from lecture and hands on.  It is important to allow all students to participate.  Also, technology will make the classroom settings different.  Different is always a good thing.

The dirty and dangerous side of tech

I had no idea that cellphones and computers are hazardous!  It kind of makes me scared to use my cellphone now.  I have always known about microwaves being dangerous because they gave off radiation, but I am completely blown away that cellphones and computers contain mercury.  What upset me even more is the fact that the people in other countries are the ones being harmed by the toxins we use on a daily basis.

Apparently it is important to dispose your old cellphone properly.  I am happy I read this article because I am guilty of just throwing away old cellphones in the trash.  Also, the article stated how you should hold off a year before purchasing a new cell phone.  The way cellphones are made today, there is no way a cellphone would last three whole years!  I have always taken really good care of my cellphones, but they always just quit working after about two years. 

Te'o's Fake Girlfriend Hoax

Star athlete Manti Te'o had an online relationship with a woman name Kekua.  Kekua suffered a car accident and supposedly had leukemia in which she died from.  However, there are no birth, death, or school records of Kekua.  The pictures used as Kekua were stolen from another woman in California.  The pictures are kept anonymous to protect her identity and privacy.  The woman in charge of this fake account is Teo's friend Ronaiah Tuiasosopo.  Teo is denying any involvement with this hoax.  This hoax is a reminder of the imposter at Virginia Tech.  The man from Virginia Tech lied about his name and age so he could play football.  McKelvey's real name was Weaver.  Weaver stole a man's identity and social security number so he could go to school and have another shot at football.  Weaver was found guilty for misusing a Social Security number, but somehow dodged jail time.
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It blows my mind how somebody so gifted can do something so stupid.  Te'o was such a gifted football player, he had no reason to make up a girlfriend to bring attention to himself.  Te'o is a linebacker and was runner up for the 2012 Hesiman Trophy.  Te'o already had so much attention on him because of how well he played.  It is understandable to lose your grandmother and be upset about it, but why would he create a fake girlfriend and pretend like she died from cancer.  Either Te'o is wanted sympathy from his fans and team players, or he just wants to remain in the spotlight.

Introducation

My name is Jaci Aymond and I am a Junior at Southern Miss.  I am majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in science.  I work at Strick's BBQ part time and have been employed there for about six years; I am somewhat a bbq expert.  I attend First Hattiesburg.  I enjoy being active in the church.  I am a Sunday School teacher, I currently teach second graders.  Last summer I was a team leader for Zapped (vacation bible school), I watched the third graders.  I plan on working with preschoolers soon at my church, I am looking forward to that because I have never worked with children that young.
Last year I graduated from PRCC with an Associates in Art.  I am so much happier to be at USM.  USM has a lot of resources that are beneficial to me and all of the teachers I have had are wonderful.