Reflection for October 5th, 2009

What:

This week in class we were able to start our WebQuest Presentations. These are cool because they are web based and help students interact with technology. 

So What:

In these WebQuests we are able to have a safe internet environment for our students. It's a research engine that doesn't let students into anything that they should be into. I'm afraid that one day I'll have my students researching something and they will click on an advertisement that leads them to inappropriate websites. WebQuest is a way that I can keep them on task and working hard in a nicely guided way. 

Now What:

Now that I'm able to understand how WebQuest works I want to use them for my lesson plans. Students are able to use the internet for so many things, and understand it better than the generations before them because they use it so much, that to integrate a lesson plan soley on the internet with a guided source helps students learn in a way that I've never seen before.


Video Blog:

Ok, so I have to admit I'm a little bit disturbed. Let me explain. The video showed how surfaces (table tops, walls, etc.) are being turned into multi-touch computer screens. Yes I admit it will be easier to work with programs, pictures, products. However, are we really going to replace writing and drawing? If these get put into the schools you will have a lack of students writing anything out. As for drawing, why draw with a pencil when you can "draw" it on the computer with a perfectly straight line? I think the technology is amazing however I would not want to put it into the classroom because it would be the end of writing and drawing with a pencil or pen.