Technology in Action

Hello again,

I have found a wonderful video in reference to technology in the classroom - in action!
Stay Curious

I think that seeing how technology can enhance the learning experience is key to integrating the technology for maximum return.
Our students are connecting at an earlier age, and as a result, we need to keep fostering the urge to explore.

I need your assistance though, I want to make sure we are all monitoring the use of technology and the sites or social networks our children are interacting with late into the night. Take a look at the article in the 2006 Time magazine below, we need to stay vigilant and assist in the maturing minds we are charged with nurturing. 

As always, feel free to Email me with any questions or concerns. 

Best, 

~Ms. Jones 

genM: The Multitasking Generation

Hello Parents!

Hello parents!
I am very pleased that you are stopping by. We have had a wonderful time this semester exploring Life Science and are excited about second semester. A few reminders about my policy on cell phones:

• Phones are to be placed on silent and put away unless otherwise asked.
• Students are to download the app, "Edmodo" for missed assignments and enrichment activities. The parent code is: adpg3j I encourage you to sign up and look over what we have offered for additional learning resources. 
• Students who fail to follow the rules of cell phone policy will have their devices held by me and a parent teacher conference will be scheduled for you to pick up your child's phone. 

Sometimes we may have polls in which the students may use their phone to vote on assignments, at those times students are allowed to use their phones, but a timer is used and only within that window are the phones appropriate to use. For students who do not have a cell phone, I will allow the use of the classroom Thin Client computers, I adore the advances in technology but do not want them to be a central focus in my instruction. 

Parents, at your leisure, please read over this article I found about content delivery: Five Ways Teachers Can Use Technology to Help Students

I really think our students can maximize the resources available for more depth and investment in learning.
Some additional readings I found particularly useful are The Education Arcade and the wonderful ideas in Technology and Learning: Defining What you Want to Assess

Though we will use technology in our class from time to time, I encourage each of you to assist in fostering good research skills in our students. Students often want answers immediately, but fail to recognize the text book right in front of them as a powerful resource. If we could all help our students understand the basics of research, their searches on the Internet will be more focused. 

I thank you all for a wonderful year so far and look forward to talking with you more. 

As always, feel free to Email me and let me know about any concerns or questions you have about what we are learning or doing in school. 

Best!

~Ms. Jones