Shifting the Landscape

In “Digital Libraries: Shifting the Landscape” the authors Glen Bull and Martha Sites, discuss the technology incentives of digitizing books.  As a generation who read physical books; trying to switch over to computer devises to read I feel that I hold on to the nostalgia of curling up with a book for comfort. With the recent technologies of “Kindle, iPod touch, and Google Android, Google books are becoming extremely popular” (2009 pg. 12). These devises allow extra help for students who have learning disabilities like having a text read out loud. My concern is with students with fine motor skills will have difficulties when trying to navigate through the pages.

This article was written in 2009 so I’m certain that for the last 3 years numerous of libraries have made the switch along with the University of Virginia. I wonder if students will be more willing to read off of their devise not ever knowing what it’s like to hold a real book. Textbooks will be switching over to digital versions for cost purposes. Technology will allow for students to tap into much more of a learning experience than with an old fashioned book.  As aspiring teachers our generation will have to embrace technology and look for ways students will benefit. There’s always the added benefit of saved space in the classroom with over 50,000 texts being accessible.

Alison Disque

Bull, G & Sites, M. (2009). Digital Libraries: Shifting the Landscape. Learning and Leading

         with Technology, 37(1), 12-13. Retrieved from: http://www.learningandleading    

        digital.com/learning_leading/200908?pg=34&pm=2&fs=1#pg14.

Hello future teachers,
Asynchronous virtual field trips are a great way to get students engaged in the curriculum without leaving the classroom. There are not a lot of field trips that happen anymore in the public school systems due to budget cuts. And we all remember how exciting it was to have a field trip day. The opportunities are really perfect for a class to be exposed to something out of town that would not physically be possible to see. For example, a science class could visit the Natural History Museum in San Francisco, a history class could visit a Civil Rights Era march, and there is even a Mathematics Museum. These are fun and educational lessons that the child can go home and show their family as well. There are expert lead tours that provide exciting information and the students wont have the expenses of the bus, lunch and entrance fees.
Through a h.323 video conferencing device the entire class can experience the field trip. We are moving to a time where students will have media devices instead of text books and more and more technology is becoming available to use in the classroom.
The field trips will assist the teachings of the curriculum but in an elementary or special education class it will still be important for class trips to give the class the life skills of crossing the street and being around new environments. So old fashioned field trips to the park will have to continue for a well developed next generation.
Thanks for listening Alison Disque

not to blog

Hello All,

I do not twitter and I have never had a facebook account or a blog. I do however strongly believe in free speech. Becoming a teacher is becoming a mentor. I think to blog about personal topics is too much for a mentor to do. A teacher should keep their controversial point of view to people they know. If you ask any teacher, a fear of theirs it is to say something to a class and have a child go home and mistell their parents and then you have a nasty phone call or email accusing you of something your didn’t even say. Written word can be confused on the tone. It is one thing to write openly not worrying about if you know your audience; but it is another if you know your audience. If you are teacher, and a student googles you and a blog comes up that is even slightly offensive, on an inappropriate topic, or has one line that can be read wrong you will be talked about in a negative way. I think to blog is to rant about something you feel strongly about and not restrict your opinion. I think as a teacher and a mentor it is not appropriate. Free speech is important but don’t put it in writing if you hold a position that kids will be exposed to. The nature of parent’s complaints makes blogging not worth it. Become a college professor and teach adults if you want to write your opinion for all to read.

Alison Disque