Week+9

===**Readings and Reflections **===

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This weeks reading is written by Ian Jukes, it is entitled "**Literacy is not enough**." Jukes argues that technology has changed the way we think about teaching, learning, and assessment. Jukes begins by reviewing how 21st century students learn. It is important to remember that teaching using talking is not an effective way to educate today's students. The digital native understands by doing. Jukes introduces Edgar Dale's "Learning Cone" which outlines the different ways students learn and each strategies effectiveness. For example, after two weeks students recall only **10%** of what they **read**, **20%** of what they **hear**, **30%** of what they **do**, **50%** of what they **hear and see**, **70%** of content that require **participation**, and **90%** of content that involves **three methods**. Jukes goes on to discuss **21st Century Fluency** which is more than just learning how to use technology. 21st Century Fluency is about **headware**, acquiring important skills such as reading and writing, handwriting, numeracy, research, and social skills. Many educators believe that it is important to educate student about the 21st centuries technology and how to use it appropriately however, it is important not to forget traditional skills that are still important. Jukes outlines **five 21st century skills or fluencies** that all digital learners will need for success in 21st century life: =====

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We have talked over the past nine weeks about incorporating technology in the classroom in order to engage the 21st century learning. However, it is important that we do not forget the traditional skills. We must find the balance between traditional teaching and digital teaching in order to satisfy the needs of the digital generation. =====

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Today we had the opportunity to play with [|Adobe Photoshop Elements]. Photoshop is a good resource to use in the classroom, it gives students the opportunity to create images that they may not be able to find online. Not all students are artistic and photoshop allows students to create original artwork using the computer. This is an example of what you can do with photoshop. =====

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 This week we had the opportunity to examine the **SMARTboard** through YouTube videos. In week 5 we had the opportunity to "play" with a SMARTboard. Before class began, I was very excited to learn how to use a SMARTboard. However I quickly realized that they were not as fantastic as I had previously thought. A SMARTboard is an interactive whiteboard, when it was introduced it was the first whiteboard to provide touch control of computer applications. SMARTboards are interesting, easy to use and different compared to the plain old chalkboard. They would be helpful in the classroom and fun to use but they do not promote the student-centered learning that digital natives require. A teacher is still at the front of the classroom, the only difference is that the teacher is using a SMARTboard instead of a chalkboard or an overhead projector. The SMARTboard is a "neat" addition to the classroom but, in my opinion, is not the best type of technology to be integrated into the classroom. =====


 * What I have learned this week... [[image:86808661.jpg width="168" height="251" align="right" link="@http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/86808661/Comstock-Images"]] **