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Journal 6

Schachter, R (May/June 2008). Changing HabitsGet your teachers to incorporate these techniques into their lesson plans to boost students’ attention.. Retrieved July 29, 2008, from Ed Tech Magazine Web site: http://www.edtechmag.com/k12/issues/may-june-2008/changing-habits.html

In this article it discusses using modern tools within the curriculum to reach and gain students undivided attention. “From introducing streaming videos and blogging to the curriculum to successfully implementing interactive whiteboards and wireless “clickers” in the classroom, technology directors around the country have been busy on the cutting edge” (Schachter, 2008). I feel it is extremely important in order to keep children interested enough in their education in order for them to want to come to school.
1. How do we inspire the older generations of teachers to use these types of programs in their curriculum?
a. I feel the importance of giving them time for the teachers of grade levels to meet and discuss the ideas for use of these programs in the classroom and to also take away the fear of using these programs as well. It is important to understand how simple these programs are and how it will add a level of excitement to their lesson plan.
2. How can a teacher keep children going onto forbidden cites and to keep them on track of the expected lessons?
a. I feel if the teacher is explicit on what she/he expects I feel that the students will not chance the new and inventive programs they are able to use within the classroom.

Journal 5

Overcoming Obstacles (Ohio’s Lawrence School uses tablet PCs to aid students with learning disabilities)
By: Wylie Wong

Wong, Wylie (Aug/Sept 2008). Overcoming Obstacles: Ohio's Lawrence School uses tablet PCs to aid students with learning disabilities.. EDTECH: Focus on K-12, Retrieved July 29, 2008, from http://www.edtechmag.com/k12/issues/august-september-2008/overcoming-obstacles.html

This article is about a one-to-one computing program offered at Lawrence School in Ohio that educates students in grades 1 through 12 with dyslexia, attention deficit disorder and other learning differences. This program offers text-to-speech software that converts text for the student, speech recognition tool (voice-activated with a microphone converting it on screen, an electric binder for organization, and Inspiration, helps students diagram and outline their papers.

1. What can be offered for schools that do not have the funds in order to provide this resource and program for their school?
a. I would expect input from the community and parents that surround the school for their support in trying to reach out to larger resources in order to obtain the funds for the computers. Although it would be difficult the school can start off small with sharing computers and then furthering their progress with efforts.

2. Is it fair that this program is available for students with disabilities and not for all students?

a. I feel it is definitely fair because it evens the playing field out amongst all students. This program just makes it easier for students that are faced with these challenges and/or to stay on task and on an equal learning level for all students. I feel it is the same as having these students excused for access to resource teachers.

Inspiration Assignment!

Journal 4:"Microblogging"

Microblogging is the practice of sending brief posts to a personal blog on a microblogging website, such as Twitter or Jaiku. They can also be made public on a website and/or distributed to a private group of subscribers. Subscribers can read the posts online or request that updates be delivered to their desktop as an instant message or sent to a mobile device as a text message. Microblogging through websites like Twitter and Jaiku are served as a purpose for anyone to keep updated on ones life, sports, weather and news within the confides of a restricted small length of characters, it is easy and fast! On Classroom 2.0 I was introduced to the websites Twitter and Jaiku from one posted discussion of fans of these websites. Twitter, which appears to be used more frequently is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that allows users to send updates (otherwise known as tweets) which I found out to be text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length. The post were focusing on getting the word out there to use these websites in order to create a place where one can express them and find quick information. Another post I viewed was called, “Lets get on Twitter too!” that included what one is able to participate in on Twitter like receiving immediate responses and sharing ideas and resources, but it was focused on getting teachers involved more to use it in their classrooms. He looked on the site and realized that only 3 teachers participated on Twitter. He then informed people on how to sign up for an account on Twitter.

Journal 3

Sydney Camden Scott
7:45 – 9:00 (7/17/08)
Journal 3
“RtI: Innovations in prevention and intervention”Richard Reid (Educational Psychologist, Jericho, VT)

I attended the second part of the 10th Annual San Diego Summer Leadership Institute where the guest speaker Richard Reid discussed improving educational outcomes for all learners through using innovative ideas of prevention and intervention. RtI stands for responsiveness to Intervention moreover, “knowing where each and every one of your students we regard to their skill development and monitoring growth in response to our instruction.” A main point that he made was stages of innovation implementation, which he used an example of his wooden spoon to describe that you are doing the best you can with the resources you have. The stages are exploration and adoption, installation, initial implementation, full implementation, innovation, and sustainability.
1. What it is RtI?
From the website, http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/rti.index.htm “the basic ideas of RtI were developed over a century ago in the behavioral tradition of psychology. These ideas are relatively simple. You collect data over time and adjust instruction until the child achieves success. A teacher modifies instruction (intervention) to help a struggling child, and then checks the child’s progress regularly (called progress monitoring) to see if the intervention is working. If the intervention is working, the problem is solved. If the intervention is not working, you change the intervention and monitor progress. This process continues until the child improves” (Hale, 2008).
<< Stages of implementation

Hale , James B (2008). Response to Intervention: Guidelines for Parents and Practitioners. . Retrieved July 24, 2008, from Wrights Law Web site: http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/rti.index.htm

2. How would implement RtI in a classroom setting?
As Richard states, “In order to successfully implement this program in our schools the most efficient way is through helping faculty acquire the knowledge, skills and abilities to effectively provide innovations to students”.

Journal 2: The Laptops are coming!!! ahh

Journal 2: The Laptops are coming!!!

McFarlane, Sarah H. (2008). The laptops are coming! The laptops are coming!. Rethinking Schools Online, 22, Retrieved 07 18, 2008, from http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/22_04/lapt224.shtml


This article discusses the importance of not assuming that when technology is received in the classroom it will create this wonderful atmosphere of interaction, inclusion, and advancement. The article focused on a school in Seattle, Washington where a teacher and author of the article, Sarah Heller McFarlane was very excited to learn that each of her students would be receiving a laptop computer. She believed that having these computers in the classroom would close the technological divide between teachers and students. Once she experienced students using laptops she realized that her students became distracted and disconnected not only with her, as a teacher with her students and co-workers but the relationship between students was lost. She became a regulator of students’ time on the computer.

1. If laptops are such a distraction and at the end of the year a disadvantage rather than an advantage, are computers worth having in the classroom and if so, what grade level?
a. I feel the importance and responsibility lies on the teacher; if computers are in the classroom regulate it during centers. But I personally believe that computers need to be restricted for research of projects only and should be introduced at a level where they can focus on as a tool/resource rather than an option to “play” with at a the grade level like 4th and above. At the young grade levels the focus should be on human interaction and learning from the teacher and peers.


2. Are laptops imperative to creating a “better” educational environment?
a. I feel it is important to have access to computers in the classroom because computers do have great ideas for learning but it needs to be regulated so we don’t lose the importance of social interaction with one another.

Journal 1

Journal 1
Shifflet, Rena, & Toledo, Cheri (2008). Extreme Makeover: Updating Class Activities for the 21st Century . Learning & Leading with Technology, 34, Retrieved July 17, 2008, from http://www.pdfdownload.org/pdf2html/pdf2html.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjheil65.googlepages.com%2FJournal1.pdf&images=yes.

The first article was addressing current web-based applications are social in nature which need to be used in the classroom and can be very beneficial being used by teachers. It can be used as an advantage for the teacher to “design rich, authentic and engaging activities and assessments that catch and keep students attention” (Shifflet, Toledo, 2008). The second article discussed how the access of using blogs can create an open line of communication between students and the teacher.

1. What if students come into the classroom knowing more than a teacher who has rarely worked with computers? How can we expect a teacher from an earlier generation be “on top” of knowing computers or take the time in learning?
a. I feel that because of teachers busy and demanding schedules from not only their class but also extra obligations like meetings, it is difficult to expect a teacher to make time to learn about computers. But also on the upside it can be a learning experience for both sides in having a student “teach” a lesson for a day.

2. How do classes, schools, and the district expect to reach students of all diverse classes with computers?
a. I do like the idea of blogging, which creates an open line of communication between the students and teachers; and missing a class can make it up easier at home however the main issue comes to some students not having a computer at home. In the class I worked at last year we only had 4 computers, at times not working, and more than half of the class did not have a computer at home.

This is me!

Hi ya'll! My name is Sydney Camden Scott. I was born and raised in Glendale, California which was about twenty minutes away from Downtown Los Angeles. I went to the local high school, Glendale High School where I was very active in my student body with participating in soccer, swimming, cheerleading, and activities coordinator for my class. Then I graduated moving to Santa Cruz where I attended UC Santa Cruz majoring in American Studies and playing intramural soccer. After graduating in 2006, I got a job working with autistic children in a public school setting. I absolutely fell in love with my students and the beautiful atmosphere of Santa Cruz. I also learned how to surf while in Santa Cruz. This past month I have been in the process of moving down from SC to San Diego because I have been admitted to the Multiple Credential Program for Fall 2008. It was a bittersweet move because I will definitely miss my students, my friends, co-workers and the life I had created in Santa Cruz, however, I am extremely excited to be on pursuit to becoming a teacher!

With aspects to technology, I have taken a couple classes over my educational journey, however for the past couple years I have actually not owned a computer...I know hard to believe huh? However I have just purchased an Apple Mac which I am pretty familiar with, so I think I will be okay. I have yet to purchase the new Vista Program but I will be soon. But, thankfully I do learn easily so I am up for any challenge that computers, inevitably will give me.

Growing up in Los Angeles and going to school in Santa Cruz as an American Studies Major which is based on learning about diverse cultures I have always desired that with my views of teaching will automatically be consumed with the as many different cultures as possible with teaching it to students while learning more myself, as it states in the mission statement, "teaching as a life-long learning process." I believe the state of California is very diversified which makes it unique and exciting for people around the world to gravitate towards and why it is extremely important to be educated with all of these differences. Which also it is why its important to start at a young age in order to rid of the "fears" of someone different. What struck me the most about CSUSM was that the word commitment in the mission statement when it came to diversity, educational equity, and social justice is what made me desire to come here more because I am committed to enrich the students I come into contact with as much culture and life as possible!