W2 Reading

This weeks readings focused on laptops becoming the wave of the future in the classroom, using hand held devices to improve standardized test scores, changing the delivery of education by using 3pluslearning, and improving standardized test scores with technology.  Here is what I found.

The first article I read was titled:

 This article gave some insight and opinion on providing laptops to every child in a classroom.  Some of the advantages that the article stated were that all students could follow along with teacher powerpoints on their laptops, and be able to make notes on their computers.  With such a push for a paper less society, the incorporation of laptops would cut down on the paper consumed by schools!  The author made a good point when she stated that our students are the leaders of tomorrow, and they should be provided with the technologies that they will need to be successful in the future, and be able to connect globally outside of the four classroom walls.  The full article can be found at by following this link. 

The second article I read was titled:

This article was about how achievement has increased on standardized test scores with the use of hand held "clicking" devices.  The devices are used along with a computer program called Qwizdom.  The technology allows the teacher to ask questions, and the students answer the questions by clicking a button on their hand held device.  This relays the information back to the program, and displays the data back to the teacher.  The teacher can tell who has answered, and who hasn't.  This program allows teachers to see where they need to focus attention on lesson planning.  The full article can be found by following this link. 

The third article I read was titled:

This article focused on budgeting education, and looked at how changing the way teachers teach could help balance this budget.  The article stated that teachers need to change the delivery of instruction to include instant feedback from technology, and include social networking.  "Teachers can create tests, surveys, evaluations, polling, blog study groups, chat live, and post photos in communities set up by them."  One of the most intriguing parts of the article was when it spoke about a program called 3PlusLearning.  This is a company that is providing a software program that is aligned with state standards, that gives immediate feedback on student weaknesses.  It  also provides remedial lessons, and tracks student learning.  The article contains a great interview with the companies CEO.  The full article can be found following this link.

The fourth article I read was titled:

This article looked at improving test scores with technology, and stated a few principles for making this happen.  The author states that we do not have technology in schools to increase test scores, and obviously it will not make dumb kids smarter, improve family support, or poor teachers great, but the author did give a few principles that all teachers incorporating technology should follow.  The author states that in order to increase test scores teachers must use the technology in the classroom.  If you don't use it, it won't do you any good! Also, don't let students do trivial tasks on computers.  Do things on computers that will pay off at test time.  Learning experiences should accomplish more than one task.  For example, the author stated that having students re-write a story, and incorporate some editing and peer revision would be excellent use of a computer.  The full story can be found following this link.