Our PTA is undertaking several fundraising projects to upgrade our school’s obsolete classroom computers and bring new technology into your children’s classrooms. Please consider volunteering or supporting of the following events:
· Bake Sale, Saturday April 9 at Carl’s Junior at the corner of China Lake Blvd and Church St.
· Car Wash, Saturday April 16 at Kmart parking lot, corner of China Lake Blvd and Drummond
· Raffle, ticket sales ongoing, drawing to be held the last day of school, June 5th at 12:00PM
New technologies catch and hold the attention of today’s digital generation and open up a new world of learning possibilities from internet research to virtual field trips. “Understanding and incorporating these digital learning experience attributes into your frontline and online curriculum will increase student motivation and enhance the delivery of instruction while meeting the needs of today's digital learning styles.” (Baird, 2006 para.4 ) Our school’s internet filters keep students from distractions such as gaming, while allowing access to research and virtual field trips. Far from just entertainment, computer skills such as research and computer aided design will be crucial in the careers of the future. Teachers can use technology “to help them communicate their still-valuable knowledge and wisdom in [a] new language.”(Prensky,2001b, p.7)
Ideally, our classroom could use:
· Smart Board. A smart board is a monitor/dry erase board hybrid that allows the white board to be used as a computer monitor, using a special stylus as the mouse. This allows lessons to be fully presented using the computer, and include such multimedia features as PowerPoint presentations, instructive graphics, and even videos. In addition, all of these are interactive through the use of the stylus. For more information, please see: http://smarttech.com/
· Document Camera. A document camera is a small video camera mounted on an adjustable arm that allows the teacher to demonstrate activities, labs, worksheets, and samples through a larger projector or smart board. It combines all of the advantages of an overhead projector with the addition of being able to present any item, not only transparencies. When working with students of diverse learning abilities, this allows a direct analog in that the teacher can simply demonstrate on the exact worksheet or project paper, providing detailed demonstrations to the benefit of all students. Students creating presentations benefit from the camera capabilities and enjoy the opportunity to interact with technology in a constructive manner. For more information, please see: http://www.elmoglobal.com/en/index.aspx
Your participation would be greatly appreciated. Together we can rise to the challenge of educating today’s digital generation.
References:
Baird D. E. 2006, April 6. Learning Styles 2.0: Digital, Social, and Always On [Web log post].
Prenksy, M. (2001b). Digital natives, digital immigrants, part II: Do they really think differently? On the Horizon, 9(5), 1-6. Retrieved from http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part2.pdf DISCLAIMER: This blog is an assignment for an educational technology course at National University. It is not a real fundraising blog.
