January 12th 2008
Chapter 7: Communication with technologies


Textbook questions

1.Are online chats and instant messaging of value in the classroom? Do they add to student learning, or do they distract from "real" instruction? What is "real" instruction?
Instant messaging can add to students’ learning but it all depends on the way the teacher uses it. The teacher must have clear goals and instructing in order to make insure that students use the technology in the right way. Also, if used correctly, instant messaging can facilitate group interaction and help students work on their group projects. Real instruction is clear instruction given by the teacher. This tool (online chat and instant messaging) just adds to any misunderstood instruction because the students can ask each other or ask the teacher.

2.Can the technologies presented in this chapter be a means of engaging and involving parents in their children's schools? In what ways?
The use of emails is a great tool to facilitate communication between the school and the home. Parents or teachers are sometimes hard to reach. By using and emailing system, both parties will receive important notifications about the students. Also, websites and webquests are great ways for parents to follow their children’s school projects. It’s usually something students are proud of and parents will enjoy seeing it.

3.Are their benefits to asynchronous, test-based communication over sychronous, face-to-face communication? In what situations?
These types of communication allow all students to have an equal chance. In that I mean that it allows students who take more time to write a chance to produce some good work. I remember a friend of mine in high school. She was a great writer but when she had to write something in work she would never finish in the time slot allowed for such work. This type of communication allows as much time as needed. Also, these types of communications allow students to communicate with children and students from all around the world.

4 .In many ways, audio podcasts are akin to listening to a radio broadcast. Are radio broadcasts typically used in classrooms? Why or why not? If not, why would using podcasts be of any greater value?
Podcasts can be of a greater value because certain students might realize that this is something that would be worth pursuing in the future. Some may even want to become radio hosts. Students learn a lot form podcasts. They “determine how to sequence material, finding or creating copyright0free music or other audio transition between segments, practicing public speaking”. Not only do they do that but podcasting allows students to work collaboratively because one students alone can’t do this on his or her own.

Journal Entry

In this week’s class, we didn’t make any computer based pages. Instead, we learned how to use google’s advanced search. I’ve used advanced search before but not in depth like we did in class. I never realized how important the words we type in the search were and how to use (with all words, with the exact words…). Now I know that my search will be broader or limited depending on what I write and where I write it.

Also, we analyzed some webquest websites. It was interesting to see how one webquest can seem very good for one person and very bad for another. It really depended on what perspective we were analyzing it and what our assigned role was.
In the readings, I found the Podcast to be one of the most interesting ideas and use of technology. Jonassen et al. gives an example of Podcast from the International School Dhaka in Bangladesh. I find it so great for students to listen to other children’s ideas especially on topics such as global issues. Children not only learn about the other culture but listen to other children’s different opinions about a matter (Jonassen et al, 2008, p.162).

Also, we used to have an in school radio at my high school. I think that students would love it if their radio would become live. They would love to know that other people from al over the world might be listening to them.

I believe that instant messaging can be of great use in the classroom if the teacher uses it in the right way. Instant massaging shouldn’t replace the job of the teacher as an explainer. It must be used as an enhancement and help that students can get from others and their teacher. I feel that there must be some sort of monitoring on the teacher’s part in order for students to stay on track and exclusively use this tool for learning.