Blog #10

In researching the impact gender has on the use of technology, I realized that even though there's alot of contradicting evidence out there about the differences between genders and their views, use and abilities in technology, it seems that the gender gap is closing overtime especially with future generations. Although we are all different as individuals and generalizations about our views and abilities in technology shouldn't be made based on gender, it seems that instead of there being a great difference between men and women in their use of technology it seems like now the difference is becoming smaller. It appears that with our generation, the use of and knowledge of technology is almost demanded of both genders. For instance, in college we are expected to know how to use computers and programs effectively more so than in the past, and we are all, both genders, using technology more in our lives whether by using cell phones, digital cameras, instant messaging, even making our own videos and uploading videos and pictures unto sites like youtube, and using networking sites like facebook and myspace. It was good to see that the gender gap is closing and that is good to take into consideration that future generations that we will be teaching will have a more equal ability and interest in technology.

Another issue that was addressed in the presentations was the use of e-portfolios and how they might be used in highschool or middle schools. I thought that was interesting because I didn't know very much about e-portfolios other than they were something we had post our work in at the end of the semester. I hadn't been aware of their purpose or the various kind of e-portfolios and the benefits of using them. It was intriguing to think about how since technology is continually changing how e-portfolios might someday be used in elementary schools perhaps for older grades as students are entering middle school or even for younger children to showcase their work so that parents, other adults and peers can see their progress and accomplishments. I hadn't seen the benefits of using e-portfolios before in the younger grades, but now I see how it could be helpful in helping teachers have a better scope of the level of achievement and understanding of the new students they have each year based on the work the students have in their e-portfolios from the previous year. The e-portfolios also serve as great ways to display for parents and others interested in the student's progress to see that progress is being made and to provide tangeable evidence that the teacher is...well doing her or his job! :)

Blog #9

http://www.nwrel.org/request/june01/child.html

I found this article about "Technology in Early Childhood Education" on the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory website. It basically talks about how children in early childhood develop in five dimensions similar to the five selves (like we learn about in Approaches to Pre-K class). Then it proceeds to detail how computers and technology can help enhance children's learning in the five dimensions and also how the benefits of computers like in helping extrinsically motivating children to learn. I liked the article because it reinforces how computers and technology shouldn't replace social interaction or reading aloud to children along with other essential methods of teaching, but shows in great detail how it can help children's development in the various dimensions including their development of speech and fluency.