Journal #4

"From Toy to Tool" by Liz Kolb

In this article, Kolb gives an example of a time in her life when she thought that cell phones should be banned from classrooms and schools. She then realized that cell phones were devices that students used to interact with the world around them. Kolb decided that “as educators we can help students to use their everyday ‘toy’ as a ‘tool’ for constructing knowledge”. Through cell phones, students can develop multimedia projects, create blogs, and audioblog. Audioblogging allows students to conduct interviews and post those interviews to a blog through their cell phones. Cool features could then be used to edit each interview. These interviews can be subject matter specific. Cool, right? Well, there are, however, some concerns with audioblogging. Worries include privacy, copyright, cost, and control issues. Kolb points out that the benefits of audioblogging outweigh the concerns, and that integrating technologies that students use in their social lives will help them discover that they can also use these same devices for meaningful learning.

Questions...
1. Would I be able to use Audioblogging in my physical education class?
I think that it would be a neat idea for kids to conduct an interview with their cell phones, regarding health or athletics, and then be able to post it onto their blog for the rest of the class to see and learn from.

2. Besides cell phones, what’s an example of another “Toy” that could be used as a “Tool” in my classroom?
I think that “podcasts” could be used to send out announcements and assignments to my students. Students with ipods can hook them up to their computer and schedule audio downloads when updates are available.

Journal #5

"Cyberbullying: How to Fight the New Bullies" by Rosalind Wiseman

A new wave of bullying is taking place. It is called Cyberbullying. Bullies are now using technologies such as instant messages (IMs), text messages, photos, email, videos, etc. to put down and intimidate others. As Wiseman states, what makes cyberbullying so easy is that it is anonymous and can potentially have an enormous audience. Because this has become such a problem, legal and educational systems have begun to take action, placing cyberbullying into their bullying policies. School officials are permitted to get involved in incidents that take place outside of school if the activity impacts the child’s learning environment. The controversy has become whether school officials can “suppress student speech off-campus”. The decision has yet to be made. Wiseman also includes cyberbullying facts and tips for parents in this article.

Questions...
1. What’s my stance on this “off-campus” controversy?
I feel that bullying is not acceptable, no matter where it occurs. If the parents aren’t going to take the appropriate steps to put an end to this, then yes, I think the schools need to step in and do what’s necessary to protect the children.

2. What can I do to make sure my students have safe, fun online experiences, on and off campus?
I can keep my students informed of the dangers of the internet. Perhaps I could introduce them to the Netiquette guidelines, and make sure they are aware of who they should contact in the event that they experience problems online.

All about me...

Hello Everyone,

My name is Kaisa Lindeneau. I am twenty-five years old and currently live in Rancho Bernardo with my cousin. I recently got engaged and am very excited about planning my upcoming wedding. I am a full-time, private swim instructor, where I get to teach and interact with people (mostly kids) all day long. I was born in Denver, Colorado and lived there until I was three. I have lived in sunny San Diego ever since. I grew up in Escondido and completed my K-12 education there (Miller Elementary, Del Dios Middle School, and San Pasqual High School). I also attended San Diego State University where I received my Bachelors Degree in Kinesiology.

Since I was born in 1981, I feel that I have grown up around technology which is getting better everyday. I have a great deal of experience with common technology and really love my little laptop, little camera, and little nano. I consider myself to be somewhat tech savvy. I am a PC person probably due to the fact that it is all that I have ever known. At first thought, I would like to say that I don’t depend on technologies on a daily basis, but as I try to imagine myself without my car, my cell-phone, or even my hairdryer, I can’t imagine how I could get through a single morning, not-to-mention an entire day.

After reading the COE Mission Statement there was one part in particular that stood out to me, which was the mention of “innovative research”. This reminded me of a new development I heard about, where schools are trying to promote physical education to students at a much earlier grade level. Childhood obesity is commonly being attributed to the lack of health awareness at a young age. I feel that new studies and findings can have a great impact on the way we can teach children, and I think the College of Education’s dedication to research is valuable. Not having read it at the time, the mission statement was not a deciding factor in choosing to attend CSUSM. Now that I HAVE read it, I am even happier with my decision to continue my education at Cal State San Marcos.