Journal Number Four

“Is PowerPoint Crippling Our Students?”
Kathy Johnson and Vicki Sharp

Kathy Johnson makes the argument that PowerPoint is crippling our students because it isn’t requiring anything back from the students in return for the knowledge the presentation gives. Johnson states that PowerPoint doesn’t provide for interactive and engaging learning. This is the type of learning that is needed which really helps students to engage in and understand the material that is being taught in the classroom. Vicki Sharp, on the other hand, feels that PowerPoint is an amazing educational tool that should be implemented in the classroom to engage students in learning. She believes that the PowerPoint actually motivates students to learn, through its colors, pictures, film clips, and sound clips, rather than discouraging students to learn the material. When students create PowerPoint presentations, they become more engaged in the material because they are able to use their creative side and actually do the research themselves rather than have the information spoon-fed to them in an unexciting manner.

1. What are the benefits of using PowerPoint?
When students create a PowerPoint presentation they are required to seek out information by themselves and, thus, are taking more responsibility for their own learning. Even if this information isn’t presented to the class, only turned into the teacher, it will still benefit the creator because they learn to use the software and learn as they research the given topic. PowerPoint gives teachers educators another alternative to using “the chalkboard and overhead projector” and allow teachers to incorporate different media clips that they may have had difficulty including before the availability of this product.

2. What are the problems of using PowerPoint?
Some problems that may be associated with PowerPoint are that although presentations have the ability to be engaging, not all presentations are and may be worse than other forms of teaching. Because PowerPoint presentations are so structured, if there is a teachable moment it may not always present itself because many presentations don’t allow for student interaction with the teacher or fellow students. This factor doesn’t allow for the full retention or comprehension of material that might otherwise be present.

Journal Number Three

“Using an Electronic Portfolio in an Instructional Technology Program”
Michael Uttendorfer

Michael Uttendorfer’s article gave an insight to the behind the scenes work that may take place in all schools using e-portfolio type programs such as TaskStream. The article successfully shows the various resources and features that TaskStream provides for students and professors who use the program. If I were a college professor I would love to have a way of collaborating with others professors of the same course to brainstorm new assessments and classroom activities, without actually having to meet face-to-face. As a student who is currently using TaskStream, I appreciate the ease of using the e-portfolio as a place where I can store my various assignments for a class. I know that this program will be especially helpful to me as I go out and pursue a teaching career because it will be accessible to future employers with ease. Rather than putting together a portfolio of individual assignments, which can be rather bulky and overwhelming, I can submit my TaskStream which is well organized and easy to access. TaskStream would be extremely valuable program to various educational programs as a way for professors to assess their students’ abilities in a given field; this portfolio would also be a great tool for future employers to assess the abilities of a potential employee.


1. What is SIGCT?
SIGCT is the Special Interest Group for Computing Teachers. SIGCT strives to help its members knowledge of teaching computing in a Pre-K-12 setting. This group involves all aspects of teaching computing including: using basic-level software and computing, using spreadsheets, websites, and other various programs, computer programming, the history of computing, etc. There are several activities available through this group to provide information and ideas to all members of SIGCT.

2. What is SIGILT?
SIGILT is the Special Interest Group for Innovative Learning Technologies. This program allows “educators, researchers, educational reform leaders and learning technology innovators” to discuss proven learning technologies that may be useful in the classroom. SIGILT has conferences where they strive to share this information with other educators.

Journal Number Two

“Failure is NOT an Option”
Dave L. Edyburn

It is a well known fact that the achievement gap is continually widening in today’s society; this is a reason why the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) has been implemented in our schools today. According to Edyburn, when students have difficulty learning a specific subject “students learn that they don’t like the subject matter and internalize the failure . . .” this sense of failure may even be passed on to their future children. The fact that their own parent doesn’t, or didn’t, like or do well in a specific subject in school can have a detrimental effect on the child’s own learning because there is a negative mentality there. However, there are technological resources available that can narrow this achievement gap for some students. For example, if a student has problems with math, the student can go to http://www.webmath.com/ and receive the additional help he or she needs in math. It has been shown that such programs such as this can help a student gain understanding and success in their area of difficulty. Although this success has been shown there are many who are skeptical of using these types of programs for their struggling students because they don’t feel its “fair” to students who are able to understand and do the work on their own. This being said, it is important for educators to look at the technological tools and resources that are available to them and their students in order to help their students achieve higher goals and narrow the widening achievement gap.

1. How do I feel about using these types of technological resources in my own classroom?
I feel that a student learning and understanding a subject of concept is much more important than how the student finally grasps the concept. If a student has a learning difficulty that can be improved by using an online source, that learning resource should be available to them. I don’t see why a student should be forced to fail when there are learning resources available that may benefit them and increase their success in school.

2. How can I make these programs more readily available to my students who may be struggling?
For some students this will be an easy task. Students who have the internet at home can be given the web address so that they may access it at home; those students who don’t have the internet at home may access these educational sites at the public library where the internet is available to the public free of charge. I understand that there are some students who may find it difficult, for whatever the reason may be, to gain access to the library and that other ways of accessing the material may me necessary. To combat this, as a teacher I would offer the option of staying one or two days after school so that they may access the internet in the classroom; everyone attends the school and because the students are already there this would allow for equal access to the internet and the supports it can provide.

Journal Number One

“My Space or Yours?”
Joanne Barrett

In today’s society there are so many things, and people, we need to protect our families and students from. One such item we must protect our students from can be accessed from various locations and may not seem dangerous at all. This surprising new threat is known as social networking. Although social networking may be used for positive reasons like: connecting with old or new friends, classmates, collaborating on homework, or even to connect with future employers; this can be a dangerous tool when used by someone who isn’t well informed of the dangers this system may present. As educators it is our responsibility to help our students learn safe internet habits as well as proper netiquette. It is also our responsibility to be well informed in technological matters so that we may better present truthful relevant information to our students. This information should properly inform students and help each of them to make wise choices when interacting with others online.

1. How can I, as a future educator, inform my students of the dangers social networking sites present to them?
One way I believe would be effective in teaching my students about the dangers of social networking would be to create my own web page on one of the social networking sites most popular with my students; however, this profile would look nothing like me and who I actually am. I would create a profile of someone students would perceive as being someone their own age; someone they might actually connect with. After presenting this activity I would inform students that all of the information presented to them about this person was false and that I, in actuality, was the creator of this profile. I believe this activity would show students that we all need to be careful when interacting with others online because they may not really be who they say they are. Unfortunately, they could be someone with bad intentions.

2. How can I teach my students to use these sites safely?
I hope to teach my students of the types of information that should/should not be placed on the internet and give them logical reasons why. Students need to understand that it isn’t only going to be their friends looking at their profile because anyone can gain access to these sites if they have a membership account. Students should know that if someone has their personal information (i.e. phone number, school name, city of residence, last name, e-mail, screen name, etc.) they can use that information for improper reasons and how it can be a danger to their safety.