Georgia Schools Allow iPods in Classes

High school students have many different technological resources they use for entertainment as well as learning. Students at Roswell High School, located in Georgia, have the freedom to use iPods and mp3 players as educational tools in school. There are several different pros and cons of allowing students to use their iPods in class. There are also different views of whether or not students should be allowed to use iPods in classes.

Many people have iPods and they love them. They are very easy to navigate through. They may be a huge crowd pleaser, but some people argue that they do not see how they fit within schools. People argue that they are distractions that hold students back. However, others feel that they are enablers that push students in the direction of learning more.

The teachers and the administrative staff at Roswell High School view these particular tools as educational accessories that help to assist in the learning process of students. Edward Spurka, Roswell High School’s principal, felt that their school was becoming overwhelmed with trying to fight technology (Manzo 2). The school was putting so much effort into banning iPods and trying to catch students in the act. However, he made the decision to embrace the technology phenomenon by allowing teachers to encourage students to use iPods and mp3 players to increase education. Student can also use iPods and mp3 players in the library, the cafeteria, and the hallways.

Roswell’s method of integrating iPods with Advanced Placement classes was introduced as an element of the educational technological plan of Georgia. Apparently, this plan is paying off. There have been many benefits from allowing students to use iPods in class. Students can listen on their iPod to valuable information, which can help them learn more about the subjects they are being taught in the classrooms. Also, students have more freedom and more resources of how to share information with other students as well as their teachers. So far over 60 schools throughout the state of Georgia have commenced this plan.

Using iPods and mp3 players in the classroom has positive effects on education. Students will begin to no longer view these devices only for leisure, but also to serve for educational purposes as well. Students love this plan. They are learning more and have shown an increased desire to learn more. Incorporating iPods and mp3 players into student learning has been beneficial to both the school staff and the students.

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Manzo, Kathleen. “Educators Embrace iPods for Learning.” Edweek. 21 Feb. 2010 http://www.edweek.org/login.html?source=http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2010/03/18/26ipods.h29.html&destination=http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2010/03/18/26ipods.h29.html&levelId=2100.

Is Facebook becoming the New Yearbook?

Looking through old yearbooks is one of my personal pastime favorites of growing up. It was always fun to sit with my mom and dad and let them show me pictures of what they looked like when they were kids, and all the different activities their schools had. My mother's yearbook was my favorite to look through. She was fortunate to have it because her school had taken a break from printing yearbooks due to low funds. She was her school's homecoming queen, and I always cherished the memories we shared as she would tell me about all of her high school experiences. I always enjoyed looking at her pictures and dreaming about how high school would be when I would be there.

There are many different changes that are taking place in how people will remember each other. There are even changes in how high schools and universities will be remembering old classmates. Facebook is being used as a substitute yearbook for some high schools as well as universities. Many people believe that using Facebook as a new method of keeping of with people can be both beneficial and negative.

The most recent college to realize that they do not need the traditional yearbook is the University of Virginia. This university was founded by Thomas Jefferson himself, and the university has always had a yearbook, except for the year 1887. The student publishers of “Corks and Curls” decided not to continue with the traditional yearbook book because they did not have the funds. Instead, they will be using “facebook” to create this yearbook (In Facebook Age, 1). They will be saving nearly 100,000 dollars and spending none because “facebook” is free to use.

Many other schools and universities have joined the band wagon of “facebook” and stopped using the traditional yearbooks as a method of remembering their schoolmates. After all, “facebook” was designed by a Harvard college student to serve as a yearbook for his classmates. “Facebook” is changing how our schools will be remembered.

The switch from the traditional yearbook to the new and innovative “facebook” plays a distinct role in education. Due to more and more people disconnecting from the old traditions of year-booking and embracing online ‘face-booking’, some people would argue that it is related to the lack of needing or wanting permanent documentation. The funds that once paid for yearbooks will go to another area in the universities. The students are given the control to decide whether or not they wish to continue with yearbooks. Obviously, the students wish to switch to “facebook” for various reasons whether it be to save money, save trees, or because “facebook” is easy to navigate and use.

Most high schools will more than likely continue to use traditional yearbooks like they have used in the past. However, low funding may cause many schools to be faced with the inevitable decision to either stop making yearbooks, or switch to using facebook. Facebook is free for anyone to use, so it would definitely be cheaper to utilize. However, looking at pictures of old school days through facebook may not be as enjoyable or memorable if it were done through traditional yearbooks.

“In Facebook Age, Fewer Colleges Printing Yearbooks.” Dailyjournalonline. 19 Feb. 2010 http://www.dailyjournalonline.com/articles/2010/02/25/news/doc4b805d0d01ade313782124.txt.

"iCHS," New School iphone Application

Technology is forever changing how education is being viewed. It is changing quickly through various methods. Many new creations and adjustments of technology have proven that technology is key in the advancements of education. A particular advancement in technology has just recently been invented that will change how various students connect with their schools.

Cory Dobson, a senior at a West Virgina high school called Capital High School has created the first high school application for the notorious iphone. This application is called “iCHS.” The name comes from the name of the high school, Capital High School. Students are able to do so many things with this new application. With this application, students have access to view their report cards, the school’s homepage, Google Maps, the high school’s behavior policy, and the school’s bell schedule (Harold 1). Students are getting connected with their schools in ways that they have never had the opportunity to before.

The Capital High School’s multimedia teacher, Robert Haddy, states “iCHS is the first “fully-integrated” program for a high school student body” (Harold, 1). Students love this application. They feel that they are given independence and love the fact that it is student focused. After all, it was created by a fellow student. About 350 students from all over the world have accessed this application within the three days of it being out for the public to obtain. 50 people for different countries have downloaded the application. This application will change how technology will effect education for future generations.

This particular application puts a whole new spin on connecting education with technology. It is convenient and is quickly spreading to other countries. Education can be benefited by students using this application. By students given the freedom to keep up with their school via the "iCHS" application, they will most likely become more interested in their studies. Students becoming more interested in their academics is crucial in their scholastic success. This will result in more academic achievement for students. Increasing student involvement in schools increases academic excellence. "iCHS" encourages student involvement in schools.

I feel that more and more schools will begin to allow their schools to use this particular iphone application for educational purposes. It is a creative and innovative way for students to get connected and stay connected with their schools. Studies have proven that when students get connected with their schools, they are most likely to succeed in academia and receive a degree or a diploma in the case of high school.

Harold, Zack. “Student Designs High School ‘App’ for iphone.” Edweek. 10 Feb 2010.

http://wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=75153.

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Using the Arts to Promote Learning

There is an amazing method of teaching and learning that has been around for a while, but is just now being rediscovered. Students are now taught by new techniques of learning at various elementary schools in Tucson Arizona. The teachers have teamed-up with the OMA, Opening Minds through the Arts, instructors to educate students by using new methods of learning.“Created in 2000, OMA is a research-based program that correlates its curriculum with the neurological development of children, kindergarten through eighth grade. The concept has proven to be such a successful one that OMA is bringing it to schools across the state” (Miller, 2). This innovative approach is incorporating Fine-Arts with the traditional classroom lectures to promote academic intensification.

Many teachers have noticed a great deal of progress in the students’ knowledge by infusing the Arts into classroom lectures. For example, Peter Howell Elementary School first graders are learning how plants photosynthesize food from sunlight through their teachers and Fine-Art instructor. The teacher and instructor are dressing up like plants and singing opera to creatively illustrate the scientific process (Miller, 1). Kindergartens through eighth graders are learning by using instruments, opera, dance, performing plays, and other various forms of Art in lectures.

The children are now becoming enthusiastic about learning by their teachers applying the Arts in lectures. Teaching through the arts creates an environment where learning is viewed as fun and not as something to be feared or intimidating. Students are learning better because they are not fearing education. However, they are embracing it.

As I was reading this article, I tried to think back to my school days and remember if any of my teachers had used the arts to teach me. I finally thought of an event that was deeper than coloring pilgrims to learn about Thanksgiving. It was the time when I was in kindergarten and my teacher taught my class the Pledge of Allegiance through song. Still to this day tune is in my head and I will never confuse the words thanks to the song.

Also, I remember another incident in which my third grade teacher was trying to improve my classroom's comprehension skills. She assigned us different characters in a story and we were to read our lines when cued and to act. This strategy she used helped all of us to get a better image of what was going on in the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article. I loved it so much that I started 'googleing' using the arts to teach. I found loads of information. Amazon and other distributing book companies have many resources that teachers can utilize to teach their students by using the arts in their classrooms. I will teach by using the arts when I become a teacher. I feel that students will have a better concept of the material. I also believe that the information students learn will stick in their heads better and the knowledge will stay with them longer.Teaching styles and methods have adapted for centuries and this particular method is making change in how children learn and process information.

Using the arts to promote learning is a very innovative way to make lessons more enjoyable for teachers and students. Teachers are very pleased in knowing that their students are learning by this particular technique. Every teacher should try and expand their teaching skills by incorporating the arts into their teaching styles

Miller, Alexa. “Fine-Arts Techniques Linked With Academic.” EdWeek. 8 Feb. 2010 http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2010/01/10/323252bczrtstechniques_ap.html .