Research in Educational Technology

                                     “So Long, Constructivism. Hello Smart!”

    Kuehn, L. (2010). Our schools/ourselves.  So Long, Constructivism. Hello Smart! Journal, 19(2), 129-134.  Retrieved October 14, 2011 from EBSCO Host Academic Search Complete.

    Author Larry Kuehn, is a research director for the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation and Associate Editor of our schools. This article is about discussing education and technology and how it has changed over the centuries. The author states that the constructivist technology is changing education. The article states that what they said would happen, did not and the teacher has turned to technology for doing the teaching. Technology is the main focus in teaching today. It states in the article that the Smart board is compared to the overhead projector and how it has so many areas in which it can be used in a classroom to teach and for students to have a visual when learning. “The smart board is an interactive whiteboard, which is essentially a computer projection that is responsive to touch.” This article states and has many concerns that since we have this technology in our classrooms that teachers can use this and it teaches the students, therefore teachers may become useless because of it. It was found that “The Smart board can “add value” to the sage on the stage, leaving teacher-centered instruction to be modified.” The purpose of this report is to state how overheads are no longer used in classrooms and Smart boards are used as a teaching tool in a way where the students are being taught by the Smart board which, then could change the teacher’s role in the classroom. We as teachers need to make sure that with all the technology that is coming out that we are still teaching students and not just relying on technology to do the “work” for us in classrooms and actually use technology as a tool in our classrooms.

http://butterflydanceproject.blogspot.com/

The Title is: "A Dance with the Butterflies"

This blog is about butterflies, butterfly farms, caterpillars, Monarch projects. It has all kinds of pictures.

I do like the design and colors and graphics on this blog. Its very colorful and informative.

I also like this blog because if students are learning about caterpillars and butterflies this would be a great resource for them.

I would recommend this blog to educators to use when teaching their students Science and learning about caterpillars and butterflies.

http://cellphonesinlearning.com/

The title is: "From Toy to Tool: Cellphones in Learning"

This blog is about integrating student cell phones into classroom curriculum.

It has a poll bar graph of how many Americans have cell phone today. They have a book on, "Cell Phones in the Classroom." It has all kinds of links to how to use cellphones in the classroom. They have a virtual technology conference which is free for educators and administrators.

This blog is kind of plain and simple. It needs more color also. I do like the way it designed though and some of the videos.

I definitely did like this blog too, because it shows how many people have cellphones are in today world, even kids nowadays and everybody uses one, and sometimes kids are so smart they know more than the adults do on them.

I would probably recommend this to educators, because most students have cellphones nowadays and they use them. I can definitely see how many children know how to operate a cell phone by texting and emailing from their phone. I found it good that they have this for teachers because it may interest the kids in the classroom as well, because they know so much about cellphones, whereas, the teacher may not so this blog can be a very helpful site.

http://freetech4teachers.com/

The title is: "Free Technology for Teachers"

This blog is about free information for teachers on lesson planning and teaching with technology.

It has free downloads, tutorials, favorite resources, creating websites and blogs, books and things.
This blog is clean and orgainzed, not too colorful. I would like to have seen more color on it. There is a good graphic of another way to show your slides.

I would definitely recommend this blog to future teachers as a good resource to help them for lesson planning and technology.

http://www.polar06.yesican-projects.ca/

Title of Blog: Polar Science 2006.

This blog is about Science and Antartica and investigating the unique adaptions that allow young seal pups to develop into elite divers. Some of the areas of focus are: challenge questions, a news and photo gallery, investiagtions and research, polar science archives.

I do like the design of this blog. It looks like Antartica and its looks cold. It looks interesting as well. The colors are dark blue and grey, making it look cold.

I did like this blog also, I find it interesting to learn about Antartica and I would recommend this to an educator teaching Science to their students.

http://mrspatterson.edublogs.org/

After reviewing some educational blogs, I have come across The Patterson's Pack- 1st grade and blogging! How great is that!

This blog is very educational as far as Math and what the students are working on. There is a word wall.

I like the design of this blog. Its very colorful, the font is big enough to read as well as the graphics.

What I liked about it is its telling us what they are currently working on in math and it has links to what they can work on to help them. Its very creative!

I would recommend this to educators!