Monday, September 29, 2008

MyAccess Report

I learned about MyAccess last summer and I was very, very impressed with the program. It is definitely an extremely useful tool for teaching and improving writing skills. The MyAccess Report clearly illustrates the features as well as the benefits of this web-based writing program. What I like most about it is that it gives immediate feedback about the write-up, therefore it constantly assesses the student's writing. The process is very easy and the feedback includes the score or the grade for the submitted writing material. By receiving the score, the students can immediately see their strong points as well as know which area to improve on.

I really love this writing program and based on the report, MyAccess helped and continue to help students increase their standardized test scores. The grades for their writing assignments also improved after teachers incorporated MyAccess in the teaching instruction. I really hope I will able to introduce and avail of this program when I start teaching because this is something that both teachers and students can benefit from.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Technology and ESL Programs

While I was looking for possible topics for a research paper, I came across an article titled "ESL Programs Allow for Self-Paced Learning" which is about how technology is being used to promote and support ESL programs in a high school in Irvine, California. I am sure these software programs are available anywhere but I wonder if it is readily available in every school and every classroom with students who are trying to learn English. Accordingly, certain software programs are being used in the classrooms to help Limited English Proficient (LEP) students learn the English language based on their skills, which means they learn in a pace right enough for them to cope. The Steps to English Language software emphasizes on communication and introduction of language pattern with interactive activities. For example, the topics deal with real-life situations and the audio sounds very natural that students will be able to copy voice patterns that include pitch, sound, and pronunciation. There are also computer activities that require students to work with their peers which gives them more opportunity to build their vocabulary and language structure. Another advantage of the program is it does not allow students to depend on their teachers for direct instruction. They do not just listen and take notes in class but they actually are able to have control over their learning. And because the students love the interactive activities and visuals, they are more engaged and motivated to learn. I thought this is really interesting because I believe technology can be used as a tool to support ESL programs. The main concern though is if there is enough money to finance these programs so that ESL students will have ready access to it.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

NETS

The 2008 NETS for teachers really emphasized on what are expected from the teachers nowadays. Indeed, the use of technology in education is necessary and has to be taught and promoted in the classroom. In order for our students to be able to compete globally in this technologically advanced world and succeed in the process, teachers should be able to provide them with necessary tools to guide and help them out. The NETS also require teachers to continue to improve their professional practice and I suppose that would include trainings. I just hope that the school/administration will be able to provide teachers the necessary trainings they need in order for them to keep up with technological advancements.

I was able to look into the ISTE and one of the articles dated Feb 2007 is about the plan to eliminate the funds for Enhancing Education Through Technology Program for FY 2008. I'm not sure what is the situation now (whether it was eliminated at all) but I am surprise that the government even considered eliminating it. It does not make sense to me considering that if we really intend to produce students that are competent enough to deal with the challenges as far as education or employment are concerned, we should encourage programs such as the one stated.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Internet Safety

Internet safety is definitely a major concern nowadays. Indeed, the internet is a wonderful resource not only for adults but also for our kids. The video on "A Vision of K-12 students" refer to our students nowadays as the 21st Century Learner. They only need to punch several keys and immediately they have access to the rest of the world. Unfortunately such access can also be dangerous to them. We worry about identify theft, or meeting criminals on the net, or exposure to pornographic materials, but no matter how much we worry about it, we cannot get away from using the internet. Emails, internet purchases, banking activities, to name a few, are now part of how our society functions. For example, I never blogged until I enrolled in a reading class last summer. I was hesitant about the idea, but since it was required I had to do it. Although I now appreciate its value, I realized that in order for me to function and participate in some activities like educational activities in the college, I have to use the internet to blog.

Although we worry about internet safety for our children, the use of internet is something we have to be open about and deal with. It is important that we are constantly aware of the information that our children acquire and give out as well as who they interact with. Our children are now the so-called digital learners, so just to be safe we have to talk to them about the internet and be watchful in order to protect them from any potential dangers.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Hello (GE 555 Class)

Hi Professor! Thanks for helping me set-up my Blackboard account. I look forward to a very interesting and informative class ahead.

After a two-month break, I am going back to blogging. I am sure this will also be a very interesting and rewarding experience. I also look forward to wonderful exchanges of ideas with the other students in class.

Happy blogging everyone!