Friday, November 21, 2008

WebPages

Thank you Tania for posting the list of websites for the webpage rubric presentations! I especially copied the list as I know the sites will be useful in the future. I love the fact that we have these abundance of useful educational tools that teachers and students can readily refer too. I think learning has become more exciting and engaging! I cannot wait to see the next batch of webpage presentors!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Reading & Technology

I enjoyed watching the videos Introducing the Book and Why We Need To Teach Technology. In as much as I love reading, I could relate to the difficulties presented in the first video about books with technology. I, somehow, could not easily find my way to understand as well as manipulate these so-called technological innovations. But I certainly appreciate its value, especially when it comes to the roles it could play in the classroom.

As shown in the second video, we need to keep up to all these technological changes if we want to be on the game. Schools need to invest in technological tools and trainings. I agree with that. Sometimes I feel that technology changes too fast that I miss the opportunity to enjoy the experience of fully understanding it. But I think the only way to look now is forward -- and that is being able to understand and incorporate technology in classroom instruction and appreciate what it can do for our students' education.

Friday, November 7, 2008

"Virtual Friendship"

I came across the In the Classroom portion (p. 260) of Chapter 7 of our reference book and read about how a carefully structured chatting activity can be useful and beneficial for special education students. Accordingly, computer and the internet can help teach communication skills by e-miling and carry on meaningful virtual communications.

In most cases, students with special needs tend to have problems communicating, interacting, and socializing with other children in schools or in any other public places. But while person-to-person interaction is what we mostly encourage to take place, the internet could help improve not just the students' ability to express themselves but also give them the opportunity to learn about other people with different interests and cultures. In Tel Aviv, the article states, there is a program called Virtual Friendship where students with special needs are paired with non-handicapped students. I like the program's concept. I believe it is very helpful not just for the child with special needs but also for the other child. Both of them will not only acquire information from each other but will also learn to develop friendship and have appreciation for each other despite their differences.