Blog 9: Researcher links kids' computer use with test scores, behavior

A University of Maryland researcher recently said that parent shouldn’t worry if their kids spending time on the computer because its ok. They released a study on Wednesday that focused on hours on the computer with test scores and behavior and they came with a conclusion. The result was there was little sign of harm for children ages 6 to 12 as they increased their screen time over a six-year period and that includes games. Here is where this study gets interesting due to it really beneficial to girls and African American boys. The results showed that African American boys reading scores improved by four points. Girls' test scores for reading and math notched upward by a point and white girls were less likely to be withdrawn as they played more on the computer. Only white boys showed a decline in test scores, but it was statistically significant.

The greatest thing in the study was the rise of social networking among teens, were in time spent playing computer games. But computer use overall involves problem-solving. Here is what the study pointed out that too much just random surfing isn't necessarily good, but, playing games and studying are more focused and they have a positive effect.

Reflection in my classroom

Well when I read this article I was very surprised on the results that came from it.  So this study says it’s ok to play games and spend as much time on the computer? This can’t be right, but when I read the article and saw all of this research that proved it. I was surprise that it was beneficial to girls test scores for reading and math notched upward by a point and African American boys scores were improved by four points.  I was also surprised that white boys showed a decline in test scores, but it was statistically significant. Overall I take this with a grain of Salt and its every parent choice on what they limit the web time.

Entry 5: The Samurai: Armor

On March 26, 2014 we went on a field trip to the Kimbell Art Museum and visited The Samurai: Armor from the Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Collection. This was a unique experience for me because this is the first time I can enhance the learning of the Japanese culture in a way I have never done before. The students enjoyed it because we were able to travel back in time and discover the life of the Japanese samurai warriors through the exhibit. The great thing is that there is over 140 remarkable objects in the collection and different time period.  One student loved how all the armor had different designs and they were walking art pieces.  The collection features armor used by samurai from the military elite led by the shoguns, or warlords, of Japan from the 12th through 19th centuries.

            Once the students visited the exhibition they were able to see the distinctive appearance and equipment of the samurai through the centuries and examine the warrior’s history through works of consummate craftsmanship and exquisite design. One highlight is the exhibition includes beautifully designed accoutrements used for both battle and ceremonies.  Japanese armor is striking, refined, and highly functional and has evolved through the centuries. Students found it intriguing that the suits were made to fight in war, but also to honor the warriors of the past and later it became a way to show off.  I even learned something from this exhibit about what the armor consist of. Samurai armor consists of a helmet, mask, and chest armor paired with shoulder guards, sleeves, a skirt, thigh protection, and shin guards.  

            After we finished the first exhibit we looked at several arts painting and from the era as well.  I think what made the exhibit even cooler was the Acoustiguide Audio tour that came with it. It was cool to hear the owners talk about some of the pieces and the museum adding more to some pieces as well. They even made it Kid friendly by having part of it with a brother and sister, from Japan, who are visiting the tour as well with a ancient ghost Samurai. Over all the exhibit was worth it because as we finish it added another layer to the knowledge to the students view of Samurais. 

                                                                In regards Mr. Vega

Blog 8: Will the Kindle Change Education?

When the Kindle was invented it turned several heads and everyone wanted one. Well one teacher thought outside the box on how it could help technology. Teachers are now discussing the potential of handheld technology tin education and seeing it how it cuts the price of books. There are three things pushed in the article why the Kindle is indeed for the classroom.

The first reason is it’s a Handheld Library. The Kindle is larger than a book, but easier to carry than a laptop.  The Kindle weighs just 10.2 ounces and the text displayed on the six-inch screen is readable. One of the teachers push with paperback you were limited on what you could get because of the price and how long it would take to get there, but with the Kindle you could get the copies of the books you need in just an instant. Another way it could help in the library you have access to more material to the subject you are teaching than ever before.  The final thing that it pushes you can now carry thousands of books in a students backpack without causing permanent injuries to the kids back.

The second reason is it can help with the Text to Speech that it comes with. Kindle’s text-to-speech audio function can help address the challenges of students with vision problems, language barriers, and lack of reading fluency.  Audio books are not new, but with the Kindle could be taken to another level and help people with their education.

The final factor that can help it, but also harm it is it durability. The tryouts may shed light on other issues that worry K–12 educators, such as how durable the plastic tablets are in students’ hands and backpacks. Amazon says the Kindle can survive repeated drops from 30 inches, but one broke when it slipped from a student’s hands.   Another issue is the ability to transfer content from one user to another. Amazon.com’s system limits to six the number of Kindles that can access content from one user’s online repository. But Amazon also allows publishers to choose whether to protect their content with “digital rights management” technology, limiting downloads to just one device.

The deciding factor comes to us teachers. Each kindle cost about $250.00, but the books are pretty cheap. It be interesting n how this impacts the classroom. 

Reflection in my classroom

Well it has been several years since this article has been published and with that so had the Amazon Kindle. Amazon now has the Amazon Kindle fire, Amazon Kindle paperwhite, and just the Amazon kindle. I would go with the Amazon Kindle fire due to all you can do with it. I like that Amazon Kindle has a feature called Kindle FreeTime and is it’s a setting you can enable to create a safe digital environment. FreeTime makes it safer for all the kids. Also there  so many apps that you can use for education and most of them are free. You also can get into YouTube to show an important video to your class. The last thing its pretty cheap and that’s important when it comes to buying technology in class.  This is why I have them in my classroom and I love them so much.