Week+5+Journal+Entry

Week 5 Journal Entry.

I got to use my laptop and MP3 player this week. I have spent a lot of time configuring them to be useful at school and at home. I knew there was alot of apps for the ipod touch, but the number of apps to review is a little overwhelming. I have downloaded and tried to learn the following apps for my ipod. I Included links to a couple of the sites of the apps.

Pi Cubed Lite - a calculation application that lets you layout calculations like you would on a sheet of paper.

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Files Lite - An application that lets me share files with my laptop and edit them. I can transfer/edit text, pdf, and jpeg files.

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I also enjoyed reading about using technology in and out of the classroom.The article "Cell Phones: 21st Century Learning Tools?" was very interesting. ( [] ) I did not see any math related applications of the cell phone, but it was good food for thought.

I have decided the best way to find uses for this new technology is to collaborate with my peers. I now need to figgure out how to find the time to do the collaboration.

I found the video "Digital World: Teachers Today" cute. I understand it made some important statements. I just found the cartoon teachers popping onto the screen in various comic poses a distraction from the points being made by the video. The sound track was also a bit "in your face". The loudness and harshness of the music turned me off to the video and made it harder to focus on it's message. I agree "we" are going to have to be innovative and embrace the changes in the digital world. I just don't feel the need to do it as a cartoon avatar of myself striking poses to techno pop tracks.

As for the "21st Century Skills: Will Our Students Be Prepared?" I found it agreed with many of the points made in most of the other required readings. I agree we need critical thinking students that are capable of using technology in innovative ways. It would be nice to a have list of specific ways I can do this with my high school math classes. I am sure there is a list somewhere, I just need to find it.