Blog #13

The World Wide Web
I think that a lot of things rang true in this article. Many schools are moving in the paper-less direction and moving solely online. This is true in the College of Education here at CSUSM. I have things that I turn into my advisor, but she scans them and keeps them in my file online. The two education classes that I am currently enrolled in now are almost paper-less. There have been some things that I have been required to turn in a hard copy of, just because it is easier. Other than that, I submit my research papers, observations and reading logs online. I think it because it is one less thing that I have to remember to bring to school. But like the article stated, there are many teachers that are resistant to this move. Many still hand out worksheets and other handouts, still requiring you to turn in your homework on paper. Those teachers that are trying to move online are becoming extremely frustrated because they don’t understand how to use databases or web pages. We need to support these teachers for trying to move online! It definitely can make life a little easier!

The Database
I really liked the idea of the online database. I think that students get excited about using computers and any chance to be on them will excite most students. One thing that I was slightly bothered by was when the author said that Kindergarten students were capable of using the operators when the information was “presented in a logical manner and in the context of relevant research.” I believe that the younger children are, the more computers savvy they are. Parents could have trouble with something on the computer, and their child would be able to fix it. What troubles me most about this statement is that (to me) the author presumes that the Kindergartner will be able to spell out words to use when searching for the required information, as well as understanding the directions. In kindergarten, many children are still learning how to spell; others don’t know how to spell at all. So to assume that children would be able to type out information that isn’t right in front of them is a little absurd to me. Maybe I’m getting too heated about that!

Bells & Whistles
I really liked all the information presented in this article. I think that the author did a great job of presenting the information in a way that makes the whole database seem relatively easy. I liked the idea of getting your class involved in creating the database. Students feel a certain degree of pride in something when either they create it, or they help create it. I think that students would really like to help create a database of information they have taken the time to collect. I also think they will like it once they realize how easy it will be to access all the information. Students also come up with some great ideas that we as teachers often overlook. Students can bring in a new light on a topic or discussion. I also like how one can include a value list of popup menu. There will be occasions where students will not know how something is categorized, but if we can lead them in the right directions by allowing them to choose from a list, their stress level will decrease. Overall, I think that teachers should allow their students to create a database at least once during the school year!

I believe that using databases in education is a very important thing. Students will realize that everything has is placed into a category. Like one of the articles stated, children have a knack of collecting and categorizing things. Many kids collect shells, baseball cards, marbles, etc. Some of them then separate them out into certain categories when storing them. I don’t think that children know that this can be applied to education as well. If a teacher assigns a report on The Amazon, they can have their students create a database of all the information they collected in their reports. Once their reports have been submitted, students can create the database and one by one enter in their information they included in their report. This allows students to become aware of information that they may not have collected and otherwise may not have known. Teachers can also use databases as a way of entering grades and keeping track of student work. Teachers can create a sort of spread sheet that tracks information about a student, their grades, their homework and their class work. Teachers can then chart this information in to show other teachers, parents, the student themselves, administrators and anyone else who would request to see the information. May teachers may resist the move to technology, but I think it is a great thing. For one, it can make a teacher’s life a lot easier!