PowerPoint – The Enemy

PowerPoint is a commonly used presentation tool. PowerPoint presentations often have a poor reputation, one that is often deserved. This week we look at the role that PowerPoint plays in the American military. You may be surprised by its ubiquitous presence. Go to the link below and read the article. Write a reflective comment that shows you have read the article, expresses your views, and addresses my questions.

The article expresses the concerns of military commanders that PowerPoint “stifles discussion, critical thinking and thoughtful decision-making.” What is your opinion about the use of PowerPoint? What should the commanders do to correct the problems that PowerPoint creates? What do you think about the amount of time that is spent in the military making PowerPoint slides? How should the military use PowerPoint? What should be done to make PowerPoint presentations more interesting? What do you think about the practice of using PowerPoint for “hypnotizing chickens?”

PowerPoint Article

Cell Phone Etiquette

We have talked about cell phone use before, but a reminder from time to time is not out of place. This week we look at some of the rules. The reading will not be long, but your answers will be important. Go to the link below and read the article. Write a reflective comment that shows you have read the article, expresses your views, and addresses my questions.

What percentage of the rules in the article do you follow? Which is your most frequent offense? What irritates you the most about other people’s cell phone use? A question from the article: When should an incoming call take priority over the situation at hand? What will happen to cell phone etiquette as more and more people have them and as children grow up using them?

Cell Phone Etiquette Article

Solving Algebra on Smartphones

We have read articles about the use of handheld devices in the classroom to improve learning. In this week’s article we read about a project that has had a measurable impact on student achievement in math. Go to the link below and read the article. Write a reflective comment that shows you have read the article, expresses your views, and addresses my questions.

What kind of a blog would be useful at our school to help students with their subjects? If you were surveyed about the mobile technology that you would prefer to use, which one of those listed in the article would you choose? Would Smartphones be useful in helping students at our school? At what grade level should students begin using them in classes? In which subject areas could they be beneficial? In the project, was it reasonable for the school to turn off the text and voice capabilities of the Smartphones? In your opinion, what was the best part of this project? What do you think about the reward system as a way to motivate students?

Smartphone Article

Food for Thought

It is not uncommon for people to enjoy food. This week’s article shows how technology has come to influence the way in which people look at food and how they enjoy it. Go to the link below and read the article. Write a reflective comment that shows you have read the article, expresses your views, and addresses my questions.

What is your opinion of the photographic food diary phenomenon? Have you ever taken photos of the food you eat? Under what conditions is this practice acceptable? When is it not appropriate? What other unusual things have you heard of people photographing? How would you react if you were on a date and the person you were with wanted to photograph everything they ate? Is the psychotherapist interpretation of this accurate? What does the philosopher’s quote, “Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.” mean to you?

Food Article

Online Payment Anxiety

As a regular of technology you are probably comfortable doing things on the Web. Soon you will have opportunities to have credit cards, debit cards, checking accounts, etc. The opportunity for online shopping should give you cause to pause and think. This week’s article provides information and advice for people who shop online or would like to consider doing it. Go to the link below and read the article. Write a reflective comment that shows you have read the article, expresses your views, and addresses my questions.

Do you intend to shop online? How popular will shopping online become? Will people stop going to stores? I learned several new things by reading this article. What did you learn? Share two or three items from the article with your parents. Were you able to teach them something new? Which of the online forms of payment seems the most risky and why?

Online Payment Anxiety Article

Internet Bus

You have seen and probably experienced Wi-Fi in different locations: coffee shops, airports, etc. This week’s article looks at an innovative use of Wi-Fi that a school is trying. Go to the link below and read the article. Write a reflective comment that shows you have read the article, expresses your views, and addresses my questions.

How would you feel about converting the school’s buses to Internet buses? What would be the advantages? What problems would it create? Would it be fair? It would cost the school extra money to do this and students without laptops would not benefit. What about charging extra for people who use their laptops to surf on the bus? Would having Internet access on the buses make a difference in behavior? How much more homework would get done if we had this benefit?

Internet Bus Article

A Social-media Minefield for Educators

Text messaging is a common practice. Students text each other regularly. Adults text, as well. However, there are circumstances under which there may be complications. This week’s article looks at ways in which texting, social media, and email can lead to trouble. Go to the link below and read the article. Write a reflective comment that shows you have read the article, expresses your views, and addresses my questions.

Looking at the example of the teacher who was a coach, what should he have done differently to avoid getting into trouble? Do you think that texting helps teachers and students “forge bonds?” The article mentions that “some schools insist teachers share their phone numbers with students so kids can call at night with homework questions.” If you were a teacher, what would you think about this idea? The general counsel for the teachers’ union talks about the need for guidance in the proper ways to handle student communication. What sort of guidance should be provided? What advice would you give? How will events such as those described in the article affect communication between students and teachers?

Minefield for Educators Article