LJ 3

1. CBS News

Colour Lovers

E! Online

Google News

Jersey Shore

New York times Learning Network

Print Magazine

The Gainesville Sun

Yahoo News

University of Florida

2. Most of the sites I chose to follow are news or entertainment related. However, none of them are truly meaning to me; I'm not a big Internet user and I don't think there is anything out there that would be important enough for me to have a synopsis of compiled on a single site.

3. Figuring out and beginning to use a new Internet tool can sometimes be challenging. I don’t do much web surfing or exploring; I mainly stick to checking email and researching. I don’t do gaming, streaming video or much face-booking/twittering. I typically get on the Internet, find what I’m looking for and then leave. I don’t think I’ll get in the habit of checking the Google reader often. I don’t think I’m interested in enough Internet based ‘things’ to spend the time to find/organize and check on the reader.

4. I could imagine a government teacher instructing their students to use google reader to keep up with current events and incorporate these stories into essays or projects. I don't see it being applicable in every department, aside from allowing students a summary of sites they already visit. I don't see Google reader as a way to discover new sites or network sites with other users.

5. I would like to know how the site could be more streamlined. For it being a snapshot of different sites, its very overwhelming and word heavy. The overall format of the site is confusing and difficult to use and I'm not sure how it is really applicable to education or used for educational purposes. It is hard for me to imagine scenarios where Google reader would be used in the classroom.

LJ 2

What is the role of technology in the classroom?
Technology is a valuable resource, but in and of itself will not fix the problems we are having with education gaps and learning deficits in the classroom. Merely providing students with the tools necessary to succeed will not ensure their success. Students should be taught how to use these tools, when to use them and which tools to use in different situations. Kids are using laptops, cellphone, social networking sites, YouTube, iPads and the like primarily for means of entertainment. It is through these means that we should be trying to reach (and teach) kids. We should show them how using the things that they are already using for 'entertainment' can be used for education.

What is the role of technology outside the classroom?
Some of the most technological advances over the past 30 years (portable computers, portable phone, GPS) were taken from military contracts. They started as products to make our lives easier but are fast entering into the world of absurdity. Technology has been defines as the science of the practical or industrial arts, but it is become much more than that. I feel (sometimes) that technologies roles outside the classroom (and maybe even in the classroom) is making us dumber. I was driving around Savannah with a friend with a map (a real map, not a cellphone Google map thing) and I found it difficult to understand it. And I realized that I have been relying on the GPS on my phone/computer for so long I had forgotten how to read a map. And I can't tell you the last time I actually researched something, really researched it. The days of spending hours in the library are over. But the up side is, it frees up a lot of time to do other things. I have mixed feeling about subject and I have a lot of conflicting thoughts. Maybe this class will help me figure it out.

In what ways can these to worlds overlap?
Teachers who ask students to make a website, or post their work on blogs. Keeping a notebook for an English class can be transferred online via blogs. Art projects can be scanned or photographed and posted on the web. Creating a video or telecast for a class project... using Kindle/iPads or tablet PCs as textbooks/notebooks (instead of having to buy/carry around 5 different textbooks).

In what ways should they be avoided?
I feel that students personal accounts on Facebook / Twitter / or personal blogs should not be a part of the curriculum. If the teacher wants those integrated into the classroom, students should have to create a new account, for academic purposes.