9) What does research say about using Interactive Whiteboards? What are the pros and cons? Would you want to have one in your classroom?

There is so much hub-bub about the Interactive Whiteboard mania.  Is this device truly a technological marvel?  Does it live up to teacher/student/administrative expectations?  While people are hailing and praising its use, there does not seem to be enough research on this topic to warrant funding them in school districts.

The makers of this technology give convincing sales pitches, but what do teachers and students have to say once the novelty wears off?  Here are some pros and cons on using an Interactive Whiteboard:

Pros:

• Students respond well because it accommodates many learning styles.
• It can accommodate students with limited motor skills.
• The use of color attracts students attention to the board.
• Student senses are invovled in the lesson.
• Students are focused.
• Lessons are clear and dynamic.
• Can be used in all subject matters.
• Information can be shared with others outside the classroom.
• Resources for electronic whiteboards are abundant on the Internet.

Cons:

• Although reports have been made of the higher motivational increase on students, it is unclear if this effect wears off after familiarity sets in (Smith 2000).
• There are no studies or research to show if students lose that high interest gained from using the board.
• Not having good research on students' long term learning with the board will possibly hinder its potential use in some school districts. 
• Set-up takes long.
• There are too many wires.
• PC friendly not Mac friendly.
• The board is senstive and bumping it can cause accuracy problems
• Location of the board:  the teacher must be arms length away to operate it which can prevent the teacher from walking around the room and interacting with the students.

Personally, I would like to have an interactive whiteboard in my room.  I wouldn't necessarily need to use it for every lesson.  I think it would be an added resource for the class and keep my students engaged.  

Here is a link to the pros and cons of using an interactive whiteboard:
http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/Electronic_Whiteboards

8) How does your current skill set compare to the NETS for teachers?

I teach collaboration, problem-solving, critical thinking, etc.  I am pretty good at it and value what these skills mean in relation to the 21st century.  However, my digital skills come from the stone age.  My hand needs to held all the way.  I guess this mean that I have a challenge ahead of me in order to bring more technology into the classroom.

7) What are the NETS for students?

NETS stands for National Educational Technology Standards.  These standards refer to higher-order thinking skills and digital citizenship.  Students need to learn the following skills in order to survive in the global community:

• Demonstrate creativity and innovation
• Communicate and collaborate
• Conduct research and use information
• Think critically, solve problems, and make decisions
• Use technology effectively and productively

Here is the link for the NETS:
http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-students.aspx

6) How does motivation tie in to student success in the classroom? Give 3 examples of strategies to motivate today's students.

Motivation is key for any successful student.  Students who are not motivated are less engaged in learning and do not gain the core knowledge necessary for a successful adult life.  Motivating students takes creativity a passion for teaching. 
1.  Empower students to succeed.  Give them plenty of opportunities to participate and welcome all contributions.  Encourage students to work in groups and learn from each other.  Give them the sense that they "own" the materials.
2.  Enthusiasm can be inspirational.  Be enthusiastic when you teach.  You must love the topic in order to gain student interest.  Incorporate interesting and funny anecdotes to your lecture.  Become the inspiration they are looking for.
3.  Make learning fun.  If you can make learning fun, then by all means do it! If your class is uninteresting to students, they are unlikely to work to their potential, and even less likely to pursue further studies in the area. Make the material exciting and share your enthusiasm with students.

Here is a link on motivating students:
http://tep.uoregon.edu/resources/faqs/motivatingstudents/motivating.html

5) How does the US compare to other like-minded countries in our education system? What are our strengths and/or weakness?

In a recent UNICEF study, the United States ranked 18th out of 24 in the effectiveness of education systems.  Korea and Japan ranked first and second.  According to the study, UNICEF does not put the blame entirely on our education system, rather they put it on what is happening at them home.  "It is clear that educational disadvantage is born not at school but in the home," said the report. "Learning begins at birth" and is fostered by "a loving, secure, stimulating environment."

A big factor according to UNICEF is the socio-economic background of the parents and how well educated they are.  UNICEF spokesman Patrick McCormick said that the study did not attempt to say why the US fared so poorly, stating "That's for them to pick up and run with," said McCormick. "It's that sort of country. The countries that economically are very diverse, with big immigrant populations, with lots of moving around, with a huge poverty gap, probably are going to show these sorts of results with education itself."


Here is the link to the report on the UNICEF study:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/11/26/world/main530872.shtml

4) OPINION: Do we need more or less emphasis of either Core Knowledge or 21st Century Learning Skills? How would we go about it?

I believe that at the elementary level students need to build a strong foundation in Core Knowledge.  Success at this level will encourage student engagement in learning.  The more a student knows, the more he is able to learn.  Teachers help prepare elementary students for the 21st century by providing them with the necessary information needed for decision making and problem solving.

I also believe that students at the secondary level need to focus more on 21st century skills.  They will be able to apply their core foundation knowledge while learning new skills such as media literacy, time management, economics, and global issues.

3) How does current education practice apply both 21st Century Learning Skills and Core Knowledge?

21st century skills and Core Knowledge go hand in hand.  Both are necessary for academic and career success.  Students learn the core subjects to build a foundation that will allow them to eventually think outside the box.  The more students learn, the more they will be able to think critically and problem solve.  Teachers use core subjects and plan lessons that will guide students to use 21st century skills such as collaboration and communication.