Reflection # 8 (EDUC 422)

"Hello? Are Your Students Communication Appropriately?"

This article, by Thomas Clark, discusses the importance of professional communication between the student and teacher. This is directed to teachers of middle school students and beyond. Clark explains communication professionalism and how to teach your students to respect their elders and their teachers. This concept can be used to teach Elementary students, but altered to address proper etiquette and respecting adults/authority. Clark explains that when sending an email or leaving a voicemail, students must state their name, a reason for contacting,  the issue at hand, all the while being sincere and thanking the recipient for their time. The author expects this technique to be taught in classrooms, so children know how to properly contact their teachers, adults, or people in general. Thomas Clark discussed the fact that communication has become informal since cellphones, social networks, and other technological devices have become a source for fast and easy communication between friends and colleagues. Many children use shortcuts to communicate quickly, like "Btw can we go 2 ur house b4 the show". This type of communication is inappropriate for teacher-student conversations and especially in the "business world". 

I think teaching students how to formally communicate through writing is an extremely important skill. Emails and phone calls need to be professional when contacting a teacher, professor, or Boss. The earlier students learn this skill, the more practice they will receive. Professional communication is necessary for school, work, politics, formal letters and much more.

In learning how to effectively communicate through emails and other forms of technology, students are addressing NETS standards. In teaching this skill, teachers are exposing children to "Digital Citizenship".

Clark, Thomas. (2009). Hello? Are Your Students Communicating Appropriately? Learning and Leading with Technology. (37) 3. 34-36. Retrieved from http://http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/200911/?pg=36&pm=2&u1=friend#pg36

Reflection # 7 (EDUC 422)

Even Some Grownups Want to Ban Homework

This article by Diana Fingal address the debate between parents, teachers, and student on whether or not homework is necessary or unnecessary to succeed. On her blog, Free-Range Kids, Lenore Shenazy posted "Anti-homework Movement Growing" and received over one-hundred comments from parents and teachers. Some adults argued that homework is the only way to have children practice the concepts taught in class, so they will master the material and be successful later in life. Others argued that any time after school should be spent freely or through extra curricular activities because those supply the best learning experiences. Many people believe that homework is overkill and student's brains are working hard enough throughout the day in the classroom. Others, at the opposite end of the spectrum, feel that homework reinforces the material learned that day and is the only way to master the concepts. The last blog example asked the question, "So how do we fix it?" This is the unanswered question that parents, teachers, and students are still struggling to decide a solution.

I am somewhat on the middle of the debating spectrum because I feel homework is necessary to gain understanding of all learned concepts, but I believe very little should be asked of students for homework assignments. Parents, for the most part, help with homework and sometimes end up finishing it for their children. Assigning massive amounts of homework is like asking the parents to teach their own children. "Home" work should consist of small assignments that are used to reinforce the material taught in class and check for understanding. In my classroom, I will assign small amounts of meaningful homework that I will check each week. The student should do the homework for that day, on that same day, so as to make sure there are no questions. If the student has difficulties understanding the homework, he or she can tell me the net day and I will re-teach the concept. One way to incorporate more technology in the classroom would be to have students blog for homework. Students can reflect upon the material learned, summarize and apply their knowledge, and ask any questions they may have for that concept.

This article talked about parents blogging their thoughts about homework and whether or not teachers should assign work to be completed outside the classroom. I suggested students blog for their homework, so that the teacher is able to check for understanding and address any possible questions. This would address the "Creativity and Innovation" NETS for students, in that children would be applying existing knowledge to produce a reflection using the blogging technology resource.

Fingal, Diana. (2010). Even Some Grownups Want to Ban Homework. Learning and Leading with Technology. (37)5. 38. Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/201002/?pg=40&pm=2&u1=friend#pg40