Beth Knowlton
mrs.bethknowlton.weebly.com
EDU-225
October 23, 2014
Entry 1: Technology to Support Communication
Introduction
Communication between home and school has tremendous effects on student’s outcomes.
Technology engages learners in the classroom preparing them for the global economy of the
future. Technology also offers many strategies to encourage participation and facilitates
communication (Wells & Sheehy, 2012) between all educational communities. The
communication plan will support and enhance technology by integrating websites, blogs and cell
phones in the classroom to engage students, share classroom activities with parents, and
collaborate with the global educational community.
Technology to Enhance Communication
According to Jennifer Tingren, Lauren Philbeck and Lori B. Holcomb (2011), “Classroom Web
sites have the potential to support and enhance student learning by targeting 21st century skills,
such as collaboration among teachers, students, parents, and other teachers.” Teachers may have
a calendar with homework assignment due dates, school events, test dates and days off from
school. There may also be videos of the classroom projects, book readings, and science
experiments or special events such as the school field day. Communication may be done on the
website by email, blogs, or phone call. The contact information will be easy to find. The
classroom website will also have a resource page that will contain information for homework
help, websites for games and activities related to the content. Some teachers may even give a
little personal background and what they like to do in their free time. The websites are a way to
keep the students engaged in learning even when they are not in the classroom.
Blogs as a communication tool are gaining interest of students. Blogs will be used to encourage
students to write. They may write journals, keep notes about their classes, ask for help or mentor
others. Blogs create an interactive learning community (Beatty, 2013). Blogs may be used in
language arts for writing and publishing ones work. The author may have their work reviewed by
peers and they may review others work. Students may learn math, create storyboards, with
ongoing stories. There are many ways students may use blogs in the classroom. Parents, teachers,
other family members and members of the community may become involved in the blog and
involve a large community in the education process. There are risks with blogs and the teacher
must heck with the school district about their Acceptable Use Policy. It is also necessary for the
parents to give permission for their student to take part in blogging.
Cell phones have become a technology tool for more than communication. The main use is still
for communicating but now it is possible in many ways. One may call, text message, email from
the phone, or have a message automatically delivered. More students have cell phones than any
other type of technology. According to studies such as “A Generation Unplugged” seventy-nine
percent of teens (ages 13-18) have a mobile device, either a cell phone or a smart phone
(Walling, D.R., 2010). Cell phones today may be used to take pictures, in class for research, they
could be used to gather data, and download the data onto a computer, or integrate photos into
media. Student’s love looking things up, they can use them to take notes and make schedules.
The cell phone may also be used to phone, text, or message parents. The cell phone may be used
to send pictures and information to other teachers and keep calendars and schedules.
Communication Internet Security and Safety
Teachers should be informed about the school districts Acceptable Use Policy. Before
teaching or letting students use computers or any technology they will watch an age appropriate
video about Internet Security and safety. After the video there will be a discussion with questions
and answers. Depending on the age of the student there may be a quiz about appropriate behavior
and ethics while using the Internet. The class will go over the Acceptable Use Policy with
parents, and parents and students will sign the policy if they understand and agree to abide by the
terms. The different types of issues may be discussed such as cyberbullying, predators, sexting,
and ID theft. This instruction may be best with parents present so all are informed at the same
time. According to Kimberly Mitchell (2010), “ The increasing mobilization of technology can
affect both who youth interact with and the dangers they may encounter.”
Concluding Paragraph
Technology has brought many tools to the 21st century classroom. The computers, cell phones,
blogs, and many more areas of communication are enhancing learning in the classroom and
engaging students. Students may use the technology they use to play, to learn. The best
communication plan will integrate technology into the classroom to provide learners with 21st
century skills. The teacher will incorporate classroom websites, blogs, and cell phones into the
plan, encouraging the learner to become a 21st century thinker, the parents to be involved and the
community to collaborate.
References:
Beatty, Mia, (n.d.), Integrating Google Blogs into the K-6 Language Arts Classroom To Promote
Interactive Learning Communities. (2013). Retrieved from:
http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.library.gcu.edu:2048/lo
gin.aspx?direct=true&db=edsoai&AN=edsoai.843332669&site=eds-live&scope=site
Holcomb, Lori B., Philbeck, Lauren, Tingen, Jennifer (2011). Developing Classroom Web Sites
for 21st Century Learning. Kappa Delta Pi Record, 47(2), 88-90.
Remaining Safe and Avoiding Dangers Online: A Social Media Q&A with Kimberly Mitchell.
(2010). Prevention Researcher, 17(5), 7-9. Retrieved from:
http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.library.gcu.edu:2048/lo
gin.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=55999832&site=eds-live&scope=site
Walling, D. (2010). Creativity Calling. Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To Improve
Learning, 54(1), 18. doi:10.1007/s11528-009-0357-8 Retrieved from:
http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.library.gcu.edu:2048/lo
gin.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=47010470&site=eds-live&scope=site