Digital Blog Post #D

    Through out Chapter 8 I found several examples of why both synchronous (instant) and asynchronous (with a time delay) are effective for teachers to use both in school and out of school. Mostly out of school. The beginning of the chapter talks heavily about the benefits of  constant and instant communication between teachers and students. While I agree that it is important to provide a way for students to ask questions while working on homework or projects, I have yet to see anything about the negative side of constant contact. Even after an extensive internet search very few people are talking about the negative side of constant communication. Finally, I was able to find an article in which psychologist claim that constant communication with your workplace after hours can be toxic to your health. The psychologist also found that anxiety, both in and out of the workplace can be greatly reduced by only checking email/text communication at specific times outside of work. I believe this study could go both ways in education. While teachers become stressed over constant emails from both co-workers and students, students could get over whelmed by constant teacher contact. So, even though technology is a great teaching resource, I think we could all be more aware of the potential negatives of communication. If you would like to read the study it can be found here.
 
    For my second reflection I would like to reflect on how technology can be used to assist language diverse students. I believe that one of the best uses of technology in the classroom is to help students that may have a language barrier. While the technology is not always flawless, there are now many apps and websites that can translate written or spoken words into any language. Before, many language diverse students struggled if placed directly into a classroom or suffered socially if taught individually with a translator. Now all students can participate in the classroom. But technology assistance for these students doesn't have to stop at a translator app. Nearly all computers and internet programs can be translated into another language so all students can participate in computer-based learning and research. Below I have posted a video about how to change the language settings on Windows 8.

    I would also like to reflect on the section about differentiated instruction. Differentiated instruction is an instructional approach where teachers use different experiences to meet the needs of individual students. I love the examples the book gives about giving students different options to use when learning. I remember being in high school and my teachers not understanding that I had a different learning style then most of the other student and how frustrating it can be for the student. Sadly, many teachers still do not take learning styles into account. I feel like it is the teachers job to help the students succeed in every way possible. As a teacher I would love to be able to give my students different ways to learn the information and with the help of technology, there are now thousands of options available for the different learning styles. 

 

References:

 Clarke-Billings, L. (2016, January 2). Psychologists warn constant email notifications are 'toxic source of stress' The Telegraph. Retrieved March 3, 2016, from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/12078182/Psychologists-warn-constant-email-notifications-are-toxic-source-of-stress.html 

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson
Education, Inc.

 Paxton, S. (2016, March 3). Differentiated Learning. Retrieved March 03, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebG4rfptWL0