Students Techno-Cheating

Well, most would say students have always cheated in school in some way or another, but smartphones pose new challenges for today's educators. Students can 'lift' directly off the internet for homework assignments, photograph the tests, texted answers, and google anything, anytime.  I routinely have to explain to my students that putting in a paragraph in English and hitting a Spanish translator button is cheating. It also doesn't work.  Translators aren't there yet.  I've had to explain to students that their paragraphs have grammar in it that they won't learn for another few years!  I try to convince them it's obvious when they use a translator.  I don't think most don't really believe me.

Temptation is very high right now.  How can teachers combat this?  I have heard about cell phone jammers that block cell phone use by sending out radio waves along the frequencies that cellular phones use. Some teachers collect cell phones before assessments.  Maybe it's time to create different types of assessments.Academic Cheating in the Age of Google

Can texting help your child's spelling?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/8468351.stm


Clare Wood, reader in developmental psychology states that "If we are seeing a decline in literacy standards among young children, it is in spite of text messaging, not because of it." Interestingly enough the fact that students do so much texting, might be helping them with their spelling. Research shows that in texting words, such as "hmwrk," there is a certain 'phonological awareness' required.

Maybe it is with this type of research that schools will embrace the possibilities cellphones have to offer our students.

Siftables :Interactive Learning tools the size of Cookies

One of my favorite places to visit is the TED.com.  (TED: Technology Entertainment Design) Well, David Merrill, an MIT grad student, meets all those requirement as he demos Siftables. They are little computer blocks that you manipulate to create music, do math, play language games, and so much more. Merrill states that it is similar to how spatial reasoning helps us understand a lot of the world around us. This is a very exciting glimpse of what will soon be available to our children.

Preparing Our Children to be Responsible Digital Citizens

Digital citizenship is a tool to prepare our children for a world surrounded by technology. 

Our children’s online safety is a responsibility of parents and schools.  We often protect them by blocking sites or other forms of censorship. Are we teaching them how to be digital citizens?  One thought on the subject would have schools allow students opportunities to assess risks and provide guidance with online interaction.  How do we compare with the rest of the world?  

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/larry-magid/digital-citizenship-inclu_b_780127.html

They are Way Ahead of US! Free iPhones for Students!

No more saying, "I was sick and missed the notes".   So there is good and bad to all of this but the possibilities are endless. For this university in Japan, attendance is key! read more ...

http://www.cultofmac.com/free-iphones-for-students-no-more-hooky/11232

A guide for Parents about Facebook

This downloadable guide assists parents with privacy setting, profile information, and blocking users and invites.  Facebook is a very popular site for children as well as adults, but should be used with some caution. 
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2010/11/connect-safely-parents-guide-to.html

Is technology like the iPad a game changer for schools?

Don't all our students need to be technologically literate?  Why many school districts aren't ready to take the iPad leap.

Rise of the iKids: Schools test iPads in classrooms

http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_16860666?nclick_check=1