3 Resources

Professor Cox,

Here are my three resourses. Hope you enjoy! :)

1) Technology in the Classroom:Friend or Foe

This article talks focuses on the view students have on technology, and how much they feel it is effective. Those students who feel technoogy is a friend, felt that using technology, such as Powerpoint and Blackboard(as the article points out) helped their learning. On the other hand, with the foe part of it, the article states, "Thus, using technology in the classroom may hinder a student's understanding of course material rather than enhance it." So, I enjoyed this article because it focused on the influence technology can have on students, both positive and negative. The article gives reasons why technology could be a friend. For example, the article says how PowerPoint provides both structure to and clarification of material to a lecture. Some students are visual learners (as the article talks about), like myself, and through powerpoint(or other technology-based learning), are able to learn more effectively. The article also talked about a survey/study they took, and included the findings on it as well. One of the things it showed was how powerpoint is not the only way to teach using technology. Technology use can include, and be affective, by using blackboard, on-line course activities, videos and programs.I really enjoyed this article, because it talked about the pro's and con's of using technology in the classroom, and what kind of technology can be effective in helping students learn the most.

2) Towards a framework for understanding electronic educational gaming.

I enjoyed this article, because it focuses on games, and how they can be effective for students in their learning. I love this, because as a physical education major, there are great games students could play to have fun, and learn some basic skills.
One of the things stated in the article, was by Piaget. It says, "Symbolic engagement supports the development of abstract thought through the opportunities it affords for practicing mental processes within a non-threatening context. Games through technology are a great way for students to engage in a learning process, but not be threatened by it. As a P.E. teacher, I wouldn't use this a lot, because I want to focus on being active; but these games could help the learning process, and possibly help students who may be struggling, because the article states how using electronic games are effective, by stating, "Electronic games promote dynamic cognitive activity as a player confronts challenges to be solved and obstacles to overcome that draw upon problem solving, reasoning, and strategizing skills."

3) Technology and Physical Education (January 7 , 2002,Vol. 4, No.1)

This article is great for any teacher! It gives, as the article states, "focus on various ways to incorporate technology with a public relations issue to bridge the communication gap between teachers, students, parents, community and the administration." It gives great ways on how technology can be used in education. It gives an example of "Feedback Video." This would be great for Physical Education, as it allows students to view their skills, what needs to be improved and what they're performing well. This way, not only can you as a teacher give the feedback, but the student can see why you are giving them that feedback. It also gives teaching ideas (tech tips). These are:
PC Placement, PC Planning, Computer Activities, TV Connections, Store Web Pages Offline. This article also gives ways on how to use the Notebook Applications. The other thing I love about this article, is it gives a website where games can be played to see where students are at in relation to sports. It states, "ESPN can be used to challenge the students knowledge of sport questions and answers in an interactive setting." This would be a great tool for me as a physical education teacher, and that website it specifically for physical education.