Journal 3: NETS-T

Kathleen Fulton. (2012). Upside-down and inside out.Learning and leading with technology, 39(8), 12-14.

Summary: The article talks about the growing strategy of teaching in classrooms. Students would have access to the days lesson a day before it was presented in class, and in class the following day it would be about doing assignments. So basically there is a role reversal here where homework is done at school, while the lecturing is being done at home through the use of videos and lesson plans. In the Byron School District was strapped for cash and couldn't afford textbooks for students and teachers were asked to find a way to redevelop the math curriculum. The idea that came up was a new idea that revolutionize math altogether because they chose to use a text free curriculum that wouldn't require textbooks. Instead technology was incorporated to teach math, so teachers used Youtube teach students. these lessons on Youtube were created by teachers designed for students. For something new I was surprised that it was working, but teachers did meet on weekly basis, but it wasn't easy. One of the issues with teaching this new style was because the struggle to keep up with lessons, as well as making sure students were self-disciplined to understand what to do and how to use the videos to learn. Yet videos would be used years after. Overall, the idea to produce did bring in as were seen in the statistics. 


Q1: How can this be incorporated into an english class?


Incorporating YouTube into an English class is possible, but I feel that textbooks are needed. I am thinking that YouTube could be sued as a tool of having a book read to them like only audio and students would pay attention. The next day students discuss about what was read to them. I also feel that not just YouTube is the only technological base idea is the only tool that we can use to teach math. the internet contains many free tools for any type of class.


Q2: Do you feel that technology can be a solution for replacing textbooks?


Yes and No. I think textbooks still play an important part of the education system and to wipe them out entirely isn't always the answer. It might work, but students will need to learn the importance of books, and technology is not where it should be to go that far in today's time period.