BYOD

BYOD stands for bring your own device. It is a policy that will allow kids to bring electronics like laptops, e-readers, IPads, and cell phones into classrooms to improve their learning. Why is this important you ask? Well its important because BYOD is coming here to Dodd. Which means that students will be able to bring their electronics to class with them. The purpose of this policy is to improve the way students learn. Electronics are being used everywhere, they make things easier and more convenient to do so it only makes sense for them to also be used in school. With these devices students will be able to easily browse the internet to research facts for their school project in class. It should also make the lessons more interesting for the students if they could bring their cell phone or IPad to class. However, there are some teachers that dislike the policy because they think the students will take advantage of the policy by instead playing games on their devices.

I think that implementing this policy would be beneficial to the school and the students. It would improve the way students learning by making work easier and more convenient. Calculators are an electronic device that makes work easier and more convenient for students, and they’re allowed in schools. Schools should take advantage of the advancements in technology, and use them to help their students receive the best education possible.

~Dennis Yatsula

Computer Science Education Week

This week is Computer Science education week. Many schools around the U.S have been honoring this week by using online learning tools in the classroom. Douglas Rushkoff, CNN.com column writer, had adressed Congress members this past Wednesday, about teaching more classes about computers in schools. Rushkoff is very concerned about the misuse of today’s technology. “When we got language, we didn’t just learn how to listen, but how to speak. When we got text, we didn’t just learn how to read, but how to write. Now that we have computers, we’re learning how to use them — but not how to program them.” (Rushkoff) Rushkoff feels that the school is not taking hold of it’s technological advantages towards education, and should be using everything they can to teach the new age of children. Another thing that he strongly believes should also be going on in the classroom is changing the curriculum for computer classes. He would like to change this so that computer classes teach you how to program a computer rather than use it. He feels that programming computers would be more productive for the students of this time.

I strongly believe in his feelings as well. I agree with Mr. Rushkoff because i also think that computer classes do not teach much to the students other than using the computer that could be beneficial for their futures. I also think that it would be a good experience for the students to know just where Google and many other sites they use come from. It may also help the students better appreciate the things they get to use everyday. Another great benefit of changing the curriculum to computer programming is, with the experience you gain in the classroom you can get a job later on in life. Computer programming classes can also teach students to respect school equipment after learning the long process it takes to make it.

~Victoria Torres

Need to Study?

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It’s the night before a big midterm or exam.  How do I study for it?  Many students struggle with studying.  How do you fit all the information into your brain and not just in your notes?  The solution that I’ve found, is to understand the type of learner you are.  You can be auditory, visual, or kinesthetic (which means you learn by doing).  Take the quiz here.  Find out what type of learner you are – make it easier for you to study!

Once you’ve found out, it’s easier to study when you know how you will learn it best.  I am more of a kinesthetic learner.  I know that one way that helps me study, being a kinesthetic learner, I study by re-teaching myself, or even teaching it to someone else Studying like this, I can “do” the information.  It just helps me learn it better.  Take the quiz, and see what type of learner you are.  It will help you study!

~Emily Sparago