Comments on: The economy strikes again http://blog.teachersfirst.com/thinkteach/2009/11/05/the-economy-strikes-again/ A teacher-to-go blogs about teaching, technology, and education in general Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:17:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Candace Hackett Shively http://blog.teachersfirst.com/thinkteach/2009/11/05/the-economy-strikes-again/#comment-9162 Candace Hackett Shively Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:11:40 +0000 http://blog.teachersfirst.com/thinkteach/2009/11/05/the-economy-strikes-again/#comment-9162 The real irony is that as prices for technology (ex. netbooks) have fallen to a very approachable level and free resources such as TeachersFirst and the amazing web 2.0 tools we review have spread the word about FREE and meaningful learning experiences that do NOT require special software, schools are forced to move backwards in their budgeting. Just as the fruit bends within reach, someone removes even the shortest ladder. I am certain that "free" tools such as the one I wrote about here are caught in a similar squeeze, but how do you explain that to an eight year old who has worked hard? The real irony is that as prices for technology (ex. netbooks) have fallen to a very approachable level and free resources such as TeachersFirst and the amazing web 2.0 tools we review have spread the word about FREE and meaningful learning experiences that do NOT require special software, schools are forced to move backwards in their budgeting. Just as the fruit bends within reach, someone removes even the shortest ladder.

I am certain that “free” tools such as the one I wrote about here are caught in a similar squeeze, but how do you explain that to an eight year old who has worked hard?

]]> By: Vanessa http://blog.teachersfirst.com/thinkteach/2009/11/05/the-economy-strikes-again/#comment-9152 Vanessa Fri, 11 Dec 2009 05:39:14 +0000 http://blog.teachersfirst.com/thinkteach/2009/11/05/the-economy-strikes-again/#comment-9152 This must have been a sad experience for those students that were all happy about putting their work on display and got disappointed. I think this is a great way to integrate technology into a lesson in a way that is both fun and intriguing. When reading this post, I just kept thinking about those children that never get to experience these great activities with technology because of a lack of funds within the school system, or just in general. If there are no computers, or not enough money to buy certain software, then students do not get exposed to this kind of learning. As you mentioned, hopefully the economy doesn't effect the creativity of learning, or the fun of it all for that matter. This must have been a sad experience for those students that were all happy about putting their work on display and got disappointed. I think this is a great way to integrate technology into a lesson in a way that is both fun and intriguing. When reading this post, I just kept thinking about those children that never get to experience these great activities with technology because of a lack of funds within the school system, or just in general. If there are no computers, or not enough money to buy certain software, then students do not get exposed to this kind of learning. As you mentioned, hopefully the economy doesn’t effect the creativity of learning, or the fun of it all for that matter.

]]> By: Candace Hackett Shively http://blog.teachersfirst.com/thinkteach/2009/11/05/the-economy-strikes-again/#comment-8204 Candace Hackett Shively Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:22:57 +0000 http://blog.teachersfirst.com/thinkteach/2009/11/05/the-economy-strikes-again/#comment-8204 Thanks so much! I will definitely check into these. No two tools are alike, so it will be interesting to see what features each has. The risk of demise comes along with ANY new tool these days. It just hurts more when you have seen teachers get so excited about doing a technology-infused project with their students (perhaps for the very first time). Hope your class does well! Thanks so much! I will definitely check into these. No two tools are alike, so it will be interesting to see what features each has. The risk of demise comes along with ANY new tool these days. It just hurts more when you have seen teachers get so excited about doing a technology-infused project with their students (perhaps for the very first time). Hope your class does well!

]]> By: Maureen Schoenberger http://blog.teachersfirst.com/thinkteach/2009/11/05/the-economy-strikes-again/#comment-8198 Maureen Schoenberger Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:51:29 +0000 http://blog.teachersfirst.com/thinkteach/2009/11/05/the-economy-strikes-again/#comment-8198 I was disappointed too and upset because my class was in the middle of their books when i got the email. I have not looked totally into these sites but http://www.bookemon.com/ and http://www.studentpublishing.com/ look promising. I was disappointed too and upset because my class was in the middle of their books when i got the email. I have not looked totally into these sites but http://www.bookemon.com/ and http://www.studentpublishing.com/ look promising.

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