Comments for Ed Tech Review http://www.edtechreview.net Technology for Teachers! Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:23:03 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 Comment on Tutor Vista is a Powerful online tutoring tool by krun http://www.edtechreview.net/tutor-vista-review/tutor-vista-is-a-powerful-online-tutoring-tool/comment-page-1/#comment-1146 krun Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:23:03 +0000 http://www.edtechreview.net/?p=52#comment-1146 Tutor Vista is a big rip off and they will keep charging you after your trial period. They have terrible customer service and do not care at all. I asked for a phone number and they don't have one. Wow a business without a phone number! I am turning them in to the Better Business Bureau. Tutor Vista is a big rip off and they will keep charging you after your trial period. They have terrible customer service and do not care at all. I asked for a phone number and they don’t have one. Wow a business without a phone number! I am turning them in to the Better Business Bureau.

]]> Comment on Engrade Free Online Grade Book by nfranks http://www.edtechreview.net/powerschool/engrade-free-online-grade-book/comment-page-1/#comment-1145 nfranks Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:26:23 +0000 http://www.edtechreview.net/?p=35#comment-1145 When I first saw Engrade, I was delighted - simple, easy, responsive. Then I found that grades would take a day or more to show up for the students. Messages to customer support went unanswered. I did receive an inquiry from them wanting to know why I hadn't logged on in over a week (and, of course, that email address was itself unreachable). Engrade is free, and unfortunately worth every penny. When I first saw Engrade, I was delighted – simple, easy, responsive. Then I found that grades would take a day or more to show up for the students. Messages to customer support went unanswered. I did receive an inquiry from them wanting to know why I hadn’t logged on in over a week (and, of course, that email address was itself unreachable). Engrade is free, and unfortunately worth every penny.

]]> Comment on Iphone For Education, well not yet. by jlonardo http://www.edtechreview.net/iphone/iphone-for-education-well-not-yet/comment-page-1/#comment-1144 jlonardo Tue, 19 May 2009 17:42:59 +0000 http://www.edtechreview.net/?p=165#comment-1144 My Girlfriend is a 2nd Grade teacher here in New Jersey. After seeing her old torn up slide rule she used to help her with grading exams (which she always seemed to forget somewhere) I decided to make iGrader. This is a very simple iPhone app used to calculate exam scores. You can see it on the app store @ http://www.itunes.com/apps/iGrader My Girlfriend is a 2nd Grade teacher here in New Jersey. After seeing her old torn up slide rule she used to help her with grading exams (which she always seemed to forget somewhere) I decided to make iGrader. This is a very simple iPhone app used to calculate exam scores. You can see it on the app store @ http://www.itunes.com/apps/iGrader

]]> Comment on Trying out Windows Live writer by mooreky http://www.edtechreview.net/uncategorized/trying-out-windows-live-writer/comment-page-1/#comment-1143 mooreky Sat, 04 Apr 2009 00:34:29 +0000 http://www.edtechreview.net/uncategorized/trying-out-windows-live-writer/#comment-1143 I have not heard about this application before but it seems like it could be very useful both in and out of the classroom. This could be used as a great tool when teaching students and even getting feedback from them. I know when I am in class I’m always nervous to voice my opinion but in my online class it is much easier to say what your thinking through technology. This program could help get a lot more students involved in the classroom and if it’s as easy to use as you make it sound it is definitely something to look further into. I have not heard about this application before but it seems like it could be very useful both in and out of the classroom. This could be used as a great tool when teaching students and even getting feedback from them. I know when I am in class I’m always nervous to voice my opinion but in my online class it is much easier to say what your thinking through technology. This program could help get a lot more students involved in the classroom and if it’s as easy to use as you make it sound it is definitely something to look further into.

]]> Comment on Mac Express! School Trends vs. Tech Trends! by radeckij http://www.edtechreview.net/uncategorized/test/comment-page-1/#comment-1142 radeckij Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:39:24 +0000 http://www.edtechreview.net/uncategorized/test/#comment-1142 I did not have my first encounter with a Mac until college. Growing up, I thought that the PC was all that was out there. When the time came for me to get my first laptop, I went with a Sony Vaio and spent the same amount I would have on a Mac book. Now I am stuck with this computer until graduation, and although I'm happy with it, I wish I would have been better educated about my options. I know a lot of my friends agree that we prefer the Mac over the PC, but never had the exposure in grade school. I did not have my first encounter with a Mac until college. Growing up, I thought that the PC was all that was out there. When the time came for me to get my first laptop, I went with a Sony Vaio and spent the same amount I would have on a Mac book. Now I am stuck with this computer until graduation, and although I’m happy with it, I wish I would have been better educated about my options. I know a lot of my friends agree that we prefer the Mac over the PC, but never had the exposure in grade school.

]]> Comment on Don’t let tech get in the way of good teaching. by vario205 http://www.edtechreview.net/uncategorized/dont-let-tech-get-in-the-way-of-good-teaching/comment-page-1/#comment-1141 vario205 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:06:07 +0000 http://www.edtechreview.net/uncategorized/dont-let-tech-get-in-the-way-of-good-teaching/#comment-1141 Schools need to make sure that the technology that they are going to purchase is suitable for the school. If the technology is to hard to adapt then it is hard for the teachers and students to utilize it, and it goes to waste. The point of technology is schools is to help students learn faster and more efficient. If the technology cannot help to do that then its the fault of the administrators to get technology that will. It is not the fault of the teachers if they try to integrate it and it fails, because they were giving the products by the administrators. I would say that the teachers should try and get comfortable with the material before they introduce it but they are not the ones to blame. Schools need to make sure that the technology that they are going to purchase is suitable for the school. If the technology is to hard to adapt then it is hard for the teachers and students to utilize it, and it goes to waste. The point of technology is schools is to help students learn faster and more efficient. If the technology cannot help to do that then its the fault of the administrators to get technology that will. It is not the fault of the teachers if they try to integrate it and it fails, because they were giving the products by the administrators. I would say that the teachers should try and get comfortable with the material before they introduce it but they are not the ones to blame.

]]> Comment on Don’t let tech get in the way of good teaching. by Mildred http://www.edtechreview.net/uncategorized/dont-let-tech-get-in-the-way-of-good-teaching/comment-page-1/#comment-1140 Mildred Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:14:48 +0000 http://www.edtechreview.net/uncategorized/dont-let-tech-get-in-the-way-of-good-teaching/#comment-1140 I understand the frustration related to technology used as a tool to deliver instruction. One must consider technology in this situation as in trial and error. And the same way that regular instruction is reassessed by the teacher if students are not learning or not showing interest, then the same way that the technology-driven lessons should be reassessed if the teacher notices the same negative effect in the students. It’s also a good practice if a teacher prepares a technology-driven lesson with a back up method in case technology fails. The same way a teacher must know and show interest in the subject being taught, the teacher should also show total confidence delivering instruction with technology, this means that the teacher should be comfortable troubleshooting the technology been used if any problems arise and keep that troubleshooting time to the minimum. Technology to deliver instruction should be used wisely otherwise it defeats the purpose. I understand the frustration related to technology used as a tool to deliver instruction. One must consider technology in this situation as in trial and error. And the same way that regular instruction is reassessed by the teacher if students are not learning or not showing interest, then the same way that the technology-driven lessons should be reassessed if the teacher notices the same negative effect in the students. It’s also a good practice if a teacher prepares a technology-driven lesson with a back up method in case technology fails. The same way a teacher must know and show interest in the subject being taught, the teacher should also show total confidence delivering instruction with technology, this means that the teacher should be comfortable troubleshooting the technology been used if any problems arise and keep that troubleshooting time to the minimum. Technology to deliver instruction should be used wisely otherwise it defeats the purpose.

]]> Comment on Don’t let tech get in the way of good teaching. by colinpinnavaia http://www.edtechreview.net/uncategorized/dont-let-tech-get-in-the-way-of-good-teaching/comment-page-1/#comment-1139 colinpinnavaia Sun, 01 Feb 2009 22:07:06 +0000 http://www.edtechreview.net/uncategorized/dont-let-tech-get-in-the-way-of-good-teaching/#comment-1139 Some great comments! I completely agree with you. As the Assistant Director of Technology at my school, I have seen our technology infrastructure expand so much that anytime there is a hiccup in the network, or something goes down, many people are completely immobilized. Many teachers lessons rely solely on their laptops, PowerPoint presentations, and SmartBoards. Who is doing the teaching here? The teacher or the technology? On of the things I was most happy with was the way we rolled out our Faculty Laptop Program. At first we made very few demands of teachers regarding the use of their laptops. We wanted them to get comfortable with their computers, develop routines, and adapt to incorporating the technology into their curricula. Only then did we begin requiring daily period attendance, grade reporting, and email communication. Some great comments! I completely agree with you. As the Assistant Director of Technology at my school, I have seen our technology infrastructure expand so much that anytime there is a hiccup in the network, or something goes down, many people are completely immobilized. Many teachers lessons rely solely on their laptops, PowerPoint presentations, and SmartBoards. Who is doing the teaching here? The teacher or the technology?

On of the things I was most happy with was the way we rolled out our Faculty Laptop Program. At first we made very few demands of teachers regarding the use of their laptops. We wanted them to get comfortable with their computers, develop routines, and adapt to incorporating the technology into their curricula. Only then did we begin requiring daily period attendance, grade reporting, and email communication.

]]> Comment on Don’t let tech get in the way of good teaching. by geoteach http://www.edtechreview.net/uncategorized/dont-let-tech-get-in-the-way-of-good-teaching/comment-page-1/#comment-1138 geoteach Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:40:28 +0000 http://www.edtechreview.net/uncategorized/dont-let-tech-get-in-the-way-of-good-teaching/#comment-1138 I have been teaching a few years now and I have also come to learn that technology is not an end all to education. Technology can be extremely useful for student learning but of course it must coincide with good planning. I am a big fan of using webquests in my curriculum even though I just started to utilize them. They allow students to use technology to explore concepts on their own. The first webquest assignment I shared with my students was on the greenhouse effect. They loved the interactive resources and animations I directed them to because they were entertaining, but they were making real connections with the concepts by answering thought provoking questions based on the resources. I’m sure other people have a million other examples of how technology can be integrated in the classroom with good results. Luckily, you are sitting in front a machine right now that you can use to find out about them! I have been teaching a few years now and I have also come to learn that technology is not an end all to education. Technology can be extremely useful for student learning but of course it must coincide with good planning. I am a big fan of using webquests in my curriculum even though I just started to utilize them. They allow students to use technology to explore concepts on their own. The first webquest assignment I shared with my students was on the greenhouse effect. They loved the interactive resources and animations I directed them to because they were entertaining, but they were making real connections with the concepts by answering thought provoking questions based on the resources. I’m sure other people have a million other examples of how technology can be integrated in the classroom with good results. Luckily, you are sitting in front a machine right now that you can use to find out about them!

]]> Comment on Don’t let tech get in the way of good teaching. by mooreky http://www.edtechreview.net/uncategorized/dont-let-tech-get-in-the-way-of-good-teaching/comment-page-1/#comment-1137 mooreky Sat, 31 Jan 2009 01:53:32 +0000 http://www.edtechreview.net/uncategorized/dont-let-tech-get-in-the-way-of-good-teaching/#comment-1137 I am a college student on my way to being a teacher and I completely agree with you. It just seems that more and more we are relying on technology doing everything for us. It seems that teachers are using all this technology but in the wrong way. They are letting the programs teach and they are just guiding the students through, which in my mind isn’t the way it should be. Since every person learns differently we need to use technology to help reach out to everyone and make sure that what were teaching isn’t just going in one ear and out the other. I am a college student on my way to being a teacher and I completely agree with you. It just seems that more and more we are relying on technology doing everything for us. It seems that teachers are using all this technology but in the wrong way. They are letting the programs teach and they are just guiding the students through, which in my mind isn’t the way it should be. Since every person learns differently we need to use technology to help reach out to everyone and make sure that what were teaching isn’t just going in one ear and out the other.

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