Other High Schools Using iPads

We aren't the only school using iPads. This device is modernizing schools all over the country. In this article below, a town called Zeeland, Michigan has adopted iPads into their entire school system, not just high school. Over 1,800 iPads will be distributed to all students in grade three to grade twelve. Middle schoolers receive theirs in the winter but grades three to five get it next fall and they must keep it in the classroom. Some teachers there have recorded their entire lesson on video so their students have access to it even when they are home. They have filters just like us. It limits websites and blocks Facebook. It does not block Skype or Twitter. I am concerned that the younger students are not responsible enough to handle an iPad, but the district ensured them all. Using iPads for educational purposes is a great idea, so why aren't all cities doing it?

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/2011-09-20/schools-education-ipad-students/50480836/1

Colleges Using Social Media to Get a Deeper Look at Students Enrolling

After reading the article listed below, I have many thoughts. Colleges using TargetX such as Twitter and Facebook to look at applicants is a great idea. Looking at someone's online profile is the best way to really understand what kind of person they are. If a college got an application with straight A's and plenty of community service hours, they might think that person is good to accept in their school, but if they look on that person's Facebook account and see inappropriate pictures then they might think otherwise about accepting that person. Seeing someone's profile "offers the complete and authentic picture of their interests, concerns, and goals." Studies show that the number of admission officers using Facebook to learn more about an applicant has quadrupled in the past year. For some students, this could break them. But students should already know what is acceptable online and therefore should only post appropriate things because you never know who could be on your profile. Now i'm sure people have different opinions but I think colleges using TargetX have an advantage over colleges that just read applications. Colleges need to take a step further and look at students on a more personal level. The TargetX Tool allows colleges to do so and I think all colleges have this for many reasons. First, to learn more about students that they don't write down on their application. Lastly, because it makes students think twice before they post things online.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/colleges-can-now-track-social-web-chatter-to-help-recruit-students-thanks-to-targetx-crm-tool-2011-09-26

Web 2.0

Lately, we have been working on an educational video for our web 2.0 class. It is made to show students the idea of a modernized classroom and school from the point of view of a student. This video should impact everyone. It makes people wonder why are classrooms so outdated? And how can we improve this?  Our school has been trying to be more modern by giving each student an iPad. As a student, I think it is very helpful because we can learn so much more information compared to textbooks. It allows students to use other options to get information, just like this class. We have been using the internet and using search engines in different ways. Web 2.0 has really improved my knowledge of technology and I look forward to learning more.