This article that i found talks about OLPC in Mongolia. I am not so familiar with Mongolia, however, what brought my attention to this article was what these individuals were doing to initiate OLPC. Three individuals, are planning to raise a considerable amount for two charities, called RNLI Lifeboats and Gemin-i.org. Both these charities is the former saving lives around the British coast and the latter improving education around the world, and this year supplying the OLPC XO laptops to schools in outer Mongolia. Their goal is to get these individuals online to use their state-of-the-art online community Rafi.ki. (Educational community, used by primary and secondary schools throughout the UK, and over 80 countries in the world)

What are these interesting individuals doing to help children in Mongolia? The challenge is to drive from Coventry, UK to Ulaan, Bataar, Mongolia in a 1970 Triumph Herald 13/60 classic car. This car is not a typical car. With no back up team, no GPS or reliable maps, they will be driving 10 000 miles, cross 5 mountain chains and 3 deserts. The car has expected break downs and minimal comfort.

These individuals who are going through this long journey and risking their lives are genuine, down to earth people. Doing this type of journey to help children live their dreams with access to a laptop is probably the greatest thing anyone can do. Patience is a virtue. The fact that these individuals who are trying to raise money by completing a long and risky journey, they are still going to do whatever it takes to get noticed and have people support them for what they are doing. I would love to meet these people out there doing this journey to raise money for children. This would be an experience that I would like to go through myself, because I love to explore and travel. However, I'm not too sure about doing a type of journey on a really run down car. Because if the car was to break down, I would be the last person to be able to fix it or know anything about cars. Haha. I like cars, I can differentiate cars from another, but have no idea to fix them.

Individuals like us who live in such a great society with everything accompanied to us, comes down to a point where we take everything for granted. We think that a laptop that's been used for 5 years is considered old and needs to be replaced, the laptop that's "in" is considered to be bought, the big bulky laptops are to be replaced with the slim and cool looking laptops. Really .. if we look at us and look at individuals around the world with nothing, we should always think twice about everything.

WORD COUNT: 468

Writter, G (2008 March 8). One Triumph herald rally to mongolia for OLPC.
Retrieved April 11, 2008, Web site: http://www.olpcnews.com/countries/mongolia/

Article: One Laptop per Thai Child Testing begins
http://www.olpcnews.com/countries/thailand/

Well well well. We all know that technology is insanely high tech that young individuals are able to get their hands on a laptop. I recall getting my first and only laptop .... 2 years ago. Which means ..... when I was 18. Children at the age of six, or even younger have accessibility to laptops. Thats whack! But anyhow. Us Canadians are thankful for our technology and rich country. However, just thinking about third world countries makes us feel guilty because we take everything for granted, while they wish they had simple things such as school. Thailand, a place where someday I'd like to visit, started not too long ago to test OLPC. The laptop that these children have access to in Thailand have wireless and games. What a wonderful combination. Wireless gets you internet. Internet gets you everything. Children at such a young age being able to explore the internet is essentially a great method. They can read, build their cognitive abilities and so on. Having games on a laptop, made for children is probably the greatest and funniest software we could provide children. Within this article, it talks about adults being the only individuals who use classic desktops. The article also provides a picture of children sitting on the floor, in a computer room with their laptop. I find it wonderful for children in countries that are not as fortunate as us with the gift of improved technology. It indicates that standard teaching with technology is a "learning miracle." I think it is definitely a learning miracle for many, as it just made their learning resource a billion times better. This means greater information for children to learn from, leading to greater intelligence for many.


This has nothing to do with the article above. But I just wanted to share a story. A friend of mine recently came back from Ethiopia. He went over there to do a documentary on children. How these children live and survive. He is a professional photographer, so what he did was teach children how to take pictures. He provided a group of children with disposable cameras and taught them how to take a picture. According to his experience, he was telling me that these children were overly excited taking pictures and posing for the camera. Ethiopia is such a poor country that they don't have 1/10 of the wonderful things we have. I just wonder if children in Ethiopia or any third world country will ever experience OLPC and be a million times more excited than taking a picture with a disposable camera. We have such high tech digital cameras, cell phones with great mega pixels, while disposable cameras no longer interest us. To us, when we see someone use a disposable it's like ... what? why are you using a disposable camera?! However, to these children, it's something that they would love to own, cherish and appreciate.

WORD COUNT: 487

Vota, W (2007 March 22). One laptop per thai child testing begins. Retrieved April 2, 2008, Web site: http://www.olpcnews.com/countries/thailand/

Once again, i found a super duper long article and read a certain section where i find more relevance talking about children and music. Within this section of the article, it talks about music not being an optional relish but rather a phenomenon that lies at the foundation of society. What the article talks about it so true! Music is not something that one can like or not like. It's not optional because we hear is everyday and ever since we were born. It helps children as well as adults learn and become wiser. As for myself, listening to lyrics makes me emotional because it either teaches me something in life or it talks about something is has happened to me in the past. It is indeed a phenomenon that lies in the foundation of society, because music is something that will continually grow as each and every individual in society will listen to some type of music. As for children, it is such a great learning method!

It then talks about how children's engagement in music is paid minimal attention by teachers and and parents, as it may be a repository of children's intimate thoughts and sentiments. I do not quite agree to teachers and parents not paying much attention to children's engagement to music because nowadays, this is something that is promoted daily. In day care, there is always time throughout the day to have circle, where children and educators sing songs. As for public school, i believe it is mandatory to have music class. Or as for me when i was in public school, we had music class at least twice a week!

"Music may be the treasure children prize for their personal pleasure, and a tool for their use of understanding the world in which they live in." Music is definitely for their personal pleasure and a tool for their use of understanding the world. Simple songs such as oh macdonald, skimmer inky dinky dink, b-i-n-g-o are songs that give children a general idea of how animals, certain sayings and things in general, incorporated in a song. This is not only a learning method for children, but a pleasure to them!

It is essential for educators who are facilitating these songs within circle time or music class to be detailed and concise with the lyrics. Incorporating actions and facial expressions while singing will promote children to participate and open up their minds with music. Now that i look back as to why i enjoyed music so much was probably because my music teacher was awesome. She was indeed my favourite teacher, which may be the reason why i payed attention to her and gradually liked music.

WORD COUNT 450

Campbell, P (1998).Song in their heads. Music and its meaning in children's lives. p5-7.

This article that i decided to read about is very interesting and long. I did not read the entire article because it's about 200 pages. In this section that I specially read about talks about how children see music, and how adults see music. It indicates that the speed of a song children sing during circle time is at their own pace according to the length and speed of their steps. This is very interesting because when you think about it, children sing slower because they walk a lot slower because of their length. Adults can sing faster, because they are significantly taller in length and can run/walk faster. Who would've implied the pace of singing a song according to their steps!? not me! haha.

It also indicates that maturation, acculturation and acquiring competencies are factors that may affect children's music. Other than the pace of children's steps, maturation indicates their size/weight, small lungs, fast heart beats and developing power muscles. Acculturation relates to forms of social interaction and language/speech patterns. Acquiring competencies relates to physical control, perceptual skills and intellectual understanding. Reading about these factors about affecting children's music is really interesting because I would have never thought about it or have any relevance to it about music.

Growing up as a child, i really enjoyed music. I was always in the choir and band. There are stepping stones to everything, and as i recall, i remember singing short songs and gradually singing more technical and longer songs for choir. For band, i started off with the flute and when i got the hang of that, i was able to move on to the trumpet. All this progression that I went through was because i was bigger physically, greater power muscles, physical control, perceptual skills and so on.

Now that i am no longer in band or choir is kind of upsetting. I really enjoy singing and playing instruments. Maybe i'll pick it up again and progressively build the ability and talent i have ;)

WORD COUNT 336

Glover, J (1998).Teaching music in primary school. Children, Teachers and Learning Series. p6-7.

Okay. Sooooo, did anyone find this chapter .. super duper long? Ummm, yeah .. well at least to me it did. But anyhow, in the beginning of this chapter, it indicates that "educators are finally beginning to understand that in order to evaluate authentic learning, they must use authentic assessment." Well helloooooo? Educators "finally" realized that? How many decades does it take for an individual to realize that their certain techniques to teach children are not reliable? In my perspective, its often interesting to think about what parents or other individuals who are not involved in the education industry, that they realize that there are so many non-reliable techniques that certain community centers, daycares, public/elementary/high schools. Non-authentic performance assessment is not acceptable, and teachers in public schools who are use their useless assessment technique(s) probably should not be a teacher! Alright, getting carried away, but educators should be using authentic assessments for children from now on. Taking them forever and all of a sudden realizing their inaccurate assessments annoys me. HAHA.

E-portfolios seems convenient and simple. Looking back and realizing how fortunate we are with our technology, E-portfolios should and will probably be the next "in" thing. So hopefully, by the time I become a teacher, that the most convenient and simplest assessment tools will be available.

Characteristics of a good rubric should be a course or some sort for educators. HAHA. Sounds a little bit ridiculous, but seriously, through my years of school, I've seen some odd and inaccurate rubrics. Due to inaccurate rubrics, it leads to inaccurate marking = non authentic assessment. This aspect must be one of the very few that educators are all of a sudden realizing. HAHA. But lets be honest, a good rubric should be implemented towards children/student's work for efficient assessment. Agree?

The clicker assessment tool is awesome! I would have tons of fun with that as a student. However, maybe too much fun by possibly inputting the wrong answer on purpose or ... just pressing random numbers due to boredom. I'm not too sure how effective this tool is, but the only time where I can see and have seen it to be effective is on who wants to be a millionaire, where the audience is helping the contestant with the right answer. Other than that, I don't really see children using this tool effectively, but perhaps for high school students.

Assessing surveys on a computer seems more ... interesting. Not interesting as in wow .. its a computer. However, asking an individual to complete a survey on a computer seems to be more interesting. I find filling out answers on paper is a drag. Sometimes I don't write the right answers or I don't bother reading the question. Whereas, if I were to do a survey online, i seem to be more attentive. Like those random surveys that I do to try and win something. Maybe the catch of winning something makes me more attentive while doing the survey. BUT, if you think about it .. doing a survey online, compared to an online exam is kinda the same aspect. Well for me, when i do exams online, I'm more focused and attentive rather than writing an exam on paper. Does anyone agree with me on this? I mean, most of the time, writing an exam on paper is a serious drag. I'm either tired of writing, and i just wanna get it done and over with. An exam online is different, you use less energy by typing and the brightness of the screen keeps you up. Yes it sounds silly, but for some reason, I enjoy doing exams and surveys online!!!!! :)

WORD COUNT: 612

I find it odd how halfway through the semester, we are focusing on meaningful learning, chapter one, at this point in time. I figured we would look at this in the beginning, because it seems to be talking about the basics of technology. In the beginning of the chapter, it talks about meaningful learning. This is done by involving self in active, constructive, intentional, authentic and cooperative activities. I think it is essential for children at a young age to engage in meaningful tasks. When children are faced with challenging tasks at a young age, they will first find it challenging, however, it will facilitate them in many ways through their education. Meaningful tasks will help an individual to be manipulative/observant, reflective, collaborative, contextualized and goal directed. These characteristics of meaningful learning are effective within one's learning, which therefore should be engaged daily and at a young age.

Technology facilitates learning in many ways. In the 17th/18th century, technology goes back to old school, where the materials weren't so efficient, but did however facilitate learning in some ways. Now, looking at the sudden change and improvements of technology, is beyond one's control. I am quite familiar with all technologies in society, such as television, computers, cameras, cell phones and blah blah blah. The one and only technology that i mainly use everyday, is my lovely computer. It facilitates learning in many ways. The internet, social networking systems, microsoft word and powerpoint, msn messenger, just to name a few facilitate learning in various ways. Now that is my opinion in terms of one in many ways how I learn. Now that i think about it, computers is probably the only technology out there that actually facilitates learning. If you think about it, its got all these functions for you to experience and learn from. I've always wonder if television actually teaches you something. More or less right? How about cameras? gps? I guess it does facilitate learning in some ways, but probably not as much as computers right?

According to the book, it argues that students do not learn from teachers or from technologies. Rather, they learn from thinking, thinking about what they are doing or what they did, thinking about what they believe, thinking about what others have done and believe, thinking about the thinking processes they use. I believe that students learn from thinking and their own experience. However, i disagree with the fact that the book stated that students do not learn form teachers or from technologies. Then what is the purpose of teachers and a room full of computers? Teachers help facilitate learning, which students can learn from, and it is obvious that people, well at least for myself, learn from technology. no? Anyone agree with me ????

All in all, meaningful learning should be engaged properly, so individuals can experience proper learning. This should once again, happen at an early age, once children are capable of thinking cognitively. To start building their cognitive abilities early will only further enhance it, with more meaningful learning.


WORD COUNT 508

As adults and students, we visually notice and experience the gradual improvement of technology. This will indicate that children will experience the greatest of technology. Programs that include learning technologies to create meaningful learning environments is an interesting way for children to learn. Not only will they gain great computer skills, but by watching an on-screen turtle make drawings according to their control will indeed impact their capacity to think reflectively, differently and meta-cognitively. Comparing today’s technology to how I was when a child, is so not fair. I don’t recall controlling a turtle on my screen during computer class. =(

Designing music with composition software sounds deceiving. This section of the chapter talks about a software that develops songs and synthesize voices of various musical instruments. When I was young, I learned things the hard way. Reading notes, hitting the right notes while singing, creating songs, playing and learning the notes for the flute and clarinet was a struggle. If I had access to the impromptu program when I was young, then I would be an all star at singing and playing instruments. Being able to listen to the pitch and tone of certain notes would’ve made my way of learning music a lot easier and faster. Nonetheless, children nowadays who have access to these type of software are very lucky, considering they can experiment, implement, listen and explore music. This is an easy and effective way of learning music for children, as well as students and adults!

I always wonder what the world would be like without visualization tools. Life would seem dull … like the shades of black and white, without the brilliant and vibrant colours. Visualization tools enhances technology, making it more useful, fun and easier in life. Once again, it makes us lazy and rely on all these wonderful visualization gadgets! I don’t have personal documentaries, but I do have photo albums which include pictures overtime of my twenty years of life. We all come across holding a camera and capturing a “picture perfect.” In my case, a picture that I like means picture perfect and a thousand words, gets developed and put into my memory box/photo albums. Without a camera, life would be boring in my life. However, due to the great technology society holds today, there will never be a chance in life where cameras will no longer exist. It only gets better. Cell phones make life easier, having the ability to get a hold of whomever you wish. However, having a mobile phone with a camera is a bonus! You can talk on the phone, take pictures and record a video at the same time. Who would’ve known that life can be that simple? Have three technology tools in one gadget! What a combination.
Many of us do not realize how life is without the use of technology. Which reminds me of the blackout we had a few years back, where we had no electricity for a day and a half! Wouldn’t we like that to happen again? Oh god, that is just torture.
What would we do without these visualization tools?
I don’t know, but life wouldn’t seem to be enjoyable at all : )

WORD COUNT 534

Urban stimulations are wicked! I remember playing simcity a while back in school. The purpose of this computer game was to be able to explore the visualized city and experiment all around with it. It was very interesting, however, I was never too fond of video/computer games to begin with. Which then leads to the section in this chapter talking about venturing into games. Since
I never really liked video or computer games, looking back into my childhood, i played a lot of board games at home. Not so much in classrooms though. I found board games entertaining and because I was so into them, my cognitive abilities would also enhance. (or at least i would hope it did) Comparing the technology children have access today to the amount of access I had when I was younger was not even comparable! It's so not fair seeing the lovely computers they get to use, all those cool looking computer games and just the amount of time given for computer time is a lot more than I was given. Maybe this explains that game show "are you smarter than a fifth grader," because these young individuals are extremely intelligent, and the technology they are exposed to may be one of the very few reasons for their cleverness.

Interacting with virtual worlds on the computer seems very interesting. Students will be able to explore the world in front of them and have a great computer source to enhance their geography. Maybe this is why I suck so bad in geography, because when I was young, I would just go through the index of an atlas to find the answer to a question, and put the page number down for my open book tests. Due to the fact that I had to learn with an atlas, indicates that i lacked the visual images cognitively, while there are computer softwares out there to teach and show children the best of everything.

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Knowledge forum seems to be a great source for many students. Formulating questions, defining own learning goals, building a knowledge base while working with others seems like a great combo! This would be something that I would enjoy using, since it would help me a lot and knowing that there are others out there are also having trouble with their work makes me feel not stupid. haha. From this program, you learn on your own and from others, while they are also learning from you. Seems to be a fair trade.

Watching the video clip on youtube about wiki seems like a simple program for a group to use. A program allowing group members to communicate online is a great idea! From past experiences working in a group, everyone lives in different areas, so meeting up to work on our group project was always an issue. However, a program like wiki seems to be a great program to use, getting the project done, knowing that everybody will contribute the same amount. What i find interesting is that there is a history of who did what, even though if another individual from the group deletes it. It will indicate who originally did what. So in the end, no one will get "screwed over" by having their contributions deleted. I look forward to working on the wiki technology.

Student blogs are great! It's simple, it allows an individual to express freely and convenient! I'm loving this idea of talking about topics discussed within the book, which is also a big chunk of my mark for this class :) I get to write about how I feel towards certain things, comment on other people's blogs and have people's input on what they think of what i put on my blog. How lovely is that. Considering this is my first time with blogs, I'm liking it!

The program 'Tapped in' seems very interesting. This allows you to have private conversations and meetings. This enclosed program seems to be convenient for many people out there. For instance, business people, professors, teacher/student conversations as well as students talking to one another. I never knew about these online technologies. It makes it seem like life is easier than we think. To me, it seems like I'm outdated, because i never knew about these convenient online programs available.

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According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, young people spend on average 6.5 hours a day with media. I don't even know if that's suppose to be good or bad. However, it then indicates that due to the overlapping media we use, we are actually exposed to 8.5 hours daily. By reading that, it seems very bizarre, that majority of us are exposed to some sort of media for that many hours. When I was young, roughly in elementary school, I would always be on the computer chit chatting away about non-sense with my friends through instant messaging. Not saying that I don't instant message with my friends anymore, but I wouldn't sit on the computer for hours and talk. Now that I'm in university, I obviously have more important things to accomplish such as homework, assignments and readings. Instant messengers such as ICQ, yahoo messenger and AOL were all sources that I've used, but today, I only stick to MSN messenger because it’s simple and user friendly.

I don’t have much experience with discussion boards, however, the times that I’ve utilized discussion boards, they are actually very convenient! For instance, people can go onto discussion boards to post something by the due date. Some can post a thread right away, whereas, those who like to procrastinate, can do it just in time before the due date. How simple is that? You can do it whenever you please. Which is what I like. The fact that discussion boards are asynchronously and synchronously, it just makes life that much easier for everyone who are communicating within the conversation.

Videoconferencing is an effective way of communicating. You can see other people who can be across the world with a webcam and talk to them through a microphone which goes through the speakers. If my dad only knew how to work a computer, then maybe we could talk and see each other when he’s away for his business trips, but I don’t see that happening. Instead, we talk to one another through the phone, which costs a lot of money. Videoconferencing is very effective and can save tons of money instead of talking through the phone.
On the other hand, videoconferencing can also be used for the wrong purpose. Having conversations in chat rooms with strangers can lead to a persuasion of videoconferencing from the other party. This has happened to me a couple of times when I was young. It was my first time going into those random chat rooms, and next thing I know, creepy old men were constantly asking me to have a web cam chat with them. That traumatized me, so since then, I haven’t been in a chat room.

Without podcasts, what would music lovers do without their music? I own an ipod myself, so installing iTunes into my computer was a simple application to go through, and bam, I got music transferring from my computer to my ipod. Indeed iTunes has a nice setup, as it is also user friendly and convenient. All I use at this moment is iTunes, so I’m not aware of other podcasts out there, but I’m sure there are ones just as good as iTunes. Until I find out what other podcasts are better then iTunes, then maybe I’ll change it. =)

WORD COUNT 549