I have learned so much this semester with technology and using it in the classroom. Just this last week I made a SmartBoard completely by myself and I was shocked at how easy it was for me to use. I had used pre-made ones sometimes in the past if I wanted it to me more complex, but for this I did it on my own and I loved it. It was very simple and I shocked myself with how much I learned about this piece of technology. I have also learned about so many other webpages that are so useful when it comes to technology. I can make my own short videos, webpages, blogs and so much more. Not only have I learned how to use different types of technology and programs, but I have also learned how important technology is in the classroom today. It is so important that I stay up with technology and know how to use it. I also think it is important that my students use technology and get very familiar with it. They will be using technology so much in the future that I need to make sure I use it enough and encourage them to use it enough to stay on top of the always changing world of technology.
NETS FOR TEACHERS
At the beginning of the year the Net for teachers that I chose was: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity. I think this is so important. Students need to have fun and enjoy class. I think they will learn more if they are enjoying and not dreading an assignment or class. Over the semester I think I have learned many ways that I can make teaching interesting in my classroom. Not only when I am teaching technology methods, but also as I am teaching any other subject in my classroom. Another thing I have learned this semester that will help me when it comes to being creative and to inspire students is all those apps we looked at. I think these will be great, as well as the many websites and programs we looked at for students. I think being creative and changing things up so it is not always the same and become redundant and boring for the students. This may require more out of me as a teacher, but that is my job and I am prepared to do that.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Reflection #12
I have read a few articles lately on technology in the classroom. The one that got me the most interested was one about the possibility of students no longer needing text books in the classroom. Basically, schools would buy text books online, and each student would have some kind of technology (for instance the ipad) located at their desk. This item would NEVER leave the classroom, however, this would reduce the need for text books in the classroom. I do wonder how the students would be required to do classwork outside of school, without these electronic textbooks. I would assume that they would have some kind of password that would allow them to access the textbooks on line when they are at home. But this still poses the questions, "What if they do not have a computer at home?" Then what? Or are we in a time and age now that even the poorest of people have computers in their homes? I think that with technology advancing as it is and with prices going down as I stated in a previous blog, that maybe computers in homes will become a natural thing, like a table or a bed. However, schools would still be required to provide for the student who may not have the luxury of a computer. Then what are they going to do if we are using electronic textbooks? Will they be forced to by regular textbooks? Then will they charge those students to use the textbooks who do not have a computer at home? I think this could get a little messy, however, the idea of online textbooks, would be nice for students. Teachers will never have to worry about the student who didn't bring their book to class.
Assignment #4
4th Grade Classroom Webpage
This is the webpage I have created for a "future" class. I have a list of classes that I will be teaching, discussions for the class to begin participating in, a few announcements to get the year started, a few important dates, and a welcome page. I tried to make the webpage kid friendly, but also professional. I plan to use a theme for the year, which is "Sports," so the homepage portrays this theme. I think this webpage will be very helpful for me as a teacher, as well as for students and parents. This is just a start, as the year went on more things would and will be added.
For the second part of my project I created a video. My thought was to connect this to my webpage, but I could not get it to work, I don't know if photostory is not compatible with the program or what caused the problem. Video
Technologies that I used
Created a new Webpage using a new website
Used the links and gadgets on this site to make my page look kid friendly, but professional
Created a Video using Photostory
Imported Pictures
Used already imported music
One issue I discovered was I was not able to download my video to my webpage. This was frustrating because I was going to use it for the students and possibly a discussion topic. Instead I made a link you can go to to then download the video in order to see it. I could still do the whole discussion thing, but it will be more of a hassle now to download it for the students and if some do not have to right program it will not play. So, instead I think I would just show it in class to the students. Also, it was mainly so I knew how to do the video so it will be a nice reminder.
Another issue I encountered was finding an place to make a webpage without having to know all the codes. I made a webpage in 8th grade using the codes and I loved it, but it was very time consuming so I wanted to find a place that made it easier. I found k12lessonplans.com this page is great! It made it so easy to make a webpage and I can totally see myself using this as a teacher.
I think this webpage will really be great for me as a teacher. At first I wasn't sure if I would use it, but after I played with it and realized how great it is, I think it would be wonderful. I can have students use it to take quizzes and check on their classes. I can send notifications to parents so they are kept in the loop. I think this webpage will be wonderful. As for the video part of this project, I think it will just be more of a fun thing for me to use with my students. I can make videos for them and I can also teach them how to use the program so they can make their own and present them to the class. I think they would love this and it would also be teaching them very useful technology skills.
Nets for Teachers
I would be using #1 and #2 doing this project. For #1 I would be encouraging students to use this new webpage and form of technology that they may not be familiar with. I would be encouraging them to use it as they post on the discussion page and take quizzes. For #2 I am simply creating my own webpage using this technology and that basically sums up Net 2. I am providing it for my students to see and to use which is spreading the knowledge to them as well.
Nets for Students
I would be using and applying nets #1 and #6. The students would be encouraged to be using the webpage and beginning to make their own. Also, when it comes to the video they will be using creativity and innovation to create their webpage or video which is Net #1. As for Net #6 the students would have to understand technology operations and concepts in order to make either of these items. I would be using this be having the students make either a video or the webpage. For this to be successful the students will have to learn the technology.
This is the webpage I have created for a "future" class. I have a list of classes that I will be teaching, discussions for the class to begin participating in, a few announcements to get the year started, a few important dates, and a welcome page. I tried to make the webpage kid friendly, but also professional. I plan to use a theme for the year, which is "Sports," so the homepage portrays this theme. I think this webpage will be very helpful for me as a teacher, as well as for students and parents. This is just a start, as the year went on more things would and will be added.
For the second part of my project I created a video. My thought was to connect this to my webpage, but I could not get it to work, I don't know if photostory is not compatible with the program or what caused the problem. Video
Technologies that I used
Created a new Webpage using a new website
Used the links and gadgets on this site to make my page look kid friendly, but professional
Created a Video using Photostory
Imported Pictures
Used already imported music
One issue I discovered was I was not able to download my video to my webpage. This was frustrating because I was going to use it for the students and possibly a discussion topic. Instead I made a link you can go to to then download the video in order to see it. I could still do the whole discussion thing, but it will be more of a hassle now to download it for the students and if some do not have to right program it will not play. So, instead I think I would just show it in class to the students. Also, it was mainly so I knew how to do the video so it will be a nice reminder.
Another issue I encountered was finding an place to make a webpage without having to know all the codes. I made a webpage in 8th grade using the codes and I loved it, but it was very time consuming so I wanted to find a place that made it easier. I found k12lessonplans.com this page is great! It made it so easy to make a webpage and I can totally see myself using this as a teacher.
I think this webpage will really be great for me as a teacher. At first I wasn't sure if I would use it, but after I played with it and realized how great it is, I think it would be wonderful. I can have students use it to take quizzes and check on their classes. I can send notifications to parents so they are kept in the loop. I think this webpage will be wonderful. As for the video part of this project, I think it will just be more of a fun thing for me to use with my students. I can make videos for them and I can also teach them how to use the program so they can make their own and present them to the class. I think they would love this and it would also be teaching them very useful technology skills.
Nets for Teachers
I would be using #1 and #2 doing this project. For #1 I would be encouraging students to use this new webpage and form of technology that they may not be familiar with. I would be encouraging them to use it as they post on the discussion page and take quizzes. For #2 I am simply creating my own webpage using this technology and that basically sums up Net 2. I am providing it for my students to see and to use which is spreading the knowledge to them as well.
Nets for Students
I would be using and applying nets #1 and #6. The students would be encouraged to be using the webpage and beginning to make their own. Also, when it comes to the video they will be using creativity and innovation to create their webpage or video which is Net #1. As for Net #6 the students would have to understand technology operations and concepts in order to make either of these items. I would be using this be having the students make either a video or the webpage. For this to be successful the students will have to learn the technology.
Reflection #11
I have recently seen the movie Avitar. This movie is crazy when it comes to technology. I do not even want to get into the fact that they create alien looking people. My main focus is the actual computer technology they use in the movie. The computer screens are flat and clear basically. You can grab one thing off of a computer and pull it to the computer screen in your hand without having the computers even connected. Everything is done by touch, there is not a mouse or a key board to do typing or navigation. (Many things are now coming out as a touch screen and this is a new advancment. The i-pad for instance). It makes me wonder if technology can actually come up with these types of things. I would not want to say it is impossible, but in my head it just seems like it would be. However, I would not be too surprised if in the future computers just needed to be near enough to each other to send and recieve information instead of hooked up or emailed from one to the other. I can only imagine what this kind of technology would do in schools and the world in general. They joke about robots doing the "undesired" jobs or easy jobs, but it makes you wonder if the time of "The Jetsons" is in our grasp.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Reflection # 10
Netflix. I am sure everyone knows about Netflix. It is the movie service that is delivered to your door, for cheap. Well as if that was not enough, there is now Netflix you can order on your TV. I never knew about this. I do not know if it is new or years old and I am just discovering it, but either way it is incredible. The family I nanny for has this luxury. Basically they call, or order it online to be sent to their TV. They then have a remote that has an option for Netflix that they click. All the movies they have ordered or wish to view are right there on the TV. They have to do nothing! The only down fall to this is that it take about 3 to 5 minutes to recieve each time you watch the movie. But serioulsy? Who can't wait 3 to 5 minutes for a movie that they should have had to get at a store!? It is just crazy to me that we can now send a movie via TV to someones house. Yes, you have to have an account and the right technology inorder for this to work, but I am assuming that future TV's will have it programmed in without even needing to ask for it.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Reflection #9
I was shocked after learning so much about the different tools in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. I have used these programs for as long as I can remember. There were so many new things that I had no idea existed. I know that some features are new with the 2007 word, but it was not all new. Some of these tools have been a part of the programs for years. It was surprising to me how many new tools I learned about. I think that sometimes I just get comfortable with what I already know and it seems easier to me, so instead of branching out and trying a new 'tool' or whatever, I stick with what I know, and apparently I miss out. There were so many tools that would make my life easier when using these programs. Maybe this will teach me to explore a little more.
Technology and the Future
Technology and Education: What Will the Future Bring?
This article was very interesting. It talked about how technology production is going to continue to increase (estimated that the processing speed and power will double every 18 months), and the prices will continue to decrease at rate of 35% a year. So, not only is technology going to keep getting better and better, but it is also going to be more affordable. Expense will no longer be an excuse as to why a school has not Incorporated some of the newest technology. This article also talked about teachers/principles/parents who believe that technology is just a fad right now and it will pass. They believe that children really only need the basics. This is not true, and this article talks about how untrue this thought is. So much of our world is based around technology that if students don't start learning it at a young age they are going to be lost when they get older. For example, I have never used a SmartBoard before this class, I have seen and heard about them, but that is it. If I had grown up using one I would be great with it. I would know all the techniques and short cuts, all the methods and tools. I would know everything about it and I would have just discovered this through use. However, now I have to learn it and it is confusing. I am not used to it and it is a whole new 'concept' to me. Technology is not a fad, it is not going to run its coarse and go away and schools need to accept this and integrate technology to better their students' education. After all, it is about the students, not the educators.
This article was very interesting. It talked about how technology production is going to continue to increase (estimated that the processing speed and power will double every 18 months), and the prices will continue to decrease at rate of 35% a year. So, not only is technology going to keep getting better and better, but it is also going to be more affordable. Expense will no longer be an excuse as to why a school has not Incorporated some of the newest technology. This article also talked about teachers/principles/parents who believe that technology is just a fad right now and it will pass. They believe that children really only need the basics. This is not true, and this article talks about how untrue this thought is. So much of our world is based around technology that if students don't start learning it at a young age they are going to be lost when they get older. For example, I have never used a SmartBoard before this class, I have seen and heard about them, but that is it. If I had grown up using one I would be great with it. I would know all the techniques and short cuts, all the methods and tools. I would know everything about it and I would have just discovered this through use. However, now I have to learn it and it is confusing. I am not used to it and it is a whole new 'concept' to me. Technology is not a fad, it is not going to run its coarse and go away and schools need to accept this and integrate technology to better their students' education. After all, it is about the students, not the educators.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Reflection #8
For last weeks blog I watched a video on apps. Now, I know we have learned about a ton of different apps this semester, and I have been surprised to see how many apps I never even knew existed. However, after watching this session, I was amazed to learn about how many apps I have never heard of or seen before. I have no idea where they come from, or who makes them. Although I have not used all or many of these apps, I feel like they are all so very helpful. I have wondered, with how good our technology is, why these apps are so unknown. Maybe it is just because I don't play around too often or look. I just go straight to what I already know and I don't branch out very often. I think I just get comfortable with what I already know and don't want to waste the time to learn something knew. But, after seeing this session and how easy and helpful these apps are I think I will be much more willing to give these apps a shot. I mean, they are simple and seem like they would make life so much easier.
Week 13
Word
Spell Check
Tables
Clip Art
Borders
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Copy and Paste
Paragraph settings
Font settings
Excel
Grids
Tables
Business-if you know the codes it will add/mult/find % for you
PowerPoint
Clip Art
Back Grounds
Font settings
Slide Choices
Insert items
Copy and Paste
3 Projects for Students
1. PowerPoint Presentation
2. Make a grid on Excel, inputting data (this way they learn to use the codes)
3. Write a story in Word and use pictures
Spell Check
Tables
Clip Art
Borders
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Copy and Paste
Paragraph settings
Font settings
Excel
Grids
Tables
Business-if you know the codes it will add/mult/find % for you
PowerPoint
Clip Art
Back Grounds
Font settings
Slide Choices
Insert items
Copy and Paste
3 Projects for Students
1. PowerPoint Presentation
2. Make a grid on Excel, inputting data (this way they learn to use the codes)
3. Write a story in Word and use pictures
Online Learning Experience
The Wizard of Apps
I visited the Wizard of Apps session. Basically this session talked about tons and tons of different apps you can use on the computer for various different things. It talked about different apps for research, for checking reliability of research, enhancing drawings/visual presentations, and ways to practice presenting a presentation, with an "audience" even when you do not really have people watching you. They made the video a little more interesting because they used the Wizard of Oz theme and it just livened the presentation up a little bit. I had looked at a few for a few seconds before watching this, but some where rather boring. I think this session is very helpful and I can see myself going back and using it/watching it again to get new app ideas. There were so many that were named, that I had never heard of before. I have learned of many just in this class that I have never heard of before, but this session gave even more. With all these different apps, it seems like any presentation I have to do would be so much easier if I used some of the apps to complete my presentation. I think this session is worth watching and I found it very helpful and insightful.
I visited the Wizard of Apps session. Basically this session talked about tons and tons of different apps you can use on the computer for various different things. It talked about different apps for research, for checking reliability of research, enhancing drawings/visual presentations, and ways to practice presenting a presentation, with an "audience" even when you do not really have people watching you. They made the video a little more interesting because they used the Wizard of Oz theme and it just livened the presentation up a little bit. I had looked at a few for a few seconds before watching this, but some where rather boring. I think this session is very helpful and I can see myself going back and using it/watching it again to get new app ideas. There were so many that were named, that I had never heard of before. I have learned of many just in this class that I have never heard of before, but this session gave even more. With all these different apps, it seems like any presentation I have to do would be so much easier if I used some of the apps to complete my presentation. I think this session is worth watching and I found it very helpful and insightful.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Educational Blog
Blog
This blog was about parent involvement. Do you want it/need it? What is too much? What is too little? How do you involve parents? etc. I realized that this idea of parent helpers is not only new to me, but new to many people. I never grew up with any kind of parent in the classroom helping out. Now it is so greatly emphasised, I wasn't sure if it was just because I grew up in Montana, and was a Washington thing, or if it was a new thing everywhere. This lady wasn't sure how to incorporate parents so I think I am not the only one who this is a new concept for. I just commented and said that I have learned a lot about how helpful parents can be in the classroom and gave examples from experience and from what I have heard from others. I also added a few tips that I have learned that get parents on your side and should set you up for more smooth sailing that year. I tried to give helpful and relevant information to add to the community.
This blog was about parent involvement. Do you want it/need it? What is too much? What is too little? How do you involve parents? etc. I realized that this idea of parent helpers is not only new to me, but new to many people. I never grew up with any kind of parent in the classroom helping out. Now it is so greatly emphasised, I wasn't sure if it was just because I grew up in Montana, and was a Washington thing, or if it was a new thing everywhere. This lady wasn't sure how to incorporate parents so I think I am not the only one who this is a new concept for. I just commented and said that I have learned a lot about how helpful parents can be in the classroom and gave examples from experience and from what I have heard from others. I also added a few tips that I have learned that get parents on your side and should set you up for more smooth sailing that year. I tried to give helpful and relevant information to add to the community.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Reflection # 7
I have a question to pose in this reflection. It may be easily answered, but I have always wondered about it. For example, the Activboard vs the Smartboard. There are pieces about the Smartboard that I like, and pieces about the Activboard that I like. I think most people come across the same pros and cons for both of these boards. Some people may be more critical of one than the other; however, there are a few common things about each that is liked or disliked. My question is... "Why does someone not make one that is a mix of both?" Now there may be copy right rules and legal things that stop this from happening, and if so, then my question is answered. However, (i could be wrong) I do not think this is the case. I have always wondered why, when technology is so advanced, a third person doesn't come up with a technology that contains "the best of both worlds." If you know what is good about one and what is good about another, you research what people like and prefer, then why is a third not made that has the pros from both and eliminates as many cons from both as possible? This is the same with so much technology. I have just always wondered why the third person never came along made a combined piece that essentially is better than the first two that were created.
NU Educators Panel
Do you find incorporating new technology in the classroom to be an helpful/easy task or more time consuming?
What is your best piece of advice for a first year teacher?
What is the one thing that you learned while teaching that has impacted you the most in your life/beliefs/teaching styles?
What is your best piece of advice for a first year teacher?
What is the one thing that you learned while teaching that has impacted you the most in your life/beliefs/teaching styles?
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Technology Project Plan
The below link/video is a short description on what I am going to do for my technology plan. Basically, I want to create a web page by using a very handy and easy cite that will be very beneficial to me as a teacher. Also, I am going to create a video and link it to my web page. I want to create it as a reference so I will remember how to and TO do it for the students. I think little videos will be great for the students.
Podcast
http://vocaroo.com/?media=vyM2SZjNrJxeyzAGG
Podcast
http://vocaroo.com/?media=vyM2SZjNrJxeyzAGG
Assignment # 3
Tool Box
I created a tool box that contains twenty different websites. The toolbox was designed to help me, as a future teacher, to have websites to refer back to. Above is a link to my toolbox and all the websites contained within it. I created my toolbox on Mindomo.com. I really liked this website. I was able to place a title with the website and if necessary I could create a subcategory explaining what that site had available for me to use as a teacher. My toolbox is organize in a spider-web like format. In the center is the name of what I am doing. (For this it was called "Helpful Websites") Then I created subcategories off the main title and moved them around so they were easy to see and did not appear to be a jumbled mess.
When I was deciding which websites to put in my toolbox, I wanted to choose ones that I thought would be helpful to me and my area of interest. I chose to use some math sites, reading sites, ELL sites as well as ones we have learned to use in this technology class. Ones for the Smart Board, weebly, etc. I think these will all be very helpful for me once i begin teaching in my own classroom. I will use this toolbox to teach lessons, to refer back to websites and lesson plans on these sites. I can also use it to teach my students new kinds of technology. Students today like to do things hands-on, and if I was unaware of so many websites, I am sure they will be too. I can introduce these new websites to students to help them later in life as they use technology more and more throughout their education. When it comes to sharing this website, I will have it posted to my blog. I can also send the website home in a letter or email so parents can check it out if they so desire. Sharing with my other colleagues will be easier. I can have it available to them and suggest which sites I think may be useful for them to use. If I have it posted in my own email, or my blog everyone will have access to it.
Math Learning
This site talks about the many different learning styles that students have. I really like this site a lot. It gives many options for the teacher, some that I would never have thought about doing. One was redesigning the classroom. I would never have thought that this would make much of a difference for the students. I have always heard that warm colors are good in classrooms, but something as simple as moving things around is also helpful for the students. Along with that there are many areas in math covered in this site and I found it very helpful. I think teachers would definitely benefit from this site.
Math Games
This is a great site for kids to enjoy. It has many different games that can be played that help understand different math concepts. This site also incorporates science, reading, telling time and other subjects in school. So many of my classes have been talking about how you can integrate subjects and I think this site is great for that. It may also be helpful to teachers when they are looking for ideas on how to integrate subjects. I enjoyed looking at this site. I think it was well put together and very beneficial. I have gained ideas from it for projects I have had to complete this semester. It has much more than just games on it, but games are great for students. Many students hate math so if it takes games to help them love it, then as a teacher you need to incorporate games. Each student learns differently and a teacher needs to be flexible and learn to adapt and adjust his/her teaching techniques.
Ten Teacher Tips
This website gives the teacher 10 very useful tips about teaching math to elementary students. I think they are all great tips and will help the teacher teach the concepts and make the concepts easier for the students to understand. This is more useful to the teacher, but the students will get help from this site also. This site had very good insight. They are simple little tips, but good nonetheless. Some were tips that maybe you wouldn't have thought of as a new teacher, or something that your cooperating teacher may not have taught you. They are very helpful and I think teachers and students would really benefit from this website.
I created a tool box that contains twenty different websites. The toolbox was designed to help me, as a future teacher, to have websites to refer back to. Above is a link to my toolbox and all the websites contained within it. I created my toolbox on Mindomo.com. I really liked this website. I was able to place a title with the website and if necessary I could create a subcategory explaining what that site had available for me to use as a teacher. My toolbox is organize in a spider-web like format. In the center is the name of what I am doing. (For this it was called "Helpful Websites") Then I created subcategories off the main title and moved them around so they were easy to see and did not appear to be a jumbled mess.
When I was deciding which websites to put in my toolbox, I wanted to choose ones that I thought would be helpful to me and my area of interest. I chose to use some math sites, reading sites, ELL sites as well as ones we have learned to use in this technology class. Ones for the Smart Board, weebly, etc. I think these will all be very helpful for me once i begin teaching in my own classroom. I will use this toolbox to teach lessons, to refer back to websites and lesson plans on these sites. I can also use it to teach my students new kinds of technology. Students today like to do things hands-on, and if I was unaware of so many websites, I am sure they will be too. I can introduce these new websites to students to help them later in life as they use technology more and more throughout their education. When it comes to sharing this website, I will have it posted to my blog. I can also send the website home in a letter or email so parents can check it out if they so desire. Sharing with my other colleagues will be easier. I can have it available to them and suggest which sites I think may be useful for them to use. If I have it posted in my own email, or my blog everyone will have access to it.
Math Learning
This site talks about the many different learning styles that students have. I really like this site a lot. It gives many options for the teacher, some that I would never have thought about doing. One was redesigning the classroom. I would never have thought that this would make much of a difference for the students. I have always heard that warm colors are good in classrooms, but something as simple as moving things around is also helpful for the students. Along with that there are many areas in math covered in this site and I found it very helpful. I think teachers would definitely benefit from this site.
Math Games
This is a great site for kids to enjoy. It has many different games that can be played that help understand different math concepts. This site also incorporates science, reading, telling time and other subjects in school. So many of my classes have been talking about how you can integrate subjects and I think this site is great for that. It may also be helpful to teachers when they are looking for ideas on how to integrate subjects. I enjoyed looking at this site. I think it was well put together and very beneficial. I have gained ideas from it for projects I have had to complete this semester. It has much more than just games on it, but games are great for students. Many students hate math so if it takes games to help them love it, then as a teacher you need to incorporate games. Each student learns differently and a teacher needs to be flexible and learn to adapt and adjust his/her teaching techniques.
Ten Teacher Tips
This website gives the teacher 10 very useful tips about teaching math to elementary students. I think they are all great tips and will help the teacher teach the concepts and make the concepts easier for the students to understand. This is more useful to the teacher, but the students will get help from this site also. This site had very good insight. They are simple little tips, but good nonetheless. Some were tips that maybe you wouldn't have thought of as a new teacher, or something that your cooperating teacher may not have taught you. They are very helpful and I think teachers and students would really benefit from this website.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
"Caught on Video"
This was a little weird to me. I think it would have taken me a little while, as a student, to get used to a teacher constantly filming everything that is going on in the classroom. I thought some of the ideas like bringing the outside in, filming for absent students, students filming themselves solving problems, and filming a before and after learning experience are great ideas (to name a few). There were a few that I thought were odd or farfetched, but maybe that is just because this is new to me and would feel uncomfortable to me at first. It is very interesting, this idea of videotaping everything. I think it can really come in handy and also engage the students. I think some students will love it and others will not like it so much, so I think there will need to be a line drawn on when too much video is making some students stop learning. I would like to see it put into action before I ever tried it.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Reflection #6
Evolution of Music Devices
Music devices such as Record player,tape player, Walkman, CD player, MP3 player, IPod, ITouch have evolved so much over the years. I wonder what they will come out with next. I though a Walkman was a great thing. I did not even think anything better could come out. Then came the IPod and its many different versions. I also wonder if CD's will ever be obsolete. Records and tapes are rarely used, since we have CD's and then IPods, but now that we do not need CD's, I wonder why they have not yet disappeared. They are not as popular, but they are still used. I try to imagine what will come next, but I cannot begin to imagine what tech people will When will what we have be good enough? What is not convenient enough about an IPod that would need it to be replaced by something better? Is there anywhere to go after this or is IPod the best it gets? Music isn't even the limit on the ITouch, you can surf the Internet, play games, and even talk on the IPhone version. I love the new technology, but I just wonder when what we have will be good enough.
Music devices such as Record player,tape player, Walkman, CD player, MP3 player, IPod, ITouch have evolved so much over the years. I wonder what they will come out with next. I though a Walkman was a great thing. I did not even think anything better could come out. Then came the IPod and its many different versions. I also wonder if CD's will ever be obsolete. Records and tapes are rarely used, since we have CD's and then IPods, but now that we do not need CD's, I wonder why they have not yet disappeared. They are not as popular, but they are still used. I try to imagine what will come next, but I cannot begin to imagine what tech people will When will what we have be good enough? What is not convenient enough about an IPod that would need it to be replaced by something better? Is there anywhere to go after this or is IPod the best it gets? Music isn't even the limit on the ITouch, you can surf the Internet, play games, and even talk on the IPhone version. I love the new technology, but I just wonder when what we have will be good enough.
Promethean Activboard
The Promethean Activboard is used much the same as the SmartBoard. Teachers can use it just the same and it is used interactively with students and for many different subjects. This board uses magnetic pulls when using a marker or cursor, which results in a more accurate use of these devices. Also, you do not have to calibrate the board and it is great for any heigth of students. Like the SmartBoard, it has a large collection of teacher lessons that are pre-made and accessible. Some disadvantages of this board, is that you always have to use a marker or object to do anything on the board. It is not touch sensitive. I think in this way, the SmartBoard is more convenient. I am not really sure, besides that difference what the big deal or differences between the many different Activboards. They basically all serve the same purpose and are great in improving student learning. This particular board, like other Activboards, encourage student involvement and create different ways to teach using different methods and approaches. This helps to better engage the students and thus leads to better learning in the classroom.
Promethean Activboard
Promethean Activboard
Reflection #5
A little while ago I was faithfully watching the Australian Open. I never used to a huge tennis fan, but I really got into it this year. One thing that I found amazing was the replay option. They only really used this when the players would challenge an "in/out" call made by the line judges. I watch a lot of sports so the idea of a replay was not what interested me. It was the actual way the play was replayed. I am not sure if there are sensors in the ground, or how it works, but when it is played back again, it shows the exact path of the ball and shadows where the ball hit the ground. Sometimes there was literally centimeters or less between the line and where the ball hit, but some kind of technology was able to detect this. This kind of technology has really changed sports today. Without replays you had to deal with the call that was made, often time's this calls were game deciders. New technology has improved many sports and helped the games to be called more accurately. This also takes away the chance of an unfair judge. Another thing that the sports center would broadcast was all the different places the ball was hit or where the player ran to during the rally. I am not sure how it works, but it is a great addition and not only helps when reffing a game, but also will help a player perform more accurately.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Reflection #4
Skype. This is probably one of the coolest inventions of technology. Two years ago my parents went to Madagascar for missions work. My mother was teaching in a school there for three months. While they were gone there was no way to communicate over the phone (its far too expensive). So we used Skype to talk to each other. If you have a good connection (which often we did not since it was Madagascar and a very poor area) you not only get to talk to the person, but you get to see them. You can also type chat back and forth, if one person does not have sound working. Anyway, Skype was great for me my freshman year when my parents were so far away. It provided a free form of communication and it never seemed like they were that far away from me. Basically, I just think Skype is great and also crazy at the same time. Technology is so advanced you can really do anything with it and through it. I guess the only disadvantage to Skype is you have to be on the internet and also on your computer which could be inconvenient, but how can we complain about the inconvenience of such an amazing invention?
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Clancy Elementary School
Clancy School
This is the school I attended in my home town from Kindergarten to 8th grade. This website is nice because it has updates about students at the school and their achievements. It has a link to the monthly news that they give to the students. There is a picture of the school on the front page as well as their four main rules. It is colorful which is great for younger students. They have links to their lunch schedule for two months, but it would not work on my computer (this does not mean it wasn't working, sometimes my computer is weird). One thing I think they need to add is a copy of their handbook. When this is given to students at school, it often times does not make it home to the parents and having it on the website will make it accessible for the parents. This site is very simple and a little bit on the plain side. I think they could add more to it and make it a little more up-to-date. I did not think there was anything about this page that was confusing to me. It was pretty direct and simple.
This is the school I attended in my home town from Kindergarten to 8th grade. This website is nice because it has updates about students at the school and their achievements. It has a link to the monthly news that they give to the students. There is a picture of the school on the front page as well as their four main rules. It is colorful which is great for younger students. They have links to their lunch schedule for two months, but it would not work on my computer (this does not mean it wasn't working, sometimes my computer is weird). One thing I think they need to add is a copy of their handbook. When this is given to students at school, it often times does not make it home to the parents and having it on the website will make it accessible for the parents. This site is very simple and a little bit on the plain side. I think they could add more to it and make it a little more up-to-date. I did not think there was anything about this page that was confusing to me. It was pretty direct and simple.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
After Presentation
After this class and all the presentations that the class did, I learned many new things about the SMART Board. I learned how to record and save your lesson in case someone does not really understand and need some extra help. I also learned how to make the SMART board recognize what I wrote with a pen and turn it into text written by the SMART board. The SMART Board can integrate many/all the different subjects even health and fitness. It was really cool seeing all the different lessons and activities everyone did with lessons. I learned many new techniques on how to use a SMART Board.
I want to be able to create my own SMART Board presentation and make it as neat as the ones that are already made on the computer. I think it would be fun to create my own. It is nice to download them, but I think it would be more beneficial for me if I created my own just so I knew how.
I want to be able to create my own SMART Board presentation and make it as neat as the ones that are already made on the computer. I think it would be fun to create my own. It is nice to download them, but I think it would be more beneficial for me if I created my own just so I knew how.
Reflection #3
I have observed a few different classrooms over the past few years and they have all been very interesting to me. They were all similar in many ways and still so very different in other ways. One classroom that really stuck out to me was a math class that I observed. It was a first grade classroom and the children were so cute and ready to learn. I am from Montana were diversity is lacking, especially in the classroom. When there is any diversity there is only one language. There are/were no students who did not fluently speak English. There was never an issue of a child not understanding because of a language barrier. In the classroom I observed there were at least 5 if not more students that spoke a language other than English. I do not know if that means they were not fluent in English, I did not ask the students, but the teacher was taking that opportunity to teach the students a few words in a different language. This makes the student who is of a different ethnicity not feel left out or out of place. They and their ethnicity is very welcomed in the classroom. I just really found this interesting and the father I have gone in the Education Program the more I hear about the possibility and the likeliness of having a student who does not speak English fluently. Especially if I stay in Washington and teach. Growing up in Montana this was NEVER an issue and honestly never even crossed my mind as an issue.
That being said I think it is very important the as a teacher I am prepared to have students like that in my classroom and be flexible and ready to adjust to anything that comes at me. It was very interesting to observe and I really enjoyed it. I think the teacher was doing a great job with her students. This was a new issue brought to my attention and now I need to make sure I am prepared in my classroom for this type of a situation.
That being said I think it is very important the as a teacher I am prepared to have students like that in my classroom and be flexible and ready to adjust to anything that comes at me. It was very interesting to observe and I really enjoyed it. I think the teacher was doing a great job with her students. This was a new issue brought to my attention and now I need to make sure I am prepared in my classroom for this type of a situation.
Assignment #2
Smart Board Presentation
During this presentation I will use:
1. The clickers so the students can respond to answers
2. A times table that gives you the multiples of any number you enter
NET Standards for Teacher
Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S. Teachers:
a. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.
b. develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.
c. customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources.
d. provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching.
This meets the standards because since I could not download a previously made activity I made my own, based off of one. I designed it for the students to help them learn the concepts of multiplication and to use the technology to better engage them in the learning and make sure all the students are listening. I can also use it as an assessment to see how the students are doing and make sure I have not confused or lost any of them in the process.
NET Standards for Students
Technology Operations and Concepts
Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations. Students:
a. understand and use technology systems.
b. select and use applications effectively and productively.
c. troubleshoot systems and applications.
d. transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies.
This meets the standards in my presentation because the students have to know how to use the clickers to answer the questions I have posted in my presentation. Also, the interactive table I have inserted in my presentation the students will need to know how to use the Smart Board technology to get the program to work and compute the multiples for them.
An interactive white board would very much improve learning in the classroom. It is very engaging and if I love to play with it as a college student I am sure the students will enjoy using it even more than I do. They may not even realize they are learning as they are using the white board, but every activity done will teach them something. Also, this is a good way to help student remember what they learned. If they can connect what they learned to an activity it is easier to remember and solidify it in their heads. They will have a connection for later when they need to recall the skill they learned. Also, the Smart Board offers so many new ways to teach to students and I can do assessments all the time to make sure I do not lose any of the students while I am teaching which will make sure they are all learning and understanding.
During this presentation I will use:
1. The clickers so the students can respond to answers
2. A times table that gives you the multiples of any number you enter
NET Standards for Teacher
Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S. Teachers:
a. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.
b. develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.
c. customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources.
d. provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching.
This meets the standards because since I could not download a previously made activity I made my own, based off of one. I designed it for the students to help them learn the concepts of multiplication and to use the technology to better engage them in the learning and make sure all the students are listening. I can also use it as an assessment to see how the students are doing and make sure I have not confused or lost any of them in the process.
NET Standards for Students
Technology Operations and Concepts
Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations. Students:
a. understand and use technology systems.
b. select and use applications effectively and productively.
c. troubleshoot systems and applications.
d. transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies.
This meets the standards in my presentation because the students have to know how to use the clickers to answer the questions I have posted in my presentation. Also, the interactive table I have inserted in my presentation the students will need to know how to use the Smart Board technology to get the program to work and compute the multiples for them.
An interactive white board would very much improve learning in the classroom. It is very engaging and if I love to play with it as a college student I am sure the students will enjoy using it even more than I do. They may not even realize they are learning as they are using the white board, but every activity done will teach them something. Also, this is a good way to help student remember what they learned. If they can connect what they learned to an activity it is easier to remember and solidify it in their heads. They will have a connection for later when they need to recall the skill they learned. Also, the Smart Board offers so many new ways to teach to students and I can do assessments all the time to make sure I do not lose any of the students while I am teaching which will make sure they are all learning and understanding.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
"Blogs for Educators"
I have never used twitter in my life. The first time I heard about it I thought it was the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard. However, after reading this article my opinion has changed a little. Although I will most likely never use it in my personal life, ever, I realize that it can be beneficial in the classroom, if you use it correctly. Of course, you would need to set up a separate and private twitter blog for your class (you may choose to do different pages for different subjects as well). This provides many perks for a teacher. Twitter, when used this way, can provide instant feedback for the teacher, you can add notes after class, you can add assignments. Also, you can collaborate with other instructors, if you run into a problem all you do is post it and wait for tons of feedback from fellow teachers. For students, it creates community, they can also post questions they have and get immediate feedback from other students or the teacher. Lastly, twitter in the classroom also helps with brainstorming, group work and much, much more. I think that if it is used correctly and efficiently it can be a great benefit to the classroom. I never thought twitter would be useful for anything other than the latest gossip, I guess I was wrong.
Emerging Ed Tech
100 Twitter Tips- Classroom
Emerging Ed Tech
100 Twitter Tips- Classroom
Reflection #2
Technology today is absolutely amazing. One piece of technology that always just stuns me is the cell phone and all the different kinds. I never upgrade or get a nicer phone until my 2 year commitment is up and I get one for free, and even then it is never the latest development of phones I get to choose from. So that being said it is probably clear that I have a phone that is close to two years old. It is not new and does not have any of the newest features on it such as: internet, games, email, projection, music, etc. I see commercials for tons of different kinds of new and advanced phones and they are always 'toping' a previous invention. I always wonder to myself, "what are they going to make that tops this?" But one way or another there is always something better: a touch screen, a touch screen AND a regular key pad, a projector built in. So now my question is, "what's next?" I do not know where they are going to go next with cell phones, to me it seems like there is nothing left to add to make a cell phone any better, but then again I would have never thought of adding a projector to a cell phone, so I am sure they will come up with something to top that.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Reflection #1
Something that I have noticed from being around children is that (for the families I nanny for) they are so attached to their games and technology that I think it is somewhat ridiculous. I think the new technology is great students and kids, but I think there needs to be a limit on it. I feel like kids are more and more detached from family and friends. One of the kids I babysit all he does is play video games or watch T.V. I think it encourages children to be lazy instead of getting out. Yes, Wii-fit is great (or so I have heard). It makes working out fun for kids, but why can't mom and dad go out and play tennis or basketball or whatever activity they child wants to do instead of having them do it with the T.V. screen? Anyway, what I am saying is there needs to be a limit on the number of devices in a home and the amount of time spent in front of them.
Assignment #1
Science Technology Society vs Textbook-Based Instruction
Yager, Robert E. Journal of Elementary Science Education, Vol. 21, No.2 pp. 15-24 Spring 2009. Document and Public Services, Western Illinois University.
This article is based on a type of experiment that took place amongst teachers in Iowa. It has spread to many other areas sense. Basically what happened was a group of about 30 teachers took a seminar on how to make their classroom more technology based. They had different sessions of learning and experimenting one is 2-4 weeks in the summer and two are 3 days in the spring and fall. At these sessions or conventions the teaches are being taught new technology and later becoming very successful in the classroom. Since the first trial of this there have been over 225 teachers enrolled each year over the past decade. This has proven to be very successful. Every year the most successful teachers then go on to teach the newer beginning learners how to be successful with technology in the classroom.
This program then did a test to see if STS was really much more beneficial in the classroom. They had 15 different teachers teach science with STS and 15 teach without STS. All variables inside the lesson and all lessons were the same. All that differed was the use of technology. They then got results from classroom behavior and tests to compare if STS was really a big deal or worth all the fuss. From the results of 4th-6th grade classes they discovered that concept mastery was reached as required in both settings. However, student attitude, creativity, progress toward reaching the 4 goals for NSES, and deeper learning all had a better score, if you will, at the end of the lesson.
I enjoyed reading this article, it was somewhat long and got a little repetitive, but the results that came up were shocking to me. As I was reading I was expecting the students who were in the non STS classrooms to not master the concepts as quickly or as well as students with STS classrooms. Especially since there is so much talk about how great technology in the classroom is for students. However, as I read on and discovered that deeper learning, better attitudes and so on were all higher scores it all made sense to me. Students who want good grades will still work hard whether they are taught with technology or not, however, all students will better enjoy and in a sense learn more with technology in the classroom. When students have bad attitudes about a subject, they are more likely to tune it out and not listen or learn, but if we, as teachers, make it more engaging and use technology we will keep the students' attention longer and they will learn more than the just the concept that is required in the lesson.
After reading this article I know that if I do not use technology in the classroom, I will still be able to get my students to master the concept given, however, they will not enjoy it as much. I learned more deeply what effect technology really has on students. It helps with creativity, attitude, and much more. I will definitely use technology in my classroom and I think this article is great for persuading teachers to use technology. Teaching is about the students, and although it may be more time consuming making learning fun for the students is better than using a textbook and teaching them to dislike school.
NETS FOR TEACHERS
Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
-The teacher uses their knowledge on the subject to teach in a way that students will advance in learning, creativity and innovation in real and virtual environments. I think this is important because teachers need to be creative and come up with new ways to teach to their students. They also need to encourage their students to be creative. This is important to me because I remember loving classes that were not straight out of the textbook and that actually had activities. I want the students in my class to learn and to enjoy being there. So I think it is important to facilitate and inspire learning and creativity.
1. This semester I will learn new technologies such as the SMART Board so I can use it in the classroom with my students. I want to learn not just the basics but how to include my students so they have fun with the SMART Board also.
2. I will learn creative ways to use technology to teach and make it fun for the students. I will come up with new ways and ideas to teach through learning new technologies.
3. Lastly, this semester I will think about ways that I can include technology in areas that are not necessarily thought of as needing technology. I can also talk to my students and see what they like and if they have ideas on how I can use technology to engage them.
NETS FOR STUDENTS
Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
I think critical thinking, problem solving and decision making is very important. In many settings today students and even adults find it difficult to make decisions. They are wishy washy and go back and forth on decisions all the time. I think that critical thinking and problem solving help in decision making. They are all three related and work together. I have always enjoyed problem solving and critical thinking and think they are very important. They are not only practical in future decisions such as schools to attend or careers to strive for, but also in decisions made daily, good and bad.
1. One assignment I can give my students is a type of scavenger hunt with clues. The clues can be ones that require critical thinking or problem solving in order to get to the next clue. Also, I can include options of obstacles students choose to take, one can be a short-cut but more complicated, and one can be the longer way but easier and make students decide which road to take. This would take some time and not be a one day event, but rather an activity we spend a little time on each day for a period of time.
2. Another assignment I can have my students do is a science project. One that you use the science steps of hypothesis, experiment etc. This is great to get the students thinking about what the outcome of the experiment is going to be and to follow directions and make decisions throughout the experiment.
Yager, Robert E. Journal of Elementary Science Education, Vol. 21, No.2 pp. 15-24 Spring 2009. Document and Public Services, Western Illinois University.
This article is based on a type of experiment that took place amongst teachers in Iowa. It has spread to many other areas sense. Basically what happened was a group of about 30 teachers took a seminar on how to make their classroom more technology based. They had different sessions of learning and experimenting one is 2-4 weeks in the summer and two are 3 days in the spring and fall. At these sessions or conventions the teaches are being taught new technology and later becoming very successful in the classroom. Since the first trial of this there have been over 225 teachers enrolled each year over the past decade. This has proven to be very successful. Every year the most successful teachers then go on to teach the newer beginning learners how to be successful with technology in the classroom.
This program then did a test to see if STS was really much more beneficial in the classroom. They had 15 different teachers teach science with STS and 15 teach without STS. All variables inside the lesson and all lessons were the same. All that differed was the use of technology. They then got results from classroom behavior and tests to compare if STS was really a big deal or worth all the fuss. From the results of 4th-6th grade classes they discovered that concept mastery was reached as required in both settings. However, student attitude, creativity, progress toward reaching the 4 goals for NSES, and deeper learning all had a better score, if you will, at the end of the lesson.
I enjoyed reading this article, it was somewhat long and got a little repetitive, but the results that came up were shocking to me. As I was reading I was expecting the students who were in the non STS classrooms to not master the concepts as quickly or as well as students with STS classrooms. Especially since there is so much talk about how great technology in the classroom is for students. However, as I read on and discovered that deeper learning, better attitudes and so on were all higher scores it all made sense to me. Students who want good grades will still work hard whether they are taught with technology or not, however, all students will better enjoy and in a sense learn more with technology in the classroom. When students have bad attitudes about a subject, they are more likely to tune it out and not listen or learn, but if we, as teachers, make it more engaging and use technology we will keep the students' attention longer and they will learn more than the just the concept that is required in the lesson.
After reading this article I know that if I do not use technology in the classroom, I will still be able to get my students to master the concept given, however, they will not enjoy it as much. I learned more deeply what effect technology really has on students. It helps with creativity, attitude, and much more. I will definitely use technology in my classroom and I think this article is great for persuading teachers to use technology. Teaching is about the students, and although it may be more time consuming making learning fun for the students is better than using a textbook and teaching them to dislike school.
NETS FOR TEACHERS
Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
-The teacher uses their knowledge on the subject to teach in a way that students will advance in learning, creativity and innovation in real and virtual environments. I think this is important because teachers need to be creative and come up with new ways to teach to their students. They also need to encourage their students to be creative. This is important to me because I remember loving classes that were not straight out of the textbook and that actually had activities. I want the students in my class to learn and to enjoy being there. So I think it is important to facilitate and inspire learning and creativity.
1. This semester I will learn new technologies such as the SMART Board so I can use it in the classroom with my students. I want to learn not just the basics but how to include my students so they have fun with the SMART Board also.
2. I will learn creative ways to use technology to teach and make it fun for the students. I will come up with new ways and ideas to teach through learning new technologies.
3. Lastly, this semester I will think about ways that I can include technology in areas that are not necessarily thought of as needing technology. I can also talk to my students and see what they like and if they have ideas on how I can use technology to engage them.
NETS FOR STUDENTS
Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
I think critical thinking, problem solving and decision making is very important. In many settings today students and even adults find it difficult to make decisions. They are wishy washy and go back and forth on decisions all the time. I think that critical thinking and problem solving help in decision making. They are all three related and work together. I have always enjoyed problem solving and critical thinking and think they are very important. They are not only practical in future decisions such as schools to attend or careers to strive for, but also in decisions made daily, good and bad.
1. One assignment I can give my students is a type of scavenger hunt with clues. The clues can be ones that require critical thinking or problem solving in order to get to the next clue. Also, I can include options of obstacles students choose to take, one can be a short-cut but more complicated, and one can be the longer way but easier and make students decide which road to take. This would take some time and not be a one day event, but rather an activity we spend a little time on each day for a period of time.
2. Another assignment I can have my students do is a science project. One that you use the science steps of hypothesis, experiment etc. This is great to get the students thinking about what the outcome of the experiment is going to be and to follow directions and make decisions throughout the experiment.
Monday, February 1, 2010
"Generation IM" Reflection
This article was very interesting. The beginning of it I have heard/read about in many other articles. It talked about how children are so "techy" in today's time and that teachers need to adjust to this for their students. It was interesting how one teacher was awarded for her great incorporation of technology and although she was happy to receive this award, she did express how exhausting and demanding it really was for her. There is so much to learn and you cannot expect teachers to be able to just automatically learn everything in a day. Especially when they did not grow up with this kind of technology.
At the end of the article I really like the 7 steps/ways to include technology in the classroom. A few of this ways I had already thought of, however, they were all very helpful and great ideas for a teacher to use in his/her classroom.
At the end of the article I really like the 7 steps/ways to include technology in the classroom. A few of this ways I had already thought of, however, they were all very helpful and great ideas for a teacher to use in his/her classroom.
Beginning of Semester Reflection
Technology plays a very vital role in the world today. There are few things, if any, that cannot or are not currently done using technology. Just about everything uses technology in some way. Also, technology is becoming more and more advanced as the years go by and technology is becoming more of a necessity and it is harder for people to function without technology at hand.
I think as a teacher I need to be educated in the newest technology. I need to be aware of what my students are using and be able to relate to my students. The more educated I am in the current technology and any new technology coming out the better I can teach and make it relate to my students. Also, using new technology and not using the old school ways of little technology will help my students from getting bored and tuning out. As a teacher it may be necessary that I post items such as assignments and grades online and this would be much easier and less time consuming if I was well educated in technology.
As for the classroom and how technology should be used I am all for technology in the classroom! I think technology is becoming more and more advanced and if I have the opportunity to use it and get my students using it I would take advantage and do so. The younger the students are when they learn the technology that easier it is later in years and the better they learn it. If you know technology now, it is easier to learn as it gets more complicated and advanced. I think technology is very beneficial to students today and I believe it should be brought and incorporated in the classroom today.
I think as a teacher I need to be educated in the newest technology. I need to be aware of what my students are using and be able to relate to my students. The more educated I am in the current technology and any new technology coming out the better I can teach and make it relate to my students. Also, using new technology and not using the old school ways of little technology will help my students from getting bored and tuning out. As a teacher it may be necessary that I post items such as assignments and grades online and this would be much easier and less time consuming if I was well educated in technology.
As for the classroom and how technology should be used I am all for technology in the classroom! I think technology is becoming more and more advanced and if I have the opportunity to use it and get my students using it I would take advantage and do so. The younger the students are when they learn the technology that easier it is later in years and the better they learn it. If you know technology now, it is easier to learn as it gets more complicated and advanced. I think technology is very beneficial to students today and I believe it should be brought and incorporated in the classroom today.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
SMART Boards
SMART boards are extremely useful in the classroom today. There are so many things a teacher can use it for. It can be used for presentations, quizzes, and visual aspects, to name a few. This link below, will connect you to a page about SMART boards. This page is very helpful in learning how to use the SMART board and gives ideas for the teacher in the classroom. It teaches you shortcuts, math lessons, how to use different newsletter templates, and much more. These are interactive white boards that you can tough to open and move programs, as well as write on like a normal white board. This article is a step by step processes that helps you as a teacher to learn how to use and work a SMART board to its fullest. The link is below, it is the "Teacher's Hub" and very helpful.
Teacher's Hub
Teacher's Hub
Monday, January 18, 2010
"Turning on the Lights"
This article was very interesting. I actually really enjoyed it. I have never realized the affect technology has on students and learning. My generation, for the most part, grew up with technology, but technology is used and relied on even more than it was when I was growing up. It never occurred to me that students are actually bored in school and this due to the lack of technology involved and teaching for the future not being involved. I figured (which still may be the case for some students) that students were just getting lazier and not caring about school or education. However, I agree with Prensky that by incorporating technology and newer ways to teach would make education more intriguing to students. I do still believe, however, that personal items such as cell phones and I-pods need to be turned off or silenced when in school. I know, from my own experience, that the second I get bored in class if I have access to a such a device I will be using it and not paying attention. That's not to say that they need to be banned by any means, just used appropriately and maybe even incorporated with teaching and learning.
I agree that some subjects in school need to be added or older subjects need to be brought up to current times, making it more beneficial for current students. However, I do believe that some basics still need to be taught and make sure that they are being learned correctly. There are always ways to update lessons and include technology while teaching, but things such as grammar, spelling, and basic English is very important and no matter how smart you are if you don't use proper English many will not take you seriously. I am actually a little excited to see what kinds of technology I will teach with and how I can make learning better for my students. I don't want to be a teach who is stuck in the ways of the past and refuses to adjust, but I think there is a fine line that should not be crossed when disregarding the ways of education from the past.
One thing that I disagreed with in this article was at the end when Prensky went on and named many different video games, such as World of Warcraft, and said that these are helping to educate students. I have never played World of Warcraft so I cannot say this is not in any way educational. However, games such as Halo, that is really only killing, is not in anyway educational, in my opinion. I do realize that they are learning the technology and different aspects and ways to win the game, but I think there are many other games that would be more beneficial than this one. What I am saying is that to a point I think SOME video games are educating students, but there is also a fine line here that can be crossed and involves too much of the video games and not enough learning.
I believe teachers need to be just as educated when it comes to technology as their students. Before I may not have thought it was as big a deal, but after reading the article and relating to it in my own schooling, I do believe that students will learn more and engage more if they are taught in a way that interests them. We do need to be looking into the future for our students. I want to be fully aware that as a teacher, the students are my priority and my job is to teach them. This may mean learning new things myself, but if it means advancing my students' education that should not be an issue or even debated. I should gladly learn a new concept or technology to educate the next generation.
I agree that some subjects in school need to be added or older subjects need to be brought up to current times, making it more beneficial for current students. However, I do believe that some basics still need to be taught and make sure that they are being learned correctly. There are always ways to update lessons and include technology while teaching, but things such as grammar, spelling, and basic English is very important and no matter how smart you are if you don't use proper English many will not take you seriously. I am actually a little excited to see what kinds of technology I will teach with and how I can make learning better for my students. I don't want to be a teach who is stuck in the ways of the past and refuses to adjust, but I think there is a fine line that should not be crossed when disregarding the ways of education from the past.
One thing that I disagreed with in this article was at the end when Prensky went on and named many different video games, such as World of Warcraft, and said that these are helping to educate students. I have never played World of Warcraft so I cannot say this is not in any way educational. However, games such as Halo, that is really only killing, is not in anyway educational, in my opinion. I do realize that they are learning the technology and different aspects and ways to win the game, but I think there are many other games that would be more beneficial than this one. What I am saying is that to a point I think SOME video games are educating students, but there is also a fine line here that can be crossed and involves too much of the video games and not enough learning.
I believe teachers need to be just as educated when it comes to technology as their students. Before I may not have thought it was as big a deal, but after reading the article and relating to it in my own schooling, I do believe that students will learn more and engage more if they are taught in a way that interests them. We do need to be looking into the future for our students. I want to be fully aware that as a teacher, the students are my priority and my job is to teach them. This may mean learning new things myself, but if it means advancing my students' education that should not be an issue or even debated. I should gladly learn a new concept or technology to educate the next generation.
My Decision to Become a Teacher
I wanted to become a teacher because I have many family members who are teachers. Also, I have had many teachers who have impacted me positively and negatively. These teachers have influenced me to also become a teacher. I enjoy working with kids and I have worked with kids in many different programs. I am an Elementary Education major with an endorsement in humanities and ESL. I would really love to teach in a different country. Although I am not sure where I want to go yet. I do not know yet which grade level I would like to teach either.
In this class I would like to learn how to use different types of technology so that I can use it in my classroom and every day life. There is a lot of technology now that I did not grow up using, and I am hoping that this class will teach me how to use it.
In this class I would like to learn how to use different types of technology so that I can use it in my classroom and every day life. There is a lot of technology now that I did not grow up using, and I am hoping that this class will teach me how to use it.
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