A technology enhanced lesson requires a lot of planning and thought. A teacher has to fully understand and be aware of the kind of technology they want to incorporate into a lesson. Incorporate is the word I chose because technology has to be a part of the lesson, not just an add on. Technology is a powerful tool and can be used for many things. An effective technology enhanced lesson can do multiple things such as teach a student how to browse the web while they are learning about a war.
When I was in public school the only time we used computers was in computer class. Our lessons didn’t include technology and if it did, which was rare, we had to type our papers. Now mostly every classroom that I’ve visited in a public school has at least two computers. These computers aren’t sitting there for just any reason. They have to be implemented in some way in the lessons and it is important that teachers take the time out to learn and use them. I just went to a school where the teacher didn’t agree with the curriculum that was given by the district. She took it upon herself to buy software for her class that she thought would help them and they love it. This is an example of why teachers should be included in some of the decisions that are made, especially when it comes to teaching students. A teacher knows their students and they know what is best for them. For this reason, teachers should know how to implement all types of technology in their lessons because what worked for your class last year may not work for your class this year.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Chapter 6- Learning and Teaching with Technology
Technology is a wonderful thing that has been introduced to everybody because it makes things easier and better. It is essential that technology is introduced to students in the classroom because school is supposed to be the place you learn about everything you will need in life. Children spend most of their time in school so learning how to use technology from their teachers helps them advance with the rest of the world. They will eventually become able to live comfortably in a technological world.
Computers assist in all of the learning theories such as constructivism, constructionism, engaged learning and scaffolding. Even if a student is working alone on a computer, they are getting instant feedback and can play games with and against the computer, which will teach them how to think on their own and give them the ability to critically think. Working on the computer is like working with someone who is teaching you. Even when I am typing a paper the computer is telling me my errors, just as a teacher would.
Technology just can’t be tacked on because it’s available. Teachers must know how and when to use technology and which type of technology will work best at that time. Teachers have to help other teachers and share information they know. Not only are they educating students, but they are also learning for themselves.
There are some people who think technology isn’t such a good thing to be used in the classroom. They think the students will become so engaged in the technology that is being used rather than getting the information. This is where the teachers discretion comes in place. Technology isn’t supposed to be thrown in every lesson, it isn’t supposed to be the only part of the lesson, and it is always supposed to serve a purpose i.e. getting information about insects so they can write about them. Times are changing at a fast pace and that effects the everyday lives of everybody. Technology in classrooms is important so the students can grow up and be able to live comfortably in a fast paced society.
Computers assist in all of the learning theories such as constructivism, constructionism, engaged learning and scaffolding. Even if a student is working alone on a computer, they are getting instant feedback and can play games with and against the computer, which will teach them how to think on their own and give them the ability to critically think. Working on the computer is like working with someone who is teaching you. Even when I am typing a paper the computer is telling me my errors, just as a teacher would.
Technology just can’t be tacked on because it’s available. Teachers must know how and when to use technology and which type of technology will work best at that time. Teachers have to help other teachers and share information they know. Not only are they educating students, but they are also learning for themselves.
There are some people who think technology isn’t such a good thing to be used in the classroom. They think the students will become so engaged in the technology that is being used rather than getting the information. This is where the teachers discretion comes in place. Technology isn’t supposed to be thrown in every lesson, it isn’t supposed to be the only part of the lesson, and it is always supposed to serve a purpose i.e. getting information about insects so they can write about them. Times are changing at a fast pace and that effects the everyday lives of everybody. Technology in classrooms is important so the students can grow up and be able to live comfortably in a fast paced society.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Chapters 4 and 5- Advancing Technology and Its Issues
Reading this chapter was amusing because it predicted technologies that are going to happen in the future, which when this book was written means now. Everything they say is true; the small computers, the speech recognition devices, graphics on the computer that will hold students’ attention. Technology has come a long way and is advancing everyday. There is no longer a need for a PC because smart phones are capable of doing just about everything it does. Because of my smart phone I am able to receive and send emails, text messages, voice messages, listen to music, store pictures, and visit websites such as Google and Facebook. This is important because people who are always on the move, like myself, don’t always have time to sit at a computer to do all of the things we can do while were walking or working with our phone. Nowadays there is barely anybody who stays home all the time. Men and women work and go to school, have kids, and have to do other things like pay bills. Technology has become so advanced that I am able to pay my bill from my bank account by just clicking a button on my phone! How convenient is that?
Technology is great at helping all people and people with disabilities are able to fit in much more now with the general public. Deaf people and hearing impaired are able to hear and communicate with people, thanks to listening and alerting devices. People who are visually impaired can read because of large print on the computer and in books and they can enjoy the same books everybody else enjoys because of talking books.
The integration of technology is an excellent idea for classrooms because students with disabilities can feel like they are part of the general ed population instead of being isolated. There is no longer a need for bifocal glasses, or the big hearing aids that make children embarrassed and reluctant to learn with others. In the Special Education course that I was in last semester, the teacher taught about a lot of these devices and how useful they are. Without these devices, the inclusion classes wouldn’t be as productive as they are.
Technology is a great source of education in the classroom but can also be dangerous and illegal. If it weren’t for software that allows parents and teachers to keep track of what children do on the internet, there would be way more bad things happening, like abductions. More parents and teachers need to be aware of these software’s so they can protect their children.
The internet is very helpful but also very dangerous. I can’t even begin to count how many hundreds of spam email’s I receive every week. I don’t even open them but there are people who do. That’s when identity theft and other things come in. I’ve even received several emails from websites that I’ve visited that say they’ve been hacked and my information may have been given away without permission. It is so important that teachers and parents become educated about the mishaps of the internet so they can teach the children and keep them away from the negative things that can happen on the computer.
Technology is great at helping all people and people with disabilities are able to fit in much more now with the general public. Deaf people and hearing impaired are able to hear and communicate with people, thanks to listening and alerting devices. People who are visually impaired can read because of large print on the computer and in books and they can enjoy the same books everybody else enjoys because of talking books.
The integration of technology is an excellent idea for classrooms because students with disabilities can feel like they are part of the general ed population instead of being isolated. There is no longer a need for bifocal glasses, or the big hearing aids that make children embarrassed and reluctant to learn with others. In the Special Education course that I was in last semester, the teacher taught about a lot of these devices and how useful they are. Without these devices, the inclusion classes wouldn’t be as productive as they are.
Technology is a great source of education in the classroom but can also be dangerous and illegal. If it weren’t for software that allows parents and teachers to keep track of what children do on the internet, there would be way more bad things happening, like abductions. More parents and teachers need to be aware of these software’s so they can protect their children.
The internet is very helpful but also very dangerous. I can’t even begin to count how many hundreds of spam email’s I receive every week. I don’t even open them but there are people who do. That’s when identity theft and other things come in. I’ve even received several emails from websites that I’ve visited that say they’ve been hacked and my information may have been given away without permission. It is so important that teachers and parents become educated about the mishaps of the internet so they can teach the children and keep them away from the negative things that can happen on the computer.
March 17 Reflection- Technology
We discussed various types of technology that can be used in the classroom. Ipods (which amazed me), internet games, video games, simulations, and virtual reality games are some ways that students can be involved with their learning. They all can be used for different reasons.Video games are great for getting a student to form ideas and strategies which call for critical thinking. Simulations are an effective way for students to experience something that can really happen. The simple games on the internet can teach them their lesson while letting them have fun, like a math game that compliments them when they are correct. Although these are all effective, there is a time for each of these. For example, I won't let my 2nd grade students play a virtual reality game if I'm teaching them Amelia Bedelia. For that, a simple game on the internet that makes them put the story in order will be just fine. It is up to the teacher to know when, where, and how to assimilate the different kinds of technology in their classroom's.
March 10 Reflection- The Use and Effectiveness of Games and Simulations
As I stated in my previous blog, I really enjoy games and think they are a great way to teach students and get them to learn on their own. Something is classified as a game as long as there is competition, rules, and winning and losing. Games are fun, which is an important factor for children. As a teacher, I want to make every lesson as interesting as possible and a game will certainly do that. The rules will let students see that in order to get from point A to point B, they have to follow the rules. This can be applied to their everyday lives because in life even adults have to follow rules and if we don't there are consequences, just like in the games. Winning is very important to students, like passing a test, so they will learn from the games that in order to win, or pass the test, they have to follow the rules, or study. Game playing can be applied to everyday life and can be very effective if introduced properly.
Simulations recreate real world experiences. Teachers can use simulations in the classroom to show students what they should do and what will really happen if they don't. River City is a great simulation that is also virtual reality. It lets the children learn about recycling and caring for the environment. When they see what happens when an area is polluted it may make them start caring more about their environment.
The good thing about games and simulations is they can be redone. Students learn from their mistakes and can try again which makes them form different ideas by experimenting. This soon will make them able to teach others who aren't experienced. This is the same process experts had to go through to get where they are. I believe games should be played by all students because not only are they having fun but they are developing critical thinking skills and ideas which they need in the real world.
Simulations recreate real world experiences. Teachers can use simulations in the classroom to show students what they should do and what will really happen if they don't. River City is a great simulation that is also virtual reality. It lets the children learn about recycling and caring for the environment. When they see what happens when an area is polluted it may make them start caring more about their environment.
The good thing about games and simulations is they can be redone. Students learn from their mistakes and can try again which makes them form different ideas by experimenting. This soon will make them able to teach others who aren't experienced. This is the same process experts had to go through to get where they are. I believe games should be played by all students because not only are they having fun but they are developing critical thinking skills and ideas which they need in the real world.
March 3 Reflection- Assignment 1
For assignment 1, students were required to find websites that provided lessons to teachers and learning materials for teachers and students. This exercise was helpful, especially because it was the first assignment. This allowed me to actually see that there are many websites that I can use in a classroom to teach and/or assist in my teaching on any lesson. Some of the websites provided information on all lessons and grades, such as funbrain.com, and some were for a particular grade and lesson. Some were made by students for students which was very interesting. Those websites will inspire students to learn and let them see that they can do it too. Some of the websites provided games that can be played, like http://t4.jordan.k12.ut.us/professional_development/Interactive/Interact.html, which allows students to learn while having fun. I believe one of the best ways to learn is not realizing you are learning so I would utilize games in my classroom as much as possible.
Feb. 24 Reflection- Constructivism and Constructionism
Constructivism and constructionism are two separate ideas that have some similarities and some differences. Constructivists believe a person never learns anything from scratch. They believe ideas are built on already existing ideas, but where did the original idea come from? Are they saying we are born with ideas? This is where constructionism comes in. This is the idea that when technology is assimilated with constructivism, students learn new ways of thinking. Computers assist in the development and thinking of students. The four sub-categories of constructionism; learning by designing within a community, technological tools for learning, powerful ideas and wonderful ideas, and learning about learning with technology explain the different aspects of constructionism.
Personally, I think both ideas are applicable. Constructivists believe no ideas are new ideas, that they are old ideas that are built upon. I think this is possible. Lets take language for example. Linguist Noam Chomsky proposed that every human has an innate knowledge of language. We already have the rules in our head at birth and we build on the grammar as we develop and are exposed to language. This is the same idea of constructivism. Another example would be the way humans care for their young. All mammals have this natural ability to care for their children, whether its a human or a lion. We grow on that ability and learn as we go along.
I also believe in constructionism. Sometimes I learn something that I never knew or never would think of on my own. Constructionism and constructivism go hand in hand even though they may seem separate because without the belief that ideas are built upon, students who are collaborating on a project, which constructionism is based on, won't be able to gain knowledge and form their own ideas from what they've heard from their peers. Working in pairs or groups is a great way for children to learn, especially early childhood, because it allows them to feed off of each other and learn how to think of their own ideas.
Personally, I think both ideas are applicable. Constructivists believe no ideas are new ideas, that they are old ideas that are built upon. I think this is possible. Lets take language for example. Linguist Noam Chomsky proposed that every human has an innate knowledge of language. We already have the rules in our head at birth and we build on the grammar as we develop and are exposed to language. This is the same idea of constructivism. Another example would be the way humans care for their young. All mammals have this natural ability to care for their children, whether its a human or a lion. We grow on that ability and learn as we go along.
I also believe in constructionism. Sometimes I learn something that I never knew or never would think of on my own. Constructionism and constructivism go hand in hand even though they may seem separate because without the belief that ideas are built upon, students who are collaborating on a project, which constructionism is based on, won't be able to gain knowledge and form their own ideas from what they've heard from their peers. Working in pairs or groups is a great way for children to learn, especially early childhood, because it allows them to feed off of each other and learn how to think of their own ideas.
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