What teaching strategies used during this course compliment integration of technology?
There are many strategies used during this course that I can take away and directly use in my classroom. Everything as simple as practicing certain skills on different websites to integrate large webquests and projects. I've learned to be patient with technology and using it with my students and I know that with time and practice, you will have success. The main thing I know now is that it is out there and I know that there are things that I can use in my class and I just have to find it!
How do you personally define technology integration after completing this course?
After this course I have realized how important technology integration is. I know that we are in a world that is becoming more and more technologically advanced and it is my job to prepare my students for that world. I have realized that outside of my small bubble of my school, there are schools that are integrating in SO many different ways, that even though I don't have it all ...I too can integrate and I need to......for my students.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Week 7
Reflect on the skills used as a result of your learning so far that you are applying to promote an effective method of applying the modern instructional technology and producing instructional media and aids into teaching;
Wow, what a 7 weeks it has been. Click, post, click, type, click, read, I felt like that was all I have done for the last 49+ days, but it's been good. Through this class, even though we don't have the best technology, even though we don't have the latest gadget, I will take away the fact that technology is important. Technology is our world and there is nothing we can do to change it. Our world is full of it and that is what our students are going to need to know. They are going to need to be exposed to as much technology use as they can and not be afraid of it, because that is what they are going to be using in the next year and in the next ten years.
One thing I have taken away is thought, I am constantly thinking about how I can incorporate something into my curriculum. I have discovered many websites and webquests that my students will enjoy. I have discovered the importance of exposure and I want to give that to my students. The skills I have used, developing a webpage, google docs, powerpoint, are all skills I can transfer to my students and teach them how to use.
All in all, through the click, type, click, type, I have clicked my way to being more appreciative and understanding of the clicky world we live in.
What do you expect are the students' affective outcomes from using these forms of technology?
I think that students will gain confidence and develop their creativity through some of these tools. With web design and power point, students are free to design how they want and express their individuality. I think students as well, through websites and games, will become smarter and more in tune with what they are learning. I think students will learn deeper through Virtual Field trips and will experience things that they could have not experienced otherwise. The affect on students is great, when the teacher channels it in the right direction.
Wow, what a 7 weeks it has been. Click, post, click, type, click, read, I felt like that was all I have done for the last 49+ days, but it's been good. Through this class, even though we don't have the best technology, even though we don't have the latest gadget, I will take away the fact that technology is important. Technology is our world and there is nothing we can do to change it. Our world is full of it and that is what our students are going to need to know. They are going to need to be exposed to as much technology use as they can and not be afraid of it, because that is what they are going to be using in the next year and in the next ten years.
One thing I have taken away is thought, I am constantly thinking about how I can incorporate something into my curriculum. I have discovered many websites and webquests that my students will enjoy. I have discovered the importance of exposure and I want to give that to my students. The skills I have used, developing a webpage, google docs, powerpoint, are all skills I can transfer to my students and teach them how to use.
All in all, through the click, type, click, type, I have clicked my way to being more appreciative and understanding of the clicky world we live in.
What do you expect are the students' affective outcomes from using these forms of technology?
I think that students will gain confidence and develop their creativity through some of these tools. With web design and power point, students are free to design how they want and express their individuality. I think students as well, through websites and games, will become smarter and more in tune with what they are learning. I think students will learn deeper through Virtual Field trips and will experience things that they could have not experienced otherwise. The affect on students is great, when the teacher channels it in the right direction.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Multimedia and our Culture
What role could multimedia instructional materials and student multimedia projects play in bringing about this culture?
Multimedia instructional materials and student projects add so much "spunk" to a lesson. Multimedia tools for instruction allows for the students to see and feel what is or has happened. For example, we used a multimedia tool to watch the Presidential Inauguration and the students were able to hear and see and feel what was happening in Washington that day. They could have never experienced that day, which was a real important day in history, if I were to just tell them about it or look at a photo.
How can a teachers' use of multimedia support the development of such a culture?
A teacher using multimedia tools help students' develop a much deeper understanding of the text. With that deeper understanding students will take that information further into their world around them, thus impacting those around them. Teachers can enhance their lessons 100% if multimedia is used. Teachers will have taken their instruction to a whole new level.
What are the challenges in your classroom?
Though I am very excited about the technology out there, the largest struggle I face is having the tools to integrate multimedia. The only things that I have in my classroom are a TV with a DVD player and my own personal computer. I do use the TV for videos/dvds to give students a visual image of what is included in our curriculum, I do not have a way for students to see things off the Internet. The other challenge that I face is money. There is no money available for teachers, or the school in general, to purchase technology. We do not have a specific technology fund or "extra" monies for those types of things. That means if we want to improve in this area we have to pursue the fundraising/grant writing ourselves.
Multimedia instructional materials and student projects add so much "spunk" to a lesson. Multimedia tools for instruction allows for the students to see and feel what is or has happened. For example, we used a multimedia tool to watch the Presidential Inauguration and the students were able to hear and see and feel what was happening in Washington that day. They could have never experienced that day, which was a real important day in history, if I were to just tell them about it or look at a photo.
How can a teachers' use of multimedia support the development of such a culture?
A teacher using multimedia tools help students' develop a much deeper understanding of the text. With that deeper understanding students will take that information further into their world around them, thus impacting those around them. Teachers can enhance their lessons 100% if multimedia is used. Teachers will have taken their instruction to a whole new level.
What are the challenges in your classroom?
Though I am very excited about the technology out there, the largest struggle I face is having the tools to integrate multimedia. The only things that I have in my classroom are a TV with a DVD player and my own personal computer. I do use the TV for videos/dvds to give students a visual image of what is included in our curriculum, I do not have a way for students to see things off the Internet. The other challenge that I face is money. There is no money available for teachers, or the school in general, to purchase technology. We do not have a specific technology fund or "extra" monies for those types of things. That means if we want to improve in this area we have to pursue the fundraising/grant writing ourselves.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Questions...Questions...Questions
Questioning is one of my most favorite parts of teaching. I love to ask questions of my students just to get them thinking. Sometimes I don't care if they get the right answer or not, I just want them to think. I think a lot of the students in my class don't think for themselves, their parents do their thinking. I want to develop independent thinkers, people who own their thoughts and are confident in their answers.
Out of the Questioning toolkit, I probably tend to ask essential, clarification, and strategic questions. Essential questions to go with character building, getting students to think about their actions and words and how they conduct themselves. Clarification questions to develop understanding and strategic questions to build independent thinking. I think the strategic questions and the subsidiary questions would allow for higher order thinking. I love asking students types of Higher Order Thinking questions as they are not used to these. Many of my students are so used to going back in the text and having the answer right there for them. So when I ask them to evaluate, discuss, explain, I often get blank stares. I also tend to ask questions back to my students if they ask me questions to keep them thinking and develop their confidence in their own thinking.
I think all the question types would compliment technology integration in one way or another depending on its use. For example, telling questions are questions that can be answered through research and planning questions can be used when developing a power point or brochure.
I think questioning, in the right manner, can really challenge our students in many different ways and will really help them continue to develop into independent thinkers.
Out of the Questioning toolkit, I probably tend to ask essential, clarification, and strategic questions. Essential questions to go with character building, getting students to think about their actions and words and how they conduct themselves. Clarification questions to develop understanding and strategic questions to build independent thinking. I think the strategic questions and the subsidiary questions would allow for higher order thinking. I love asking students types of Higher Order Thinking questions as they are not used to these. Many of my students are so used to going back in the text and having the answer right there for them. So when I ask them to evaluate, discuss, explain, I often get blank stares. I also tend to ask questions back to my students if they ask me questions to keep them thinking and develop their confidence in their own thinking.
I think all the question types would compliment technology integration in one way or another depending on its use. For example, telling questions are questions that can be answered through research and planning questions can be used when developing a power point or brochure.
I think questioning, in the right manner, can really challenge our students in many different ways and will really help them continue to develop into independent thinkers.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Half-way Point
We have reached the half way mark for this class! I am excited about what we are doing and looking for ways in which I can apply some of this information to my class. One of the significant learning experiences I have had was reading peoples' responses to one of my discussion questions this week to go along with my power point. I asked them to share one specific way they have used the Internet in their class. Anna replied with an awesome activity that I was able to take and use in my class (with a little modification of course). I love how teaching is one profession where we can share ideas and use other peoples' things, with out them getting upset! Why re-invent the wheel!
I would love to get my hands on some of the awesome pieces of software that other schools use and show our teachers what is out there. In addition to software, and maybe something more easily accessible, would be to gather a list of great websites and web quests that would go along with what we are teaching. We could take a professional development day and just search the Internet ourselves to come up with ways to integrate technology into our classes. There is SO much out there and often times we don't have the time to find it!
I would love to get my hands on some of the awesome pieces of software that other schools use and show our teachers what is out there. In addition to software, and maybe something more easily accessible, would be to gather a list of great websites and web quests that would go along with what we are teaching. We could take a professional development day and just search the Internet ourselves to come up with ways to integrate technology into our classes. There is SO much out there and often times we don't have the time to find it!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Podcasts and their outcomes
I am not very familiar using Podcasts nor do I even own an Ipod. I have very few friends or acquaintances that I know who use Podcasts, but I do see how they could be affective in the educational setting. The first thought that comes to mind is their use when a sub is needed. You could go as far as to make up a Podcast when you are at home and then it will be shown in your class. Another use I see for them is connecting with other schools. Students could learn from other teachers for something new.
The students love technology. They look out for the latest and greatest. I am a teacher who, unfortunately, doesn't use much technology. So I know whenever I do I get their full attention, because it is something different. I think the students knowledge is highentened to new levels and they are motivated to learn further. When Podcasts are used students are interested in the content and are enjoying what they are learning, hopefully.
The students love technology. They look out for the latest and greatest. I am a teacher who, unfortunately, doesn't use much technology. So I know whenever I do I get their full attention, because it is something different. I think the students knowledge is highentened to new levels and they are motivated to learn further. When Podcasts are used students are interested in the content and are enjoying what they are learning, hopefully.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Workshop 2
What do you expect the students' cognitive outcomes when the students use technology?
I have mixed feelings concerning this question. I tend to ask myself, is computer use good for the brain? Is it challenging students' thinking? Does it emphasise higher-order thinking? I think there are many times when it will increase students' knowledge on certain topics. I think there are programs, software packages, and websites out there that will challenge the mind. There are things that technology can offer that will expose children to events or pictures that they may never have had the chance to see before.
On the other hand I think that in excess, the computer will eat away at the brain. I think when not monitored and used correctly students will not benefit cognitively from technology use. Finding the right balance is the key
What do you expect are the students' affective outcomes when the students use technology?
Students these days are avid technology users. They love any sort of technology and are intrigued by it. Therefore, the outcome of technology use in the classroom will be motivation in the students and therefore ideally learning should increase. Students will be more attentive when you use technology and more in tune with what the teacher is trying to teach them.
I have mixed feelings concerning this question. I tend to ask myself, is computer use good for the brain? Is it challenging students' thinking? Does it emphasise higher-order thinking? I think there are many times when it will increase students' knowledge on certain topics. I think there are programs, software packages, and websites out there that will challenge the mind. There are things that technology can offer that will expose children to events or pictures that they may never have had the chance to see before.
On the other hand I think that in excess, the computer will eat away at the brain. I think when not monitored and used correctly students will not benefit cognitively from technology use. Finding the right balance is the key
What do you expect are the students' affective outcomes when the students use technology?
Students these days are avid technology users. They love any sort of technology and are intrigued by it. Therefore, the outcome of technology use in the classroom will be motivation in the students and therefore ideally learning should increase. Students will be more attentive when you use technology and more in tune with what the teacher is trying to teach them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
