Technology Has Come a Long Way

The Picture Says It All!

Where I See Myself on the Technology Scale

How this little boy feels about pencils is how I feel about technology...

Technology is clearly taking over the world and there are times I don't like it. After reading the article titled New Insights on Technology Adoption in Schools found at http://thejournal.com/articles/2000/02/01/new-insights-on-technology-adoption-in-schools.aspx I started asking myself how well do teachers really understand the technologies that are being used in their classrooms and in the schools.  Technology is ALWAYS changing.  As teachers are we now supposed to stay up to date with content knowledge related to the subjects we teach as well as the technology?  I am not complaining by any means.  Technology is always going to be a part of our lives and there is no way of getting around that.  The only way we as teachers can make the most out of technology is to make the time to always learn about it and stay informed of the many changes that are taking place. We need to be able to bring all of this latest information into our classrooms and share it with our students.  This is the only way we will begin to get comfortable with technology and its existence in our classroom!

Chapter 12 Reflection

What can I do to "get ready" for a lesson in which my students use computers?
In order to "get ready" for a lesson in which your students use computers you need to do several things.  First, you need to make sure all of your computers are running properly.  You also need to make sure that you, as  the teacher, know how to use the software you plan on using your students.  If you do not know how to fully use the software there will likely be pauses in the lesson which will be prime opportunities for students to get off task.  You also need to make sure you have all handouts or templates that are needed to go along with the use of the computers.  You never want to stop to go and make copies during a lesson.

Where does the "computer part" come when I am teaching a lesson?
The "computer part" will come into your lesson towards the middle part of the lesson.  Specifically it will come after you have introduced the objectives to your students and clearly related to them what is expected to them.  The computers can come into the lesson plan as a way to enhance the objective they are learning-perhaps in guided or independent practice time.

How do you ensure equal access for all students with only three computers?
The only way you will be able to ensure there is equal time for all students when there are only three computers in the classroom is to group students when they are using the computers and to monitor and record the amount of time each group spends on the computers.

Chapter 11 Reflection

What are the benefits of using problem-solving or educational software?
According to our text, benefits of both problem-solving and educational software are:
- They actively engagge students in critical-thinking activities that require real-world application of knowledge and skills.
- Cause to students to want to learn the information rather than learning it to pass a test.
- Support selected principles of effective pedagogy
- Increased student learning

How do I choose the correct software?
There is certain criteria to follow when trying to determine if software is right for you. This criteria consists of the following:
1. Content accuracy
2. Research-based instructional strategies
3. Effectively meets instructional objectives
4. Assessment of learning
5. Ease of use

When I integrate problem-solving or educational software into a lesson, what changes will be needed?
When integrating technology into a lesson, you will need to review the content and activities carefully in order to accurately select the areas that will support the intended learning.  You will also need to provide support activities that reinforce material and skills that are being taught along with the software.  Plan, plan, plan, is key when integrating software into your lesson.

Resources:

Morrison, G.M., & Lowther, D.L. (2010). Integrating computer technology into the classroom. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

It's almost over...and I think technology and I are becoming better friends!

First and foremost I feel I need to say...I am exhausted!!!  Throughout these last six weeks I have become best friends with the infomercials that play in the middle of the night while I sit on the couch and stare at my laptop aimlessly; hoping my assignments for this class will somehow magically appear by their due date in Bb. Within these last six weeks I have had more dark circles under my eyes then I have had in my 33 years combined!  I have made it a couple of nights with no sleep at all and even managed to function the next day at work without missing a beat.  My husband has learned not to depend on me for dinner and has even managed to cook a few meals on his own (I am still in shock)! And somehow in the middle of me trying to figure out how to create a website and link my homepage to a server address, my daughter has learned how to go potty, even though she is a late bloomer!  At this point in time my head is spinning and I feel out of sorts so to speak; but I see something.  Could it be that infamous light at the end of the tunnel?  Well if it is "the" light, I wish it would shine a little brighter.  I don't think I have much left in me and as I sit here writing this blog, my Project 8 is still calling my name.  I would love to turn a deaf ear but I don't think that would do much for my GPA.  I honestly feel like "the little engine that could" only the "could" part was about two months ago.  I think it is going to take me at least a full day to find the energy to complete Project 8 and it is due in 19 hours!  Oh if only there were a Smart Notebook God-then I would be in luck!  Anyway, as I was saying, blogs, websites, projects, newsletters, spreadsheets...you name it, I did it...or should I say, I tried it! There were many times I felt like crying, and I believe a tear or two may have fallen.  "What have I gotten myself into?" and   "This is not what I signed up for!" should have been my mottos for the semester. I honestly feel like this is the hardest class I have ever taken- and I once took Physics and Calculus together; albeit 16 years ago during my freshmen year of college.  This class however, has also been informative, helpful, and in a weird kind of way, fun!  I honestly feel like I can take every single piece of information I have learned and use it once I get into the classroom.  Make a poster using Glogster and then create a video about weather using Voice Thread and finally make a presentation zoom in and out by creating a Prezi.  I'm sorry, are you speaking English?  You want me to do what?  Technology is here to stay and that is a fact!  I can't hide from it, so why not make nice with it?  Learning needs to be fun for students and integrating technology into the classroom and lesson plans is an excellent way to do this!  Because technology is already such a huge part of our lives, chances are students are already going to be familiar with certain types of technology.  Making the most of this fact will be beneficial to me as a teacher. I have run from technology as long as I can; I can't do it anymore!  In less than two years I will have my own classroom and be responsible for integrating technology in ways that I have learned in EDTC 5010.  Am I ready for this challenge?  I think so...of course I am still exhausted from this class and at this point in time I am just hoping I submitted all of my assignments correctly!  In the meantime I am going to finsh my Project 8 and then I think I will catch up on my sleep...and my reality TV!  I have missed both of them sooooo much!

SMART Boards Why are they so easy to use?

Technology Tools In the Classroom

Here is a link to a great database of resourceful tools for teachers to use in their classrooms!

http://homepage.mac.com/drtlo//mywork/tlo/Reno2006/fp8/index.html

My Multimedia Video on Technology

We must teach our students about plagiarism and how it relates to the Internet!

If we do not teach our students that the information they find on the Internet is not simply "up for grabs" we will fail them in more ways than one!

Chapter 10 Reflection

How do you know that students understand a concept?

Using graphic organizers allows students to develop a deeper understanding of the material being presented.  As a teacher, the following questions should be asked when assessing a student's knowledge when using a graphic organizer:

 - Did their creativity strengthen understanding?
 - Did they use relevant graphics?
 - Did they make meaningful connections?
 - Was there relevance of key components?
 - Did they have logical organization?

How can you depict student misconceptions of key information?

If students are unable to properly answer assessment questions such as the ones listed above, then it is safe to say that they have not processes the information accurately.  During the problem-solving process, graphic organizers are used at the very beginning stages and therefore, it is imperative that teachers are fully certain that their students are in complete understanding of the information being presented before going any further.

How can students capture and transfer brainstorming ideas into written thoughts?

Students can either capture brainstorming ideas individually or in groups.  After this step is completed, the ideas can then be transferred into various different types of graphic organizers.  Many graphic organizer offer a brainstorming tool that lets the recorder type in an idea of one student and then instantly create a link and new icon ready for the next idea with a press of the Enter/Return key (Morrison, 260).