I can't even begin to describe the growth I've experienced while being in this class. It was nothing how I imagined it would be, for the better. I was very surprised to learn that almost everyone in the class was already a teacher. I learned so much from their wealth of teaching knowledge through our discussions. It was great to hear how things we were learning were translating into real teaching situations. I began timidly, unsure of myself or my opinions but the constant support from classmates and John bolstered my confidence and allowed me to really grow as a student. For that, I thank you all.
A few specific topics have remained in my head throughout the course. First, that teachers do not always have the resources available to them to fully utilize the technology at their finger tips. This seems to me a huge waste of money for schools. If smartboards are sitting unused in classrooms, what good can they be doing the students? That money could have been used more beneficially, if training is not going to be provided along with technological advancements. Teachers have so much to do for their students daily that teaching themselves how to use technology is an unfair added burden. The second topic that remains with me is cyberbullying. The video that we watched really stuck in my mind and heart. I truly felt for children who are victims of cyberbullying. I recently found this video on YouTube that rekindled all of those feelings. I am going to make it a point to spend a good amount of time at the beginning of the year (when I become a teacher) on the consequences of cyberbullying. I want my students to know that what they put on the internet is permanent. That their words hurt just as much in the cyberworld as they would face to face. That a computer is not a mask. No matter what age group I am teaching, these themes are important and should be enforced. The third and final topic is how fun and creative learning/teaching can be with technology. With all of the Web 2.0 tools at our disposal, teachers can revolutionize their lessons. Blogs, WebQuests, Wordles, E-Readers, SmartBoards, Wikis, etc. can make learning interactive and individual for each learner.
I feel that after taking this class, I have the knowledge I need to be able to effectively use technology in any classroom. That confidence is very important for a teacher to be successful and I'm happy and proud to say I have it.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Apply and Discover 10.1
Mark Pedersen's Presentation:
I think Mark hit Accomplished on all the criteria provided on the rubric. He was clear, thorough and engaging. What really made an impression on me was that he asked the audience (us watching the presentation) questions to get us involved in the presentation. His presentation was interactive, which really impressed me. It was clear that Mark had practiced with Vyew before, as the the presentation went smoothly and logically. He included great visuals that were relevant and entertaining. The only thing I could say against his presentation is that he could have been a little more clear with which page we were on by announcing "Okay, now we are on the Task page" or something of the sort. I could tell by context, but sometimes I got caught behind or ahead his presentation. Overall, I think Mark did a really great job on both his WebQuest and his presentation.
Marilis Klevisha's Presentation:
I really enjoyed Marilis's presentation as well. Her delivery was very impressive; it was clear that she had practiced her material a good amount before her presentation. I was also very impressed with the organization of her presentation. Marilis included powerpoint slides and the websites linked to her WebQuest. The powerpoint slides helped visualize the explanations she was giving for her WebQuest. The screen shots of the linked websites helped provide a really thorough presentation of her WebQuest. I knew every step the students would be taking. The only negative I could think of for her presentation is that it wasn't interactive until she asked for any questions at the very end. Marilis showed a high level of preparation and effort in her presentation.
I think Mark hit Accomplished on all the criteria provided on the rubric. He was clear, thorough and engaging. What really made an impression on me was that he asked the audience (us watching the presentation) questions to get us involved in the presentation. His presentation was interactive, which really impressed me. It was clear that Mark had practiced with Vyew before, as the the presentation went smoothly and logically. He included great visuals that were relevant and entertaining. The only thing I could say against his presentation is that he could have been a little more clear with which page we were on by announcing "Okay, now we are on the Task page" or something of the sort. I could tell by context, but sometimes I got caught behind or ahead his presentation. Overall, I think Mark did a really great job on both his WebQuest and his presentation.
Marilis Klevisha's Presentation:
I really enjoyed Marilis's presentation as well. Her delivery was very impressive; it was clear that she had practiced her material a good amount before her presentation. I was also very impressed with the organization of her presentation. Marilis included powerpoint slides and the websites linked to her WebQuest. The powerpoint slides helped visualize the explanations she was giving for her WebQuest. The screen shots of the linked websites helped provide a really thorough presentation of her WebQuest. I knew every step the students would be taking. The only negative I could think of for her presentation is that it wasn't interactive until she asked for any questions at the very end. Marilis showed a high level of preparation and effort in her presentation.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Apply and Discover 9.1
What does it mean to "provide equal access to the digital world?"
I think that all can agree that technology has permeated education, society, and the working world. Businesses use social networking to gain a customer base, promote products, and network potential employees. Reading has been transformed by e-readers, music by ipods and mp3 players, and communication by smart phones and instant messaging. In education, technology allows teachers to differentiate education, explore lessons through the internet, and provide an interactive learning environment. Creating individualized lesson plans becomes easier through technology.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a different, student-centered way of learning. All students think differently, learn differently. UDL allows for each student to learn to the best of their ability, maximizing their opportunity for success. With this approach, students are presented content in different ways, students can express what they know differently, and teachers can stimulate interest and motivate learning. This approach applies to all students. Students who require special education should not be exempt from the benefits of individualized learning.
Technology can help students with special needs bridge the gaps created from communication and motor skill issues. Assisted Technology provides digital tools that aid special education. Examples of this technology are keyboards with buttons that can help complete phrases, videos for learning sign language, and keyboards that allow anyone to use a computer. These tools help students learn on the same footing as their classmates. UDL advocates for individualized learning, technology can make that a reality for all students, especially those in special education. For me, that is what it means to provide equal access to the digital world, since our world is so rapidly becoming digital.
I think that all can agree that technology has permeated education, society, and the working world. Businesses use social networking to gain a customer base, promote products, and network potential employees. Reading has been transformed by e-readers, music by ipods and mp3 players, and communication by smart phones and instant messaging. In education, technology allows teachers to differentiate education, explore lessons through the internet, and provide an interactive learning environment. Creating individualized lesson plans becomes easier through technology.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a different, student-centered way of learning. All students think differently, learn differently. UDL allows for each student to learn to the best of their ability, maximizing their opportunity for success. With this approach, students are presented content in different ways, students can express what they know differently, and teachers can stimulate interest and motivate learning. This approach applies to all students. Students who require special education should not be exempt from the benefits of individualized learning.
Technology can help students with special needs bridge the gaps created from communication and motor skill issues. Assisted Technology provides digital tools that aid special education. Examples of this technology are keyboards with buttons that can help complete phrases, videos for learning sign language, and keyboards that allow anyone to use a computer. These tools help students learn on the same footing as their classmates. UDL advocates for individualized learning, technology can make that a reality for all students, especially those in special education. For me, that is what it means to provide equal access to the digital world, since our world is so rapidly becoming digital.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Apply and Discover 3.1
My Wordle
I thought this was an interesting assignment, since my sister (age 11) loves to create Wordles. She has them covering the walls of her room, her binders and she has made me numerous ones over the course of the years.
I thought this was an interesting assignment, since my sister (age 11) loves to create Wordles. She has them covering the walls of her room, her binders and she has made me numerous ones over the course of the years.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Apply and Discover 2.2
Technology is in the world. It is advancing, adapting and changing so frequently that it is often difficult to keep up. Our students are far more adept at maneuvering through technology than we are as teachers. Because of this very reason, it is paramount that technology be adapted into the school system. The article "Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants" outlines clearly the difference between people born into an advanced technological system and those introduced to it later in life. Technology is a huge part of our students lives, whether teachers agree with it or not. If teachers attempt to keep their classrooms free of technology, they will put themselves at odds with their students. Instead of opposing technology and education, teachers should marry the two and use one to benefit the other.
Technology can enhance instruction. Since it is so prevalent in students' lives already, using technology to support learning will automatically have students be more attentive and involved in lessons. Virtual learning games are a great tool to teach students concepts. Games encourage students to really grasp a concept so that they may apply those concepts in a more complicated manner as each level increases. The students are entertained, but also learning. In addition, technology can personalize learning. I discovered this great article that really exemplifies my ideas of how technology can personalize learning: http://www.edutopia.org/stw-differentiated-instruction-ten-key-lessons. Bullets one through four are great ways that technology can help teachers address diverse learners' needs. Bullet number nine introduced an interesting point that I feel can be especially beneficial when students have more knowledge of technology than teachers. Let them run the show. You will learn as much about technology, as a teacher, as you will about how your students use, view and understand technology in relation to themselves.
Technology can give students the world. I strongly believe that students should be globally aware. The world is getting smaller and smaller with each technological jump. Technology allows students to access information about different countries' current events, to see the sights each country has to offer, and to experience a culture that is completely different from their own. These insights will help students value the aspects of their lives they take for granted that others do not have and will also invite them to think about issues that are bigger than themselves. Google Maps can be used for virtual field trips; different culture's music can be accessed through Youtube; multicultural pen-pals can be had through email. The entire world can be at our students' fingertips. Technology can allow teachers to mold lesson plans to the individual learning needs and educational interests of each student.
Works Cited:
-Prensky, Marc. (2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. Retrieved October 2, 2011 from http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf
-Rubenstein, Grace. (2010). Ten Tips for Personalized Learning via Technology. Retrieved October 1, 2011 from http://www.edutopia.org/stw-differentiated-instruction-ten-key-lessons
Technology can enhance instruction. Since it is so prevalent in students' lives already, using technology to support learning will automatically have students be more attentive and involved in lessons. Virtual learning games are a great tool to teach students concepts. Games encourage students to really grasp a concept so that they may apply those concepts in a more complicated manner as each level increases. The students are entertained, but also learning. In addition, technology can personalize learning. I discovered this great article that really exemplifies my ideas of how technology can personalize learning: http://www.edutopia.org/stw-differentiated-instruction-ten-key-lessons. Bullets one through four are great ways that technology can help teachers address diverse learners' needs. Bullet number nine introduced an interesting point that I feel can be especially beneficial when students have more knowledge of technology than teachers. Let them run the show. You will learn as much about technology, as a teacher, as you will about how your students use, view and understand technology in relation to themselves.
Technology can give students the world. I strongly believe that students should be globally aware. The world is getting smaller and smaller with each technological jump. Technology allows students to access information about different countries' current events, to see the sights each country has to offer, and to experience a culture that is completely different from their own. These insights will help students value the aspects of their lives they take for granted that others do not have and will also invite them to think about issues that are bigger than themselves. Google Maps can be used for virtual field trips; different culture's music can be accessed through Youtube; multicultural pen-pals can be had through email. The entire world can be at our students' fingertips. Technology can allow teachers to mold lesson plans to the individual learning needs and educational interests of each student.
Works Cited:
-Prensky, Marc. (2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. Retrieved October 2, 2011 from http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf
-Rubenstein, Grace. (2010). Ten Tips for Personalized Learning via Technology. Retrieved October 1, 2011 from http://www.edutopia.org/stw-differentiated-instruction-ten-key-lessons
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