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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