Apply and Discover 11.1

This has been a wonderful class to take.  It was engaging with all the new technology we were able to learn about and try out for ourselves.  If I had fun using these tools, then I know my students will find them engaging as well. 

My thinking of technology in the classroom has definitely changed.  I went from thinking that technology integration meant using smartboards to realizing that it is much more than that.  Like Marc Prenky said, “Technology’s role – and its only role – should be to support students teaching themselves (with, of course, their teachers’ guidance)” (p. 1).  It isn’t about showing a power point or a video, the technology needs to be in the hands of the students.  They should be the ones using it to receiving the full benefits.  Tools like screen-casts and podcasting can be extremely effective in a classroom when used to their full potential. 

I enjoyed Marc Prensky’s articles the most because he presented the information in an interesting way.  He explained things in ways that were easy to understand and I actually remembered later on.  One day, I caught myself using the phrases “digital native” and “digital immigrant” in conversation when I was talking to a colleague about using iPads.

Overall, I really enjoyed this class and am taking away many, many, useful tools and tips for my “teacher tool bag”.

Apply and Discover 10.1

Here are the three screen cast presentations I am commenting on:

“FrebQuest” (Freb)

My first reaction to this webquest was that Freb has the perfect voice for this!  She could do voice-overs.  It is engaging to listen to and sounds like a professional talking.  The websites had engaging videos with lyrics to also read.  Students will find using Glogster interesting and exciting to work on.

“Ms. M and M’s Periodic Table Webquest”  (Tiffany)

I liked the introduction page.  It hooks the students in with a funny picture, joke and drawing.  Crating an advertisement or birth announcement is a really good idea.  I remember having to just fill out a worksheet when I was learning about elements and wish I had had a project like this.  The birth announcement gives something for students to relate each piece of information to.  I also liked that there were things for students to do who finish early. 

“Story2Tell”  (Dawn)

I liked that there were multiple examples for students to look at and refer back to while working on their own story.  The steps seemed to be written out clearly as well.  Now that we’ve had to do similar projects, we can relate to how the students may feel about our own assignments!

Apply and Discovery 9.1

Every student learns in their own way.  It is the teacher’s job to make sure information is being delivered in ways that is suitable for everyone.  Universal Design for Learning is a great way to accomplish this.  According to the website, cast.com, there are three important areas and they each target a different section of the brain.  Information needs to be presented in multiple formats.  Some students are better at visuals while others are more kinesthetic or auditory.  Information needs to be engaging to the students and touch upon their interests.  Just like how students need multiple ways for the information to be presented to them, they need to be able to show what they know or be assessed in different ways as well.

It may be hard to incorporate technology into the classroom if the technology isn’t available but it is important to incorporate whatever technology there is.  If needed, students can work in a group or groups can take turns.  Either way, every student should have the opportunity.  As Mark Prensky writes, “I suggest we begin thinking of ourselves as “digital multipliers” – i.e. people who find creative solutions that bring every student, no matter what his or her background or income level, into the digital world – and get the job done.”  Technology in the classroom can be beneficial for all students.  Because technology can do so much, it should be incorporated with each student based on their strengths and weaknesses. 

Apply and Discover 3.2

Florida Trip 2011

Here are a few pictures from a trip to Florida I took last year with friends and their daughter!

Apply and Discover 3.1

Apply and Discover 2.2

Technology is an important aspect in classrooms today.  Students spend a large part of their time at home using some form of technology, so it only makes sense that it should be used at school as well.  There is so much more that can be done on a computer than with the typical classroom materials from ten, even five, years ago.

Like I said in my paper, technology can be engaging and motivating and that is exactly what makes it a necessity in today’s classroom.  One of the ways I would love to use technology in my future classroom is to communicate with other classrooms from around the world.  Setting up email buddies or chatting with another class through Skype would be a great way for students to experience first hand how things are in other parts of the world.  Most students would never have the opportunity to travel to various places and through the power of the internet they now can.  This is an easy way to integrate technology into the classroom because it doesn’t require expensive tools that my school probably doesn’t have.  It would require a computer and webcam and emailing pen pals could be done during a weekly trip to the computer lab.