Reflection of 9-23-2015

After watching the video of the students creating their own videos I felt very encouraged to try things like this in my own classroom. I have created videos before for my own projects and always wanted to add this skill in my classes. I always thought this was too difficult for the age level, but I always forget many children know much better than the adults regarding these skills. I liked the way the teacher modified the assignment to make it fun for all students. Some students liked the poem, while others like to tell their own story. I saw so much creativity in such a small amount of time I would love my classroom to look something like that!

Chapter 2

While reading Chapter 2 of the text book I found many things that I found interesting. There were many things that were worded very well that I would like to include in my classrooms. There were also a few things that I read that I wanted to add some of my own insight to.

“Technology changes teaching and learning in enriching and productive ways by differentiating instruction to offer students diverse learning experiences“ (Pg 23).

I really agreed with this and would like to add many different forms of technology in my classroom. I know that I am not very good at tablets and using learning apps but I am a fan of web-based learning. I would like to use technology to benefit my students in the best way it can.

“Technology changes teaching and learning in enriching and productive ways by letting students visit places or observe processes that cannot be seen without electronic systems” (Pg 23).

This is one of my favorite things to do with technology in a classroom. “Virtual field trips” can benefit students so much! Because of security, budget cuts, and parental income, the amount of school field trips has really declined. Now with so many museums and historic sites having virtual tours available you can bring a class to the place virtually. This is something I will be doing in my class room frequently. One idea I had was to do a long distance trip. I would have plane tickets, organize a packing list, write postcards to family and friends, and more!

“The Pew Internet and American Life Project also characterized how people use computers and other information technologies, dividing Americans into categories” (Pg 26-27).

I thought these categories were really interesting. I thought I would say I am a digital collaborator (Uses online and mobile technology readily to create and share information with others). I tried to take the quiz but unfortunately it is no longer on their website. I did find a Web IQ test where I only got 5/12. If you would like to check your IQ here is the link: http://www.pewinternet.org/quiz/web-iq-quiz/

“Lack of access to technology is a crucial barrier to technology use by teachers” (Pg 31).

This section on lack of access to technology was something I spent a lot of time thinking about. It is true that if there is only one computer in a classroom of about twenty students, it will not be used as a great resource. If there are a few computers in the classroom than the teacher can do stations, where the computers are one of the stations. However, I thought of something else while reading this section. How do teachers deal with those who do not have access in the home? In my sisters school district all students are given iPads to use for the year. They can take notes on the iPads and most homework is assigned on the iPad each night. I know that we did not have working wifi this summer. It was not working and we had to wait for another router to come in. What if this would have happened this month and not in July, or if we weren’t able to afford wifi? How is the child supposed to do their homework?

 

Questions:

1.       What is your main reason for wanting to use technology in the classroom?

2.       If you were put into a “smart” classroom today, would you be ready?

3.       Would you be prepared to teach in a classroom without ANY technology? Do you think we depend on it too much?

4.       What group of technology users would you put yourself in? Take the Web IQ quiz, does your score reflect your category?

Reflection of 9-16-2015

Tonight we saw many pictures of classrooms throughout the past 100 years and discussed some changes that will take place within the next 10 years. I think that it is important to remember that the classroom is always evolving so we must too. I think it is important to see where education came from and learn from the past. Although most classrooms are not organized in rows and columns anymore, we can see the pros and cons of this method verse grouping and stations like in many classrooms today.

I can admit that I am pretty “tech-savvy.” I own my own business where I am mostly internet based. I started my own Facebook business page and have networked enough to get over 1000 likes. I have also created an Instagram, poshmark, and gmail account. I have experimented with other websites and apps but have found these three to be the most beneficial to me. I am constantly on my cell phone messaging customers and keeping them updated. When I do fairs and farmer markets I make my contacts through facebook groups, which I am in more than one hundred of.

I do not use social media for my own personal use. I play a few games on my smart phone and will text my friends but that is about the most social media I use for personal reasons. I was shocked when I read that most 8- to 18-year-olds are using some type of digital or electronic technology almost every waking hour outside of school.

One goal I have is to put this time that kids are on their devices to good use. I would like to find and introduce apps that kids can download at home that can help expand on what we learn in class. I do not want these to feel like home work. I want them to feel like any other game.

Another goal I have is learning not to overuse the power of technology. With technology you can create a technology-based learning environment outside of the classroom. After class the teacher can continue to give notes, start discussions, and continue to communicate with students. I think it is important for both teachers and students to have relaxation time out side of work. There will always be that moment when you feel like you have to check your email one more time but you have to realize that there is always tomorrow and a lesson or question can wait. I also do not want to overdo homework. Just because I can continue a lesson outside of school does not mean I should. Homework should be an extension of the lesson not a continuation, technology should not change this. Adding from that, I would like to learn technology effectively in all ways, inside and outside the classroom for students and teachers.

I would also like to learn new ways to show my students the importance of technology that is not digital or electronic. I want my students to appreciate a hard copy of a book as much as I do. I want them to like writing and know the importance of having good hand writing. I also want them to walk into a library and not head directly to the computer and ipads.

My personal goal for right now is to develop a digital identity as an educator. I do not have a personal digital identity now and I feel that I should start creating one. I would like to create a strong multimedia resume with great examples of different uses of technology I can use for my future students.