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?
I love the quotations you pulled from the text, and how you could relate to them all. I also think that technology can enrich students' learning experiences, and that we should strive to become educators that can use technology in our classrooms. I took the Web IQ test and got 5/12 as well, which is funny because I did not know the answers to the questions at all and had to rely on my deductive reasoning skills, *cough cough.* We did not learn any of the information on that IQ test in school.
ReplyDelete1) My main reason for wanting to use technology in the classroom is because technology makes learning more engaging, more interactive, more 21st century. I loved using the SMART Board when I student-taught, and would love to incorporate technology into my lessons, especially to meet the needs of my diverse learners.
2) The me at the moment would certainly not be ready if thrown into a "smart" classroom; however, I feel that I will feel more confident and be more competent by the end of this semester, for one of my personal learning goals was to be able to use technology efficiently and effectively in my classroom to communicate learning topics to my students.
3) I would be prepared to teach in a classroom without any technology because I have done it before. In the summer day camp I teach at every year, there are no SMART Boards, laptops, computers, or even a projector to use in the classrooms. I used the traditional white board, paper, and pencil to teach, as well as any other materials and manipulatives I could get my hands on. However, technology does make things more efficient. I think that we are somewhere in the middle in terms of depending on technology, for even though teachers do use technology, in the classes I have observed in, no teacher was heavily dependent on it that their whole curriculum would be ruined if all technology decided to malfunction for a day.
4) On my own blog, I classified myself as a digital collaborator, but I got a 5/12 on the Web IQ quiz, which would be a poor effort for me to defend myself as that type of user. Nevertheless, I strive to be a digital collaborator, even if I do not have a high IQ of the web.
Hi RaeAnn,
ReplyDeleteI love your idea of the virtual "long distance trip" (and may be borrowing this idea!) I think that this idea is such a great opportunity to help students develop the planning and research skills necessary to prepare for a trip. One question I have when we use technology in this way is whether we are trying to mimic the real thing or is there a way that students can also have a unique experience that doesn't make them feel like they have the second best option. At this point, I don't know how to answer this question. I feel as though the way you talk about using technology can open up new doors for children, but I also would love to think about how a digital journey is a unique experience for simply being a digital journey.
RaeAnn, nice analysis. I would say that one of the toughest challenges in education today is keeping the students' interest! As we all know, the younger generation just seems to get better and better at using technology. It's a smart idea as a teacher to use that natural inclination for technology by applying it to class to make education more colorful.
ReplyDeleteRaeAnn, I love that you brought up the concept of "virtual field trips". I think this is a new concept that many people have yet ot dip their toes into yet. I went on my first "virtual field-trip" last semester for my art class to a museum and it worked out so much better. You can actually see more, don't feel rushed, and it's on your own time. Being in college professors often forget that yes field trip are extremely beneficial but school isn't the only thing we have during the day anymore like it was all through grade school.
ReplyDeleteI love your idea of "virtual field trips" and especially your idea of a long distance field trip! (I may have to steal that idea for my classroom!) I love how you pulled quotes from the chapters and expanded on them, so we know exactly what made you think of your ideas.I think I would be prepared to teach in a classroom with no technology, but I don't think the children would enjoy it as much, and I think I would be labeled as a boring teacher. If my students are bored, they will spend to much time in "la la land" and I'm afraid they would not learn anything. This being said, I am talking more about student's that are used to technology. If I were to teach in a poor country to those who know nothing about technology I think I could still make it a rich learning environment! An interesting thing to think about though! Thank you for your insight of the chapters!
ReplyDeleteLike everyone else who commented, your idea of using technology to explore new places is really such a great idea. Students can be exposed to so much from just their seats! Another great thing about technology is that you can expose your students to so much more, and help build prior knowledge before even starting a lesson.
ReplyDelete