Journal Post #7

Chapter #7

 

Learning Outcomes

Question #1

Discuss how technology generates problem solving and inquiry learning among students.

                As teaching methods, problem solving and inquiry use real world issues and situations to engage students. A problem solving framework asks to: understand the problem, use solving strategies, and check answers or results. Many real world problems are ill-structured and defy straightforward solutions.

 

Digital Dialog

Can you think of a teacher you know who is both appropriately engaging and entertaining? How might teachers successfully engage and teach students through the use of edutainment?

            I personally can’t think of one at the top of my head but I have heard of a lot of teachers that are using new technology in the classroom. And how can they not when we see that most all students are engaged in technology, it’s part of the new generation.

            Smart Songs , Sesame Street, and Bill Nye the Science Guy are examples of shows that use music and video to teach topics like math, science, and history. Using music to aid memory dates back to the passing of ancient oral traditions, including the Iliad and the Odyssey. Much of what edutainment can offer through audio and video especially, is accessible over the internet on platforms such as YouTube. These are some videos/shows that can be shown in classrooms as part of a lecture, but more entertaining than just talking to the class.

http://youtu.be/gGNxYtT_36I

(Here is an example of a short video to introduce the atmosphere, for science class, and start discussion and lesson after)

 

                       

Summary

            “Within debates to rethink traditional ideas about education and learning and recast educational practices to meet the needs of twenty-first century learners, some theorists have advocated that play, far from being merely frivolous, can provide deep, meaningful learning experiences, and develop creative thinking in ways unachievable by traditional pedagogies.” (Jeremiah McCall)

            Students play computer, video, and web based games regularly for entertainment, but educational uses are increasing. I think this is because we are presenting technology in the classroom and teaching students to use it for learning as well. The educational impacts of gaming remain intensely debated; some educators and psychologists see little value in games, whereas other researchers believe game playing supports the development of key intellectual skills.

            Digital games for learning are a new category of educationally themed games that emphasize active learning, sustained concentration and focus, and innovative approaches to problem solving. Strategies for effectively using games in the classroom include minimizing those that teach isolated skills, not choosing games that are solely based on winning or losing points, discussing game content, and actually playing the games with the students.

journal 6

Journal Post# 6

Chapter #6

Learning Outcome

Question #3

What are the uses of WebQuests, virtual field trips, and videoconferencing as instructional technologies.

·         WebQuests are virtual journeys that students visit a group of preselected websites to explore academic topics by accessing text, pictures, audio, and video.

·         Virtual field trips allow teachers and students to visit places around the world as part of their academic studies.

(An example of a website that can be used for this is, GeoGuessr.com )

·         Videoconferencing enables individuals in different places to converse electronically in real world.

(For examples: If the teacher has connections with another teacher in different part of the world, or even in another state, the teacher can connect as discuss with them!)

Digital Dialog

                How do you manage the information you need for your college courses and school teaching assignments in the most time efficient ways?

There are a few new ways I have learned in this class on how to manage important information. One of ways I can manage information is by bookmarking, this allows the computer to remember websites that you visit often. You can electronically catalog and subsequently access web pages with one simple command.

                What types of recordkeeping systems do you find best for keeping track of the information you find from paper? From electronic sources?

                The best ways to keep track of electronic sources I believe would be book marking and cloud computing. With cloud you can retrieve information anywhere, anytime from a internet capable device.

 

                                                       es.wikipedia.org

Summary

 

            Educational websites provide opportunities for students to explore their own questions freely. They also engage students through graphs, images, characters, and other catchy sources. Also, the use of webquests, virtual field trips, and videoconferencing are great tools for both teachers and students. With webquest, a virtual journey that students can visit a group of academic topics by from text, pictures, audio, and video. Virtual trips are amazing because you can literally see what is there and what you would see if you were actually there!! Technology is amazing! Videoconferencing is great too because you can talk with individual in different place electronically. A way to keep all the information you get from the internet is by bookmarking and using cloud computing. With bookmarking, your computer remembers the websites you visit often. Then with one click you can bring back any and all of your websites when you need them. Cloud computing, means using the internet to store and retrieve files. This information can be accessed anywhere, anytime, from any internet based device.

journal #5

Journal  Post#5

Chapter #5

 

Learning Outcome Question #2

Explain search engines and how they work.

                Search engines, incredibly fast to retrieve information, help educators and students in accessing online webpage’s that are linked to their database. Specialized search resources narrow the focus of searches to more educationally relevant materials. These engine tools are really not understood.

 

Digital Dialog 5.1

In what ways do you see e-books and e-readers changing the reading experience for students and changing your role as a teacher?

                The advantages of e-books are clear. E-books are immediate and they are also incorporeal. I can bring along several volumes, weightless and indeed without volume; all in one device. This makes it much easier to maneuver around educator’s desk or classroom.    On the other hand, they are a technology device not a book. Call me old but I would rather have the actual book, its part of the experience for me. They can also hurt your eye muscles like most computer devices. I believe it’s changing the students experience in a good way because they think of it as a device rather then, “oh I have to read another book again”. The students are growing in the technology era and want all the technology they can get. It’s the way to get them engaged.

 

Photo by Brad Moon

http://portables.about.com/od/ebookreasers/tp/10-Reasons-to-Buy-eBook-Kids.htm

 

Chapter 5 Summary

 

Teaching students how to do internet research is a crucial element and involves learning how to recognize and utilize electronic information. Especially with having the internet at your finger tips and with school work, Students think its okay to copy and paste or get the information without giving any information or credit to original author. We need to teach students the right way to use and reference this information.

Google, the world’s leading search engine ranks websites not only by words but by how popular it is. Though sometimes the top website may be paid for, for the most part the first website on the page will be the most popular one.  Searching the web involves three strategies with include: fee text, keyword/ exact match, and Boolean.

journal #4

Chapter #4

Learning Outcome:  Question #3

Demonstrate how teachers connect educational standards to lesson planning.

                For all grade levels there are educational standards in lesson planning. National, state, and local curriculum works help define what academic content teachers must present to students. Therefore, all lesson plans are evaluated and to standards. Also, the internet is a great source of resources for teachers who can conduct research for lesson plans. Move over, when the internet is used for a lesson plan it is easier because all the materials you need are there and any officials can see the lesson too.

 

 

 

 

http://www.natcom.org/CommCurrentsArticle.aspx?id=3433

 

Digital Dialog 4.2

1. Do you consider yourself to be skillful at taking multiple-choice test? What are the strengths and shortcomings of this form of assessment for students?

                Yes and no. Yes because if I know the material it is very easy to take multiply choice. Also I might have time to study the night before and just “remember” the material versus actually learning it. So during the test you just look for the right answer then forget the material.

No because if i don’t know the material I just guess. At the end whether I just remembered it or guessed I still don’t know the material, for the most part.

I think students need or should take tests that required them to think, critical thinking questions. The student has to think and write about showing that the material is understood by them.

 

2. What skills and talents might be best evaluated by paper and pencil tests? 

                Skills and talents are best tested by paper and pencil tests that are critical thinking and applying concepts and ideas of the material. Therefore the student ahs to think and answer to the best of their ability, which then the educator would know if the material has been understood.

 

3. What kinds of performance-based assessments did you engage in as a student?

                Due to technology coming up so fast and students learning and using it every day, performance-based assessment should be used. An example would be for papers or presentation in class. Students can use word processor, PowerPoint, and other programs. Also, work completed by students can be done using digital portfolios.

journal post #3 ch#3

Journal Post #3 (Ch3)

Learning Outcomes Question#

 

Digital Dialog 3.1 (pg.58)

 

                What types of information do you prefer to learn visually and interactively? What types of information do you prefer to learn by reading a book?

I prefer learning most all visually and interactively. I am a visual learner and find myself to gaining much information when i have to read it. I need someone to explain it to me and show it to me.

                What are recent examples of information that you learned using online interactive websites or other computer technologies?

I am not much of a computer user but I do know that when I can or have time to look something up, I can always find it and get an answer in .5 seconds.

                How do you plan to support the different learning preferences of students when you enter the classroom as a teacher?

I do plan on supporting learning preferences of students and technology in the classroom. First, I need to learn the technology myself. I am not a frequent technology user and just know the basics but I do plan on learning as much as I can to use it on a daily base. As educators and future educators, we are seeing that students are less engaged in lectures consisting of mostly talking or reading a book. Things are rapidly changing and we have to change with them, otherwise we are not doing our jobs correctly by teaching students information they will keep.

 

Chapter 3 Summary

Online learning games, virtual worlds, and interactive simulations promote critical thinking and problem solving that students find engaging and challenging. Because of how fast and correct the student can get a response from the internet, students lean towards technology. The student doesn’t have to raise their hand as in ask a question to the teacher and maybe get embarrassed. All he needs to do is look iut up and he get an answer in 05seconds.

journal post #2 ch#2

Journal Post #2 (Ch.2)

 

Learning Outcome Question#3

                Discuss reasons for using technology to engage students in learning.

 

Many students at all grade levels feel disengaged in the classroom. This may be from all the book and hand written based lectures taught to them. Since students spend a majority of their day with their

phones, in front of a TV or computer, and playing video games, when they get to school and they are not allowed to use these devices they simply lose interest. Educators need to find ways in which they can corporate technology in the classroom. For instance, if there are multiple computers available in the classroom then the educator can split the class and have some students on the computers and the rest on other activities about the same topic. We all learn differently, so let’s teach in different ways too! When the use for multiple students to use the computer is not allowed, maybe a power point presentation on the lecture can engage them. Something else that can engage the students is having them take out their cell phones or tablets and have them look something up as in example, will really engage them.

 

Digital Dialog 2.1 (pg.23)

                How are today’s media-immersed students different from you and from students in the past? How are they the same?

Today’s media-immersed students are different from students in the past because there are too engaged in technology. On a daily base children are on their phones, TV’s, or computers. They want everything to be done fast and don’t have patience. In the past students couldn’t rely on calculators or computers to give them answers. Now all we have to do is get on our phone and there is a calculator and internet to give us answers. Also, children now days don’t want to go outside to play. They prefer the game systems to “play”.

We are all the same in the sense that when we want to know something right away, we can go to the internet and look it up. We are all learning new things everyday about technology.

                How does technology engage students and motivate them to learn? Might different technologies motivate students at different grade levels or might the same technologies motivate students of all ages?

Technology motivates and engages students to learn by simply catching their attention. When educators read or talk for an hour, not much is remembered. It’s not engaging anyone. When an educator brings

technology in the mix something as simple as a power point presentation would get their attention. I believe any and all technology used in the classroom is engaging to students. Of course just like most tools, there are age appropriate told for everyone. Any use of technology in the classroom will benefit and engage students.

                Does every lesson plan benefit from the use of technology? How might teachers balance technology-based and non-technology based lessons?

I don’t think all lesson plans can benefit from technology but I do believe it can always be used. For example, technology in Art can be used but it is more of hands on subject. Whereas, Technology in history or social studies can benefit greatly. With the use of computers, you could go to places or certain periods of time.

 

Chapter 2 Summary

                Twenty-first century technology promotes high levels of interact and learning among students and even educators. With web 2.0 its easier to create interactions with students. I believe educators do need some sort of technology based in at least one subject one a day. This is where students all ages are being involved and learn. Without the technology most students feel disengaged.  Technology can also be used for teachers organizational work (e.i. attendance, emails, ect.) Although a lot of new educators believe technology should be used in teachings, it’s hard to have up-to-date computers. Meaning it can get complicated to always use computers when needed. Along with this, many older educators don’t know how to use technology. Therefore, sticking with reading lectures all day. They don’t know how to use technology and to transform it to their teachings. Educators should know how and be able to understand to use technology and transforming it to at least one lecture a day. If we know this is how students learn and stay engaged, we need to change our ways and teach them how they will learn.

journal post #1 cahpter #1

 

Journal Post #1 ( Ch.1)

 

Learning Outcome Question #2

                Describe ways teachers use technology in their work as educators.

 

There are many ways educators use technology in their works. A few of these examples include: PowerPoint, excel, word processor, you tube, internet, and technology based text books. For example an educator might use excel for attendance . Another example may be emailing with other teachers or with school administers. I think the more you use technology better off you will be with incorporating technology into teachings.

 

Digital Dialog 1.2 (pg.12)

                Do you regard your cell phone or smart phone as a computer? Why or why not?

I do regard my cell phone as a computer. Cell phones are amazing and have the ability to do most all a computer can. The ability to have internet on the go and to be able to look at your emails or search the web for an answer is incredible to me.

                What do you find easy and efficient to do professionally using your mobile phone…?

I find it easy and professional using my cell phone to look at my emails, search the internet, and read information. I believe cell phones can be useful to educators to chat, update, and check blogs or other pages.

                Do you see a desktop computer, laptop computer, and mobile phone as essential technology for a teacher? Would you prefer a combination of some of these with other technologies?

I believe that desk tops, laptops, and mobile devices are essential technologies for teachers. Whether it’s a laptop or a desktop and a mobile phone, this will help learn and understand the technology to be able to introduce it to the classroom. Even some tablets will help if possible for on the go and classrooms.

 

Chapter 1 Summary

                Being an educator in the 21^st century means being friends with technology. Technology plays a major role in every ones daily life. Toddlers, students, educators, and working people use technology almost every day if not every day. By 2010 more than half of children the age of 5 had an electronic learning device and watched TV everyday( Gutnick, Robb, Takeuchi, and Kotler, 2010). This is huge because we basically rely on technology to teach our children, find out information, and finish projects. 

Technology in the classroom is becoming part of everyday teachings. Even for “free-time” students prefer computers over coloring or playing toys.