Digital Badge E

It was very interesting to read about Rosie on page 158; the student who did not enjoy math until she was introduced to 4MALITY.   I was curious, so I found the 4MALITY website and created a login.  There are different sets of problems that range from place values to understanding decimals.  It is very easy to follow and would be a great tool to incorporate into the classroom.  Solving word problems can be difficult for some students.  Tools like this can help make sure students understand and grasp what the problems are asking them to do. It is important to set a good foundation while the students are young.  As they get into middle and high school math, they will be more prepared to tackle those more difficult math courses. 

I do not remember teachers teaching me when I was in school how to take research material and rewriting it so it is in my own words.  I personally did not do well in this area in school, but it is so important that students learn early on how to acquire this skill.   On page 168 of the textbook, I learned about a website called Read/Write/Think that helps students organize and write a persuasive essay.  And since this chapter explains how gaming can be used in the classroom, there are plenty of educational games that could be incorporated with a lesson plan.  One example is this ABC Match game which is geared for Kindergarten through 2^nd grade; it helps students with letter recognition and memory. 

On page 169 the textbook explains how gamification is used in education as well as in the business world.  I did not realize when I sign up for a store reward card that it was something called gamification.  But like the textbook explains too much gaming or gamification can have negative outcomes.  For businesses, their rewards are points on future purchases to keep you coming back which causes you to spend more money.  For students, the rewards may become more important than actually learning the material.  I can see how it can be beneficial but there may also be a down side.  There is an interesting article on Edutopia with a link to a TedTalk video which explains how using real world situations in a game setting can motivate students to learn. 

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Digital Badge D

This chapter offers a lot of information on where to find valuable educational websites for students and teachers.   I did not realize the vast amount of web sites that offer students the option of taking notes to search engines that are geared towards age appropriate resources.  As the textbook says the search engine does not know who is searching or how old the person is.  It is more beneficial and involves less time to allow the students to use those search engines that are geared towards content that is related to the topic they are researching.  For example, the Smithsonian Education website is a great tool for the classroom and offers teaching opportunities from art to history.  I enjoyed exploring this website and saved this one on my Delicious account for future use. 

Another topic the textbook covered was bullying and cyberbullying.  This one is a biggie for me.  I feel students should start learning empathy as soon as they begin school in kindergarten.  They need to learn how to put themselves in another person’s shoes and realize that everybody is different and that it is alright if the person sitting next to them wears glasses or has different clothes.  It is such a tragedy to hear news stories of young kids that have taken their own life because of bullying.  I believe getting students involved in the community is a great way to teach this.  The website goodcharacter.com has some very good examples of how to get students as young as kindergarten involved in bullying prevention.

I was shocked at the number of students who admitted to cheating. The textbook says “one is four and one in six high school students admit to cheating” (Maloy, 119).  According to mprnews.org students learn how to cheat while they are still in elementary school.  The article Combat Cheating in Elementary School explains that when children are encouraged to work together in groups in first and second grade; then when asked to work by themselves it can be overwhelming and they feel pressure to have the right answers so they begin to cheat by copying answers.  Students need to be taught early on that cheating is wrong and there are consequences if they are found cheating. I feel to combat cheating it starts by teaching them integrity and to have a sense of pride and accomplishment for their own work.    

MPR News (2013, June 25).  Combat Cheating in Elementary School. Retrieved from http://www.mprnews.org/story/2013/06/25/daily-circuit-elementary-school-cheating

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Digital Badge C

As I was reading on page 46 of this chapter the teacher was asked by a concerned parent “Why are you emphasizing so much technology in your teaching?”  I am sure all teachers at some point in their career face parents that probably feel this way and will need to be prepared with a knowledgeable response.  Thinking about this scenario, a teacher has a tremendous responsibility to not only his or her students but to the community.   They have to be prepared to not only teach the day’s lessons with enthusiasm and creativity but they also have to be ready to give appropriate responses to whatever questions come their way.  Even with this much responsibility, I believe some people are just born to be teachers, it is something they desire to be; it comes from within. 

This chapter offers a lot of information to be ready to address those questions.  With proper use, technologies in the classroom can “generate unique, powerful and transformative learning experiences.”  Children these days are being raised on technology and seem to have something built in them to understand how it works.  So when technology is combined with subjects like math, history, science and language arts and even music and art; students will be more likely to understand and enjoying learning.  On page 54 and 55 of the textbook, Montessori believed that learning should include a self-correcting feedback that teaches in a nonjudgmental way.   Computer games that students can play in the classroom that offer instant feedback would be beneficial in the classroom.  This is true for me while I was completing my math courses.  The homework was done on the computer and sometimes I would struggle to figure out the answers; the instant feedback of the program allowed me to rework the problem and then further understand how to correctly solve the problem.  So I completely understand this concept.  It is not giving feedback in a negative or judgmental way which can make a student feel embarrassed.  

When I was in school, teaching was done in a teacher-centered approach.  The students sat in rows of desks and the teacher stood in the front of the class and taught at the chalkboard.  I think this approach is still necessary to some extent to teach specific concepts.  But I believe the classroom should be arranged so that the room feels open to all student and there is no one sitting in the back not paying attention.  I believe students should be active in the classroom, working with hands-on activities and in groups to come up with solutions to real world problems using critical thinking.  The Importance ofCritical Thinking on Bright Hub Education explains that without critical thinking skills we cannot process information logically.   It is important for students to develop good critical thinking skills to be able to think independently and solve problems not only in school but in their daily lives outside of school. 

Banerjee, Ranee Kaur. (2012, August 10). The Importance of Critical Thinking. Retrieved from http://www.brighthubeducation.com/teaching-methods-tips/97818-the-importance-of-critical-thinking/ 

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Copy of 21st Century Technologies - Created with Haiku Deck, presentation software that inspires

Digital Badge B

1     All of these technology tools can be overwhelming and a little intimidating.  Prior to this class I had never even heard of Web 2.0 tools.  On page 24 of the textbook, there is quite a long list, many of which I am already familiar with; but had no idea they were called Web 2.0 tools.  Now that I already know what a few of these are and how to use them; perhaps it will be easier now to continuing learning about other tools and how to integrate some of these into the classroom.  This website Web 2.0: Cool Tools for Schools is loaded with an abundance of tools that are available to teachers. 

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       On page 34 of the textbook, the section titled Critics of Technology in Schools.  It seems difficult to know exactly how much technology time students should spend in the classroom.  I have read with the use of technology it helps to develop creativity but according to this section of reading, too much “right-and-wrong-answer computer games limits the development of children’s creativity.”  So what’s the right answer?  How much is too much?  This article from TechNewsWorld.com is very interesting and says that technology leads to improved reading skills.  But on the other hand too much technology can make a child feel ”anxious, restless, bored and aggressive” (LeClaire, 2006).   I guess it is once again a balance, knowing what the limits are and setting strict guidelines.

Students these days are definitely digital natives as explained on page 38 in the textbook.  As I stated in my previous post, they can just pick up any kind of electronic device and figure out how it works.  And those digital immigrants who require the owner’s manual struggle to even understand how to turn the machine on.  This particular section further explains that these students who were brought up using technology are more likely to learn from “electronic and computer environments.  So it is up to the schools and the teachers to provide the technology that these students need to succeed. 

LeClaire, Jennifer. (2006, September 6).  Kids and Tech: How Much Is Too Much?  Retrieved from http://www.technewsworld.com/story/52677.html

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Digital Badge A

1)       As I read through this chapter it was very interesting to learn how many young children under the age of 5 use electronic toys and computers for learning.  It is fascinating to see a young child pick up a cell phone and be able to figure it all out.  They just seem to have the knack for understanding how technology works. I have a smart phone that is almost a year old, I am still trying to learn how to use all the features the phone has to offer.   But sometimes I feel children rely too heavily on video games, TV, computer and cell phones for their entertainment.  They don’t know how to entertain themselves and often get “bored” if these electronic devices are taken away.  Children should be encouraged to pick up a book to read or participate in some form of physical activity for their well-being.  This class is all about technology, but I feel strongly about how much time children spend indoors on their electronic devices, which can lead to childhood obesity and/or video game addictions.  There needs to be a balance!  I saw a story just this week on the NBC nightly news that offers tech savvy kids an opportunity to build things with their own hands.   Program Encourages Kids to Build, Play the Old-Fashioned Way

2)      But, because children are fascinated with technology it can be an effective tool in the classroom when combined with the content the teacher needs to convey to his or her students.  This can help make learning fun which will keep children interested in learning.  There are many “Inside-the-classroom instructional tools” that are listed on page 7 of our textbook. Many educational websites offer videos or games which could be used to accompany a lesson.  For example, the website ScienceKids has some interesting videos that could be used to reemphasize a science lesson.  This same website offers games and other activities that a teacher could use in the classroom as well.   Another tool I found interesting, a student participation system.  I would have to say this tool is definitely one to be used in a 21^st century classroom.  This tool allows all students in the classroom the opportunity to participate together, by using their clickers to answer questions the teacher poses.  It allows the teacher to immediately see whether the students understands the material or whether to go over the lesson again.  Often times there are children who did not quite understand a concept but was too shy or embarrassed to ask a question so they fall behind and can get frustrated.  According to the FCC.gov website, “technology-based instruction can reduce the time students take to reach a learning objective by 30 to 80 percent.”   

3)      The textbook it explains “family income dramatically affects technology use” (Maloy, Verock-O'Loughli, Edwards & Woolf, 2013, p.5)  So this is a concern for those students who come from low-income families whose parents cannot afford to own a computer or be connected to the internet.  To keep up with assignments and maintain good grades, accessing classroom websites and homework assignments online is very important.  Teachers also need to maintain communication with the parents so the parent can be sure their child is doing well in school.  While doing some research on this topic, I stumbled upon a program on the FCC.gov website called Connect to Compete, which provides low cost broadband of $9.95 per month and refurbished devices that cost $150 plus free training to students who are eligible for free and reduced lunches.  It will be important to be sure these students and parents are made aware of these opportunities so their children can be successful.  

In conclusion, there is a broad range of technology based tools teachers can bring to the classroom.   Because I did not have the luxury of growing up with technology, I sometimes feel overwhelmed.  It is going to be important for me to keep up with all the latest and greatest tools that may be available to teachers and students.   Learning is a never ending process, there is always something new, no matter how old you are.  As the students are learning from me I will also be learning from them how to be a better teacher.   But I am confident that once I complete this course I will have the knowledge that is needed to know how to be a 21^st century teacher and incorporate technology in the classroom.    

 

 

Federal Communications Commission (2012). Fact Sheet, Digital Playbook Textbook. Retrieved from Federal Communication Commission Website: http://www.fcc.gov/document/fact-sheet-digital-textbook-playbook.

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Valdes, Natalie (2014, August 28).  Program Encourages Kids to Play, the Old Fashioned Way [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/program-encourages-kids-build-play-old-fashioned-way-n191431

 

Focus Question – How does technology provide feedback to support learning?  According to the textbook “feedback lets you know when you are proceeding in a positive direction and when you are moving off track” (p. 49) I chose to answer this question because I am taking all online classes this semester and I am relying not only on my textbook to help me learn the material, but I am also relying on technology to help me understand what I am learning.  For example, in my history class, after I read each chapter there is an online multiple choice quiz that is available.  It doesn’t count towards your grade but it allows you to instantly know if you got the answer correct.  If you missed the question, it shows you the correct answer and helps you to better understand the information.  And this is what our textbook says “Information technologies offer teachers and students an essential element of successful learning-rapid (often nearly instantaneous), self-correcting feedback about their efforts.”  When I was in school we weren’t allowed to use calculators in any of my math classes.  It is important for students to know how to work out math problems without a calculator, but now I see how calculators can be beneficial.  It allows the student to check their work for the correct answer.    

 

Connections and Possibilities – High Tech High – It is interesting to learn how successful this charter school has become since opening their first school in 2000.  Their constructivist approach to learning began as one high school and has grown to twelve other schools; three elementary, four middle and five high schools.  It is impressive that every graduate has gone on to college.  The goal at each of their schools is as follows: 

·         Serve a student body that mirrors the ethnic and socioeconomic diversity of the local community.

·         Integrate technical and academic education to prepare students for post-secondary education in both high tech and liberal arts fields.

·         Increase the number of educationally disadvantaged students in math and engineering who succeed in high school and post-secondary education.

·         Graduate students who will be thoughtful, engaged citizens.

The constructivism theory in education “is a learning process of manipulating and interpreting the surrounding world in a unique way for each individual” (p. 34).  High Tech High offers a project-based learning environment at all grade levels, even in Kindergarten.  With this type of learning environment, students are learning in a hands-on technology based environment.  This prepares students to thrive and be more successful in the real world.  This Transformed by Technology video shows high school students from High Tech High using technology for solutions to real-life community based projects. I was really impressed by the way they personalize learning for each student.  Students work with an advisor on “long term goals and short-term performance” and students create “personal digital portfolios to document the year’s learning” (p. 35).

 

Summary – This chapter was very interesting and I learned a lot about how technology can be used to enhance learning.  It isn’t just about giving students’ access to a computer in the classroom.  I especially found it important to allow students to be creative.  According to our textbook:

“Expressing one’s ideas creatively is a highly valued talent in virtually every field from the artistic to the commercial.  ….creativity is an increasingly important but not easy to find, talent among today’s workers” (p. 51). 

I believe that all students have a talent of some sort, while there seems to be other students who are multi-talented.  Therefore, all students need to be given opportunities to express themselves whether it be by playing an instrument, drawing, writing, playing sports, etc.  With the use of technology it can enable students to take their talents to the next level.  For example, Poetry Writing with Jack Prelutsky is a website that teaches students how to write a poem and post it on the website.  When I was in elementary school I was never very creative when it came to writing poems.  This website could be very helpful for students who have the same difficulty and it gives opportunities for students to use technology in the classroom. 

Edutopia.org. (2010, June 4). Transformed by Technology. (Video) Retrieved from http://howtovideos.hightechhigh.org/video/206/Transformed+by+Technology

High Tech High. (2014, January). High Tech High Goals. Retrieved from http://www.hightechhigh.org/about/

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Focus Question - What constitutes a highly interactive inquiry-based learning environment?  Whatever the lesson or project the teacher has to teach, the teacher could use various technologies to make the lesson more interesting and memorable for the students.  According to our textbook:

Accessing the Web for class discussion, utilizing computers to show presentations or simulations having students use handheld and wireless devices as part of group projects, and integrating different technologies into various in-class academic assignments or activities (p 11).

For example, Google earth could be incorporated into a geography lesson and students could be involved by allowing them to use the website to create maps with pictures and labels.  It not only teaches the students about geography but it teaches them how to use technology to create something memorable.  For classroom projects or assignments that require outside information, students could use their smart phones, laptops or classroom computers to search the internet or a trusted online database for reliable sources of information.

Tech Tool - Online Resources for Learning about Technology - I am happy to know there will be resources available to help me keep up to date with technologies that may be available to use in the classroom. I especially found the website "How Stuff Works" interesting.  Also, there are a lot of useful articles and videos that could be integrated into the classroom under careful monitoring and restrictions, due to the many advertisements and questionable topics.  For example, I found numerous interesting videos on the website, all entitled "Stuff to Blow Your Mind", that are all related to science that could be used along with science lessons in the classroom.  

Summary – Because of the significant amount of people, including young children, who own some kind of electronic device and are using them in their daily lives, it only makes sense to incorporate these technologies in the classroom as well.  I came across this interesting Ted Talk video entitled "Sugata Mitra: The Child Driven Education", it shows when children are exposed to the wide variety of information on the computer, it can be an essential tool in the classroom.  As a teacher, I want to make learning fun and interesting for my students.  Students learn more and stay involved if they are not bored with the subject or lesson.  My only concern is when technology fails, as I observed last semester in a 4^th grade class.  Even though the teacher improvised, the outcome of the lesson was much different because the students did not get to view the video that went along with the history lesson that she taught that day.  I don’t know if I have a set teaching philosophy in mind because I feel both the Teacher-centered and Student-centered can be integrated into the classroom.  I think it’s important for students to learn how to work together with other students, they sometimes learn more this way but there also is a need for a teacher to teach a lesson and give a test.  This allows the teacher to evaluate the class and see if a student needs help in a particular area.   

References

Maloy, Robert W, Verock-O’Loughlin, Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education

TedGlobal 2010, (2010) Sugata Mitra: The Child Driven Education (Video). Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/sugata_mitra_the_child_driven_education.html