Reflective Essay

      

     This course provided me with hands on activities within the assignments that required the use of technology. I felt at times I was pushed to my full capability as a student when introduced to technology programs that I was unfamiliar with. In this course I created Blogs, Wiki’s,  ePortfolio, WebQuest, Collaborative Lesson Plan, Discussion Board, etc. Working with these for the first time was challenging however I felt happy with how my projects turned out and I am excited to apply them in the classroom. I feel that by using technology I can teach my students more effectively.

    Thanks to this class I have many educational blogs that I can continue to check out and use for inspiration. There are many great sources of information out there and while I do intend to research new ways of using them I find it will be more meaningful if I continue to create as well.

     A goal I have set for myself is to change the role I have as a teacher. I want a classroom that is not teacher-centered, but student-centered. With the advancements of in technology students have access to a wealth of information and knowledge. This has changed the dynamic of the teacher in the fact that the teacher is not the only source of knowledge or facts in the classroom. It was stated that, “The National Technology Plan released in January 2005 went so far as to admit that “today’s students, of almost any age, are far ahead of their teachers in computer literacy. They prefer to access subject information on the Internet, where it is more abundant, more accessible and more up to date” (National Educational Technology Plan, 2005), (Richardson, 2009). Therefore, it is my goal to instill in my students that the classroom is their area to be self-directed, research, communicate, and create. These are all necessary skills for students to have to be successful in their futures. In addition to this, creating learning opportunities that are relevant to students’ lives makes more of a lasting impact. Students are more interested in topics that relate to their lives and if they know they will use the skill in their futures. Using technology in the classroom allows for this to occur. This goal allows students to embrace and understand the relevance of being lifelong learners.

Ipad for Show and Tale at the PreK class

     This course has helped me develop my technology skills. I feel that I have been given many new tools with which to teach my students, which really excites me. During this course we have explored the evolution of teaching. The biggest thing I have learned from this course is that the process of teaching and learning is always changing. A teacher who is still relying on lectures and blackboards is really doing their students a disservice. By not utilizing technology in the classroom these students will enter college and their careers steps behind their peers. Students today have grown up immersed in technology; it is a large part of every aspect of their life. Because if this it should also be a large part of their education. Creating a lesson that forces students to collaborate in small groups, discover information on their own, and enables creativity will be much more impactful than making students write a book full of notes. Using the building blocks that this course has provided will allow me to continue using technology in my classroom. By making lessons that require creativity I will transform my classroom from an area not fixed on me, but centered on the students. I intend to use all the resources provided to help me achieve my goals of integrating technology in my classroom and becoming more learner centered.

      Overall, I feel that the use of technology has changes the way I learn in school. This Technology class has helped me to become more organized, it also have provided incredible sources on the Internet that I am able to use for educational purposes and other things as well, because after all without the technology we have today I feel that none of us would be able to survive, we would all have to do our work the old fashion way and get our resources from a book. In conclusion the use of technology has changes the way I learn.

Resources

Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010). Transforming teaching with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon

McHale, T. (2005). Portrait of a digital native. Technology& Learning. Retrieved February 24, 2010, from http://www.techlearning.com/article/4572.

 Richardson, W. (2009). Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

 

Chapter #11 Engaging Teachers and Students in Learning and Self-Reflection

Focus Question 2:   How can teachers and students use digital portfolios as tools for learning?

A student work for digital portfolio by Nicole

• A digital portfolio for a teacher is an indivually prepared collection of work that communicates who a teacher is and what that teacher knows and is able to do in academic subjects and classroom teaching.
• A standards-based digital portfolio serves as a way for new teacher candidates to connect lesson plans, teaching evaluations, and other work done in the classroom to the specific professional teaching standards they are required to meet in order to earn a teacher license.
• The advantages of digital portfolios include easy access, ready-made portability, creative information displays, experience in developing technology skills, and the sharing of information with educational community.
• The disadvantages of digital portfolios include the need for technical knowledge and skill, ongoing support, computer access, and time, as well as the possibility that style will override substance in the presentation of information.

There are three main types of e-portfolios, although they may be referred to using different terms:

• developmental (e.g., working),
• reflective (e.g., learning), and
• representational (e.g., showcase).

A developmental e-portfolio is a record of things that the owner has done over a period of time, and may be directly tied to learner outcomes or rubrics. A reflective e-portfolio includes personal reflection on the content and what it means for the owner's development. A representational e-portfolio shows the owner's achievements in relation to particular work or developmental goals and is, therefore, selective.


Tech Tool 11.1   EduTools

EduTools is a suite of free, easy-to-use Web-based tools that allow users to collect, analyze, and weigh information about a variety of e-learning products, services, and policies. EduTools’ approach is to help the higher education community make well-informed decisions in three primary areas: course management systems; student services; and e-learning policies.


Conclusion

An e-portfolio or digital portfolio, is a collection of electronic evidence assembled and managed by a user, usually on the Web. Such electronic evidence may include inputted text, electronic files, images, multimedia, blog entries, and hyperlink. E-portfolios are both demonstrations of the user's abilities and platforms for self-expression, and, if they are online, they can be maintained dynamically over time. Some e-portfolio applications permit varying degrees of audience access, so the same portfolio might be used for multiple purposes. I will be share with my co-worker about the digital portfolio.  When our class started; we introduce our self with a letter to a parents.  With tools that are free and easy to use web based we will able to inform and introduce information to the parents about our center or our services to them.


Resources


Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010). Transforming teaching with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon

Chapter #10 Promoting Success for All Students through Technology

Focus Questions 3:  How does assistive technology support efforts by teachers to reach all learners?

• Assitive technologies  are tools that make academic material more accessible to students by minimizing barries while maximizing opportunities for learning.
• Handled spellers and dictionaries, speech recognition software, text reading software, and interactive eletronic storybooks are all technologies that can promote learning success for many different students.

What is assistive technologies?

Assistive or Adaptive Technology commonly refers to "...products, devices or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that are used to maintain, increase or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities...", The Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (US).

Assistive Technology products can enable people with disabilities to accomplish daily living tasks, assist them in communication, education, work or recreation activities, in essence, help them achieve greater independence and enhance their quality of life.


How Assistive Technology can help In Education of The Visually Impaired

 

Braillebooks

Audio books

Digital Talking books

Screen Reading Softwares

Screen Magnification

OCR – scan & read

Assistive Technology for The Visually Impaired – DemoScreen Reading Software - JAWS for windows
 

From low tech, no cost solutions to elaborate computer-based solutions

• Access for Physical/Mobility Impairment where basic computer accessibility, speech to text software, switch access, “sip-n-puff’ mouth controlled joysticks, hands-free mice, eye-trackers, LOMAK keyboard, and head motion devices are utilized.
• Access for Blind/Visual Impairment where screen magnifiers, enlarged keyboards, large screen TVs, scanners with text optical recognition and screen readers are utilized.

• Access for Hearing/Speech Impairment where basic computer accessibility with beeps and on-screen visual notifications, headphones, voice input and laptop communication devices are used . 
• As technologies continue to evolve, works to discover new approaches to providing quality information, resources and services to help people with disabilities reach their goals.
• Access for Cognitive Impairment where simple displays, word prediction software, augmentative communication, digital pens, and reading, writing and learning software are used.

Assistive Technology in the Classroom | Dell

"Empower students with disabilities to reach their potential with Dell's ... Assistive technology opens up the world for your district's students with ... Choosing the right ones for your students, and then implementing and supporting them can be ... toll-free service and have access to all assistive technology device specifications."

Conclusion

Ongoing Education and Research efforts discover new ways to serve people with disabilities and educate communities—all with the intent of making progress for them to gain greater independence. Research is an ongoing process in the field of disability advocacy. 

 

As technologies continue to evolve, works to discover new approaches to providing quality information, resources and services to help people with disabilities reach their goals.

 

Resources


Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010). Transforming teaching with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon

Chapter #9 Creating and Sharing information with Multimedia Technologies

 

ipad

Focus Questions #1:    What is multimedia technology and how can teachers use it to effectively create and share visual information dynamically in their teaching?

• Multimedia (or multimodal) learning happens when multiple media (text, data,voice, picture, and video) are used to communicate information.
• Schools have largely emphasized single media, non-interactive modes of learning.
• A multimedia classroom integrates multiple technologies for teaching and learning.

     Multimedia technology can open doors to learning that goes beyond the classroom meeting the needs of all students and learning.   Multimedia technology is the presence of users’ communication through the combination of texting, data programming, pictures, and/or videos where they interact through teaching and learning. Through this collaboration and interaction learning is taken to a level that gets students, teachers, and family members involved in the educational process.

    Multimedia learning in education means that the student's learning will be enhances is more than one way of learning is used.  Using whiteboard to show images provide ways to show students anything which can be presented on a computer's desktop.

An interactive whiteboard and computer can transform classroom learning.  Having a whiteboard in our classroom will help us  introduce lessons to the children, which will provide a visual and audio learning experience.

Volcano demostration (having a Whiteboard will make a difference presentation)
PreK class

  Through advocating videos, a student's interest can be enhanced in a particular topic.  There are abundant lectures on teachertube, edutube, etc.

   Students gain creativeness through their work and the work of others. Their learning becomes more personal and students understand and gain higher order thinking skills that will be consistent and ongoing, promoting continued educational growth. Multimedia technology and learning resources offer learning that can and will take place anytime, anywhere. It allows flexibility for teachers and students, individualized learning meeting the needs of different learners and their perceptions. Multimedia technology will allow students and their teachers to interact with and teach each other in the classroom as well as outside the classroom.

Tech Tool  9.1:  Interactive Whiteboards

An interactive whiteboard and computer can transform classroom learning.  Interactive whiteboards also allow teachers to record their instruction and post the material to be reviewed by students who benefit from repetition or who need to see the material presented again and for students who are absent from school. (Wikipedia)

 Conclusion

    Today all the educational institutes maximize the potential of student learning through the implementation of computational tools.  Multimedia approach of education like use of audio-visual tools and devices for better understanding of concepts has widely been set up in almost all the institutes.  This led to speedy and effective learning.  Today, the teacher's role is not merely limited to reading books; they might refer to internet technology and so share the same with their students.  Use of internet tools can be fun, attractive and pretty exciting.

Resources
 

Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010). Transforming teaching with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon

 

 



Chapter #8 Communicating and Networking with Websites, Blogs, Wikis, and More

Focus Question 2:  How can teachers use email or instant messaging to foster information exchanges with and among students?

• Children and adolescents are the largest users of email and instant messaging (IM) technologies.
•  Many teachers use email as away to communicate with students, families, and professional collagues.
• Fewer teachers use instant messaging because the kind of informal language found in IM can be misunderstood or misused.

Sometimes it is challenging to find time during class to visit with students.  A quick email message might be a solution.  Knowing that it is alright for them to contact you via email may open lines of communication.  Also, students may be more comfortable sharing their thoughts digitally as opposed to face-to-face.

It is important to maintain that boundary between teacher and friend.  I think private messaging (text messages, private chats) between a teacher and student should be avoided.

Tech Tool 8.1:    Approach 3 (Open Source Software)

Use a free online course management system (CMS) for educators such as Moodle that provides email, online discussion boards, instant messaging, and discussion forums for school districts and individual classrooms.  Blogger is another free blog-building option for teachers.  Edmodo is a microblogging tool, for teachers and students to share ideas and information. Teachers can post homework assignments and invite discussion both in and out of the classroom.

Conclusion

Communication technologies provide ways that teachers can use to create a good learning environment in their classrooms and the different ways that teachers and students can use technology to share ideas and information within the classroom and online.  Many teachers use email as a way to communicate with students, families, and professional colleagues.

Resources



Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010). Transforming teaching with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon

Chapter #7 Problem Solving and Inquiry Learning with Software and Web Tools

 

Focus Question 3:  How do teachers use different types of software programs to promote problem solving and inquity learning?

• Educational software can be used to promote skills-based learning, problem solving and inquiry learning, or many combinations of each.
• Composing and calculating software such as Microsoft Word and Excel provide extensive ways to promote learning through digital writing and computer-based mathematical computations.
• Skills-based learning software promotes the learning of basic skills such as number operations in math or vocabulary words in language arts.
• Inquiry and discovery learing software such as the "House" series, Kid Pix, and Google Earth offers students opportunities to problem solve and discover through follow-you-own-questions types of learning explorations.
• Visual thinking and concept mapping software such as Kidspiration and Inspiration provide ways for teachers and students to organize and outline their ideas on a computer.

Tech Tool 7.1     Squeak Etoys

Squeak Etoys, is a computer software that can be downloaded free of charge.  It can be used in different grade levels and various academic subjects.

Conclusion

Students can either learn from or with computers. When technology is applied to a variety of learning goals and is used to develop higher order thinking, creativity and research skills, students learn with computer. Software applications the come in the form of math and reading games and activities that students find fun and motivating. Also, have a positive reading and math achievement

I absolutely agree that technology helps to engage kids more into education or it just make it more simple for children and also adults to understand. I am working with children four and five year olds at the childcare center and I see the kids – how quickly they learn and are eager to do something you just have shown to them!. The integration of technology is vital in this age.  At the child care, we  do not have any type of technology except a CD player.  You would be surprised how many children these days use IPad’s and Iphones. We live surrounded by technology, I think if I able to introduce techology for these children that I am working right now they will benefits from it. I also very much agree on the fact that children are more engaged and interested in learning with the help of technology.

Resources:

Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010). Transforming
teaching with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon

                                                                                                                



Chapter #6 Teaching with Education Websites and other Online Resources

Chapter #6 - Teaching with Education Websites and other Online Resources

Focus Question 6:  How might education websites provide interactive and engaging learning experiences for students?

• Educational websites provide opportunities for students to explore their own questions or go through a site in a nonlinear, self-directed manner.
• Educational websites allow students to engage with online material through stories, characters, mysteries, and controversial issues.

Student engagement - traditional teaching and learning is transmissive: it focuses on communicating a great dial of information (or content) to students.  Today's students, with very different characteristics.  They do not usually learn as effectively by simple listening passively, note-taking and absorbing information.  They learn better if they are engaged.  This means moving away from didactic content delivery and increasing interaction.

Engaging students online, consider students' access to computing facilities, and to high speed Internet.  While the vast majority of students have good access, there are still many students who may not have good access off-schools.

Again, students abilities are improving as Internet related activieties increase in every day life.  However, some students will need assistance and consideration in these matters.

Tech Tool 6.2:   Delicious

Free online.  Users are required to register.  Delicious is a Web-based social bookmarking tool that organizes all of your bookmarks in one place.  While using delicious, you can view a Web page and capture the page by clicking on a Delicious tab in your toolbar.


 

Conclusion
 

Very few of us attend regular lectures these days; most information comes to us electronically, and includes graphics, etc.  We unlikely to be accustomed to sitting for long periods simply listening to someone talk. Web tools led us to focus and giving students access to information (lecture notes online, for example) made it easier to get students doing-interacting with resources and with peers through chat and discussion. I think the educational websites and other online resources are being used increasingly by educators to enable a greater level of interaction and collaboration among students.

Resources:
Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010). Transforming
teaching with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon
 

Chapter #5 Researching and Evaluating Internet Information

Chapter #5 - Researching and Evaluating Internet Information

Focus Questions 1:  What is the meaning of information literacy for teachers and students?

• Instantly available information on the Internet is transforming the work of teachers, creating the need to teach students how to access and assess the resources and materials they find online.
• Teaching students how to do Internet research is a crucial element of information literacy and involves learning how to recognize and utilize high-quality electronic information.
• Information literacy and Internet research together enable students to act as critical readers and thoughtful researchers in Web-based environments.

Literacy is a multimedia database that provides access to resources for teachers to use in teaching information literacy skills to students.

The Internet have made tremendous amounts of information easily accessible, however, the quality and usefulness of information stream.  It is imperative for students to understand how to locate reliable data, it's appropriateness, and use it effectively.  For example, teachers can requiring students to think critically and comparatively about the quality of the information presented.  Accessing information efficiently and effectively, evaluating information critically and competently using information accurately and creatively.

Tech Tool 5.1:  Flickr

Flickr is an online photo managing and sharing tool with a number of instructional options for teachers. I find a lots a visual learning resources like photos into sets based on a theme.

Today's educators and students need to be able to locate, evaluable, use and share information.  They can successfully navigate through information resources. To improve their quality of education.  To learn additional tools, to reinforce course content and to enhance lifelong learning.


Resources:

Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010). Transforming
teaching with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon

Chapter #4 - Integrating Technology and Creating Change

Focus Question: How can teachers create change in classrooms using technology?

• How a technology is designed and how a technology is used will either expand or limit that technology's change impact in schools.
• Digital pens are an example of technology that has a greater or lesser capacity to create change depending on each type's technological capabilities.
• Preparing class notes using a tablet PC is an example of how a technology can fundamentally change how teachers and students interact with academic materials.

Although there has been a strong push to educational technology into the hands of teachers and students, many obstacles to implementation still exist.  Equipment may not be easily accessible.   Hardware and software often pose problems for teachers in the classroom, and just in time technical support may be unavailable.

 

Learning the new roles and ways of teaching that go hand in hand with technology integration requires that teachers have opportunities to participate in an extended process of professional development.  Teachers need time to acquire technology skills and develop new teaching strategies for integrating technology into the classroom.

Tech Tool 4.1:  Edutopia

Edutopia: Information and Inspiration for Innovative Teaching in K-12 Schools, programs that are improving the way students learn.  The series focuses on evidenced based successes and uses how to videos and tip lists to help education leader.

No matter what your skill level, integrating technology into your classroom offers the change to increase student interest and teach valuable professional skills and have some fun.  A quick internet search may help you identify ways to supplement your lessons with intesting new material.

Resources:

Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010). Transforming
teaching with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon

Chapter #3 - DEVELOPING LESSONS WITH TECHNOLOGY

Focus Question: What is meant by "lesson development using technology"?

• Lesson development is central to the work of every teacher.
• Lesson development is a process of creative design and decision making that includes three elements: (1) what to teach, (2) how to teach, and (3) how to know what students have learned.
• Technology tools support all three aspects of lesson development.

Lesson planning is a special skill that is learned in much the same way as other skills.  It is one thing to surf the web to retrieve lesson plans from others sites and adapt them to your needs.  The internet has many thousands of lesson plans available to anyone.  I find something that will either give me some new ideas, or perhaps reinforce my oldes ones.  Learning from other teachers is an important means of professional development.

Tech Tool 3.1: PBS Teachers

PBS Teachers is an extensive resource for educators from the Public Broadcasting Service. It is available free of charge online. I like this side because it has Prek activities, professional development opportunities, video, etc.

In conclusion technologies change every aspect of teacher's work, including how to plan lessons, keep records, and communicate with students, families, and collagues.  As a parent waiting for inews each month from my daughter's school I find wonderful and also working with prek children getting ideas and information from all kind of sources help me a lot.

Resources:

Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010). Transforming
teaching with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon

Journal #2 - Transforming Learning with Unique, Powerful Technology

Focus Question:   In what ways does technology promote unique, powerful, and transformative learning for students?

Transforming learning with unique, powerful technology, we mean tools, concepts, innovations, and advancements that are utilized in diverse educational settings, to serve varied educational purposes.

Teachers experience technology as an effective tool for professional learning and develop skills to powerfully use technology to improve student learning.  I the think teacher develop confidence and effectiveness in designing and supporting technology rich environments that maximize students learning.

There are five kinds of unique, powerful and transformative learning experiences: visual learning, accessing and assesing information, student engagement and collaboration, feedback, and creativity.

• Visual Learning - consists of sofware programs, internet sites, videos, etc
• Accessing and Assessing Information - use of websites, google, digital dictionaries, etc.  These resources help the student gain informational literacy.
• Engagement and Collaboration - This method is much different than the traditional approach of a lecture from the teacher and worksheet, but rather work in groups on a project to keep them interested and focused.
• Feedback - Way that a student and teacher can communicate on a different level.
• Creativity - characteristic that is beneficial to a students growing process.  Web processing, drawing, design and paint programs are to name a few ways one can express their individuality.

Tech Tool 2.1:  Visual Dictionary Only http:/visual.merriam-webster.com

Teachers who have experienced technology as teaching tool for professional learning, and who in the process have developed the skills for powerful use of technology in the classroom, can greatly improve student learning.  It also provides teachers with new tools and challenges that can transform instructional roles, curricula, and practices.

A range of hardware and software applications supported these students roles.  Students had access to vast stores of information like Visual Dictionary Online (http:/visual.merriam-wester.com).  In addition, they had a variety of tools that could use to transform this information into knowledge, tools such as word processors, graphics, multimedia, and  web development software.

Conclusion:

Finally, technology is applied effectively, it can be a strong force for promoting learning.  Technology plays a role in this approach of providing students with tools and information that support their problem solving, communication, collaboration, and knowledge creation.  I think one of the valuable aspects of technology is that it lets a teacher engage his or her students on the students' level.


Resources:

Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010). Transforming teaching with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon

Journal #1 - Becoming an e-Teacher

Focus Question:  How do new technologies create new opportunities for teaching and learning?

Teachers have always used tools to help them present the material to be learned.  Some of these tools are chalk and chalkboards, magic markers, poster paper, etc.; others by comparison have been more high tech like tape records, slide projectors, overhead projectors, VCRs, and more.

Today's newest high tech educational tools include computers and interactive software like Microsoft, offer many advantages ranging from classroom managament, recordkeeping, etc.

Technology is also changing education in two ways: first, by offering new resources to engage students in learning, and second, by giving them an opportunity to learn about new technological fields, leading to jobs and to a greater understanding of how these fields affect the world.

Technology appears to hold great potential for learning for all ages, undeniably, the role of technology in early childhood education is that of a tool for learning, communicating, equalizing opportunities, and creating positive changes in the learning environment.

The potencial technology has for all children is beyond anything in past educational experiences.  But in and of itself technology is no magic wand.  To be effective, it must be used and used appropriately.  Simply having a computer and adaptive technologies available for the children is not enough.

Tech Tool 1.2: 7 Things You Should Know About ...(EDUCAUSE)

Technology provides numerous tools that teachers can use in and out of the classroom to enhance student learning.  There are also numerous on-line resources about using technology to enhance teaching in a number of different ways.  Some of the many technologies including data visualization, digital storytelling, Google Earth, blogs, and more.

Each "7 Things" brief follows a similar format with answers to questions about a technology:

What is it?
Who's doing it?
How does it work?
What are the downsides?
Where is it going?
What are the implications for teaching and learning?

Summary:

To prepare students to learn throughout their lives and in settings far beyond classrooms, we must change what and how we teach to match what people need to know, how they learn, and where and when they learn and change our perception of who needs to learn.  We must bring technology into learning in meaningful ways to engage, motivate, and inspire learners of all ages to achieve.

The classroom teacher and her program assistants hold the key to successful integration of technology into the education classroom because they control its use and create opportunities for children to use the technology as a too.  Therefore, technology training is critical.  Without training, with out the opportunities to learn to use the equipment for themselves, teachers may have difficulty being motivated or comfortable using the technology in their classroom environment.


Resources:

Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010).  Transforming teaching with new technologies.  Allyn & Bacon.

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