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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