Final -Blog Post

EME2040 was a wonderful class full of technology lessons and learning how to be a good teacher. It educated me more than I thought it would. I learned how to integrate technology into the classroom as well as many other helpful websites to use as a teacher. Not only was this class education but it was also fun. We had more than many opportunities to work in groups which allowed me to befriend and get to know my classmates. We also did activities like geocaching which was a very fun activity to do with my classmates and learn GPS skills as well as communication and technology. Textbook: In EME 2040 we used a textbook for our weekly blog posts. Other than the blog post assignment I didn’t find myself using the book at all. I felt I barely even used the book for the assignment. This doesn’t mean that the book is not up to standards. I just believe that my professor had the knowledge to teach the class materials and assignments without needing that extra assistance from a textbook. In my opinion one of the signs of a good teacher is knowledge on the subject being taught. Discussions: During this semester we did numerous discussion posts regarding different topics from that week’s class and its lesson. One that comes to mind was a discussion post about legal and ethical materials and action in the technology of the classroom such as not giving proper credit to a photographer, author, publisher, or any other person’s activities being used without credit. Not to mention that the study on legality and ethics in this class was one of the classroom objectives. My favorite discussion post was one about accommodating someone with a disability in class. I chose to write about a deaf student. I enjoyed this very much because I know American Sign Language and enjoy speaking in sign as well as the personal relation to someone heard of hearing so I was able to talk about real life examples that my sister went through. Activities and Assignments: One of my favorite assignments in class was making a teachers web page. We got to create a fake personality as if we were teachers and create a web page for our students and their parents to use throughout the year. It brought me back to my childhood when I would play pretend games of school and I would be the teacher. Not only was the assignment fun but it covered many of the learning objectives for the semester such as: “The students will create a portfolio with Samples reflecting ways technology can support classroom management, administration, and teaching in a K-12 classroom.” (syllabus, doc)


Technology in the Classroom: Digital Media Resources: Technology in the Classroom: Digital Media. (n.d.). Retrieved December 10, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbVKPhVCRFI

Chapter 12

Stages of Technology Integration: In this section I learned how to integrate technology into a class better. I didn’t realize there were so many steps. I think this explained steps well and made it easy to understand. I didn’t realize there were so many steps to putting technology into a classroom I always just thought you introduce it and use it.

Technology Integration Issues: I had no clue that there could be problems when using technology in class, well not these specific problems listed.  Some teachers still don’t agree it using technology in classrooms or they don’t feel they have the knowledge to do it. Technology in the classroom is a great idea and should be used every day.

One-to-one Laptop Computing: this is said to reduce digital inequalities by giving each student a computer. This also helps those who are not fortunate enough to have a computer at home for assignments. I think this is a fantastic concept sadly not ever school can afford this.

 <a class="embedly-card" href="https://www.canva.com/design/DABitP9zgaI/tkhlXQ0DmMZploLQTjEkmw/view?&utm_content=DABitP9zgaI&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=sharebutton&cc_from_uid=UABitEtfPOE">Beginner's Challenge - Photo Collage by Taylor Hardel</a>
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Resources:
 Canva by Taylor Hardel
Maloy, R. (2011). Transforming learning with new technologies. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon

Chapter 4

Teaching Goals, Methods, and Procedures (How to Teach): this section talked about different tools you can use to teach classes or create assignments for your students. I thought all the tools and sources are great or teachers and students. There was so many tools on the list that I never thought to use before as a future teacher I see myself using these tools. Student Learning Objects: I liked this section because it explained learning objectives in a simple and clear way. It makes it easy to understand and it makes it easy to explain to students. Student Performance Rubrics: This section was helpful on how to grade your students work as well as how to determine if the assignment is to the standards or not. It made me think of things to look for when grading that I wouldn’t have thought of before.
Resources: Maloy, R. (2011). Transforming learning with new technologies. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon
 Tagxedo by Taylor Hardel
 

Chapter 11

Teaching Practices: In this section I learned about the different ways teachers can allow students to choose their own themes and goals. I didn’t realize there was a teaching practice that was so student oriented and allowed students to take so much responsibility for classroom rules and regulations. I was unaware of this before reading this chapter. Advantages and Disadvantages of Digital Portfolios: Digital portfolios are similar to blogs. I think that they are great for many reasons and a classroom tool that should be used more often. However before reading this chapter I didn’t think of the disadvantages of digital portfolios. They can take away from the academic learning students need because they take lots of time and skills and usually don’t receive the audience they hope for. Elements of Teacher Portfolios: I think teacher portfolios are a good idea however I don’t think that they are used and viewed as often as they would like. Many teachers from my previous years of school have has portfolios but they were also very bad about updates. Also many students didn’t care to view the site and didn’t use it as a reference.
Resources: Maloy, R. (2011). Transforming learning with new technologies. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon
lino by Taylor Hardel

Chapter 6

Taking Virtual Field Trips: before reading this chapter I had never hear of virtual field trips. As a child I loved field trips. To me they were the best days of school. However with costs of everything rising and the advanced technologies I am not surprised that virtual field trips exist. This is a way to make sure every student in class has the chance to be involved, it doesn’t require leaving school campus, but is still a fun activity students can look forwards to. I am now interested and I am going to try find a virtual field trip can take myself. Interactive Videoconferencing: this is an amazing tool in schools these days. They can help with so many problems. If a child is out sick and can’t make it they could video conference and still learn the lessons for that day. They also can video conference in people from other locations for speakers, even people all around the world. This is just another fantastic way technology in the classroom can be a helpful and awesome resource. Online Learning and Virtual Schools: virtual schools are become a new and highly popular form of school. Students can get their education form the comfort of their own home. This also doesn’t require a parent to be a homeschooler either. This works well for students who need the quiet, students who work best alone, and those who just choose to stay at home for schooling. It’s a new resource that is rising in popularity and in my opinion will even make its way into public and private schools more and more. Resources: Maloy, R. (2011). Transforming learning with new technologies. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon. NOVA Online | Secrets of Easter Island | Explore the Island

Chapter 9

Instructional Technologies in 2 Classrooms: this section of Chapter Nine focused on non-computer and computer technologies.  I didn’t know that a chalk board and white board were considered non-computer technology. But I did know projections and televisions are non-computer. However interactive whiteboards, power point, and movie maker are computer based technologies

 Multimedia Tools for Teaching and Learning: this chapter as a whole was a lot of information that I already knew about.  For example students can use presentation tools, group interactive projects or websites, and experimenting to learn and involve technology.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Power-Point: I use PowerPoint often for school assignments and I think it is a wonderful tool. However I never seem to think of the disadvantages that power point can have. Its nice because its visual, easy to use, and you can use pictures, videos, or charts with your text. However it’s a disadvantage because students often space out during lecture, teachers spend a lot of time making them, and you can easily get off topic.  

Resources:
Maloy, R. (2011). Transforming learning with new technologies. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

Chapter 10

Differentiated Instruction: This section talked about probability and fun new ways to get students involved while learning the concepts. I really liked the methods of teaching the book used. They used probability of 100 coin tosses and 100 dice rolls. I remember doing this while I was in school and loved finding the different outcomes and how my probability was different from the classes. Another suggestion was to perform a skit based off a daily life experience that deals with probability. I thought this was such a fun idea that would get students involved and up and moving.

Universal Design: This section talked about how to help all students using one design or method of work. They touched on three types of Universal Design: representation, expression, and engagement. I think these are all great ways for students to learn and incorporate into their learning. It can help them get their points across and allow them to engage and work with their peers.

Handheld Calculator: this section just talked about different types of calculators. I have used three of the four calculators they listed and actually owned these three types. Basic calculators were used often in elementary school and however I don’t own one there is one built in my phone so I always have one. Then scientific and graphing calculators were discussed. I still currently own and use these types of calculators. I think they are a great resource for students and come in handy in math class. 

resources: 

Maloy, R. (2011). Transforming learning with new technologies. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

Chapter 10 | FlipQuiz

Chapter 8

Electronic Communication between Teachers and Students: This section of the chapter was really familiar to me being a student because I have used all of these ways to communicate with teachers and other students. Just recently we used a wiki for a class assignment and before this semester I was really unfamiliar with wiki. Not only was wiki listed as a way to communicate with teacher or other students but email, teacher or classroom websites, blogs, and online discussions are all a part of the list. I have used each one of these this semester and I feel that it is a really great way to connect with teachers and students in class. These are great resources for schools to make available to all those on campus. Synchronous and Asynchronous Communications: this section of the chapter caused interest in me because I had never heard of these types of communications. I had never known that texting and other real time communication routes are considered a different style communication than emails and other time delay communication styles. To me this is a perfect example of “you learn something new every day.” Integrating Electronic Communications into Your Teaching: Chapter eight is all about communication with teachers and other classmates. This section was short and just listed how social media can be used in communications as well. Such as sharing information or publishing students work. I think social media, even with its negatives, can be helpful in communication and teaching beyond school hours.

Chapter 7

Types of Software: This section of Chapter Seven talked about the two main types of software. I have never been overly interested in computers and how they work. I enjoy using the computer but I didn’t know how important software was. I learned that System Software is what makes up things like databases and operating systems amongst other things. I also learned that Application Software are the things like Microsoft word and PowerPoint that are on most computers and used often, especially by students. When I read that many applications are available for a small cost or even free I was excited. These days everything cost money and are over prices and knowing many students and teachers use these applications I was glad to hear they are affordable. Online Software Selection Resources for Teachers: This section talked about different websites that are great tools for teaches. I enjoyed this as an up and coming teacher. I will have resources as a teacher to pick safe, rated, and age appropriate activates for my students. Also the book talked about stopbadwave.org which stops popups and unwanted images from coming up on the computer screen. It also protects against hacks that can take control of your computer and its actions. I found that to be useful not just for teachers, but for everyone. Google Earth: Google Earth is a tool that every child has a blast playing with. You can explore the world from the seat behind your computer screen. As a child I loved google earth. I loved looking up my house as well as places I have always wanted to travel. I think it is a great way to show students actual visual from anywhere in the world, but from the classroom. It can be beneficial for lessons in the classroom. Resources: Maloy, R. (2011). Transforming learning with new technologies. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

Chapter 5

Information Literacy as a Learning Goal: This section was comparing the difference in internet access and computers at home from 1984 to 2012. I was shocked to see the difference in numbers when it came to the number of computers in homes. The number of children and adolescents with computers at home had gone up 96%. Having grown up with a home computer it was all I knew. Also all my friends had computers at home so I never knew a household without a computer. However when I read that the number of online chat and message sending has risen 76% I was not surprised in the least. I actually thought the percentage would be higher. I have been texting and chatting on line for the past eleven years and I know that people were messaging before I started . e-books and e-readers: Those who read for fun under the age of seventeen has risen from 9% to 19% from 1984 to 2004. I was never a reader until I reached middle school and I loved to get a good book and read when I had some free time. However I never had an e-reader. I think students these days would read more for fun or for assignment if they could do so with new technology. Search Engines and how they work: Search engines are used to retrieve information from the internet. They are fast and sort through millions of websites. While reading I saw the statistics of those who sent emails, used search engines, gets news online, buy online products, and uses social networks from 2002 to 2012. The statistic that had gone up most was social network. Social network has become such a big market in this world and are used by many for many reasons. So when reading that it went from 11% to 66% I was could see how that had happened. Kahoot! | Play this quiz now! Resources: Maloy, R. (2011). Transforming learning with new technologies. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

Chapter 3

Teacher-centered and Student-centered Approaches:

This section talked about how teacher centered learning has been used for over 100 years and consists of lectures, worksheets, and multiple choice quizzes and tests. The student centered learning is when experiments and other engaging activities. I am the kind of student who struggles to sit through lectures and would much rather do group projects or fun activities. Also every time I listen to a lecture I space out. I think student- centered learning is the best type of learning. It allows every student to get engaged in activities and limits the time students will have to daydream.

Instructional Methods to Engage Students:

The four types of instructional methods were one –on –one tutoring, learning groups, inquiry learning, and meta-cognitive thinking. I personally think all these methods for great for teaching. From tutoring with the teacher and the student alone or you do group projects and presentations. I feel this allows students to learn in the best way they can. It also allows the students to change up their day and it keeps them entertained which I think is wonderful.

The Role of Feedback:

This section mostly talked about different types of technology that can be used in the classroom. One of my favorites was text-messaging in real-time charts. After playing Kahoot It in class I realized how awesome tools like that can be for teaching. I think technology in the classroom is a great idea and helps students excel. 

Chapter 2

Developing Lessons and Engaging Students: technology is used in almost every classroom these days. Teachers are raising the use of smart phones as a classroom tool. The use of other technologies and digital forums is also on a rise. Teachers have noticed blank and bored faces through many lessons and have come to realize that using technology as a learning tool has raised the amount of interest in class activities. Two- thirds of students report feeling bored every day. Also more than half of high school students feel what they learn isn’t helpful to them outside school. Integrating different types of technology keeps the students more interested and can help with dropout rates. Students found the most boring activity to be teacher lecture and the best activity to be discussion/debate and group projects.

Critics of Technology in Schools: There are still many teachers out there who don’t necessarily believe that technology is helpful in learning they believe it is over rated and under used. They believe activities such as drill and practice worksheets create a better alternative for students. Some think that computer usage puts a negative effect on the student’s brain. Also many parents have said they think their children already spend enough time with technology and that they don’t need to add more at school.

Your Teaching Philosophy: every teacher is different and therefore teach differently from others. Some are teacher-centered educators where they are more formal and use test scores to determine who has learned and who has not. There are also student-centered educators who believe in different experiences and keeping the students interested in the lessons and keeping their individual needs in mind.

Resources:

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.

Chapter One

When reading chapter one of Transforming Learning with New Technologies I was really interested in three of the topics they discussed. I found myself in awe of the information and statistics that I learned from my reading. I also found myself to know a lot more than I thought I did. Here is what I thought.

The iGeneration of Technology Users: When reading out this iGeneration I was not surprised by some of the facts like that it is made up of eight to eighteen year olds. However, I was shocked to find that 95% of twelve to seventeen year olds are online. What was even more shocking was that there are 80% of kindergarten students who use technology. I think it is crazy how much time students spend online and a lot of the usage is not for school work. I loved going outside to play and doing other things beside sit on a computer all day. I also have to think we didn’t have smart phones and the other advanced technologies when I was young. I also learned that the majority of young computer users are white. I just wish children these days would take time to enjoy their surroundings and use technology when appropriate for school or something but then put the phone down or computer away and enjoys the other things life has to offer.

Your Must Have Technology for Teaching: When teachers were asked what technology was needed for a successful class most said things like laptops, smart boards, and clickers. Personally this is also what I thought. It’s the extent of the technology teachers had while I was sin school. I didn’t get to experience smartboards until my high school years. I thought the teachers were on the right track. If teachers can teach their students more effectively through technology then I think it would be foolish of them not to use it. Over 50% of teachers want student participation and technology will help.

Strategies for Learning new Technologies: while reading this I found myself already knowing what it was telling me. Although technology has grown since I was I child most of my life I have used technology. I ca learn what I don’t know quickly and I am great at passing that knowledge onto others. The four ways to learn technology according to the book was 1. Learn while teaching 2. Expand categories 3. Create small groups 4. Focus.

I think the things I learned from reading will benefit me in many ways as a student and a teacher. 

                                                     Photo Credit to Superklmbo on Flickr

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXyCECMxhOs

Resources:
 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