I have learned a lot of useful information in this class. I have learned that technology is becoming a major player in today's education. There are so many types of technology and ways to use it in the classroom. Because technology is becoming so prominent in the world I think it is very important to incorporate it in the classroom. Incorporating technology in the classroom will allow teachers to do a wider variety of activities with their students. Students can make videos, create podcasts and write blogs. Teachers can also use these tools in lessons, as well as create lessons using Smartboard technology, if they have it available. Technology makes learning more fun and interactive and may help keep students' attention longer.
Using technology in the classroom not only benefits the students, but it helps teachers, as well. Teachers can learn by doing, as the students do. By using technology more frequently, they will begin to develop more technology skills. Technology, such as spreadsheets, can be used to keep track of grades and assist in assessing students. Technology also helps teachers communicate with other teachers, and students. As for students, technology is helpful when teaching English language learners. As I learned in our presentations, technology can help ELLs communicate more effectively and efficiently. Using things such as voice blogs and Skype can help them work on their speaking skills, as well as their listening skills (which applies to ALL students).
While there are many benefits to using technology in the classroom, there are also challenges. The biggest challenge is that technology does not always work. Computers cannot malfunctions, projectors can die, webpages can be down...there are many things that can go wrong. As a teacher using technology, you need to be aware of this and always have a back up plan. This is one of the most valuable lessons I have learned this semester. Technology is a great thing, but it does not always work to your advantage. Overall, the most important thing that I learned from this class is that technology can make things easier, more fun, and a lot more interesting. I plan on using everything that we have learned in my future classroom. This was a very fun and useful class and I am going to miss all of the excitement.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
E-Portfolios
Bad Example: http://durak.org/kathy/portfolio/
While this portfolio is visually appealing, it is not the best example I found. I like that she provides pictures as examples, however, there is little information to go along with them. She does provide some examples of her units, but I do not think it offers much information about her experience or teaching style. It seems to be lacking something and is not as professional as the other example that I found.
Good Example: http://inkido.indiana.edu/mikeb/portfolio/portfolio.html
Based purely on information provided I feel that this is a good example of an electronic portfolio. Mike provides examples of his teaching philosophy, information on his educational background and projects/lessons he has completed, as well as projects he assigns his students. I believe that everything is well laid out and presented. It is professional and easy to navigate with its contents listed clearly along the side of the webpage.
While this portfolio is visually appealing, it is not the best example I found. I like that she provides pictures as examples, however, there is little information to go along with them. She does provide some examples of her units, but I do not think it offers much information about her experience or teaching style. It seems to be lacking something and is not as professional as the other example that I found.
Good Example: http://inkido.indiana.edu/mikeb/portfolio/portfolio.html
Based purely on information provided I feel that this is a good example of an electronic portfolio. Mike provides examples of his teaching philosophy, information on his educational background and projects/lessons he has completed, as well as projects he assigns his students. I believe that everything is well laid out and presented. It is professional and easy to navigate with its contents listed clearly along the side of the webpage.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Technology Notebook Project Presentations
I learned a lot from the class presentations this week. Some of these facts I knew about from my own research and others I had only learned from these presentations.
From watching the presentation on video games and learning, I learned that playing computer-based video games is actually more effective in facilitating average learning outcomes than text-based computer instruction. I also learned that playing video games can enhance productivity, promote hand-eye coordination and spatial skills. I knew that video games helped with hand-eye coordination and spatial skills, however, I was unaware that they enhanced learning outcomes and productivity. Research I found stated that video games and other "entertainment technology" had a negative effect on learning because it takes up valuable study time. I learned some interesting facts that I did not know before from this presentation.
The video on ESL and technology taught me that using technology in ELL classrooms can enhance these students' learning. Using computers allows ELLs to work at their own pace and level. They can also help students improve their vocabulary and computer skills. The use of technology in the classroom also promotes responsibility and creativity. Many teachers do not know how to use computer-based technology in the classroom. Therefore, if they use computers in ELL classrooms, the teachers can also learn how to use them. I hope that I am fortunate enough to have technology available to my class in the future. The use of computers would be effective, not only for my ESL students, but all of my students.
While watching the presentation on voice blogs in language classrooms I learned that language teachers do not have enough time to have each student talk, and practice their second language. From the article in this presentation, it was stated that the use of oral blogs could be used outside of the classroom to provide each student with practice. The author also suggested the students listen to their classmates' blogs, as well. I like this idea. It would allow the students extra time to practice their oral language skills, as well as their listening skills. This is a good way to assess the students' learning, other than grading their tests. Many students maybe able to write another language, but speaking it may be difficult (or the other way around). This presentation was very well prepared, and I believe that I learned a great deal about technology in language classrooms. I like the ideas presented in this article and, although I do not plan on teaching a foreign language, I believe that the use of voice blogs will come in handy in my future classroom as an assessment tool.
I also learned, from the presentation on language learning websites, that these websites should include grammar activities and explanations, reading and listening passages, vocabulary and dictionary options, games and assessments and chat options in the target language. These activities would provide practice and assessment outside of the classroom, just as the voice blogs would.
Overall, I learned a lot of interesting and useful information from the class presentations. While some of the information does not apply to me, I hope that I will be able to use some of the technology discussed in my future career.
From watching the presentation on video games and learning, I learned that playing computer-based video games is actually more effective in facilitating average learning outcomes than text-based computer instruction. I also learned that playing video games can enhance productivity, promote hand-eye coordination and spatial skills. I knew that video games helped with hand-eye coordination and spatial skills, however, I was unaware that they enhanced learning outcomes and productivity. Research I found stated that video games and other "entertainment technology" had a negative effect on learning because it takes up valuable study time. I learned some interesting facts that I did not know before from this presentation.
The video on ESL and technology taught me that using technology in ELL classrooms can enhance these students' learning. Using computers allows ELLs to work at their own pace and level. They can also help students improve their vocabulary and computer skills. The use of technology in the classroom also promotes responsibility and creativity. Many teachers do not know how to use computer-based technology in the classroom. Therefore, if they use computers in ELL classrooms, the teachers can also learn how to use them. I hope that I am fortunate enough to have technology available to my class in the future. The use of computers would be effective, not only for my ESL students, but all of my students.
While watching the presentation on voice blogs in language classrooms I learned that language teachers do not have enough time to have each student talk, and practice their second language. From the article in this presentation, it was stated that the use of oral blogs could be used outside of the classroom to provide each student with practice. The author also suggested the students listen to their classmates' blogs, as well. I like this idea. It would allow the students extra time to practice their oral language skills, as well as their listening skills. This is a good way to assess the students' learning, other than grading their tests. Many students maybe able to write another language, but speaking it may be difficult (or the other way around). This presentation was very well prepared, and I believe that I learned a great deal about technology in language classrooms. I like the ideas presented in this article and, although I do not plan on teaching a foreign language, I believe that the use of voice blogs will come in handy in my future classroom as an assessment tool.
I also learned, from the presentation on language learning websites, that these websites should include grammar activities and explanations, reading and listening passages, vocabulary and dictionary options, games and assessments and chat options in the target language. These activities would provide practice and assessment outside of the classroom, just as the voice blogs would.
Overall, I learned a lot of interesting and useful information from the class presentations. While some of the information does not apply to me, I hope that I will be able to use some of the technology discussed in my future career.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Interactive Whiteboards in the Classroom
I really enjoy using interactive whiteboards. I feel as though they are a fun way to display information and get students involved. If used the right way, information can be portrayed as more than just a glorified PowerPoint. Smartboards feature many useful tools that can be incorporated into classroom lessons. At the same time, if you just wanted to write on the board, like you would a regular whiteboard, you could do so without using all of the features and tools. For these reasons, I would like to have an interactive whiteboard in my future classroom.
Not only are there many different features and tools offered in the Smartboard software, but it is also more fun, for both teachers and students, than standing in front of a blackboard writing notes or reading from a PowerPoint presentation. Some major advantages of using an interactive whiteboard are that they get students involved and they are more fun than listening to the teacher talk. The whiteboards also provide many different tools, such as interactive games, a magnifying tool and shape making tools. Another advantage is that I could image capture the slides to save and later print, email, or post online for the students' notes.
While I do believe there are many advantages and that students would find using an interactive whiteboard fun, I also believe that there could be some disadvantages. While teaching my lesson in class I noticed one major disadvantage. While students are coming up to the board to participate, the other students may be goofing around, talking and not paying attention. To solve this problem, however, I would provide the class with a printed out copy of the activity so that all students can participate at their desks while others come up to the board. Also, some time is wasted when students are coming up to the board. I would have to have a line already forming to move them along more quickly. Because of these issues, students may not be fully engaged in the lesson. However, if I plan more carefully and have desk work for the students to be doing it may help keep the students involved. Another difficulty is that some fonts, colors, and sizes are difficult to read. However, this is easily fixable by adjusting the size or color. As the teacher, you just have to know your students and your classroom, and be able to adjust and adapt your lesson adequately to fix these issues.
Other than a few issues, I believe that students will be more engaged in class with the use of interactive whiteboards. Overall, I feel as though interactive whiteboards are a great classroom tool. They have many useful features that can make learning more fun, for both students and teachers. For theses reasons I would like to have an interactive whiteboard in my classroom.
Not only are there many different features and tools offered in the Smartboard software, but it is also more fun, for both teachers and students, than standing in front of a blackboard writing notes or reading from a PowerPoint presentation. Some major advantages of using an interactive whiteboard are that they get students involved and they are more fun than listening to the teacher talk. The whiteboards also provide many different tools, such as interactive games, a magnifying tool and shape making tools. Another advantage is that I could image capture the slides to save and later print, email, or post online for the students' notes.
While I do believe there are many advantages and that students would find using an interactive whiteboard fun, I also believe that there could be some disadvantages. While teaching my lesson in class I noticed one major disadvantage. While students are coming up to the board to participate, the other students may be goofing around, talking and not paying attention. To solve this problem, however, I would provide the class with a printed out copy of the activity so that all students can participate at their desks while others come up to the board. Also, some time is wasted when students are coming up to the board. I would have to have a line already forming to move them along more quickly. Because of these issues, students may not be fully engaged in the lesson. However, if I plan more carefully and have desk work for the students to be doing it may help keep the students involved. Another difficulty is that some fonts, colors, and sizes are difficult to read. However, this is easily fixable by adjusting the size or color. As the teacher, you just have to know your students and your classroom, and be able to adjust and adapt your lesson adequately to fix these issues.
Other than a few issues, I believe that students will be more engaged in class with the use of interactive whiteboards. Overall, I feel as though interactive whiteboards are a great classroom tool. They have many useful features that can make learning more fun, for both students and teachers. For theses reasons I would like to have an interactive whiteboard in my classroom.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Video in the Classroom
I think that video has a lot of value in the classroom. It is a visual way for students to learn about many different subjects. As we have learned in many of our methods classes, no student learns the same way. Some are visual learners, while others learn through audio and still others learn kinesthetically or tacitly. Video is a good source of information for visual and audio learners. Watching a video is also much more fun and interesting than reading about a topic in a textbook. Teachers can introduce video clips into their lessons on any subject. For example, during a science lesson the teacher could have the students watch and Magic School Bus or Bill Nye video. These are two examples of fun ways to learn about science. There are also many historical videos that could be introduced. Watching one of these videos, I believe would be much more interesting than reading about it in a textbook or listening to the teacher lecture about the topic. Also, a video could be used to introduce a lesson. For example, after watching a Magic School Bus video on a topic such as electricity or plants, the students could then conduct their own experiment. This would be a good hands-on approach for the students to learn more about the subject. And because they have already watched the video they will already have the background knowledge. This is also a helpful way to get kinesthetic and tactile learners involved.
Some challenges that I might encounter in this project are problems with plants not growing. If the plants do not grow, the students will not be able to observe properly. This is likely problem because not all plants will grow the same. (Some may grow at a faster rate). I believe, however, that this is a good experiment to involve all students. The students will get to plant their own plants, watch them grow and observe what they have seen. I will discuss the outcome with all of my students at the end of the experiment to make sure that all of them are involved and understand. That way there is not one student in the group doing all of the work.
This activity, I believe, will peak the interest of most students and be a fun, hands-on way for students to learn about plants. The use of video in this lesson will help enhance the students learning and give them background knowledge on the concept we will be studying.
I believe that video is a helpful tool in the classroom. It should not be used just as a time filler or strictly to teach a lesson, but should be used along with a planned lesson to help the students better understand the topic and make learning more fun.
This is one example as to how I would incorporate video into my curriculum. One specific example I would incorporate is watching the Magic School Bus Gets Planted and then have the students do an experiment to determine how plants get food.
In this video Phoebe tries to grow a vine for the school play, 'Jack and the Beanstalk,' but her plant is more like a beansprout than a beanstalk! With the opening curtain of the play only minutes away, Ms. Frizzle turns Phoebe into a real plant. But Phoebe finds she doesn't know how to grow. With time running out, the bus and kids shrink and travel into a nearby plant to do research. They discover that its leaves are its own private food factory. With this information, the kids rush back to help Phoebe grow into the star of the show!
Experiment:
The students will be broken up into small groups of 2-4 students. Each group will need:
- Sunny window
- Water
- 2 lima bean seeds
- Soil
- Plastic cup (punch hole in bottom)
- Saucer
- Lidded box
- Cardboard for dividers
- Tape
- Scissors
- Ruler
The class and I will then talk about how plants get food and what they need to grow. I would ask: Where do you get energy to grow, run, live? (food) Where do plants get energy? (also from food) Where do plats get food? (They make it from air, water, sunlight.) What would you do to get food if you were hungry? What might a plant do?
The groups will then perform the experiment by following the steps listed below, with my assistance:
- To speed sprouting, soak seeds in water overnight.
- Help kids plant seeds at a depth about twice the length of the seed. Water well. (If both seeds sprout, pinch one out.)
- Build a maze in the lidded box by using cardboard for the dividers. Cut a hole at the top end of the box.
- Discuss experiment controls. Ask: What should we do to compare how plants grow in a maze with how plants grow outside a maze? (Grow control plant outside maze.) Plant and water seeds for the control.
- Put the mazes and control plant in a sunny window. Open the mazes only briefly every few days to observe and water.
After the students have completed this experiment, observed and discussed, the class can discuss what makes plants green: Plants make food in chloroplasts, tiny green organs mostly in leaves. What happens to chloroplasts kept in the dark? The students can sandwich a leaf of a hardy plant like philodendron or geranium with black paper taped together. Remove paper after a week. What has happened? (The green pigment is gone.)
I would then discuss what the class observed. The outcome of this experiment should be that the students have learned that plants need air, water and sunlight in order to grow. Sunlight is also what makes plants green. Without it there is no green pigment.
This activity, I believe, will peak the interest of most students and be a fun, hands-on way for students to learn about plants. The use of video in this lesson will help enhance the students learning and give them background knowledge on the concept we will be studying.
I believe that video is a helpful tool in the classroom. It should not be used just as a time filler or strictly to teach a lesson, but should be used along with a planned lesson to help the students better understand the topic and make learning more fun.
This lesson plan idea came from Scholastic Teachers: http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=1659
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Video Project
Working on the video project was a lot of fun and a great learning experience. I enjoyed learning how to use Movie Maker and Audacity. This software could be very useful in the classroom. Making the video was easy. It took a little while to get used to how to use the camera, but once we got the hang of it, it was simple. We had to re-shoot a few scenes but only because after watching what we had filmed we decided that we should zoom in further or do something a little differently. After filming we uploaded the footage to the computer and opened it in Movie Maker. Movie Maker is really easy to use and make editing video simple. This was the most difficult part of the process, however. It was not hard, but it was quite time consuming. It took us a little while to get the hang of editing the clips, and figuring out exactly what scene we wanted to use. It also took quite a bit of time shortening out video. After editing the scenes we realized some of them were too long so we had to go back a few times to edit them down. After we got the clips edited and where we wanted them, the rest was simple. We put in transitions and effects to make the video flow better and then we found music to go along with it. This took a little time as well. Finding music that fit what we wanted to portray in our video took a little bit of time, but after we found it it was easy import into our video.
While making this video was simple and easy, we did have a little bit of difficulty at one point. We saved our unfinished video on my USB drive and continued to work on it a few days later. However, when we pulled the video off of my USB the video content was not showing up. We were nervous that we would have to redo the entire thing, but we got the video back with a little help and completed the video.
Overall, this project was a lot of fun to do. Not only are the videos educational, they are easy to make. Knowing how to film and edit videos will also come in handy when teaching, I believe. This would be a fun project to do with my students. It is a fun way to learn!
While making this video was simple and easy, we did have a little bit of difficulty at one point. We saved our unfinished video on my USB drive and continued to work on it a few days later. However, when we pulled the video off of my USB the video content was not showing up. We were nervous that we would have to redo the entire thing, but we got the video back with a little help and completed the video.
Overall, this project was a lot of fun to do. Not only are the videos educational, they are easy to make. Knowing how to film and edit videos will also come in handy when teaching, I believe. This would be a fun project to do with my students. It is a fun way to learn!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Week 6 - EDUCAUSE Text Chapter 7
I was surprised by some of the findings in this study. For example, students responded by saying that they used internet technology more for school work than for communication. While I use the internet for research and presentations, I also use it to communicate with people from home and in other parts of the country. I thought more students would have said that they use technology for communication. I was also surprised at the amount of the "net geners" that prefered limited or no use of technolgy in the classroom. I would have thought that with the use of technology today, students would prefer their professors to use more technology in the classroom. It is also shocking that so many people thought that the only benefit to technology in the classroom was that it was convienent. In my opinion technology saves time and helps organize information better. With the amount of people who own computers and have internet access, I would think that they would learn better through visual lessons, rather than sitting and listening to the professor lecture. The internet can introduce videos and other interactive resources into the classroom that I believe would make learning a lot more fun than the "talking head." Most of the other information in the text was as I expected. For example, the amount of seniors that reported owning a a computer and using technology was higher than the amount of freshman. I also expected that boys would report playing more video games than girls, especially the younger boys. I also expected that boys would report a higher skill level than girls when it came to technology use. Based upon this information, there are some aspects of this study that I expected and others that surprised me.
If I were to give a survey to my students I would ask them how many hours a week they spend on the computer. I would also ask them what they use the computer for (i.e. communication, games, research/school work, etc.) I would also ask them if they would like more technology in the classroom and perhaps what type of technology they would like to see in the class. I would also ask them what they thought the impact of technology was on different activities in the classroom. These are some examples of what questions I would ask if I gave a technology survey to my students.
If I were to give a survey to my students I would ask them how many hours a week they spend on the computer. I would also ask them what they use the computer for (i.e. communication, games, research/school work, etc.) I would also ask them if they would like more technology in the classroom and perhaps what type of technology they would like to see in the class. I would also ask them what they thought the impact of technology was on different activities in the classroom. These are some examples of what questions I would ask if I gave a technology survey to my students.
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