Reflective Post

    Before starting this class, I had no idea what I was getting into. I thought I knew a lot about technology already. After the first day I realized there was a lot of technology programs I didn’t know about like blogs and wikis. I learned a lot in class and hope to transfer that knowledge I learned in my class one day. My favorite in class activity we did was the Kahoot’s, I thought they were a good for quizzing the class and allowing students to compete against each other. I plan on incorporating this into my classroom once I begin teaching.

   My favorite project was the collaborative lesson plan we had to come up with a lesson to teach, while also creating the lesson plan that goes with the lesson. I really thought this was a great exercise to teach us all how to work together, if you didn’t complete your assigned part the lesson plan the other membes would now. Also each member of the group had to evaluate one another so if a student didn’t contribute this was a way to let the teacher now. I also really liked the teacher webpages because it’s a great tool that students and parents can look at and communicate with you. I would love to try and incorporate that into my class as well.

   I really enjoyed myself in this class, I loved all of the group work and discussions that allowed us to collaborate with one another. Through that I got to know a little something about each person in the class, this is important because we all have the same career goal to become teachers. So may be down the line one of your fellow classmates can help you get a job or even help you in another teaching class. I have learned that technology is here to stay and is continually evolving. As future teachers we need to learn how to effectively use it in our classrooms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Digital Blog Post #L – Chapter 12

Concept 1- One of the topics discussed in this chapter is inclusion and infusion of technology. Inclusion means that computers and information technologies are used mainly for transferring information and practicing skills. While infusion is the integration of computers, the Internet, and other information technologies into regular patterns of teaching and learning in k-12 schools. I believe that infusion complements the classroom better due to the continuing day to day educational experience the students get. Ongoing use of technology allows students to motivate and engage in classroom activities, resulting in an organized classroom. 

Concept 2 – Another concept in this chapter discusses one to one laptop computing. One to one laptop computing means every student in a grade, school, or district has her or his own computing device to use in school. This theory reduces digital inequalities by providing each student with a digital device. One to one laptops initiatives have been prompted by three interconnected developments which are, new machines, use in higher education, and research studies. I believe that one to one laptop computing enhances student’s ability to learn by engaging exploration of academic topics in the classroom.

Concept 3- Another concept in this chapter discusses cooperative learning and group work. In cooperative learning and group work, students work together in pairs, trios, or other configurations of small groups on projects and assignments. With this technique the teacher free to move around the classroom, stopping at each group to offer more specialized assistance and encouragement. I like that cooperative learning encourages students to work together to create and share.  While allowing the teacher the opportunity to reach each group to see how they are doing and to make sure they understand the assignment.

 

                                           Tagxedo.com created by Courtney Lewis

 Maloy, R. (2011). Teaching Information and Digital Literacy. In Transforming learning with new technologies (Second ed.). Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

Digital Blog Post #K- Chapter 4

Concept 1- One of the topics discussed in this chapter is academic content. Academic content is the concepts, skills, ideas, and information taught to students by teachers. Technology plays an essential role in assisting teachers in answering the “what to teach” question. Digital content available on the internet includes a vast collection of curriculum resources and information. This can range from internet search engines to blogs. I believe that by using the resources that are available, teachers and students can gain access to new ways to research and retrieve information. This can be beneficial for students when they are doing research for a class project.  

Concept 2 – Another concept in this chapter discusses using electronic grading software. Which enables teachers to quickly calculate and record student grades on a computer. This allows students to have immediate access to their grades, and families are continually informed about a child’s progress in class. Which I believe is a good thing due to the fact that older students tend to lie about their grades. There are also concerns associated with electronic grading systems. Not all school activities, particularly at the elementary level, translate into a numerical score. So many feel that electronic grading systems don’t fully measure a young learner’s performance. I see both sides to whether electronic grading software is beneficial and I feel that it should be used in middle and high schools only because there grades are based on percentages for certain assignments and them finalized by a numerical grade. While in elementary school grades are focused on students’ academic growth and performance.

Concept 3- Another concept in this chapter discusses learning assessments. Learning assessments are methods and strategies used to evaluate student knowledge and performance before, during, and after a lesson is taught. I love that learning assessments provide insight on what students have gained from a lesson. This helps teachers understand if students are learning from what is being taught. In the classroom I would use learning assessments such as online surveys, electronic tests and quizzes, and class discussions to evaluate what students have learned before as while as after a lesson has been taught. 

                                            Wordle.net created by Courtney Lewis

Maloy, R. (2011). Teaching Information and Digital Literacy. In Transforming learning with new technologies (Second ed.). Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

Digital Blog Post #J- Chapter 11

Concept 1- One of the topics discussed in this chapter is digital portfolios for students. A digital portfolio may contain all the material usually found in a paper- bound portfolio, but multimedia technologies are used to present the material. Digital portfolios are portable, so they provide students easy accessible to information. They offer connections to wider educational communities through electronic communications. This can be useful for students when communicating information about themselves. This can help teachers gain information about their students.

Concept 2 – Another concept in this chapter discusses using student participation systems. Student participation systems are handheld wireless tools that offer interactive learning options for teachers and students. In a classroom student participation systems can be used with clickers, which add a fun approach to answering discussion or review questions. This provides an opportunity for all students to answer questions which otherwise they might not have answered orally. Handheld devices offer a private way for teachers to see if students understand topics that are being taught while not publicizing the results to the entire class.

Concept 3- Another concept in this chapter discusses online surveys for preassessment.  An online survey is a poll that is delivered and tabulated online. I love that surveys provide teachers with knowledge and skills that a student has. This provides teachers with data that documents students’ progress and learning.  I love that surveys give students insight on what they should know after the topic has ended. In the classroom I would use surveys a guides to see what each student knows before I began teaching as well as after to see what students have gained through my teaching.
 

Wordle.net created by Courtney Lewis

 

  

Maloy, R. (2011). Teaching Information and Digital Literacy. In Transforming learning with new technologies (Second ed.). Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon. 

  

 

 

 

Digital Blog Post #I

Digital Blog Post #H - Chapter 9

Blog Post G: Chapter 10