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

Blog Post #F: Chapter 8

Blog Post E: Chapter 7

Concept 1 - One of the topics discussed in this chapter is problem solving with students of all ages. As a person that works with elementary school kids, I agree that problem solving is a huge social and mental skill that should be taught as soon as possible. Due to the fact that problem solving has become popular learning method used throughout the classroom. Problem solving allows students to build relationships, but also helps them think for themselves rather than relying on someone else t do the work for them. I have seen first hand the effects a child has when not able to solve problems, they become frustrated easily and are likely to give up after a short period of time.

Concept 2 - Another concept in this chapter discusses higher order and lower order thinking. The textbook explains lower order thinking as students being able to memorize or reproduce knowledge without problem solving. Higher order thinking is solving problems that promote new understandings. I think as educators, we need to be able to accommodate both thinking levels and have an understanding on how both operate. I learned that spelling words are an example of lower level thinking due to the memorizing that is associated with it. Which I now see fitted more towards elementary school aged kids due to the lack of problem solving involved with it.

Concept 3- The last concept I chose in this chapter is about computer games. I love the use of computers as a means of learning. Computer games are defined in the book as, computer, video, and web based game software applications that are immensely popular among children and adolescents today. I think computer games are an excellent way to teach students, they provide a new and creative way to teach students. Also computer games give students another way to learn besides always hearing the teacher teach a lesson. I loved using computer games to learn, they allowed my the opportunity to focus and let my competitive side show.

Wordle.net created Courtney Lewis

 

 

 

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