Class Reflection 2/19

Today's discussion about the changes in technology and it's effects on the classroom has been a very interesting topic.  Through discussion we have learned that the content is not changing and this is what needs to be focused on.  Although the ways of teaching the material, assessing the material and presenting the material will change, the material its's self will not.  The fact that a teacher is providing information for a group of students also will not change. 

Something that came to mind during this discussion was the use of technology for assessment in the classroom I student taught in.  This semester I am taking a course in literacy diagnosis.  We are learning about the different tests to administer to our students to determine their reading stregnths and weaknesess.  All of the tests we use are on paper.  I remembered today that when I was student teaching, the literacy specialist used an Ipad.  All of her testing was done using it amnd all of her data was saved on it. I know that there was an issue once with the data not saving.  This makes me realize that technology is not always reliable.  In reference to your story about the GRE, I believe that the students assessment does not matter if it is on paper or online.  My only thought about this is that as I stated, the technology may not always be reliable. 

Overall, I believe that we had a great discussion today.  It was great to hear about everyones perspectives on technology from the past to the present and also to learn about the history of education and how it all began. 

Chapter 3 - Developing lesson with technology

This chapter focuses on the use of technology in lesson planning and lesson assessment.  Teachers must have a plan for their day, it is not usual that lessons are spur of the moments things.  Lessons need to have a set plan to help ensure that they move smoothly and toward the ultimate goal.  Veteran teachers can do most of this in their heads because of their experience.  Beginner teachers must write everything down.  I completely agree with the statement in the book about observing a teacher do everything in her mind.  There were many times during student teaching that I was asked to teach a lesson or a specific topic.  I knew that I could not do this on the spot.  I needed advance notice to get my thoughts down on paper to ensure that things moved smoothly.  My cooperating teacher on the other han, made herself notes and was set for the day.  Lessons have to also be created with the students in mind.  They have to have goals, methods and procedures.  Learning assessments can be formative, summative or diagnostic.  Technology can be incorporated in these assessments by the use of online exams, online surveys, and digital portfolios just to name a few.  I find testing online to be a tricky situation because you have to trust your students and know that they are not cheating to find the answers.  Lastly, I believe that electronic grading software’s are great because this makes finding grades very convenien.  You do not have to worry about ruining your grade book one morning because your coffee spilled on it.  It will always be assessable. 

Questions: 

1.       How do we ensure that are lesson plans are appropriate for our students and that they are aimed toward the goal?

2.       How are we sure that our assessments are fair for the students and relevant for the topic that was discussed?

3.       Should we use online tests in our classroom?

Chapter 2

The statement from the parent at the beginning of this chapter really made me begin questioning technology in the classroom.  The parent asked the teacher why technology was used so much in the classroom and stated, “We want him to be able to figure things out for himself, not become reliant on machines.”  This makes me wonder, has our generation become reliant on machines?  I know that personally I am very reliant on machines.  I am a math concentration student and I still use the calculator at my job for simple math.  The truth is, I have become lazy.  I would rather let the calculator do the work for me rather than think.  We also rely heavily on GPS when traveling, cell phones, laptops and much more.  This is something that I am still wondering about. 

This chapter explains how technology enhances learning in different ways.  The different categories are visual learning, accessing and assessing information, feedback, engagement and collaboration, and creativity.  I find visual learning with technology to be one of the most important.  I believe this because I think that there are many visual learners in our classrooms, and even the students who are not necessarily visual, they can only enhance learning.  I find visuals to be very helpful when learning.  Charts, pictures, videos, and games can help children become more involved in the learning.  This also reminds me that I think classrooms should be student-centered for the most part.  We want our student’s engaged in what we are teaching.  No student wants to sit and listen to lectures every day.  They need to be hands-on and see how what we are teaching them applies to their lives. 

Technology also enhances creativity.  I think this is also great for many students because some students are not artistic.  This gives those students an opportunity to shine when it comes to completing different projects.  Technology can be used to make videos, slideshows, collages, and much more.  The students can show what they are good at and make their work individual with the use of many different programs. 

Questions:

1.       How can teachers decide when a lesson should be teacher-centered or student-centered?

2.       When it comes to information literacy, how do we ensure that our students are using reliable resources?  Will this be a new skill that we as teachers are going to have to learn how to teach? How do we prevent our students from becoming overwhelmed by all of the information they find on the internet?

3.       We know that group work in the classroom is important because the students should have time to work together and share ideas.  My question is how do we make sure all students are doing equal amounts of work and that all are participating?

Class reflection 2/5

Leaving this class today, I have gained a lot of new information regarding technology and teachers.  I definitely never thought of teachers as a designer.  I believe that an instructional designer is a great title because teachers do design their classroom and the lesson plans they incorporate in them,  I found the T-pack table to be very interesting as well because the three categories should definitely be included.  I hope to incorporate all of those in my classroom. 
In concern to technology taking over the classroom and teachers, I do not think this is possible.  I believe that some students need direct and differentiated instruction in order to learn.  They may need extra help and guidance as well that only a human teacher can convey.  I also believe that students need that attention and care from a teacher during the learning process.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Course Goals

By the end of this semester I hope to learn about many new ways I will be able to incorporate technology in my lesson plans, as a future teacher.  I have learned how to use a Smart board, but I would like to learn much more!  I also am very excited to finally create my e-portfolio.  Completing that is definitely one of my goals, because I have been telling myself I will do it for months now.  I think that this class is going to be very informative and I cannot wait to learn about new innovative ways to use technology in the classroom, as well as how to monitor the students using the technology.