1. Chapter 4 states that there are two ways that teachers use technology as a necessary means of integration. One way is through the teacher's mindset and the other is through multiple pathways. Personally if I am not into the technology I am using, or if I am not 100% sure how to use the technology I will not feel that comfortable or prepare or organized to teach my students by using it. Many schools encourage using new technology, however then the school should teach the teachers how to use this new technology. Do you believe that a teacher needs to have the correct mindset to use technology in the class efficiently, or can the teacher be forced to used technology and still use it successfully?
2. Chapter 4 said a very important fact on page 85: " technology integration does not mean computer technologies replace non-electronic resources in every teaching situation." I personally do not use much technology in my English class. I teach 10th grade ELA and the only time I really use technology is when I want to show the students a picture, or a scene from the book we are reading so they can visualize the text. Do you use more technology in your classroom, or more non-electronic resources and why?
3. On page 145 in Chapter 6, the text states that the internet can be used as a starting point to then learn what books to get from the library or where to search for more in depth information. Unfortunately, I think the internet is used for the complete opposite. The internet is used more for the starting and ending point. Students and teachers, even people in general go right to the internet to learn all they need to about a topic. Do you use the Internet as a "starting point" or do you use the internet as a whole? Do you have your students only use the internet, or use the internet and other sources? Explain.
In Chapter 6 I actually learned something new about the internet, I never knew that social bookmarking existed, nor did I know what it was. I found out that people not only individually bookmark their favorite sites, or information, but that information can be shared publicly and can be accessed by many people. This makes it easier to find information because you can look in bookmarks that people have already found based on things you have in common.
My class is very technology oriented. Every day, we utilize the SmartBoard as a place to focus attention and move throughout lessons. Videos, pictures, and internet searches are included regularly. Each desk in the classroom has a laptop at it, so students are able to log in to the computers for use at any moment. Often, we broadcast the lesson from the SmartBoard onto the individual students' computers so that things are easier to see. The teacher I work with is great about finding games that reinforce the math topic we are learning, and when in doubt, we use arcademicskillbuilders.com or coolmath.com. Lately, we've been having students do homework assignments through a website called Tenmarks.com. This site generates 10 questions that students need to answer, with each question allowing the use of up to three provided hints and a video explanation for clarification purposes. When the questions are complete, the site reviews the questions they got wrong and after further explanation, prompts them to redo the missed questions. Then a final score is generated and we use this as part of their homework grade. Additionally, as I've mentioned before, we utilize Schoology.com in my classroom, a Facebook-style learning management site, similar in a way to Blackboard. Students can use this tool as a sort of distance learning feature, or to electronically keep track of homework and assignments. Overall, I have to say, technology is utilized well in my classroom.
ReplyDeleteWow that all sounds wonderful. May I ask where you teach? I teach in the South Bronx and we only have 5 smart boards in the school and one set of laptops for the students to all share in the school. I like that your school implements the technology in a very useful way.
DeleteIn response to your question about whether the Internet should act as a “starting point,” I would say no because it is only a means to an end with regard to learning. If we are to adhere to the principle of integration, then technology must have an equal share of the academic pie as content area knowledge and pedagogy. As a result, using the Internet for the sake of using the Internet is counteractive to providing effective, meaningful instruction because students’ are not given any clear or coherent objectives about what they are supposed to learn. Consequently, when unleashed from any comprehensive plan, the Internet is reduced to a distracting babysitter, much like movies that are shown without any additional effort or investigation as to their relevance. Therefore, it is imperative to connect Internet use with a thorough, well-rounded plan that provides clear direction for students in order to ensure that the most effective, appropriate and valuable use of this amazing technology takes place for the benefit of all students.
ReplyDeleteI actually taught a quick lesson the other day on homophones. I used the SmarBoard in my room and the kids took some notes which was relatively uneventful. But then we played an interactive game using the SmarBoard and the kids were so excited about it. This was not my own creation, but a lesson a co-worker shared with me. Sometimes I struggle with pulling in technology in new ways and that is why I harass my co-workers to see what they are doing. I love the interactive aspect this gave the class. It got them up and out of their seats and they all learned what I really wanted them to.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, it's hard for me to decide how and when to use technology in my classroom. Usually its more of a burden than a help.
DeleteI do feel that a techer needs the right mindset to properly use technology in his/her classroom for two reasons. First, if the teacher is not comfortable using technology, he/she will be unable to maximize the experience for the students. The lessons will not have the same flair that they would if someone who is comfortable with technology designed them. Second, students can tell when a teacher is not being authentic and that will turn the students off. A teacher must be enthusiastic about the lessons he/she presents to the class so the children can feed off that enthusiasm.
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