![]() My journey learning about technology in the classroom This class was very educational for me. I was exposed to new forms of technology such as podcast, iMovie, and Weebly. I learned how to create a website, and complete group projects using Google. I was able to meet many new people that I would not have other wise been able to meet. I loved learning how to create a podcast, this knowledge can be very helpful and useful for my future students. I will now be able to upload a podcast of lessons that I see my students are struggling with for them to refer to for studying or help with homework. Parents can even use the podcast to assist their children with their homework. I can utilize the iMovie knowledge I know have to upload videos of how to do certain skills that maybe hard for my students to understand, or to upload videos of me teaching new skills when a student is absent that day. The possibilities are endless with my new knowledge of technology skills. Strengths and Weaknesses My strengths in this class were my ability to learn and catch on to the various uses of technology and the assignments we had to complete. I was nervous about being able to learn how to use the technology, and was afraid I wouldn't be able to complete the work. I found that I am a quick learner when it comes to using technology, and I will be a tech savvy teacher when I graduate. I feel I did a great job on creating my own website for my classroom. This will be one of the many forms of technology I take with me into my own classroom. I think it is a great way to involve everyone from the teacher and the parents with the activities in the room. I have realized that my weaknesses are I often dreaded upcoming assignments because I do not enjoy being videoed or recorded talking. I would put it off until the last minute, and didn't feel as though I did my best work. I found once I did the project it was no where near as bad as I felt it would be, and I actually enjoyed completing the podcast and the iMovie assignments. I need to have more self confidence in completing assignments and using technology. I admit my technology skills were pretty low until taking this class. Interaction between peers and instructor I was able to get to know people that I would not otherwise have gotten to know. I am grateful for the Google group project because I would not have interacted with fellow students without that project. I found these new connections to be supportive when I was struggling with assignments, and they could explain what to do when I didn’t quite understand what to do. Dr. Wang did a good job with being available when anyone had questions and needed further explanations. Her directions were clear and were easy to follow, and I liked having the weekly announcements to help keep me on track throughout the course. Communication Tools I utilized the tools email, weebly, canvas, and the conference calls the most during the duration of this class. These tools were simple to use, and allowed communication through all parties to be quick and easy. I liked having the conference calls recorded so I was able to reference them throughout the completion of assignments. I liked using weebly to learn about my fellow classmates, and seeing how everyone responded to the course content. There were several instances that I learned something about the chapter that I missed when reading someone else’s response. Blogfolio Experience My experience with the blogfolio was fun and educational but frustrating at the same time. I would become aggregated easily when first learning how to work the weebly site and get all of the elements that were needed onto my blog. I have learned a great deal of technology and ways to use it in this class, and look forward to applying my knowledge in my own classroom in the future. I feel the elements I have learned in the blogfolio will help me to better reach students and make my lessons fun.
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![]() Key Strategies for Integrating Technology into Math and Science I decided to find ways to integrate technology into Math and Science because I find those subjects are the most interesting. There has been a big push in education to really enhance the STEM strategies in our curriculum. There are more and more jobs being created each year that use Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math simultaneously, and it is our job as teachers to prepare our students for those jobs. I love the way students have to investigate and explore to find answers for common STEM problems. Ways to integrate technology into Math are having manipulatives online that teachers may not have access to in the classroom, mathematical software such as Geometer's sketchpad, calculator based laboratories. Technology in Science is a fun way to further explore and investigate beyond the classroom borders. A few ways teachers can integrate technology are to research global projects that are looking at the same questions they are, telescope websites, and virtual tours that students can take to explore museums. Issues of Integrating Technology in Special Education Technology with special education can be very effective with communication, assistive technology for students, and the overall function of the classroom. However, often times issues arise when trying to bring technology into special education classrooms. There can be problems with students being unable to use keyboards, mouse, monitors, and require assistive technology like enlarging text, text to speech, and shortcuts on the keyboard.Some strategies for integrating technology into special education classrooms are text to speech for students who can't type, screen readers, and voice recognition software. Web-based resources and tools for can be utilized by teachers to design and develop web-based curriculum. Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching is Chapter 8 in our book and it discusses online models, courses, and programs. As an online college student, I was able to better understand the chapter. I have been using the Canvas system for several years now, and I enjoy the organization and structure it give to class courses. I am better at keeping up with assignment due dates, and seeing what will be coming up. Canvas is a content management system. I enjoy being able to have contact when I need it with my professors, and they typically reply in a timely manner through Canvas.
My Course Site Reflection I enjoyed creating my own course website. When I am in my own classroom, I am hopeful to have my own interactive website for my parents to interact with me, and see what is taking place in their student's classroom. I can see where it will be beneficially for my students, their parents, and myself. It will require more time on my part to keep the website current, but it can allow my students to have opportunities for further practice on objectives they are struggling with. The link to my website is below. Class Website ![]() Creating a test and a rubric was pretty interesting. I like to learn new things and see how teachers create these types of assignments and grading tools online. The RubiStar was amazing because it already has pre-filled in topics, even though I didn’t use the pre-filled in ones, I thought it was neat they were available in case I need them for future use. The test maker was very useful too because it gave a variety of ways to ask/answer questions for your test. I’m glad we had this project. I will find both site’s very useful in the future. I really enjoy using the web tools to enhance my handouts and test for my students. I love the neat and organized layout the web tools give, and I feel much more organized. These test tools make it easier for me to express to my students what I would want them to give me on a project. ![]()
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Audio Project Reflection
I chose to do my podcast on Fall and why leaves change colors. This was my first experience in doing a Podcast, but it was easy to figure out. At first I had to google and listen to a few Podcast before I started because I have never listened to one before this project. I don't like recording myself but using vocaroo was an easy process once I decided what topic I wanted to discuss. I think Podcast can be a very useful tool in the classroom, especially if you are going to be out a day. You can record a Podcast to help the sub teach the lesson you have planned for the day.This project was easy once I came up with the lesson I wanted to teach.
Integrating the Internet into the Curriculum
In chapter seven we discuss how to incorporate online tools into our lessons. Podcast are voice recordings that we can use for others to listen online. Vodcasts are video recordings that we can use for others to watch online. These can be a very useful tool to teach and learn from online, when we can’t be in a classroom setting. They can also be useful in the classroom to help with our lessons. You can record any kind of lesson, virtual tour, or demonstration. The possibilities are endless. There is no doubt in today’s world that we have plenty of useful online educational tools at our fingertips. Below is a link to my Podcast. Podcast ![]() Resources and Skills Required for Multimedia Design, Development, and Integration Chapter six discusses integrating technology into our teaching. The most important aspects of integrating online technology into our classrooms are safely navigating the internet and knowing how to use web-based tools. It is important to teach children safe ways to use the internet because there are a variety of hypermedia resources that are not safe for children to be exposed to such as videos, audio, graphic images, text, and photos. Hypermedia can be used to enhance our lessons and internet experiences, but we have to warn students that they can also be used to trick them on to sites that are inappropriate. There are several ways one can integrate multimedia and hypermedia into their classroom. Ways to do so are having the students play an interactive game, stories, and flip charts to explore new topics we are discussing or to review topics we have already been over. My Digital Story Reflection
I used iMovie to create my video. I have never used iMovie and found it difficult to figure out. After many trial and error episodes, I think I figured it out. This process took me a while because I'm not familiar with iMovie. I will be practicing on a few other projects so I can learn how to do it quicker and easier and hopefully make a movie for our class for our last day of school. My digital story was about our Community Helper Lesson we have been teaching for the last two weeks. The students really enjoyed community helper week. We all got to dress up and parade through the school and down the road to the park where we were meet by our own community helpers. The kids learned what a few of our community helpers jobs where and their importance to our town. Overall this was a challenging but neat experience and I hope to get more familiarized with iMovie for future projects. My Digital story ![]() I was stressed at first but then after to talking to everyone and seeing that they were in the same boat I was in, I enjoyed working on our group project. None of us knew what we were doing at first with the whole Google thing, but working together as a team, we figured it out. We had great communication between our group. We also got to know each other on a personal level and had fun. I have figured out I need more training on Google Drive, Documents, Apps, etc. All of my group members were fun to work with and we all stayed on top of our assignment, individually and as a group to kept the others updated. My group is awesome because we all did our part and worked together, which is hard to do when we all live miles apart. Google group discussion My Story My powerpoint My Survey My Spreadsheet Our Presentation ![]() Instructional Software and how they are used in the classroom Instructional software is used as an aid in helping teachers with their lesson. Teachers can use instructional software to help with their lessons through drills, tutorials, instructional games, and problem - solving programs. Instructional software is not to merely teach the children it is a tool to help enhance or aid in the learning process of the teacher’s lesson. Teachers must plan carefully to make sure whatever software they choose is going to serve as a support tool for their specific teaching needs in order for it to help the students succeed in their objectives or goals for the lesson being taught. Drill – and – practice software lets students work problems and get immediate feedback, it increases motivation, and also saves teachers time while they work with other students on their specific needs. Tutorial software is self - paced and helps teachers keep up with the student’s progress. Instructional games can a fun challenges way for students to be competitive by using them for educational and motivational tools to learn content area skills. Problem- solving- programs promotes visualization, improves interest and motivation, and prevents inert knowledge where students can learn or discover the concept themselves by helping students solve problems and practice certain skills needed for their specific needs. Software Tools and how they can help in the classroom Word processing software allows you to produce and revise text based information in which you can add graphic elements if needed. Spreadsheets are designed to store numerical data through rows, columns, and enable calculations. Presentation software enables you to produce text and graphics in a group of slides. These programs are very useful in helping you keep up with important information, staying organized in a timely manner. These programs are reliable tools help keep teachers organized and access the information quickly. In the classroom we use software tools to keep up with data and important information so we can access it later, when needed. We use word processing to type up daily routines, letters to parent, newsletters as well as other projects. We use spreadsheets to keep up with student information, money collected for school fees, and goals set for students. We use presentation software to aid in lessons to show key information as well as pictures to go along with whatever activity or lesson is being taught to help give the kids a visualization of the lesson and key points. Tools used in the classroom to aid in teaching and learning for both teachers and students Software support tools include: material generators which help us produce instructional materials on paper and online, Data collection and analysis tools that help teachers collect and organize information, Testing and grading tools help teachers collect and track students progress, Graphic tools allow us to show images to illustrate documents, Planning and organizing tools help teachers and students form a concept, organize, and communicate their ideas or suggestions, Research and reference tools aid in researching material through the use of encyclopedias, atlases, and dictionaries, Content-area-tools support teaching and learning activities in various subject areas. Week 2- Educational Technology![]() Defining educational technology and problems that come with it The term educational technology is defined as a group of processes and tools that are used to address educational needs and problems. The “new” era of technology used in education are called digital technologies. Digital technologies such as computers, ipads, and promethean boards are used as an educational tool Educational technology has been used in schools as an instructional tool, as a resource tool for planning and preparing lessons, and also for communication. Although educational technology is a great tool, it needs to be combined with other resources. We can’t simply rely on technology to teach our students. We have to incorporate other methods of teaching such as lectures, books, activities, worksheets, as well as other material, in order to reach all students specific educational needs. Educational technology can be helpful but it can also be a problem. We use computers, ipads, and promethean boards at our school. They are very useful resources to incorporate into our lessons, but they can also be a problem. We have students who get off task and try to go to websites other than the one they are instructed to be on. This type of behavior results in the student getting their device taken away. We now have this app so we can see what website or program each student is on. Technology is helpful, you just have to be responsible and careful with it when using it as an educational tool in a classroom. Learning theories for integrating technology Objectivists believe knowledge is separate from the mind and when we learn something, it can be stored in your memory and used later. From an objectivist point of view, in order to learn you have to have objectives that are clearly defined, structured, and repetitive. Constructivists believe knowledge is kept in your memory and learned through experiences and participation. From a constructivist point of view, you learn better and retain more useful knowledge through real life experiences and hands on learning. The Technology Integration Planning(TIP) model has 3 phases. The first phase is analysis of teaching and learning needs: Determine relative advantage and assess required resources and skills. The second phase is designing an integration framework: Decide on objectives and assessments, design integration strategies, and prepare instructional environment. The third phase is post instruction Analysis and Revisions: Analyze lesson results, make changes based on results. Integrating technology in the classroom can be beneficial to both educators and the students we teach. The internet gives us access to all types of useful software, media, resources, and material to help with teaching and reaching our students on an individual basis based on their learning ability. Everyone learns differently and the use of technology can help us reach students individually, who may not be as successful with regular classroom lectures and activities. Week 1-Self Introduction
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