Digital #F - Chapter 8

Chapter 8 concepts reflected upon:

1.) Teachers and students have more ways to communicate than ever. Thanks to modern technology email, teacher or classroom websites, blogs, online discussions, and wikis may be used. For emails their are two versions: Emails and text messages. Text messages are shorter and can be used for as a quick way to pass on information. Email can be longer and used for more of detailed exchange of information. Teacher websites are a great way for students and parents to get to know the teacher. The teacher can post anything they wish the for the students to know. Blogging is a great way for students or teachers to write journals online about their learning experiences. Wikis can be used by both the students and teacher to form an informative webpage.

2.) Blogs are a great way to help teach students. It promotes student learning by being used for homework. It can help with learning analysis and help push students to express their views on current affairs such as Isis. It is also a great way for student and family communication. Parents of teachers can be directly involved in their students school work by viewing their blog even when the student isn't around! Also blogging gives other students the opportunity to critique and express their own views on the bloggers opinions. Finally blogging can be used by teacher as professional networking. Teachers can communicate with each other via blogs and share new ideas.

3.) Wikis are another great way to help teach students. There are a few strategies for using wikis. The first is to decide on group processes. Students can either work together on a wiki or work on their own wiki with comments and suggestions from fellow students. The second strategy is to choose the nature of the Wikitext. Teachers make the decision whether to have students make their own wiki or have them expand on an already created wiki. The third strategy is to watch for inappropriate or plagiarized material. This goes for any work, but since wikis are online it is very easy to do and teachers must be aware of what is being posted. Teachers have the option to lock wikis if necessary. The final strategy is to grade the work. Teachers must grade based on what they expect from the wiki. With options to view who updated the most, and who put the most effort in, wikis must be graded differently than average assignments. Credit to Prezi

References

                         Maloy, R. W. (2014). Transforming learning with new technologies (2nd ed.). Boston: Pearson.

Digital #E - Chapter 7

Chapter 7 concepts reflected upon:

1.) There are three important steps to solve any problem. Teachers must be aware of the steps, and than pass them into their students. The first is to understand the problem. The question needs to be known and what the question is referring to. After this, examine whether there are any skills already acquired that can help solve the question. The second step is to figure out strategies to solve the problem. Possible ways to do this is to break the problem down in steps, make deductions, use what they know, and figuring out what strategy will lead to the solution. Finally, the answer must be checked. Any other possible solutions must be evaluated, and mistakes must be corrected.

2.) Software is another tool used by teachers. There are two basic types of software. System software deals with computers and how they function. For example, an operating system is a system software. Application software is the actual software you put on computers, such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Many times software may be unaffordable, therefore open-source software is available. It is a type of software the public can use for free or low cost.

3.) Digital games are a fun tool that can be used for learning. They are games, but with more of an educational goal that can be fun. Games give students a challenge and makes them want to advance. Not only that but games give five necessities for learning. They get "the freedom to fail; the freedom to experiment; the freedom to fashion identities; the freedom of effort; and the freedom of interpretation," (Maloy, R.W. 2014).




            Credit to Voki

References

                         Maloy, R. W. (2014). Transforming learning with new technologies (2nd ed.). Boston: Pearson.

Digital #D - Chapter 4

Chapter 4 concepts reflected upon:

1.) Using technology in lesson planning is a great resource for teaching students. There are countless websites available to make it easier for teachers to teach. Lesson plans can simply be used from the internet and put into a module. Some great places to go would be PBS Teachers as well as the Annenberg Learner. Apps are even being created to help with lesson planning. One great app is Tech Tool 4.1.  There are even lesson plan templates available to help any new or technology interested teachers get started.

2.) One very relative subject is how to assess and evaluate students. One thing teachers like to do is use personal experiences from the past, to teach students of the future. Often time’s teachers think that the way they were taught is best, instead of looking outside the box and learning improved ways to teach. Standardized testing, a very controversial way to teach is another method. This basically uses testing provided by the state to assess whether students are ready to advance to the next grade. This method of teaching hurts many students, because not everyone learns at the same level or by being forced to memorize test questions. Teachers also have to take a test called teacher tests, in order to prove they are competent to teach.

3.) There are many different styles of teaching. Teachers decide how to relay information to students even though the state may mandate what needs to be taught. Teachers can use the internet with wikis and databases to help them retrieve information. Ways to help students learn include simulations, groups, discussions, journals, learning games, and more. Technology can help expand these ways of teaching by using software, charts, social websites, digital cameras, and online tutoring tools. Teachers must also know what students have learned by evaluating them before, during, and after lessons. Ways to access a students learning could be electronic quizzes, digital portfolios, online surveys, and learning performance rubrics.

Kahoot! Quiz Chapter 4 Concepts

Digital #C - Chapter 3

Chapter 3 concepts reflected upon:

1.) There are two approaches to teaching. One is teacher-centered, while the other is student centered. Teacher centered focuses on instructing students to learn the best way possible. Teachers basically tell students what they must learn and lectures them. Another name for this is information processing and acquisition approaches. Student centered learning would be when academics and real life come together. This approach takes the students beliefs and desires into consideration when teaching. This includes using puzzles and questions to get students thinking.

2.) Creativity is a very important subject, yet it is usually not taken into schools as a way to learn. This may be in part as it is difficult to figure out how to add creativity to the learning curriculum. Usually creativity is seen outside of school through drawings or outdoor activities. Technology however has made it easier for students to express creativity in the classroom. Computers are a great tool to express creativity. It can be seen through writing and other advances the computer may provide. Social media technologies also express creativity and can be used to help students learn. If a student is not interested in an assignment perhaps social media can be used to make a subject more personal, therefore making the student interested.

3.) Engaging students to learn is not always an easy task. Luckily there is methods to help with the process. Tutoring one-on-one is a traditional yet effective method. Often times a student may struggle socially and academically. Sometimes a student needs a tutor that he or she can feel safe with. This may help certain students learn best. Learning groups are effective for more social students. A small group of 3 or more can help form new ideas that help in the learning process. Inquiry learning is basically a way for students to ask questions and learn through those questions. Meta-cognitive thinking is another method in which students learn through self thought and evaluation. This is a great way for students to really figure out if they are getting everything they need from their learning environment. For more information on meta cognitive thinking, see the video below.

Photo credit to dkuropatwa on Flickr

Video credit to technology teaching on YouTube

References

                         Maloy, R. W. (2014). Transforming learning with new technologies (2nd ed.). Boston: Pearson.
                         Metacognition, Effective Teaching & Learning. (n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved September 7, 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo-c-Q3KHlA

Digital #B - Chapter 2

Chapter 2 concepts reflected upon:

1.) There are many barriers to technology, which put students behind the developing world. These include a lack of computer technology in the class, money, and time to use the technology. Also teachers may be reluctant to add technology to the curriculum or simply lack the technical skills required. Many of these barriers can be changed. If there is a lack of time to use technology, make each class last ninety to one hundred twenty minutes. If a teacher does not understand the material, put them through the required training. If a teacher simply does not want to use technology, maybe a replacement is the best option. However, the biggest issue is money. Schools can look to the county or government to find funding. This may not always be easy, but it is imperative that all students have access to technology so they may get the best education possible.

2.) Technology can be taught using different methods. Some methods include teacher centered and student centered. Teacher centered uses tests to see if students have learned. It is a more standard way of evaluating students. Student centered focuses on engaging students with puzzles, questions, and conversation. It also works well, as students are forced to engage in learning activity by working with their peers. Both methods working together would be an ideal situation for any learning environment.

3.) A very interesting concept is digital natives and digital immigrants. The natives grew up after the eighties and are used to using technology all of their life. The immigrants are the older generation and have been forced to learn about technology. Often times the students and teachers will run into issues. Teachers may be immigrants and still learning, while students have been born with technology. It is up to teacher to be well versed in modern technology.

Photo credit to 150hp on Flickr

References

                         Maloy, R. W. (2014). Transforming learning with new technologies (2nd ed.). Boston: Pearson.