Reflection #8

The point of this class is to think about how to integrate technology into our future classrooms.  I agree that technology is quite useful and beneficial, especially among our "Digital Native" students who understand and relate to technological methods well.  However, what about the classes that do not utilize technology?  Is the lack of technology in these classes useful and beneficial as well?

For example, in choir a couple days ago, I realized that we use essentially no technology besides sheet music and a piano.  There are no CD players, no microphones and no other electronic devises.   I found this lack of technology to be rather refreshing, and began to wonder - is it just as important to take a break from technology as it is to use it?  

Audio books are a great tool, but reading aloud to your students is important.  Computer games are a great tool to use "free time" and reinforce learning, but what about playing physical games as well?  I think the key is moderation.  The thoughtful use of technology will be more beneficial in the long run.

Week #13

Between Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, I use Word the most.  I do, however, have a need to use the other two programs on occasion.  Here are the main features I use for each.

Word

• Basic word processing
• Spelling/grammar check
• Thesaurus
• Tables/charts
• Formatting tools

Excel

• Sort features
• Grids
• List techniques

Powerpoint

• Document templates
• Color scheme palates
• Slide transitions

Project ideas

Word

1. Type a story they had prewritten
2. Revise sentences using tools on Word
3. Create a table to organize their task list etc

Excel

1. Alphabetize a list they type using the feature on Excel
2. Create a chart of their grades
3. Create a chart of pages read per day

Powerpoint

1. Design a slideshow of photos using a certain number of transitions and slides
2. Create a slide template to use in a report of some type
3. Create a slideshow with graphs or tables of collected data

Post #12

I read the article "Using Games to Enhance Student Achievement" by Robert Marzano.   This article discussed the benefits of using games in the classroom, specifically the gains in student achievement and the key elements that must occur in order for classroom games to be successful.  Marzano emphasized four main points: 

#1. Use Inconsequential competition - competition is good to keep students interested in the game, but it's most effective when the reward for winning is something small, like a coupon for juice from the vending machine rather than grade points.

#2. Target Essential Academic Content - games will have the most effect when they deal with relevant information.

#3. Debrief the Game - rather than just finishing the game and moving on to the next thing, talk to the students about what they struggled to answer - either let them ask questions, or prompt them based on your observations.

#4. Have Students Revise Their Notes - Give students a chance to review their notes to make corrections based on new understandings they may have come to during the game.

While this article may not have spoken directly to what we all may think of as "technology" in the classroom, I think the principles can be applied.  For example, if a teacher allows their students time to play games on the computer, the teacher could have some type of point system for competition, make sure the game is pertinent to the current study, require some type of student response, and have students review their notes after playing the game.  

From this article, I learned that technology, specifically games, do indeed benefit the students in a measurable way. 

Blog Comments - second half

Jodie

Chelsea 

Jodee 

Stephanie 

Peter

Reflection #7

A thought came to me...how does education truly benefit from technology?  I understand that learning can be enhanced by technological devices, and using technology keeps up with the times.  I think what may have prompted this thought was a comment made the other day about overhead projectors, and how essentially "old school" and out dated they are.  I wholeheartedly agree that they're old and there is better technology available, but I can't help but think about my growing-up years.  

I attended school in a small town in Montana with a relatively low school budget.  Our needs were always met, but most teachers used overhead projectors regularly and other basic technologies.  Late in high school, we purchased our first two smart boards, but only a few teachers chose to use them.  The point I'm trying to make is that my (high) school had very limited access to a variety of technology, but managed well.  While I see many benefits of technology, I simply wonder how essential it is.  Please share your thoughts! :)

Post #11

Here is my blog comment!

Comment


I think the biggest thing I learned is that students need to be trusted and viewed as having potential in order to be successful.

Post #10

I read this article on Blooms Taxonomy:
Blooms Taxonomy of Learning Domains

I saw the clearest connections for technology integration in the Psychomotor Domain.  Here are the highlights:

Set: Readiness to act. It includes mental, physical, and emotional sets. These three sets are dispositions that predetermine a person's response to different situations (sometimes called mindsets).

I see the most connections in the physical set.  The first example of Sets listed in the article refer to following a set of instructions.  Within technology, there are MANY sets of instructions to follow - everything from finding a website to creating an Excel document, it is essential to follow sets of instructions.

Guided Response: The early stages in learning a complex skill that includes imitation and trial and error. Adequacy of performance is achieved by practicing.

I really keyed in on the trial and error element.  When a student learns a new computer game, they often use trial and error to figure it out.  While not all things can be learned via trial and error, it seems that when students are given enough information to explore and see what they can figure out, they retain well and ultimately are stronger in that area.

Adaptation: Skills are well developed and the individual can modify movement patterns to fit special requirements.

Adaptation is essential in today's ever-changing technological world.  Perhaps it's the adults who have to work the hardest to adapt, but students are in one way or another challenged by changing technology.

After reading through this article, Blooms Taxonomy undoubtedly shares connections with integrating technology.