In the last week I've learned about about multiple issues regarding education in k-12. I learned how to overcome these issues with strategies involving technology. One idea I learned was blended technology. By using blended technology, a teacher aides her students in the classroom and online. So the child can have more control over their time, place, or path of learning.
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Check out my video story that discusses connected educators! In the last few weeks we have learned a lot about technology in the classroom. Our professor gave us multiple websites that introduced us to multiple different websites and apps that influence the classroom. I found that using apps like Remind Me, TED, and even games like Civilization and Mind Craft can be used in the classroom. For example, by using Remind Me, I can let my students know up upcoming due dates and assignments.I have found that in today's age we can run classes more smoothly and make them more exciting and fun when using technology like this. I will be taking the websites I mentioned and the different websites our professor suggested to us in order to solve problems as they arise.
At the beginning of the semester we were asked to create twitter accounts and interact with conversations about technology and education. I thought the twitter chats were very interesting and I got to see a point of view of others around the world. The classmates that I saw who made videos about the experience, generally felt the same as me. I never heard any negative comments about the chats they were in. We each listened to something very different but all learned ideas and opinions from experienced teachers and professionals. I watched a video where our classmate Morgan Kent attended a twitter chat about first grade teachers. She said they talked about what their class rooms looked like, and flexible seating. A lot of teachers not only had chairs, bean bags, bouncy balls, and said it benefited students who had a hard time sitting still. Three tools that I found interesting from my peers was Prezi, Kahoot, and Quizlet. I thought Prezi was very cool because the student or teacher can create fun presentations that keep everyone engaged. They look professional but are easy to use. I also like Kahoot because you can have competitions that get the students to want to find the right answer instead of speaking in front of the classroom. Quizlet is an excellent way to study without pen and paper. Kids from around the world use it so they may have already created flashcards for the students to use. It makes it easier for kids to study. As I watched Will Richardson talk about his experience in learning in school, I took away many ideas about teaching. But I found when he talked about asking myself what the students believed were the best way of teaching them, I was truly impacted. Never do I think, ask my students the best way to teach. I always think I have the experience and I know what I’m talking about. Kids don’t have that experience, they will want to learn things that don’t matter in teaching. But in reality, that's the best idea I can do for myself and students. Kids learn best when they are learning about ideas and subjects that matter to them. They pay more attention when we teach them in different and exciting ways. Like Richardson said, students in this age can not learn with traditional teaching. Students can no longer learn by “you have to be here at this particular time, with this particular person, with other kids that are your age from your neighborhood, to go through this curriculum at this pace, and be assessed in this particular way.”(Richardson, The Surprising Truth) This is the experience all teachers are used too, but in this modern age it doesn't work anymore.
I believe in order to improve education, we have to teach ideas that kids are interested in. This includes teaching with technology and access to the internet. In the video Richardson says “Kids with access are learning more outside of school than they are inside of school.” (Richardson, The Surprising Truth). An idea from one of my classmates from our past discussion assignment said that using technology in the right context can keep kids from being isolated. Another student talked about how many schools don't have access to computers, but they can still incorporate technology in classroom by having exercises like “post a blog” or “post a photo” on paper. After watching the video from this last week I found very many ideas impactful on being a teacher in the future. I feel most kids do not learn anymore, as he discussed. I know I don’t remember much from my school day ages. I want to be able teach kids ideas in a way that they can keep forever not just a few weeks and forget. From the “No More Excuses Article” I found a different perspective on schools. I grew up in a town that always had access to technology and nice materials but if I teach in a less fortunate school I believe I can use ideas of technology without having the technology with me. I understand that it can be very hard for teachers who don’t have access like other privileged schools, to keep the students focused and have them not fall behind. This article gave me a new perspective and idea on having technology in school without the actual access. While looking through twitter after my classmates submitted their graphics, I learned ideas about teaching that I didn't catch the first time through this week's readings and videos. One of my classmates submitted this quote in her graphic “Project based learning is very engaging to students, and I think the biggest reason why is because it feels more real and they are actually doing something.” (Kaylee Strahl, twitter) I agreed with her statement and feel teachers should be using this more in their classrooms. I also thought Aden Bachtel’s graphic was exciting to look at and very to the point. She said “No more excuses: Take Advantage of the technology provided to your school” I believe my classmates all feel the same in using technology in their classrooms and all believe teaching should change in the future.
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Blog Post #1
I’m Anna Patarino as you can see from the title! I am majoring in elementary education and I cannot wait to start teaching little pupils in the future! In this course, I hope to learn how to become a more experienced future educator in the technology department. I think it’s extremely important to understand the latest gears so I can make sure my students are learning in the best ways possible. I don’t yet understand all of the beneficial uses of technology for the classroom but I can’t wait to find out. What I do know is that technology is becoming more and more important inside and outside of the classroom. If technology is what will help students learn in the future, I am all about figuring out the best ways to use it to increase their understanding. I don’t know just yet what grade I would like to teach. I was thinking first through third grade, but I could also see myself teaching middle school. I’m still learning and figuring out exactly where I want to go and teach but I’m keeping an open mind. I have also considered teaching art. Art is a passion of mine and I would love to see kids using it at a young age because I believe it helps them have creativity and also brings out their personalities through different works of art. I want to be an excellent educator when I’m older. I have a passion for teaching because I love when kids light up from learning something new and I love the way the minds of children work. So I hope I can teach them at their early stages of life how they can become wonderful people in the future. I've also just created my Cajita! Feel free to check it out! I've also just created my Cajita! Feel free to check it out!
Blog Post #2
This week, we needed to read articles relating to a topic discussing the negative sides of technology. I thought this week’s topic was very interesting because technology has become such a large part of our daily lives. In this day and age, going without your phone is extremely uncommon. Most people praise technology. We don't normally see the negative sides that affect those our age and younger. I found it interesting to see all the negative sides to technology that exist. I chose to read and discuss texting and driving. I decided on this topic becuase I have been in a car accident where someone was texting and ended up hitting my car. I ended up being okay and so did the other driver but my car wasn't. Becuase of this accident, I am very cautious of my driving while texting and see it as a serious issue with most drivers. I believe this is a serious issue that needs to stop. I found multiple articles that gave advice on stepping away from your phone while driving. I also found many facts relating to the dangers of texting while driving. I gained a new understanding on how easy it is to get hurt and how it can be as bad as drunk driving. My classmates chose other articles and created videos relating to their topics. I watched videos about cyber bullying, image with social media, and attachment. I realized how many kids are addicted to their phones and so many people in the younger generations are constantly cyber bullied In order to put an end to texting and driving, people have to first be educated. When new drivers go through drivers ed, instructors will inform them of the dangers of texting while driving. To increase awareness and prevent accidents, police officers can be educated to learn how to point out texters. and new laws could prohibit the use of phones entirely while driving. Also, a new app has been created that drivers can use to stop texts and emails from coming to your phone until you have parked. I’ve found two articles that you can read that will give you more information! http://stoptextsstopwrecks.org/ http://www.vdriveusa.com/resources/how-to-avoid-texting-while-driving.php If any of you would like some more information regarding other negative issues with technology I have also added the link to our classes Padlet website. It has multiple articles revolving around cyber bullying, image, addiction, and more! |