Final blog

Overall I sincerely enjoyed the education to technology class.  I think this is a course all students should take as a requirement to help get comfortable with technology as well as get introduced to new/faster ways of doing things.  I enjoyed seeing my peers interactive and nonlinear PowerPoint's to get new perspectives of how they would use technology in the classroom.  For example, I would not have thought of using PowerPoint to make a jeopardy game for students to review specific content.  Before taking this class, I knew technology was important to incorporate into the classroom for students with and without special needs (as well as the arts, music, and physical activity).  However, I have learned that the possibilities are endless once you explore and become more familiar with certain technology!  Intro to educational technology was engaging for me even though I was somewhat familiar with technology already.  If I wasn't student teaching next semester and graduating in July I would have liked to take another technology class!

Podcast

This week was the first time I learned to make a podcast.  I can see the benefits of sharing information with students and parents.  For example, posting news, events and assignments on the class or school website.  I think the hardest part was adding and finding the sounds once they were saved in the computer and saving them to audacity.  In my opinion, I would rather add a real video to the classroom website (although I have not yet learned how to do this).  I think this would add a more personal touch that would keep parents and students engaged depending on the purpose of the video.

Weebly

Tonight in class we learned how to make an educational website.  I am so excited that I finally know how to make my own website!  Mine was designed for parents and provided resources online and locally that can help support their child's education.  I truly feel like I will use this feature in my classroom to communicate with parents and keep them updated on what is happening in the classroom.  Of course, other professionals and educators will have access to it within my school district.  I think this is a fun way to update class projects, field trips, and accomplishments for families to view. Through my field observations so far, I have only seen one teacher use a class website frequently; although I think it would benefit students, teachers, and families in most classrooms at each grade level.  As a side note, it was much easier to make than I expected and will be very likely to use this throughout my career.

iPad free apps

I enjoyed class today as we got to play with the iPads and discover free education apps!  My partner and I found five apps regarding all different ages of students and in categories such as math, ELA, geography, chemistry, and art.  However, we evaluated two of the apps using a rubric created by Harry Walker, and a check list made by Kathleen Schrock.  The app Math vs Undead was evaluated using the rubric and received an overall 16/24.  My partner and I determined this score based on curriculum connection, authenticity, feedback, differentiation, user friendliness, and student motivation  I found this rubric required more qualitative information while the check list was more quantitative.  Although the checklist asks about mostly the same information, it is asked in a way that requires a simple "yes" or "no" answer.  The rubric, therefore provides different levels of criterion with more detail.  I think it would be more beneficial to use the evaluation rubric when determining if apps are developmentally appropriate for students in your school or classroom.  However, one factor I did like about the check list is that it asked the level of Bloom's Taxonomy the app applies to.  I think this is important for educators to think about as they determine what they hope the student will accomplish by "playing with" or using the app.  Overall, after researching apps in class and completing my research paper on assistive technology, I am still a strong advocate for using technology and apps in the classroom.

Excel

In the past, I have only used Excel in math classes.  For example to solve mean, medium, mode, and average equations.  It was interesting to learn more functions Excel can be used for such as making a seating chart, a timeline, and keeping track of grades.  I personally think I could use these functions throughout my teaching career.  However, because I am in early childhood, I don't think it would be appropriate or necessary to have my students use them to complete work.  Based on my own experience, I don't think I was taught Excel functions until middle school or even high school.  I would be interested to know if/when early childhood educators have used Excel with their students or if it is used mostly in higher grades.

Ed. Tech. Research Paper

I found my research on assistive technology very compelling.  It opened my eyes to the many different types of assistive technology that exist.  For example the many apps available to students with disabilities that may have hearing, visual, or motor skills deficits.  Although I learned a lot about available technologies for students with disabilities, I especially enjoyed researching how some students and teachers actually feel about using assistive technology.  For instance, one study showed results of students with hearing disabilities experiencing stigmas with using technology such as hearing aids or microphones.  They stated feeling somewhat isolated when being seen using assistive technology, especially if it was low quality.  Interestingly, another study showed survey/interview results of teachers feeling under qualified to teach or use such technology with students with disabilities.  Because of this, I think graduate programs or professional development seminars should teachers and families should be trained to use assistive technology.  They should also become aware of apps available on iPads, iPhones, etc. that can help their child/student with academic and social development.  Through research, I discovered problems with implementing assistive technology such as the lack of training, and lack of funds within school districts.  In cases such as this I believe free apps, updating, and customizing already existing technology within schools can help make a difference for students with disabilities.  Overall, I found it beneficial to learn about how assistive technology can improve students with disabilities education process and experience.  In the future, I find it imperative that districts invest in such technology to better get special education students prepared to become active members of society.

How Difficult Can This Be

This is the second time I have watched "How Difficult Can This Be" on YouTube about students with learning disabilities.  Although it had been a couple years since I have seen it, I think it was a good refresher regarding the pressure and stress teachers can put on students with learning disabilities without realizing it.  My favorite part is when the instructor mentions children learning things at home, and the possibility of attending school where everything is different.  He used the example of object vs letter orientation.  It reminded me of students from various cultures attending an unfamiliar school and having the norms, routines, language, or rituals being different.  This is one example of why including cultural pedagogy in the classroom is essential for student learning.  I believe students must feel safe and comfortable in their environment in order to grow and learn.

Visual Learners

One important learning strategy that I will take into account when working with visual learners includes using a variety of mediums.  For example, using both technology and non-technology procedures that will help students gain and share new information.  This will include graphic organizers, diagrams, mind mapping, outlining, and plots on the white board, smart board, or on their own paper.  I can also show students how to use bubbl.us, mindmeister, kidsperation, and gliffy on the computer.  This will help students organize their thoughts, analyze information, and be better able to present information in an organized fashion.  I think this would work well during centers.  For example, the students that are auditory learners, kinesthetic learners, etc. will have a chance to work at their own station, as well as have a turn at the station specific to visual learners.  This is one way to provide more learning experiences and moderation of strategies and facilities available within the classroom.

Webquests

I find Webquests both fun and useful for effective learning in the classroom.  It allows students to take responsibility for their own learning, without spending time finding key information.  More importantly, Webquests allow for support of the students’ analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.  At the same time, teachers will have time to observe students interactions and own knowledge.  This can lead to appropriate scaffolding, tiering, and UDL lessons throughout the year.  I think Webquests will be especially beneficial for my inclusive students.  I can use my students’ interests to engage them in curriculum and use creativity to create Webquests for my learning units!

PowerPoint

http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/03/is-powerpoint-in-the-classroom-evil/?_r=0

I found this New York Times article interesting as it starts off saying kids would be better off not going to school, rather than making PowerPoints for projects.  One brief explanation given by the author is that it teaches kids to write about 80 words in 5 slides rather than composing a paper.  As a result, one Assistant Professor commented that PowerPoint is one tool teachers implement to communicate information, and that if it was the one and only means for communication, it would be a problem.  More specifically, she states that if teachers use PowerPoint as well as speeches, eulogies, visual tools, journals, writing, debates, etc, then PowerPoint is not "evil" as the author suggests.  I am glad this professor was chosen to speak about the subject.  As with most things in life, too much of one thing is never good.  Using a broad range technology is another example of best practice in the classroom.

Effects of Technology on Classrooms and Students

http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech/effectsstudents.html

The article, Effects of Technology on Classrooms and Students describes the benefits of students being active learners.  Using technology within the classroom allows students to take an active role while making decisions on how to find, obtain, work, and present information.  While the teacher still sets guidelines for assignments and projects, the classroom becomes more student centered.  Effects of Technology on Classrooms and Students describes students becoming more motive and developing higher self-esteem.  Students become challenged to demonstrate what they have learned rather than pressure to perform well on exams.    Teachers also claim that students are able to complete more complex tasks and collaborate with the support of technology in the classroom.  The single downfall this article mentions is that students may have a tendency to spend too much time changing graphics, fonts, colors, design, etc.  However, I feel if students want to stress specific points, these technicalities may be necessary. 

Web 2.0 and Social Media

I think the web (2.0) is critical to education in the classroom.  The web allows for new experiences that can be more interesting for children in the tech-savvy world they are growing up in. Web 2.0 can provide learning tools, games, videos, and more to support children’s learning.  On the other hand, I am rather inexperienced with how social media can also be used for learning.  There are plenty of stigmas existing about cyber bullying and negative aspects of social media when it comes to peer relationships.  While I believe Web 2.0 can be used to learn new information, it is possible that social media can be used as discussion forums for school-related topics to generate a deeper level of thinking.  I believe students would greatly benefit when Web 2.0 and social media are used together.  However, I think students should also be exposed to learning through kinesthetic and tactile activities as well as current technology.