Digital Blog Post #F

In chapter six, WebQuests are mentioned. WebQuests are designed for students to use technology while gaining knowledge about a subject. While WebQuests can be good for some students, it may not be that great for others. Teachers should understand that WebQuests should only be used if the truly feel that all of the students will benefit from it. But everyone’s strengths and skills can be used in different ways during this interactive lesson. Because there are multiple tasks, different students can benefit by doing the task that they are most comfortable with. WebQuests can be a great tool for teachers to get students to use technology, work in a group, and still understand the point of the lesson.

By KatelynS13 | View this Toon at ToonDoo | Create your own Toon

Chapter 12 mentioned the ides of inclusion and infusion. Inclusion is the idea that technology is included in a student’s lesson, but it is not the center of it. Infusion means that technology is the on-going feature in a student’s and a teacher’s day. Technology will always be infused in a student’s day, whether that includes homework, online activities or research. In today’s classrooms, I think that it is important that technology is infused in everyday because it is something that the students are comfortable with. I hope to infuse technology as much as I can, as I see it as an essential tool to a child’s learning.

Integrating technology in a classroom can be done in multiple ways. It can be a useful tool when a student is doing research on a specific topic. It can also be used for fun activities to gain a child’s interest in a certain subject. A discussion that can be brought up is the availability of technology in a classroom or a school. As teachers, you must do what is best for you students, and going to the computer lab everyday may just not be that. But, if a teacher has access to multiple computers in their classroom, it could be very beneficial to the students. Using the technology successfully can allow the students to gain interest in a subject that they are learning.

 

 

Resources:

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Smith, Katelyn. (2016, April 24). WebQuest. Retrieved from http://www.toondoo.com/cartoon/10010401

Voss, Brenda. (2014, May 2). Integrating Technology In the Classroom. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnBRjeR105g

Digital Blog Post #E

In chapter 4, lesson planning is mentioned. I liked the part about using technology in a lesson plan. For many reasons, this is a good idea. Videos could be used in order to gain the students’ attention. This could be a vital part of the lesson, because this will determine how the lesson will go. If the students enjoy the video, then they may pay more attention during the lesson. Also, TrackStar is a good site to be used when planning a lesson. Along with its students learning objectives, it also offers models and examples of what can be used in a classroom.

In chapter 9, PowerPoints are discussed. Many teachers use PowerPoints in the classroom, but may not know an effective way that they can be incorporated. In PowerPoint, pictures can be shown for students to discuss on. This may happen when a lesson is being taught. An image in the PowerPoint may break up the lesson a bit. This can allow students to discuss on a similar topic and it can also help them by not staring at words on a PowerPoint all day. Slides can be used for gaining a student’s attention as well. PowerPoint can be used for many things in the classroom and can be very effective if it is used right.

Assessments in the classroom are very important. Whether it is teacher assessments or student assessments, they are vital in having a comfortable, educational classroom. Teacher assessments can be anything from having an observer to taking tests. This allows the teacher to become the best teacher that they can be. Student assessments allow the students to know how they are doing in the class. Teachers must monitor the students throughout the whole year, which helps to tell how much knowledge the student gained that year. Self-assessments for students are great because it gives them a chance to be involved in the evaluation process. Assessments in the classroom can help both the teachers and students be the best that they can be.

 

Resources:

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Smith, K. (2016, April 3) Bubbl.us. Retrieved from https://bubbl.us/mindmap.