Week Two - Teaching with Technology

The effective use of technology integration into the general curriculum is an important aspect of education today. There are so many different digital tools that students can utilize to support learning including web 2.0 tools such as blogs, wikis, and e-books. It is essential that we get educators to consider the curriculum and how technology can be used to enhance it versus the technology and how it can fit into the curriculum.

The use of technology in the classroom seemed to have a positive effect on all students including those with disabilities. Effective use of technology in the classroom increased student's self esteem and made them feel more capable and successful. Digital tools increase students' engagement therefore increasing their access to the curriculum and thus their grasp of the content. These types of tools help students set their own direction for learning and goals giving students control of their own learning.




Page, M. S.(2002). Technology-Enriched Classrooms: Effects on Students of Low Socioeconomic Status. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 34 (4), 389-409. Retrieved October 5, 2009 from the International Society of Education at http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Number_4_Summer=/MembersOnly.cfm&ContentFileID=830

Week Four - Teaching with Technology

"Digital tools and media make it possible to design ongoing assessments that support individual differences in recognition, strategic, and affective networks, giving us a more accurate measure of students' achievement in relation to the learning goal."

Individuality is one of the things that set up apart as people. It is important as educators to ensure that we recognize the individual differences in our students including their learning disabilities and interests. Digital tools and media allow us to take a more accurate measure of students' achievement. Continuous assessment is what tells educators if re-teaching is necessary and how well the students' have mastered the content.

Multiple  representations of information gives students more opportunities to access the curriculum thus giving them more opportunities to master the curriculum.  The use of technology tools allow students multiple ways to express their mastery of the curriculum.

Rose, D.H., & Meyer, A. (2002). Using UDL to Accurately Assess Student Progress. Teaching every student in the Digital Age: universal design for learning (p.1). Alexandria, VA.: Association

UDL Book Builder

I loved the e-book tool. The e-book can be used as an instructional  tool, an assessment tool and/or as a supplement. One of the most evident and immediate uses for me would be to enable my non-readers and/or hearing impaired students  to participate more fully in the lesson since it has audio options. You can allow students to create their own books to assess their learning, collaborate in groups to and any number of things. One of the best things in my opinion about the e-book is that you are determining the content. You can choose to focus on one specific area and elaborate with pictures and audio or cover any amount of content you choose. It seems to be fairly user friendly although it took me a moment to figure everything out so definitely plan a tutorial type session when using it with students. One final thing about the ebook is that it is web-based so you can involve parents by allowing them to work in some capacity with students at home utilizing the e-book.

Week One - Technology in Teaching

During week one I have learned more about the constructivist learning theory which basically allows students a more hands - on approach in their learning.  This theory allows students to respond and discuss the content thus giving them an opportunity to form opinions, challenge ideas and consolidate what they have learned.

"Learning is both an active and reflective process. Learners combine experience (action) and thought (reflection) to build meaning. Both parts must be present to support the creation of new knowledge."

I have began to look at myself more as a reflective practioneer and I am beginning to see how reflection builds knowledge and enhances the learning process. This quote highlighted for me that reflection is an essential component in learning. The biggest implication for educators is to provide an environment that is conducive to students becoming more reflective and therefore more able to create new knowledge.


Southwest Educational Development Laboratory, (1999). Learning as a personal event: A brief introduction to constructivism. http://www.sedl.org/pubs/tec26/intro2c.html

Animation

Self Branding

Self Branding

Action Research Reflection

Action research is a great tool to use to identify problem areas and find solutions. It begins with personal observations referred to as "wonderings" that can be investigated using data collected on campus. So far in the course I have found that many topics for action research can be found in the discord on a particular campus. Many teachers often complain about issues on campus that can be resolved using action research.

I am trying to be more reflective and investigate topics that are personal to me and relate to my current job responsibilities while at the same time trying to think as an administrator. We will see how it goes!