Chapter 6
Focus Question: What are the advantages and complexities of online learning and virtual schools?
There are many advantages to online learning and virtual schools. Some of those being the flexibility, creativity through technology, and the ease of anxiety and pressures that some students may experience in the classroom. Students can also go at their own pace (within reason.) According to the text, the amount of online students for K-12 has grown so large in recent years, that it could be classified as one of the top 30 school districts in the nation. As with anything, however; there are critics. Some of the issues that are in debate are the social deprivation that students may experience. Students attending an actual class are able to experience social conformity's, friendships and basic social skills. Another problem is the decrease in needs of teachers. Online classes can be handled by less staff than that of regular schools. It has also been noticed that the students were testing lower on standardized tests than those students attend school.
Tech Tool 6.1: There are several apps that will allow interactive learning experiences. One of interest for myself, and is also listed in the tech tools, is the favorite poem project app. This was created by a poet for students to watch videos of poets performing and reading their poetry, but they also have the opportunity to read through many different poems. I am a huge fan of poetry, and will definitely check this app out!
Chapter 6 had a lot of great information regarding the online learning capabilities, and the information management needed in both the virtual classroom and actual classroom. Learning does not have to be put into a box, and with technology growing as rapidly as it is, students now have the opportunity to choose how and when they want to learn. Although there are advantages and some issues at question, it does not stifle a trend that is continuing to grow.
Maloy, R. W., Verick-O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2014). Transforming learning with new technologies. Boston, MA: Pearson
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Chapter 5
Focus Question: What are search engines and how do they work?
The best way to describe a search engine in layman's terms is this: think of a large, thick textbook. The textbook itself is the Internet and inside is millions on words. A search engine is like the glossary of the textbook, it will tell you the word you are searching for, and then give you the page number and chapter to find more information on this word. A search engine is a computer program that uses networks of computers to access databases and search the entire Internet for the key word or phrased that you are searching. An example is Google, Bing, Chrome, etc.
Links to my favorite search engines:
www.google.com
www.bing.com
Tech Tool 5.1: There are several websites that teachers can use to help enhance their lesson plans through pictures and audio clips. In 5.1's tech tool, they have provided three of these websites that are open to the public to help bring these lesson plans to life. Flickr, Libriox, and Creative Commons. While Flickr and Libriox are for the photo and audio enhancements, the Creative Commons website is the best of both worlds, but also helps avoid copyright infringement, and still gives recognition to the authors whom created the images or videos. Check out this powerful image from Flickr relating to education and technology:http://www.flickr.com/photos/bristolgreencapital/5997980502/
Search engines and the Internet in general, are great tools and revolutionary technologies that have now become essential in the classroom. Just like everything else, it is important to teach students how to use the Internet, which also includes how to determine credible resources, and the importance of citation and education on plagiarism. Educators must take advantage of these resources to help create engaging lesson plans, and stay current with how their students can have the world at the their finger tips. Literally.
Maloy, R. W., Verick-O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2014). Transforming learning with new technologies. Boston, MA: Pearson
Focus Question: What are search engines and how do they work?
The best way to describe a search engine in layman's terms is this: think of a large, thick textbook. The textbook itself is the Internet and inside is millions on words. A search engine is like the glossary of the textbook, it will tell you the word you are searching for, and then give you the page number and chapter to find more information on this word. A search engine is a computer program that uses networks of computers to access databases and search the entire Internet for the key word or phrased that you are searching. An example is Google, Bing, Chrome, etc.
Links to my favorite search engines:
www.google.com
www.bing.com
Tech Tool 5.1: There are several websites that teachers can use to help enhance their lesson plans through pictures and audio clips. In 5.1's tech tool, they have provided three of these websites that are open to the public to help bring these lesson plans to life. Flickr, Libriox, and Creative Commons. While Flickr and Libriox are for the photo and audio enhancements, the Creative Commons website is the best of both worlds, but also helps avoid copyright infringement, and still gives recognition to the authors whom created the images or videos. Check out this powerful image from Flickr relating to education and technology:http://www.flickr.com/photos/bristolgreencapital/5997980502/
Search engines and the Internet in general, are great tools and revolutionary technologies that have now become essential in the classroom. Just like everything else, it is important to teach students how to use the Internet, which also includes how to determine credible resources, and the importance of citation and education on plagiarism. Educators must take advantage of these resources to help create engaging lesson plans, and stay current with how their students can have the world at the their finger tips. Literally.
Maloy, R. W., Verick-O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2014). Transforming learning with new technologies. Boston, MA: Pearson
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Focus Question: How are lesson planning and student assessment enhanced by technology?
Lesson planning has become a breeze for most educators due to technology. There are thousands of websites available to help inspire lesson planning and creativity for educators to know" what to teach." There are many educator websites that are a compiled list of worksheets, lesson plan ideas, and other information so that teachers do not have to "reinvent the wheel," for every lesson plan. Assessment has also become easier through software, discussion boards, blogs, and electronic tests and quizzes. A great example of this software is Edison's own Canvas, or MyMathLabs.
Tech Tool 4.1: Web Resources and Apps for Lesson Planning: This section mentions PBS Teachers. (www.pbs.org/teachers). This is an awesome website full of lesson plans, worksheets, blogs, videos and more. The best part- its free! There are so many resources, thanks to technology that allow teachers to plan their lessons and reach every style of learning for each of their students.
In conclusion, this chapter provides a fantastic overview for educators to find resources available to help them create lesson plans, assess their students while integrating technology, and also allows the teachers to reach each of the learning standards efficiently. Rubrics provide a great overview and goal for students to reach for when working on a paper or project, and it also allows the teachers to reach each of the learning standards that the lesson plans strives to teach. Lets say it together- TECHNOLOGY IS OUR FRIEND!
Maloy, R. W., Verick-O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2014). Transforming learning with new technologies. Boston, MA: Pearson.
Focus Question: How are lesson planning and student assessment enhanced by technology?
Lesson planning has become a breeze for most educators due to technology. There are thousands of websites available to help inspire lesson planning and creativity for educators to know" what to teach." There are many educator websites that are a compiled list of worksheets, lesson plan ideas, and other information so that teachers do not have to "reinvent the wheel," for every lesson plan. Assessment has also become easier through software, discussion boards, blogs, and electronic tests and quizzes. A great example of this software is Edison's own Canvas, or MyMathLabs.
Tech Tool 4.1: Web Resources and Apps for Lesson Planning: This section mentions PBS Teachers. (www.pbs.org/teachers). This is an awesome website full of lesson plans, worksheets, blogs, videos and more. The best part- its free! There are so many resources, thanks to technology that allow teachers to plan their lessons and reach every style of learning for each of their students.
In conclusion, this chapter provides a fantastic overview for educators to find resources available to help them create lesson plans, assess their students while integrating technology, and also allows the teachers to reach each of the learning standards efficiently. Rubrics provide a great overview and goal for students to reach for when working on a paper or project, and it also allows the teachers to reach each of the learning standards that the lesson plans strives to teach. Lets say it together- TECHNOLOGY IS OUR FRIEND!
Maloy, R. W., Verick-O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2014). Transforming learning with new technologies. Boston, MA: Pearson.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Focus Question: What are the essential ideas for teachers from research on the science of learning?
The main science theory of learning is that of "constructivism." Students will learn or construct new ideas, based off of what they already know. Another main idea is that of active learning, or what I like to call "hands on learning." I have found the best way to learn something new, especially with technology is taking the time to sit down and practice. These theories suggest that educators must teach more with examples, rather just lecturing alone. Some examples of this would be to suggest several ways to learn whether it be through groups or even individual instruction.
Tech Tool 3.1: This section of Tech Tools, suggest websites and applications that can be used to approach these learning styles as mentioned above to give the student a more hands on approach to a subject. I especially thought one website was very interesting, which is the www.stopdisastersgame.org. This simulation game allows the user to help problem solve through different disasters, while teaching how to avoid or how to cope with the disasters. I just finished watching the movie, "2012," which is the ultimate disaster movie, so this website jumped out at me.
In conclusion to this chapter, it has taught that students must be engaged in the classroom, and the technology offered today is a perfect relevant way to reach students. It has also has suggested science of learning that teachers can use to help reach their students. There are also several websites and applications, and other technology tools to help activate the minds of students to learn. It does not have to boring or mundane for students, but it can be fun and engaging.
Maloy, R. W., Verick-O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2014). Transforming learning with new technologies. Boston, MA: Pearson.
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