Chapter 9

Chapter 9


Focus Question: How can teachers use video resources in their teaching?


Teachers can use this resource in an abundance of ways and it has many advantages. Many educators credit video resources to a unique way of learning, and being able to reach their students and deliver the information "multimodally" (Maloy.) It is also an opportunity for the teacher to take the attention off of themselves and move it to the screen, and help their students keep their focus and attention. In the current world of technology, it is also a relative way to teach the material to students.


There are several video resources available for lesson plans which include the infamous YouTube, Webcasts, streaming videos through various types of software like QuickTime, or Windows Media Player. Some additional advice that Maloy gives in the text is to pause and rewind, ask for students to write responses, and turn off either the sound or the picture itself.





















Tech Tool 9.2: This Tech Tool helps give some more resources for my focus question, "Streaming video resources for teachers."  There are many tools, websites, and more that offer streaming video for lesson plans. PBS Learning Media, Youtube for schools, SnagLearning, and Common Craft. One of these resources that I have not heard of before is that of Common Craft, (www.commoncraft.com.) These videos use handcrafted cut outs or other drawings to help teach the information, and is a cute easy way to help relate the lesson plan. (Maloy.)


There are many resources available for teaching lesson plans using multimedia technology. These resources are also a great way for the teachers to allow the students to take the lesson plans into their own hands, and create projects using these resources to help present their knowledge on the subject at hand. In a recent student observation in a fourth grade classroom, the teacher was teaching on the subject of Metamorphosis. The teacher integrated a YouTube video showing a caterpillar going through the stages of metamorphosis and turning into a butterfly. The video was a hit among the students, and really helped to teach the information. This chapter is a must read for teachers looking to help find resources for student projects and creating lesson plans.









































Maloy, R. W., Verick-O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2014). Transforming learning with new technologies. Boston, MA: Pearson


Scott, Duncan. Complete Life Cycle of the Monarch Butterfly. Web. Youtube.

Chapter 8

Chapter 8


Focus Question: How will teacher communication systems create positive learning experiences for you and your students?


I plan on engaging with my students through many relevant communication tools including social media, email, online discussions and blogs. All of these tools not only engage the student and teacher through the use of technological devices, but it makes it easier for both the student and the teacher to respond at the ease of their schedule. It also allows the student to learn the technology, and keeps the teachers up to date on the latest technology.


In the past week, a friend of mine who is a high school history teacher- had the pleasure of teaching her students a unique lesson on social media. She had assigned a project that may require the students to work on during their spring break, and some of the students took to Twitter to vent. Some of the students were very rude and disrespectful on their tweets and hash-tags, so she took the opportunity to print the tweets and write them on her smart board for them to see when they came into her classroom the next day. She also responded to the tweets with her own witty hash-tags. She explained to them that social media can be used against them even if they are venting, and if she was their employer- they would be fired. She laughed at the rude tweets, but she said the look on their faces was priceless.























Tech Tool 8.1: Approach 1 (website and blog building software) This tech tool discusses the use of blog building software that teachers can use to communicate or use for lesson plans. The text mentions Dreamweavers and Frontpage. I did not either of those software, but Blogger seems to work pretty effectively for blogs.


Overall, this chapter helps discuss multiple ways for teachers to reach their students and use technology for lesson plans. The students can use the websites or software at home, and it makes it easier for a teacher to access and grade.
































































Maloy, R. W., Verick-O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2014). Transforming learning with new technologies. Boston, MA: Pearson

Chapter 7

Chapter 7


Focus Question: What are the standard and open-source software applications available on most computers?


Standard software applications are the basic, most standard software on computers for a particular field. In an office, it is most common to hear of Microsoft office suite, or Word Processing in order to type a document or other important information.


Open-source software would be an application like Adobe reader. It is pretty commonly installed on most computers, but it also has features that you may upgrade for a price, and must always install the updates to continue to use the software universally. Open source is exactly as it sounds- open to the public, but it is constantly evolving.















Tech Tool 7.1: It is important to integrate problem solving into the learning experience in the classrooms. A technological tool that would help enhance this experience for students is suggested in the Tech Tool 7.1, and one of the applications that seemed most interested was that of Scratch. It is an open source software, that students are able to engage in creating their own art, stories, and games. Students are able to use their own rules and creativity to develop these activities to help stimulate their own learning pace and problem solving skills.










Chapter 7 was immensely educational for myself. I did not know there was a difference between software's and classifications such as standard vs. open sourced. I also enjoyed playing computer games, and there was one game in particular that I remember playing on our Windows 95 computer, and it was through some kind of encyclopedia software. I do not remember the name, but I was able to guide a court jester through the different mazes to stop and learn about the many topics of my choice. I remember sitting for hours, listening to different audio clips or reading various articles on random subjects that I controlled.


Another game that comes to mind, that involved great problem solving skills was that of Oregon Trail. I remember in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade going into the computer lab and playing this game. Believe it or not, it is still around! Check out the official website!


http://www.oregontrail.com/hmh/site/oregontrail/










































Maloy, R. W., Verick-O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2014). Transforming learning with new technologies. Boston, MA: Pearson