Digital Blog Post #F

Visual thinking and concept mapping are very intriguing concepts to me because of my experience as an interpreter and tutor for deaf children. A visual presentation that is captivating from the beginning is crucial to captivate a visual learner.If a primarily visual learner is given tools to create a story-map or develop creative writing techniques, their work could be fun and easier for them. Educational software such as bubbl.us gives them this opportunity.

Math Blasters and other similar games allow students to practice their core skills needed to perform well on standardized tests. It allows for fun environments such as outer space and incorporates points and advancement opportunities. I've seen this program in action and I never remember the students becoming bored with the games.

What really excites me about the future of games and apps in the classroom are programs like www.Free Rice.com/category, www.Energyville.com, and www.iCivics.org. Real world applications that these children could find a future occupational interest are exciting! They are able to consider water usage and conservation, anatomy, and environmental considerations when developing communities. While these are science related they are also occupationally relative and could spark a life-long interest of learning and working in these fields.


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.

Royer, Lisa (2015, February 15).Reasons to Incorporate Games and Apps into the Classroom. Created with Bubbl.us,http://bubbl.us/mindmap

Digital Blog Post #D

Click here for the story of "The Wise Man and the Sea of Web". It is a story of the search for knowledge on the vast Sea and the troubles that can be encountered.

http://storybird.com/books/the-wise-old-man-and-the-sea-of-web-2/

E-books and e-readers are some of the most modern technology for reading books. My curiosity about these books is whether or not a person can become captivated into the stories they read and leave reality behind as they become engrossed in the written word. Many avid readers would understand what I mean. You never notice the turning of the page. the words have taken hold of you and you feel yourself standing in the middle of a field in Ireland with the sun wrapping itself around your shoulders as the wind kisses your cheeks. On the other hand I find an e-reader to be a stranger to my world. It breaks me in and out of my voyage with each swiping to a new page. maybe I've become accustomed to the feel and comfort of a book. My hand naturally cradles its weight and shape. So I am left to wonder if students who begin reading only on a computer style of reader will be able to use their imagination and become lost in the tale.

Search Engines seem to be second nature to most students today. One section of our book is about teaching children to use search engines. I believe it is more important in modern technology to teach them which search engines to use and also emphasize how the search engines select the results they display. I know from my own searches that Google's search engine thinks it knows me. It even picks ads to show me based on what I have searched. You cannot believe the headache that caused when my son watched me check my mail over Christmas. "Mommy, do you see that there are two ads and they're both things I asked Santa for!", he said. Of course I saw! I was also relieved I had not researched any coupons for something like bladder control or worse! What are they thinking? That being said, I want my students to be smart educators and consumers of technological products. They may not buy Google but they become consumers by using it.I want them to understand what a search engine is and which search engines will help them navigate educational information.

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.

Royer, Lisa (2015, February 8).The Wise Man and the Sea of Web. Created with Storybird,http://storybird.com/books/t33wf7ehae/edit/

DIGITAL BLOG POST #C

So, now it's time to identify which learning theory....
Let's use the one...

As with any setting there is not a one size fits all when it comes to teaching or facilitating a classroom. I believe though, with a acclimation activity in the first week or so of class, a best-fit teaching/facilitating style could emerge. Some children will always need extra guidance but I think there could be a popular learning theory to consider with each class as a whole.


References:

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.

Royer, Lisa (2015, January 31). Learning Theory Conundrum. Created with Bitstrips, http://www.bitstripsforschools.com/comics/54JF91/

Digital Badge #B Chapter 2

Uses for Educational Technology

STUDENT-CENTERED CLASSROOM
MISSION POSSIBLE!

 Today's mission, should you choose to accept it, is to allow your students the opportunity to run a student-centered classroom. This will involve cunning and mastery of any and all slang decoders available...contact the Professor for further instructions...Teacher out!

SUGGESTIVE USES OF POWTOON.COM

After exploring this video I believe we can introduce the students to this technology and allow them to discuss within groups what they feel are the most important rules. Take notes on the board for them but never interrupt. When they are decided on rules, they can develop their response to the assignment using Powtoon.com.

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

Digital Blog Post #A - Chapter 1

I found three important concepts from Chapter 1 and selected them based on the fact they were all ways to save time in and away from the classroom utilizing technology. 

When considering technology use away from the classroom, the organizational assets such as software and the varying devices you can utilize them on is becoming plentiful. A teacher who establishes a process to enter grades, accept work digitally (online), and can email parents and colleagues quickly and easily will save a tremendous amount of time that can be used more effectively.

One of the grandest ideas I see for technology is not needing to rewrite lesson plans weekly. With established software and the ability to alter times and ideas within the lesson a teacher can expound upon a lesson or narrow a lesson to a more specific topic or feature by adding to word documents, attaching Power Points, or maybe deleting them. A computer for instance gives a teacher the ability to keep resources such as Power Points or video clips and attach them or delete them from a lesson as needed. This saves tremendous time and allows for creative time when you want to delve deeper into a subject.

Lastly, I believe the use of technology-based textbooks will change the way everything is taught. It can be a very valuable tool in the right hands of a highly-skilled teacher who uses proven methods, a student-lead curriculum style for the book and the right motivational tools to make it interesting and engaging for their students. Unfortunately, this teacher based selection of materials can also backfire if the curriculum is not covered sufficiently, the student does not find themselves engaged in the provided material, or the student does not learn as well using technology. I mention the students ability to learn using technology because as an older student it was very hard to transition to an online technology based learning style. I still find myself picking up a hardback textbook which I find has less eye strain.

All this being said, I believe that technologies greatest asset in the learning environment is as a time-management tool. A student who learns to use technology simultaneously with the subject they are learning will become a powerful force in a technolgically advanced workforce of the 21st cnetury.

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.

You Tube Video