Monday, May 3, 2010
Reflection #12
I have really enjoyed researching how teacher incorporate technology into their classrooms. One of my favorite ways I have learned about is taking your class on a digital field trip. Sure it might not be as exciting as the real thing, but because it is inexpensive and easy to do, your class can go on digital fieldtrips on a more frequent basis. This could be especially fun for younger grades as a closing to a unit. For example, after completing a unit on the ocean, your class can pretend that the classroom is a submarine (you can have decorated the class as one throughout the lesson) and then project video clips of the ocean on the whiteboard or a big screen. Students can keep a journal of the animals they see while they are under the ocean. This can also be done with the jungle, other counties, the zoo, space, or any other place your students are interested in. Make sure the class is interacting with the field trip and not just sitting there watching. Students can also write a reflection about their experience and where they would like to go next time.
Reflection # 11
I was recently researching for a project in geography about the political crisis going on in Thailand and started to appreciate so much more how the internet can keep you connected and informed. Not only could I research current articles from that very day, but I was able to watch video clips and news broadcasts about what was going on in Thailand as well as what had been happening in recent years that lead up to it. The internet is so helpful for getting information in a variety of ways because when I got confused by reading articles or was just tired of reading, I found it very helpful to listen and watch news clips to get a better understanding of what was going on.
I think it is important for students to stay informed on what is going on in the world and I would defiantly want to incorporate current events into my classroom. It would be great for my students to get to research a current event in the news in groups and they have the opportunity to present it to the class as well as write about it. This would incorporate reading, writing, geography and communication all in one lesson!
I think it is important for students to stay informed on what is going on in the world and I would defiantly want to incorporate current events into my classroom. It would be great for my students to get to research a current event in the news in groups and they have the opportunity to present it to the class as well as write about it. This would incorporate reading, writing, geography and communication all in one lesson!
Reflection # 10
Teachers turning tech devices into learning tools
I loved this article! It is so interesting to see how teachers use technology to aid learning rather than let it become a distraction in the classroom. This article shows how teachers use iPods, hand held computers, and blogs to help students learn.
One language arts teacher allows students to bring iPods to class and listen to clean music in order to learn about poetic devices such as rhyme and alliteration. Another teacher uses hand held computers rather than more expensive desk tops to do math and research in the class. The teacher had students look up video clips of tornadoes as part of their lesson when they were studying natural disasters. Students can also use online games to learn their spelling words in fun ways rather than just looking over the words and trying to memorize them.
Teachers are also using blogs to communicate with their students by posting questions and having them respond. I think this is great because it gives students a chance to express to their teacher what they are learning even if they might be a little shy in class. It also clears up more time in class because students can ask question and respond outside of class when they are al their computer (which they will probably be on anyways). They also have more time to think about their response and will have a more thoughtful one that just answering when called on in class.
I will defiantly be doing more research into ways other teachers are incorporating technology devices into their classroom and use it in mine too.
I loved this article! It is so interesting to see how teachers use technology to aid learning rather than let it become a distraction in the classroom. This article shows how teachers use iPods, hand held computers, and blogs to help students learn.
One language arts teacher allows students to bring iPods to class and listen to clean music in order to learn about poetic devices such as rhyme and alliteration. Another teacher uses hand held computers rather than more expensive desk tops to do math and research in the class. The teacher had students look up video clips of tornadoes as part of their lesson when they were studying natural disasters. Students can also use online games to learn their spelling words in fun ways rather than just looking over the words and trying to memorize them.
Teachers are also using blogs to communicate with their students by posting questions and having them respond. I think this is great because it gives students a chance to express to their teacher what they are learning even if they might be a little shy in class. It also clears up more time in class because students can ask question and respond outside of class when they are al their computer (which they will probably be on anyways). They also have more time to think about their response and will have a more thoughtful one that just answering when called on in class.
I will defiantly be doing more research into ways other teachers are incorporating technology devices into their classroom and use it in mine too.
Reflection # 9
A few weeks ago a 5th grader came to my Special Needs class who had had a cochlear implant. This is a device that is placed deep into the inner ear that stimulates auditory nerves in profoundly deaf people. It was so interesting to hear him and his parents talk about the effect that this new technology ha had on his life. He goes to a normal school and never learned sign language. The device is so small that the battery can be hidden behind his ear and is not very noticeable. The 5th grader only had the implant done on one of his ears because doctors wanted to save the other ear for when better technology came out. It was fun listening to the boy talk about what it was like being able to hear and I am so amazed at how helpful technology is not only in the classroom but also in the medical field.
His teacher also told us about other ways that technology gets used in his classroom such as a hands free microphone that the teacher can wear to save her voice or an extra head set for the student to wear to increase the volume.
However, technology is not always completely reliable. They boys dad told a story of a time that he forgot to recharge the battery when he took his son and a friend on a day trip and how they had to resort to writing notes.
I am very interested in how technology gets used in the medical field and look forward to seeing what advances in medical technology will bring.
His teacher also told us about other ways that technology gets used in his classroom such as a hands free microphone that the teacher can wear to save her voice or an extra head set for the student to wear to increase the volume.
However, technology is not always completely reliable. They boys dad told a story of a time that he forgot to recharge the battery when he took his son and a friend on a day trip and how they had to resort to writing notes.
I am very interested in how technology gets used in the medical field and look forward to seeing what advances in medical technology will bring.
Reflection # 8
Last week I got to spend the afternoon in a self-contained classroom at a local high school. It was very interesting to see how technology was incorporated in a classroom where all but one of the students could not speak and several had limited motion. The students had little remotes that they could push to play music and change songs on a computer while lying down. They also had a smart board where students could turn pages and have a story read to them.
The technology was very helpful because the students did not need to be able to speak in order to communicate what they wanted. It would be too difficult for a student to say what song they wanted or go and change a cd, but with the computer system, students only needed to press a button. In the same way, the students did not have the fine motor skills to turn a page, but they could still participate in reading a story by pressing the smart board.
I think it will be very interesting to see in what other ways technology can be incorporated into self contained classrooms.
The technology was very helpful because the students did not need to be able to speak in order to communicate what they wanted. It would be too difficult for a student to say what song they wanted or go and change a cd, but with the computer system, students only needed to press a button. In the same way, the students did not have the fine motor skills to turn a page, but they could still participate in reading a story by pressing the smart board.
I think it will be very interesting to see in what other ways technology can be incorporated into self contained classrooms.
Reflection # 7
GPS
I recently found out how important it is not to rely on technology not only in the classroom but also in every day life. I was going to a new nanny job and had put in the right address into my GPS and it took me to a completely different neighborhood. Since I have only ever driven with a GPS and never had to use verbal direction I was completely confused on how to get there. I ended up being late and irritated at my GPS. When I finally figured out that it had confused one street name with another It took me to the general area and then just left me not knowing where the house was.
I now realize that I can not just rely on technology to get me around but should start keeping a map with me for when the GPS goes crazy. Technology can be so helpful at times but is not always completely reliable.
I recently found out how important it is not to rely on technology not only in the classroom but also in every day life. I was going to a new nanny job and had put in the right address into my GPS and it took me to a completely different neighborhood. Since I have only ever driven with a GPS and never had to use verbal direction I was completely confused on how to get there. I ended up being late and irritated at my GPS. When I finally figured out that it had confused one street name with another It took me to the general area and then just left me not knowing where the house was.
I now realize that I can not just rely on technology to get me around but should start keeping a map with me for when the GPS goes crazy. Technology can be so helpful at times but is not always completely reliable.
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