Blog #4: Tech Made Easy: Keeping it Simple in the Classroom

Summary:

Due to an often lack of funding, not all students in classrooms may have their own technology device to work on. If this is the case, keep it simple! Technology should still be used. Computers can be split up between groups to complete activities. Schools could develop “computer shop” classes where students can break down and rebuild old computers to learn the components and not just the software. Younger students can collaborate with partners while using calculators to reach sums by adding combinations of 1, 10, 100, and 1,00 to reach desired numbers. The use of technology does not have to be costly if schools find ways to be flexible and creative with the technology they do have.

 

Reflection:

If there are not enough technology devices available for each student in my class to have their own to work on, I will be flexible and create rotations. Each student will be given technology usage through activity rotations. For example, if there are 2 computers available to a class of 20 students then the rotation will be as follows:

·         Group 1 à 5 students à 1 computer à develop visual aid for group project

·         Group 2à 5 students à 1 computer à develop visual aid for group project

·         Group 3 à 5 students à no computer à assign and practice presentation speaking parts

·         Group 4 à 5 students à no computer à assign and practice presentation speaking parts.

Groups 1 and 3 will rotate after 30 minutes. Groups 3 and 4 will also rotate after 30 minutes. This allows each group to create a visual aid to present using the limited number of technology devices assigned to our classroom while ensuring that everyone is given equal time on the devices.

Blog #3 and Entry #2: Assistive Technology: Enhanced Learning for All

Summary:

This article discusses the use of assistive technology in the classroom. There are various forms of technology that can assist students who struggle in various areas. These struggles could be due to learning disabilities, speech disabilities, or literacy disabilities. Students may also struggle if taught in a style that they don’t tend to learn successfully from. Technology is used for projects, classroom activities, practice drills, and many other things. The assistive technology is available to students with disabilities to make participation in these activities easier.

Reflection:

Each student in a classroom is very different from his/her peers. It is vital that I work hand-in-hand with parents to assess areas where struggle is present. Perhaps, a change in teaching style will do the trick. However, if there is a learning disability that hinders the student’s academic success than I will be responsible for providing that child with the means necessary to achieve his/her academic goals. Assistive technology is a great tool to use in helping students overcome difficulties in learning.

Entry: (10^th grade ELAR)

It is my desire to provide your child with the necessary tools to be academically successful. Our school provides many various forms of assistive technology devices that can be extremely beneficial to a child struggling with a learning disability. These tools are designed to help participation in classroom activities become easier for the child. These tools do not hinder learning. In fact, assistive technology promotes learning. The child is no longer feeling frustrated in himself/herself and is able to successfully participate in all activities the other students in the class will also be participating in.

Blog #2: Internet Safety for Keeping Kids Safe Online

Summary:  Children spend a large sum of time on the internet. There are risks involved in internet usage. Excessive amounts of time spent online can lower your child’s desire for social interactions, keeping up with school work, or stumbling upon inappropriate material not deemed for children.

What can you do as the parent?

1. Talk to your children about the dangers of using the internet. Explain that the internet is a great resource for educational information and, yes, even some game playing is okay! If your child does visit a website you see as inappropriate than talk to them about it. Let your child know your expectations for him/her while on the internet. Establish a clear set of rules and boundaries. This includes time spent online, websites that can be viewed, and consequences if your expectations are not met.

2. Always be sure your technology is secure. Computers should be equipped with updated software and internet protection.

3. Get online and see the internet through your child’s eyes. Friend them on social media sites, visit the websites they like to view and play games on, and surf the web with them when doing projects. 

Reflection: As your child's teacher, my goal is to provide each of your children with knowledge about not only the internet, but also how to use the internet safely and correctly. You children will be spending time online looking up information over various cultures, settings, and time periods. They will participate in online games that are used as practice drills. I have sent home Internet safety guidelines. I encourage you and your child to read over the information, talk about it, and establish rules for internet usage in your homes as well to keep your child safe and managing his/her time online sufficiently.

 

Blog #1: Technology Integration in the Classroom

Summary: Technology in the classroom can be very beneficial to students’ success. Teachers must decide on which type of technology would provide the essential skills needed to increase the chance for success in each student. This article states two popular, yet controversial, types of integration: direct instruction and constructivist instruction. Direct instruction focuses heavily on the teacher leading instruction and using technology as a tutorial for students. Preprogrammed software and online skill assessment activities are examples of direct instruction. Constructivist instruction focuses more on the technology being used to motivate students to learn new skills that can be applied to previously learned skills.

Reflection: Direct instruction and constructivist instruction can both be beneficial to the student as long as I make a knowledgeable decision on which type of technology methods connects sufficiently to the teaching objectives needed to be reached. Directed instruction is more assessment based while constructivist instruction is more engaging. Alternating between the two methods will allow me to promote, motivate, and assess student learning. Depending on the material being taught, as well as the activities associated, I will be engaging students in the curriculum and reinforcing previous topics we have covered.

Entry (10^th grade ELAR): In my classroom, your child will use technology following direct instruction. Students will practice grammar through an educational website. This website is designed to provide practice grammar drills to students in the form of a game. The game covers the grammar taught in class and serves as a tool to assess whether or not students are able to apply the material covered in class to grammatically incorrect sentences. Your child will also be expected to use technology through a constructivist instruction approach. Through the use of PowerPoint, students will learn to create bubble charts. This technological approach allows students to successfully organize information they have gathered for their essays.