Week #16

Before I took this class, I thought that using technology in education was fairly limited to using the smartboard and document camera. I never realized how many opportunities there were to integrate technology into our lessons, even if it is only in a small way. Being able to use technology in the classroom not only helps to streamline content and allow us as teachers to differentiate our learning to more of our students, but it also holds the attention of our students better. I didn't realize how much education has changed even in the 4 years that I have been out of high school and the shift that classrooms are making to incorporate more and more technology in the classroom.
On a more personal level, before I took this class, I hated technology and didn't like using it. Technology still frustrates me from time to time, and there are days when I want to throw my laptop across a room. But now I realize that technology isn't something I should be afraid of or avoid. Throughout the semester, I have managed to keep a blog as well as learn several new technology tools, such as google earth, flipsnack, storybird, and smart exchange. I guess I'm not as technologically challenged as I used to believe, which is encouraging considering how much I will have to use it in my classroom.

I feel like I have become familiar with all the NETS and used a lot of them. The one I chose to focus on primarily this semester has been

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning

and Creativity

Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter,

teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate

experiences that advance student learning,

creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face

and virtual environments.

Throughout this semester I have been able to apply this by using technology in lesson plans for this class as well as other classes. Using some of the technology I have learned in this class I have been able to adapt my teaching to help my students learn more effectively. I'm looking forward to being able to continue to work on this as well as the other NETS once I have my own classroom.

Tech Project

<iframe src="http://files.flipsnack.com/iframe/embed.html?hash=fzum4m8j&wmode=window&bgcolor=EEEEEE&t=1355179767" width="640" height="385" seamless="seamless" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true"></iframe>

Reflection #12

Last week I went to go pick up the girl I nanny from her after school art program. I went into their classroom to get her attention, but as I walked in I was completely shocked. They were all sitting in table groups on their own iPads. I asked Hannah on the way home what they were doing on them, and she told me they were doing art. Occasionally they will do art by hand, but most of the time they do iPad art. She was talking about it like it was completely normal and of course they would be using iPads. I’m sure there are some really cool projects they do with graphic design, but I also feel like 8 year olds should be moving around and making art projects with their own hands, not virtually with their index fingers.

Reflection #11

I was coaching last night and after practice the girls were all sitting around one player’s phone and laughing. I went over and asked them what they were doing and they told me they were snap chatting a teammate who was sick and had to miss practice. I didn’t know what snap chatting was so they explained it to me and showed me the app. It just got me thinking that most of the time, even though I grew up with technology and use it every day, my students will probably be more up to date on trends in technology than I will. There’s simply too much technology out there.

Reflection #10

This weekend me and my friend Melanie we on our way to a dance venue in Capitol Hill for a swing dance event. Neither of us are very familiar with Capitol Hill and Downtown Seattle, so we took one wrong turn. After that one wrong turn we found ourselves completely turned around. We drove around trying to find the right street for about 20 minutes before I realized I had my GPS on my phone. Once I figured that out it only took us a few minutes to get there. I wish I had thought of my technological resources sooner! It was a little embarassing since we were only 2 streets off.

Blog Comments

1. http://amdowns8.blogspot.com/2012/12/reflection-12.html
2. http://tootsievasquez06.blogspot.com/2012/11/reflection-8.html
3. http://sigridthoreson.blogspot.com/2012/12/reflection-11-online-books.html
4. http://bethanylowesblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/reflection-10.html
5. http://sitzleralyssa.blogspot.com/2012/11/reflection-12.html
6. http://heatherkristinsadventures.blogspot.com/2012/12/reflection-12.html
7. http://angiegarza12.blogspot.com/2012/11/reflection-10.html
8. http://sarahstoker.blogspot.com/2012/11/reflection-11.html
9. http://wright2whitney.blogspot.com/2012/12/week-10.html

Week #15

When I was on the skype classroom website I found a math lesson called math around the world. It was a 6th grade teacher looking for another class from anywhere in the world to skype with them and solve problems together and discuss math. I thought this would be a fun project idea to use in my classroom. Students could learn from other students across the world from our own classroom every couple weeks.

NETS for students

2. Communication and Collaboration

Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.

a. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media

b. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats

c. Develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with learners of other cultures

d. Contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems

 

NETS for teachers

 

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments.

a. Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness

b. Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources

c. Promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students’ conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes

d. Model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments