Over the years

Thinking back over the years I can’t remember ever being in a class that at least once didn’t incorporate some form of technology. When students are using technology as a tool or a support for communicating with others, the student is actively making choices about how to generate, obtain, manipulate, or display information. Technology use allows students to be actively thinking about information, making choices, and executing skills rather than the typical teacher-led lessons. When technology is used as a tool to support students in performing tasks, the students are in the position of defining their goals, making design decisions, and evaluating their progress. I found that the increased competence students feel after mastering technology-based tasks and their awareness of the value placed upon technology within our culture, led to increases in students' (and often teachers') sense of self-worth. Technology is really valued throughout our culture. I’ve found that, "students gain a sense of empowerment from learning to control the computer and to use it in ways they associate with the real world." New technologies are advancing in our world today; they are pushing educators to understand them for classroom use. Yes it is still possible to teach students without the use of some form of technology, but with the pressure of the outside world, it would be beneficial for everyone. 

Do online classes ensure equality?

There are many pros and cons that come with online classes. Taking online classes are really beneficial for not only the student, but the teacher as well. You’re able to complete the assignments on your own time. I think online classes can eliminate some inequality in the school districts. For example if one school is equipped with very well experienced teachers and another school, teaching the same class, has not as well developed teachers: In this case an online class would help give students and the school district and equal opportunity to succeed. Every school district is different and not always at the same level. By having online classes, it ensures that everyone is on the same page and receiving the same base curriculum. Online classes ensure equality in a course sense, but not in an outcome sense. Just because you have the same curriculum in every district doesn’t mean each school will have the same performance. Every student learns differently, so online classes might not be the best for everyone. You’ll always have a variation in the success of your students, so some districts will always be above others.  When offering the same class in the same environment ensures the equality that most schools are looking for.

It could help!!

Gender inequality is an issue that is very relevant in our world today. Would the use of technology help reduce inequality in schools?

Benefits:

•  Using technology would help teachers not discriminate based on handwriting.
• Clickers could be used to eliminate bias answers.
• By having multiple choice answers instead of short answer or essay questions, the teacher wouldn’t be able to give a variation of scores based on his or her opinion.
• Teachers generally call on males more than females, so technology would eliminate this issue.
• Teacher is still going to be able to tell who is who based on the name at the top of the paper. Technology would help this situation if we for example used our ID numbers in place of our name.

We need to make sure society is aware of just how serious gender inequality is in our schools today. If we are able to spread the word and stress the importance of change, I feel like we would have a better chance in seeing it through. People would become more aware of their actions and hopefully begin to change them and give everyone an equal chance. Technology won’t be able to eliminate gender inequality completely, but I think it could for sure help.

A school as big as your hand.

A school all in the palm of your hand? Sounds crazy right? Today in my technology class we heard about the new type of schooling called the ischool. I personally like the idea of the ischool, I think there are many advantages to this system. The school would save money on not having to buy so many printers, computers, fax machines, etc. The students would save money on not having to buy so many textbooks, pencils, paper, etc. When the school is able to save money they won’t have to cut as many teachers, classes, and extracurricular activities. I wish the ischool would have been around when I was a student, but now I may have the opportunity to teach in an ischool community. I think that as a teacher it would be very efficient; especially when it comes to homework, grading and quizzes. As there are many advantages with the ischool there are also disadvantages. When working with any type of technology, you always have to have a plan B.  There are times that technology doesn’t always work and if you’re whole school system is based on this, you’ll have to find a way to overcome this problem. So overall I really like the idea of an ischool, I’m excited to see what the future brings. 

Tips To Keep In Mind

I have always been fascinated in learning about new types of technology. Although I’m not very good at using most types of electronic equipment, I am amazed in how it works. My favorite piece of equipment is the video camera. My family somehow always makes fun of me when we watch home videos; I don’t know why or how, but even if the video wasn’t about me, I would find a way to pop my head in just so I could be seen.

This week in class we had a great technology presentation. It was a demonstration about our video presentations we will have to prepare in order to become a teacher. This presentation was very beneficial to me.  I never really thought about all the little details that come in to play when you’re recording yourself. Mark Henry gave us an easy way to remember all the steps necessary when it comes to videotaping. By becoming familiar with the parts of the word SCAR I will be able to develop a great video presentation.

Things Change

Technology is always changing in the world today. For this blog post my class had to read an article about technology. A quote that really stood out to me was that, “Technology is opening new doors for students and teachers alike and transforming the world outside the school, but classrooms today are still teacher-centered, low level fact information-based, and low tech delivered to students who respond to assignments with equally low tech tools.” As a result, schools are failing to change with the times. In order for students to be engaged in the classroom, the technology should be up to date. Technology is being incorporated in a child’s life at a younger age now than ever before. It’s been proven that the more activity you involve in your teaching the more your students will retain. So loose the overheads and move in the smart boards. If as a teacher you are going to expect your students to be up to date with the latest technology, you yourself must be as well. The times have changed and students don’t learn as they did many years ago. Technology is present everywhere in our daily lives and is shaping the way we live our lives. 

Classroom Technologies

Google Earth, Google Earth Lit Trips, and Prezi are just a few of the different technologies out there that many people don’t know very much about. This week in my technology class we were given the opportunity to explore some of the different types of technologies/lessons that we might incorporate in our future classrooms. For this assignment I focused on the third grade level. I wanted to find a good way to teach my students about phonemic awareness/letter recognition. I found that the smart board would be one of my best options for this type of lesson. I would use the smart board to write out many of my lessons/activities. The smart board is a good way to get the whole class involved in a fun way. By using the smart board I am able to write/draw alphabet tables and sound boxes. I can also use “clickers” along with the smart board. The clickers will allow me to see who understands and who needs a little more explanation. The smart board also has a new feature out, allowing two students to be able to use the smart board at once. This will open many new activity opportunities for the students. Being able to have two students up at once will allow me to have “alphabet races.” The class will be divided up into two groups and will have a race to see who can complete the alphabet first. These are just a couple of the ideas I have for my future third grade class. When I presented this idea to my class, I received positive feedback. I will need to set aside some time to make sure the students have proper knowledge about how to work the smart board. But other than that I can't wait to use these methods in my future classroom.