Technology in the Classroom

I have learned many different tools and devices by taking Technology in Education at Susquehanna. I remember the first class when I left with clueless thoughts about technology. I was both overwhelmed and nervous because I had no idea what a 21st century classroom was. Now, I WILL have a 21st century classroom full of technology for my students to use.

Tools such as Google Docs, Microsoft Office, Powerpoints, Scavenger Hunts, Web Quests, Pod Casts, Blogs, Web pages, as well as many other computer sources can be beneficial in the classroom. As a techer, I see myself relying heavily on online games and activities. I am an elementary education major and students that age love interacting and using hands on activities. There are games on the web that are fun and enjoyable for children those ages. These games are educational as well as challenging. I would love to incorporate the computer into as many lesson presentations as I can. If I were to teach older students, blog entries, emails, and web pages are great ways to interact with peers as well as faculty in school systems. Lastly, I would want to incorporate stories on CD Rom or through the use of online recordings. Many students become greatly engaged in listening to a story through audio.

My views of technology in the classroom have changed greatly over the past seven weeks. The first week of class I had an idea of technology as google.com and you tube. As weeks progresssed and assignments were assigned, I burst out of my bubble to witness a great world of technoloical tools for students to use. Technology is changing at such a rapid pace that I am excited to see where it will stand two years from now, when I have my own classroom!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xBYSdMK1LU

Ethics in Education

Fair use indicates that a student or teacher cannot copy another individual's work without giving them the proper credit. Over the years, many legal laws have been established in school systems regarding copyright issues. Fair use deals with different concepts, such as; a teacher might make a copy of an article or a page from a book for use with a class to support a particular concept, but they may not make copies of the whole book or workbook for the entire class and use the copies as class texts. They are expected to buy them (http://fno.org/jun96/legal.html#Concept%20of%20Fair%20Use).

The 21st century classroom has become more common throughout education. Both students and teachers are constantly roaming the web as well as researching, blogging, and using email with little or no guidance. It is great that students are using outside tools to enhance their education but teachers must make sure they are credited the work they borrow books as well as websites. If students do not acknowledge who helped them with their work, it is a form of copyright.

As a teacher I will have to be careful of copyright laws. For instance, educators are only allowed to show fifteen minutes of a film, rather than the whole movie. To work around this law, I will try to show the important parts of the film that have an affect on the lesson I am teaching. On the other hand, if a teacher receives district approval, they may show a whole film that has educational purpose to it.

When students complete projects they should be aware of credible sources as well as stating which sources they uses. For example, you tube may not always be a credible source as well as Wikipedia. Teachers should be of knowledge to their sites before going into the teaching field. If I had a student who used you tube I would mention to them other media tools that are more educational such as National Geographic or Encarta Online Encyclopedia. If one of my students was completing a research paper I should make sure they cite whenever possible. When in doubt, cite your work! That is a motto I have learned throughout my years in school. It never hurts to throw a citation in your writing, it helps the teacher recognize where your work came from.

Offically Student Teaching

Every teacher has a different style of teaching. Some educators believe group work is an essential part of learning because students are able to interact and work on their teamwork and cooperative skills. These teachers have their students sit in groups or bunches. On the other hand, numerous educators believe in independent learning. These teachers relay information to their students through lecture and worksheet and it is up to the students to grasp an understanding of the lesson and complete their assignments independently.

Now I have to imagine I was put in this scenario: I am a student teacher who is observing a teacher who has her students sit in rows, iterates information rather than enabling students to develop information for themselves, every subject is the same, and students struggle with vocabulary worksheets. It is my turn to teach now. WHAT SHOULD I DO?!?!?

There are many things I would change as a student teacher. First, I would want to talk with my cooperating teacher and tell her my plans so she is aware of the style of teaching/learning I plan on instituting in her classroom. I would want to try the students out in group seating and see if they cooperate with each other. Cooperative learning, I believe, is the best form of learning. I would want to incorporate group discussions and group activities. Also, the computer is an essential tool in advancing a students education. I would want to try and go to the computer lab to work on activities such as Study Island and other online resources that gives students a hands-on learning. Handing out worksheets is a good way for students to practice what they are learning. But simply handing them a worksheet and telling them to figure it out on their own is not effective. As a teacher I would want to hand out an assignment, go over the directions, ask for any questions, give them about ten to fifteen minutes to complete their assignment, and then go over it as a class.

These are just beginning points I would want to incorporate as a student teacher. Again, I would always want to talk to my cooperating teacher first to make sure it would be okay to do these types of lessons, because it is her class after all!

Staying on top of changing technology and education

It is scary to think about graduating from Susquehanna! However, the time has flown by already. Before I know it I will have a classroom of my own, writing my own lesson plans, and teaching elementary children in any way I can to enhance their education!

First, as a student, keeping up with education and technology changes all rely on being involved. Students need to be organized in their studies, attend class, and keep up with their assignments. As a student I attend speakers as well and read issues of the Crusader and newsletters SU offers to students. Also, online resources have been a huge help thus far in the semester. I see myself using Google docs in the future. Blackboard is also a great way to stay on top of education in technology. Blackboard gives you an opportunity to view classmates work and generate ideas from their thoughts.



To stay in line with the latest trends of education and technology require a teacher to become a student again. This might sound confusing at first but here, I will explain! When an education major graduates from college, it is not the end of their learning, as in many other majors. We continue on to earn our masters and other degrees. We are learning from our peers as well! New technological advancement are always appearing in new school systems across the country. Smartboard for example has reached many schools. Having friends who are teachers is also a good way to learn because you can get ideas from them to relay to your adminstrators about things that can benefit your school. Attending conferences and workshops I believe will be greatly beneficial to keeping upwith technology and education.

Resources I can use both as a student/teacher:
1. Google Docs
2. Blackboard
3. Blogs with other teachers
4. http://www.onteenstoday.com/2008/03/16/7-ways-teachers-can-use-online-tools-to-keep-students-interested/ (this website lists "7 ways teachers can use online tools to keep students engaged)
5. ESchoolNews keeps teachers in the loop of education
6. http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=6758 (teachers guide to making student movies)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhnWKg9B2-8

The video our class just watched created new ideas in my head about our world. Our world is a changing place, everyday. New technological advances happen not only in the society we surround ourselves with, but in foreign countries as well. I used to think the United States was the ultimate powerhouse and reigned over many other countries. However, that is not the case. Countries such as India and China are doubling the United States population as well as job opportunities and other economic factors. The video also showed that the United States should spend more time and money on education. Research showed that the US spent more time on the advancement of Nintendo then we did on education and that should not be acceptable. Kids are our future and if they are not properly educated they will not benefit and prosper in our changing society.

Today, the role of a teacher has gained many more responsibilities. Parents are working longer hours and schools have begun to assist more with the needs of children. For example, Kindergarten has become a full day program in some school systems. Breakfast is being served in schools because parents go into the office at earlier hours. Schools are picking up the responsibilities that society is beginning to lack. Teachers may also feel threatened by other countries through technology. Advancements are being developed in many other countries besides the United States. Teachers should teach technology in a safe and proper way to students so they can be fully emerged in new innovative tools.

Challenges of Integrating Technology in the Classroom

I believe there are three important factors which affect integration of technology in school systems. These factors include funding, school curriculum, and classroom space. Unfortunately, not all schools are privileged to have access to computer labs. Funding affects cuts in electives, extra curricular activites, and educational advancements such as technology. If there is not enough money to provide computers in school, students will be missing out on an innovative tool to learn. To overcome this hurdle, teachers can express to the school board the importance of technology in the classroom. There are usually monthly board of education meetings in communities. Teachers can ask representatives of the board and fellow tax payers to consider funding technology in classrooms.

Classroom space is another factor which affects the integration of technology in the classroom. For instance, if there is a large number of students in a class, there may not be enough computers for each individual to use. Collaboration and cooperation become apparent in this situation. Students will be forced to share computers. This could be a disadvantage because it takes away from the amount of time they get to use working with the computer. Teachers can overcome this dilemma by assigning homework for students to do on their home computers because most students have access to one.

Lastly, school curriculum is another factor which affects integration of technology in school systems. Curriculum is easily defined as what is being taught in schools. Some schools may focus much of the school year on prepartation for standardized testing which is implemented in their curriculum. If time is alloted to these tests, it takes away from other learning, including the use of technology and computers. Other schools may believe in notebook and textbook form of learning rather than digital learning. Teachers can overcome this obstacle if she creates a website of her own to students to base assignments off of. For homework assignments, students can access their teacher's website which for example, may be a blog. Children can comment on her blog. This way they can integrate curriculum into their learning experience outside of the classroom.

Blogs relating to technology in the classroom

http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/
Multimedia and Literacy

The increasing access to multimedia technology leaves many school systems and people questioning the future of basic skills of communication and literacy in students. There are so many tools out there for students to use; computers, video cameras, movies, sound, text. The only thing a school should allow is to grant students free reign experimenting new innovative ways to communicate with people. When I think of technology in the classroom I never necessarily focused on instances such as this. I would always just think power points, you tube, etc. Technology in the classroom is much more than that and this blog talks elaborates on that.





http://www.techlearning.com/blog/2008/10/what_is_one_way_to_have_an_imp.php
Tech Learning Blog
"What is one way to have an impact on the technology in our classrooms and school?"

My views on technology in the classroom have not so much changed, but broadened. When you think of technology in the classroom you think of power points, video clips, research on the internet, etc. However, the blog (tech learning) touches on the concept of email, instant message, and receiving grades online. All those people involved in the learning community, from teachers to students to superintendents to principals to parents, all said they use technology in their lives. In this specific blog, technology acts as a source of communication between individuals. Teachers can email parents if a student has encountered a problem, students can instant message back and forth about homework they may have or questions about a project and students can also view their grades online through sources such as blackboard.



* I have learned that email and instant messaging and forms of communication such as those are not as bad as people think they are. Students can communicate with their peers through devices such as those to further their learning. One major advantage of technology in the classroom is the access to academic files on the computer. I will most likely want to post grades online, homework assignments (in high school we had a program called "Homework Helper"), articles relating to assignments that can help students with their work, etc. I would like to try and integrate power points when I become a teacher because I myself am a very visual learner. If a student is lectured for 45 minutes, they will not retain much of the information they were just thrown. A visual aid, such as a power point, is a useful tool during a lesson.