Reflection: EDTECH-541

   EDTECH – 541

Throughout the duration of this course, I have learned more than I could have ever expected. This was a very challenging class for me. This was my first semester in the EdTech program and I took this class while simultaneously taking EdTech- 501. The different experiences I was subjected to through this course gave me a new found confidence in my ability to keep up with technology. I was able to refine skills that I already had and to add new skills to my pedagogical bag of tricks. I have learned so much about social networking for educational purposes and other collaborative online tools that I plan to integrate into my classroom.I learned to examine the relative advantage of different types of technologies and to choose the one(s) that best meets my students needs, my needs, and our budget.

I feel that I have grown immensely through this class, especially professionally. I loved commenting on posts (for a purpose) and collaborating with my classmates to broaden my thinking. Before this class, I experienced very little of this. I have always used the internet to supplement my classroom lessons but in a very basic way – such as researching articles etc… I feel that now I will be able to introduce my students to interactive online tools that they will get excited about. I also fell more comfortable collaborating with my peers and sharing ideas about technologically based lessons. I am no longer terrified of the unknown because this class has taught me that if you play around with technology long enough, you’ll stumble across something magnificent.

This course was very structured and every assignment adhered to the AECT Standards in one way or another.

Standard 1 is the Design standard – this standard is met every time we prep for a lesson or project. Standard 2 is the Development standard which we implement every time we incorporate different technologies into our message. Standard 3 is the Utilization standard that is referenced in every project we done. This standard is met anytime you implement instructional strategies in a real setting. Standard 4 is the Management standard which we met when planning, monitoring and controlling different activities. And finally, standard 5 is the Evaluation standard which is one of the most critical steps in education and we used in every assignment during this course. I will continue to try to implement many of these standards and strategies into my everyday lessons. I feel that this course has helped me reach the next step in furthering my education.

Relative Advantage of Technology in the Math Classroom

Some may beg the question, “Why should we integrate technology into a math classroom when the students struggle to learn the math?” Well, as a high school math teacher I would simply answer that the technology is not adding to what they need to learn but it is a useful tool in enhancing the learning process. When integrated properly technology can allow advancements never thought possible. It allows students to experience real world problems and simulations that they cannot experience through a textbook. According to an Edutopia article “Effective technology integration is achieved when the use of technology is routine and transparent and when technology supports curricular goals.” (2008) This point is so vital to the successful integration of technology. We cannot simply purchase computers and tech gadgets for our schools and call it technology in the classroom. We must provide our students with the skills to use these tools to create a more interactive learning environment.

In a pencil/paper math classroom the types of problems, that we as teachers are able to present to the students, are limited. “Some problems are too hard to be posed in a pencils-only classroom. Some lessons require students to experiment with certain mathematical objects and see how they respond. Some require visual representations — graphs, diagrams, geometric figures, moving images — that respond to students’ questions, answers, or commands. Computers can provide interactive ‘virtual manipulatives’ where physical devices do not exist.” (Goldenburg, 2000) Some people argue that students must first learn basic math facts and that technology has no place during this stage of learning. I beg to differ. During this stage of learning (knowledge or recall stage) computer technologies can be used in place of the monotonous routine of drill and practice. Instead, students can practice using computer math games, or math software, that creates a competitive and fun way to practice basic skills.

I feel that the real challenge of incorporating technology into our math classrooms is deciding what tech tools are right for our students and their cognitive level. The advantages of incorporating technology certainly outweigh the risks (mostly being financial). Technology gives our students: 1.) Real life simulations   2.) opportunity to see 3-D representations   3.) and most importantly – the chance to make math fun again! Students and some adults alike are terrified of mathematics. By using technology as a teaching/learning tool we can incorporate something they enjoy and are familiar with which will help make the “math” part a little less scary. I know it may be a little more time consuming and a little more costly, but the education of our nation’s youth is worth it. Technology provides us with the latest tools to make learning effective and enjoyable. Lee Iacocca once said, “”In a completely rational society, the best of us would be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something less, because passing civilization along from one generation to the next ought to be the highest honor and the highest responsibility anyone could have.” Teaching is an honor, and we should treat it as such by putting forth our best efforts and wholeheartedly diving into the new generation of learning.

 

 

References:

Goldenburg, E. P. (n.d.). Thinking (and talking) about technology in math classrooms. Issues in Math Education. Retrieved July 23, 2012, from www2.edc.org/mcc/pdf/iss_tech.pdf

Roblyer, M. D., & Doering, A.H. (2012). Integrating educational technology into teaching (6th ed.). Pearson.

Why integrate technology into the curriculum?: The reasons are many | Edutopia. (2008, March 16). K-12 Education & Learning Innovations with Proven Strategies that Work | Edutopia. Retrieved July 23, 2012, from http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-introduction

Internet-Enriched Lesson

Road Trip Project

Every year my Foundations of  Technology classes plan a road trip. This year we are planning a trip to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida! Since we have been studying types of transportation, including, space travel, this ties in to our curriculum seamlessly.

First: You will visit our class wiki to get an overview for this project and an opportunity to comment on it throughout your progress.

http://fondationsoftechnology.wikispaces.com/FOT

Then: You will use http://www.mapquest.com to map out your route to the Kennedy Space Center if driving by car. You will need to specify what make and model car you are driving. How many times you will need to stop for fuel. And how much it will cost – as you will be keeping a running budget of ALL expenses. You may also choose to use mapquest to find restaurants and hotels along the route you choose. **You’re starting point will be from our high school and you will end at the space center.**

Next: You will then use Google Earth to map out your trip. You will follow the route you chose in mapquest and follow it using Google Earth. You will be required to take at least 10 screenshots of your trip. The images will be used later in the project.

Next: You will then choose one featured exhibit from the Kennedy Space Center that has something to do with human spaceflight to research. You need to have several paragraphs of information about this topic. Choose something that you find interesting! Save this information to a Google Doc.

Then: You will visit the Kennedy Space Center website. Here you will have the opportunity to ask an astronaut a question about the topic you have chosen. I will proofread your questions before you submit them!

http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/1763.aspx

Next: You will experience some of the things found at the space center. Although we cannot afford to take all of you on a field trip to Florida, we can still make sure you get to see some pretty cool things. Here, you will take a virtual tour of a NASA Space Shuttle.

http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/sts-90/vrtour/checkpoint.html

Finally: You are asked to  create a Google Doc or edited the one that you have already started. Write a brief reflection of the assignment, include your road trip plans, photos, budget, places to stop, and what your most looking forward to at the Space Center. Include the information you researched and any new information that you learned. What were your favorite and least favorite parts of this assignment? Publish the Doc so that your classmates can rate your assignment with the rubric I created on Rubistar. Take the time to rate 5 other classmates projects as well!

I hope you enjoy your trip to the Kennedy Space Center!

Safety on the Internet

In today’s internet based society, the internet is often the number one resource that comes to mind when researching a topic. This is also true for today’s students. Not only do students use the internet for research but also class projects, social networking, e-mailing, etc… While the web provides us with a vast variety of information and tools, it also poses a threat to our students. These threats may vary from compromising students’ physical safety, identity theft, online predators, misinformation, commercialization, pornography, and other dangers. We must help our students/children to stay safe while using the internet as a positive tool. I have created some guidelines to follow below.

STUDENT GUIDE TO INTERNET SAFETY

Basic:

1.) ALWAYS ask for/have permission to be online

2.) Follow the established AUP

3.) Once something is put online it is there FOREVER

4.) Treat others with respect as you would face to face

5.) Use common sense – if you think it might be wrong, it probably is!

*For more information check out:  livestrong.com or  iVillage

Personal:

1.) NEVER share your username or password with anyone

2.) DO NOT pretend to be someone you are not

3.) DO NOT lie about your age

4.) DO NOT give out personal information (address, phone number, etc..)

*For more information check out:  iSafe

Misinformation:

1.) Recognize educational websites vs. entertainment sites or editable sites.

Good: (.edu), school based sites, government based sites

Bad:   Wikipedia, biased/opinion blogs, gossip (The Enquirer)

2.) Check multiple sources to support your claims

3.) ASK a teacher or parent/guardian if you are unsure about validity of content

*For more information check out:  Better Read That Again or Validity on the Internet

Commercialization:

1.) Determine what an ad might look like and stay away from them

(Pop-ups, flashing windows, Includes words like: win, contest, enter, download)

2.) If it pops-up or asks you to download something – DO NOT open it

3.) If it asks your age/birth date to enter a page DO NOT continue

4.) If an ad says you’ve won something or something is free – it IS too good to be true, navigate away from the page

5.) If you are ever unsure about a pop-up or any form of ad ASK a teacher or parent/guardian

*For more information check out: Common Sense Media

Following these tips will certainly not end web-based crime, but by educating our youth we can certainly make it a safer environment.

Social Networking & Walled Gardens

Check out this Voice Thread on Social Networking & Walled Gardens…

http://voicethread.com/share/3229827/

 

Multimedia Vlog

This vlog is designed to examine the advantages of multimedia in the classroom.