Experimenting with Technologies

Gee's principle of probing (p. 54) states that learning is a cycle of probing the world (doing something) and reflecting in and on this action and forming a hypothesis. Select 3 principles you think it would be important for education.

The Active, Critical Learning Principle is important for education because I feel that students should be presented content according to students interests. Students will be more engaged into lectures when they are learning about something they find interesting along with interaction versus the teacher talking the whole time throughout the lecture while students sit and listen which leads me to my next principle, the discovery principle. Students need to explore and make discoveries because it enhances their learning. Students are more prone to understanding certain concepts when they are able to use their prior knowledge to make connections. The last principle, the semiotic domains, is another one I find of importance because students, no matter what age, need to be faced with a challenge. Not all students are at the same learning stage. Each child has potential and with this principle students are able to use it and work cooperatively.

Good simulations are hard to create. If you were creating a simulation for your class, what activity would you support? What variables could students manipulate? How would they affect each other?

I would create a math simulation. It'd be similar to the Oregon Trail Game and perfect for elementary students. Students could choose a pet and raise it like they would a normal animal. They would decide how much to feed it, how long it slept, exercise, grooming and so forth. Students would be able to manipulate those factors. They would affect each other in the fact that their pet could lose/gain weight, get sick, or die. Students will be able to relate the cause of their pets illness to how they treated their pet.

Conclusion:

Overall I feel that students need to be taught accordingly. Gee's principles serve as a great guideline for teachers to keep in consideration. I feel that students should be exposed to technology with reason and not solely for the purpose of it being fun. I'm not against using technology and experimenting with it and enjoying but if one can benefit from it in an educational way, why not do it?

References:

Jonassen, D., Howard, J., Marra, R., Crismond, D. (2008). Meaningful learning with technology (pp. 48-55). Upper Saddle, New Jersey: Pearson.

Meaningful Learning

Paragraph 1: Technology Based Rubrics

I think rubrics are very important because it lets students see how they were assessed. It also serves as a guide for teachers on what specific information they should look for when they are grading. I'd definitely use rubrics in my classroom for projects. This would be beneficial for students so they can see how they earned their grade and not lead them to think they were just given one.

Paragraph 2: Clicker Assessment Tools

I think that clicker assessment tools would be best used when teaching mathematics. It's definitely a great way to engage students in lectures and facilitate their participation. I also think this would be a great way to review in class for a test. It's a great way for teachers to see the class' comprehension.

Paragraph 3: Inspiration/Kidspiration Software

Inspiration and Kidspiration Software is designed for grades k-5 and enhances literacy skills and numeracy skills. I would use this at a center for my younger students. It will definitely be a great resource for students to use to strengthen their academic ability.

Discovery Education. (2010). Kathy Schrock's guide for educators. Discovery Education. Retrieved November 24, 2010 fromhttp://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide/assess.html#rubrics

Inspiration Software, Inc. (2010). Inspiration Software. Retrieved November 24, 2010 from http://www.inspiration.com/Inspiration

Visualizing With Technology

• Explain "Digital Storytelling by Kate Kemker." What do you think it would work in your classroom?

Kate Kemker describes technology as a tool to create a story. There are three activities in creating a story that consist of preproduction, production, and postproduction. Students brainstorm and write their story first. Then they shoot their video and then revise it. Digital storytelling is definitely a good way for students to interact with each other. I feel that the only difference from writing a story on paper is the technology involved. Overall this is beneficial to students on their behalf because when creating the story they are able to see how all the small pieces of information needed are pieced together in order to have a successful story. I think this would definitely be something I use in my classroom at one point or another if I have older elementary kids because they will each have a role in putting together the story and have the ability to create their video with the effects they want. This will keep them engaged in their story and enhance their learning.

• Mathematics is one of the most abstract subject-matter domains. Helping students to visualize mathematical concepts is very useful in helping students make math real. What other methods suggested in the textbook will also help make math more real to students?

I think the only way to make math more real than using graphing calculators and other technology as visualizations is to relate math problems to real world situations.

• Is it possible to learn from TV alone?--that is, learn how to do something merely from watching TV instruction?

I think it depends on what it is one is wanting to learn. If it's to learn new words, then one would need to read. TV instruction is not going to expand your vocabulary in order to help you read. If what one is wanting to learn requiring practice than TV alone is not going to help. On the other hand, if it's learning how to solve problems such as math, then yes. I honestly feel that TV wouldn't be one of my options I'd use to learn something. I'd like to learn with an instructor present so I can see what mistakes I'm making and have someone to correct me. One will definitely have to resort to other sources other than TV to accomplish a skill. 

Podcasting

Paragraph 1: What did you learn about podcasting.  How it can be used in the classroom?
I learned that podcasting are audio or video files over the internet uploaded to a mp3 player or an iPod. Teachers can use podcasting for students who are auditory learners so they can listen to lessons and have them read to them various times. A students who is absent from class can benefit from podcasting to catch up on lessons missed.


Paragraph 2: How is podcasting different / similar to other Web 2.0 applications we discussed so far?
Voice thread and podcasting are similar in that they both can have files and images exported to mp3 players. Podcasting and blogging are similar in that they are both effective. Podcasting is like blogging only it’s auditory. The other difference I find is the medium used. I would recommend people who like to read to use blogs and people who like watching television to use podcasts.



Paragraph 3: Your reflection:  Do you own an iPod or MP3 player?  How do you use it?  Would you use it in your classroom and how? What do you think about advantages/disadvantages of online communication tools?
My cell phone contains an MP3 player and I don't use it much. I have a few songs on it but other than that, I don't mess with it. I could use it in my classroom in various ways. I could upload files with stories to be read to my students instead of having them read the stories they could just listen. I think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages in that it promotes student interaction and are convenient and easy to access. I think the only huge disadvantage I would find with a few of the tools provided with are that one must be technology knowledgeable and some cost money in order to use them.

Wikis, Blogs, Social Bookmarking, and Tapped In

Paragraph 1:  I would like to hear from you how and when you will using wikis and blogs with your students. Provide an example. 

I plan on being an elementary teacher so I would create a wiki book that students would collaborate on to be used as a good resource for the classroom such as a book of definitions and students could add new words to the book as new words are learned. I also would use wikis with my students a week or so before field trips to get some background knowledge about the place we'd be visiting. As a class, we'd gather information and write brief comments about the place to be visited. Blogs would be a great way for students to report about their experience on the field trip and would give them a chance to state what they had learned.

Paragraph 2: What do you think about Socialbookmarking? Would it be useful for you and your students? How? Explain. Are you interested in creating a VoiceThread? Why/why not?
I think socialbookmarking would be useful for students because it allows them to bookmark a page so it can be easily accessed. There wouldn't be a hassle over trying to find a webpage and so forth. Students would be able to share their bookmarked pages with other students. I would feel that social bookmark sites are quite handy since they provide a user with links to a topic that other users have found helpful. Personally, I'm not too interested in creating a voice thread primarily because I'm a visual learner and because of that I feel that I would have trouble deciphering meanings by only hearing them and wouldn't want my students to go through that.
Paragraph 3: When talking about learning communities, what do you think about Tapped In? Have you explored it? If you have, do you think it's useful for you as a teacher? If you have not, what do you learn from the textbook?

I haven't explored Tapped In but the textbook mentions quite a a few good qualities about it. Educators are able to grow professionally and extend their development with online tools. I like that Tapped In has neat features virtual buildings with public, group, and personal rooms. Communication includes text based chat, threaded discussions,

References:

Jonassen, D., Howland, J., Marra, R.M., & Crismond, D. (2008). Community building with technologies. In D. Prybella (Ed.), Meaningful learning with technology (pp. 100-135). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc.

Copyrights, Fair Use Rules, Online Safety and Cyber Bullying

Paragraph 1:  Why do we have to respect copy rights and fair use rules?  Why is that so important?  How will you teach your students about this?

We must respect copy rights and fair use rules because as a functioning society we must respect the rights of one another. We also need to respect them to prevent us from having to suffer the consequences. Infringement is a form of stealing and as educators it is important to teach our students good morals. Students need to be taught to give full credit for another persons work and not to pass something along as theirs. I will introduce violating copyrights for my young students as stealing and cheating and give them an overview of what it is the what copyrights are for and as a class make a graphic organizer with examples of what stealing is and then as a class sign an oath to not cheat or plagiarize.

Paragraph 2: What is online safety and is it different from cyberbullying?  How can we protect our students and ourselves from potential online predators?

Online safety is just a set of rules expected to be followed to protect oneself such as not giving out personal information. One can prevent online safety from cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is when a person becomes a target of another person. I feel that the only way to protect our students and ourselves is to take preventive measures such as informing parents and guardians about cyberbullying and limiting the length of time students are online as well as restricting certain websites if needed. With the many consequences of cyberbullying that flood the news ever so often, it is our job as educators to pass on this information. I know social networking websites include features that allow one to block messages and people as well as viewing things before they are posted online. I never paid much attention to the consequences cyberbullying could have until the myspace incident, where two girls were in a feud and one of the girls mother posed as a boy who became the other girls love interest and after awhile broke up with her and harassed her into commiting suicide.

Paragraph 3: What do you think about this week activities?  Did you learn anything new? 

I enjoyed this weeks activities. I was glad to have had the opportunity to further my knowledge in copyrights. I never knew how much of an importance it was. I knew to always give credit for others work but I never knew how in depth the situation can actually get. 

References:

Copyright Office. About Copyright. Retrieved September 30, 2010. http://www.copyright.gov/

Joilet, Francis. A Visit to Copyright Bay. 2002. Retrieved September 30, 2010. http://www.stfrancis.edu/cid/copyrightbay/index.htm

ETEC 424

I'm familiar with quite a bit of technology but blogging is definately not one of them. It was a step by step process for me but I enjoyed creating my blog spot even though it took me awhile.