Trip To Lincoln Elementary- School Built with Technology in Mind

After discussing the physical, technical, and curricular components of using technology effectively in the classroom, touring Lincoln Elementary was the perfect chance to see exactly how technology can be successfully implemented. Merely having technology present in the schools will not help students learn. Using technology in the most effective way is what is going to make a difference for students.

From a curricular stand point, it appeared as though technology was used to help supplement student learning. In the third grade class, students used technology as a way to help learn spelling words. The game was relevant to the curriculum because the teacher could put her own list of words into the game. The teacher also had a class website for students and parents to use to get homework assignments, spelling words, or links to learning games. In the fourth grade class, students used technology in their free time to research answers to questions on the research board or to play supplemental games.

In the limited time spent in the classes, I did not see any use of technology engaging higher order thinking skills. This could be because there was not time to show, or else students are using technology at a basic level. Also, it seemed as though the use of the computers in the classroom occurred mostly during free time. To be more effective, students need to have structured time for using computers and learning games.

From a technical aspect, the technology in the school appeared up to date and functioning properly. The students seemed to be comfortable using the technology and had the background knowledge of how to use it independently. Students created power point slide shows to present to the class. Students were also able to access various games on the Internet.

The physical component of using technology effectively is important for student access and ease of use. The placement of technology in the room was set up in a way that all students had access to it in an efficient way. Other effective physical components of technology in the classroom included a mounted projector, an amplification system, a school run television show, and on-site technology support. Also in the classroom were three computers available for student use. However, having three computers in one area does not make it easy to have students do group work. It would be more effective to have separate computer stations spread out in the room.

Overall, Lincoln Elementary is effectively using technology. The school has a successful, basic level of integration of technology in the classroom. However, some aspects of the technology could be changed to better benefit students’ learning. I think it would be more effective and beneficial if students were using technology to engage their higher order thinking skills. One of the reasons the teachers have not used technology to engage students on a higher level may be because the teachers are not comfortable enough with technology to take it to the next level or they may not know how to. Maybe their students could help them come up with ideas to help make technology more engaging in their classroom.

Learner 2.0 Myspace Generation

In my Computer Applications Class, we listened to a Webinar by Chris O' Neal called Learner 2.0 Myspace Generation, hosted by ISTE. In the webinar, he emphasized how great social networking is for students and their educational futures. When students engage in social networking, they are also engaging in 21st century skills such as, "writing, creating, producing, collaborating, communication, reading, decision making, and socializing".

The Learner 2.0 Myspace Generation will have huge implications on what I teach and the way. As educators, we need to find ways to incorporate new technology into the classroom to help students develop their 21st century skills. We need to find ways to keep up with technology and our students. Technology is not something that can be incorporated if there is time, it has to be incorporated. Lessons will be taught and completed by students in ways that we haven't even dreamed of yet. It means that I need to stay current on technological and educational advances. I will need to think of ways to incorporate them into my classroom.

Having students use googledocs or wikis to complete a group project is one way to incorporate the use of technology in the classroom. Students will still accomplish the same tasks, but be able to do it an a technological environment. Students will have a chance to observe the writing process from a different point a view. It would also be beneficial to have students post their writings on-line and make corrections based on comments they receive. How exciting would it be for students to get comments on their papers from other students in another country?

Another way to incorporate the Myspace Generation skills into education is to have students complete assignments that are entirely technology based. Students would only use pencil and paper in the beginning process, if at all. Students could create podcasts or videos for final assignments. These works could then be shared on-line with other students or their friends. Do you think students would put more effort into a project if they knew it would be posted on-line for the world to see?

Me + Blogging

My experience with blogging is quite limited. I originally created a blog for a class and never deleted it. After a month, I checked it again for another class and I was amazed to see people viewed my blog and even left me a message.

Blogging is something I could see myself doing more of the the future. I don't know how much I would use it for personal use, but I think it would be something great to use in the classroom. I need to think of interesting ways to incorporate blogging into a fourth or fifth grade classroom. Any ideas?

One Laptop per Child

It is amazing what a hundred dollars can buy! One Laptop per Child organization has created a $100 laptop that is geared to be used by students in developing countries. These countries lag behind in education, and with the use of these computers can hopefully make up some ground. These computers can help get students excited about learning. More importantly, the computers can help parents help their students with their work. For example, if a student's parents cannot read, they may struggle in helping their child. However, the teacher could record the instructions to the computer and then the parent could listen to the assignment.

Some countries that participate in One Laptop per Child include Peru, Rwanda, Uruguay, and Libya.

Hopefully, people in the United States will see the importance of every child having a computer and makes changes to make it happen here. Education would change so much if each student had their own computer.

More information can be found at:

http://www.laptop.org/
http://www.olpc.com/

Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology levels the playing field for disabled students. With the advancements of technology, so too has technology advanced for helping students learn. Teachers and parents need to keep up to date with the technology so their student or child has access to the best assistive technology available. A computer specially designed for someone disability can help someone overcome barriers to learning. For example, voice recognition technology can help students write papers. A special keyboard can help students take tests or use the internet. It is best that students are exposed to assistive technology early in school, so by the time they are ready for college, they feel comfortable using technology to learn.

The following link includes information and a video about using assistive technology in the classroom.

http://www.edutopia.org/assistivetechnology

-Screen capture image from http://www.edutopia.org/assistivetechnology-

Podcasting in the classroom

I came across a great website about podcasting: http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/curriculum/ict/podcasts/

This site includes links to podcasting basics, how to podcast, and three main steps to creating a podcast.

The website also includes links to popular podcasts, including NASA podcasts. NASA has podcasts available that include news on the latest missions. Using the NASA podcasts in the classroom would help students experience space shuttle missions in a different way than a text book. Students can experience science as it is happening and see how relevant it is to their lives.

The link also offers examples of how teachers are using podcasts in the classroom. This is just a start to the ways podcasts can be used in the classroom.

I hope to learn more about podcasting and make my own in the future!!