Smartboards

Interactive whiteboards are becoming more common in the classrooms. I feel they interactive whiteboards enhance teaching and learning by bringing in new multi-media into a lesson, create more of a interactive teaching environment, allow students and teachers to research subjects/topics easily and they can motivate students since it changes the pace of the class as well as lesson plan. I didn't find the technology hard to use, although the features were extensive. It was pretty simple to learn the basic skills that were needed to create a lesson plan, etc. In my eyes, the pros seem to be never ending!!! Pros: allow students to engage in a different way, motivate students, can focus on different learning style and special needs, simple way to review and see if students understand the subject matter. Biggest Con in my eyes: EXPENSIVE! The only lesson plan I have really written was for our Smart board Lesson. When it comes to adding two digit plus two digit numbers, I should have broken my steps further down and had more examples as well as having the class practice with easier problems and gradually gotten harder.

Expectations and Experience with Technology

This week our reading focused on surveys of students and their expectations and experience with technology. I would have to say much of the data presented met my expectations, yet I was intrigued with a few of the percentages. The reading started off with addressing that 99% of K-12 have internet access while 87% of classrooms have internet access, these resources are rarely used effectively. The percentages are incredible and show a changing learning experience for younger generations. Emphasizing that these recourses are rarely used effectively is surprising yet understandable. (As reported 56% of respondents identified integrating technology into the classroom as a challenge) Older teachers need to have proper training in order to keep up with the technology available in classrooms. I also think that much of the software and technology can be overwhelming and without detailed training, I can see where it’s not used effectively.

I was shocked when I read that only 38% of college students use the Internet for work in classes, instead the Internet is used primarily to communicate.  What I would like to know is how the other 62% obtain their information. Without the Internet and other programs I wouldn’t have been able to complete my work to the best of my ability. There are many amazing sites that should be utilized in order to complete work.  I was also shocked that only 6% of students reported taking an online course for credit. With being so technologically based and convenient for our fast-paced lives, I am surprised more students wouldn’t enroll in such classes.  “Students reported a substantial disconnect between how they use the Internet for school and how they use it during the school day and under teacher direction.”  WHAT?!!!!! I just don’t get this, how does the Net Geners not know how to integrate their technology!!!!!!!!!!

Qustions for my survey:

1. How would you like to see technology used in your classroom?

2. When do you use technology, when it comes to your schoolwork?

3. How do you integrate your knowledge of technology into your educational development?

4. What do you feel needs to change when it comes to technology used in your classroom?

Graphic Organizers

Graphic Organizers are visual representations of a text or a topic. I am a visual learner as many other students are when I see information broken down it helps me understand the topic better.  I believe that Graphic Organizers should be used in student projects in order to help organize facts, information as well as record information. Graphic Organizers can also be used to help highlight important information as well as vocabulary. I don’t think students should be writing paragraphs and reports if more visual representations are used they can help clarify and expand on ideas as well as generate and create information. I think students learn by doing and it takes a different level of organizing to put together Graphic Organizers which can help them learn the text or topic and overall improve their academic performance!