This week our technology assignment was to create a tutorial using Jing. I find Jing to be a valuable tool to use when providing information to my students. I chose to create a tutorial on Study Island, an online resource that our students utilize at the building I teach in. My intention is to use this tutorial in the classrooms that I co-teach in at the beginning of the school year.
What I like most about Jing is the ability to create how-to videos for students, as reminders of how to access websites, how to complete an assignment, etc. I could also see creating a tutorial on social stories, how to ask for help appropriately, how to walk in the hallway, the appropriate way to greet someone, etc. This would be so beneficial for students with autism or behavior concerns.
I was apprehensive at first about using Jing. This technology class has encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone. I am becoming more confident and am excited about taking what I have learned and using it in my classroom. I like Jing and plan to incorporate into my teaching in the fall.
Here is a link to my jing tutorial about Study Island http://screencast.com/t/xCbpXTqp9H
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
web2.0 and Mobile Learning
"Web2.0 refers to Web sites that provide users with a means to facilitate participatory environments by sharing personal information and collaborating. Web 2.0 also allows users to modify Web site content and/or have application software built into the site for visitors to use."(Shelly,Gunter,&Gunter,2012, p. 121) Mobile Learning applies to applications that can be downloaded to any mobile device, such as a tablet, ipad, phone, etc, that enhances learning. Web 2.0 requires internet access to use. With Mobile learning, once the application is down loaded, internet access is not needed.
Mobile Learning and Web 2.0 continue to impact learning in many ways. Currently bandwidth, filtering and reliable connections to the internet are challenges to Mobile Learning and Web 2.0. Cost can be viewed as both an advantage and a disadvantage. Many resources are free to access, allowing students to broaden their learning experiences. However, with this in mind, school districts must have to funds available to provide the proper bandwidth needed, the reliable internet connections and filtering to make this learning beneficial to students. Filtering becomes an issue sometimes when attempting to access Web 2.0. These sites are not filtered by those who create and post to them making it difficult to know when something "inappropriate" has been added.
There are many advantages to Web 2.0 and Mobile learning also. Many Web 2.0 tools are student friendly. Some even offer private sites for K-12 schools. Others such as Blackboard offer tools for students to access in a secure environment. Another advantage is the storage, the websites "hold" your work in an internet cloud. This makes it easier to access projects that students are working on for long periods of time.
One of the strongest benefits is the ability to collaborate with others. Web 2.0 allows users to collaborate with others, with students in your classroom, student to student and with colleagues.
According to the Horizon Report(2011) the author states that the need for personalized education is not adequately technology supported. The author goes on the say that with newer techonology, individual learning styles and needs are and will continually be met. As an example, if a teacher utilizes flashcardexchange.com, each student in the classroom could be working on different skills/flashcards to meet their individual needs. With my students I would utilize flashcard exchange using their sightwords. NOt all of my students are at the same reading level so they would have different flashcards. I could monitor their progress and add flashcards as they are exposed to new words.
This week I blogged about having personal experience in a school with BYOD. I am not a big fan of it. The cost to families, the demand for technology support, access to social networking sites during instruction time and unneccessary distractions are challenges. Some districts use a "loaner" program where students are loaned devices to use for the year and then at the end of the school year the devices are turned in. I think that cost would be very high for a program such as this. Where would the funds come from to pay for the devices? Who would repair the devices if problems arise? What if the student loses, breaks or damages the device? WHo covers loss/damage/theft? I am all for using more technology in the classroom. I believe that students need to be exposed to technology and the wonderful resources available to enhance their learning. In the school I teach in we currently have 2 classrooms with white boards in them. We also have a full computer lab, laptop carts for each grade level and a few students utilize ipads for instructional assistance. It is my goal this school year to utilize more technology with my students and expose them to many different Web 2.0 tools.
Resources
Shelly,G.B., Gunter, G.A, & Gunter, R.E. (2012). Teachers discovering computers; integrating
technology in a connected world. Boston, MA: Course Technology, Cengage Learning.
The Role of Web 2.0 Technologies in K-12 Education. Retrieved from; http://www.vstereg.org/vste/ee/documents/Web20Advocacy.pdf
POINT/COUNTERPOINT: SHOULD STUDENTS USE THEIR OWN DEVICES IN THE CLASSROOM? Retrieved from;http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Point_Counterpoint_Should_Students_Use_Their_Own_Devices_in_the_Classroom.aspx
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Integrating Technology into Teaching and Learning
Integrating technology into Teaching and Learning is essential to helping our students by preparing them to be successful in the real world. While our text explains many reasons why technology should be integrated into lessons and learning, our supplemental readings suggest otherwise.
Our students are exposed to technology in the home at earlier ages then ever before. When they come to school many of them are aware of computers and how to work them successfully. We are finding that these students are known as "digital students". Digital students are kids who multitask, use multiple means of communication, are goal oriented, think differently, are play oriented. Learning to these students must be relevant and fun. They enjoy fantasy based learning and move at a fast pace. By using technology in our classrooms and in our every day lessons, we are allowing our students to emerge in the skills that they will need and be comfortable using in the future, skills that are needed to succeed in our society. Computers have been found to reach students who are struggling with learning concepts, staying focused,strengthening student achievement and helping them meet learning outcomes. Computers also have been found to provide meaningful opportunities in skill-building, interactive learning, cooperative learning, promote the development of higher level thinking skills and solving complex problems.
In the article, "Dawn of the New Literacies", Maryanne Wolf and Nicholas Carr are not supporters of integrating technology into the classroom. Wolf believes that people potentially could develop a false sense of understanding and that they could lose their ability to read and think at higher levels. Carr believes that online reading encourages fast and sloppy reading, unfocused thinking and learning that can lead to the creation of shallow thinkers.
I believe that technology is a very important tool to use in the classroom. I have experienced the vast improvement in phonics skills of a student with a severe speech and language impediment. I have also seen many of our reading students improve their skills with the use of technology. We must encourage our students to make real life connections with the world around them, we must provide them with opportunities to use technology to enhance their learning and provide them with the knowledge that they will need to be successful in society.
http://www.spiderscribe.net/app/?2134b3a9a8b2788a6f1994cbb07bad7f
Our students are exposed to technology in the home at earlier ages then ever before. When they come to school many of them are aware of computers and how to work them successfully. We are finding that these students are known as "digital students". Digital students are kids who multitask, use multiple means of communication, are goal oriented, think differently, are play oriented. Learning to these students must be relevant and fun. They enjoy fantasy based learning and move at a fast pace. By using technology in our classrooms and in our every day lessons, we are allowing our students to emerge in the skills that they will need and be comfortable using in the future, skills that are needed to succeed in our society. Computers have been found to reach students who are struggling with learning concepts, staying focused,strengthening student achievement and helping them meet learning outcomes. Computers also have been found to provide meaningful opportunities in skill-building, interactive learning, cooperative learning, promote the development of higher level thinking skills and solving complex problems.
In the article, "Dawn of the New Literacies", Maryanne Wolf and Nicholas Carr are not supporters of integrating technology into the classroom. Wolf believes that people potentially could develop a false sense of understanding and that they could lose their ability to read and think at higher levels. Carr believes that online reading encourages fast and sloppy reading, unfocused thinking and learning that can lead to the creation of shallow thinkers.
I believe that technology is a very important tool to use in the classroom. I have experienced the vast improvement in phonics skills of a student with a severe speech and language impediment. I have also seen many of our reading students improve their skills with the use of technology. We must encourage our students to make real life connections with the world around them, we must provide them with opportunities to use technology to enhance their learning and provide them with the knowledge that they will need to be successful in society.
http://www.spiderscribe.net/app/?2134b3a9a8b2788a6f1994cbb07bad7f
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