Wednesday, May 4, 2011
What I Have Learned
I have really appreciated taking Instructional Technology because I have learned how to do many fun projects that I can use in my classroom someday. I have never been very "computer savvy" and new technology was kind of scary. However, since taking this course I feel more prepared to use technology with my students.
I loved the Smart Board presentation that we were able to take part in the last week of class and I really hope to be able to use one in my own classroom. There are so many fun ways to use this board and I think it would be a great interactive learning opportunity for my students. The podcast and imovie that I made would also be a fun way for students to show their creativity and could be used as an extension after finishing a unit. Making blogs like this one would be useful for students to interact with one another and could be a way for me to assess what they are learning. Technology is a great tool that should be used to enhance learning in the classroom and I hope to instill what I have learned through this class into my future students.
I loved the Smart Board presentation that we were able to take part in the last week of class and I really hope to be able to use one in my own classroom. There are so many fun ways to use this board and I think it would be a great interactive learning opportunity for my students. The podcast and imovie that I made would also be a fun way for students to show their creativity and could be used as an extension after finishing a unit. Making blogs like this one would be useful for students to interact with one another and could be a way for me to assess what they are learning. Technology is a great tool that should be used to enhance learning in the classroom and I hope to instill what I have learned through this class into my future students.
The Future of Technology
Thinking back to my elementary school days, I can remember using projector screens with transparencies and VHS tapes. Using the computer lab a couple times a week was a privilage and not something we did for everyday assignments. Today, students have personal laptop computers to complete their assignments and teachers use smartboards to teach. Many interactive games, virtual tours, and learning activities can be found online and have greatly increased learning opportunities for kids. Times are changing and the advancement of technology is not going to just disappear.
The future of technology can be scary for those who have the "we've always done it this way" mindset. I sometimes wish that more of my teachers and professors had the opportunity to teach with technology so that I could teach my students the way I was taught. I want my students to have as many educational tools as possible for them to learn and understand the concepts that I am teaching. Students with disabilities are able to use technology to help them in their learning and can even bring them to the level of children without disablities. As teachers why would we ever want to keep these students from success because of our fear of the future? Change is going to happen whether we want it to or not, so we should embrace it and use it to help our students reach their full potential.
The future of technology can be scary for those who have the "we've always done it this way" mindset. I sometimes wish that more of my teachers and professors had the opportunity to teach with technology so that I could teach my students the way I was taught. I want my students to have as many educational tools as possible for them to learn and understand the concepts that I am teaching. Students with disabilities are able to use technology to help them in their learning and can even bring them to the level of children without disablities. As teachers why would we ever want to keep these students from success because of our fear of the future? Change is going to happen whether we want it to or not, so we should embrace it and use it to help our students reach their full potential.
The Importance of Online Etiquette
The internet, like many other things in life, can be abused. We are hearing more and more stories in the news everyday of how people abuse it. If people do not start using proper etiquette in the online environment, the interenet which is supposed to be free flowing with information, will become more restricted. Online etiquette is important to ensure that the internet continues to be the imformation super highway for everyone who uses it.
The most important way that I follow this concept is by not posting anything that I will regret later. It is much easier to post something over the internet because you are behind closed doors and the consequences of the action are not immediately felt. This does not mean that there will not be serious consequences so we should all take the time to cool down before we do something that we regret.
The most important way that I follow this concept is by not posting anything that I will regret later. It is much easier to post something over the internet because you are behind closed doors and the consequences of the action are not immediately felt. This does not mean that there will not be serious consequences so we should all take the time to cool down before we do something that we regret.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is when a minor harasses, threatens, or targets another minor using the internet, phones, or other technologies. Cyberbullying is a growing problem among minors, especially teens and has had devastating effects in many situations. It takes on many forms including:
Real Life Stories
Safety Tips
Statistics and Resources
- sending insulting or threatening emails, texts, or instant messages
- spreading hateful comments about someone through emails, blogs, online profiles, or chat rooms
- stealing passwords and sending out threatening messages using a false identity
- building a web site targeting specific people
Real Life Stories
Safety Tips
Statistics and Resources
Academic Honesty
If we were all really honest with ourselves, we would admit that we have all been academically dishonest at one point or another. So the question is, what is the big deal? Why is academic honesty so important? Students who cheat do not have to put as much effort in completing their assignments and will have an unfair grade advantage. If they get away with this, they will continue to cheat their way through college and even after they find their careers. It seems like many schools are more focused on the grades their students receive than the actual learning that takes place. I believe that this is one of the reasons why students choose to cheat. They don't see the importance of learning information so they may never learn the skills needed to be successful.
It is my desire that all my students succeed academically, but not if their success comes by means of dishonesty. Although I cannot force them to use academic honesty, I can encourage it. Talking to my students about the moral implications of academic dishonesty as well as the negative effects it can have on their learning will hopefully encourage them think for themselves.
It is my desire that all my students succeed academically, but not if their success comes by means of dishonesty. Although I cannot force them to use academic honesty, I can encourage it. Talking to my students about the moral implications of academic dishonesty as well as the negative effects it can have on their learning will hopefully encourage them think for themselves.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Digital Citizenship for Teachers
As a Christian and future educator it is my responsibility to model the behavior I expect from my students. I need to make sure that I am following good digital etiquette and using technology resources appropriately. Using online sources can sometimes be tricky for teachers because of the copyright laws that have been set in place, so taking extra care to avoid copying these materials is necessary.
It is also important for teachers to educate their students about technology so that they can become digitally literate. With the ever-changing technology that is in our world, we need to be prepared to adapt and teach our students about these changes. Students learn their best when we can enhance the styles in which we teach and technology has allowed for this enhancement. I want to be able to teach my students about technology so that they can use it in the appropriate manner. Access to technology is important for ALL students and this is why I will provide access for those who do not have technology at home. Everyone deserves an equal chance to succeed!
It is also important for teachers to educate their students about technology so that they can become digitally literate. With the ever-changing technology that is in our world, we need to be prepared to adapt and teach our students about these changes. Students learn their best when we can enhance the styles in which we teach and technology has allowed for this enhancement. I want to be able to teach my students about technology so that they can use it in the appropriate manner. Access to technology is important for ALL students and this is why I will provide access for those who do not have technology at home. Everyone deserves an equal chance to succeed!
Digital Citizenship for Students
Digital citizenship is a topic that many people try to avoid discussing. It may be in part because they just don't know anything about it or it may be that they are scared of facing our ever-growing technology. Since some people may not know what digital citizenship is, I guess I should start with a defintition. Digital citizenship is basically behaving responsibly and appropriately when it comes to the use of technology. Students need to be aware that digital citizenship can take on many forms and it is important for them to be aware of these forms. A huge part of digital citizenship is digital communication. Users need to make good decisions when communicating with others because it is possible that anything they say can be viewed by others. Students should also know about digital laws so that they are not participating in illegal activities. They should know that plagiarizing is wrong and downloading illegal music is the same as stealing.
As a teacher I want to discuss the importance of digital citizenship with my students. I believe that it is very important for them to understand that their are consequences for their actions and that they will hurt others around them by these actions. As I was searching for information on digital citizenship I ran across a website that contains some great information for both teachers and students. There is even a contract for children to sign that shows they agree to the terms listed, requiring them to follow all rules pertaining to digital citizenship. Check it out!
Digital Citizenship
As a teacher I want to discuss the importance of digital citizenship with my students. I believe that it is very important for them to understand that their are consequences for their actions and that they will hurt others around them by these actions. As I was searching for information on digital citizenship I ran across a website that contains some great information for both teachers and students. There is even a contract for children to sign that shows they agree to the terms listed, requiring them to follow all rules pertaining to digital citizenship. Check it out!
Digital Citizenship
Monday, May 2, 2011
Internet Validity and Bogus Sites
It is very important for both teachers and students to check the validity of the internet sources they are using. Teachers need to be aware of what to look for in sites so that their students are viewing information that is beneficial to their learning. The purpose of all sites that I choose should be to expand on the subject being taught at that time. When students consider the validity of internet sources they should look at the content as well as the currency of the information they are viewing. If a site contains old information, the information has more than likely changed from the time the source was created and is no longer accurate. The more students know about validity, the greater their chance of finding accurate sources for learning.
Sometimes it can be fun to show students bogus sites to help them develop their critical thinking skills. Their awareness of these inaccuracies is very important so that they know which sites to avoid in the future. Here are a few examples of bogus sites. Check out these links!
Velcro Crop
Dehydrated Water
Tree Octopus
Jackalope Conspiracy
Sometimes it can be fun to show students bogus sites to help them develop their critical thinking skills. Their awareness of these inaccuracies is very important so that they know which sites to avoid in the future. Here are a few examples of bogus sites. Check out these links!
Velcro Crop
Dehydrated Water
Tree Octopus
Jackalope Conspiracy
Copyright Challenge for Educators
Thanks to the fair use conditions, teachers can use copyrighted materials for educational purposes under certain restrictions. This allows teachers to provide a wider range of learning opportunites for their students, but also poses some challenges. With the growing amount of internet resources available, teachers have a higher risk of using someone else's work without giving them the credit they deserve.
I hope to avoid breaking copyright laws because I want my students to be able to look to me and see a trustworthy rolemodel, worthy of respect. As a Christian educator, I have been called to a higher standard and need to have integrity when it comes to legal and moral issues like copyright laws. I cannot expect that my students will not cheat or steal information if I am not obeying these laws myself. If I hold my students to the same high standards that I hold myself to, then they will be more likely to follow the rules set before them.
I hope to avoid breaking copyright laws because I want my students to be able to look to me and see a trustworthy rolemodel, worthy of respect. As a Christian educator, I have been called to a higher standard and need to have integrity when it comes to legal and moral issues like copyright laws. I cannot expect that my students will not cheat or steal information if I am not obeying these laws myself. If I hold my students to the same high standards that I hold myself to, then they will be more likely to follow the rules set before them.
Philosophy of Education
Classroom diversity is a hot topic for teachers these days. How do we teach our ELL students and those who "just aren't getting?" How do we teach in a way that will fit the needs of all our students? These are questions that I too have wondered and have helped me to form my teaching philosophy.
As teachers it is our responsibility to try and teach each one of our students to the best of our ability. Many students work best alone, while others prefer group interaction. Some students are visual learners who require pictures and images to help them understand the concepts being learned. Kinesthetic learners need to be active in order to be engaged. The point is, one size does not fit all. Children have many different learning styles and it is important to teach with a variety of methods to meet all the needs found in our classrooms. I truly believe that setting aside time to meet with students individually is vital to the success of those students. Daily observations will tell me the areas that each student needs to work on so that I can adjust my teaching to fit their needs. Looking at each student individually will help me see how they fit into the classroom as a whole.
As teachers it is our responsibility to try and teach each one of our students to the best of our ability. Many students work best alone, while others prefer group interaction. Some students are visual learners who require pictures and images to help them understand the concepts being learned. Kinesthetic learners need to be active in order to be engaged. The point is, one size does not fit all. Children have many different learning styles and it is important to teach with a variety of methods to meet all the needs found in our classrooms. I truly believe that setting aside time to meet with students individually is vital to the success of those students. Daily observations will tell me the areas that each student needs to work on so that I can adjust my teaching to fit their needs. Looking at each student individually will help me see how they fit into the classroom as a whole.
The Importance of Technology In Education
Technology has become increasing advanced over the last few years and is continuing to be used more and more in classrooms. From elementary to high school, teachers are turning to technology to help enhance learning. In elementary schools computers are used for interactive learning activities and students are learning at a very young age how to type assignments and use the internet. Teachers are now using powerpoint and smart boards to teach rather than older methods like chalk boards.
I believe that technology is very important in enhancing the learning experiences I give my students and I am very excited to explore these options as a teacher. Students can use the internet now for educational games, test reviews, and even projects. As a teacher I can engage my students through videos, virtual tours, and online field trips. There are so many options now for teaching with technology and I would encourage all teachers to try and incoorporate some of these options in their classrooms.
I believe that technology is very important in enhancing the learning experiences I give my students and I am very excited to explore these options as a teacher. Students can use the internet now for educational games, test reviews, and even projects. As a teacher I can engage my students through videos, virtual tours, and online field trips. There are so many options now for teaching with technology and I would encourage all teachers to try and incoorporate some of these options in their classrooms.
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