Reflective Post

I really enjoyed taking this class, and it is one that I will never forget. Working with technology is not an easy think to do, especially when every day something is changing. I really had no idea that there was this many different websites and applications that you could use to help you create blog posts or projects. At first I felt a little intimated because I have never really used technology to created portfolios or blogs but the videos that were linked to each module really helped me understand what I had to do.

One of my favorite parts about this class was actually doing the Collaborative Lesson Plan. I worked with such an amazing group and we were really able to get things done in such a timely matter. The whole idea was being able to create a lesson plan and all put in effort to perfect it and I loved hearing my group members really help each other and put in their opinion. Looking on ideas for the lesson plan was a bit tricky but after we started it was easy going from there.

The textbook was a really great resource and was really easy to understand, but my favorite was actually working throughout the different modules. Everything was so well put together that failing a project/discussion post was almost impossible. I would defiantly suggest everyone take this class, even if they aren’t going to be a teacher. Everything I learned in this class will be extremely helpful towards my teaching career. There is nothing that I would change about this class if I were to take it over again.

I think my favorite website I used was Weebly.com. This is one website that I will for sure use for my classroom. Actually my stepmom uses this website for her business and she loves it also. It was a little difficult at first but as soon as I got the hang of it I really enjoyed using it. Click here to view my Teacher Website!

To finish out my last blog post I would like to include a video that I found that talks about what students think the world would be like without teachers. I’m only two classes away from being in the Bachelors Program and I cant wait to start my career!

Resources:

Heflin, K. (2016, June 20). Ms. Heflins 4th Grade Webpage. Retrieved from http://kheflin.weebly.co

Jubilee Project. (2015, June 20). World without teachers. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/RN3iLeq1828 

Maloy, R. W. (2011). Transforming learning with new technologies(Second ed.). Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

Digital Blog Post #E

After reading chapters 4, 7, and 9, I found three concepts that I found very interesting. There was “Building, Inventing, and Creating Software”, “Steps in Solving Problems”, and “Concept of Exploring Computer Games as Learning Resources”.

The first concept I would like to talk about is Building, Inventing, and Creating Software. This section explains how these things happen when students engage in open-minded explorations of topics that interest them. Kid Pix and Google Earth are listed as great tools for teachers to use with their students. The text lists that’s the most effective programs are those that do not require a single right way to use them or a single right answer. I agree with that because it really allows students to interact more because they don’t have to worry about getting embarrassed if they get the wrong answer. Kid Pix sounds like a great website that I would use when I become a future teacher, allowing my students to use their imagination which will make them want to learn.

The second concept I found interesting was Steps in Solving Problems. George Polya proposed an idea for solving mathematical problems that included steps like understanding the problem, using problem-solving strategies, and checking results. Math hasn’t always been my best subject so I really like this approach and think that it would really help me understand math more. Understanding the problem, in where students need to identify the type of question they are being asked, what they already know can help them solve the problem. Using problem-solving strategies, is really just telling you to break down the problem and use your chosen strategy to help find the solution to the problem. Lastly, Checking results, is the step just to make sure you have done the problem right. Many students forget this step and don’t check their work and end up getting the problem wrong because they didn’t look over it.

The last concept I liked was, Concept of Exploring Computer Games as Learning Resources. I noticed that many teachers worry about the effect of computer and video games on the minds of the children especially since there are so many violent games out there today. Setting that aside, there is many video games out there that actually do benefit children’s learning. Growing up I had a whole shelf of fun, learning, interactive games that my parents would let me play daily and I feel like that is something all parents should have a look at.

Resources:

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Digital Blog Post #C

The first concept that I would like to reflect on is, Instructional Methods to Engage Students. There are four different teaching methods that are used by educators to help engage students to learn actively. The first method is One-on-One tutoring, which some students need but is a great way to help children learn without the distraction of other students. My cousin actually had to receive tutoring because he was really bad at science and the tutor really helped him. His grade went from a D to a high B in no time at all. If children learn better in a group, there is also learning groups. This type of group work helps children learn off each other and helps them learn how to work together. Lastly, there is Metacognitive thinking, which engages students by showing them how to examine their own work and correct themselves. I actually worked at a Montessori daycare and they used this concept a lot with the children. The children there were constantly trying to help and correct each others mistakes.

The second concept that I would like to reflect on is The Role of Feedback, which believe it or not, really helps students want to learn. Feedback can help improve a students work. Positive feedback can make a child go from feeling discourages to excited and really change their entire outlook on their work. I remember when I was in 5th grade, I really hated taking the FCATS and would get really nervous beforehand, so my teacher started writing words of encouragement on my desk before I would take the test and it honestly really helped me get through it. Feedback can also be used with technology, through email, text, blogs, phone calls, and many more. 

Lastly, I would like to reflect on was Online Problem-Solving Environments. There are many apps floating around out there today for children to help educate them. I actually tutored two Vietnamese children and used a website called ABCmouse.com and they absolutely loved it. They were learning how to read and ABCmouse.com really helped them sound out vowels and put words together to make sentences. This website made them want to learn, they never wanted to get off of it. Websites like this help because many children do better learning online then just putting something in front of them and trying to teach them that way. There is so much you can do with technology and I can't wait for what they are planning for the future.

My Wordle I made for this chapter

Sources:
Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

  

Blog Post #A - Chapter 1

Three concepts to reflect upon in Chapter 1:

As I am the process of becoming a future teacher, I realize that I should realize how important the benefits of using technology is, and how they are crucial in today's teaching.

The first concept I would like to go over would be the importance of social media, and the internet. I came across statistic in the text that said, "Most 8- to 18-year-olds are using technology, experiencing a "digital childhood" and becoming an iGeneration of technology users in their teens" (Maloy, 2014, p.17). This made me feel that students if students have been raised around technology, that they will respond and react better if technology is also used in the classroom. The majority of children go straight home from school and go straight to video games, so maybe if more technology was put in classrooms, students would be more quick to want to learn. For example, I did observation hours at an elementary school and the students were excited to learn because they were able to come up and write on a SmartBoard which is just a huge computer. 



The second concept that i found interesting was building my identity as a teacher. I personally love using PowerPoints because it really draws people in to what you are saying, especially kids. Even little learning games online grab children's attention because they are able to interact with technology. As a teacher, i want to be able to take lessons and transform them into ways that my students will actually want to learn. My stepmom came across an article that has a great list of applications that can be used towards your classroom, 52 of The Best Apps For Your Classroom in 2015! 


The third concept I found interesting was the use of "clickers" in classrooms. I really like this idea because it gives every student the opportunity to answer a question you put on the board and the results would be shown and it could be discussed. I actually used a certain object in my math class in middle school that the results would show up anonymously but the teacher would be able to see what the most voted answer was. It made me actually want to keep doing math problems just to see my answer pop up on the board. This would be a tool I would love to be able to use in my classroom, not only do i think it would be useful to determine understanding, but I could use this technology to create games and contests that would be fun for my students