Reflective Posts

Reflective Essay

During my time taking Intro to Technology, I have had the opportunity to see different types of technological programs, I otherwise would not have experienced. During the class, there were interesting programs used, group class work that thought would be a bad experience but ended up positive, able to listen to fellow student’s opinions and outlook on different views of teaching and read about what we would be learning in the class textbook.

There are many programs available for people that I was unaware of and some I have heard of but never used. Prezi is a program that many of my friends have used but, I have always used power point. Wordle and bitstrips were great tools to add creativity to my assignments and added some enjoyment to what I was doing. I was able to use the tools and critique my experience with each lesson.

During the course I had the opportunity to work with fellow classmates on the group project where we had to make time to speak with each other and work together over the internet to complete the collaborative lesson plan. Each classmate was able to put in their own ideas and then mold the assignment as one project. It is one thing to call our fellow students but to use canvas, blogs, and google docs adds technology into the lesson planning.

During the class, I had to read the book in order to complete assignments. I am not a big reader but it was interesting to find out about what is expected and that teachers have assessments and different ways of using technology to instruct the students.

It has been a busy summer for me and I know the class is completed over a short period of time. The class is well laid out with the assignments, such as the blog post and the discussions. I have never known how to create a blog and now, I understand how to create a blog and add creativity to each post. This I feel should be continued because if I was unaware, then others would be too. In addition, I believe having discussions as a class is a great way to find out input from our fellow students to get different perspectives. Reading over the outcomes, I can relate to the assignments that we have done because they deal directly with what I have completed. It is not a broad spectrum but directly tells us what I will be accomplishing.

Creating an eportfolio is a great way to keep up with what I have done and will be doing in the future. It keeps everything together and easily accessible for future use. Passing knowledge is important to me and using technology has become a large part in that process. I feel that this class has been a valuable asset in taking that will help me further my education as I become a future educator.

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 F Chapters 11 & 12

Digital Blog Post #F Chapters 11 and 12

Assessment in Teaching and Learning

Student Assessment

Everyday teachers are in a class with a group of students; they are educating students to better their-selves and giving them the knowledge that will help them be successful throughout life. In doing so, teachers give tests, quizzes and classwork to give students information to study and test themselves and then the students need to know how they did. The educator must keep track of the grades for the students to monitor their progress. When I was in secondary school, I still remember checking the grade sheet my teachers posted so I would be able to keep track of how I was doing and feel this is necessary to continue so future students will have the same opportunity. Thinking about the work that lies ahead in regards to grading papers, filing out reports and sending in grades could give you a headache but I feel it is worth the headache because I am joining a group of individuals that take pride in passing on knowledge to students. By tracking the grades, it will show how the students are doing and where they need to improve. This also will tell what the educator needs to work on in the future to help the students do better.

Digital Teaching Portfolios

As everyone prepares to apply for a career the applicant creates a resume to give to the employer. This is very important for the applicant for it represents the person as they are and what they have to offer the employer. Hiring managers want to know that the person they will be investing in by training and representing their company meets the qualifications that they hold. As we move forward into a technological era employers are looking to know that prospective employees know how to use technology and a great way to show this is by making a digital portfolio that will last throughout their career. It’s a simply way to add or delete information that could make the applicant look more qualified than others. Information provided can include: talents and accomplishments, education and references, goals and reflections, academic courses and research experiences and teaching experiences. Creating a portfolio would take a lot of time but keeping up with it and having accurate and up to date information could open up the positions a person is applying for and also could land them their dream job.

Features of a Technological-integrated classroom

There are many technological’ advancements that can be used inside of a classroom. To be considered an integrated classroom, I do not believe it must be fully integrated but have a few features. Our book states a “smart classroom” equipped with computers or tablets connected to the internet, digital projector, DVD player, interactive whiteboard, digital pens, a video conferencing system and other interactive tools. (Maloy) Though it is good we use technology in the classroom, it is not necessary to have every form of technology but only a presence of that technology. As to not make up a too futureristic classroom, a smart board, tablets or computers with digital players would suffice to consider a classroom integrated with technology. As we move forward into the future, there may be many more advancements that could add to the classroom to make it efficient at the same time not causing chaos with the many different types of technological features.

Created on Tagxedo.com by: Biagio Malarae

 

References

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 E Chapters 4 & 9

Teaching Goals, Methods, and Procedures

Teaching goals, methods, and procedures is one of the three related elements of classroom instruction.  These elements, I believe are the most important for creating the foundation of the classroom. Goals are reasons the information is being taught. Many ideas are discussed but unless there is a goal to what the teacher wants the students to learn, there is no foundation. Once there is a foundation, the teacher can figure out the methods to which the information is conveyed. As teachers decide the method, they can also decide what technology they can use or the students can use. The content can be passed on through creative writing, activities in groups, journals, simulations, online tutoring and many others. I feel this is important and an idea I would use in my future endeavors. Once the methods are decided on the procedures can be made. These are made through scheduling and grouping of students and then how much time will be used on each lesson. Through the goals/ reasons, methods/ strategies, and procedures is an important element a part of teaching.

Test Assessments

With norm-referenced tests which compare student’s performance with their peers, I feel that tests should not decide what a student receives as a grade. According to our book the results tend to follow a bell-shaped curve. IQ tests are considered norm-referenced assessments. Criterion-referenced tests are exams which compare a student’s performance to a specific objective or standard. There is not a curve which means students can do very well or poorly on the exam. Another type of assessments is the standard-based assessment are created to see if the students are at the expected level they are supposed to be at. The assessment can be local, district, state or even national levels. 

Made on Piktochart by: Biagio Malarae

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 D Chapters 6 & 10

Virtual Field Trips

Virtual Field trips can be a great way to show students places that would be too expensive to go to. I feel that different destinations such as the Palace of Versailles, Roman Colosseum, and Sistine Chapel are excellent examples of places that not only have a long history but are building marvels that many present day buildings take their architecture from. Understanding the history is important to students to know about and since taking even a few students to would be a budget killer are available in a virtual tour that many students can study. It does not matter whether it is rain or shine, hot or cold, students can experience these destinations anytime of the year.

Debates over Virtual Schools

Taking online classes’ is a great way for adults to take college classes and I believe is necessary for them to continue their education. However for public primary and secondary schools, I feel students should be in the classroom since these years are important for students to grow with the interaction of their peers. It may be cheaper for students to stay home and go online but interaction that students would have at a public school is a valuable experience that students need if they are going to succeed in the world. This experience is not only in the classroom but also in extracurricular activities. According to our book that critics are saying that students are also not performing well on standardized tests which is another key factor why students should be in a public classroom. Teachers are able to spend more time with students and have more opportunities with each student whereas online is limited to the online interaction.

Revealing Hidden Histories and Untold Stories

Using Virtual Field trips and even virtual schools are great ways to educate students, there are untold stories that students do not find out because they are not part of the formal curriculum. By students being able to search online they are able to find stories that interest them that might have an impact on where the student decides to go in the future. Technology makes it more easily to search for these stories for students to gain the knowledge about which could benefit the student the most. Students can also create bookmarks for online sites that they would like to view at a later time. Educators can find ways of integrating this information to students via projects for students to use later on.

Conclusion

In the end, I believe that Virtual Field Trips are beneficial for students to gain interesting facts about historic places that students would not otherwise be able to take. If students are to be in a virtual school that the students understand that they will be giving up valuable experiences that would help them in the future. Finally are the stories that I have found which would be the untold stories which have impacted me in where I am planning on going in life. By viewing internet travel pages, I have found places I have traveled to and seen the ranges in temperatures leading me to study the weather all over the country. 

Created by: Biagio Malarae

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.