My Philosophy

I believe technology can be used effectively to support and assess learning in many ways. In the classroom, document cameras can be used to explain assignments, to demonstrate thinking and process, and a document camera is especially useful for students to share their own work and thinking. Last spring I introduced a document camera into a first grade classroom and found it to be extremely successful for students to work at their own pace and then share their papers on the doc-cam instead of having to recreate their work.

There are so many kinds of “assistive technology” that can be utilized in classroom settings; it’s almost overwhelming! On a recent visit to the EATRC, I was able to explore a few of the choices that are available. The VoicePOD is a reading comprehension and vocabulary assistive technology. It is a hand-held digital recording and playback device, which uses pictures to help students with new vocabulary. I think that any learner would benefit from this technology because it seems like it would be easy to adapt to a variety of needs, but it would be especially useful for students who are English language learners. It would teach students new vocabulary and it would enable students whose primary language is not English to listen to a native speaker (you) pronouncing the word in the correct way.

Another way to encourage English Language Learners is with Podcasts. You can record as many books as you want for your students and it is really easy to do. Students will enter each classroom with a variety of learning styles and needs. Each student should be met on an individual level in order to meet those diverse needs. One way in which to do this is with the use of podcasts. Podcasts can be used in the classroom to assist students who may be having difficulty with reading. They can listen to the audio while reading along with the book. Podcasts can be accessed on a home computer, or i-pods can be checked out to students so that they can practice at home.

This could be extremely helpful for students who are English Language Learners because they can hear a native speaker reading aloud with them. Podcasts can als o be useful tools for building fluency. A unit on fluency might culminate with students making their own podcasts, which could be extremely motivational.

I would plan a variety of learning activities for my classroom. I would teach a unit on Jan Brett (or another appropriate author) in which students would support their learning with supported and independent exploration of the Jan Brett Web site. I would plan a group social studies project in which students would use a web quest to research and collect data on a historical time period (e.g. Pioneers), which they would then present to the class in a digital presentation. Students would be expected to publish some of their writing pieces using word processor. I would plan a science unit in which students would explore digital graphic organizers to learn about the life cycle of butterflies (or some other appropriate plant or animal). And I would provide ample opportunities for students to explore (with support) digital programs such as Starfall, in which they are able to scaffold their reading and

As teachers, we have an amazing opportunity. We can provide our students with the skills they need to be successful in a technology driven society. We can encourage them to ask questions about media the same way that they do about literature. Let's educate them about the techniques advertisers use to get you to want their product. Let's show them how to create their own media, so that they can use it to their advantage and take pride in what they have created.
For more information about how to incorporate media literacy into the classroom, go to http://www.edutopia.org/media-literacy-skills-video and watch Media Smarts: Kids Learn How to Navigate the Multimedia World

phonics development with the use of digital resources.

Self Chosen Project

1. Which technology do you think you would be most likely to use in your future classroom and why?
After viewing the information kiosks of various learning technologies, I think that I would be very likely to use Skype in my future classroom. It is extremely important to bring in outside experts who can impart their knowledge to your students, and with Skype you do not need to be as limited by geography. It would also provide opportunities for students to interact with peers from all around the world. I love the idea of setting up video-chat pals between your students and students in another state or country (or even across town).




2. Which technology do you think you would be least likely to use and why?
Although I see the value in using a program like "Pixton," which helps you create your own comic strips, I would really like to work with younger students and I don't think this program is as appropriate for them.




3. What did you did you learn about instructional strategies from your peers that you might put into effect in your future classroom?
In Quizlet, you can create flashcard sets (or use pre-made sets) for students to study, practice, and quiz themselves. This could be extremely useful in many different subjects. With Typedrawing, students can publish a piece of poetry or short story in a beautiful and artistic way. Thus, encouraging them to think about alternative ways of publishing things. Kidspiration, which was my own project, has many instructional strategies that can be used in the classroom. Although it is the only program in the bunch which costs money ($70), it is well worth it. Just in reading, students can work on skills from beginning sounds and blending to character analysis, comprehension, and story retell.




4. Were you surprised at students’ responses and/or work with technology as shown by your peers who chose Option 2?
Unfortunately, due to "technical difficulties," I was unable to view the kiosk relating to option 2.




5. What was the most fascinating thing you learned from your peers today?
The most fascinating thing that I learned from my peers today is that there are so many free programs that can be used with students in a classroom setting! I always assume that technology costs money, and this has shown me that there are high quality options out there which do not.

The "New" Communication

How important is it to be "Media Smart" and what role do teachers have in creating students who understand the grammar of media? Between computers, television, music, video games and cell phones, today's students are bombarded with various forms of media on a continual basis.
My first thought is, "We need to do something about this. Kids should not watch so much TV!" But the truth is, students are increasingly more connected to the media. The Kaiser Family Foundation recently published a study showing that the average 8-18 year old spends more than 7 hours each day using electronic devices!
So what do we do about it? Parents can monitor their child's electronic activity... but that doesn't mean that they do. I asked some of my friends who are parents, "How much time do your children spend using electronic devices?" Well, most of them hadn't really thought about it, but if they had to be honest... quite a bit. In fact, my own daughter watches more TV than she probably should. Most kids do. This doesn't mean that they have bad parents. Sometimes it's just easier to throw on an episode of Little Einsteins while you make dinner (do laundry, clean the bathroom, take a shower, etc).
But as teachers, we have an amazing opportunity. We can provide our students with the skills they need to be successful in a technology driven society. We can encourage them to ask questions about media the same way that they do about literature. Let's educate them about the techniques advertisers use to get you to want their product. Let's show them how to create their own media, so that they can use it to their advantage and take pride in what they have created.
For more information about how to incorporate media literacy into the classroom, go to http://www.edutopia.org/media-literacy-skills-video and watch Media Smarts: Kids Learn How to Navigate the Multimedia World

Assistive Technology

There are so many kinds of “assistive technology” that can be utilized in a classroom setting, it’s almost overwhelming! On a recent visit to the EATRC, I was able to explore a few of the choices that are available. The VoicePOD is a reading comprehension and vocabulary assistive technology. It is a hand-held digital recording and playback device which uses pictures to help students with new vocabulary.

To use this device, place a card or picture into the sleeve. Slide the sleeve into the pod and record a word or phrase that you want the student to learn (messages can be erased and re-recorded as many times as necessary). The magnetic strip at the bottom of the sleeve connects to the pod, which can then be played. Students can place the cards into the pod at any time to listen to the pre-recorded messages.

The Universal Design for Learning principle utilized by this technology is “representation of information.” The combination of audio and visual stimulation makes content available and comprehensible to students using a variety of modes. It presents new vocabulary or phrases in an auditory format (with the pre-recorded message) as well as in a visual way (with a photograph, picture, word, or sentence).

I think that any learner would benefit from this technology because it seems like it would be easy to adapt to a variety of needs, but it would be especially useful for students who are English language learners. It would teach students new vocabulary and it would enable students whose primary language is not English to listen to a native speaker (you) pronouncing the word in the correct way.

Originally, I was concerned that students might press the wrong button on the device and accidentally erase the pre-recorded messages. But upon further investigation, I discovered that there is a lock feature to prevent just that. My only other concern with this device is that the sleeves might break down with a lot of use.

I can imagine this digital recording device being used in multiple ways by teachers in a classroom. It does not need to be limited to use with English language learners. You could make cards with different scenes from a story and have students practice sequencing the events. New students could have photographs of important places or people within the school for them to learn and recognize. Vocabulary and spelling words could be placed in sleeves for students to practice at a learning station. I would highly recommend this assistive technology.

Technology in the Primary Classroom

Technology can contribute to teaching and learning at the primary level in many ways. In the classroom, document cameras can be used to explain assignments, to demonstrate thinking and process, and a document camera is especially useful for students to share their own work and thinking. Last spring I introduced a document camera into a first grade classroom and found it to be extremely successful for students to work at their own pace and then share their papers on the doc-cam instead of having to recreate their work. Computers, when used appropriately, are also an asset to any primary classroom. Students can publish their own writing (or have it published by a teacher), use reading and math software that reaches them on an individual level, and explore subject matter online through web quests or other teacher directed searches.
Technology is also an important way for teachers to communicate with families. More and more parents are becoming increasingly connected to their lives via the internet. This is made all the more accessible by wireless internet, and many cell phones are beginning to seem more like pocket-sized computers than just telephones. These advances in technology make it that much easier for parents and teachers to stay connected about what is happening with students at school and in the classroom. BUT, it would be ignorant to assume that all of the students in one’s class have a computer in his or her home. Students and their families should not be made uncomfortable based upon their socio-economic status. By using a variety of ways to communicate with families, a teacher is more likely to connect with as many parents as possible. I think asking parents what type of communication best fits their needs (phone, email, notes home, etc.) is the best way to start. By showing an interest in what their preference is, you open the door to positive communication and demonstrate your willingness to work with them in a cooperative way.

After looking closely at the National Educational Technology Standards as well as the Student Profiles for PK- Grade 2, I consider the targeted outcomes to be appropriate and achievable. I have seem students at that age “illustrate and communicate original ideas and stories using digital tools and media-rich resources” with the use of programs like Paint. I have also seen students ages 4-8 “demonstrate the ability to navigate in virtual environments such as electronic books, simulation software, and Web sites” using websites such as Starfall and Jan Brett. I also feel that it would be wonderful to set up online pen-pals with students from multiple cultures and it would be extremely appropriate as well as rewarding for all parties involved. Web quests would provide an appropriate scaffold for students at this level to investigate environmental issues and historical people or events while working collaboratively in a group to produce a digital presentation.
To help my students achieve the kinds of competencies identified in the NETS for students, I would plan a variety of learning activities for my classroom. I would teach a unit on Jan Brett (or another appropriate author) in which students would support their learning with supported and independent exploration of the Jan Brett Web site. I would plan a group social studies project in which students would use a web quest to research and collect data on a historical time period (e.g. Pioneers) which they would then present to the class in a digital presentation. Students would be expected to publish some of their writing pieces using word processor. I would plan a science unit in which students would explore digital graphic organizers to learn about the life cycle of butterflies (or some other appropriate plant or animal). And I would provide ample opportunities for students to explore (with support) digital programs such as Starfall, in which they are able to scaffold their reading and phonics development with the use of digital resources.

Welcome!

Hello everyone! Welcome to my blog. I'm looking forward to sharing my views and opinions on education as well as learning about yours!