Moving Forward

What a crazy five weeks! It flew by, and yet I truly gained so much knowledge and inspiration. I decided to get my master's degree once I began my student teaching and had completely fallen in love with the teaching profession. I knew I wanted to do great things, and felt a master's degree would give me the competitive edge to do so. What I realized over these past 5 weeks, is that it's not about the competitive edge, it's about becoming the best teacher I can possibly be.

I really enjoyed this class and will take away some powerful learning lessons. Although the backbone of the class was on instructional design, my favorite aspects were learning so many useful applications of technology. From creating a blog, to making Google forms, to using Google docs, and making presentations, everyday we used technology and became more comfortable doing so. My favorite and most memorable part of the class was the final group project. It was so fun deciding what to do with the $10,000 and making a technology-inspired learning segment. My team and I worked really well together and had a great time being creative. It's always cool to take what you've been learning and put it into action, creating something you can one day use or adapt for your own students. Besides actually composing our group project, it was pretty incredible to watch everyone else's. I was really impressed! Best of all, I got so many good ideas for ways to incorporate technology into my own classroom.

My next step is beginning a new job in Northern California as a first grade teacher. My class has a small set of iPads and I can't wait to use them! I'm most excited about trying out Toontastic. We also have a computer lab with Apple desk tops as well, so there will be a lot for us to do on those. I definitely will teach them power point and am hoping I could teach them iMovie or perhaps a simplified version. There are so many options and I can't wait to learn what else is out there!

Reflection: Student Technology Showcase

Watching the student technology showcase videos was really inspiring. I cannot believe that so many schools have implemented technology, and done so in such a meaningful way. It's really exciting to see school districts investing in and teachers embracing these tools. After student teaching in a 4th grade class that had a 1:1 laptop ratio, and was heavily centered around digital project based learning, I knew I wanted to use technology in my future classroom. However, I was recently hired (yayyy!!) as a first grade teacher, and was unsure how I could implement technology with the youngsters. These videos showed me that the options are endless.

One of my favorite videos was the one in which students learned about antonyms and synonyms through creating videos and acting out vocabulary words. This lesson could have been so boring and forgetful, and instead seemed so fun. The students really were able to build a true understanding of word meanings by acting them out and then sharing it with their peers. How much fun is that! I also really liked the video in which first graders used the Toontastic app. This is one of my favorite apps I have seen. I definitely want to use it with my first graders! I was also shocked and excited to see iPads being used with kindergarteners. Getting them used to technology at a young age is really important. One of the coolest videos was the one about the high school students who made their own online radio show. How incredible to be filming and using final cut pro in your high school!

I really loved watching these videos. I'm already getting so many new ideas on how to use technology in my new classroom. Its ability to engage students is unlike anything else. Using technology also opens up a world of learning opportunities, and promotes conceptual understanding. Feeling excited!!

Using Technology in Elementary School

Incorporating technology is a vital way to help students become modern learners and thinkers in today’s society. Beyond this, my absolute favorite thing about using technology to facilitate student learning is that it improves engagement. Kids love technology. They're used to technology in their personal lives. They think it's fun. And if lessons are fun, then the students will learn. I’ve had an array of experience using technology in teaching, and I believe that the very best result is the students’ gaining enthusiasm.

My experience using technology occurred during both of my fieldwork placements, in 1st and 4th grade. In 1st grade the students experienced technology through weekly visits to the computer lab, daily use of the document camera, and teacher use of an Ipad, lap top, and other technological tools. In 4th grade, technology was integrated in many aspects of daily learning. Our class was a unique environment, as every student had a laptop, or had access to a desk top computer. The computers were used in amazing ways. The students were able to research and write papers. They also used online educational networking sites to answers question and discuss and share information. The students additionally created digital art projects and digital movies.

I'm passionate about integrating technology both in the way I teach and in the way my students’ learn. Using an Ipad is a great way to document student thinking with pictures as the children are working independently and in small groups. These photos can then be used on a document camera to share the students’ thinking with the class. Technology can additionally be used to assist in teaching through the use of online simulations, audiovisual demonstrations, and historical videos and films. If students have access to personal laptops there are amazing ways to deepen student learning. Students have the ability to build on their knowledge through research, digital art projects, and shared communication with their peers.

Let's Talk About Food... and Drinks

Techhie Teachers

Children of the 21st Century

The world is rapidly changing with the influx of new and advancing technologies. Today, the children of our society often are more acquainted and adept at using these technologies than adults. Even so, in our ever-growing global economy, children need specific skills and knowledge to be successful in their future work and life. The Partnership for 21st Century Skills has created a framework to address the essential core subjects and themes that students need to master for success. Additionally, the ISTE has created the "National Education Technology Standards" and "Performance Indicators".

The core subjects described in the framework titled "Framework for 21st Century Learning" include English, language arts, world languages, arts, mathematics, economics, science, geography, history, government and civics. Beyond knowledge in the core subjects, students must become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and successful communicators and collaborators. According to The Partnership for 21st Century Skills, when the Framework is implemented with scaffolding and support, students will not only be more prepared to thrive in the global economy, but will additionally be more engaged in learning.

The National Education Technology Standards involve 6 domains of student skills and knowledge. The domains are 1. Creativity and Innovation, 2. Communication and Collaboration, 3. Research and Information Fluency, 4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making, 5. Digital Citizenship, and 6. Technology Operations and Concepts. Each group describes with the students need to understand, demonstrate, develop, identify, and exhibit. For example, under the domain Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making, one specific skill is for students to "collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions".