Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Block Two, Discussion D (Spring 2014)

Reflect on Block Two in its entirety. Based on the resources you have gained and the projects you have created, what is your current perspective on technology as an instructional tool? Is this consistent or different than your opinion at the beginning of the semester? Explain.

18 comments:

  1. Reflecting on block 2, I feel like technology is valuable as an instructional tool. I was actually conversing with a peer about the effectiveness of Present.Me as a tool for substitute teachers. Under the assumption that most subs do not actually teach, a teacher could pre-plan a lesson and leave the sub with instructions to just hit play. The teacher would miss a day without actually losing a day of instruction. I know this is a valid concern for most teachers who want to take a day off, and end up deciding not to. This is completely different from how I initially thought entering this class. Not only was I oblivious to the wonders of technology, but I had could not fathom it's usefulness in a classroom. This class has really opened my eyes to the joys of using technology for teaching. It also gives me a new meaning for working smarter, not harder. Additionally, I realize now, I foolishly allowed myself to think that more technology could mean the eventual replacement of teachers. Now, I only see technology as an improvement and not a threat.

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  2. When first beginning my tech journey, I was a bit skeptical about being able to grasp the different concepts within technology and it made me have negative feelings towards most of it, however, I soon learned that those feeling were due to a professor I had in undergrad that was not able to effectively articulate and teach the various uses of technology from any standpoint. I am so glad now that I have an instructor who takes the time out to show students the different technologies and how they can be utilized not only inside the classroom but outside the classroom as well. The eyejot tool is helpful to parents and students. The present me is a great creative tool to incorporate within a lesson. Students who may be sick or home-schooled could benefit greatly from this tool along with screenr and jing/screencast technologies. Many students lack motivation to learn and being able to add these tools alongside teaching in the traditional manner produces a more enriched lesson. I will be storing these resources in my personal files as I am sure that most, if not all, will be utilized at some point in my teaching career or as an instructional tool in my singing career.

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  3. Technology as an instructional tool promotes forward thinking and will indefinitely impact 21st century learners. The technological tools that students can be exposed to will propel creativity, and aid in academic understanding. The point of cultivating new instructional techniques is to ensure learning remain relevant to students. Our society is on the cutting edge of technological advancement therefore our curriculum should mirror the populace it wishes to reach. Denying the use of technology in the classroom will only hinder the digital natives essentially stunting growth and conceptual awareness of the technology all around them. The chief issue in infusing technology into the classroom is the delivery from the teacher to the students. Educators must stay abreast on the changing instructional tools and the incorporate them wisely into the everyday learning environment. At the beginning of the semester, I understood the significance of technology usage in the classroom, but now I see the imperative nature of the matter. The proper implementation of technology is necessary to uphold current curriculum standards, promote global citizenship, and advance our society forward.

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  4. I can honestly say that my perspective on technology as an instructional tool has changed drastically. I am not as smart and proficient with technology as I thought I was before taking this class. Not to sound insulting but if I am struggling then I know that others older than me who have less experience with technology are struggling. I am all for instructional technology, but I do believe that educating teachers on how to use it for instruction would take a long time and a lot of money. Using technology for instruction also must be used in the correct way.If the teacher does not wisely incorporate technology in a way that the students can understand and use is resourcefully, then it is a waste of time. Present Me has been my most difficult tool to use to date. I am no the most artistic person so making sure I relay my teaching skills in a presentation has been somewhat difficult for me. I have really enjoyed using Eyejot and learning about Edmodo, I just need some more time in using Present Me effectively. technology is ever changing. If you can continue to fall behind in using the technology you begin to fall behind in the evolution of technology. Whoo wee I have a lot more to learn and a lot more to understand, but I am up for the challenge.

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  5. The applications in Block Two are exciting alternatives to traditional modes of instruction. While teaching the alpha generation that is described as tech-savvy, it is prolific that teachers equip themselves with different pedagogies based on the evolution of technology. As of now, I am not a classroom teacher. Even though, I have used several of the applications in block two. I have used create a graph to represent data of more than 40thousand entries; today 4/7/2014 I used screener (jing) to share some ideas and ask a collogue questions on some research we are working on; I plan to use present me to rehearse for presentations and much more. I have used paper rater to rate my writing before submission. While using paper rater, I learned of vocabbuilder and I love it. I like edmodo and I think it is something I would use together with remind 101 in my classroom instruction.
    This is a great class and I needed it. I cannot believe how much I have learned in the past two months. Thanks Dr. Kendall

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  7. From Remind101, Audacity, Create a Graph, Present.Me, and Jing, I have acquired a substantial amount of knowledge about technology and how useful it can be as an instructional tool. Words cannot express my level of gratitude for this course and having such a remarkable professor as Dr. Kendall. From the initial start I was frightened, being that I was not the most tech savvy individual. The completion of almost every assignment caused for a celebration amongst my family (LOL) . It's been quite a journey, but a journey well worth. I found myself being overly impressed with each and every tool due to lack of knowledge. I was simply amazed at what each tool could do and how beneficial they all were in regards to education. I have a professor that has mentioned continuously how important it is that educators and future educators receive the technological knowledge necessary in order to cater and meet the needs of generations to come. My viewpoint about technology has changed tremendously and I'm appreciative for such. Throughout my career, I will remain informed on technology and the educational tools associated with it as it is ever evolving.

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  8. My viewpoint on technology in the classroom has changed drastically in the past 3 months. Honestly, the only technology I had been exposed to was social media sites, and I knew they were not good for elementary students. My eyes have been opened to many great ideas and many useful tools for my classroom. I enjoyed using Screencast and wished some of my own children's teachers would use this. What a great tool to share websites and ideas for kids to work on at home. Currently, my oldest son is struggling with a topic and I have been searching on-line for interactive sites to help him. Wouldn't it be great if teachers would share the information they have with parents that are trying to assist their own children.

    Even though I did not like all of the projects, mainly Present Me, I am very pleased with myself for having completed every assignment. Upon entering this class, my computer knowledge consisted of email, Facebook, and Microsoft Word. I have met a few obstacles along the way, but I have cried my through it and have come out victorious on the other side. I know I will need more practice with using the various, ever-changing tools that are available, but I am positive that I now see technology as a positive.
    Thank you, Dr. Kendall, for making technology fun and exciting.

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  9. Reflecting on block two, I feel like technology is extremely beneficial for all of us as an instructional tool. I can’t describe how much I have learned in the past two months in value. To explain, before taking this class, I really could not imagine that I would learn all these applications and instructional tools. However, I realized that nothing is impossible with learning. Now, I can create a project and send my learning messages via many technological methods such as present me, eye jot, Jing, and many more to teach others and educate them inside or outside classroom as well whatever their circumstances! How interesting is that? Dr. Kendall, I really appreciate your teaching for us these concepts within technology since it opened my eyes to an amazing technology world, and I am going to store these resources to utilize them for sure in my future teaching career.

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  10. I have always been open to technology and the idea that it can enrich the classroom. I think it makes learning more fun and exciting for students and am excited to use some of the programs we have learned about this semester in my future classroom. However, some programs seem to be unnecessary in a typical classroom setting. Programs like screenr and presentme would not be something I would use in a traditional young elementary age classroom. I can understand how those programs would be beneficial to older students if they we absent from school or could do more independent learning but for first grade students those programs would be difficult to incorporate. However I am really excited about some of the classroom management tools we have learned about like remind101, edmodo and nearpod.

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  11. I love technology and use it vigorously every day. From a teacher's perspective, I only thought of technology as a way to motivate and engage students in their curriculum. I had not really thought of technology as a tool that could help me personally as a teacher.

    I have really enjoyed being exposed to the tools in Block 2 that have opened my eyes to technology as a tool to help my practice. Edmodo is at the top of my list as an incredible resource for the teacher to be able to communicate with both students and the parents alike. To employ Edmodo reminds me of something that my father taught me as a young man: sometimes working smart is better than working hard. Edmodo, when combined with Remindme 101, are tools that help a teacher work smart. I love them and have told many colleagues about them as a result of my study of Block 2.

    The assignments in block two also taught me how to work smarter as a teacher. The streamlined, “Tell ‘em in 10” PowerPoint format as well as the creation of an online, self grading quiz for formative assessment were two of the activities that I found to be extremely valuable to any teacher. I enjoyed learning about technology that would help me to be a better teacher from the administrative side of the practice as I've heard in my practicum experiences to date that the administrative side of teaching (grades reports, assessments, etc.) make up a great deal of the work that a teacher does aside from teaching students. Having tools in my kit that help make lighter work of administrative tasks is priceless. To be sure, we have gotten exposed to some great tools in the assignments of Block 2.

    At the onset of Block 2 we addressed ideas about the proper use of technology. Though I was previously aware of Netiquette and Cyberbullying, I found it extremely enlightening to take a deeper dive in these areas via the case studies and exercises. I view teaching as the development of fine young men and women of good character and scholarship. Therefore, to learn more about teaching children how to act properly with technology hit close to heart with me. Moreover, as social norms, differentiated instruction, special accommodation and inclusion, and technology continue to evolve, we need to also evolve in our practice, which follows with current best practices.

    The resources and assignments in Block 2 exposed me to new ideas and technology that boosted my love of it in challenging and enlightening ways. To say that my outlook on technology in education has expanded and improved would be a gross understatement of how much I have gained from my work in Block 2. Onward and upward I happily proceed.

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  12. My perspective on Technology as an instructional tool has enhanced more in conjunction with taking Dr.Kendall's EDCI 6190 last semester. I was already introduced to Wordle, Audacity, EyeJot, etc which are great instructional tools to have and be familiar with. Technology used as a instructional tool supports student's learning and using technology in the classroom allows students to explore and look for information via computers, I pads, Laptops, smart-boards, etc. Allowing students to have exploration is important in teaching and learning. I feel that having technology as an instruction tool allows students to be active learners and be prepared for the technological society of the 21st century and workforce. I am very thankful that I am taking this course because it has provided me with effective technology training and how to use technology effectively in the classroom, and how to incorporate it into my curriculum and planning. Due to today's society having the newest "high tech" educational tools, it requires a knowledgeable teacher who understands technology and how to use it in education. I will continue to educate myself on how to best use these tools to enhance how I will teach and prepare myself for my teaching career.

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  13. I feel that technology is an important and powerful instructional tool. Students are increasingly accustomed to utilizing technology in their everyday lives; and more and more, it seems that the schoolhouse is the only place reticent to them doing so. Rather than viewing technology as a “mortal enemy” teachers would be wise to exploit their students’ interest in technologically interactive platforms as a means to educational ends. This use, however, comes with the responsibility to educate students about good digital citizenship. These feelings are consistent with what I felt at the beginning of the semester. In fact, I feel this way even more so. And, with the awareness of platforms like Eyejot and Remind101 and Nearpod, I feel more empowered to effectively do so.

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  14. Reem Halasa

    Applications and educational tools, such as PresentMe, Flickr, Screenr, Screencast w/Jinga, are alternate methods of presenting curriculum in a fresh and technology savvy fashion. These types of resources are easily adapted across curricula, i.e. mathematics, science, English, etc. Prior to beginning this course, I would not have imagined using a poling application to gather students’ responses – a method that utilizes students’ desire to use their personal mobile devices as a means of obtaining student’s attention. This course has introduced me to technology resources that can be used to create either student-centered lessons or a teacher-centered lessons. In addition, many resources will assist me in diversifying curriculum to reach all types of learners.

    Overall, Block Two and this course in general has opened my eyes to seeking more educational technology to incorporate when I begin to create lesson plans as a future educator. Not to mention, these resources are great to share in a school to encourage other teachers to utilize outside resources to make learning exciting and providing a creative twist to lessons.

    Thanks!

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  15. When this class began I thought I knew a lot about technology. I knew that I had been out of the app world until recently, but I had no Idea of the benefits some of these other software tools provided for a classroom teacher. My perspective has made a complete 180. I have used, with success, both Nearpod, and Screenr in class recently. I am surprised of how much I have missed not being in touch with the “Smart phone” revolution. I used to see myself as a techy, but now I am basic at best when it comes to beneficial software on the internet. I have a monumental step to take if I want to be on the level I was in college. I do feel like the information in this class is instrumental in order to rebound to the title of guru.

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  16. Using technology as an instructional tool is not nearly as difficult as I initially thought it would be. Even though there were assignments that I would spend time toiling over, the struggle was never too bad. That sense of panic when getting the assignments, eases a little bit each week. I definitely see myself utilizing the resources used for the projects in my future class. My only concern is maintaining a sufficient amount of technology knowledge in order to provide my students with the maximum educational experience they deserve.

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  17. At first I could see that it was difficult to finish some of the applications that we have used such as Present.Me But now that we finished two block, I saw that I am able to use the applications of technology that will help in the learning process and facilitate for students. Students now living in the era of technology and it became difficult to separate education technology. These applications will also help me in the future when I became a teacher in a school. Also,I will use some of these applications when I go back to Saudi Arabia. It will be interesting to use in education.

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  18. In the beginning of the semester, I thought this class wasn’t going to teach me what I don’t already know in technology, but as the semester progressed gradually, I was fascinated on how ignorant I was concerning the use of technology as a teaching tool. Block two offered a lot of education technology application. The one that appealed to me most is screenr or jings, the screenshot application. I have usually watched YouTube video where screen shots where used to explained technical online stuff. I usually wondered how it was done. I have no doubt, that this is one of the best and most useful graduate class I have been in throughout my program.

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