Chapters 5 and 6

Considering my own opinion on using technology in the classroom, I find Chapter 5 informative on how the use of technology is not always positive influence.  Students today learn how to browse the internet at an early age, and they learn how to use it outside of the classroom.  Students are teaching themselves how to obtain information from the web and it is not necessarily from the most reliable sources.  Much of what we have learned so far has only been about the advantages of technology, not the disadvantages.  Chapter 5 states four ways on page 113 that the Internet can create a dilemma when it comes to retrieving information.  They include misinformation, malinformation, messed-up information, and mostly useless information.  To control and manage the types of information mentioned, the following can be used: censorship, filtering software, partitions, labels, and critical reading.  The chapter also discusses the validity and reliability of Wikipedia, which we discussed in the previous class.

There is so much information that is readily available to students, but they must be taught how to access and utilize their resources properly.  This is important when students have to obtain information for papers as they must also learn to cite their work and pratice safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of source.  

Chapter 6 lists various educational websites that teachers can use.  I personally think these would be very resourceful.  The chapter also touches on virtual cooperative learning and how students are not only limited to learning and interacting with peers in their classroom, but with students in other schools, in other states, or even other countries.  Students are also able to use technology outside of the classroom to practice and learn on their own and stay motivated and engaged in the learning process.  

    
For Thought...

(1) How would you teach your students the process of obtaining reliable information online?
(2) How would you handle situations of plagiarism?  What would the consequences be?
(3) What is your opinion on online learning and virtual schools?
(4) Would you allow your student to use Wikipedia as a reference for research?

Reflection 10/07/15

Aside from the debate of the usage of technology in the classroom, what is most important is the strategy of teaching.  We must revisit the fundamental theories of education and learning.  these are what supply the base for great teaching.  If a teacher is able to apply a theory, and implement it, they will be providing quality teaching to their students.  It is also important to use one theory across the board; for your lesson, implementation, and assessment.

Chapter 2: Understanding Educational Technology Issues and Trends

After reading Chapter 2, a few topics have made me think a lot about my way of teaching in the future.  One of the issues that the author discusses is "that elementary school teachers were less frequent users of technology than secondary teachers; and that math, science, and social studies teachers in high schools tend to use technology more frequently than English/language arts teachers" (page 34).

I personally plan on teaching elementary students.  When I was in elementary school, technology was not used in the classroom.  However, I felt that teachers engaging students in the learning process and showing support and concern for the students' learning proved to be very significant.  Also, as per the author, "To stay in school, these youngsters wanted better teachers, smaller classes, individualized assistance, a school climate fostering achievement, and a strong relationship with at least one adult in the school believing in them and seeing their potential for educational success." (page 29)

I believe that in higher grades, particularly middle school and high school, technology is integrated a lot more into the curriculum than it would be in elementary schools.  It is also discussed that depending on the teacher's own ability to use technology, determines how and how often technology will be used in the classroom.  Even though I may be considered a "digital native", I am not sure how I would feel incorporating technology when I start teaching in an elementary classroom.  I guess I may be a bit old-fashioned when it comes to learning or I am not sure on how to balance teacher-centered and student-centered learning using technology.

Questions

(1)  Is technology a motivating factor for students, or is it teacher-student interaction?
(2)  It is stated in the chapter that some students would prefer to use their personal electronic devices for learning in the classroom.  Do you agree? Would this be a distraction for the student rather than a way to facilitate learning?
(3)  If you could go back in time, is there anything you would change in the way your teachers taught?

Lessons Learned 09/16/15

Technology is continually being integrated in today's classroom.  Learning is no longer limited to pencil and paper, but is being expanded through technological devices.  New legal policies are being implemented to incorporate technology into the classroom at a young age.  Over the course of history, education, and the implementation of education, has changed dramatically.  Children are now being involved in the way they learn and teachers have a greater interaction.