Unit 4

Doesn’t word processing make the writing process too easy?

            For younger grades the basic concepts of the writing process should be taught how to spell and grammar is used correctly. Word processing allows a student instant feed back on what they are doing but all writing still requires proof reading as with writing traditionally. But in older grades word processing allows for quick manipulation of a document with out losing the information.

How can word processing be used to engage students in higher-level thinking?

            By allowing them to come back to their work over an extended amount of time. So they can start an assignment then go back to it as they acquire new information to allow the document to grow and develop. Word Processing skills are required in today’s professional world. I was not taught those skills at an early age nor did I acquire them until college where I was expected to know them this set me back whereas my fellow students did have the background in word processing giving them and edge.

In what ways are the individual needs of students met when their work is completed with a word processor?

            With word-processing each student can work at his or her own pace saving and coming back to a document.  Adding and discovering new information as well as having other read and collaborate on a paper.

Can you identify two types of data your students could collect as part of a lesson?

            In science, data can be collected in various ways from experiments to observations in nature. In history data can be collected from specific battles as well as the migrations of peoples across a country to other countries. Each student can then compare the migration patterns with agricultural information of the time to see if there is a correlation between them.

How could your students manipulate the data to discover relationships or trends?

            Through comparisons of trends and relationships between groups a student can discover the differences between groups as a whole. And when dealing with people the information can have a lot of variety as well as show the inner workings of humans in large groups as well as the thoughts of individuals (when primary sources are used).

Unit 3

How can my students use multimedia for their projects?

Students can use multimedia in a variety of ways from enhancing a PowerPoint to include a video they find on the internet or adding a sound bite from a song that can add to their presentation, this also allows them to make their presentation more unique and specific to them further allowing each student to be creative.

What applications are available for creating a multimedia presentation?

Apple’s iMovie, Windows move maker and power point to name a few there are many options when creating a multimedia project. Each software has its pros and cons with Power Point a student can print he power point as a handout and simply use it as talking points for a presentation using video clips and sounds bites to reinforce their points.

Should I place limits on how my students use multimedia?

Limits should me placed on a student’s use of multimedia, for one the research needs to be from any sources not just the web. Showing that old-fashioned book research is still a skill that is needed in education also the use of primary source discovered in a library are an important part of education and one that I highly value (history major). Multimedia should be used to enhance and reinforce what the student has already learned.

How do you know that students understand a concept?

When they can apply what they have learned to a real life situation. Being able to apply skills in the real world is part of what education is about. My goal is for a student to not only learn the information but also be able use the information and skills learned outside of the classroom and hopefully are able to remember the skills in years to come and even perhaps trouble shoot problems before they become problems.

How can you depict student misconceptions of key information?

The obvious answer is when they get the answer wrong. But normally what I have found is when this occurs a student missed a step either in the directions from moving to quickly or did not fully grasp a concept from the beginning. Not grasping a concept is not something the student discovers normally until they are asked to use the concept in order to complete a task. Also Having different ways of explaining concepts can assist in the transition of concept to real life application, this is due to the fact that each child learns differently and that should be taken into consideration when a new concept is taught.

How can students capture and transfer brainstorming ideas into written thoughts?

Many drafts, just getting the basic idea on paper then asking thought provoking questions to encourage the student to go past their initial thought and as a teacher your goal is to guide them into higher thinking. Most people think in short ideas and need questions in order to guide their thought process to higher-level thinking.

Unit 2 Reflections

There are so many types of software; how do I know which ones to include in my lessons?

Software back by reasearch that you as the teacher have used before allowing students to use. This can be done by your own reasearch or by borrowing ideas from other teachers. Seek outside resources from the person who works in your schools computer lab. Software comes with many new and some old text books. Personally I have used one from a college textbook for a first grade project on the Presidents Washington and Lincoln, simply as a source for reasearch material, it was great fro the higher level thinkers to see the graphics and use the information in the captions in order to complete there projects.

I understand why students should use educational software and the Internet, but why should my fourth-grade students learn to use a spreadsheet, database, or video editing software?

I wish I had learned to use this software it would have made college much smoother, today students need that competative edge and technology is a way to level the playing field even for lowers tudents becaue it can play to the individual strenghs of the child. For example a child may struggle with writing but can create a five min. video explaining the charcter develpoment in a story. The assginment may be different but the outcome is the same the child understood the concept and was able to make it their own. And who knows he may later in life become the one who edits the movies for Hollywood.

How can student use of different types of software help improve scores on state test?

By showing the same information in a different way. Software allows not olny drill and prectice options but tutorials as well. Also lessons can be based around the specific needs of the child with out havign to pull them out of the classroom or make them feel different than the other students. The key is individualization for each student working on their weaknesses but not drilling them with pencil and paper btu something that may give them a different perspective than you may have thought of.

What are the benefits of using problem solving or educational software?

The use of software allows fro a small group setting in a classroom not build fro a small group it allows students to work indenpently and together in groups or pairs while the teacher facilitates or works one on one with a child who requires the indiviual attention. Creating independance in a classroom while still keeping the small groups allows a student to discover more than you could teach them becasue they found the knowledge on their own with your guidence not just lectureing and work sheets.

How do I choose the correct software?

Some is trial and error but before any new software in brought into the classroom proper research must be done and most school districts have a form. But before a teacher pulls their hair out trying to discover the newest software and integrate it into their lessons, Search what is already avalable at your school and talk to ther teacher who have used it. They may have more insite to the hands on part that the website that gave to great reviews. It may be above your students or far below, this collabrative process among teacher can save time when searching for something new to use in teh classroom.

When I integrate problem solving or educational software into a lesson, what changes will be needed?

Making sure  the educational software algins with the objective of the lesson, and decide if the lesson objectives need to be changed inorder to incorporate the new software and if sho how does thatchange the outcome of the lesson. Looking ahead to see what kind of assesment the soft ware provides and decide if that is what will work best inorder to complete the objective of the lesson. Still keeping in mind the NTeQ components unique to technology integration lessons. I worked with a teacher who did not do much with technology  in the classroom in the same grade as one who used technologhy in some way each day. The students in each class still passed the required state test but I feel the students in the other class will be better prepared for the next grade becasue they have a base in technology to give them teh edge they will need in order to succed in the future.

Morrison, G. & Lowther, D. (2010). Integrating Computer Technology Into the Classroom: Skills for the 21st Century. Boston: Pearson.

Unit 1 Reflections

Must I use a inquiry-based learning approach in my classroom to use computers as a tool?

No, But according to the classromm snapshot it is by far the most effective way for a student to discover information. A lot of what happens in a classroom is dependant on the class you have and what level they are not just acdemically but whether they can handle the freedom to use inqury-based learning.

3.    Can I still use tutorials and drill-and-practice software?

YYes, drill- and- practice software and tutorials should be used as a way to renforce what has already been learned. But not as the primary use of technology in the classroom. Idealy I would want to use both bepending on the strengths of the child and the ability of the class as a whole.

Y

Won’t I have to spend a great deal of time to develop these units of instruction?

Depending on the knowledge one has about the specific technology being used, technology can also the incorperated into units already in place. Also as suggested in the text one could be apart of team planning where integration is grade level wide.

 

Won’t every student need a computer to use it as a tool?

 

In a perfect world it would be ideal for each student to have their own computer. But as we all know from the education profession there are constant budget cuts and lack of resources in the school systems. A teacher must be able to do the most with what they have, 21st century skills are an important part of the future for students even if the school system is a few years behined. It is up to the teacher to advocte and fight for what they need in order to help their students achieve their goal.

Chapter 2 Reflections Questions

How do I plan an integrated lesson that will work for my students?

 

Depending on what the schools system has in place there my already be a systematic way of incorperating technology into the regular classroom. Taking the time to seek staff development opportunities could be benficial, asking fro help from fellow teacher and maintaining an open dialogue among staff to play to the strengths of others. Something you are not good at could be something some one else has a nack for.

Why do I need objectives to help with my planning and lesson development?

 

To see if you reach the goals set forth at the beginning of the lesson adn what you may need to change inorder for the lesson to work the next time. What may work with one class may not work with another from year to year.

How can I encourage my students to engage in the processing of information?

 

Children are like sponges they absorb lots of information. By asking thought provoking questions a child is able to process the inofrmation they have been given also through the use or realworld applications.