Reflection on Integrating Technology in the Classroom

Reflection on Integrating Technology in the Classroom

The course, Integrating Technology in the Classroom, has opened my eyes to the many ways I can incorporate various technological tools in my class. I have learned how to use tools that I had no knowledge of such as wikis, podcasts, blogs, Skype, and Delicious. It’s amazing at all the technology that is available! This realization has verified to me the importance of teachers staying up to date not only with the latest research, but also with the latest technological tools and skills. This is not only important in keeping students engaged, but it is essential in getting them ready for the 21st century work place.

One concept that really had an impact on me concerning the teaching and learning process using technology is that I need to be doing different things, not doing the same thing differently. Without this mindset, nothing really changes. We as teachers need to make sure we don’t get into a rut and use the same rote routine from year to year. By trying new things, it will help keep us rejuvenated in our teaching in turn our excitement will be passed on to the students.

Allowing students to use technology in the classroom, invites them to use their creativity and keeps students engaged in the learning process. This allows learning to become more student centered rather that teacher centered. With this role change, teachers become more of a facilitator. Instead of lecturing, teachers are modeling how to use the tools, to collaborate, to answer questions, to solve problems, and how to determine if information is credible. This allows teachers to obtain more formative assessments, which let teachers, know how and what students are learning.

We must remember we are lifelong learners. To keep up with the latest technology, we need to let down our hair and let students teach us. Continuing education classes and professional development, and teacher mentors are great ways to continue to expand our knowledge to help us increase student achievement. With this in mind, I have set two long-term goals in helping me transform my classroom into a technology based learning environment. First, I would like to have more classroom computers, at least six. Budget cuts and lack of funding will be the main obstacles in achieving this goal. With the big push for integrating technology, I feel we could get some funding and discounts for education. Another goal I have is to be more proficient in using web 2.0 tools. Therefore, I am going to have to use and practice these tools weekly in the classroom. Allowing students to communicate globally by parents and administration will be the main challenge affecting this goal. With technology growing and here again the push for integrating technology and having students ready for the 21st century workplace, they will conform to society’s push in having students educated and ready to enter the “real world”.

I am proud to say that I have been able to change some answers on my beginning check- list. I am still in the early learning stages, but I am excited to continue to learn and practice new skills, which incorporate technology in the classroom.

Podcast-Interview with Students

I teach 4th grade and asked several of my students about what kind of technology they use and for what purpose-here is the link:

http://rebekahspods.podomatic.com/player/web/2009-04-01T06_06_36-07_00

It's about 7 minutes long-the kids got a little silly near the end-Hope you enjoy!

Partnership for 21st Century Skills

Overall, I thought the website was good. It gave a wealth of information on the use of technology in the classroom as well as formative and summative assessment information. My favorite part was the section on snapshots. I liked the link to edutopia which had video clips of how students used and integrated technology into their core curriculum. I wished the clips included more for the elementary age student and how they use technology in the classroom. I wish the website included more videos with more hands on ideas and just about the program in general-I think it would have made it more interesting. I liked how the state standards were outlined and the amount of information that was provided to go along with each. I thought the website to be beneficial with a lot of information, though, there was a lot to read.

Blog Idea for the Classroom

I teach 4th grade, all subjects, with math and reading as the most critical when it comes to passing the standardized test coming up in the spring. I have thought of a blog idea that would place emphasis on reading skills being that it is the one area in which my students perform at a low level.

I would like my students to read a chapter book as a class or a story from their reading book and use blogging to interact with one another about the various aspects of the book/story. I would like them to communicate on the author's purpose for writing, what type of genre it is, the characters and what roles/feelings they brought to the story, the setting, the plot, and any cause and effect events that might have occurred.

I feel this would be a good way for students to interact and comment to one another and for each of them to share their view points of the story and how it affected them. It will also help in their written communication skills and allow them to truly think about what they read.

Technology Ready?

Technology Ready?
by Rebekah Thompson

Having an associate degree in computer science, I thought I was computer savvy. What little did I know? Technology has changed over the years and seems to be changing daily. Looking at what my children and friends can do with the computer, cell phones, and other media, I have realized I am behind the times! There is so much I don't know when it comes to various technology devices and web applications. This year, my school put interactive white boards in all of the classrooms. I decided it was time to catch up with my students and start trying new strategies that meet their learning needs and interests while increasing my knowledge in Internet/computer applications and other technical devices that they are participating in daily. I plan on taking it one day at a time and hope to be fairly sufficient before it all starts changing again.

CREDE STANDARDS Continued

Hello Again,

I have been thinking about how I could be more responsive with ELL students and how I can incorporate the 5 CREDE standards into my units/lessons. Garcia states that we need to understand cultural differences in talk, being we need to let students talk. We need to adjust our teaching strategies so that language can be used and we as teachers can listen more. This allows us to be more responsive to students and help us focus more on critical issues and family background of students. One way this can be incorporated is by having small group activities and providing opportunities for student to do research on their native country and other activities that would share information about them. This also helps integrate the CREDE standards Tharp expounds upon. Even though I do small group activities, I need to more and include more activities that help students express themselves and develop literacy and critical thinking. I sometimes stick too closely to the book, I need to take the risk and step outside the box to ensure students learn more and enjoy learning and to help me as a teacher benefit by knowing I was able to help a student/students.

CREDE STANDARDS

Hello,

I recently watched a video in which Tharp shares 5 common elements in diverse population based on CREDE standards (Center Research Education Diversity Excellence). Research began in Hawaii in the 1960's, then expanded to the Navajo Indians, then to the Zuni, and eventually to every major linguistic group. I also had the opportunity to watch a video by Garcia where he expounded on the five R's and one T that all schools need to practice to help diverse students and their families want to come to school and participate. The five R's include being respectful, responsive, responsible, resourceful, and reasonable. The one T represents the theory-driven approach in which everyone has a theory about the way diverse students learn.

After watching these two videos, I realize that I am actually already doing some of the things that they say would be beneficial to diverse students. One theme that both Tharp and Garcia both felt was a critical component for diverse learners was providing them with the opportunity to speak, to be engaged in dialogue. Tharp suggested that one of the best ways to accomplish this was through small group activities. This is something that I do often. I do small group activities which require interactions among students, but the one thing that I don't do often is incorporate critical thinking activities in these small groups which challenge students. Both Tharp and Garcia feel this in important among diverse students. Tharp says that we need to teach students to think and challenge them where they are at in their learning-that we should be always pulling them forward. This is one area that I need to incorportate on a daily basis. I do challenge my students, but I need to provide more opportunities. Garcia, in his Theory-Driven approach, suggests that if we have low expectations for diverse students, we as teachers will provide a less challenged curriculum. That we as teachers decide what students can or can not do or achieve. I find my self thinking these thoughts at times, but I expect the very best of all of my students and have high expectations for each of them.