After researching and reading many definitions, I believe that my original thought of educational technology was sufficient. Educational technology is using some form of technology (i.e. podcasts, blogs, webquests, interactive games or lessons) to teach a concept or use in an effort to further deepen a student's understanding of a concept. I read several different definitions for the term, but I still kept coming up with the same definition.
After viewing the two videos, I have to come realize the reason I don't use a lot of the technology that was mentioned is because I don't know how. I would love for my students to learn to blog and watch podcasts, but first I have to become more proficient with the technologies before I can incorporate them into an effective lesson. I do find interactive games and videos online that go with my math lessons and I have my students watch the videos and play the games. I am learning how to do many of the technology applications mentioned and as I do, I will introduce them to my students.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Reflective Blog #1
After reading November's article, the area that stood out to me the most was the section of Live Video Cameras in Every Room. When I read the title, it made me nervous because I automatically started to think about every thing that goes on in my classroom. I began to wonder what would someone on the outside watching think? As the author stated, live video feeds would make every teacher evaluate themselves constantly. As a teacher, I always want to give my students everything I have, but to know that everyone was watching would make me plan that much more effectively a top notch lesson and delivery.
I thought it was wonderful how the fifth grade teacher used the technology to link each student to a parent. I think technology of this sort would be great because parents could watch the progress of their children in real time as well as encourage them or redirect them if necessary. This type of technology would give parents an opportunity to view the lessons and maybe be better prepared to help their children at home with assignments.
As the article states, many teachers probably would not welcome the technology, but it could very well help teachers more than they know. I think I would technology of this sort simply because it would encourage me to always give my students the best lesson I could and also help parents be better equipped to help their children.
I thought it was wonderful how the fifth grade teacher used the technology to link each student to a parent. I think technology of this sort would be great because parents could watch the progress of their children in real time as well as encourage them or redirect them if necessary. This type of technology would give parents an opportunity to view the lessons and maybe be better prepared to help their children at home with assignments.
As the article states, many teachers probably would not welcome the technology, but it could very well help teachers more than they know. I think I would technology of this sort simply because it would encourage me to always give my students the best lesson I could and also help parents be better equipped to help their children.
Reflective Blog #1
Blogging can be an invaluable tool for learning. I agree with the statement made by fifth grader Dominic that blogging gives students a chance to communicate their ideas and thoughts and get the feedback of the entire world. He said that it encourages students to write more. The article went on to discuss the educational possibilities of blogging like archiving and publishing student work and connecting teachers, students, and parents. The article also states that blogging is an useful tool because it gives equity to all students because all students would be given the same space and opportunity to share their thoughts.
The article also goes on to share reasons why blogging is not being as effective as it could be in the educational realm. Will Richardson states: "By its very nature, assigned blogging in schools cannot be blogging. It’s contrived. No matter how much we want to spout off about the wonders of audience and readership, students who are asked to blog are blogging for an audience of one, the teacher." When the semester ends, "students drop blogging like wet cement." Richardson wants to teach students to write with passion, but he notes: "I can’t let them do it passionately due to the inherent censorship that a high school served Weblog carries with it."34 This quote alone states why blogging can not reach its full potential. In order for any new implementation to be successful, there has to be buy-in by all stakeholders. Students will not buy-in to this forum because of the fact that in the end, they are writing in a restrictive environment and the writing itself is simply to satisfy the requirements of the teacher. They can not express themselves freely because of the censors placed on them by the school and teacher. The writer states that blogging ends up resembling a conversation and what kind of conversation can a student have with other students if it has many restrictions?
34. Will Richardson, "The Blogging in Schools Question," Weblogg-Ed, April 13, 2004, http://www.weblogg-ed.com/2004/04/13#a1699.
The article also goes on to share reasons why blogging is not being as effective as it could be in the educational realm. Will Richardson states: "By its very nature, assigned blogging in schools cannot be blogging. It’s contrived. No matter how much we want to spout off about the wonders of audience and readership, students who are asked to blog are blogging for an audience of one, the teacher." When the semester ends, "students drop blogging like wet cement." Richardson wants to teach students to write with passion, but he notes: "I can’t let them do it passionately due to the inherent censorship that a high school served Weblog carries with it."34 This quote alone states why blogging can not reach its full potential. In order for any new implementation to be successful, there has to be buy-in by all stakeholders. Students will not buy-in to this forum because of the fact that in the end, they are writing in a restrictive environment and the writing itself is simply to satisfy the requirements of the teacher. They can not express themselves freely because of the censors placed on them by the school and teacher. The writer states that blogging ends up resembling a conversation and what kind of conversation can a student have with other students if it has many restrictions?
34. Will Richardson, "The Blogging in Schools Question," Weblogg-Ed, April 13, 2004, http://www.weblogg-ed.com/2004/04/13#a1699.
Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day! (Philosophy)
When I first read about this assignment, I thought that it was going to be a pretty easy assignment because I have a philosophy that I have lived by for the past two years. I then began to look at all the areas that our philosophy should address and I began to get nervous. I thought a philosophy was a simple generalization that I could identify with like “All children can learn”, but this assignment required that I go deeper than the everyday educational clichés and really think about my feelings toward education and technology. The writing exercises were an invaluable portion of this development and encouraged me to reflect on the various aspects of my teaching and its methods.
The purpose of education is to ensure that all students receive the skills necessary to work towards their short term and long term goals. The teacher is responsible for using every resource available to them to ensure the success of each and every student. The teacher is responsible for making the learning “real” to student by helping the student to connect their learning to other content areas as well as real world experiences. The best teacher I ever had was Mr. Manson, who taught Chemistry. What made Mr. Manson so wonderful was he had a way of bringing chemistry alive and he showed us how we used it in our everyday lives. Although the content itself was very difficult at times, he had a way of making it so simple, that the vast majority of his students were able to be successful. Mr. Manson exemplifies what a good teacher is. Teachers are supposed to present the content in such a way that all children feel they can learn it and make connections with it.
Although I was a student of Mr. Manson fifteen years ago, I still try to emulate his style of teaching. Meaning, I try to make mathematics so simple that all of my students can understand the content as well as identify the concepts in their everyday lives. One of the most difficult (worst) classes I ever took in my career was a course I took during graduate school. What made this course so painful was the fact that it was all sit and get, it lacked any type of interaction, and the teacher did all the talking. I took this course about two years ago and it helped me tremendously. Whenever I plan a lesson, I think about activities that I can engage my students in that will give them an opportunity to interact with one another as well as learn from one another.
While trying to develop a philosophy, I had to read about the various philosophical schools of thought. After reading about the six schools of thought, I realized that I identified with the Pragmatism school of thought. I truly believe that no matter what a person’s path, education is essential to them being able to fully function in life. Pragmatics also believe that a learner’s life experiences should be incorporated into their learning and the development of their problem solving skills. Most importantly (to me) Pragmatics believe that since no child reaches the same point at the same time, all children should be educated the same way.
There are so many factors that shape every teacher and every student. I teach the way that I do because I feel that it is the most effective method to reach the students that I teach. I choose assignments and activities for that same reason because I feel it is what’s best for the students I teach. So many times students have so much information stored on the inside, but never realize how it all connects together. I always try to keep the information that I teach very simple because I want all of my students to feel the way that I felt taking chemistry from Mr. Manson, that nothing is too hard for me. I want every student of mine to leave my classroom feeling confident about working with mathematics on their grade level.
As I worked to develop a philosophy and went through the various steps, I did realize that I need to incorporate technology into my daily teaching. I do not use technology in my teaching primarily because I am not as literate as I need to be to have produce quality lessons with technology. I am an automater of information and not an informator; however, this exercise helps me examine my areas in need of improvement. I think a great teacher realizes that they can never reach a point where they have perfected their craft, but rather it is a never ending process to perfect their craft. Every time I think I have found the best strategy for teaching a content area, a colleague gives me an even better method or I find a more efficient way on a website. Great teaching is finding a way to reach all learners and help them experience success.
In conclusion, my philosophy although quite simple still holds true, “Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day!” Great teaching is finding a way to reach all learners, and incorporating technology into my lessons could make it that much easier to reach my students. Fear breeds a lot of things, and I can no longer be afraid of technology because my fears could rob my students of an extraordinary learning experience. As Pragmatic school of thoughts has stated we must use processes and the things that help reach the desired outcomes. My desired outcome for all of my students is success and confidence when it comes to mathematics and therefore I must provide every chance for them to reach the desired outcome.
**Just going through the writing excercises and developing a philosophy, has helped me to evaluate my teaching style and methods used. As I stated in my philosophy statement, I have realized how I don't use technology in my teaching because of my own fears and incompetence. I am already loving this course because it helped to explore technology that I have never used before. I have decided that as I learn to use technolgy, I am going to pass on the information to my students and create projects that will allow them to explore the technology of today. Our school has two computer labs with brand new computers that nobody uses. If I am going to give my students every chance to be successful, I have to equip them with everything I have.
The purpose of education is to ensure that all students receive the skills necessary to work towards their short term and long term goals. The teacher is responsible for using every resource available to them to ensure the success of each and every student. The teacher is responsible for making the learning “real” to student by helping the student to connect their learning to other content areas as well as real world experiences. The best teacher I ever had was Mr. Manson, who taught Chemistry. What made Mr. Manson so wonderful was he had a way of bringing chemistry alive and he showed us how we used it in our everyday lives. Although the content itself was very difficult at times, he had a way of making it so simple, that the vast majority of his students were able to be successful. Mr. Manson exemplifies what a good teacher is. Teachers are supposed to present the content in such a way that all children feel they can learn it and make connections with it.
Although I was a student of Mr. Manson fifteen years ago, I still try to emulate his style of teaching. Meaning, I try to make mathematics so simple that all of my students can understand the content as well as identify the concepts in their everyday lives. One of the most difficult (worst) classes I ever took in my career was a course I took during graduate school. What made this course so painful was the fact that it was all sit and get, it lacked any type of interaction, and the teacher did all the talking. I took this course about two years ago and it helped me tremendously. Whenever I plan a lesson, I think about activities that I can engage my students in that will give them an opportunity to interact with one another as well as learn from one another.
While trying to develop a philosophy, I had to read about the various philosophical schools of thought. After reading about the six schools of thought, I realized that I identified with the Pragmatism school of thought. I truly believe that no matter what a person’s path, education is essential to them being able to fully function in life. Pragmatics also believe that a learner’s life experiences should be incorporated into their learning and the development of their problem solving skills. Most importantly (to me) Pragmatics believe that since no child reaches the same point at the same time, all children should be educated the same way.
There are so many factors that shape every teacher and every student. I teach the way that I do because I feel that it is the most effective method to reach the students that I teach. I choose assignments and activities for that same reason because I feel it is what’s best for the students I teach. So many times students have so much information stored on the inside, but never realize how it all connects together. I always try to keep the information that I teach very simple because I want all of my students to feel the way that I felt taking chemistry from Mr. Manson, that nothing is too hard for me. I want every student of mine to leave my classroom feeling confident about working with mathematics on their grade level.
As I worked to develop a philosophy and went through the various steps, I did realize that I need to incorporate technology into my daily teaching. I do not use technology in my teaching primarily because I am not as literate as I need to be to have produce quality lessons with technology. I am an automater of information and not an informator; however, this exercise helps me examine my areas in need of improvement. I think a great teacher realizes that they can never reach a point where they have perfected their craft, but rather it is a never ending process to perfect their craft. Every time I think I have found the best strategy for teaching a content area, a colleague gives me an even better method or I find a more efficient way on a website. Great teaching is finding a way to reach all learners and help them experience success.
In conclusion, my philosophy although quite simple still holds true, “Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day!” Great teaching is finding a way to reach all learners, and incorporating technology into my lessons could make it that much easier to reach my students. Fear breeds a lot of things, and I can no longer be afraid of technology because my fears could rob my students of an extraordinary learning experience. As Pragmatic school of thoughts has stated we must use processes and the things that help reach the desired outcomes. My desired outcome for all of my students is success and confidence when it comes to mathematics and therefore I must provide every chance for them to reach the desired outcome.
**Just going through the writing excercises and developing a philosophy, has helped me to evaluate my teaching style and methods used. As I stated in my philosophy statement, I have realized how I don't use technology in my teaching because of my own fears and incompetence. I am already loving this course because it helped to explore technology that I have never used before. I have decided that as I learn to use technolgy, I am going to pass on the information to my students and create projects that will allow them to explore the technology of today. Our school has two computer labs with brand new computers that nobody uses. If I am going to give my students every chance to be successful, I have to equip them with everything I have.
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