Technology Inquiry Wiki Reflection

I think the hardest part of creating my technology inquiry wiki was finding the sources I wanted to use. I probably had about ten other websites I considered using before I finally decided which ones to use. The problem was, all the websites I found seemed to have some relevant information on them. I also spent a long time on each website trying to summarize and explain why that website/article was relevant. I wanted to make sure I did a good job explaining why that particular article was important to my question. I enjoyed doing the best practices section of my wiki because that is where I felt I was bringing together all the information I had found in my sources. Also, I think I found some really helpful websites that I added to the additional sources section. Overall, creating my wiki was a pretty good experience for me. I didn't have too many difficulties as far as the actual production of the wiki went, I used Google Sites and I thought it was pretty easy to use. Also, I was happy with all the things I learned while making my wiki. My inquiry question was: What are some ways we can effectively integrate technology into early childhood classrooms? As an early childhood education major I thought it was really important to become knowledgeable of some of the ways I could use technology in my classroom. In creating my wiki, I feel have done just that. :)

Screencast Reflection

I felt like I put a lot of effort into my screencast. First, I had the expectations confused with a different assignment so I created a screencast that was too short. That was a bummer because I seemed to stumble over my words and pause so much that it took me hours to record one I thought was good enough. So, after writing out a longer and, hopefully, better script I was ready for my screencast recording session #2. I don't know what it is about creating a screencast that is so difficult for me! I had no problem using jing, writing a script, or navigating my cool tool. My only problem was that every time I began recording I would get myself so nervous that I would stumble over words, pause for too long, or forget what I was saying (even with a script!) Finally, I was able to create a screencast I thought met expectations.

The cool-tool I used for this assignment was PREZI. In creating this assignment I feel I have become very comfortable using PREZI and I would definitely recommend it as a presentation tool. Also, I think after spending so much time creating my screencast I will be able to create screencasts with less difficulties in the future. (I hope!)

Link to my screencast: http://www.screencast.com/users/moon24/folders/Default/media/76a734eb-ab0e-4190-91bd-79b532439535

Exit Slip: Week 3

Hm....it's safe to say we are far past week three by now but after reviewing my blog I noticed I didn't post an exit slip for this week. Luckily, we have the helpful what we did in class wiki! There were a few important thinks I took away from this class. First of all, we went over some tips for successful presentations. One thing I will always remember is: AVOID UMS, AHS, AND LIKES! Another helpful thing I took away from this class (which I still remember!) were some helpful SmartBoard tips. One thing I thought was really cool was that you can calibrate text and move text around on the board by clicking on it and dragging. And also, when using online sources use Triangulation! Check your sources with other sources and always make sure what you are using is credible.

Chapter 10: Rethinking Education In the Age of Technology

The last chapter of the book! This chapter basically wrapped up the entire book and went over the different ways we, as future educators, need to rethink education in a technological world. As far as learning goes, it has become easier and easier for children to learn outside of school with the technologies and resources they have. We need to learn what and how they are learning so we can incorporate these things into our classrooms. The chapter then went on to discuss rethinking motivation. The book states that our schools aren’t motivating students as they should be. I do agree with this but I disagree with their idea that students should learn more computer-based learning as opposed to teacher based learning. I am all for integrating technology into the classroom but I don’t think that students should just sit at a computer to learn and get instruction form the teacher “when necessary”. If this happened, when would it stop? Eventually there would be no schools, no teachers, just children learning at their computers. Computers are great tools and with all the resources we have it is great that children can find so many learning opportunities through the computers but I think there needs to be a balance between computers and human interactions. Throughout the book they have pushed the integration of technology but I think this book was pretty biased. The book took little time to discuss the negatives that could come from such heavy integrations of technology.  I do agree that it is undeniable that our schools are behind in this technological world and that schools need to work harder to change but I don’t think computers should become the main source of learning. Another main idea that was pushed throughout the book was life-long learning. Careers are no longer life-long as they used to be so we need to prepare our students for a future in this world. However, throughout the book it pushed the idea of students learning what they are interested in. I think it is important for students to become knowledgeable in things that interest them, but I think they also need to be knowledgeable in a variety of topics.

I think the book kind of contradicts itself because it states that students need to be life-long learners in order to prepare for a society where they might have several careers but it also pushes the idea that students should become knowledgeable in just the topics they want to be. One chapter even proposed the idea that high school students could get certified in certain areas instead of getting the traditional high school diploma. To sum up my thoughts and what I have learned throughout this book I would say that we need to find balance. In today’s society technology needs to be integrated but it is our job to figure out how to do it to best prepare our student’s for the future. Throughout this book I have learned not only about technology but about the American education system as a whole. I do have a new view on technology because before I really didn’t have a view at all. Now I know that technology is an essential aspect of education and it is our job to effectively integrate it into our classrooms.

Exit Slip: 12/9/10

Three Ways to Integrate Technology into Ella's Kindergarten Class:

1.) In my classroom, I plan to have different centers for the Kindergartner's to learn and explore. I believe one section should be an audio section where students can listen to different sounds, stories, etc. The audio could come from a computer or even an ipod or other listening device. In several Early Learning classrooms I have been to teachers are still using tape players for this. I think by now, students should be introduced to computers or even I-pods. Some people may think that I-pods may be too complicated for Kindergartners to use, but I disagree. The "learning" playlist would already be set up by me and ready to go, all the students would have to do is press play and put the head phones on (Kindergartners can do this!) As far as the actual audio files go, one type of file I would use a combination of podcasts and songs.

2.) Also, in one learning center, I believe even as young as kindergarten, the students should have access to computers. On these computers there will be learning devices available in several subjects. One program I might use is Scratch. I could use Scratch for a mathematics lesson or lessons in other areas such as reading and writing (ABC's, etc) as well. Also, there may be educational videos available for the students to watch on the computers.

3.) I also hope to have access to an Interactive White Board. I think an IWB would be a great way to get Kindergartner's attention and also help them build on their skills and knowledge. At this age, Interactive White Boards can help students build their fine motor skills (if they are able to use the IWB's hands-on) as well as effectively teach them the content of the lesson.

Other Ideas (All Grades):

• Video Streaming
• Blogging
• Scratch
• E-Pals
• Simulations
• Online Whiteboarding (Scribble)
• Course website/portal 
• Podcasting
• Wikis
• Online Multimedia

In class today, Dr. Boyer mentioned recording students reading (in early childhood education classrooms) three times a year. This way, I would actually be able to hear the students' progress and share it with parents. I think this is a great idea and I hope to do this in my future classroom. When I came into this semester I didn't really have too many ideas of ways I could integrate technology into my classroom. To be honest, I didn't even know I would use much technology in the early childhood classrooms. However, now I know that in the earlier grades it is just as important, if not more, important to incorporate technology in the classroom. As you can see above, I now have several specific ideas of effective ways to incorporate technology in my classroom. Although, I do struggle with technology, I feel as though it should be an essential part of all students' education. In today's society, technology is becoming more and more of a backbone and in order for student's to succeed we need to give them the opportunities to use it as early as possible.

Exit Slip: 12/2/2010

We began class today by watching a video of a teacher who integrates technology in her classroom. We discussed some of the ways she integrated technology in her classroom. The key ways she shared were:

·        Smart Board for lessons and activities: cooperative learning, engagement, & participation

·         Posts daily blog and assignments online (open classroom/recognition)

·         Students do online collaborative projects: share projects with peers around the world

·         Students post blogs about current events and classroom activities: share opinions, active members of society

·         Students used laptops and desktop computers

We then looked into which things we could do before, couldn't do before, and things we could do but can do better with technology. Some of the things that we can do better now is the open classroom idea, current events, and sharing perspectives. It is important to look into which things we can do better with technology because we don't want to integrate technology into our classroom just for the heck of it. Technology should be used when it can improve lessons and students' learning.

We then looked into some brilliant things and stupid things teachers can do with technology. Jeff used the jigsaw method so we all shared one idea until we had learned seven new ideas. The ones I shared were that teachers should use technology to empower students. Students who are good writers can become better writers, and so on and so forth. The other idea I shared was that teachers need to back-up data. I liked the jigsaw for this activity because I was able to get all the ideas without reading both articles.

Exit Slip: 11/18/10

One new thing we did in class today was a jigsaw discussion! I liked the jigsaw discussion because we were able to share ideas with two groups and in the end come up with a vision for education. This was a great way to get all the different peolpe in our group to bring our ideas together. Next, we did a media search. The idea of this was to find helpful resources for the grade level we hope to teach. We found a video, a podcast, a IWB lesson, a Scratch project, and an online game. This activity allowed us to find resources that might be helpful to us, but also to get helpful resources from our classmates. Through our delicicous accunts we all have access to eachothers resources.