Assignment #1 Technology Literacy

1) Currently I do not have very much knowledge when it comes to technology. I know enough to get by, which I now know is not enough. The technology that I use most often is my laptop. I use it daily for assignments and goofing around on the web, but for nothing big or important. I think I need a lot of work this semester in my technology skills. I would like to see myself more advanced in this area. Looking at the PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION PERFORMANCE PROFILE I can see areas in which I would like to improve on...

• First, I need to be able to identify specific technology applications and resources that maximize students learning, address learner needs, and affirm diversity.
• Second, I need to be able to plan and teach student-centered learning activities and lessons in which students apply technology tools and resources
• Lastly, I need to be able to Identify and engage in technology-based opportunities for professional education and lifelong learning, including the use of distance education.

2) The role that technology has in education is to assist the instructor in teaching the students and make educations fun for them. It should not be the only teacher, it is just a tool for the teacher to use. I believe that technology does in fact aid learning. It engages all learning styles and it makes learning fun for the children to do. If the children are interested they will learn it, and technology is a way to make them interested.

3)Here are some ways that I can help my third grade students meet the NETS standards.

• The first standard that I can meet is research and informations fluency. I can do this by having the students do a project which involves them to research a famous person during a famous even in American History. For instances Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. Then have the students create a digital report about the person and what it was like during that time in history and why the person is significant for the period of American History.
• The second standard that I can meet is creativity and innovation. This can be done in several ways using technology. One activity that I can have the children do is to create digital works of art to be presented to parents digitally. These works of art will have a theme such as nature or something like love. Then they will have the freedom to represent that theme in anyway but the only rule is that it will be created digitally.
• The third standard that I could work on to have my students master is critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making. One way a child could demonstrate this is to investigate a global issue and then generate possible solutions using digital tools and resources.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to ideas for activities that can be done to meet NETS standard for children.

"Grand Slam Technology"

I found this article interesting because it talked about children with special needs and how the SMART board can be an effective tool that enhances learning for children with special needs. I think that the article made a good point in saying that the SMART board is a good way in incorporating all learning styles, or at least trying to incorporate all the styles. That is an important part in being a teacher. As educators we should give all students a chance in learning to the best of their ability, which the SMART board is a good way to do that.

Reflection # 2

Today my cooperating teacher was teaching geography to her class. It was interesting to observe her using a very old projector. She had to use an over head, write on the over head, and take time to control her class at the same time. If my teacher had something like a smart board she could use games like on USA GEOGRAPHY website. These are fun interactive games that engage the children. The teacher doesn't have to multi task while teaching geography because all the kids will be participating in the activities. After class I asked my cooperating teacher if Chain Lake has a Smart board or any other interactive board and she told me she thinks that the library might have one. Of course she has never used it, but I told her about it and maybe planted a seed of curiosity.

I Create Web Sites!!

Link to my Web Site!

I didn't realize how fun creating a web site can be. Even working on html was fun and exciting. I liked writing html because it was like writing this foreign language and then finding out that I was telling the computer to do something. I look forward to keep plugging away on my web site to create something thats mine and uniquely me.

Chain Lake Elementary

Here is my school!

http://www.monroe.wednet.edu/PAGES/cle.html


Unfortunately this is not a very good website and does no justice for Chain Lake. It consists of a picture of Mrs. Martin who is the principal, some information about classes, and information on how to contact the school. In my opinion this website needs a lot of help!!!!!

Technology Standards I Need To Work On

One standard that I can improve on is the use of technology tools for managing and communicating information such as finances, schedules, and addresses. Technology is an easy way for me to keep all my information together in one place. This will help me stay organized not only as a teacher but also in my life outside of work. Another standard I should work on is my ability to evaluate and select new information resources and technological innovations based on their appropriateness to specific tasks. The reason I say this is because I have no idea what kind technological innovations are out there and where I can access the information about them. I need to become more aware and educated in technology to be a teacher that incorporates technology successfully with my teaching.

Adopt and Adapt: Shaping Tech for the Classroom

In this article, I learned that there is a process in adopting technology. Marc Prensky believes that there is a four step process which includes:

1)Dabbling
2)Doing old things in old ways
3)Doing old things in new ways
4)Doing new things
in new ways

I find it interesting how people are using technology just to keep files and not as a means of an educational tool. I think with technology today people within the school system should have full access and use the technology to their advantage. This means learning how to incorporate technology into lesson plans and becoming informed about computers and other technological tools. I like that Prensky believes that all learners should have computers of their own that meet their personal learning style because computers are "extensions of the students' personal self and brain" (Presnsky). I also think that it is important for schools not to resist technological change. We need to move this the times and become knowledgeable. Finally, it is important to understand that it is a lot of work to incorporate technology in our lesson plans, but Prensky believes our students deserve our best, so we should put the effort out and give our students the best.

Reflection # 1

Walking into my classroom at Chain Lake Elementary I noticed that my cooperating teacher's room lacked in technology. I noticed three ancient computers that a class of 25 has to share. Growing up all my classrooms in elementary school had at least 6 computers, so the three computers was a bit shocking. I think that my school should think about at least up dating their computers and maybe putting a few more in each class room. I know that there is a computer lab somewhere in the building but I don't think the class goes to the lab very often. Its very sad to see the lack of technology.

Why I Want To Be a Teacher

Basically, I want to be a teacher to help children learn . In particular, I want to help those children who struggle with learning the most. I believe that at a young age children are vulnerable to low self-esteem in their academic skills and it is my hope to encourage those students that they can learn with everyone else. I want to stop them from lacking confidence in their learning capability. I think it would benefit children the most if this is done early in their academic career, and so I hope to teach children starting as low as Kindergarten to possibly the third grade. Its been said that it is not possible to help every child that you run across as a teacher, but that is not going to stop me from at least trying!