As I continue to implement more technology into my lessons I am realizing more and more that is so beneficial for the students. I have just begun using some of the tech tools that I have set as goals with the students and the results are impressive. If I would compare learning the traditional way versus to incorporating technology, the technology side would be almost unanimously preferred. This week in social studies while studying Latin America I showed my classes using Google Earth, they were astounded. I would never have received any positive feedback when showing them a map from our text. Technology has a wonderful affect!
Goals:
NETS-T #1 – Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity--engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
NETS-T #2 – Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments--develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress
After reflecting back on the two goals I set for this class, I feel that I am still in the process of completing my goals and would not need to set new goals at this point but work on completing my existing goals of finding five new technologies and using them in my classroom, replacing traditional learning methods. If I master the five new technologies that I have chosen, I will set a goal of integrating one new technology into my curriculum per week. Currently, I feel that I need to continually work on becoming more comfortable and proficient using the new technology that I have chosen (VoiceThreads, using Flip Cameras, Digital Storytelling, using Google Earth, and Interactive Timelines). Sometimes it is a slow process but I need to keep in mind that I have to be flexible with the new technology.
To improve the chances that my goals with be successful, I have started to take notes on the new technology that was incorporated. I want to list the positives and negatives of the lesson so the next time I use it I will increase the chances of success and this will benefit my students.
Craig
Posts
Craig,
ReplyDeleteThe phenomenon you describe is my real motivation for integrating technology into my practice. I recognize that it can facilitate implementation of this and that learning theory, but what really justifies the use of gadgets, applications, and whatever digital technology based learning tools fall into our hands is the sudden and often enthusiastic interest and engagement it can elicit from our oh-so blasé students. We teachers can feel pretty attention-starved with all of the competition we get from our students’ cell-phones (legal or illicit), peers, and, frankly, everything but our lessons. I say, let’s hear it for the “gee-whiz” effect. I know it’s not the end goal, but it is a legitimate part of the means.
As a literature teacher, I find myself standing at the crossroads of language arts and social studies much of the time. A language is, after all, a cultural artifact. I have found YouTube videos offer great history and culture mini-lessons. But I often look at, and sometimes play, commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) video games that make me wish I were a social studies teacher, just so that I would have an excuse to incorporate these amazing learning tools into my students’ learning experience. Would you ever consider taking on something like that?
-Dug
Douglas,
ReplyDeleteWell put! I think the more technology incorporated into the classroom, the more everyone feels more comfortable and confident with. If education would not be so fearful of teaching students with technology, everyone would benefit.
I would consider using video games to teach, however, my school's filter blocks them. Why cannot students learn using games???
Mr.D