Chapter 10: Promoting Success for All Students through Technology

Focus Question: How can teachers use technology to create universally designed classrooms?

 

Teachers have mostly full range in their classroom. They are allowed to decide how the classroom is set up and seating arrangements, as well as the diversity in teaching lessons. All of these settings and aspects of the classroom can be changed or redesigned in order for the needs of all students are met. The main two structures of the classroom are the physical and the academic curriculum, both of these can be tailored by the teacher to what they see as best fit. This is done with 3 level of using technology: The first level is “Low Tech,” meaning making changes in the classroom that are simply and inexpensive as well as not incorporating any technology or electronic materials. The second level is “Mid Tech,” were the teacher makes a significant change in academic curriculum through the use of technology. The third level is “High Tech,” where the teacher changes the curriculum and physical structure of the classroom with the use of many different technologies.

Tech Tool: 10.1 Extra-Large and Online Calculators

I thought this tech tool was really interesting because the calculator the talk about is something that is going to grab the attention and interest of any student. It is also useful because of its size that visually impaired students are able to use it as well, making them feel a part of the group and not left out. Because of its size students are going to remember better because it is such a “big” deal. But now more and more teachers are pulling up calculators that can be placed onto a smartboard screen or on a projector for the whole class to see, the individual calculators give the students the chance to experience it individually.

 

Summary and Connection:

I thought this chapter was very helpful in understanding all of the different ways you can change and redesign your classroom in order to accommodate all students as well as keep it an interesting and fun environment. I plan as a teacher letting student’s use to full advantage the smartboard letting them physically come up drag and drop and answer. I really have the hope that my students will be aware and acknowledgeable about the different technologies that I will use in my lessons.

Resources:

Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010).Transforming learning with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon.

Tech Tools » Online Calculator. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://cindymctechtools.edublogs.org/2008/06/08/online-calculator/

Chapter 8: Communicating and Networking with Websites, Blogs, Wikis, and More

Chapter 8: Communicating and Networking with Websites, Blogs, Wikis, and More

 

Focus Question: How can teachers use wikis to promote collaborative learning?

Wikis came about in the 1990’s and have revolutionized the online learning strategies. Rather than teachers having to create fun lessons and project ideas by themselves wikis allow an opportunity to allow teachers to search other wikis and as well receive feedback and on their wikis. Wiki also provides other to change and update their ideas onto a wiki. This creates a corroborative learning environment, not only are multiple teachers involved in creating a wiki but students also get to interact with other students in order to complete the lesson provided by the wiki. It provides a collaborative effort for learning and working together in order to accomplish something. Also wikis provide a collaborative lesson for the teacher and students in order to work together.

 

Tech Tool 8.1: Teacher Website and Blog-building Resources

I think if I were to use a Commercially Available Template in my classroom it would be extremely beneficial and safe for myself and my students. I would be able to produce blogs and sites my students could access for lessons and project plans, ideas, and resources for help with projects and further understanding for lessons and projects. Task stream seems like an easily understandable website to maneuver.     

Summary and Connection:

Wikis and teacher blogs would definitely something I would use in my classroom in the future. Not only are they helpful for teachers, and allow other teachers and professionals to give input but, but it also provides a fun and collaborative way for students to work together and more importantly learn in a fun way.

Resources:

Task Stream Retrieved from: www.spcc.edu 

Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010).Transforming learning with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon.

Chapter 7: Problem Solving and Inquiry Learning with Software and Web Tools

Focus Question: How can teachers use computer games and simulation as learning resources?

Being a kid is all about having fun right? And when kids want to have fun they play games, whether that be a board game, a game they make up or a game using a technology source, kids love playing games. So why not bring games and simulations into the learning place. By students playing computer games and using different simulations it teaches them a few things: it teaches them to follow rules, how to recognize and achieve goals, how to handle and manage competition as well as the objective of the lesson the game would support. By using games in the classroom it provides the teacher and students with fun interactive reinforcements of a specific lesson. Although allowing games to be played in the learning place is a much debated topic, I think it were we are in the generation of students and technology. Games and computers are the main interests of kids, and if used properly in the classroom I don’t see the problem with it, it is more of an advantage than a disadvantage.

Tech Tool: 7.2- A Math Learning Game- Zoombinis Logical Journey

This tech tool provides a great example of a fun interactive educational game, Zoombinis Logical Journey. The game includes a variety of made up, interesting creatures that are designed with crazy fun colors in which the player can create. The Zoombinis are residents of a community that are taken over by bad business people and become enslaved; in order for the Zoombinis to escape they must go through a series of obstacles, which are critical thinking and mathematic questions. This game unfortunately is not free, but is an example of a great educational game for elementary education. This a link to an introduction video to the game: http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/nz6lbe/zoombinis--logical-journey-intro-

Summary and Connection:

I believe that the generation of kids and students that are in and coming into the schools become bored much easier than when I was a child or student. Therefore when I become a teacher I want my students to be intrigued and excited about coming to my classroom and computer games and simulations will help me do that. Not only is it fun for the students but it will reinforce what I have taught or what we may be covering in class. My class will be full of interactive games, technology based and team work based games. 

Resources:

Grocer, T. (2011, May 25). Video - Zoombinis: Logical Journey Intro. | GameTrailers.GameTrailers for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U, PSP, PSN and More | Upcoming Video Games. Retrieved March 1, 2013, from http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/nz6lbe/zoombinis--logical-journey-intro-

Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010).Transforming learning with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon.