Week 13 Part 2: Meaningful Learning with Technology

Since technology has come to take the forefront of our society, finding ways to integrate this into the classroom is a necessity. The two we have talked about in this class are clickers and Kidspiration. Clickers have become a common phenomena as it allows for the involvement of every student, not just the outgoing or most outspoken. The clicker also allows the teacher to have insight on where each child lies regarding certain material. For example, I observed an 8th grade math class last semester and the children used clickers for TAKS practice. The teacher was able to view what percentage each answer received, and so if a large portion of the class missed any given question, then she would stop and further explain the reasoning behind that answer. Kidspiration uses thinking and provides a visual space where students can learn. It provides a combination of pictures, texts, numbers, and spoken words to develop comprehension and critical thinking skills. This builds up a childs conceptual understanding in all subjects.

Taking this course has been beneficial and will definitely have a positive impact on my future classroom. I have never been very technological saavy, only just recently completely figuring out how to decipher Itunes. Taking ETEC has enlightened me on the importance of using digital tools to engage children in daily educational activities. Prior, I had always figured I would use computers or the popular smart boards that so many teachers are now using. However, this class has opened my eyes to a variety of tools that will expand the student knowledge. Creating my own blog and website along with researching several Web 2.0 tools has expanded my horizon, and hopefully will translate to my classroom. I now have learned enough and have been given the opportunity to experience with web 2.0, that I now have a built confidence that will surely engage children. Children have to be engaged, and the only way is with TECHNOLOGY and digital tools that our society and environment around us clearly sports. In the past the thought of taking a class such as BCIS or ETEC has posed as threatening, but now I can prouldly say BRING IT ON!! Afterall, technology spices up the classroom and objectives being taught. This brings about fun ways of learning where children don't feel forced to learn. rather they now want to learn. If nothing else I yearn to make students enjoy learning to the point where school is no longer viewed as dreadful, but exciting or motivating.

Week 13 Part 1: Technology Application Standards

Educational standards and guidelines for the amount and degree of knowledge or content that must be taught is a very tedious procedure. Educators are required to cover each TEK for their given grade level throughout the course of his/her curriculum. Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills are written out and teachers cannot ignore covering these or consequences will be faced, even jobs are at stake. As if there were not enough pressures already, living in a digital era only brings about more standards that deal with technology application into the classrooms. All teachers must learn the basis of technology and understand how to first use it themselves, so that they can then adequately integrate this into their given subject and lesson plans. While the task of following so many requirements and standards presumes lengthy, difficult, and time consuming; the work is well worth it to ensure no child is left behind. Knowledge, intellect, hands-on activities, and technology are the main components in teaching a child and preparing them for a 21^st century society that can’t eliminate technology. Every business, school, law office, doctor’s office, and sports arena use technology that is necessary for the job scene to run smoothly. This further proves why teaching our students using technology and digital tools is of great importance. One of the TEKS for Technology Applications that seems to effect the middle school age most is this: (3) Foundations. The student complies with the laws and examines the issues regarding the use of technology in society. The student is expected to:
(A) discuss copyright laws/issues and model ethical acquisition and use of digital information, citing sources using established methods;
(B) demonstrate proper etiquette and knowledge of acceptable use while in an individual classroom, lab, or on the Internet and intranet;
(C) describe the consequences regarding copyright violations including, but not limited to, computer hacking, computer piracy, intentional virus setting, and invasion of privacy;
(D) identify the impact of technology applications on society through research, interviews, and personal observation; and
(E) demonstrate knowledge of the relevancy of technology to future careers, life-long learning, and daily living for individuals of all ages.
The reason I chose this particular TEK is because I still remember the days when my 7^th grade English teacher would assign a writing assignment where research was involved. On many occasions I was left confused because my teacher would emphasize the bad things that came along with plagiarism, but never effectively showed us how to site our information and so avoid illegally copying someone else’s work. Where the Internet is now often used, teachers must make sure students understand the format of how to appropriately cite their sources.

After looking through the 6th grade math TEKS, the one that seemed to point most toward technology is:

(11)  Underlying processes and mathematical tools. The student applies Grade 6 mathematics to solve problems connected to everyday experiences, investigations in other disciplines, and activities in and outside of school. The student is expected to:

(A)  identify and apply mathematics to everyday experiences, to activities in and outside of school, with other disciplines, and with other mathematical topics;

I will probably use this TEK in my classroom by taking my class to the computer lab and allowing them to play a math game online. I will find a game that allows children to shop only given a certain amount of money. This would engage students, giving them an opportunity to use a combination of technology and real world experiences to solve mathematics as they will have to add and subtract using decimals. Once kids understand that math does exist beyond the walls of the classroom, they will be prompted to want to learn the math process. So many children tend to become discouraged with the daunting task of having to solve a problem with numbers; but by using technology that drives our digital society and incorporating the use of technology, kids begin to form a love for math as they now understand how it applies to their daily lives.

The most important TEK for 6th grade math in my opinion, is:

(12)  Underlying processes and mathematical tools. The student communicates about Grade 6 mathematics through informal and mathematical language, representations, and models. The student is expected to:

(A)  communicate mathematical ideas using language, efficient tools, appropriate units, and graphical, numerical, physical, or algebraic mathematical models; and

(B)  evaluate the effectiveness of different representations to communicate ideas.

I feel that this particular TEK holds the most importance because it ensures that each individual child knows how to compute math in a variety of ways. That way the material facilitates to the different type learners that exist. I will make certain this particular TEK is covered in my future classroom by using all types of methods for the same material. In my math classes, we have learned how to add and subtract with manipulative's, by hand, and through technology such as using the Geometry sketchpad. We have been required on tests to solve the same problem using the different methods taught in class. Upon taking these courses, I have begun to understand the importance of expressing different material in a variety of ways in an effort to reach all types of learners. So I will use manipulative's, base 10 blocks, tangrams, technological tools, etc to make the learning experience reachable for all.

Visualizing With Technologies: Week 12

Have you ever been sitting in a class when the teacher suddenly pulls a clip from YouTube to give more meaning to the topic at hand? Well I have found myself in this very situation many times, and it prompted a deeper form of understanding on an otherwise complex issue. This is called VISUALIZATION. I have been told many times by mentors and professors alike that when teaching a subject, it must be taught in a variety of ways. I never truly appreciated that as I tend to learn best by verbalization. However upon the courses I have taken in my college career, and after reading the chapter on Visualizing Technologies I now have begun to form the significance this holds. Since I have the intentions of being a math teacher one day, I will look at this issue in a mathematical perspective.

Math is a subject that frustrates several students as understanding seems to be hard to come by. As teachers, we must learn to incorporate visual tools to make the complexity of the subject a bit more concrete. Manipulative's provide a good tool to bring more smiles to such an awesome subject, and provide relief for those that build up frustration toward it. In my Math 350 and 351 courses, we used manipulative's for just about every concept. Take area for instance, tangram pieces can be effective in initially showing students how to find the areas of different figures. It doesn't pose as scary as numbers and multiplying. Once children become familiar with this visual way of solving problems, they will then begin to see patterns and understand the formula aspect of area. It allows a child to not scare himself/herself out of math and so they become encouraged and are less likely to give up. In a subject that sees so many kids struggle, manipulative's and other visual aids are necessary to prevent math from getting a bad wrap. Another visual math tool that is effective is the geometry sketchpad, as it allows students to construct shapes and then explore them in geometrical and algebraic ways of thinking. This semester my geometry class had a homework assignment in which we were to construct triangles and other figures. At first I didn't like the sketchpad because it took some getting use to, but it did guide me in bettering myself when it came to drawing constructions on paper.

According to the reading; the National Council of Teachers of Math recommends that all grades enable students to create and use representations to communicate mathematical ideas, select and apply and translate to solve problems, and use representations to model and interpret math. If visualization measures are being included in requirements and recommendations, then educators must grab this by the horns and make it happen for the intellectual well being of our children. Visualization is the key to more success and can formulate a new driven attitude in students that increases the amount of effort put into education. Visual tools are the stepping stones to the learning process that brings children to the level of complexity that must be reached.

Designing with Technologies: Week 10

So far I have had a pretty fun experience in this class as I have learned how to engage children in this very technology savvy generation. In a class I took last semester we took a lot of time out to explore the importance of technology in the classroom, and I recall watching a video that had students holding up posters encouraging teachers to engage them. I think we might have watched the same one the first week in this class, but it really impacted me and I want to learn as much as I can about technology and how to go about incorporating it in day to day activities. After doing some research on robotics, Lego's, and the music sketchpad; I have gained knowledge on some more fun ways schools are attempting to bring technology into the classroom. Robotics is a fun way that students are able to discover a passion for math, science, and engineering. They no longer just have to sit with a teacher at the front listening to lectures that might last 90 minutes, instead they get to be involved in building a robot using Lego bricks and taking that very robot to competition against other schools. Lego's are a big hit for many young children, I know that my little brother use to be mesmerized by the phenomena building for hours. What I didn't realize then is that even teens and older kids can appreciate Lego's and even use them to build up a more fulfilled learning experience. Lego bricks are one component of being able to build a robot in robotics, many schools use this along with a motor to create the robot. In turn; this gives students a way to learn because math, science, engineering, and technology are skills that produce the outcome. I don't want to be that teacher that ignores our students cry, Do you??
So let's go out there and make a difference, using what children have grown to know and love. That's TECHNOLOGY!!!!!!