Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Digital Blog Post D- Chapter 5

 

                                         KAHOOT


   Conducting online information searches is highly used in today's society, for quite some time actually. While reading chapter 5 one of the concepts I came across was conducting online information searches which we use everyday. Back then before technology got to where it is now people would go to a library and check out some books and read through about 100 pages for just one thing. When you go online to search for articles or simply information on someone it takes you directly to where you can find what you need, this is called information search and retrieval. However, not all pages online are accurate so the teacher will need to know which websites are safe for his or her students are going to use.

   With today's technology note-taking is much easier online for everyone than writing them down. While reading I learned that there is a website that can be used to take your notes online and research paper writing. Writing notes down can be a hassle and sometimes can get lost as well. You can access your notes online from a PC, tablet or phone and simply don't have to worry if you lost them or the old excuse "my dog ate my homework/paper". This is helpful because some teachers ask you for your notes and you can simply email it to them instead of worrying if they're misplaced or not.

  Accuracy, Authority, Objectivity, Currency, and Coverage best known as AAOCC, is a way someone can evaluate a website. While there are many websites that can be used to research papers for school, there are many websites that provide fake information. The AAOCC is to determine whether the websites you are using meet all five criteria and it is safe for students to use. This is some critical information because many of the students just click on the first page they see and sometimes that page is the one giving the wrong information.

  In conclusion, this chapter provides very important information that helps teachers and parents in the near future.It also talks about the importance of research and how to determine if a website can be used or not.


Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Digital Blog Post #C- chapter 3

 














While reading chapter 3, one of the many things that caught my attention were the four methods to engage students. The four methods to engage students are one-on-one tutoring, learning groups, inquiry learning, and metacognitive thinking. My two favorite ones would have to be inquiry learning and metacognitive thinking. If i'd have to choose between those two I would definitely pick metacognitive thinking because the students can examine their own learning methods through self-explanation and self-evaluation. This is a great way for students to be more engaged in their learning and have them critique themselves rather than the teacher doing it.

    Ahh,feedback. I think that one of the greatest things ever excited is feedback, whether we get it from our loved ones or simply anyone in that matter. Feedback is such an important part of anything and everything you do, it allows you to know if you are on the road to success or simply off track. Feedback is as important in a classroom as much as your workplace. Students like to hear what they are doing right or wrong and how can they make it better. I would like for my classmates, colleges and students to tell me whether I'm doing something right or wrong. Someones feedback is important to have, if it's something bad you can't get mad because they're doing it to better help you. Feedback is wanted everywhere, online, at stores, on cellphones and on everything.

   One last thing I read about was creative ideas through social media. Everywhere we go everyone is either on their phone or laptops/computers. We are all sucked into technology, it's a part of our every day life. Some schools have a strict policy on cell phone use. Does it have to be like that? I think that teachers and students should be able to communicate and interact with technology. Teachers now from the moment you start school your on a computer learning things you had no idea about. I feel as if students would be more interested in learning through a fun power-point or anything interesting in that matter. Sure you can have a text book heavy day once a week but everyday students wouldn't want to be there or might even fall asleep. Social media is such a big part of us that we all need to learn how to incorporate it in our classroom and workplace.

  In conclusion, I read many different topics on chapter 3 and I can say my favorite one was about feedback. Students should be engaged in everything the teacher does whether it's by technology or not. We all need feedback and most importantly to know how to use technology. Technology has become a great part of our lives and everyday we learn something new. Everyday technology develops more and more.

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Digital Blog Post B- Chapter 2






While reading chapter 2, I did not know that people are identified under groups of technology users. The different type of groups are the digital collaborator, ambivalent networker, media mover, roving node, desktop veteran, drifting surfer, information encumbered, mobile newbie and technology indifferent. There's also an online quiz that you can participate and it's based on these categories called "What Kind of Tech User Are You?' by going to the Pew Internet and American Life Project. I believe I fall into the digital collaborator. I use my cellphone ad computer for everything and anything whether if it's for school or my job. I feel as if I would be one of the teachers that would incorporate technology in the classrooms due to that kids seem to learn more through a device.

Another concept that caught my eye and one which I think should be used more often was "Developing lessons and Engaging students"A survey provided by "Project Tomorrow" concluded that technology is a powerful way to motivate and engage students. Technology has developed so much in such a shortage of time it's amazing. I personally think teachers should engage with students more with technology whether it's an assignment online or an app teachers can use to control what the students do in the classrooms with their devices. If teachers incorporate more technology I believe the students will be more engaged and will enjoy more an assignment, project or anything in general. It's not fun to always read from the book.

Lastly another concept that I enjoyed reading about was "Your teaching Philosophy". There are two types of of teaching philosophies which are Teacher-centered and Student- centered. I lean more towards the student- centered, because i think teachers should interact with students more, ask them questions and engage with them. Teachers should be one on one with their students, once a week meet with them and see the part where they need more help with and be sure to provide the help they need.

In conclusion, I enjoyed this chapter very much, I learned somethings I didn't know and somethings that will be helpful in the future. Technology's a big part of us whether we like it or not. I think technology can be a great thing and since it's given to us freely might as well learn what it has to offer and do your best with it. There are many things I still don't know very well but I am interested in learning more about how to use it and incorporate it in my classroom in the future.


Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Digital Blog Post #A - Chapter 1

While reading chapter one, something that caught my eye right off the bat was "iGeneration". By iGeneration according to our book is students between the ages 8 to 18 years old have grown up using computers, Internet, and other digital media on a daily basis, whether it's at school or at home. According to research made 95% of 12 to 17-year-olds are online and 80% of them are use sites such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (Lenhart, Madden, Smith, Purcell, Zickuhr, and Rainie, 2011). Since there is such a high percentage of kids using technology, I think it is only right that it'd be incorporated in classrooms as well. As the years go by technology just takes bigger a bigger impact on everyone, so might as well learn all the wonders it brings.

The second thing that caught my attention was that teachers have their own technology-based library! How cool is that? The technology-based library is an internet-accessible computer with social bookmarking tools that gives teachers a vast collection of curriculum and instructional resources. I thought this was so amazing because I've never heard about this until now that I am reading about it. Teachers won't have to spend HOURS researching things from Google (where everything isn't accurate) or books that you have to choose from they can just go online and it will most likely be there with just a few steps rather than hundreds of them.

Lastly, I thought that having your digital identity is great. Digital identity as defined in the book refers to your technology talents and competencies. I liked a quote I saw as I was reading " Every day brings a feeling of reinventing ourselves."(Serinus, 2012, p.17) I couldn't agree more, every day, every moment of our lives we learn something new. Having a digital identity allows you to build a multimedia resume, you learn new resources and most importantly modeling technology for students.

In conclusion, technology will always be a part of our lives, even more for 21st-century teachers. Some teachers or parents might be against it, but we're surrounded with technology everywhere we go. I know the basic things about technology, more social media than anything, but I am willingly open to learning new techniques that will better help me in my career.



Resources:
Textbook - Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc,