Entry #5: What did you learn in this class and how will it help you in the classroom?
In this class, I learned quite a lot about instructional design for teachers. It was a surprise to me that instructional design is not just solely about lesson planning for schools but can span over a wide variety of jobs. The core of a great lesson and a great teacher is a good plan with goals, objectives, assessments, media/text, and revision. All of these different aspects are extremely important and can be integrated into any classroom and any lesson. Knowing how to write a good, clear objective will be extremely helpful in planning for future lessons or running my future classroom. Giving my students great instructions will lead them towards great results. Another thing that was an eye-opener in this class is the importance of the relationship between technology and education in today's world. We are such a technology based society that it would only make sense that we integrate technology into education to assist students in getting the most out of their education and experiences. Technology can be used hand-in-hand with the curriculum to create a more engaging lesson and interest students in delving further and learning more. I learned that technology is a great tool when used correctly. It isn't about having the technology, but how it is used that is important. I think this will help me in choosing and integrating technological aspects into my classrooms. I want to find new and engaging ways to make my students excited and interested in the topics I cover. This can be done through using different technologies or internet resources, making teaching and learning more exciting for me and the students.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Blog Post #4
Entry #4: Article Summary
LAUSD Shifts Gears on Technology for Students
by Howard Blume
June 29, 2014
This article marks a different approach on technology for some LAUSD schools. Officials in the LA school district have allowed students in a select group of high schools choose from six laptop models for use in schools to test its usefulness in student learning. This fall, schools will decide if the use of laptops is helpful alongside curriculum. LAUSD board member, Monica Ratliff, states, "Why would we treat all our students — whether they are a first-grader or a high school freshman — as if they all had the same technology needs? They don't.... To have a one-device-fits-all approach does not make sense." She says this in lieu of the previous year's decision to supply schools with the same product: Apple iPads, to save cost from a bulk purchase and eliminate the stresses of dealing with multiple vendors and products. Thomas Rubin, a consultant for a committee that oversees spending states that the district should listen to the people who know best and work hands on with these products: the teachers, parents, and students. Using their input, the best form of technology can be selected.
High schools that were chosen to select and test laptops were given multiple choices that exceed the cost of an iPad. However, these devices may prove to be more helpful in implementation. Students are given the chance to choose from less inexpensive devices like the Chromebook and more expensive models like Lenovo Yoga Touch or the Dell Latitude. Some of the laptops have both the functionality of a laptop and a touchscreen like the iPad or other tablets. One teacher stated that her students enjoyed using laptops more and were more comfortable using them for standardized tests due to their size and ease of typing with a keyboard. The trial with these laptops has garnered positive attention from many. Many people praise that the district is looking into different options that may be better suited to their students.
by Howard Blume
June 29, 2014
This article marks a different approach on technology for some LAUSD schools. Officials in the LA school district have allowed students in a select group of high schools choose from six laptop models for use in schools to test its usefulness in student learning. This fall, schools will decide if the use of laptops is helpful alongside curriculum. LAUSD board member, Monica Ratliff, states, "Why would we treat all our students — whether they are a first-grader or a high school freshman — as if they all had the same technology needs? They don't.... To have a one-device-fits-all approach does not make sense." She says this in lieu of the previous year's decision to supply schools with the same product: Apple iPads, to save cost from a bulk purchase and eliminate the stresses of dealing with multiple vendors and products. Thomas Rubin, a consultant for a committee that oversees spending states that the district should listen to the people who know best and work hands on with these products: the teachers, parents, and students. Using their input, the best form of technology can be selected.
High schools that were chosen to select and test laptops were given multiple choices that exceed the cost of an iPad. However, these devices may prove to be more helpful in implementation. Students are given the chance to choose from less inexpensive devices like the Chromebook and more expensive models like Lenovo Yoga Touch or the Dell Latitude. Some of the laptops have both the functionality of a laptop and a touchscreen like the iPad or other tablets. One teacher stated that her students enjoyed using laptops more and were more comfortable using them for standardized tests due to their size and ease of typing with a keyboard. The trial with these laptops has garnered positive attention from many. Many people praise that the district is looking into different options that may be better suited to their students.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Blog Post #3
$10,000 Grant
If I were to win a grant for $10,000 I would purchase iPads for my classroom. It is a common and typical device for a classroom, which is why I would choose it. Apple iPads are easy to learn and are viewed as "fun" for students, which would increase their excitement about using it. Choosing a difficult, high-tech device may hinder the students and myself because of difficulties in usage. Rather, by purchasing iPads, students who have access to other apple devices like iPhones, Macs, or their personal iPads can be accustomed to using the software and transfer apps to their own devices at home. Pros of iPads are the ease of use, the commonality, the app availability is wide so there will be many options, and the price is reasonable. Cons of iPads are its functionality as a toy, it can be fragile, accessories to protect it may also be expensive. Weighing the pros and cons, I would choose iPads as my device of choice over other tablets because of the available apps. Apple has many different app developers and has numerous apps that can be used educationally. Other tablets may be more difficult to use and have a limited amount of outside applications. The iPad can be used for books, pictures, drawings, and other different modes which would be a great addition to classroom instruction. They are also great to use because many classrooms today are using them and experimenting with them so there will be constant movement and innovation.
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Blog Post #2
Tech Showcase Reflection
The many projects outlined in these technology showcase videos were innovative and did a good job in integrating technology with education. It allowed students to use creative outlets and have fun with technology in order to grasp a better understanding of the concepts. I think many of these activities are possible in most schools given the right tools. Almost all of the videos showed students using iPads, Macs, iPods, laptops, and other devices. It appeared as though almost all the programs had a heavy reliance on Apple products, which is both good and bad. If the products are supplied by the district or the school, it can become a great tool, especially if students have exposure to similar products in the home. The projects that involved iPads and literacy, in particular, seem as though they would work and would be a program I would consider doing in my schools. Programs like Literacy for Little Ones in Fisler Elementary or iSee, iRead, iLearn in Vessels Elementary were easy to use and were interactive for students. They had creative freedom with illustrations and were encouraged to write sentences to create a story. However, my two favorite projects were The Comanche Insider, where students learned to broadcast a bulletin to the school using filming material and editing. It appeared as though students were passionate about being involved in the school in this major way and made bulletins more exciting and involving. My second favorite was The Ups and Downs of Animation in Imperial High School where students came up with ideas on their own roller-coasters and were able to use iPads to make a stop motion and eventually make their own model. I think using technology as a step in the learning process is important and can become a great tool, as seen in these technology showcase videos.
The many projects outlined in these technology showcase videos were innovative and did a good job in integrating technology with education. It allowed students to use creative outlets and have fun with technology in order to grasp a better understanding of the concepts. I think many of these activities are possible in most schools given the right tools. Almost all of the videos showed students using iPads, Macs, iPods, laptops, and other devices. It appeared as though almost all the programs had a heavy reliance on Apple products, which is both good and bad. If the products are supplied by the district or the school, it can become a great tool, especially if students have exposure to similar products in the home. The projects that involved iPads and literacy, in particular, seem as though they would work and would be a program I would consider doing in my schools. Programs like Literacy for Little Ones in Fisler Elementary or iSee, iRead, iLearn in Vessels Elementary were easy to use and were interactive for students. They had creative freedom with illustrations and were encouraged to write sentences to create a story. However, my two favorite projects were The Comanche Insider, where students learned to broadcast a bulletin to the school using filming material and editing. It appeared as though students were passionate about being involved in the school in this major way and made bulletins more exciting and involving. My second favorite was The Ups and Downs of Animation in Imperial High School where students came up with ideas on their own roller-coasters and were able to use iPads to make a stop motion and eventually make their own model. I think using technology as a step in the learning process is important and can become a great tool, as seen in these technology showcase videos.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Blog Post #1
NETS Standards & 21st Century Skills Reflection
I think that both the Framework for 21st Century Learning and the International Society for Technology in Education Standards have a good focus on a more critical curriculum where students will learn more than just basic facts of knowledge. First, 21st Century Skills includes different skills and knowledge that will allow students to be better prepared for success in the world today. Students should not only be well versed in core subjects like English, history, math, and science, but also have access to curriculum that includes things such as global awareness, business literacy, and environmental literacy. Students should also be exposed to critical thinking, collaboration, media literacy, and other career skills. I think this type of integration of life skills and core subjects is extremely important to students and for success. A well-rounded student should be both knowledgeable in major subjects but also have skills working with others and know greater things about the world. This will ensure that they are well educated in all aspects of life because life is not all about textbooks and classroom lectures. Oftentimes, students don’t learn what is truly useful in life like how to do taxes, current global events, and others. The ISTE Standards cover much of what was mentioned in the 21st Century Learning in a more technology based way. The standards state that students should be able to critically think, work together, conduct research, and be well versed in technology. This is an extremely important thing in today’s technology based world. Everything is done online, on a computer, tablet, and even on a phone. It is extremely important for individuals to understand technology and be able to use it in a way that is beneficial.
I think that both the Framework for 21st Century Learning and the International Society for Technology in Education Standards have a good focus on a more critical curriculum where students will learn more than just basic facts of knowledge. First, 21st Century Skills includes different skills and knowledge that will allow students to be better prepared for success in the world today. Students should not only be well versed in core subjects like English, history, math, and science, but also have access to curriculum that includes things such as global awareness, business literacy, and environmental literacy. Students should also be exposed to critical thinking, collaboration, media literacy, and other career skills. I think this type of integration of life skills and core subjects is extremely important to students and for success. A well-rounded student should be both knowledgeable in major subjects but also have skills working with others and know greater things about the world. This will ensure that they are well educated in all aspects of life because life is not all about textbooks and classroom lectures. Oftentimes, students don’t learn what is truly useful in life like how to do taxes, current global events, and others. The ISTE Standards cover much of what was mentioned in the 21st Century Learning in a more technology based way. The standards state that students should be able to critically think, work together, conduct research, and be well versed in technology. This is an extremely important thing in today’s technology based world. Everything is done online, on a computer, tablet, and even on a phone. It is extremely important for individuals to understand technology and be able to use it in a way that is beneficial.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
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