This blog contains all the information you need to successfully complete EDCI 271: Classroom Applications of Educational Technology. This will be a hybrid course which means part of the time we will meet face to face, and the rest of the time we will meet in hyperspace! This will help you understand how technology can be used to teach and learn. You will be able to discuss more knowledgably about the pros and cons of distance education after having this experience.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Observation Reaction- Due April 10th!
Please share what you learned from doing the observation assignment. Please connect to what we have been learning in class and how this will make you a better teacher of technology.
I observed a lab at Kankakee Valley Intermediate School using a standards based software program called A+. I learned that the program offers immediate feedback and individualized learning, but very little other components of the CHOICE philosophy. If I were to use the software, I might encourage students who complete their current grade's standards to collaborate with struggling students before moving on to the next grade's standards.
I observed at Portage Christian school. I liked how the teacher made a a rule for the kids to encourage each other and be nice to one another. I was surprised to see how well the kids acted towards one another. I also liked how she used the computer to have the kids study for their spelling they were going to have on friday. She used microsoft word and had them type the word out, and then she would have one person from each group come to the board and spell it out. I liked that she done it this way because it made it a fun way to learn your spelling word. I also liked that she used microsoft word, because it help the students become more familiar with the software.
I forgot to incorporate how this would make me a better teacher. This experience will make me a better teacher, because i can take the idea she had and make it better and improve on it.
I was able to observe two different kind of computerlabs at the Kankakee Valley High School. I learned that is 3-D engineering classes offered for students to explore the possiblility of becoming an engineer or an architect. I saw a "robot" that is an arm controled by a computer in use by one student. There are nine different kinds of classes on technology but they use very little of the CHOICE philosophy. The software programs are updated yearly. They use Microsoft 2003 software at this time. I was fortunate to see and "experiment" with one of the smart boards in one of the classes. I have to admit it was awesome! The Smart Board is a great tool to help facilitate learning on any age level. I would like to incorporate the usage of a Smart Board in the classroom as it would benifit all the students at one time. It also would a flexible way of teaching as you can move things around quickly or reverse the screen settings back to where you want them to be.
When i observed the class at the boys and girls club in valparaiso it really got me thinking just how powerful the age of technology truly can be. When the kids were asked to watch a film it was very interresting as to how they were to pay attention to the movie so much as to where if i was watching it i would be fast asleep snoring in the classroom. Sure technology can be something we choose to use or not to but all in all I think it's something that is very much nothing but greatness.
I observed students during a computer lab and while working with technology in their classroom at Coolsprings Elementary School. I had to help students use Star Office 8, which is a program much like Microsoft Word for kids. As I was not familiar with it before, it was interesting to be hands-on with it and discover the similarities and differences between it and Word. But the most important aspect I learned about teaching and learning with technology is that it should be clear, fun, and collaborative. Students should be encouraged to ask for help in order to use the programs well: I realized while technology can a great aid to students, it can also seem more of a hinderance to one who does not understand it.
I observed a computer lab session at John Simatovich Elementary. The students were given time to research their chosen inventor on the Internet for their papers, and they could also start writing if they had enough information. The students had previously learned about citation and referencing, so Mr. Hirstein had a few sites about citations and referencing on the dry erase board for the students to refer to.
I thought this activity was successful according to the CHOICE philosophy, in terms of higher level thinking and that it was contextualized-with the citation and referencing. It was lacking in the Collaborative aspect the most, which I would change if I were to do something like this as a teacher.
This experience will help me a better teacher because I will possibly do something like this with my students in the future. I thought it did a great job of tying in research, citations, and writing.
I observed a lab at Libery Ele. in Hobart for first grade. My teacher did not have any computers in her classroom for the students to use, so they were limited to 50 minuted once a week as to their exposure to technology in the form of computers. During my time, the only components of CHOICE that I saw were the contentual and engaging. The teacher really made an effort to connect the classroom lessons to the technology lessons. I would definitely try to do that, but I also might try to frequent the lab more, allow small groups to go to the lab with an assistant, and promote collaboration in the lab. I was pleased with the behaviors of all the students and could see a need for the students to be challenged with different programs for the future.
I observed a lab in Michigan City at my former Elementary School. *Knapp Elementary School* I watched the children learn from using an interactive program. The program the teacher used was called the "Oddysee" and it collaborated with each of the students needs even though they were all using the same program. In the classroom each student had their own Alpha which is a lap top that only has eductional programs. The children use this to write their own stories or work together in group activities. This will help me become a better teacher because i was able to see how the students reacted to the activities they were playing.
I had the opportunity to observe a kindergarten class at Joy elementary. During their lab time I was able to observe the students login by themselves and navigate their way to the program being used called Starfall. Some had difficutly while others did not. The students did have choice on what area they could work on, reading or ABCs, but the problem that I found with giving choice to such a young grade was that the students were beginning to pair up and go to the same screen that their neighbor was. During the lab time the teacher was the "monitor" so to speak. There was no direct instruction but simply making sure everyone was quiet and on task.
I think my observations in this lab will make me a better teacher of technology because I will want to incorporate things that will engage and challenge the students while in the computer lab. Maybe try out new sites that are reinforcing a concept that we have been working on so the students do not become bored going to the same program every week.
I observed a class at Chesterton High School. When a class goes into the computer lab in the library, the librarian reviews with the class on how to effectively use the search engines. She does this by incorporating a smart board. This is a great way to remind students on how to appropriatly use school programs. The class worked in pairs which was great because the assignment was collaborative. The teacher walked around and checked on the students work, and engaged in their work by asking about the websites they found and interesting information that they also may have found. In all, I was really happy to see the librarian giving helpful instruction to better surf the web..
I observed a class at Chesterton High School. When a class goes into the computer lab in the library, the librarian reviews with the class on how to effectively use the search engines. She does this by incorporating a smart board. This is a great way to remind students on how to appropriatly use school programs. The class worked in pairs which was great because the assignment was collaborative. The teacher walked around and checked on the students work, and engaged in their work by asking about the websites they found and interesting information that they also may have found. In all, I was really happy to see the librarian giving helpful instruction to better surf the web.
I observed a class at Chesterton High School. When a class goes into the computer lab in the library, the librarian reviews with the class on how to effectively use the search engines. She does this by incorporating a smart board. This is a great way to remind students on how to appropriatly use school programs. The class worked in pairs which was great because the assignment was collaborative. The teacher walked around and checked on the students work, and engaged in their work by asking about the websites they found and interesting information that they also may have found. In all, I was really happy to see the librarian giving helpful instruction to better surf the web.
13 comments:
I observed a lab at Kankakee Valley Intermediate School using a standards based software program called A+. I learned that the program offers immediate feedback and individualized learning, but very little other components of the CHOICE philosophy. If I were to use the software, I might encourage students who complete their current grade's standards to collaborate with struggling students before moving on to the next grade's standards.
I observed at Portage Christian school. I liked how the teacher made a a rule for the kids to encourage each other and be nice to one another. I was surprised to see how well the kids acted towards one another. I also liked how she used the computer to have the kids study for their spelling they were going to have on friday. She used microsoft word and had them type the word out, and then she would have one person from each group come to the board and spell it out. I liked that she done it this way because it made it a fun way to learn your spelling word. I also liked that she used microsoft word, because it help the students become more familiar with the software.
I forgot to incorporate how this would make me a better teacher. This experience will make me a better teacher, because i can take the idea she had and make it better and improve on it.
I was able to observe two different kind of computerlabs at the Kankakee Valley High School. I learned that is 3-D engineering classes offered for students to explore the possiblility of becoming an engineer or an architect. I saw a "robot" that is an arm controled by a computer in use by one student. There are nine different kinds of classes on technology but they use very little of the CHOICE philosophy. The software programs are updated yearly. They use Microsoft 2003 software at this time. I was fortunate to see and "experiment" with one of the smart boards in one of the classes. I have to admit it was awesome! The Smart Board is a great tool to help facilitate learning on any age level. I would like to incorporate the usage of a Smart Board in the classroom as it would benifit all the students at one time. It also would a flexible way of teaching as you can move things around quickly or reverse the screen settings back to where you want them to be.
When i observed the class at the boys and girls club in valparaiso it really got me thinking just how powerful the age of technology truly can be. When the kids were asked to watch a film it was very interresting as to how they were to pay attention to the movie so much as to where if i was watching it i would be fast asleep snoring in the classroom. Sure technology can be something we choose to use or not to but all in all I think it's something that is very much nothing but greatness.
I observed students during a computer lab and while working with technology in their classroom at Coolsprings Elementary School. I had to help students use Star Office 8, which is a program much like Microsoft Word for kids. As I was not familiar with it before, it was interesting to be hands-on with it and discover the similarities and differences between it and Word. But the most important aspect I learned about teaching and learning with technology is that it should be clear, fun, and collaborative. Students should be encouraged to ask for help in order to use the programs well: I realized while technology can a great aid to students, it can also seem more of a hinderance to one who does not understand it.
I observed a computer lab session at John Simatovich Elementary. The students were given time to research their chosen inventor on the Internet for their papers, and they could also start writing if they had enough information. The students had previously learned about citation and referencing, so Mr. Hirstein had a few sites about citations and referencing on the dry erase board for the students to refer to.
I thought this activity was successful according to the CHOICE philosophy, in terms of higher level thinking and that it was contextualized-with the citation and referencing. It was lacking in the Collaborative aspect the most, which I would change if I were to do something like this as a teacher.
This experience will help me a better teacher because I will possibly do something like this with my students in the future. I thought it did a great job of tying in research, citations, and writing.
I observed a lab at Libery Ele. in Hobart for first grade. My teacher did not have any computers in her classroom for the students to use, so they were limited to 50 minuted once a week as to their exposure to technology in the form of computers. During my time, the only components of CHOICE that I saw were the contentual and engaging. The teacher really made an effort to connect the classroom lessons to the technology lessons. I would definitely try to do that, but I also might try to frequent the lab more, allow small groups to go to the lab with an assistant, and promote collaboration in the lab. I was pleased with the behaviors of all the students and could see a need for the students to be challenged with different programs for the future.
I observed a lab in Michigan City at my former Elementary School. *Knapp Elementary School* I watched the children learn from using an interactive program. The program the teacher used was called the "Oddysee" and it collaborated with each of the students needs even though they were all using the same program. In the classroom each student had their own Alpha which is a lap top that only has eductional programs. The children use this to write their own stories or work together in group activities. This will help me become a better teacher because i was able to see how the students reacted to the activities they were playing.
I had the opportunity to observe a kindergarten class at Joy elementary. During their lab time I was able to observe the students login by themselves and navigate their way to the program being used called Starfall. Some had difficutly while others did not. The students did have choice on what area they could work on, reading or ABCs, but the problem that I found with giving choice to such a young grade was that the students were beginning to pair up and go to the same screen that their neighbor was. During the lab time the teacher was the "monitor" so to speak. There was no direct instruction but simply making sure everyone was quiet and on task.
I think my observations in this lab will make me a better teacher of technology because I will want to incorporate things that will engage and challenge the students while in the computer lab. Maybe try out new sites that are reinforcing a concept that we have been working on so the students do not become bored going to the same program every week.
I observed a class at Chesterton High School. When a class goes into the computer lab in the library, the librarian reviews with the class on how to effectively use the search engines. She does this by incorporating a smart board. This is a great way to remind students on how to appropriatly use school programs. The class worked in pairs which was great because the assignment was collaborative. The teacher walked around and checked on the students work, and engaged in their work by asking about the websites they found and interesting information that they also may have found. In all, I was really happy to see the librarian giving helpful instruction to better surf the web..
I observed a class at Chesterton High School. When a class goes into the computer lab in the library, the librarian reviews with the class on how to effectively use the search engines. She does this by incorporating a smart board. This is a great way to remind students on how to appropriatly use school programs. The class worked in pairs which was great because the assignment was collaborative. The teacher walked around and checked on the students work, and engaged in their work by asking about the websites they found and interesting information that they also may have found. In all, I was really happy to see the librarian giving helpful instruction to better surf the web.
I observed a class at Chesterton High School. When a class goes into the computer lab in the library, the librarian reviews with the class on how to effectively use the search engines. She does this by incorporating a smart board. This is a great way to remind students on how to appropriatly use school programs. The class worked in pairs which was great because the assignment was collaborative. The teacher walked around and checked on the students work, and engaged in their work by asking about the websites they found and interesting information that they also may have found. In all, I was really happy to see the librarian giving helpful instruction to better surf the web.
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