Journal Post #4

How Are Lesson Planning and Student Assessment Enhanced by Technology?

Flickr David D. Muir

Teacher have come a very long ways today, from having their bosoms full of folders, notebooks, and other loose papers, to simply carrying a medium laptop computer to their classroom. What has changed so much since the time that I have graduated (twenty years ago), until the present time at hand. The one big word that answers this question is simply "technology". Technology such as computers, ipads, smartphones, etc., help teachers to better able organize their learning materials for the classroom.

In the past, many educators were no different from students when it came to finding and organizing their materials for in-class discussion and learning. Teachers were forced to go to the library and find books and other materials in order to find information to teach on. Well educators, say "thank you" to modern technology for making your teaching job a little easier these days. The internet has saved teachers much time just by being readily accesssible. Much of the information that's aids in their teaching can be found online. Certainly, this is more feasible than going to three or four physical places just to find information. Now global information can be accessed at their fingertips. So, what exactly does this mean for teachers. Well, for starters, it means that teachers have more time to actually devote to the students. If you ask a teacher about one of the greater challenges today, the teacher will probably say something like "I need more time to teach". There is just too much material and not enough time to teach it. (Maloy, O'Loughlin, Edwards, & Woolf, p. 82) 

With this new technology, teachers are better able to manage their classrooms. Classrooms are less congested because teachers have more paperless materials to work with. This provides for a lot more space in the class to work with. This may seem trivial, but it makes a significant difference when you have more physical space to work with. The different softwares and technological tools not only help teachers to strategize their lessons, but it enhances the development of the lessons as well. Although there are benefits of having this new technology in the classrooms, it also presents other issues. "However, with the learning benefits of technology comes a host of new challenges for managing the classroom. The greatest of these is allowing students enough leeway to take advantage of the freer, exploratory mode of learning technology encourages while keeping the class productivity on-task. (Angela Watson, p.2)  Teachers are also able to make student assessments and  store them on their digital devices. This information can be saved in a good place, only accessible to the teacher, and this information is easily organized and can be sent out a lot quicker to the parents when necessary.

Tool Tech link:

Fair Test: The National Center for fair and Open Testing
www.fairtest.org
This site is a free online resource for keeping informed about testing policies and the wider education debates about the effectiveness of standardized test in assessing student learning.

Summary & Connection:

Today technology is making life a lot easier for teachers to plan there lessons and make assessments for their students. Because of the students information is put into one place, namely the computer, it makes things a lot more organized for the teacher. If the teacher is organized and ready to go, then it sets the atmosphere for a greater learning environment because teacher and students are in a better position to learn in a more organized fashion.

Works Cited:

Maloy,R., O'Loughlin, V., Edwards, R., Sharon, A., & B.P. Woolf, (2011).  Transforming Learning With New Technologies. Boston, MA: Pearson.

Watson, A. The CornerStone; Technology & Classroom Management, n.d., Web Jan 31, 2014
http://thecornerstoneofteachers.com/free-resources/technology-integration/tech-classroom-management

Journal Post #3

Chapter 3-Transforming Learning with Unique, Powerful Technology

Focus Question: What is the meaning and importance of digital citizenship?

In the era of digital screens and computer technology, many users of today's new devices are suffering from technological incompetence. Because almost everthing revolves around some type of new technology nowadays, and most careers obtained through a degree involve some type of digital device, it is imperative that a significant part of a student's education develop some digital literacies throughout his/her education process.

Change in education is no longer on the horizon. The crossroads between education and technology have meet at a major junction, and the education of our children have been involved in this crash. So, how are schools, educators, and parents suppose to handle such an encounter with success and effectiveness? This is what researchers and those in the educational field have been trying to figure out for the last two decades. Although no one has the exact answer to this predicament, steps are being made to integrate technology into the educational experience. However, those efforts are being met with great challenges. One of the major challenges involves developing "digital citizens" in our societies. The concept implies that digital users become productive and effective members in our "digital society"...whether at school, work, or home.

When we look out at our job market today, many of the significant paying jobs require that its applicants have some type of computer skills. Businesses are no longer using their hands to count dollar bills, or their brains for that matter, but machines and other digital devices are doing those types of jobs for them. Within the classroom, students are no longer passing notes in class, but text messaging has become the modern day note passer for them. (Robert, O'Loughlin, Edwards, Woolf, 2014). With this in mind, it is crucial for schools to "prepare their students for the real world". Today, that real world revolves around digital devices. We must began to develop digital citizenship throughout our schools, starting from the earliest stages of our children's education. In order for today's users of new technology to become digitally competent, they must become "active learners" of these new devices. Active learning is a method of learning which involves a hands-on approach. The more they become familiar with new technologies, the more closer they more towards becoming a digital citizen. The more our educators, students, and our society at large become familiar with handling new devices, the more supportive they will be when it comes to utilizing them to transform the learning environment.

Tech Tool link:
http://www.stopdisastersgame.org/videos/tillylow.html

This video shows a middle school student giving an account of her story about how see was able to save herself and others by warning them of a tsunami that imminent by the warning signs which she was witnessing. She gives credit to her instructor for teaching the class about those warning signs. This Tool Tech 3.1 is a great example of a technological resource which could help kids today learn important tips about helping to contribute to a save environment. Within this link is online problem solving games as well. The web address is: http://www.stopdisastersgame.org/en/home.html

Summary & Connection

Our modern day digital world has collided with the field of education and now teachers, students, parents, and others in our society must be willing to participate in this merging phenomenon. However, in order to be willing participants, together, we must take an active role in becoming digital citizens by aquiring the skills necessary to handle these devices. It's not until we build a community of technologically sound digital users, that we'll be able to take part in utilizing these digital tools to transform the arena of education and all who make up the sphere of education.

Resources

Edwards, S. Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., & Woolf, B. (2014). Transforming Learning with New     
     Technologies: Second Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson

Journal Post # 2

What are some of the barriers to technology use in schools by teachers and students?

 As we look at the widespread use of computers and digital electronics today, many of these devices have already or are beginning to infiltrate the classroom enviornment. Yet, there are still many obstacles and challenges to overcome before "computer-based technologies" are the stars of the classroom.

In the senario with the three students who were studying to be teachers, their discussion of technology presents a real-time debate about some of the concerns that educators are facing today. There are some teachers who are sold on the idea of using technology in the classroom to present highly interactive, inquiry-based learning. Conversely, there are those teachers who seem to be on the left side when it comes to using technology in the classroom, supposing that it may have the potential to trump traditional and fundamental methods of learning. Still, in betwixt these two positions, you have those teachers who seem to hold a neutral position, yet showing some skepticism because of the lack of training with these new technological devices. One of the main challenges then becomes finding some common ground that educators can at least meet on so that they can start tackling those obstacles which are preventing them from using these new technologies.

Some teachers aren't that confident using some of these new digital devices that are on the market today. It's hard to keep up with trying to master one device before you are overwhelmed with trying to learn the basics of a new one that presents itself 2 months later. Furthermore, some of the educators that Marc Prensky described as being "digital immigrants", spend less time with digital devices then do the "digital natives", which he described as those born into the world of new technologies. If you're not that familiar with digital devices, then you're not going to feel confident or comfortable using them as a means of educating your students. Perhaps, some educators will never be sold on the idea of using digital devices in the classroom. "Because of years of experience as students, beginning educators often teach as they were taught." (Maloy, O'Loughlin, Edwards, Woolf , 2014, 2011) As the old cliche goes, "you can't teach an old dog new tricks".

Students who grow up facing challenges such as low socio-economic situations definitely have more hurdles to climb than those who come from financially secure homes. Because many of these new technological devices can be pricey, students who can't afford them are less likely to become familiar with how to use them. Then you have those students who have physical disabilities and cannot possible utilize many of these new digital devices. These are at a disadvantage. For an example, a blind student at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio sued the university because the new technology used by the school was not conducive enough to provide her with academic equality. (The Associated Press, 2014) So, these are a few of the barriers that many teachers, students, and schools are faced with daily when it comes to utilizing new technologies in the classroom.

Tool Tech link: Apps for Teaching and Learning

Apps, a.k.a., applications are very popular tool today with students and adults alike, especially mobile apps. Many students are spending their time using apps (mostly free apps) to play video games. Many schools are using apps already, such as word processor, to aid students in writing development. How exciting would it be for kids to be able to download mobile apps in their classrooms and access information pertinent to their academic development. As the book mentioned, a poetry app can be accessed to school the students on different genres of poetry while studying about the historical and present impact that poetry in the world.

Summary & Connection
As we move forward with trying to understand educational technology issues and trends, we must be aware that there will always be many obstacles to overcome. With the great digital disconnect that educators and students are experiencing with involving new technologies inside the classroom, teachers must be willing to face these challenges head-on, while constantly looking for new ways to spark the interest of their learners and themselves.

Resources
Edwards, S., Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., & Woolf, B. (2014, 2011). Transforming Learning With 
     New Technologies: Second Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson

The Associated Press, "Miami Herald: Technology", Blind Ohio Student Sues Miami U Over
     Technology. 14 January 2014, Web. 19 January 2014

Journal Post # 1

How do new technologies create new opportunities for teaching and learning?

Many traditional educators would gag at the very though of introducing some of the new technological gadgets into the classroom. However, with today's trend of digital and electronic interplay, the idea of intergrating a cell phone into the classroom for educational purposes is beginning to entertain the thoughts of many teachers, students, and parents alike. Many of today's generation of children have opened their eyes to a world full of electronic devices, ranging from toys, to cameras, to phones, and DVD's. Juxtapose to their parents or grandparents before them, these children's tender minds have more favorable acclimated to the electronic age before them. Through immediate hands on experience at such a young age, these toddlers quickly become data processing gurus before they speak their first words.



     So, as we think about the topic of creating new opportunities through modern technology for education, we must keep in mind that those things that worked for us and for some of the older generations might not work for our children today. Some educational techniques have become outdated and obsolete. Here is what Elise Ying-Hei Ho published about what a former teacher, now keynote speaker said regarding technology in the classroom: "Pointek makes an amazing comparison regarding students today--Generation Z--as Jetson's kids attending a Flintsone's school. As technology has evolved over the years, schools are falling behind in staying updated and while some do obtain new digital media tools in their schools and classrooms few teaching methods have been revised to accomodate for the new generation." ( Ying-Hei Ho, p.2)  This statement only adds to the idea of teachers, districts leaders, and superintendents to push the agenda of "technology in the classroom". As educators, we must take in to consideration the strength of the students, how they best learn, and what helps them learn the best. Right now, that strength of learning for today's generation happens to be new technologies. Not that every student learns better with digital devices, but many of them are adjusting very well to these modern technologies. For most of them, these devices are their only interest, so why not use them to the students' advantage. For those who don't adjust as well, we will bring them along delicately, but we must advance the students who are looking for opportunities to learn through new technologies.
     Should technology take over in the educational realm and within the learning enviornment? What we have created to aid in education should never take over in the educational setting, or else it will be more about the device than it is about the actual education of the student. Teachers, on the other hand, should never allow a device to take over the teaching setting for them; otherwise, it would seem more sufficient to pay the device over the teacher because the device would be doing all of the work. However, teachers do need some of these devices to effectively educate their students.  Ultimately, it is the responsibilty of the teacher to teach and all devices become tools and aides to help in that endeavor. As Dr. Marie Coleman suggests, "Technology should not be driving the bus when it comes to education". If I could suggest, I believe if we read between the lines of Dr. Coleman's statement, then it would be safe to say that technology should definitely be sitting somewhere on the bus--just not in the driver's seat.
     Today's technologies can have a big impact on learning, especially within the educational enviornment. It becomes the role of the teacher to understand how to use that technology proficiently to effectively educate his/her students. "The goal is always to create exciting and effective learning experiences by stimulating interest, inspiring curiosity, and propelling everyone's desire to know more. To do this, teachers must be constant learners of and leaders with technology." (Maloy, pg. 14)
I'm anticipating the day when the majority of educators will tell their students to pull out their cell phones and do an assignment.



Edwards, S., Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., & Woolf, B.  (2014,2011). Transforming Learning With   

     New Technologies: Second Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson

Ho, Elise Y.H., "Trend Hunter Keynotes", Tech Savvy Classrooms. 27 November 2012, Web. 17   

     January 2014