Teacher, Technology, and the Classroom

What can I do to "get ready" for a lesson in which my students use computers?

To get ready for a lesson in which the students will be using computers, a teacher can make sure that all websites and computers are working and are easy for students to access and understand how to use. Teachers need to have sites bookmarked, have clear instructions for students on how to access the information they need, and how to work the computer components of the lesson. 

Where does the "computer part" come when I am teaching a lesson?

The computer part of the lesson can fit in anywhere that it makes sense within individual lessons. When describing the lesson to someone, it could be described how it is going to take place, what the students will benefit from using computers, and how the use of technology will help them reach the end goal of their lesson. 

How do you ensure equal access for all students with only three computers?

For a class with only three computers, a schedule would need to be set up so that students can have equal turns using the computer. This could be per day, per week, or per center choice time. Some students might show more interest in the computer, which would need to be balanced with students who do not show as much interest, because every student needs to be able to gain 21st century technology skills. 

Graphic Organizers

How do I know that students understand a concept?

Through the use of tools such as graphic organizers, teachers can have students map out information that they need to know in various manners, which will help them determine if the student has a good understanding of the material. Graphic organizers help students process information and categorize it in to different segments based on how the organizer is set up. These help in many different types of lessons to help students dig deeper in to information.

How can you depict student misconceptions of key information?

If a student creates a graphic organizer with information that is incorrect, this will help alert the teacher that there is some misconception of the knowledge presented to them. This will then help the teacher to be able to go back and look at what the student does not understand and help them correct it.

How can students capture and transfer brainstorming ideas into written thoughts?

Different graphic organizers can help students brainstorm before an activity. They can write out hypotheses in them, what they think they will learn, and what they want to learn. They can take these in to lessons and help develop what is being taught through using what they have set up before the activity. 

Cyberbullying Case Studies

1. Penelope and Rosetta work together on the Kinseytown High yearbook. They are usually friends, but have a heated disagreement over the artwork for the yearbook’s cover. During lunch period, Penelope sends a text message to Rosetta

stating “I’m so mad I can’t even sit near you. Leave me alone today.”

This particular circumstance does not constitute cyberbullying. Text messages are not included in what counts as 'cyber' and the comment that Penelope sent to Rosetta is only an insult, and not a direct threat. Therefore, because of the level of the comment that was made, and the fact that it was a text and not sent via internet, makes it not a case of cyberbullying. There would be no legal consequences for a text such as this being sent. 

2. Marla is a new student at school. In the school computer lab, William sets up a page on MySpace called “Marla Go Home!” Several students post derogatory messages about Marla’s appearance, calling her a “slob” and a “loser.” Marla sees the page and leaves early. She stays at home for several days.

This instance is definitely a case of cyberbullying. It took place on the internet, and defaces the student Maria. It took place on school grounds which means that the school can take legal action in this case. The school can discipline the students who made the MySpace page, and take action that could lead to suspension or expulsion. Legally, it depends on how Maria takes what is posted to her. If she takes it harder than just staying home for a few days, then extra charges could be placed against the students who made the website.

Chapter 11 - Integrating Problem-Solving and Educational Software

What are the benefits of using problem-solving or educational software?

There are several benefits of problem-solving software listen on page 284 in the textbook. These include increased student attention and motivation, but also the increase in skills involving thinking, planning, learning, and technical skills. These all help students in many aspects of their education as well as work-place preparedness. 
Educational software also has many benefits. Students are being asked to utilize more and more technology in their schooling and in their careers. The more familiar students are with technology from a young age, the more career skills they will be equipped with. Along with this, drill-and-practice software gives students the opportunity to practice basic skills that provide immediate feedback for them to figure out how they are doing. 

How do I choose the correct software?

Teachers can use software reviews to figure out if it is something that will work for their lesson or they can check with other educators to see if someone else has used that product before for a similar lesson. Making sure that the software does what you are expecting it to do before implementing it in a lesson is very important and can prevent disastrous situations from occurring. 

When I integrate problem-solving or educational software into a lesson, what changes will be needed?

There are several changes to an NTeQ lesson plan listed on page 292 in the textbook. There are six of the components that will need changes; computer function, research and analysis, results presentation, activities during computer use, activities before computer use, activities after computer use. Each of these areas should be assessed when using problem-solving or educational software to determine how the software will fit in to the lesson plan.

Chapter 9 Integrating Multimedia as a Tool

How can my students use multimedia for their projects?
  
Unfortunately, the students I teach and will be teaching in the future are pre-kindergarteners and do not have an understanding of technology. However, if I were teaching students who were able to create presentations, I would encourage my class to make presentations that focused on the material that they are being asked to relay. There are many good options for embedding pictures, videos, links, and more in to multimedia presentations to enhance what students are being asked to do.
Students could use multimedia to present on a number of subjects from math to book reports to a social studies or science lesson. This helps students prepare for the work environment where people are often asked to make presentations in the work place. 

What applications are available for creating a multimedia presentation?

There are many different software and web-based applications and products available for creating multimedia presentations. There are software applications such as Powerpoint that are easy for students to use, and websites like Prezi that are easy to sign up for and are very user-friendly. 

Should I place limits on how my students use multimedia?

The textbook notes that sometimes students become more fascinated with adding bells and whistles to their presentations than focusing on the content. One suggestion that the book has is to limit their time making the presentation to just using a bland format, and then giving a few minutes after the presentations are complete to allow them to add some bells and whistles to spice up their presentations. 

Delicious

I found that it was relatively easy to find good sites to bookmark on delicious.com. Since I am already teaching preschool full time, I am aware of and use many of these websites every day. I enjoyed getting to know this tool so that I can have access to many sites that I regularly use in one place. I did not personally find many sites that were claiming to be educational that were just trying to sell products, though I believe there are many out there. A majority of the sites I found were valuable as a resource in some manner. Many preschool teachers blog and post about resources they have created and work together as a community to help other preschool teachers. I think Web 2.0 sites are therefore really valuable to a preschool teacher, as many teachers can and often do share their ideas via these sites. I did not seem to choose many of the same sites as my other classmates, likely because we are in different licensure areas. I liked finding more ideas for my classroom and seeing what options are out there as resources for my future profession.

My Delicious site can be found at delicious.com/saralynn88.

Reflecting on What I Know Chapter 6

Now that I have access to the Web, how can I use it effectively?

There are many useful tools on the Web for teachers to use. There are search engines, communication tools, lesson plans, video conferencing or calls via the web. Search engines can be used to help students research for assignments or lessons. Communication tools can be used for students to have access to people with more knowledge on the topic they are researching or to communicate with their teachers. Teachers can use the Web to access their lesson plans and to get ideas for their lesson plans.


How do I manage students' use of the Web in my class?

There are several tools such as software and internet history lists that teachers can use to manage their students' use of the Internet. These can help teachers identify problematic use and figure out how to correct it.


Which features of the Web do I use?

Teachers can use many tools on the Internet to help students in the classroom. Teachers can use many of the ones listed above, such as search engines and asynchronous websites to further their teaching and how they help their students learn. Teachers can use tools such as GoogleDocuments to share information with their students and communicate with parents and help students share information with each other. Teachers can use the Web to communicate with other teachers and share ideas for lessons. These and many other features on the Web help teachers with their instruction and students with their learning.