Final Reflective Post

I had many worries coming into this course. I did not have much experience with online classes and I am more comfortable in a classroom setting. I wasn’t a young millennial that technology is like second nature. With all the bad qualities said, my good quality is to not give up and give it always my best. That is exactly how I took this course. Each assignment seemed impossible and many topics I had never heard before. I discovered many new things and when I accomplished the task, it felt so rewarding. Everything gained from this course, I could see myself use in the future. This course has opened my eyes to the possibilities in technology.

I felt all the assignments were leading up to prepare us for the upcoming assignments. I especially enjoyed the collaborative assignments. Good communication is very helpful in the field of education. Teachers collaborate ideas and projects daily. The textbook was very easy to understand and was my go to for all the assignments. Even for my own children, I found many insightful technology resources from the textbook.  The discussions were interesting to reveal popular topics in education. Through the discussions, we got to see many people’s opinions and learn strategies for the future.

Technology is here to stay and only growing each day. As a future educator to be familiar with technology can only benefit the students and myself. I learned so much from this course and I know there is still so much more to learn. Though technology can seem intimidating at first, it was also very fun to explore. From this course, I am mostly taking the confidence in discovering new things in a world of technology.

Digital Blog Post #I

The first concept in chapter four, I found to one day be useful is electronic grading software. The advantages of electronic grading software include its capacity to efficiently calculate and store multiple forms of student performance data and from tests and quizzes, assignments, homework, participation, and other activities (Malloy, 2013). I believe as an educator it is also helpful to organize assignments and plan ahead. The convenient part is also students and parents can have instant access to grades. Knowing their grades can keep them on track to and concentrate on a subject that may need improvement. As an educator we have a lot to cover and grading is just necessary to keep track that students are mastering what we teach. If there is such technology to make our job easier to concentrate on more important aspects, it is a blessing in disguise.


https://storybird.com/books/technology-is-my-personal-assistant/





Another very important web tool I found under Tech Tool 4.3, is RubiStar (http://rubistar.4teachers.org) Rubrics are provided in six areas: multimedia, products, products, experiments, oral projects, research and writing, and work skills (Malloy, 2013). I always knew about rubrics, but in this course I have gotten more in depth understanding. I feel rubrics go hand in hand with teaching. As educators we must outline our expectations to enhance learning. We can concentrate on our lesson plans, and use this tech tool to cover a rubric. One rubric can measure the whole class, but at the same time each student independently. Rubrics can also serve as an explanation towards the final grade. Rubrics are also necessary to explain the assignment better and share with students assignment expectations.



The last concept, I found is QuizStar (http://quizstar.4teachers.org) This site provides software for multiple-choice, true/false, and short answer quiz creation with varied administrative options, including opportunities to review quiz results by class, students, and questions (Malloy, 2013). This tech tool seems it can be a very handy tool to use one day. As educators we must evaluate our students on a regular basis and on different subjects. We can have great lesson plans and ideas on how to execute the lesson. We still need help from technology to cover how we measure what we teach.
I know as an educator we have to be creative and come up with our own material. This site helps create our own personal quizzes/tests that match our lessons.

 Resources 

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.

Story Bird https://storybird.com/books/technology-is-my-personal-assistant/

Digital Blog #G

 Learning is universal and everyone deserves an education. English was my second language, so to make teaching multicultural is dear to my heart. I found the resource NLVM (National Library of Virtual Manipulatives) that teaches math with games and activities in English, Spanish, French, and Chinese. As an educator, I find it important to reach every student’s potential. The students can learn the same math lessons, but in different languages. A resource like this can also give a student a sense of confidence and inclusion. The student could be very smart and just has a language barrier. This student deserves the same opportunity like any other student.

 Interactive whiteboards are highly effective ways to teach individuals, pairs, or students in small groups, and youngsters with special learning challenges who respond well to visual, auditory, and hands-on learning activities (Maloy, 2013). These interactive whiteboards have replaced the original chalk board. Teachers can still write on the board, but with using dry erase markers (in multiple colors). With the projection, anything on the computer can be displayed on the board. With using a Mimio pen, games can become interactive in front of the whole class.






 Text reading software was another unique resource to discover as an educator. This resource can keep the teacher to continue at the same pace while students needing extra assistance have resources to help them. It has a highlighting feature that highlights the word for the student as it is reading. It can be used primarily for the elementary age students. Every student is not at the same reading level but by using this software they can enjoy the same material. Even for students that may have a high reading level it can be useful towards difficult reading material.





 

 Resources

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.

Digital Post Blog #E

The first concept that I found neat was Zoombinis. Students are to take a journey while solving obstacles. (www.learningcompany.com) The three games in the series are Zoombinis Logical Journey, Zoombinis Mountain Rescue and Zoombinis Island Odyssey. Zoombinis are the actual creatures that a student also creates. They can change hair, eyes, nose and feet with many possible creations. Zoombinis are designed to teach critical thinking, problem solving, and mathematical learning to elementary students, ages 5 to 12 (Maloy, 2013). I think it is a great concept that teaches adventure. Also, gives students a lesson on working hard towards a goal. The educational program Kid Pix was a concept that I wanted to learn more of. A program dedicated to bring out the creativity in students is necessary. Students can express their ideas creatively for many subjects. Math is the subject mostly used for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Older students can make charts and graphs, write and illustrate word problems. To permit students to use their creativity and at the same time learn can be a successful concept. It is important to tackle teaching in a creative manner because students are not receiving enough free expression art. The versatility of Kid Pix for showing one’s ideas to others is greater than adults can imagine until they watch students create their projects (Maloy, 2013). Another program I found in the textbook under table 7.2 is Free Rice. This game, from the United Nations World Food Programme, donates 10 grains of rice to the World Food Programme for every correct answer to questions about English vocabulary and grammar, chemistry, geography, math, literature, and more (Maloy, 2013). I really found this game to be interesting. That as a teacher we can pass the lesson of helping others less fortunate is crucial. This game can also be played on Facebook completing virtual missions. As a teacher, we have a lot to cover in a day, so a program that can assist to have more productivity is essential. Resources 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.

Digital Blog Post #C

The first concept that grabbed my attention is a web resource in Tech Tool 3.1, Stop Disasters! A Disaster Stimulation Game (www.stopdisastersgame.org/en/home.html). These online problem- solving games explore how human actions can accelerate or prevent natural calamities such as wildfires, earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, and hurricanes (Maloy, 2013). I strongly believe we need to take care of the one planet we have and teach students how important this issue is. It is crucial that students at a young age understand our actions can affect our planet. An important aspect is also to make students more aware of what disasters are, so when they hear of them on the news they are less worried. Through this game students can witness the consequences of our actions, and they can help make our planet better. We must all take initiative to take care of our planet for generations to come. Another interesting concept in the Tech Tool 3.1, American Museum of Natural History Presents Ology (www.amnh.org/explore/ology) . This app offers activities in archeology, astronomy, biodiversity, earth science, genetics, marine biology, paleontology, aquatics, and zoology (Maloy, 2013). I was fortunate to visit this museum myself and found it very educational. As a future educator, I would love for my students to also experience great educational places. Unfortunately, not every student would have the resources to go visit this museum, but if they could visit virtually, how amazing! Natural history has a lot of important information from pre-historic to current issues. The more informed a student is with the natural world can help in all subject areas. Students always hear stories from history, but through this web resource they can go further with their imagination. The third concept I found very important for today’s youth is the app BeSeen. This app presents approaches for responsible social networking behavior by youth. Points are earned by making good choices when faced with challenging situations on social media. This is a great app that parents can appreciate and feel safe while their child is on social media. As an educator’s perspective, it is also beneficial for our students to make good choices while using social media. What happens on social media can always have an input on the school environment. These are just a few great technology resources of many to discover. As a future educator, any extra resources that provide information to important subjects can be very helpful. It would be an educators dream took take their students to places and learn through discovering. Instead as educators we must discover great tools that will take their imagination to those places. Works Cited Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.

Digital Blog Post #A- Chapter 1

It is clear to see technology reinforces education. The tool I found to be the most engaging to students is education learning games. To find an app game that relates to the content you are teaching is and enhancement for learning. A surprising fact is how most students have the knowledge to use these devices at a very young age. A benefit to the school, is many kids own a device and may bring it to school. An advantage to using these devices is also how teachers can set settings to assure students stay within the content.

Another great tool to use in the classroom is digital media. There are endless amounts of information for any subject. This activity can be used visually teach the entire class. Students can expand their horizons to different diversities and cultures. With a little imagination, it can take the class out of the classroom, without ever leaving. The classroom can also create their own digital media to share ideas, experiences, and love for learning.

A great learning tool, I have seen used is the Interactive Whiteboards. I have seen this tool gives students the ability take learning into their own hands. It gives students a sense of being in charge. The biggest advantage is giving the students the confidence to stand up front and help teach the class. Students really enjoy it and it is a privilege for them to use. For the younger students, it also serves as a good motor skill exercise. Many games require good listening skills for directions and step by step process.

I am delighted to teach the new iGeneration. The many advancements to technology makes for a better teaching and learning environment. There are so many different resources available to attract all levels and subjects.