Reflective Post

As my EME2040 Class comes to an end I realized how important technology is to a teacher in the 21st century. Technology has come such a long way in such a short period of time, that is has encompassed a majority of our daily life. As we look to the future, it seems that technology will only become a even bigger role in our lives than it already is. So it is important to consider increasing technology in the classroom. I have found all of the projects to be quite helpful in distributing technology to the classroom and to students. From Collaborative lesson plans to my own teacher e portfolio. But What I found most helpful is the creative WebQuests that teachers can create for their student. Not only can the student learn the subject matter at hand but the WebQuests add the technology element into the mix. This creates a fun and interactive environment for students. I believe this is key to making sure all students become successful learners. WebQuests can become a teacher's favorite lesson planning tool or at least for me it has. I plan on using this technology in my classroom quite often. Check out my very own example. Or try for yourself at QuestGarden.

I believe that every lesson taught in this class will be extremely helpful for future educators to create more technology based lessons into the classroom, which in turn creates outside the classroom learning as well. The assignments in this class were able to teach me to create and integrate technologies into my future classroom. Each lesson in the class provided a tool for each learning style so that teachers can help every student become successful. This class was extremely helpful to me as a student and as a future educator by communicating how important technology can be and how it can be harnessed as a powerful teaching tool. We are in the 21st century so integrating more technology into classrooms is common sense. The more our lives are fueled by technology the more our environments must adapt to that. So to become a successful teacher in the 21st century one must get creative with the technology being used in classrooms today to provide a better future student of tomorrow.  

Resources

QuestGarden.com. (n.d.). Retrieved May 1st, 2016, from http://questgarden.com/

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 #F

WebQuests, Online learning and virtual schools, and Digital inequalities 

In today's modern world, technology has become a necessity. The education field must utilize digital technology to reach a totally new student born in a digital world. In this blog, WebQuests and digital inequalities will be discussed along with online learning and virtual schools.


WebQuests

As technology becomes essential to teaching, an educator must adapt to new digital forms of lesson planning. I believe WebQuests are perfect for educators to use in this new digital world. WebQuests are designed by teachers for an interactive learning environment for students.When starting a WebQuest, students can follow an electronic map or tour, moving from one source to another. The teacher has already selected the websites that the students will explore. So no need to worry about the content of the websites being anything less than educational. I was given the opportunity to design one myself using QuestGarden. When designing a WebQuest, the designer must follow a step by step process: 1.Stage setting 2. Task 3. Process 4. Evaluation 5. Conclusion.

For the stage setting step, the designer will provide the introduction for the students and the expectations set for the students. In the next step of Task, the designer provides the activities that the students must complete during the WebQuest. In step 3, the Process, the instructions are provided for the previously mentioned activities in the last step. In the Evaluation step, the designer will inform students on how they will be graded or scored on meeting the requirements of the WebQuest, usually this is done in the form of rubrics. In the final area of designing a WebQuest, the conclusion is where the designer will provide a summary of what the students should have accomplished after successfully completing a WebQuest. A well constructed WebQuest serves the same purpose as a research project, with all activities designed with a student's success in mind. I was given the opportunity to create my very own Webquest, check it out.


Online Learning and Virtual Schools

As we have seen technology grow in the education field, online learning and virtual schools have blossomed onto the scene. With blazing a new trail in education, it is no surprise that virtual schools, or any form of online learning causes much debate. Taking a look at the positives of virtual schools, it is easy to see why it is becoming increasingly popular. Virtual schools allow freedom of even the most hectic schedules. Being able to log on from anywhere, especially the comfort of your own home is one of the main reasons people love virtual schools. It also allows for the nontraditional student to further their education. New mothers, older students, or even night shift workers are getting more of a chance to further their educational wants and needs. Not to mention the money that is being saved in an already dwindling education budget. When looking at the criticism from those who oppose virtual schools, many agree that virtual schools create an isolated environment. Critics also argue that virtual schools have less social interaction. I'd like to counter those arguments by saying that virtual schools do not provide less social interaction but provide a different form of social interaction than traditional methods. In virtual schools, one can interact with fellow students and teachers 24/7 through online forums. Here students can discuss projects or assignments given by the teacher as well as give feedback to other students. I've enjoyed many online classes for this exact reason and due to my inconsistent work schedule. I suggest that every student should take at least one online class to gain a different experience that virtual schools bring. Take a look at some Florida programs.

Digital Inequalities 

Just like everything else in life, money rules. The technological world is no exception. Money helps create inequalities in the digital world. The more money one has will have a direct effect on the type of technological experience one will have. Higher income homes will most likely use the internet everyday and are more  likely to own multiple electronic sources, such as laptops, tablets, smart phones, desktop computers and e-readers. These digital inequalities create inequalities in the classroom. Teachers can expect problems trying to incorporate technology into the classroom in lower income areas than in higher income areas. This is a major problem for education. Students will not be given the same opportunities in their education which will directly effect every opportunity down the road. Students not given the same technological advances could hinder a future adult that changes the world. Technology in the educational field is helping teachers identify different learning styles and helps cater to each learning style. Take that away and some students are left in the dust. One of my favorite quotes by Albert Einstein says it best, " Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its's ability to climb a tree, it will live it's whole life believing it is stupid". Society must decide as a whole how to bridge the digital inequalities in and out of the education system. If we bridge the gap for students it an only bring a brighter future to us all. The Pew Research Center provides a prediction for the future.

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.

QuestGarden.com. (n.d.). Retrieved April 22, 2016, from http://questgarden.com/

Virtual Education. (n.d.). Retrieved April 22, 2016, from http://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/virtual-edu/

Rainie, L. (2015). The Changing Digital Landscape: Where Things are Heading. Retrieved April 22, 2016, from http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/11/20/the-changing-digital-landscape-where-things-are-heading/

Digital Blog Post #E

Digital Blog Post #E

Student learning objectives, Digital teaching portfolio, and student participation systems

Digital Blog #D

Digital Blog #D

A look into electronic communication between teachers and students, Linguistically diverse learners and technology, and interactive electronic storybooks and apps.


Electronic Communication Between Teachers and Students

As technology has grown more in the education field, communication between teachers and students have become more electronic. As a future teacher I have many digital forms of communication at my disposal that I would love to incorporate into my future classroom, While email isn't new to teachers, I say that as a millennial, so it's not new to me. I basically grew up with it as I graduated class every year, Teachers have been using email to send assignments, post grades, and other messages that maybe too long for a text message. Still emailing may not be new to me, it is still new as a technological advancement and must be utilized as such. Text messages can be utilized by teachers in a way that was always frowned upon before. I mean what teacher hasn't caught students on their phones texting? That's right, only  all the time. So why not use that to your advantage. Teachers can send informal mass text messages to students informing them about a test or quiz in a couple of days, or a rather large weighted assignment is due soon. Another tool that is already being used are online discussion forums. These forums are where teachers and students can openly discuss any educational topic the teacher has chosen. In my experience, this form of communication is used to determine grades for participation. Teacher made websites are also a tool to be utilized, these websites communicate to not only the students but also get the parents involved. In a teacher made website, a teacher should introduce themselves and classroom policies and procedures. This can allow students and parents to be on the same page as each other and to know what is expected in and out of the classroom. Although not every teacher will use any of these forms of communication to communicate with their students, it is important to expand your reach to students and parents in such a time of technological advancements. Even using one can do that.

Linguistically Diverse Learners

Linguistically diverse learners sometimes pose a unique challenge to teachers. With new forms of technology, teachers need not fear that challenge anymore. These new technologies help support both teacher and student. These new tools can help the non English speaking student learn English while also giving opportunities for the English speaking student to learn another language. The internet is the mecca of all things technology and will be your connection to your digital tools for teaching linguistically diverse students. The internet has a plethora of online language translation services. Among them, Goggle Translate is available at no charge and is also available as a tablet or smartphone app. So depending on how technological you want your class. you could have the tablet app at your disposal. Can you imagine, in a classroom right now, every student each with a tablet at their desk, used as their own individual whiteboard. You ask them to open their Google Translate app and with a tap of their finger, the language barriers one student or a few students might have, fall down immediately. How wonderful would it be to permanently relieve the panic in a child that doesn't speak the language that the rest of the classroom speaks. And an added bonus, learning opportunities, to teach the other students a new language, perhaps the language that that one child speaks. Helping set them up in the future. It has been my experience, that more and more people submitting job applications aren't even being considered once it is found out that the applicant is not bilingual. These translation resources are also beneficial to  parents of a different language as well. The language barrier may cause problems for parents to become more involved in their child's education. With these tools, teachers can help eliminate that barrier as well.  


Interactive Electronic Storybooks and Apps

Interactive electronic storybooks and storybook apps bring stories, whether fictional or nonfictional, to life on the computer screen. I believe these tools would be best utilized in a younger classroom setting. I would use these interactive storybooks for students that struggle in reading development. Although you can also use the electronic storybooks for students that do not have a reading development issue, to keep them right on track. Depending on the need o your students, they storybook apps vary greatly by that need. While some are simple with only pictures with the stories, others provide graphics and hot spots for students to interact with as the story progresses. The Hot spots are an interesting little feature. They allow the reader to click on them, pausing the main story and teaching a learning lesson for the student. The hot spots are hidden through out the story and the student must find them.  Most interactive story books have the option of different reading modes as well. Whether it is preferred  read out loud, the whole story or just page by page, giving the teacher the option to choose what is best for the students. While interactive story books create a story appealing to a child, some educators have their doubts. Some seem to think that these storybook apps distract from the process of reading on your own by recognition and context clues, These doubts have not proven true as of yet but I can't help but wonder myself. I'm sure if not used correctly or in moderation, these storybooks may not be as helpful as they should be. It should be the teachers responsibility to monitor what apps should be allowed in their classroom as well as the usage. Interactive storybooks could provide the help some struggling students may need if applied correctly.

created through nces.ed.gov

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.

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Home Page, a part of the U.S. Department of Education. (n.d.). Retrieved March 05, 2016, from http://nces.ed.gov/createagraph

Teaching History.org, home of the National History Education Clearinghouse. (n.d.). Retrieved March 05, 2016, from http://teachinghistory.org/grouptextmessagetools

Educational Technology and Mobile Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved March 05, 2016, from http://www.educatorstechnology.com/bestwebtoolssafely

Digital Blog #C Chapters 5 and 7

Digital Blog #C Chapters 5 and 7

Discussing and reflecting upon plagiarism, intelligent tutoring systems and concept mapping.

1.) Plagiarism

One of the biggest dirty words in the writing world would have to be plagiarism. As a student, I cringe at the thought of the word. We, students worry so much about plagiarism, I actually think it would surprise teachers, or at least I worry about it. Plagiarism is the direct copying of someone else's work and passing it off as their own. The most frequent forms of plagiarism, come from a person trying to quote or copy another's words.  In fact, in today's fast pace, technological world, plagiarism has grown in conjunction with the growth of technology. I find it hard to believe that we can eliminate plagiarism completely. But we can take steps to minimize the problem. As a teacher, I feel compelled to fight fire with fire, if you will.  Using today's technology, teachers are using sites like, turnitin.com to electronically scan a student's paper for any stolen work. We can also take preventative measures before the problem of plagiarism occurs. We an work on a student's critical thinking skills. By teaching students to analyze information and form their own opinions and answers, if done correctly, can provide fewer opportunities for plagiarism. I for one, am in favor of a critical thinking class that will actively seek out their own answers instead of copying someone else's thoughts and ideas.

2.) Intelligent Tutoring Systems

An intelligent tutoring system is a relatively new software program that has been introduced to the education field. Through the actions of the student, the computer records one's answers and makes predictions about the students knowledge level. Using the predictions, the computer then adjusts it's information and practice problems to fit the academic need of a particular student. This changes the teaching game tremendously! We are now able to effectively target each student's problem areas while still being able to teach the class as a whole. Studies have show that the intelligent tutoring systems have effectively improved the learning abilities of students. In my future classroom, I would love to introduce this piece of technology to my students. As the name suggests, it would provide the extra tutoring a student may need in a particular subject. I  know when I was growing up, reading and writing were my strong suit, while math was my weakest. I know that my parents would have appreciated this piece of technology for me. Both, teacher and student can see the progress of the student quicker than ever. I believe the teacher's biggest goal is to make sure the students are learning. Actually, I would hope that everyone believes this, for the sake of mankind. And with the help of intelligent tutoring systems, we can help students grasp the material a lot fast and without the anger and upset from a frustrated student.



3.)  Concept Mapping

Concept mapping is a software program that allows a student or teacher to outline their thoughts and ideas virtually, with graphs, charts, etc. Basically it is brainstorming only via computer than paper. I believe that I can incorporate this into my classroom for students that may not work well with brain storming on paper. This software can eliminate blocked thoughts and lack of creativity that some students may have when putting a good old pen to paper with the use of interactive tools. I face a dilemma, in the sense that sometimes I have difficulty relating to people that have had difficulties learning new material, as I have always excelled in school. I, myself, also prefer to put pen to paper. I enjoy writing my thoughts down, to have a physical copy. In fact, before typing up this assignment, I wrote a rough draft hard copy. While the physical element of a writing on paper is favored personally, I understand that not everyone favors what I like. Trying to accommodate each students educational needs should be at the forefront of every teacher's  plans. As a teacher, I can also use this tool to transfer my pen to paper with this software as well, to create a more clean and organized thought process. Concept mapping is a wonderful tool that an benefit both students and teachers.

Concept mapping (follow to see a concept map I did about this assignment)


I believe in giving the correct tools for success to everyone. With these three concepts introduced to my classroom, I believe I will be doing just that for my students.

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.


Bubbl.us - Brainstorm and Mind Map Online. (n.d.). Retrieved February 20, 2016, from https://bubbl.us

Digital Blog #B

Digital Blog #B Chapter 2 and 3: Combing constructivism and constructionism, student centered learning and cooperative learning

Digital Blog Post #A Chapter 1

Digital Blog Post #A Chapter 1 to demonstrate the use of tech tools, TPACK, and use of your digital identity.