Gibbous Europa :: Image Credit: Astronomy Picture of the Day
Technology Standards1. Demonstrate effective use of a computer system and utilize computer software. 2. Apply knowledge of terms associated with educational computing and technology. 3. Apply computer productivity tools for professional use. 4. Use electronic technologies to access and exchange information. 5. Identify, locate, evaluate, and use appropriate instructional technology-based resources (hardware and software) to support Virginia's Standards of Learning and other instructional objectives. 6. Use educational technologies for data collection, information management, problem solving, decision making, communications, and presentation within the curriculum. 7. Plan and implement lessons and strategies that integrate technology to meet the diverse needs of learners in a variety of educational settings. 8. Demonstrate knowledge of ethical and legal issues relating to the use of technology. |
Evidence
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Checklist Document
Technology Reflection:
Learning is a process that grows and shapes an individual. Children will undergo much of this
process within the confines of a classroom education, making it important to reflect on how technology
changes the classroom, and consequently, the student. Over the past few months I have been
introduced to a variety of technologies and the theories behind them that have expanded my capacity
to effectively organize and provide information, while motivating and interacting with students.
One of the greatest assets of technology in the classroom is its ability to increase motivation
by promoting self-determination. It can be as simple as an outlet where students can express their
opinion, such as an in-class iClicker or online Edmodo Poll, or it can provide options for creativity as a
part of learning. A Presentation in the formal sense can often be challenging for students. GoAnimate,
an intuitive animated movie-maker, or Prezi, an engaging and creative twist on PowerPoint, can
make presentations more rewarding and fun for students. Hopefully technology better allows for the
assessment becomes a learning experience in itself.
Technology has the ability to connect teachers and students, and students to their peers,
creating a community of learners. Blogs and wikis help provide those connections, but one of my
favorite discoveries this semester was Edmodo. Though I have not yet had the opportunity to use it in
a classroom setting, I am excited to think about its possibilities, and the possibilities of future resources
like it. Edmodo is a social network, course management hybrid accessible to teachers and their students.
I think Edmodo’s greatest potential lies in the idea of extending the classroom to a virtual learning
environment where discussion, resources, and information can be exchanged. Edmodo also provides
powerful organizational and administrative tools for teachers in the forms of gradebooks, assignment
pages, and calendars.
When teachers engage students with technology they can better situate motivation, stimulate
interest, and provide scaffolding for students to think critically about ideas and their relationships.
Webquests and simulations create opportunities for authentic activities. Students can work through
complex, sustained tasks while collaborating with their peers. Mentioned earlier, Prezi can also allow
teachers to mix presentations and concept maps, giving them a visual structure and an interesting
aesthetic. Prezi, webquests, powerpoint and others also allow teachers to join many sources of
relevant media. Students can benefit from these tasks, and multiple media sources that facilitate them,
by imposing their own, more meaningful, organization on a subject area. Additionally, Technology
facilitates the principle of universal design, such as a recorded lecture or large print notes.
Though I have seen many of the benefits of technology in the classroom, I have also become
aware of the risks and accountabilities. Copyright laws are very accommodating for educators, but there
still restrictions teacher must be aware of that limit the use of copyrighted materials. On occasion the
technology outshines the information. Making it difficult to focus on material. I found this was the case
with Pinterest, where there was not a designed educational purpose. Additionally, there is the potential
for the student to be overwhelmed. A poorly constructed webquest without scaffolding, or a Prezi
without a clear organization, quickly becomes a blur of media without meaning.
Technologies have associated risks and liabilities for the teacher. Using pseudonyms and acceptable use
contracts can help mitigate it, but a teacher has to be aware to combat against them.
Technology has a significant impact on learning. It brings teachers, students, and information
closer together transforming the classroom experience. It can provide an outlet of creativity as well as
an environment for authentic activities. The organizational and time saving tools resources it provides
are invaluable to teacher and students. Nonetheless it is vital for teachers to be aware of the laws and
risks associated with using technology in the classroom.
Technology Reflection:
Learning is a process that grows and shapes an individual. Children will undergo much of this
process within the confines of a classroom education, making it important to reflect on how technology
changes the classroom, and consequently, the student. Over the past few months I have been
introduced to a variety of technologies and the theories behind them that have expanded my capacity
to effectively organize and provide information, while motivating and interacting with students.
One of the greatest assets of technology in the classroom is its ability to increase motivation
by promoting self-determination. It can be as simple as an outlet where students can express their
opinion, such as an in-class iClicker or online Edmodo Poll, or it can provide options for creativity as a
part of learning. A Presentation in the formal sense can often be challenging for students. GoAnimate,
an intuitive animated movie-maker, or Prezi, an engaging and creative twist on PowerPoint, can
make presentations more rewarding and fun for students. Hopefully technology better allows for the
assessment becomes a learning experience in itself.
Technology has the ability to connect teachers and students, and students to their peers,
creating a community of learners. Blogs and wikis help provide those connections, but one of my
favorite discoveries this semester was Edmodo. Though I have not yet had the opportunity to use it in
a classroom setting, I am excited to think about its possibilities, and the possibilities of future resources
like it. Edmodo is a social network, course management hybrid accessible to teachers and their students.
I think Edmodo’s greatest potential lies in the idea of extending the classroom to a virtual learning
environment where discussion, resources, and information can be exchanged. Edmodo also provides
powerful organizational and administrative tools for teachers in the forms of gradebooks, assignment
pages, and calendars.
When teachers engage students with technology they can better situate motivation, stimulate
interest, and provide scaffolding for students to think critically about ideas and their relationships.
Webquests and simulations create opportunities for authentic activities. Students can work through
complex, sustained tasks while collaborating with their peers. Mentioned earlier, Prezi can also allow
teachers to mix presentations and concept maps, giving them a visual structure and an interesting
aesthetic. Prezi, webquests, powerpoint and others also allow teachers to join many sources of
relevant media. Students can benefit from these tasks, and multiple media sources that facilitate them,
by imposing their own, more meaningful, organization on a subject area. Additionally, Technology
facilitates the principle of universal design, such as a recorded lecture or large print notes.
Though I have seen many of the benefits of technology in the classroom, I have also become
aware of the risks and accountabilities. Copyright laws are very accommodating for educators, but there
still restrictions teacher must be aware of that limit the use of copyrighted materials. On occasion the
technology outshines the information. Making it difficult to focus on material. I found this was the case
with Pinterest, where there was not a designed educational purpose. Additionally, there is the potential
for the student to be overwhelmed. A poorly constructed webquest without scaffolding, or a Prezi
without a clear organization, quickly becomes a blur of media without meaning.
Technologies have associated risks and liabilities for the teacher. Using pseudonyms and acceptable use
contracts can help mitigate it, but a teacher has to be aware to combat against them.
Technology has a significant impact on learning. It brings teachers, students, and information
closer together transforming the classroom experience. It can provide an outlet of creativity as well as
an environment for authentic activities. The organizational and time saving tools resources it provides
are invaluable to teacher and students. Nonetheless it is vital for teachers to be aware of the laws and
risks associated with using technology in the classroom.