Reflective Blog

December 11, 2016

Reflective Blog

     It is hard to believe it has been almost four months since I started this course. My first thought was; “I am already tech savvy; what can this course teach me”? Was I wrong or what.  If this is the introduction to technology, I cannot wait to see what I am going to learn in the next class. In this paper I will discuss some of what I have learn, what took me out of my comfort zone and the technology I will use as a teacher as well as in my personal life.

     The digital blog took me out of my comfort zone. I was not a big fan of social media to begin with. However, it did give me an opportunely to express my thoughts on a variety of topics from the textbook. One of my biggest problems with the blog is the use of images and videos. Most of the time, I spent as much time looking for an image or video to go with what I was writing about, as I did writing the blog. This became even more relevant and I became more cautious after using a copy right protected image. I did take it down; I did not want to get caught on this over site. Lesson learned.  However, I did enjoy doing the Discussion Post and the feedback. The discussion post is a place where research can be done and you can express your opinion and get feedback from other students. This is also a great place to get ideas from other students that you may be able to use in your classroom. Students sharing their experiences is another thing I enjoyed about the discussion post.

     Collaboration, team work on both assignments was an experience. As for the Wiki, I can honestly say; at first I had no idea what I was doing. Again, the professor has pulled me out of

my comfort zone. It was at this point I recalled the professor telling the class, that October 31 is the last day to drop the class.  Since I am not one to quit, I hit it head on with my fingers crossed.  Even though, this was a collective project, I felt that each student worked more individually then together. I kept going back to the sample and thought I had it all figured out; until it came to the resources. As I remember right, only one team member stepped up and helped me realize my resources went on the resource page not on the bottom of my paper. As I put my resource in, I realized no one had put them in alphabetical order, so I did it. For me this was hard, the work was not hard; understanding how to put it together was hard. The Collaborative lesson plan, this is one assignment I will not soon forget. After a few bumps in the road and one pot hole the lesson plan starting coming together. This was my second lesson plan but my first using technology. Technology adds interest to the subject and that is what students are looking for in the classroom. Talking with a 5^th grade teacher recently, I found out just how important team work can be. I was told, because of state standards, at least once a month all of the teachers in each grade get together. In this school there are five, 5^th grade classrooms. All five classes need to stay together; if one class falls behind, the others will need to hold-up until that class catches up. We talked in depth, on how teachers work together and help each other out. Teachers will work in teams throughout their career and at some point must be able to give and take constructive criticism.

     I have never be taught how to evaluate a website, until now. Learning how to evaluate a websites, is a tool I have come to use all the time. Developing a rubric to evaluate a website has opened me up to a whole new way of doing any type of search on the web. Now, when I look something up on the internet, the first thing I look at is the URL address. Once I pick a site, I do not start reading the information until I find the author/publisher, author/publisher credentials, date the site was created, when was it last updated, is there an e-mail or an address where I can get in touch with the author or publisher and where did the information come from. For me this assignment is priceless; and it will be just as priceless to my students. They will know how to evaluate a website before entering middle school.

     Creating the WebQuest was something I thoroughly enjoyed doing. I had the freedom to use my own ideas for the subject, design and the learning outcome. I wanted my students to be creative in their writing. I felt this could be done by the students pretending to travel back in time and be a pilgrim in, 1620. I had fun doing the WebQuest and I will definitely use this as a teacher.

     I cannot close without saying something about the e-Portfolio. This is another project I thoroughly enjoyed doing; after I figured out what I was doing (thanks to the professor). Filling out the page on “What I have accomplished” brought it all together. I sat back and looked at this page and said to myself “You have come a long way in technology”. But this would not have been possible without a good teacher who always had my back, always answered my e-mails and took her time to make a video to show me how (I am a visual learner).

     I am more aware today than ever before that technology is lagging behind in our schools as well as for some of our teachers. Technology is a train that is not going to stop or even slow down and as future teachers we will need to keep up. I am sure what I have learned in this class is just the tip of the iceberg. I do feel, I have more confidence to move forward with new technology. I cannot end this reflective paper without thanking Professor Marie Coleman for all of her help. I appreciate your help more than you know. This semester has been a challenge for me in more ways than one. While taking this class, I went through two back surgeries; I was expecting one but not two. The outcomes have been good. Although, at times it has been a challenge; but I have make it through both, with your help.

God’s speed,

Richard

                                                          "Associates Degree complete"

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Blog L

Stages of Technology Integration

For a teacher to be able to integrate technology into their classroom; they need to ask themselves one question “As an educator, where am I at, in using technology in my classroom”? No matter what level or stage you find yourself at, there is always room for improvement. The author indicated, that a “study done by Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow Project found teachers to be at one of five stages” (Maloy, Verock-O’Loughlin, Edward, 2013, pp.).

(1)  Entry – An entry teacher is just beginning to learn about technology information. Basic skills are needed in technology and computers before new knowledge can be applied.

(2)  Adoption – An adoption teacher knows the basic in using technology in the classroom but will only use it occasionally.

(3)  Adaptation – An adaptation teacher, will integrate “new technology” but will only use technology as part of teaching.

(4)  Appropriation – An appropriation teacher, is very comfortable in using technology in and outside of the classroom

(5)  Invention stage – An invention teacher, is a teacher looking an exploring new ways to use         technology in and outside of the classroom (Maloy, Verock-O’Loughlin, Edward, 2013, pp. 301-302).

Right now, I find myself at the invention stage. I have always been open to exploring and learning new technology and by taking this class Transforming Learning with New Technologies, I feel I have been exposed to so much new information there should be another level. It is a known fact that students benefit when teachers use technology on a regular basis. There are positive learning developments when computers and technology are used in the classroom. For example, collaboration and problem-solving skills improve, students become self-starters, share knowledge and communicate more effectively Maloy, Verock-O’Loughlin, Edward, 2013, pp. 302).

Research has shown that technology use and student achievement are not measuring up, to standardized test scores. Essential conditions need to be in place for technology to create changes in education. The author has stated that there are seven reasons that is causing this problem.

1. Professional development for teachers are a must.

2. Technology needs to be aligned with curriculum standards.

3. Technology integrated into daily learning – not as add-on instruction.

4. Differentiate technology use to match personal learning needs and student feedback.

5. Student need the opportunities to use technology collaboratively.

6. Technology should support project based learning and include real world situations.

7. Leadership and support – teachers, administrators, family members and students must be involved in technology (Maloy, Verock-O’Loughlin, Edward, 2013, pp. 302).

Why is technology use and student achievement not measuring up to standardized test scores? From what I have seen, there are two problems. 1. Teachers are not getting the education they need to use technology in the classroom.  2. Computers or technology are not in the classrooms. Teachers may have a computer but do not have the internet. If I did not have internet in my classroom the computer is nothing more than a paper weight.

Features of a Technology-Integrated Classroom

Not only, do teachers need to know technology and how to use it; they need the tools to integrate it into their classroom. They need, what the author described as a “smart classroom”. What would a smart classroom look like? For the 21^st century teacher, this would be a dream come true. Imagine having a classroom with computers, tablets, internet connections, digital projectors, interactive whiteboards, digital pens, videoconferencing systems. WOW!!  But what good are the tools if they are not integrated into the classroom. I think it is one thing to have technology available in our classroom, it is another not to have teachers with technology, knowledge to integrate it into the classroom. I heard someone say “Teachers, not technology, is the key to unlocking student potential”. I think this statement is true. Technology integration can only be effective when teachers are trained in technology, have knowledge of technology and have a positive attitude towards technology. One more factor must be in place for integration of technology to take place and it comes from the school administration to the state level. Then and only then will technology integration take place in the classroom (Technology Integration).

Technology Integration Issues

“Six issues that occur for classroom teachers that directly affect their efforts to integrate technology into teaching” (Maloy, Verock-O’Loughlin, Edward, 2013, pp.).

1.     Administrative support and teaching style. For integration of technology to be a successful, professional development training is a must. I think teachers need to take some kind of a technology course at least every two years; if not ever year because technology changes at a fast rate and old technology can become obsolete. School administrators should be a support system for teachers; when new technology causing changes (Technology Integration).

Teaching style – With technology in the classroom, there is no longer a need for the teacher-centered style teaching; this can be hard for some teachers. Teachers roles are changing to setting project goals, facilitating and providing resources and guidelines for students to follow. As students work on computer projects the teacher walks around the room asking questions, making suggesting or just looking over their shoulders to make sure they are staying focused (Effects of Technology).

2.     Unwillingness to change favorite lesson plans. During my observation hours I was giving some advice by a teacher. “Once you find the grade you want to teach and make lesson plans you like and they work, keep them and use them year after year”. Now, to be fair to this teacher; the only technology in this classroom was a computer for the teacher and a whiteboard. If the teacher had more technology, would she use it; I don’t know. Some teachers would say, how can I integrate technology, when I have no technology to integrate. And here lies the problem; the state and school districts are dragging their feet.

3.     Reluctance to use technology in new lesson plans. Integrating technology into the curriculum will mean finding ways computers can help me to develop lesson plans. I think once teachers become comfortable with technology they will not want to make a lesson plan any other way. 

4.     Use of technology as a reward or punishment. I would not use technology as a reward or punishment. Computers and other electronic devices should be used for academic purposes, period.

5.     Use of technology as an add-on to other activities. I would use a video to introduce a lesson. Videos and movies, should not take the place of opportunity for other learning activities.

6.     Use of technology to separate students by ability groups. I would not separate my students by their ability. When it comes to technology student’s ability can surprise you. When students are put into groups they learn off of each other. Students should be given the opportunities to learn (Effects of Technology).

Effects of Technology on Classrooms and Students. (n.d.). Retrieved November 26, 2016, from

https://www2.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech/effectsstudents.html

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Laughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edward, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies, 2^nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Technology Integration | Ideas That Work. (n.d.). Retrieved November 26, 2016, from http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech176.shtml