What have we learned now that it's over?

Week 10: Final post

In my previous post I had discussed how we have met all of the course objectives. After my final post I have realized just how much I have learned from this course. Before this class I did not have any knowledge how all of the tools that we learned about. Voki, Animoto, Google Docs, making a WebQuest among so other many tools are going to be extremely helpful to my as a future educator. I have always known that it is a positive aspect to include technology into the classroom but I never knew just how to go about doing that. With these tools that I have learned about I will be able to create a fun, exciting and educational experience in my classroom no matter what grade I teach.

We discussed a lot about digital citizenship as well. Before the class I had heard this term before and I was only slightly aware of the full depth of this topic. The most important fact to take from the class discussions I believe is that as educators it is part of our role to teach our students how to use the internet and other technological devices in a smart and safe way. There are a lot of issues in the schools today that revolve around technology. It is our job to see the problem and to find a solution to help the students see it as a problem as well.

The first reason as to way I believe it is important for educator to incorporate technology into their lesson plans is what I stated about about digital citizenship. By using these devices in the classroom students will be able to learn just what they can use technology for. A second reason why teachers should be using technology is because everyone has a different learning style. Not everyone can sit and listen to a lecture, and not everyone is extremely good at researching. It is our job to understand our students and learn what their strengths and weaknesses are and use that in our lesson plans. By using different web tools students are able to have a chance to excel in what they are good at and to work on their skills that might need some improvement. We need to create an environment where the students feel comfortable, confident and willing to learn and try.

Even though integrating technology is extremely important, there may be some barriers we will face. If a teacher is going to assign an assignment that involves the computer for example, they need to make sure the students have a chance to use computers in school. Not every household has a computer and this would be putting some students at a disadvantage with the assignment. If the school does not have a portable computer cart available than the teacher needs to sign up for either the library computers or a computer lab. Another barrier that we may face is the students taking advantage of using a computer and not working on the assignment when they are supposed to. This is where the teacher has to discuss digital citizenship, make sure the students know what they are supposed to be doing and that the assignment is interesting and will hold their attention.

A great way to introduce technology in the classroom is having the ability to disguise learning as not learning. What I mean is that I have found when students don't think they are learning and that they are playing a game or are creating some fun and exciting, they are meeting learning objectives but they aren't fully aware of this. Some examples of this would be using web2.0 tools such as Animoto, Voki, Blogger, Diigo, Avatar creations, Scratch among many many more.

I have learned a lot of valuable and important information throughout this course. I will be able to take the knowledge that I gained and apply it to my future as an educator.

What have we learned?

Midterm Review

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Demonstrate the understanding of how technologies can effectively promote student learning

            We have achieved this outcome in many different ways. One way that we have learned how technology can effectively promote student learning is by the Webinar we were assigned in week one. In this assignment I learned how a children’s television show engages the children in a learning manner. They use fun character’s, they encourage thinking outside the box, exploring the world around them and much more.

            As a class we have discussed largely on the matter of digital citizenship. Before this discussion, I did not know what digital citizenship entailed. I have learned that if students are aware of digital citizenship and do not abuse the availability of technology, as an educator I can assist them in how to use it effectively in their learning and in their lives.

           

2. Evaluate and use a variety of current technologies to enhance content instruction and to advance student’s technological literacy

         We have achieved this learning objective in many different ways. One way that we have learned to use a variety of current technologies is by learning about Avitars, Wordle, Taxedo and Scratch. By learning about these different technologies we have learned how to advance our student’s technological literacy. When we create lesson plans and activities around these programs, the student’s are learning how to use and navigate new programs while learning the curriculum at the same time.

            In class we completed the I Am poem and learned how to make a Wordle. By going through these programs and actually using them I have learned how I can use these in my future classroom.

3. Design meaningful and authentic digitally based learning experiences with multiple and varied assessments

         In module six we met this learning outcome by discussing project based learning. We learned about the Flat Classroom project where students and teachers can interact and collaborate around the world. This allows students to develop more culture understanding, build skills using software and developing research skills among many other positive learning experiences.

            In this class we have learned about and used a number of Web 2.0 tools. Currently we are creating a lesson plan and beginning our WebQuest. With these two assignments we are learning how to design a digital based learning experience for our students.

4. Reflect upon and demonstrate effective use of digital tools and resources

         There are many ways to use digital tools and resources in an effective manner. One thing children like to do is watch television and go on the computer. Why not use this to our advantage? Apply this in the classroom. There are so many ways that this can be accomplished. We have talked about many different Web 2.0 tools that are good example of this. The children can use Animoto to tell a story, they can use Avitars to create a speech or an important message, they can communicate with other students across the world and they can research. It is our role as educators to make sure that our students have the knowledge they need to use these tools appropriately.

5. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of safe, ethical, legal and moral practices related to digital information and technology

         We have covered this learning outcome by discussing digital citizenship and watching the documentaries Growing up Online and Digital Citizenship.

            As stated in my blog named Where do we go from here?, I have demonstrated how I have learned more on the topic of safe practices related to digital information and technology. I discuss the topic of stranger danger, digital footprints, teaching students what their digital footprint is and how to incorporate safe practices in the classroom.

6. Illustrate through application how state and national standards are implemented within the curriculum (e.g., NH Curriculum Frameworks, ISTE (NETS-Teacher/NETS-Student) and NH-ICT Literacy Standards for K-12 Students (306.42))

         I’d say that we have just started discussing this learning outcome in more depth. By working on our lesson plan and beginning our research for our WebQuest we are beginning to really learn about the national standards and how to incorporate them into out planning as an educator.

7. Demonstrate an understanding of the use of adaptive technologies and other digital resources to personalize and differentiate learning activities for every student

            I feel as though we have briefly talked about this learning outcome. The great thing about technology is that it can be used in so many different ways and the user is able to navigate it in their own way. As an educator, I feel as though we have the ability to personalize and differentiate learning activities based on the student’s ability. If there is a group of students how need an extra achievement, and educator may fulfill this by making an activity with technology more challenging or with extra components. If a student needs an activity more personalized for any reason, it is easy to achieve this through technology.

8. Evaluate, adapt and reflect on emerging tools and trends by participating in local and global learning communities and by reviewing current research and professional literature

         We have watched documentaries about to use of technology and the trends that are taking place. We have also had discussions in class on what to do in these situations and what would be the best response with our students. We have also learned about a number of websites that can assist us educators in a number of ways such as Diigo.  

Animoto

George the bear

Duke the dog

Nuts the chipmunk

As an educator... what will you do?

Week 4: Digital Citizenship

There is a growing issue in our society today that educators, parents and the community need to be aware of and need to be educated on; cyber bullying. Walking down a hallway in a school not only will one see students bullying their peers verbally and possibly physically, but one will also see students with mobile devices in their hands. Do you think they are texting their parents to let them know about their day? Probably not. They are texting their peers, spreading gossip and rumors and even texting unfriendly and hurtful words to peers. So... what do we do about this?

All too often do we are on the news about a young individual who has committed suicide due to cyber bullying. Young individuals are taking their own lives due to their peers not only bullying them in the school and social environment, but when they are in their home setting where they are supposed to feel safe. In the article The Importance of Teaching Digital Citizenship the author discusses what our responsibilities as educators, parents and a community are in teaching students of all ages what digital citizenship is. When thinking about the term citizenship, what comes to mind? The rights that we have as an individual in society, for example our freedom of speech and privacy. But there is more to citizenship than a list or our rights. We learn how to be a responsible individual in our community how to become a valued member to our society. Students need to learn that this also includes activities that they partake in online.

Two weeks ago, I did not know what the term digital citizenship really meant. I sure am glad that I learned what this means and how to go about teaching this to my future students. Students today do not only need to learn about social skills and social behaviors in face to face interaction, but also how to communicate this way online with peers or people they may not know. As discussed in Teaching Digital Citizenship in the Elementary Classroom , second graders are learning about digital citizenship and social skills and appropriate social behaviors by practicing blogging and researching. Do students really need to learning about this at such a young age? YES!! Young children are using the internet, using online game chat rooms, using social messaging among many other resources online. If we teach students in the classroom how to use these tools appropriately and what to do if they are approached by unwanted behavior, they will know how to react and how to take action. It is inevitable that students will be engaged one way or another online so it is our job as educators to educate our students on their safety and responsibility as an online citizen.

How do we go about teaching digital citizenship? My opinion on this is that we should find an engaging way to discuss this topic with the students. I feel as though standing in front of the classroom and giving the students a lecture about what to do and not do online will not be effective. Let's look at what else can be incorporated into teaching this topic. In the article Why teach digital citizenship? is an example of a blog response written by three third graders. I will be honest, when I first read this blog response I assumed it was written by high school students! As listed in the article, the students were practicing spelling and grammar, making an informed comment on someones work and how to communicate effectively and respectfully with another individual. From this article we learn that third graders were learning about digital citizenship AND were having an english lesson. Incorporating digital citizenship into other education lessons is going be key when I teach my future students.