A blog about technology integration in today's classroom.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Link to My Standards Based Lesson
Link to the lesson I blogged about below...T-shirt Design Lesson on Patterns
My Standards Based Lesson on Geometry
STANDARDS: Mathematics - Kindergarten Standard 1.0 Knowledge of Algebra, Patterns, and Functions: Students will algebraically represent, model, analyze, or solve mathematical or real-world problems involving patterns or functional relationships. Topic A. Patterns and Functions: Indicator 1. Identify and copy numeric patterns Objective: a. Use manipulatives with numeric qualities to build patterns Topic A. Patterns and Functions: Indicator 2. Identify, copy, describe, create, and extend non-numeric patterns Objective: b. Represent and analyze repeating patterns using no more than 3 objects in the core of the pattern Objective: d. Identify patterns in real life situations Objective: f. Continue patterns PERFORMANCES: The students will work in a small group to discuss/plan their t-shirt design layout. The students will use the web 2.0 i-pad Fashion Lab pro to design the layout of their t-shirt. SETTING: Real World Setting: Fashion You are a t-shirt designer for your class. You are faced with designing a t-shirt for pattern day that includes a repeating pattern. You must accurately design on a t-shirt using I-pad app Fashion Lab Design Studio. Once you have completed your design you will construct a real t-shirt. You will present your design for your t-shirt, and your teachers will choose which one to use. PREFERENCES: Student Involvement - The students will complete the lesson in small groups. Use of Resources - The school will provide, classroom materials such as pencil, paper, notebooks, computer hardware and software (I-pads), and classroom time to complete the task. Customer for Student Work - The student will present their t-shirt as evidence of task completion to their peers and teachers. Assessment of Student Work - The following people will be involved in assessing student work generated to complete the task: The student's teacher Other teachers in the school Assessment of Student Work - The following forms of assessment will be used to determine progress and results-a checklist. Reporting Results - The assessment results will be reported as a score point on a rubric. Timeline - The estimated time needed to plan, teach, and score this task is two planning periods and one class meeting. LEARNING: Five Es Model of Instruction
SCORING:
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Tuesday, July 9, 2013
My Positions on Technology in the Classroom
The technology environment of today's public schools should match the tools and approaches of the work and life that students will encounter after graduation. This will ensure that schools stay relevant to today's students., as well as make them better equipped for today's world. I think that more funding should be set aside for technology integration in schools and classrooms.
In order for technology integration to be successful budgets should reflect the importance of professional development. A portion of the budgets should be reserved for school staff to become proficient in using and integrating technology into their classrooms.
Educators themselves should be involved in decisions on planning, purchasing, and deploying education technology.Technology should be deployed and applied equitably among all students and educators, regardless of geography or demographics.Students should also be taught the appropriate and safe use of technology.
In order for technology integration to be successful budgets should reflect the importance of professional development. A portion of the budgets should be reserved for school staff to become proficient in using and integrating technology into their classrooms.
Educators themselves should be involved in decisions on planning, purchasing, and deploying education technology.Technology should be deployed and applied equitably among all students and educators, regardless of geography or demographics.Students should also be taught the appropriate and safe use of technology.
Apps to use in the classroom
ileap Pick a Student
Pick A Student is a simple app designed to help teachers pick students to help or participate in class. It supports multiple different classes and various options to choose students. Choosing a student randomly will pick any student from the class, and using turn based selection every student will be picked before any student is picked again.
Traffic Light
Have you ever dreamed of watching your own traffic light right from your desk? If so it's really high time! Traffic Light is definitly worth watching and a nice device to control and optimize your time.
Digital sand timer with artistic design. Time flows and does it stylishly.
This digitized hourglass can be used to time anything for up to 60 minutes. It's like having a nice looking visual.
This digitized hourglass can be used to time anything for up to 60 minutes. It's like having a nice looking visual.
If you're organizing a classroom library or helping a student find a "just right" book, the BookLeveler app will definitely come in handy.
Do you need some peace, love and happiness in your classroom? If so you need Groovy Grader. Groovy Grader is an App designed to replace your “old school” paper grading calculator. Groovy Grader provides more flexibility, convenience and ease then other popular slide graders. It can be configured to work with up to 150 questions.
The History of Technology in Education
How will you shape the classroom of tomorrow?
Post your comments below...
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Quote of the day...
“We need technology in every classroom and in every student and teacher’s hand, because it is the pen and paper of our time, and it is the lens through which we experience much of our world.”
– David Warlick
– David Warlick
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Why should we integrate technology in the classroom?
Technology changes the way teachers teach. The roles of teachers change. When technology is effectively integrated into subject areas, teachers grow into roles of adviser, content expert, and coach. Technology helps make teaching and learning more meaningful and fun.
Ten reasons to integrate technology in the classroom.
1. When students use technology as a tool or a support for communicating with others, they are in active role rather than a passive role in the classroom.
2. Students who are skilled at using technology in accomplishing tasks in school will be better prepared for the world of work.
3. Students will have more access to their teachers.
4. Students can work at their own pace.
5. Personal computers will make student's life more effective.
6. Information provided to students will be more current and relevant.
7. Lessons can be more tailored to meet the needs of students and they will be more engaging.
8. More resources will be available to students.
9. Students will be able to work collaboratively, at any time using technology.
10. Students use technology in their everyday life, why wouldn't they use it in the classroom?
Quote of the day...
“It is not about the technology; it’s about sharing knowledge and information, communicating efficiently, building learning communities and creating a culture of professionalism in schools. These are the key responsibilities of all educational leaders”.
– Marion Ginapolis
– Marion Ginapolis
Monday, July 1, 2013
Quote of the day...
“Education is evolving due to the impact of the Internet. We cannot teach our students in the same manner in which we were taught. Change is necessary to engage students not in the curriculum we are responsible for teaching, but in school. Period.”
– April Chamberlain
– April Chamberlain
Should schools ditch paper textbooks for good?
Paper textbooks are costing schools more than $100.00 each! Besides cost, traditional textbooks have many other disadvantages.
Disadvantages to paper textbooks:
Disadvantages to paper textbooks:
- easily damaged
- content can become obsolete or outdated in just a few years
- heavy to carry around
Digital textbooks do not have these problems.
Advantages to e-texts:
- cost significantly less than traditional textbooks
- relatively vandal-proof
- can be regularly updated online
- can incorporate video, online connectivity, and other features that can’t exist on the printed page
So why haven't all schools adopted e-texts?
Hurdle #1: The textbook-adoption cycle
Many states have to keep their textbooks for 7-10 years, therefore must wait on accepting digital content.
Hurdle #2: Truly ubiquitous laptop computing
Many states can not afford to switch over to digital textbooks yet.
Hurdle #3: Wider adoption of distance-learning teaching models
Before states transform to digital textbooks, that must try to come up with a system that combines e-texts with a course management system combining worksheets, quizzes, lessons, and the e-texts.
Here are some interesting e-textbook products out there:
Weigh in-What do your school's use?
Friday, June 28, 2013
Quote of the day...
"Teachers need to integrate technology seamlessly into the curriculum instead of viewing it as an add-on, an afterthought, or an event."
– Heidi-Hayes Jacobs
– Heidi-Hayes Jacobs
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Quote of the day...
“Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is most important.”
- Bill Gates
- Bill Gates
How some of us (Teachers) might be feeling...
Please comment if you sometimes feel like this teacher.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Quote of the day...
"The illiterate of the 21st century won't be those who can't read & write but those who can't unlearn and relearn."
-Alvin Toffler
-Alvin Toffler
Problems with Technology in Classrooms
One of the main arguments today, is that students should be able to apply classroom concepts to daily life, and a large part of that daily life revolves around technology. Taking technology out of the classroom would be a detriment to the students. However, there are problems with technology that we are still trying to overcome.
Pace of Change
Not all schools can keep up with changing technology. Schools must take extra measures, such as hiring an IT team to keep up with today's changing technology.
Hate Groups, Pornography
Our school has a filter to block most of these sites. However it is important that students are supervised when using technology, and that these kind of sites are discussed with students prior to them discovering them on their own.
Distractions
Text Messaging, Social Media
All of these could be considered distractions as opposed to students using technology as a learning tool. The teacher must decide whether or not to use filtered browsing on the devices to cut down on distractions, which might not be an option if the child owns the device.
Privacy
Student privacy can be compromised by internet usage. Students should be taught prior to using technology about revealing too much personal information online. Student accounts should always go through school servers.
As with all issues relating to technology education and supervision will be crucial when students are using technology. We are only truly at the beginning of this new technology phase, and will continue growing and learning.
My Sources
http://www.teachthought.com/learning/5-problems-with-technology-in-classrooms/
http://www.ehow.com/info_7906198_social-concerning-technology-inside-classroom.html
http://www.mathopenref.com/site/techreasons.html
Technology Then and Now
Then:
I can remember using technology when I was in elementary school. Back then, we used it to play Oregon Trail. I think we may have had a keyboarding course as well. That's about all we used it for.
We have come a long way since then...
Now:
At our school all teachers have Interactive Whiteboards in their classrooms. Teachers are no longer limited to presenting information from a textbook.With an interactive whiteboard attached to a computer with Internet access, teachers have the entire world of the web at their fingertips. Lessons will come to life for students because they will be able to interact with their learning. Students will begin to take ownership of their learning.Research has repeatedly demonstrated that students learn better when they are fully engaged and that multisensory, hands-on learning is the best way to engage them.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Quote of the day...
"If we teach today as we taught yesterday, then we rob our children of tomorrow"
-John Dewey
-John Dewey
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