Reflection 12

Today I witnessed how technology is so important today in education.  I was working on some homework this afternoon and my computer crashed.  My computer is what I needed to complete my assignments, so that I could receive credit for my class.  But thankfully it rebooted it self and fixed it with my antivirus software.  Technology is so important in today's education that we cannot always rely on it, but what we do know is that it is fixable. 

Reflection 11

It always makes me wonder where technology will be in the next decade as it changes all the time.  But there is one thing that won't change and it is the younger generations will always have an advantage in learning and problem solving technical difficulties faster than our generation.  The other day I was with my cooperating teacher and after class the teacher asked one her students if he could help change some setting on her phone.  It didn't surprise me that this student figured it out less than no time.  What technology has created is students that are outstanding problem solvers and critical thinkers.

Reflection 10

Once again the semester is coming to an end and I am noticing the use of technology in the classroom and outside the classroom easier than I used too because of this class.  I notice that having the privileged of having an online database like Discovery has help me tremendously with knowing my grades in a class.  It helps me with being better prepared with knowing my grade after completing an assignment that week.  By taking advantage of this technology it has also better prepared me to get feedback immediately on an assignment and what I can improve on. 

Reflection 9

Last Friday I made a trip to the outlet stores and visited the Nike store for one specific reason.  I was looking for these special shoes that would calculate the number steps you take when running and then calculate the calories you would burn.  I thought this is a great way for students to get involved in fitness and the advanced technology that Nike has created we can benefit of encouraging a healthy life.  Anyway that technology can help improve or motivate students to create an interest in health is always a number one seller in my mind.

Reflection 8

The other day I notice a student who had an IPAD and had some type of software where he was controlling his main computer with the IPAD.  This software would work great with students because its exciting and interesting where it would grab students attention.  I think its great that new technology can help engage students learning experience because its interesting and cool!  This type of software can help students if they forgot their homework or didn't email it to the teacher. This means no excuses for students who didn't complete their assignments.    

Reflection 7

The last couple of weeks I have not posted any updated posts on my experiences with technology in education, but I have track my observations with pencil paper.  So about two weeks ago I met my cooperating teacher and observed one class session and was amazed with the interaction and communication with emailing.  The students each had their own blog that they had to post their workout for that week.  I think its so awesome that PE is integrating technology somehow in their lessons for enhancing the students learning opportunities.  

The Future of Technology in Education

I have researched a number of articles and the one that really caught my attention was Diana Oblinger article.  She used to be the vice president for 10 years at IBM and talks about how technology in the education world is suppose to enhance student learning.  Well so far new and advanced technology has help students learning experience of specific software and the World Wide Web.  But what does the future hold for new technology that will help enhance the learning experience even more, well this question cannot be answer until big companies like IBM create better technology.  They are in the process of creating faster equipment and databases that will hold huge amounts of memory through the internet.  They are also trying to create tools that will always help the interaction process with communication tools.  She does not know what will hold for the future of technology in education, but we know as consumers it will be more efficient for our students learning experiences.   

Word, Excel, Powerpoint

Word:
Work on typing stories/research papers
Learn the tools of word, such as spell check, formats, and font size
Posters
Brochures
Letters

create resumes

Excel:
Budget sheets
Financial reports
Organize specific information
Math related-charts, tables, etc.

PowerPoint:
Presentations
Notes
Larger posters than 11x17
Handouts

One project I created using Microsoft word was typing out a research paper.  In excel you can create budget sheets that keep track of your finances.  In PowerPoint I once created a timeline that made it easy to print out because instead of 11x17 paper it printed out in length of up to 4 feet long.  Microsoft Word has made it easier for teachers to create a number of projects, so that it helps students to become engaged in the activity.

Edducational Questions About Teaching

1) Since most schools now have some sort of technology, how can physical education classes benefit from technology too?
2) How can future teachers receive more opportunities and experience in the education program?
3) How do I handle classroom discipline in the best possible way?

Educational Blog

Today I was surfing the web and I came across Lesley University New Teacher Community blog, which is interesting because I am going to be student-teaching in the next couple of months.  This blog is extremely helpful in preparing new teachers before a class because I am in-experience.  For example, I enjoyed the  9/11 In Your Classroom post on how to address the anniversary of 9/11 and to be better prepared on how to create a lesson in respecting this important day.  The blog addressed to ask your colleagues in your school what they are going to do to recognize 9/11, or to find appropriate lesson plans and resources to teach about heroes, tolerance and peace.  I hope this helped on how in-experience teachers need to be better prepared in the classroom, so that our students grow in their learning experiences.  

Bloom’s Taxonomy

The Bloom's Taxonomy is an interesting philosophy as it helps with cognitive development. The article on Assessing Student Learning: Applying Bloom's Taxonomy  is extremely interesting how cognitive development is developed through this approach that which students have to apply, analyze, evaluate , and create.  These four areas are used to master the learning experience to develop critical thinkers.  This theory accommodates all levels of cognitive development so that students gain more from education.  This theory is helpful in creating an assessment that fits all students abilities, for instance testing on multiple choice, short answer, or essay questions.  The development helps students to become successful in all areas of education.