Technology Point for Today

“A review of literature indicates that a skills-based approach to teaching technology and its integration into the classroom has not had the desired outcome: it has not adequately prepared teachers to integrate computer technology into instruction. Many of the pre-service teachers in the study had either limited or no exposure to constructivist experiences or to planning and creating constructivist learning activities supported by technology. Thus their mental models of both were limited by their prior experiences. These initial responses required learners to reflect upon, manipulate, self-regulate, and adjust their construct of teaching, learning, and the role of technology in their future teaching practices. As students actively worked through this process, their confidence significantly increased. They became self-directed, self-regulated, and motivated. They felt valued and important. And most importantly, they were encouraged to be creative and imaginative, to explore, discover, and “go beyond.” In short, they wanted to learn.

The State of Technology

According to the Intel website, the technology skills needed to meet 21^st Century standards can be introduced to students in the middle school by following the points below:

• Embed technology literacy in the core curriculum for students ages 11-15
• Create opportunities for authentic research, writing, and communication
• Encourage critical thinking, decision making, and problem solving

                I agree with the need to teach these skills early and to make the lessons applicable to real world situations. I teach 7^th grade and we are currently working on a poetry project. I did away with poetry notebooks this year. Every student is required to turn in their work in a digital format. I had to give many computer lessons from how to save a file to a flashdrive to what online service can convert files. However, I believe computer skills are a necessity for our students to be competitive in the world.

TokBox

TokBox created: Classroom Connect

http://www.classconnect.com/app/filebox/4f2c9cdcc58216356600000f

Web Authoring in a K-12 Educational Setting

http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/listweb20s.html

http://www.inacol.org/research/promisingpractices/NACOL_PP-BlendedLearning-lr.pdf

http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech107.shtml

One of my weak areas is maintaining my web pages. I have a school page that I update once or twice a year. I even have a weebly and a blog. However, these sites are also neglected. Updating the information is not hard, remembering to do so is. By the time I think about it, I have the next new thing coming up, so I wait for it. I need to work on this area to better communicate with parents and students. As a highly qualified educator in my school district, I will use this information to educate myself. In turn, this will enable me to become a better teacher and communicate these lessons with my students.  I will also share what I have learned with my colleagues and administrators.

Multimedia/Presentation Tools in a K-12 Educational Setting

http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/fair-use/related-materials/codes/code-best-practices-fair-use-media-literacy-education

http://www.cited.org/index.aspx?page_id=106

http://www.globalgridforlearning.com/10-reasons-to-use-multimedia-in-the-classroom

One of my favorite projects every year involves multimedia. At the beginning of third semester, my class begins the poetry unit. It is when my students have the most creative freedom. I take the opportunity to also allow them the freedom to make their projects as creative as they can get. I require a powerpoint at the minimum. But I also strongly encourage imovies or moviemaker projects. It takes a lot of work on the students part, but they seem to enjoy the experience. As a highly qualified educator in my school district, I will use this information to educate myself. In turn, this will enable me to become a better teacher and communicate these lessons with my students.  I will also share what I have learned with my colleagues and administrators

Spreadsheets in a K-12 Educational Setting

http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/

http://alicechristie.org/edtech/ss/

http://futureofmath.misterteacher.com/spreadsheets.html

In math classes, spreadsheets can be utilized easily. In my language arts classes, however, I do not use them as often. As the teacher, I use spreadsheets for rubrics and grades. On occasion, I require my students to use them in projects when they are keeping a log. As a highly qualified educator in my school district, I will use this information to educate myself. In turn, this will enable me to become a better teacher and communicate these lessons with my students.  I will also share what I have learned with my colleagues and administrators.

Databases in a K-12 Educational Setting

http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/archives/technology.shtml

http://www.csulb.edu/~lfarmer/infolitwebstyle.htm

http://library.ucmo.edu/subjects/education/k12.htm

Databases have many uses in the classroom. I utilize them often for research and projects. I admit that the middle school students do not use them as often as they should and I will do better to teach my students how. I will use this information to educate myself. In turn, this will enable me to become a better teacher and communicate these lessons with my students.  I will also share what I have learned with my colleagues and administrators.