Which brings use to our first lesson (assuming you are reading this during Week 1). Don't ever forget that, as a teacher, you know more about what you want to teach than your students. That's not to say that you are smarter than your students, only that you know what's in the lesson before they do.It's a very powerful thing. Students generally come eager and open. Teachers often don't. We want to jam a very specific body of content into our lessons, and we can get downright unruly if we don't accomplish it.
I'll try to be different. I'll try to be flexible. In order to facilitate my differential flexibility, please tell me what you expect. What does the course title mean to you? What would make you feel like this class was well worth your time and several thousands of dollars in student debt?
Your goals will help me make this the best class I possibly can.
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32 comments:
Seeing that we are currently in the wave of technology, I am one of those that are dying to ride it where ever it goes. I believe that technology can enhance education more than we know. Hopefully, through taking this class I can learn important tools and techniques that can be utilized for enhancing a students' learning such as presentation tools, public speaking techniques and a good combination of both. I'd also like to learn how to incorporate these two things, appropriately, in my teaching style. On a side note, I'd also love to understand the origins of technology and the internet so that I can be learned on such a topic when asked.
I expect to become more fluid in technology use. I used to have a joke when I was younger that I was technologically retarded. No longer so, but I am still not fluent. :) I would also like to see if you would be able to convince me that technology moves society, and education for that matter, forward. For now I'm more of a traditionalist I guess. I would also like to be able to use technology creatively and effectively in any classroom I teach. Earning my credential will make all the student worth it. Plus its always fun to learn something new.
My goal for this class is to understand how I can use technology in an elementary classroom to help facilitate learning. To be honest I'm hoping this class is not a review of the basics of technology. I went to a magnet school for math and science and we had extensive technology classes. I know not everyone had this type of experience but I believe that almost everyone knows the basics of MS office. I want my time spent in here to be valuable, I want to learn something new every class, or at least learn how to apply what I already know how to do to an elementary classroom. I don't know much about taskstream so learning about how to use that system would be valuable. The course title to me implies that we will be learning to implement technology into our lessons not only as a sole technology lesson but as a lesson in one of the core subjects. I want to utilize technology to teach math, science, reading, etc. I think overall this class will be valuable if it is relevant to todays classrooms and not a review of past technology lessons.
Learning, Teaching and Technology is the way of integrating technology into the classroom to make teaching and learning a more effective process. This class is worth the money and time because this is a critical part in the educational system and becoming a teacher is my career goal. This will give me the ability to be a better teacher and the tools to execute it in a ever changing and evolving learning environment.
I have always learned the most when my teachers have been engaging and interactive. Doing this as well as a being goal oriented is pretty difficult.
I agree that alot of teachers have stuck with the traditional one-way lecture style of teaching. This usually ends up with students passing out and drooling on their desks or skipping class altogether.
With that being said, it is hard to find that balance of direction and flexibility. However, if a teacher can manage this, the students will be more than content with their paid classes.
I'm glad that you are flexible. I believe fully that flexibility is a must have in the classroom. Students like nothing less than a teacher who refuses to bend for them, and to put down their thoughts and comments.
In psychology, this is called an "Authoritative" view, when a parent (or person in power) is firm, but at the same time is able to listen to suggestions, and at times change their game plan to accommodate certain situations.
In contrast, an "Authoritarian" view, in which the leader is more of a Monarch. Refusing to listen to any comments or suggestions, and lead with a blind faith that their way is the best. In essence, it is the view of "my way, or the highway."
In the past research, parents having an Authoritative view are more likely to have better relationships with their children. And in general, children tend to be better off.
I hope to explore how technology can be used to augment the classroom experience. I am interested of how technology was perceived in the past, because I think it can help us understand how to use the technology of today. In this time, technology is being used by most in a similar way. It is hard to conceive of ways to use technology that have not yet been done, but I feel that this is a bounteous avenue to explore. Only with more and more ways of utilizing technology can we hope to compare and/or find the most effective way.
I'm glad that you are flexible. I believe fully that flexibility is a must have in the classroom. Students like nothing less than a teacher who refuses to bend for them, and to put down their thoughts and comments.
In psychology, this is called an "Authoritative" view, when a parent (or person in power) is firm, but at the same time is able to listen to suggestions, and at times change their game plan to accommodate certain situations.
In contrast, an "Authoritarian" view, in which the leader is more of a Monarch. Refusing to listen to any comments or suggestions, and lead with a blind faith that their way is the best. In essence, it is the view of "my way, or the highway."
In the past research, parents having an Authoritative view are more likely to have better relationships with their children. And in general, children tend to be better off
The course title means learning how to effectively use technology in the classroom to help better a students understanding of the subject matter. If used correctly, technology has the potential to be an useful and interactive way to teach, and would give students an opportunity to stretch their imagination and knowlege in ways that might not have been possible. If I learned how to do this, how to incorporate technology appropriately and effectively in the classroom, it would make the class worthwhile.
The title of this course conveys to me that we will be learning several different ways to incorporate our society's modern technology to effectively teach. If you are able to show me how technology can be used in a way that is engaging for students, and can be incorporated into everyday life. Technology should enhance education and communication, and encourage students to participate in discussion both inside and outside of class.
During this class I expect to enhance my knowledge of using technology for my future in a classroom environment. I want to be able to take the methods and techniques that I've learned to help me in the far future rather than just for graduate school. The title of this course stands out to me as a class that brings essential technological knowledge into the teaching environment. I would feel like this class was well worth my time if I learned more than how to use basic technology, such as powerpoint and Microsoft
Word. I'd also like to have fun while learning :)
During this class I expect to enhance my knowledge of using technology for my future in a classroom environment. I want to be able to take the methods and techniques that I've learned to help me in the far future rather than just for graduate school. The title of this course stands out to me as a class that brings essential technological knowledge into the teaching environment. I would feel like this class was well worth my time if I learned more than how to use basic technology, such as powerpoint and Microsoft
Word. I'd also like to have fun while learning :)
My goals as a teacher are to learn about the tools that help teaching become more effective as in better ways for students to learn and for me to learn about how to teach my students more effectively. I would want to learn how to better communicate with my students. One of my teachers in high school said on the first day of school, "I know nothing. I have no answers. My students teach me and I teach them."
I appreciate your willingness in trying to stay flexible throughout the duration of this course. I think it is very important to have an open mind and also teach to the energy of the group. As you get familiar with this class and each day changes and progresses you will better understand what our needs and by staying aware and flexible you will therefore be better able to teach to the energy of the class.
I often feel very technologically challenged and hope that this course will help me to feel more confident in working with technology. (powerpoints, editing, websites, etc.) What I expect from this class is to better learn how technology can enhance a learning environment and open new doors for increased understanding. I hope that I will advance my abilities in using technology and learn how to efficiently implement the tools I learn when teaching in a classroom in the future. I think it will be important to get hands on experience and learn from each other throughout the course. The sharing of ideas can be incredibly pivotal in gaining not only a broader perspective but also skills for becoming a more effective teacher. I hope to learn much in this class that will help me along the process of becoming a well informed, diligent teacher.
I'm glad that you are flexible. I believe fully that flexibility is a must have in the classroom. Students like nothing less than a teacher who refuses to bend for them, and to put down their thoughts and comments.
In psychology, this is called an "Authoritative" view, when a parent (or person in power) is firm, but at the same time is able to listen to suggestions, and at times change their game plan to accommodate certain situations.
In contrast, an "Authoritarian" view, in which the leader is more of a Monarch. Refusing to listen to any comments or suggestions, and lead with a blind faith that their way is the best. In essence, it is the view of "my way, or the highway."
In the past research, parents having an Authoritative view are more likely to have better relationships with their children. And in general, children tend to be better off
I originally I had a great comment and I want to leave so here are my expectations.
1. Communication
2. Academics
I would like to better my tech skills. Especially with microsoft office.
By the culmination of this class I would like to be and feel significantly more proficient with the standard technological programs that teachers regularly use, sucha sExcel and Powerpoint. I consider myself to be sometimes "technically challenged", and I don't want to be that teacher that is clueless when it comes to this aspect of teaching. This would make this class worth my time and money. Although it is simple and basic, that would definitely satisfy my needs.
My goals for this course are to keep my ears and eyes open for tips and tricks around things I can actually do in my physics classroom with the limited resources we have right now at Mission H.S.
I have a laptop that I thought at some point I'd bring in with a few ppts with imbedded video, but so far it doesn't seem like this is within the current culture. I'll be learning plenty there over the time I'm also learning here at USF--I'll be at MHS for the next year, so I'll have lots of oppties to test different ideas using the resources that are available to us.
Technology is fantastic, especially everything that is Web 2.0. As I use the internet and computer programs on a daily basis, I acknowledge that technology is embedded in my daily life. However, as I think back to my own high school experience, not much of my schooling had a technological ting to it, only the "technology" classes. So I await with open eyes and ears to learn about what resourced are now common and useful for classrooms, and how to integrate these technologies as frequently as is useful. -Gadiel Rachelson
I really want to be comfortable using PowerPoint for class purposes...even for another class, some of us have to make a 25 minute presentation including video, which at the moment is completely outside my comfort zone. I am excited to learn everything everyone else has talked about, in terms of integrating tech into the classroom in a helpful and meaningful way.
As a future elementary school teacher, I am hoping to learn how to effectively incorporate technology into my classrooms. In this class I hope to increase my knowledge of programs that aid in presentations, beyond Power Point. My goal is to utilize teaching to make learning more fun and interactive so I'm hoping this class will introduce us to some effective learning resources and easy techniques to do so. For example, it would be great to learn how to develop some lessons plans on the computer that incorporate the internet/video/audio. I want to be a "technology mentor" to my students and be able to confidently introduce them to technology in a non-intimidating way.
My goals for this course are to be able to use all the resources available to me in my future classroom to the best of their ability. I would say that I am average when it comes to using different types of technology and am usually able to figure things out. I would also like a little refresher on MS Office because I haven't really used it since undergrad and its been awhile.
The course title, to me, means that we will be learning about how to use and teach technology in our classrooms.
To justify my thousands of dollars of debt I would like to feel confident enough to use several different types of technology in everyday classroom activities.
My main concern about a class that teaches technology is with the rapid pace of constantly changing and improving technologies. What is popular and commonly used today could be replaced by something else tomorrow. I hope to learn skills in this course that are adaptable to the ever evolving software and hardware that is to come and not specific uses for things that will soon be made obsolete. There is a more than likely chance that by the time I find myself teaching in a classroom, the equipment I and/or my students use will be different from what we are using today.
Another concern of mine is the excitement over using as many different applications as possible. Already we have Blackboard, Taskstream, and multiple email accounts, many of which do not consistently work very well with one another and often add unnecessary confusion. Information is probably better communicated through a few, well understood channels, rather than many disjointed ones.
Through this class, I would like to learn exactly how to incorporate technology into lower level classrooms, specifically kindergarten and first grade. From my experience, it is generally hard for them to grasp concepts that they cannot directly touch, play with, or use. I'm excited to learn more about how blogging can be useful, possibly an effective tool for communicating with parents.
For this class to be worth it's many dollars, I would really like to become confident in using technology in a classroom. I want to see how it can be applied in the classroom without it being distracting to the students, and I want to see it as realistic in the schools that I may teach in.
I've always felt like a person who isn't comfortable with technology- and I would like to change that. I feel very strongly that technology will inevitably come into the classroom more and more (I do know Moore's Law!), and it influences our students greatly. If it influences our students, we should be able to relate to that as teachers and find ways to bring it into a learning space. I hope that this class will teach me practical ways of adding it into my class.
-Robin van Schravendijk
I am very interested to learn how to use technology appropriately in a k-2 setting. Up until this point the most "advanced" technology available to me in my 1st grade classroom was the overhead projector. I am used to creating lessons that rely heavily on handwritten visual aids and small group instruction when the visuals I have are too small for the whole group to see. I am interested in learning how to use technologies that will increase my students ability to grasp my lessons during instruction time and am also interested in learning how to involve my students directly in the technology.
Since this is my first year as a returning graduate student, I would like to make sure that I am staying on top of the various technologies that many of the courses require, such as posting to Blackboard. Aside from that, any tips or tricks for incorporating applications such as PowerPoint into a lesson would be much appreciated.
-Jeff R.
Is it ironic that it took me entirely too long to find this blog on my home computer?
I am interested in looking at new technologies as tools for learning rather than just the learning of new technologies. As a designer, I'm proficient in a wide range of new media (except, apparently, when it comes to finding blogger blogs). My worry is that often we get caught up with the novelty of a new technology and forget that it is, at its roots, a new tool to further understanding of more traditional concepts.
Educational Technology is something I find super fascinating. Reading a congressional hearing on the future of learning is what led me to the Digital Media & Learning Program (my chosen MA). However, I am excited to learn more about the teacher's role in implementing appropriate technologies and any discussions we have about people's personal preferences regarding technology.
'd like to use technology as effortlessly as pencil and paper. Ideally, Technology will become one more tool in my repetoire to engage students in learning. Goals for this course are:
Get an introduction to technology currently being used successfully in the classroom.
Learn how to best self-teach myself technology.
Learn where to go to stay current.
Explore how to motivate kids to use technology for purposes other than games.
My Tech nut friend had a great comment when I asked him if he thought the internet was the best hope for AI. He replied, "we need to work on human intelligence before artificial intelligence." This made me think that AI is all well in good as long as we take advantage of our new-found free time (all that mental energy we use on shopping, commuting, paying bills may be freed up for other uses). As long as we maintain user control of AI (choice of when to use it) and can productively use our new found free time, I'm all for it.
I didn't feel that old until I thought of this, but when I was in high school, I took a "keyboarding" class and email was new. None of my teachers had it, or at least they didn't share it with students! Even in my undergrad years, most teachers had email, but some didn't. I've never used Blackboard (until last week) and have no idea what the new technology around teaching is, so I'm excited to see what's out there.
I volunteer in two sixth grade classes, and last spring, one class did a podcast on the novel they'd read, which is super cute and is posted on the school's website. They had to write, record, edit, add photos and music and publish the podcast and it was fun to see them learn to use a program I was pretty unfamiliar with but comes with every Mac. I think it's good for students to know that there are endless possibilities to create things through technology. I'm looking forward to this class!
I think that my ultimate goals for this class are to learn how to apply technology in the classroom in a meaningful manner and to learn how to balance and not over-utilize technology. I don't want to be come dependent on using things like computers and internet in the classroom and I want my future students to know that these are simply tools that can help them learn and not essential.
With that, I was fortunate enough to grow up with a lot of accessible technology in school and it definitely shaped part of my academic background and my approach to my own education. Looking back, I realize that the internet has really grown with me throughout the years, becoming more complex and useful and less of a tool feared by academics for its perceived lack of good content.
I might be one of the few people who think that the model of wikipedia is enormously useful and should not be feared. A free, open, constantly revised encyclopedia represents the emancipation of information to me. We no longer entrust a few individuals deemed to be "experts" with the task of providing useful and correct information. A decentralized encyclopedia is open to multiple points of view and should be welcomed as such.
I am one of the Digital Media and Learning MA folks so this is going to be my major focus in my later studies at USF and I'm very excited to be here.
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