3. The number of technology tools available to teachers is already daunting, and more are emerging every day. Given the value of these tools to enliven and support 21st century learning, what will you do to keep yourself informed about the options available to you? How will you manage your discoveries and work toward integrating them into your classroom?
Of course as educators we are introduced to so much new and innovative technology that it is hard to keep up with it all. New programs and tools come out every day and teachers are offered little instructions and support to implement them effectively. To mange and maximize the use of the technology for educators you have to have a goal and a plan. My action plan to stay abreast of all the new technology is to be active in my school’s technology plan, to follow fellow educators blogs and to just research the latest tools. Now a way to implement them is to understand that you can’t use everything you discover. I hate that every time something new comes out you are expected to use it but if you don’t need the tool or if something you already use is working then why change. Only fix what is broken. I also will suggest focusing on what is your problem and find a technology tool to solve it. Test out tools and research them fully to determine their usefulness. For example I was tired of writing grades in a grade book so I had to find a technological tool that would help solve my problem. After testing out different digital grade books I found one that was free and it had different features that could benefit me. Then I informed other teachers of my discovery. Planning for tools means mapping out their uses and their benefits. Make the tool work for you and remember that technology in education means convenience and modern learning for all. Students are a good source for implementing things. Get them to help as much as possible but don’t force it. Technology gives them a voice to use so listen!
Chapter Two
1. Imagine that you are going to teach a unit about Christopher Columbus to the grade level of your choice. What strategies immediately come to mind as good possibilities for teaching this unit? What relationship can you discern between how you might want to teach this unit and your learning or cognitive style? Describe how you think your own personal style might affect your teaching style. What lessons can you draw from this realization when you teach your diverse students?
Whenever I have to teach a lesson my first goal is to research it, then gather my resources and create a plan of action. I would try to find a lot of fun activities and videos to show the students. After each lesson I like for them to create a project showing what they’ve learned. I know that my own style dominates my teaching because I do tend to do what is comfortable to me. I am a visual learner that loves technology so that’s what I rely on. I could show them a YouTube video of Columbus and then find an online game for them. The good thing about teaching kindergarten is being able to deliver lessons to all learning styles. So that’s what I do. We would watch videos, sing a song, do a project, and so much more. In my reflecting I know that its good to cater to all learning style not just my own. However, that is a hard job to do if you are more dominate to one style. Teachers have to be understanding and plan for all.
Chapter 3
2. To effectively design instruction with technologies, a number of instructional design models are used in education. After reading this chapter, discuss the Dynamic Instructional Design (DID) model with the five focuses.
The DID model is a very effective way to teach because it looks at the big instructional picture and what the teacher wants to accomplish. Then they can go on to narrow and adjust specific lesson plans that fit in with the bog instructional picture. But, it is a good way to teach because it allows for everything that is taught to have relevance and linkages to other things being taught. It also takes into account the students and their specific learning styles. That is a very important part of being an effective teacher.
1. Step One: Know the Learners
a. What are their developmental stages, both physically and cognitively?
b. What is their cultural language background?
c. What are their incoming skills and knowledge?
d. What are their individual characteristics, such as learning styles, cognitive styles, and types of intelligence?
e. As a group how are the learners the same and different, and how might these differences affect the instruction?
2. Step Two: State your Objectives
a. In this step the educator specifies specifically the intended outcomes for the class. This includes performance objectives.
3. Step Three: Establish the Learning Environment
a. This step deals with all conditions, circumstances, and influences that affect the learner's development.
4. Step Four: Identify Teaching and Learning Strategies
a. It is during this step that it is decided what teaching strategies will be used and what learning strategies will be expected.
5. Step Five: Identify and Select Technologies
a. This step involves knowing what a technology can do, how to use and, and when it is appropriate.
6. Step Six: Summative Evaluation and Revision Plan
a. No plan is ever perfect. It is important to end the plan with a system for evaluating and revising it for future implementation.