Can technology integration benefit everyone?
I believe that the integration of technology can benefit everyone as long as it is being used correctly. Just like every other tool that educators use in the classroom, when used properly it can yield amazing results, but if it is not being used in the proper manner than it can be worthless. There are so many benefits of technology integration in the classroom at all levels, which there is not enough space to explain them all. In my class, my students when I use the MimioXi or the document camera are immediately zoned in and engaged because it allows the lessons to become more interactive. Today's students have technology incorporated into their daily lives and when they come to school, there is a disconnect sometimes because we tell them no electronic devices in school, so when they see that I am using my "electronic devices" they are so excited to see what I am going to present to them.
Technology is here to stay and removing it from the classroom is not going to benefit them. Our job as educators is to prepare our students for the world and give them the best quality education that we can. The ability to understand and use technology is a skill everyone needs to have. Technology is a great resource that can enhance teaching methods and instruction as well as enhance learning that benefits everyone.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Week Eight Essential Question
Why are there more issues with cheating, plagiarism, and related incidents now than before the web? Or are there?
As far as the elementary level, the children are still learning what plagiarism is. The extent of cheating in my classroom is looking at your neighbor's paper or copying off another person. It could also be sneaking the spelling list in the desk to copy off of it, but at the age of seven and eight, they are not that good at it (not that they should be). I am always trying to reinforce to my students why you cannot copy someone else's work and that when they are researching they have to reword and not copy word for word what they see. It is a learning process for them, so I feel as if the web has not really affected my younger elementary kids, but maybe the upper elementary grades like fourth and fifth.
At the high school level I see this being a much bigger issue, but to the extent I do not know. I am not working with this age group, but cell phones, texting, intenet, plagiarism, and cheating must be big issues. With the ease of texting or looking up an answer on the internet with phones, I feel as if cheating is easier to do. As far as plagiarism though, I feel that has always been an issue. Now with some sites and google, if a person is suspected of plagiarism it can just be imputed into the computer, and the computer can help clarify if a student is completing their own work rather than copying from sources.
As far as the elementary level, the children are still learning what plagiarism is. The extent of cheating in my classroom is looking at your neighbor's paper or copying off another person. It could also be sneaking the spelling list in the desk to copy off of it, but at the age of seven and eight, they are not that good at it (not that they should be). I am always trying to reinforce to my students why you cannot copy someone else's work and that when they are researching they have to reword and not copy word for word what they see. It is a learning process for them, so I feel as if the web has not really affected my younger elementary kids, but maybe the upper elementary grades like fourth and fifth.
At the high school level I see this being a much bigger issue, but to the extent I do not know. I am not working with this age group, but cell phones, texting, intenet, plagiarism, and cheating must be big issues. With the ease of texting or looking up an answer on the internet with phones, I feel as if cheating is easier to do. As far as plagiarism though, I feel that has always been an issue. Now with some sites and google, if a person is suspected of plagiarism it can just be imputed into the computer, and the computer can help clarify if a student is completing their own work rather than copying from sources.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Week 7 Essential Question
How can technology enhance learning when students aren’t the ones accessing
it? How can we create effective assessments using technology? Also
respond to the video that we watched about standardized testing-where is
the balance and what should we strive for?
Technology can enhance student learning even when the students themselves are not accessing it. The teacher can use technology themselves to update their lessons, enrich learning and the concepts being taught, create lessons that are more engaging, and bring learning to life. Teachers can use technology to present information in a more accessible, engaging, and interacting way. For instance, last week my students and I watched and learned a song about Abraham Lincoln in which they were able to see pictures of where he lived, Abe Lincoln, and different aspects of his life. Using a document camera to display their fellow peers work to visually show the other children what is expected is a great learning tool because the children can see an actual completed piece that meets all the requirements that were asked for.
Effective assessments can be made using technology. An assessment could be as simple as the children completing a writing piece on word. After going to an information training of the MimioVote which is a key pad system that children are able to fill in their answers to a variety of different answers. This is such a great tool because it allows the teacher to be able to access which students are grasping what is being taught and who needs more practice or clarification without the whole class knowing. It is anonymous to everyone but the teacher. Older children could create a website using google or another resource on the web and be accessed on the content and creativity that was put into the final product.
Charlotte Avenue will be piloting a test taking system that will be used for the NECAP that aims at finding the students' academic level (proficient, proficient with distinction, etc.). It basically will narrow down where the child is at academically, according to the test, by asking harder and/or easier questions to find where the student levels out, which should determine where they are academically. I think this is a better version of the paper and pencil test the students take because I feel it gives a better idea of where the children are at, however while piloting the students have to take the digital test and paper and pencil NECAP test. That brings me to the video of standardized testing. My students that I have currently do not take the NECAP, but when my students go onto third grade they take it. They are exhausted during that week and you can see they are mentally drained. They are not themselves. They are forced to take a test, which some students are not good test takers. In fact, I have to take valuable time out of my day at the end of the year to teach the children how to take the test and what it looks like. They are not use to learning or showing what they have learned in that kind of forum. They are little kids, and although the individuals in the video are older, it is hard for them to take something that seems so foreign to them. The test basically takes away individuality, like what the people in the video where saying. It takes who you are as an individual and translates it to a number score and your name. It doesn't show what you are fully capable of. If a student has a learning disability and makes a year growth, which is a huge accomplishment, it doesn't translate on the NECAP; it just continues to show the child is not where they are suppose to be.
In all honesty, I do not know how to find a balance. Like in everything else, I believe teachers should strive to teach each and every student to the best of their ability. To help them all achieve the most that THEY can regardless of the test. To ensure that each child is learning. I believe students should not be compared to each other, which is hard, but should be compared to themselves and how far they have grown as an individual and the progress they have made. That should be celebrated!
Technology can enhance student learning even when the students themselves are not accessing it. The teacher can use technology themselves to update their lessons, enrich learning and the concepts being taught, create lessons that are more engaging, and bring learning to life. Teachers can use technology to present information in a more accessible, engaging, and interacting way. For instance, last week my students and I watched and learned a song about Abraham Lincoln in which they were able to see pictures of where he lived, Abe Lincoln, and different aspects of his life. Using a document camera to display their fellow peers work to visually show the other children what is expected is a great learning tool because the children can see an actual completed piece that meets all the requirements that were asked for.
Effective assessments can be made using technology. An assessment could be as simple as the children completing a writing piece on word. After going to an information training of the MimioVote which is a key pad system that children are able to fill in their answers to a variety of different answers. This is such a great tool because it allows the teacher to be able to access which students are grasping what is being taught and who needs more practice or clarification without the whole class knowing. It is anonymous to everyone but the teacher. Older children could create a website using google or another resource on the web and be accessed on the content and creativity that was put into the final product.
Charlotte Avenue will be piloting a test taking system that will be used for the NECAP that aims at finding the students' academic level (proficient, proficient with distinction, etc.). It basically will narrow down where the child is at academically, according to the test, by asking harder and/or easier questions to find where the student levels out, which should determine where they are academically. I think this is a better version of the paper and pencil test the students take because I feel it gives a better idea of where the children are at, however while piloting the students have to take the digital test and paper and pencil NECAP test. That brings me to the video of standardized testing. My students that I have currently do not take the NECAP, but when my students go onto third grade they take it. They are exhausted during that week and you can see they are mentally drained. They are not themselves. They are forced to take a test, which some students are not good test takers. In fact, I have to take valuable time out of my day at the end of the year to teach the children how to take the test and what it looks like. They are not use to learning or showing what they have learned in that kind of forum. They are little kids, and although the individuals in the video are older, it is hard for them to take something that seems so foreign to them. The test basically takes away individuality, like what the people in the video where saying. It takes who you are as an individual and translates it to a number score and your name. It doesn't show what you are fully capable of. If a student has a learning disability and makes a year growth, which is a huge accomplishment, it doesn't translate on the NECAP; it just continues to show the child is not where they are suppose to be.
In all honesty, I do not know how to find a balance. Like in everything else, I believe teachers should strive to teach each and every student to the best of their ability. To help them all achieve the most that THEY can regardless of the test. To ensure that each child is learning. I believe students should not be compared to each other, which is hard, but should be compared to themselves and how far they have grown as an individual and the progress they have made. That should be celebrated!
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