Chapter 3 Reading

This weeks reading was especially interesting to me. I have always wondered how teachers teach. 

After reading the basics of lesson plans, then deciding how to best execute the plans, I decided to just create this blog post as if it were a classroom. I wanted to post lesson plans and incorporate ways to teach, then measure mastery of content, using Web 2.0 tools. 

For the purpose of this blog, I am Mrs. Stewart. First grade teacher at Web 2.0 Institute of Technological Learning. 

Lesson plans tell WHO is going to do WHAT, WHEN, for HOW LONG, and how will mastery be MEASURED. 

Sample:

By Friday, students will be able to define and identify adjectives, used in sentences. Student will also be able to properly use adjectives when prompted. Lessons for adjectives will be taught during ELA daily, in 25 minute blocks. Additional time for small group instruction will be in the mornings, if necessary. Mastery will be measured Friday by quiz. Student must have a "C" or better to prove mastery.


My first step would be how to introduce the lesson to the first graders. In this case, I created a story book. Using this book, my goal would be to read it together, discuss and share ideas together as a class.

For smaller group, more intense instruction, my thought would be to use piclit to allow students to pick a photo, and click and drag adjectives to their chosen photo, to compose their own work of ideas.

I also liked the idea of creating a toondoo, as a means to capture the students attention.

I have been exploring the online quiz site, Kahoot (I have not made a quiz yet). I wanted to explore it, because using an informal quiz could help me as a teacher gauge the students grasp on lessons. If they all miss a certain question, I as the teacher have the opportunity to go over the lesson again. I like it means of checks and balances.  Wrong answers can help me fill in the holes of my lessons, and perhaps adjust my teaching methods to better cover materials.

There are so many resources out there, and I think this new generation of students will be a group that has never known life without an iPad, or the internet, or that constant technology bombardment.  If teachers want to reach this generation, they are going to have to step up their technology game. Giving children the choice to engage with technology is the future of teaching.


On a more personal note, I had the opportunity to talk to a teacher at Ida Baker High School, who teaches digital information technology and the AVID program. It was neat to learn about the different certifications and technology programs available to our high school students now. I was able to kind of pick his brain about the programs, and their benefits. He was telling me that there is a high school graduation requirement for technology/online credit hours. I am glad I am in this class, finding my online "footing" so I am prepared for my class room.

created: Angela Stewart via ToonDoo

Chapter 1 reading

In reading chapter one, I must agree that becoming a 21st century teacher has it's technological challenges. There are always new technologies to try out, and in addition to being able to learn the newest technologies, there is an importance in having support from the other teachers and administration.

I was interested to read about the Generation M concept. If you were to think about it, the generations of students I will be teaching has never known life without an MP3 player, smart phone, or iPad. Given that our adolescents use about six and a half hours of some form of media a day, (Rideout, Roberts, & Foehr, 2005, p.6), it is only natural the schools in which these students are attending adapt to the changing landscape of technology. In thinking about it, with the birth of this generation came the birth of many of our newest technologies. Even I can say I am older than the internet.

I do believe there are important roles involving technology in the classroom. I understand there are issues with technology in the classroom, but I believe my readiness to integrate technology will better help me serve my students. Kids of today are no longer content with the flashcards and repetition ad nausea. Kids of today have been raised with the instant gratification of todays technology. With the advent of YouTube, gone are the days of kids waiting all week for Saturday morning cartoons. Kids today will never know what it is like to wait for your favorite song to come on the radio so you could record it. And God forbid the deejay was talking over your song! Kids today simply stream the music they wish to hear. This is where technology comes into play. As a teacher, if I could use learning games that teach the kids memorization skills such as spelling city or Fast Math, I think it would engage more of my students. I also think games that support critical thinking and creativity are also important, like Sum Dog.

In the concept that there are many teachers and adults that are afraid or unwilling to use technology, while I can understand the apprehension, being intimidated is not an excuse. In this day and age, you can Google just about anything you want to know. We are living in a day and age where you can turn on YouTube just about self help video. There are resources out there to get the information you need, you just have to look for it. My third grader is in a coding class at school. I love that he is being exposed to technology at a young age. There are plenty of videos about software and how to use it. The curriculum coverage or lack thereof, only means that perhaps the teacher or administration isn't trying hard enough to find it. I tutor my son who has Autism, and augment our learning with songs or videos found on YouTube. It helps his learning and he remembers the material more than he would if I lectured him.

In all, technology is not going away, in fact, it is only changing everyday. It is imperative that students know how to use it as a useful resource in their education. I believe that technology for students is often the platform they use to find other interests. A gateway drug if you will. Teaching children about technology while they are young will only lead them to be more confident, comfortable, and a better netizen overall.

Photo credit: Jane Plusben via Flickr

Textbook - Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.