Module 5 Reading Response

5 Considerations For Digital Age Leaders

            In the article, 5 Considerations For Digital Ages Leaders, it is discussed that technology is ever changing and in hope of being effective educators we must keep up with trends of the digital world. Through the use of NETs five main areas of technology are targeted as necessary to ensure the digital success of students. With so much of our world embedded in technology we must also link students overall success to their technological abilities as well.

            One area of consideration that I found relatable was the “Excellence in Professional Practice”.  As, a young educator I think of myself as quite computer savvy and try incorporate as much technology as possible each day.  I find that using technology keeps my students engaged in the content and makes teaching easier for me as well. However, this is not the case in many classrooms in my school and across American I am sure.  In many rooms the expensive Smart Board is left dark or covered by chart paper.  The recent investment of laptops left off on many days because no one takes the time to allow their students to use them.  Why do districts makes these investments and allow them to go to waste? Better yet why do teachers allow themselves to harbor technology they don’t feel they can adequately use? Educators must ensure their own technological success before they can ensure the same of their students.

            The article also mentioned the new computer-based standardized testing.  This is a hot topic in many districts right now and juggling test prep and “elective” such as computer lab is often an area of discussion in many schools.  Testing and technology have been seen as two complete different entities for many years, but in the future they will combine.  Students’ ability with technology will soon play a part their success on standardized test.  Educators must take this into account when teaching their students and make technology a priority in the near future. 

Module 4 Reading Response

Social Networking Goes to School

                In the article, Social Networking Goes to School, many of the issues educators deal with on a daily basis with concern to social media are addressed.  Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, blogs, etc. have become a part of most American’s daily lives.  It’s difficult for many to part with their social media so where should educators draw the line? Is it okay to be Facebook friends with students? Follow them on Twitter? Give them the link to your personal blog? Show them the latest viral video on Youtube? Where do educators draw the line?

            Social Networking Goes to School discusses many of the benefits of using social networking to collaborate with students and promote learning.  Principal Eric C. Sheninger of Milford High School in New Jersey uses Facebook to keep student and parents updated through the school’s page and with more than 1,000 followers it is obvious that students are using this to stay informed.  He also uses Twitter to keep his students and staff informed.  Other teachers use Skype to connect children across the world and build relationships that in the past likely would not have existed.  Teachers are using Twitter to collaborate and gain ideas from other teachers across the country.  However, reaching many of these sites on your school computer can be close to impossible because they are blocked by many districts which blur the line of what is appropriate for educators and what is not.  It would seem that if your district or principal are using these sites to inform the public and collaborate with teachers that they would be readily available on the school computer, but because they are not many teachers still feel as if they are breaking the rules. 

            I believe that when it comes to the internet many educators are afraid to embrace social media because they fear there may be consequences.  Although, it may be easy to send a Facebook or Twitter message to a student to keep in contact that may be seen to others as taboo.  In this new age of technology, teachers are constantly being reprimanded for inappropriate relationships with students that often stem from social networks.  With so much technology how can we be sure that we are not crossing a line socially with our students.  Even though it a great ways to collaborate and communicate many teachers stay away because the consequences are too great. 

Module 3 Reading Response

A Day in the Life of Web 2.0

On a daily basis most educators use the internet and technology in the lessons they present to the class.  Most of this technology probably occurs through the use of power points, Smart notebook presentations, or websites.  These efforts are nothing compared to what I just learned from the article, A Day in the Life of Web 2.0. The teachers at the school discussed in the article take technology to a whole new level.  Web 2.0 tools are interwoven into every aspect of their day.  The teachers take full advantage of Web 2.0 with their students as well as their colleagues.

In most articles I read I often find myself saying, “I already do that”.  A Day in the Life of Web 2.0 is not one of these articles.  I was in awe of what these teachers are accomplishing through technology.  The way that they are able to communicate with each other, share lessons, collaborate, and use professional development through the linking of blogs was amazing.  I especially loved the way that the physical education was able to integrate his lessons by reading the blogs of the content teachers.  So many times throughout the day we don’t have time to stop and talk.  Communicating what you are doing through a blog allows for teachers to access what you are doing at anytime.

The use of Web 2.0 tools for student education may be even more inspiring.  Having students take charge of their own education through the use wikis and podcasts is extremely innovative.  Allowing parents to connect to the wiki takes the experience to another level. The parents no longer have to ask what they student learned in school.  They now know exactly what they learned and even know exactly how their child participated in the discussion.  Students, teachers, and parents are tuned into the learning experience.

This district’s use of Web 2.0 tools connects every to each child’s education. From the superintendent all way to the parent everyone is able to get in on the action by reading blogs, accessing podcasts, and viewing wiki sites. Many teachers may feel this is too much or a waste of time, but getting everyone involved in each child’s education is sure to help with student achievement.  

Module 2 Reading Response

A New Bloom

         

 After reading the article, A New Bloom, I was excited and rejuvenated by the “new” levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy.  I will be the first to admit that when my principal comes in and observes one of my lessons and then later asks in a review of the lesson what level of Bloom’s I used I am often stumped.  Although, I learned about Bloom’s Taxonomy in many of college courses I never fully understood what the expectation of each level.  Synthesis? What exactly does it mean if your lesson is reaching the “synthesis” stage? The wording alone confused me far too much for me to ever actually believe I was meeting any of the criteria. So I just had hope that I could skirt past the question and get on with rest of the evaluation of my lesson without my principal realizing that I was clueless when it came to Bloom’s Taxonomy.  This article however has given me understanding of the levels and confidence that I have been applying the stages all along. 

          

The new framework of making each level into a verb makes each level of Bloom’s much easier to understand.  As teacher, it is easy for me to apply each level into my lesson by thinking about what my students are doing and how they are learning.  It is also much easier for teachers to explain the levels of Bloom’s to the students in their class and encourage them to meet the levels by asking them to remember, understand, apply, analyze, evaluate, and create when learning.  Explaining the different types of questioning and what is expected at each level will drive students to develop a deeper understanding of all topics.  Even at the elementary level I think students should be involved in their learning process.  They need to understand the terminology just as teachers to so they can identify when they are reaching each level. 

            

The addition of the Knowledge Dimensions will also help educators to use Bloom’s more successfully.  Thinking of how learners process information allows teachers to tailor their lesson to individual student.  Understanding what and how a student gains information on a topic ensures greater development of concepts. 

           

Lastly, I enjoyed seeing how Modin applied each level of Bloom’s Taxonomy in her own lesson.  Having an example of how a lesson can reach each level of Bloom’s especially through technology was a great learning experience for me.  I cannot wait to apply these types of questions and activities in my own lessons and confidently acknowledge the level of Bloom’s I am using during implementation.     

Module 1 Reading Response

Power Up! Stimulating You

While reading, Power up! Stimulating you, I became quite confused.  In the article Andre Harrison writes about Microsoft Power Point like it is a new phenomenon or some amazing computer tool that was just released.  He discusses how to use a black box to hook up the computer to the television so that the presentation can be presented on a larger screen. All I could think was; why is he talking about a television and not a Smart Board? The author raves to his colleagues and encourages them to try using the program in their own classrooms.  Each sentence intrigued me more until I looked down at the corner of the page and saw the article was written in 1998.  So at the time of this publication Power Point was a new trend in the digital world.  It was most likely quite amazing and a tool that teachers should try to engage their students. 

           

Although this article is dated I still believe that Power Point is a great tool to engage students.  Its effects on teaching are even more so now with prominence of Smart Boards to display presentations.  Students are still engaged by these presentations and the special effects that they can bring to a lesson.  You are able to break down information by topics and add in sounds, charts and videos to support the subject you are presenting.  Power Points are convenient way to present information to people of all ages.

            

I enjoyed the way the article explained how to incorporate this type of technology into all types of education content.  It provided great examples of how Power Points can be used to present information in Social Studies, Language Arts, and Science as well as how it can be used to break down steps of Mathematical Processes.  However, what I found most encouraging was how Andre Harrison discussed how to use Power Point Presentations to help student collaborate on their own presentations.  Allowing students to present their research and what they have learned through an interactive presentation allows for students who may shutter at the thought of a long report to successfully inform others on what they have learned. 

           

I believe students of all ages can use Microsoft Power Point as a tool to learn with and a tool to learn from.  Student are can be engaged in lessons through the visual stimulation of presentations and learn to present their own information in an equally interesting manner.  In addition to interactively presenting the information teacher’s can also print handouts to for student reference at a later date. As, an educator I see Power Point as an essential tool to keep student’s focused on the information I am presenting.  

SMART Exchange Activities

Back to School Activity Kit 
Grades K-2-Classroom Community
http://exchange.smarttech.com/details.html?id=a2c1a699-753e-4e52-aa68-7a3f24cb500d

During the first few days of school there is a lot of information that teachers want to know and learn about their new students. There is information students want to know about their teacher as well. This SMART notebook files provides 19 pages of getting to know you activities and also provides a record place for information on students such as how they get home from school and activities they enjoy.  I think this notebook file will be very useful during my upcoming first days of schools.  It will allow me to engage the students through the SMART board and record important information without losing it!


Fact Families
Grades 1-3 Mathematics
http://exchange.smarttech.com/details.html?id=9a3d6907-c2f1-4bc4-a510-ea9db259b4ae

One of our first units in math focuses on fact families.  This SMART notebook file provides student with a concrete image of fact families and helps them easily see addition turnaround facts and the subtraction pairs that make up several fact families. Many of the slides have numbers that create simple fact families, but it also has pages that you can edit to differentiate the activity. I think this lesson will be visually engaging to the student while creating a fun way to review fact families for student who need that extra reinforcement of the concept after we have covered in our math curriculum.

Music Transitions
K-6 Classroom Management
http://exchange.smarttech.com/details.html?id=4d5797a2-8e31-4d73-ad75-067c58e05e08

Quick and smooth transition are a key element to good classroom management.  I am constantly trying new things to keep my transitions fresh and entertaining to my students.  This notebook includes musical and visual cues to help students recognize when it's time to line up, switch groups, meet at the SMART board, clean up, come to the rug, and even when to put headings on their paper.  The songs are fun and just the right amount time to allow students to transition.  I think this notebook will help me keep students on task and speed up the amount of time my class spends on transitions.

Intro

Here is my "blog test".  I am excited to get started.  This course seems very interesting!!