Reflection Post

Made by Sierra Myers on Canva

When I first signed up for EME2040, I was extremely nervous considering my lack of technological knowledge. I always told myself that including copious amount of technology into the classroom would only depreciate the lessons; not enhance them. Now that this course is coming to a close, I realize how important of a role technology actually plays in the classroom.

My favorite project that we were required to complete was definitely the teacher webpage. With creating this webpage, many of the learning outcomes listed in the syllabus were covered. These included: 

• Developing an internet-based project that uses technology as both a medium and a goal of K-12 instruction.
• Evaluate and critique various software an hardware tools to determine utility in a K-12 setting.
• Create a portfolio with samples reflecting ways technology can support classroom management, administration, and teaching in a K-12 classroom.

Even as a little girl I played school with my little brother and my neighbors- of course, I always made sure I played the teacher role. Having the ability to create my own webpage for my "classroom" and customize every part of it really gave me the opportunity to show my creativity as well as my teaching approach. I ended up using the Wix tool and fell in love with it. I will be sure to use Wix within my own classroom.

As for constructive criticism, I feel as though the collaborative lesson plan was a little tough. The assignment {all in all} doesn't really include a lot of tasks; therefore it is hard for everyone to agree on most of the steps. It seemed like whoever wrote the lesson procedure really set the tone for each of the other parts. Maybe instead of it being one lesson plan, have the groups collaborate to create lessons for an entire unit. For example, say students were working on branches of the United States government. One lesson is on the Judicial, another Executive, the third Legislative, and then some kind of review for the fourth day. This way, each student within the group gets to incorporate more of their ideas into the project. 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed taking EME2040 and am thankful for all of the Web 2.0 tools it has shown me. I now plan to incorporate an abundance of technology and technology-based lessons into my classroom. This course has introduced me to so many new aspects of teaching and I cannot wait to use everything I have learned!

A little note from Kid President :)

Resources:

Myers, Sierra. (Photograph). (2015). Knowledge is power. [photograph]. Cape Coral, Florida.

[Soul Pancake]. (2013, September 12). Kid President's Pep Talk To Teachers and Students.[Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwlhUcSGqgs&list=PLXmA2wXxe1yZ-3M882sHe5yX0Z-CMorfw. 

Digital Blog Post F: Chapters 11&12

1. Test Assessments & Performance Evaluations
Page 278 {11.1}

While I was going through school, ninety percent of our assessments were all with a piece of paper and a pencil. Thankfully with the growth of technology, testing information is becoming more fun and interactive. With the hundreds of Web 2.0 tools that are available alongside powerpoint, oral assessments, self assessments, and digital profiles, learning and testing curriculum information is becoming more interactive than ever before. In my classroom, I hope to implement different kinds of technology to teach lessons and to test the information within those lessons. Keeping students active, involved, and eager is essential. With the use of technological tools from a young age, students will be fluent in them by the time and they graduate. Within their every day lives after graduation, the use of Web 2.0 tools can only enhance their working experiences.

Made by Sierra Myers using Piktochart

2. Digital Portfolios for Students 
Page 284-285 {11.2}

Before the rise of the internet and computers, student records were all kept on paper files in file cabinets. They were hard to locate {unless you were extremely organized} and a pain in the you-know-what to store. Previous to this class, I truthfully could not stand how much technology was being implemented within the classrooms. Now that I have successfully used many educational tools, I cannot wait to use them within my own room. Among those, digital portfolios are by far one of the best tools that can be used. It makes it so much easier to record grades and keep students records all together in their own files. They are easy to keep organized and to locate when the time is needed. I will absolutely be using digital portfolios in my classrooms!

3. Features of a Technology-Integrated Classroom 
Page 302-303 {12.4}

I remember being in seventh grade and the school I went to was the first in the city to get Smart Boards within their classrooms. Now, it is abnormal if a class doesn't have a smart board or some time of white board projector and smart pens. In today's classroom, normally you will see computers with internet, iPads, a tv, DVD player, Smart Board, interactive white board, and a projector. Curricula across the state, and even the nation, has become much more interactive and fun for kids to learn. The endless resources are incredible. Although I did not have access to them as a child, I know my students will use different technologies in order to learn in groups and individually.

Resources

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.

Myers, Sierra. (Photograph). (2015). Technology In The Classroom. [photograph]. Cape Coral, Florida.

Technology in Education: A Future Classroom. By Daniel Nemroff. Youtube. Nemroff Pictures, n.d. Web. 19 June 2015.

Digital Blog Post E: Chapters 4&9

1. Learning Assessments (Knowing What Students Have Learned)
Page 77 {4.4}

Especially in younger grades, assessing what students are learning can be a hassle. With the technologies that are available today, it is easier to assess what students are learning without making it seem that way. Personally, I despise formal written tests. As a teacher, I hope to integrate more group-based projects, Web Quests, videos, powerpoints, and other ways for students to show what they have learned. Especially for ESOL students, written silent tests can be difficult for them to understand. If you allow them to use their own creativity, it opens the gate for them to interpret what they learned individually. This can also help you as the educator understand where you are at in terms of giving equal opportunities and understanding to your ESOL students as well as your on-level and gifted.

2. Meeting Educational Standards 

Page 81 {4.3}

Unfortunately, there is a limited amount of time and an abundance of information that needs to be taught within a school year. Including multiple standards in a lesson ensures that educators are covering the most material possible. Thankfully, there are plenty of websites and books that state the standards that should be met within the year. As a teacher, it is important to outline the standards that are being met and used within each lesson plan. Personally, I do not mind writing lesson plans; therefore, it makes it easier for me to keep organized with an outline including everything that should be covered. 

3. Youtube, Handcrafted Videos, and Streaming Video Resources

Page 225-226 {9.3}

Before being enrolled in EME 2040, I never realized the amount of technological tools that are available to enhance learning. One of my favorites is BrainPop and BrainPop Junior. With the amount of children that are able to use cell phones, computers, and iPads, they are more willing to learn if it is using a tool they are familiar with. BrainPop and BrainPop Junior have many videos and interactive games that are all learning based for different subjects. I attempted to include a BrainPop video for my Web Quest, but it insisted I had a subscription to do so. Youtube is another wonderful resource that I have only recently found educational. Thankful for these, I will absolutely include different videos and podcasts into my lesson plans to make learning more F U N!

Made by Sierra Myers using Piktochart 

Resources

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.
Myers, Sierra. (Photograph). (2015). Subjects with Technology [photograph]. Cape Coral, Florida. 

Myers, Sierra. (2015 June, 11). Types of Learning Assessments. Created with Prezi. 

Digital Blog Post D: Chapters 6&10

1. Taking Virtual Field Trips 
Page 140 {6.3}

As a growing adult, I have caught a serious case of wanderlust. I love to travel whenever I have the money, the time, and the opportunity. There are so many beautiful places to see in the world; not only in our close environment, but all over the place! Normally as a student, both mom and dad work full time jobs with limited vacation time. Limited vacation time for them means limited vacation time for the student too. As a future teacher, I hope to incorporate as much of the world and it's cultures into my classroom as possible. I want to be able to include at least one lesson per week on a different city, state, or country regardless of the grade I am teaching. By utilizing many of the available online tools, I can put important landmarks and places right into my classroom!

Made by Sierra Myers using Piktochart 

2. Connecting Classrooms with Communities and Cultures

Page 247 {10.1}

With a limited amount of time to cover an abundant amount of material, it is often difficult to emphasize each culture throughout the school year. In my classroom, I hope to incorporate many different cultures and backgrounds through a variety of tools and lessons. Although the Native Americans, African Americans, and the colonization of America are all important points to cover, there are many other groups of people and events that are just as important. I would love to include more of a focus on Europe and Asia as well as different parts of South America and Africa. It makes a student feel more important and interested in the material when it relates to them and their culture!

Made by Sierra Myers using Canva 

3. Differentiated Instruction

Page 248 {10.2}

Until I read about it in this chapter, I never noticed the emphasis schools have on implementing differentiated instruction. While completing observation hours at Mike Davis Elementary in Naples, an abundant amount of this technique was used, even in the kindergarten classroom. Especially during math and writing centers, there were between four and six different activities for students to be doing regarding the unit being taught. The students were split up into groups based on their level of understanding, which I thought was wonderful when it came to the teacher/student center. Due to my mixed teaching philosophy, I hope to include plenty of differentiated instruction for my students.

Resources 

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.
Myers, Sierra. (Photograph). (2015). Traveling [photograph]. Cape Coral, Florida. 
Myers, Sierra. (Photograph). (2015). Virtual Landmark Field Trip Locations [photograph]. Cape Coral, Florida.

Digital Blog Post C: Chapters 7&8

1. Computer Games As Learning Resources
Page 168-169 {7.5}

Since my early days of school I have always resorted to older methods of learning. While I was in elementary school, the only time we spent on a computer was while completing Accelerated Reader tests. Although I do not think student time on computers should be obsolete, their time should be limited. When they are used, it should be as a reinforcement tool rather than a way to introduce a new concept. While completing elementary observations at the kindergarten level this past week, it opened my eyes to how advanced students are with technology. Every student spent about 40 minutes playing education games on either an iPad or a computer. Parents already allow their children exhaustible amounts of time using some form of technology at home; for them to use it independently at school too is unacceptable. Obviously technology enhances the learning process tremendously; but, too much of it can cause social issues when interacting face-to-face.

2. Understanding Textspeak and Textism
Page 194 {8.2} 

My dad always says that "the telephone was invented to talk on the phone; not to revert backwards to the typewriter." As I have gotten older, I couldn't agree more. The textbook argues that students could learn from texting by advancing their phonological awareness and literacy. Personally, this couldn't be more wrong. Throughout the years educators have worked hard to include and develop different skills, activities, and lessons in order to teach literacy and proper spelling and writing techniques. There is absolutely no reason a student should be using a phone in order to learn these concepts. Flashcards, worksheets, presentations, and books are older methods that have worked for years on end. If something is not broken, why fix it?

3. Creating Your Own Teaching Blog
Page 198 {8.4}

With the popularity of blogging in today's society, it can be used as a very important tool of communication between teachers, parents, and students. There are plenty of ways to make it a fun, interactive, and informative space. As a future educator in a fairly technological world, I feel as though it is important to include some kind of personal blog site or web page in order to interact with your student and their families outside of the classroom. I have already learned so many great tools to use in the classroom and I cannot wait to incorporate them into my own lessons!

Sources  

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.

Myers, Sierra. (Photograph). (2015). Cell Phones In Classrooms [photograph]. Cape Coral, Florida.

Myers, Sierra. (Photograph). (2015). Nelson Mandela Quote [photograph]. Cape Coral, Florida.

The first picture {quote} shown was made using Canva and the second was made using Toondoo. 

Digital Blog Post B: Chapters 3&5

1. Communicating and Collaborating

Page 59-61 {3.4}

Technology has introduced a variety of new ways to communicate with others who are sitting next to you or across the globe. This helps businesses, project partners, or even pen pals to collaborate in a much more efficient and timely way. Within the classroom, incorporating different web tools and forms of technology enhances every student's experience. It also introduces active learning, group work, and collaboration. Because of my progressive-essentialist approach to teaching, I am extremely passionate about including group based activities in my lesson plans. Many studies have found that when students are mobile, their brain is more awake and the result of their work is of higher quality opposed to when students are sedentary in a lecture-based classroom. There are many ways to teach the core curriculum through discovery and hands-on learning. Many group projects and collaborations are completed through the use of active learning while also incorporating the essentialism mindset. 

2. Expressing Creativity 
Page 61-63 {3.5}

Many students claim that are unable to express themselves properly in their school environment. The implementation of technology into classrooms is helping to advance the opportunities for self-expression through school work. Relating back to my approach to teaching, I hope to leave many windows open in my lessons for my students to use their creative niche. Allowing students to create prezi's, act out a lesson in groups, make a poster board telling a story line, and choosing a topic for a research paper, you are holding open the doors for students to interpret and explain different subjects however they want to.



3. Cyberbullying
Page 122-123 {5.6}

Unfortunately, the prevalence of cyberbullying {especially older grades} is no joke. Although there is no real way to prevent cyberbullying from happening, it is important to talk about it in schools. Every student has a story as to why they are the way they are; even if you don't know their story, you should be respectful. At this point, I don't have any ideas to teach the concept of bullying; but, I hope by the time I am ready for my own classroom I have some ideas. Each student's safety and comfortableness is so important in a classroom; therefore, it is extremely important to stress the zero tolerance for bullying in a classroom. No individual school or teacher is able to catch each case of cyberbullying; but, as a community I hope we can stop many of the cases to keep our students safe.

Sources 

Creativity In The Classroom [Motion picture]. (2015). USA.
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.

Digital Blog Post A: Chapters 1&2

1. Technology Based Textbooks
Page 8 {1.2}

With the turn of the century not too long ago, technological advances have become more prevelant than they ever were before. The chunk of people's time that is consumed with using technology is larger than the time it is not being used. After much thought, I realized that nearly everything I do in my life requires some form of technology. My computer is used to complete school work, my cell phone is used to access all types of social media as well as different forms of communication, and my iPod is used to listen to music while running or lifting at the gym. The amount of dependency we have on our technology to keep basically every aspect of our lives together is unreal! With all of the social advances of technology that I am more than happy about, there is one that I don't agree with. The use of "E-Books" is something I hope I never have to implement into my classroom. When it comes to school work, I'm a very old-fashioned learner. I don't necessarily mean a chalk-board and white chalk {I use a whiteboard and expo's, a HUGE advancement for me} but I like the ability to touch my textbooks and physically turn the page while highlighting and writing notes in them. While there are some technologies that are essential to have in the classroom, I believe this isn't one of them. 

2. Key Issues For Technology-Using Teachers
Page 24 {2.4}

After completing the section on issues for technology-using teachers, I have many mixed feelings. As I previously stated, I am old fashioned when it comes to my approach to learning. There are many pieces of technology that are important to use in the classroom in order to enhance a child's learning experience. With the constant sense of change and advancement, it's important to include those changes into the classroom. For example, the ability to interactively teach a lessons on dolphins was very difficult compared to now. The computer can be used to watch videos of dolphins in their habitat; the National Geographic website is available to access tools made by professionals for all grade levels; and, presentations can be made through Powerpoint and Prezi to share with the class. In the nineteenth century, a simple lecture with maybe a black and white pixelated photo was all that was available. A barrier that effects my view on technology is the ability, or in my case the non-ability, to use it. So many Web 2.0 tools are confusing and nit-picky when trying to use them. I think I would be more opened minded if they were easier to navigate. 

3. My Teaching Philosophy
Page 35 {2.6}

Educational philosophy is one of my favorite subjects covered so far. I am also enrolled in "Intro To Diversity" and we covered this subject in our second discussion. After completing an "Approach to Education" assessment, I landed somewhere between progressivism and essentialism. With progressivism and essentialism being complete opposites, I was drawn to both approaches because of different things. When it comes to the actual core curriculum, essentialism is especially important to me. There should be a standard of information set for each student to accomplish before they can move on to the next grade level. Education is primarily a "building block" principle. In order to be capable of higher level thinking and problems, one must complete the primary skills needed to do so. Within my classroom, I will take a progressive approach to convey the core curriculum to my students. Classical music is proven to trigger the brain academically, therefore during tests and group projects it will be played. Many group discussions will take place and students will be given the opportunity to make small choices. For example, if we are completing a unit regarding different climates I would use a three part lesson plan. The first day {lets say unit 1.1}, I would use a prezi and have a class discussion to see what the students already know regarding climates and to share new information with them. The second day {1.2}, I would allow students to work in small groups and choose five different places in the world. They would make a flip-book of their own describing the places and climate in their own words and draw a picture to go with it. The third day {1.3}, students would present these projects to the class. Within that lesson, I incorporated essentialism by meeting a state standard to teach climates and I used a progressive approach to do so. Personally, I feel as though the progressive approach incorporates more technology than essentialism does. Many creative tools are used to convey the information to students in a fun and interactive way. With students being so technology savvy now-a-days, it is hard to keep their attention with just a textbook. 

The following is a link to the Tackk I created. This image was taken by me. 

Tech{no}logy in the Classroom

Sources

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.