Digital Badge #I

A lesson plan is a structural way a teacher can organize a learning activity planned for the day or week. Many components will be applied when building the lesson plan which should include:

ü  Objectives (what to teach)

ü  Teaching  and learning activities or methods (how to teach)

ü  Assessments (check student understanding of material)

Having specific goals for student learning will determine what kind of methods or procedures to use in class whereas; those methods will determine how well the students learned a lesson.  Incorporating technology in the lesson plan will assist with all of these techniques and hopefully make the lesson more enjoyable for the student.

 Outlining learning objectives should be the first thing to considering when planning the lesson plan.  Using search engines on the Internet to research information on the topic through blogs or wikis will be a beneficial way to shape your learning activity, which is the star of the show. Think about what you want the student to learn and why it is important.  What is your goal at the end of the lesson?  Next plan how time will be executed while doing the exercises.  Keep in mind that the classroom consists of a diverse group of students, and some may be familiar with the topic while others may not.  Anticipate student questions and provide time for discussion, but try not to deflect. 

There are several points to consider when explaining and engaging students to help them understand the topic it better.  With the use of technology and computers, this process becomes straightforward.  Using presentation, visual thinking, or interactive software can help students understand the topic in a more simplistic matter.  Videos and multimedia content can also demonstrate the concept or point you are teaching.  Encourage students to view clips or other online materials at home to help them become familiar with the concept.  You can also use analogies and real-life situations to make the topic more significant.       

Finally, you want to check for student understanding.  You may want to ask specific questions and have students summarize what they learned.  Assessment tools such as, tests and multiple-choice questions can be accessed from the web or produced electronically for students to do.  The lesson plan should be an organized tool that outlines teaching goals.  It is a guide on how to teach your classroom in a productive and effortlessly manner. 

http://linoit.com/users/SillyMana/canvases/Lesson%20Plan%20

Resources:

Maloy, R.W., Verock-O’Loughlin, R.E., Edwards, S.A., Woolf, B.P. (2014) Transforming Learning with New Technologies. Upper Saddle River: Pearson

Use Technology Effectively | Teaching Excellence in Adult Literacy (TEAL). (n.d.). Use Technology Effectively | Teaching Excellence in Adult Literacy (TEAL). Retrieved October 25, 2014, from https://teal.ed.gov/tealguide/technology

Digital Badge #g

We all know that each child is unique, and they bring their own individuality to the classroom.  Having diversity in the classroom builds better educators because the teacher becomes the student.  Classrooms have to address the diversity that include culturally, racially ethnically, and linguistically students.  Teachers have to be sensitive to their needs and capabilities.  It may be possible to make changes to curriculum based on the needs of the diverse learners but through technology those changes have become more effective.  There are many programs and tools available for our diverse learners that will encourage them to succeed.  

There are many programs online available for ELL students that they can be used not only in the classroom, but at home.  These programs offer a variety of methods to practice and expose students to the English language.  Google Translate is a free website that instantly translates English to another language or vice versa.  Duoling.com is another educational program that is available free online for anybody to use.  This site takes the learner through different levels and uses a variety of methods for learning, such as, writing and pronunciation.  It is easy to become frustrated when you don’t understand what people around you are saying, but through patience and encouragement ESOL students can accomplish many goals. 

Assistive Technology includes adaptive devices for students with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting and using them.  These devices used in the classroom promote independence and improve functional capabilities for those with disabilities.  Some of these devices may scan text and then read aloud for those visually impaired.  Other tools may include special keyboards for those students that have difficulty typing.  There are different methods used to help these students learn and progress in their academic education.  School districts must consider assistive technology methods for those students with special needs which can range from autism, and visual, hearing, or mobile impairment.

    

No matter the diversity, every student should be taught to accommodate their needs.  Embracing their abilities along with the disabilities is part of the teaching process.  It is wonderful to know how technology is helping our students with learning disabilities.  They can use tools to keep them motivated and interested.  As educators, we have to adjust and become more sensitive to our student’s needs and be able to communicate effectively with families.   Students may feel alienated and disengaged from learning due to the circumstances but by providing them the tools for learning they will be successful.

 Resources

Maloy, R.W., Verock-O’Loughlin, R.E., Edwards, S.A., Woolf, B.P. (2014) Transforming Learning with New Technologies. Upper Saddle River: Pearson

Digital Badge #H

Using presentation tools in the classroom is a wonderful technique for teaching.  Not only are the students reading and seeing the presentation, but they are also listening to the teacher as she explains the concepts.  Children are better learners when they can use all of their senses for learning.   They become more interested in the subject because of the different elements the presentation offers.  This type of production is a wonderful way of summarizing facts, presenting graphs or diagrams, and can be visually appealing.  We are all very familiar with the PowerPoint software program, but as the book states, there are other programs that provide a variety of presentation options.      

You can be creative with your presentation tool by inserting clip art, pictures, animations, and videos.  For the teacher part of the fun is producing one of a kind presentation for the class.  Some of the strategies involved in creating a presentation include using images to stimulate your perception of the topic.  They provide a platform for discussion for the whole class to evaluate as a whole and ask questions.  Assigning short writing assignments prompted by questions displayed on the screen is another method to get students to think about an assignment or a topic using presentation tools.  Having a variety of visual diversity like using slides as attention-getters, generates attentiveness with students and keeps them focus on the topic.  

I was most intrigued with the Prezi presentation program. I had seen it before but never done one of my own.  This will be my opportunity to try my hands on it.  As a future educator and current student, I know I need to acquire new techniques and methods for my education.  Developing a Prezi on my own will be educational and fun. I hope to continue advancing with each new technique I learn and teach others in the process. 

Presentation programs are a trendy way to exhibit information to an audience that captivates and keeps them wondering.  Just like any other program, they get easier with practice, and most have templates and custom layouts to the users’ advantage.  By adding multimedia components to the presentation, the production becomes more engaging.  The presenter is continuously engrossing, because they are interacting with the audience through the presentation, instead of just speaking from a bunch of notes.  The audience can follow along with handouts for writing notes, and the presentation can also be downloaded or stored in a USB for future usage.  This is another beneficial technology tool that not only teachers but anybody can use to present information in a revolutionary way.             

Resources

Maloy, R.W., Verock-O’Loughlin, R.E., Edwards, S.A., Woolf, B.P. (2014) Transforming Learning with New Technologies. Upper Saddle River: Pearson



Digital Badge #G

Online learning and virtual schools have changed the way students seek an education.  Students attending college or High School want a variety of choices, and the internet is offering those selections.  Individuals can take courses at home at their convenience and still get a valuable education.  Virtual schools allow High School students an option for learning at home and the flexibility to learn at their own pace.  As more colleges offer online classes, more students take the challenge of virtual learning.  It is becoming more the norm in education to take a classroom anywhere. 

There can be many reasons why students still in high school take online classes.  They learn at their own pace, and classes are programmed according to their interests and unique learning styles.   The convenience of not having to attend a typical classroom provides more time for extra curriculum activities or job opportunities.  Signing up for virtual courses has its pros and cons.  The student has to be self-discipline to fulfill their obligations and responsibilities.   This type of environment may not be for everybody because of the unusual arrangement.  In the long run, this exposure will prepare students for college schedules.  But regardless if they choose to opt for online courses, students should receive support at home in order to be successful.    

It seems that colleges are offering more online courses than ever before.  As I reviewed the classes I needed to take this semester, it seemed like there were more courses being offered online than the previous years.  I took my first online course during the summer and really liked the flexibility it provided.   Among the many advantages, I did not have to drive to and from the campus that not only saved me time but money on gas.  I opted to take more classes online for the fall semester, and as it turned out, I am currently taking three courses online.  I like the convenience and flexibility that online learning offers, but I would have preferred to have taken at least one course on campus.  The one I had chosen got canceled, and the only other option was to take it online.  I am getting used to the demanding schedule, but I admit that there are some weeks that I just want to give up!  I will struggle on because I made a commitment to myself and to my education. 

 Each student’s learning capabilities are different, and some may need supplemental instruction, so I applauded those of us who have decided to join the revolution and be a part of online learning.  I did not think that online classes were my cup of tea, but as it turns out, they are not so terrible.  As long as you are self-disciplined and able to multitask, anybody who decides to take online classes should be just fine.  I realize that some courses should be taken in person, but the possibilities of learning anywhere and anytime are growing.  We live in the technology age and should take advantages of its conveniences.  

 

  

 

Resources

Maloy, R.W., Verock-O’Loughlin, R.E., Edwards, S.A., Woolf, B.P. (2014) Transforming Learning with New Technologies. Upper Saddle River: Pearson

Digital Badge #F

Communication is essential.  So why are not enough teachers communicating electronically?  Having a blog or wiki to post information regarding a classroom makes fantastic sense.  Parents can log on to their child’s classroom page and know exactly what is due for homework and activities for the week.  Especially if a student forgets their assignment, all you have to do is make a few clicks and problem averted.  Let’s face it most families have smart phones or a computer at home; why not use the technology to be more involved in your child’s classroom.  Most districts allow you to log on to their site so parents can keep track of student progress.  Incorporating this type of communication in the classrooms could be very beneficial. 

Electronic mail is probably the second preferred communication method apart from using a telephone to call your child’s teacher.  But what if all you wanted was to ask a simple question regarding the upcoming homework, activity, or fieldtrip?  It would be more convenient for the parent and the teacher to have the information posted online with details and suggestions.  On the site, a parent could post a question, and the teacher could reply and update the page as needed.  Plenty of time would be saved this way by simply logging on to the classroom website.  As the book states, teachers know how important time is-there is never enough of it to teach everything students need to know (Maloy, 2014).  By applying synchronous communication and asynchronous communication, teachers can communicate information more effectively to students and parents.

I can see how using wikis as a collaborative learning strategy in the classroom can be very beneficial.  I struggled with my first wiki mostly likely because I am unfamiliar with the program.  Hopefully, I will improve my skills and be able to teach my students to develop their wiki one day.  Having a class work on an educational project and synthesizing their information using different forms of multimedia expressions is a great way to expose students of the possibilities technology has to offer.  This form of involvement will encourage students to improve their writing styles and be more creative.  I think it will also encourage technology citizenship and make students reflect on what they are posting.  

I did not realize there were so many wikis available for the whole world use.  I will keep improving my techniques as I continue my quest to become a tech savvy teacher for my future classroom.  It is pretty amazing to know there are different forms of communication at our fingertips.  Having virtual access to your child’s classroom is so beneficial at different levels.   Given these types of communication, families become more involved in their child’s progress and education.  Living in this digital age, we all have options that allow us to progress effortlessly when communicating.  Let us use it intelligently to our advantage. 

Resources:

Maloy, R. W. (2014). Transforming learning with new technologies. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.