Final Blog for EDU 531

There are many possibilities that a teacher may explore concerning the using of technology in the classroom. Engaging students is a necessity for any grade level and any subject. There is always going to be a student who excels at a particular topic, there is always going to be a student who struggles. By properly engaging a student, a teacher has the opportunity reach the struggling student and help to propel the excelling student. Using technology in the classroom the teacher is able to utilize different mediums and techniques to engage their students. One thing to remember about being a teacher of adolescences is the fact that they are highly motivated by their interests. If a teacher is able to incorporate television, music, pop culture, video games and fashion into a lesson, there is more of a chance the student will pay closer attention—they will learn more. By exploring the children’s interests and displaying this information via internet and internet related assignments, the children are more likely to have their interests peaked.

Not only are students excited by technology, but all fun aside, technology is becoming increasingly prominent in the world, therefore; using technology in the classroom, and advising children how to use it properly and efficiently, is becoming necessary, rather than just optional. In all aspects of society technology is becoming more and more prevalent. The way of the future is geared toward technology. At this point in history, it is likely that students know more about technology than the teachers, simply because the kids grew up in this generation, rather than trying to catch up after the fact like some older adults. The entertainment and the education of the new generation of students is highly inspired by technology, so it is imperative for children to learn now how to navigate through the technological possibilities so that they can use technology to their full capabilities as adults.

Using technology in the class can also enhance the lesson itself. There are limitless possibilities of relating the material’s message when utilizing the power of informational technology. A teacher can assist children in a lesson as well as offer possible options for assignment completion. As stated earlier the ability to use technology in the classroom allows children to use the tools they enjoy using to complete a required assignment. Using technology in the classroom appeals to all sorts of learners too. For visual learners, the option of an interactive whiteboard is possible. For hands-on learners, they have the option of creating their own projects and watching their ideas build right in front of their eyes. Kinesthetic learners benefit from technological learning because they are able to use multifaceted ways of gaining and expressing the material at hand.

Technology makes the classroom a better environment for both student and teacher. I feel fortunate in having had the opportunity to have taken this EDU 531 class. In this class we had begun to explore the world of the technologically advanced classroom was a pleasure and was full of exciting new information.

Literature Review II

College Quarterly

Winter 2009 - Volume 12 Number 1Using Videos to Bring Lecture to the Online Classroom

by Gail D. Hughes http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/EJ864472.pdf

For my second Literature Review I chose to read an academic journal from 2009 that goes over the different ways that teachers utilize technology in the classroom. This article gives in-depth instruction on how to prepare and record and present a video lecture. This article is geared towards instructors or interested readers in online classes. As a student myself I have become very involved with online courses and all that is possible because of them. There is misconception with online courses; that they are boring or slow or too much is required of the student. On the contrary, there is many things that can be taught and learned through an online class but the student must be able to be self-motivated; similarly the instructor must be able to keep the student engaged. This article goes over how instructors are instructed in learning how to utilize technology in the classroom.

Distance learning is becoming a more utilized form of learning because it offers the ability to cross time and space and still be able to be educated from a University and by a credentialed instructor. The flexibility of both time and place allows a broader population to participate in higher education; especially adult learners. Both students and instructors find their traditional roles and responsibilities shifting as online learning becomes more learner-centered where the task of instructors is facilitating learning more so than transferring knowledge (Hughes). An online instructor can expect a student to be able to locate information on the internet but it is also their job to teach the student how to learn on their own, rather than just giving abstract information for review or memorization. Online courses offer many possibilities of becoming self-educated.

Another great thing about online courses is the ability to reach many different types of learning styles- technology makes it available and utilizable for all different learning styles. Students with different abilities are able to be shown different ways of associating the material whether it be hands on, visual, kinesthetic, and auditory. Online learning can be monotonous and a lot of individual reading is required. Online lectures through video offer the chance to see and hear instructor as if the traditional classroom exists. Some students, myself included, do like the face time with the teacher. I find a good lecture can be very educational and informative and entertaining. In class lecture as a part of a learning experience is necessary. In an online class this is not always an option. The ability to offer a video lecture to your online classroom is an added perk to the online course experience. This way face time is still available, discussions on the lecture can be done in a discussion board type of program and online students do not have to attend class at a specific time; instead, they may review the content when it is most convenient for them (Hughes).

The rest of the document goes on to how to prepare, record, and present your video lecture. I was not as interested in the technicalities of this article as much as I was with the substance that these types of educational situations relate. Technology is advancing at a great rate and with the option of online learning and interaction via internet, it is not only advancing the ability to learn for the student but it is also enriching with quality of education one may get from technology learning. As a potential future teacher I find the possibilities endless and interesting in technological terms. It is very important for a teacher to be aware of what options are available and how to use these tools so that the information can be passed to the student. Even as a teacher one is constantly learning and becoming more educated themselves. Technology opens up new doors for student and teacher alike.

Literature Review

“Teaching Online Made Me a Better Teacher": Studying the Impact of Virtual Course Experiences on Teachers' Face-to-Face Practice.” By, M. D. Roblyer, Marclyn Porter, Talbot Bielefeldt, and Martha B. Donaldson http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/EJ844209.pdf

I decided to read and review an article that I found on ERIC through the Shapiro Library’s EBSCOHOST. After searching for a while to find the perfect document to review I stumbled upon the article, “Teaching Online Made Me a Better Teacher": Studying the Impact of Virtual Course Experiences on Teachers' Face-to-Face Practice.” This article takes an in-depth look at how online instruction can help the classroom teacher better navigate through technology and still be able to deliver a lesson and a message to their students.

I was not aware that there were so many K-12 classrooms that took advantage of virtual learning but the article stated that, “that in 2004–2005, there were an estimated 506,950 technology-based distance education course enrollments in public school districts.” I found this statistic to amazing. I know that as a student on the university level, it is mandatory for most students to interact with the classroom and the instructor through the web, but I did not realize that it was this prevalent in the secondary educational world as well. It is a known fact that students at the secondary level do not always put 100% of their effort and thought into an in class discussion. Homework is not always completed in the best effort either. The article that I read for this blog stated, “In asynchronous discussions, students had more time to think about their discussions … (which) improved the depth and quality of responses.”

However, this article did not focus so much on the great impact that the technology had on student but on the teachers themselves. In a world where the majority of teachers in today’s classroom did not receive their education in a technologically advanced classroom, it is imperative that they learn through continuing education of some sort. By being an instructor through technological means, it not only strengthened their competency with the computer and all of its applications, but also made the teacher a more prominent figure in the real-life classroom.

I think that it is an exciting time to be studying education and learning how technology can be integrated into classroom to accommodate the 21^st century students. It is also challenging as technology has grown in relevance in the current years, and it can be difficult to be at the same competency level as some student who have grown up in this era. The best educational tool for teachers is to gain personal experience and the article written by M. D. Roblyer, Marclyn Porter, Talbot Bielefeldt, and Martha B. Donaldson, makes that very evident.

Ciao, Jenna

Digital Nation

I was very intrigued with the profiling that was done of South Korea's struggle with Internet addiction. It was interesting that children of such a young age were able to access these "PC" bars for all hours of the night. When it is really taken into consideration is there really a difference between these Internet bars and drinking bars? I guess that is up for debate. I ti s sort of shocking that the country has become so engulfed in the online lifestyle. Although the United States has not gotten to quite that extreme, I do not believe that it is impossible for our society to face such a challenge in the future.

It was also interesting to see the MIT students with their lifestyles so wrapped in technology media. In class how is one to really hear what the instructor is saying, or really get a substantial education from the information being displayed when Facebook and E-Mail is on in front of the student's face. Self control and organization is a must but self control is not always a high point for college aged individuals.

After watching the first half of this documentary, I am a little confused on my take on technology in the education system. When first viewing the videos made available on youtube.com I was taken aback with just how important it really is to incorporate these media in education. Now after viewing this documentary, I am a little nervous as to where I stand in regards to technology in the classroom. I guess South Korea was learning from their mistakes and teaching their students at a young age to respect the Internet, but at the same time they had to hit bottom to reach that conclusion. Is it possible for America to learn from the mistakes of others rather than see our own society fall prey to disadvantages that technology can at times offer?

About Me

I do not claim to be technologically advanced. I laughed out loud when reading Digital Immigrants because I am definitely that person who will print out a document to revise rather than make the changes on the monitor. Although I am fluent in Facebook, I am ignorant to Twitter. I think I had joined a blogging site at one time back when technology hovered at about AOL 4.0, but it was called "Open Diary" and was very juvenile.

So anyway, I have read the articles on Digital education and the changes that are taking place within the education systems concerning technology. Although these advancements are rather exciting and as a prospective teacher, I would desire to "engage" my students. I will admit that I fall behind the curve when it comes to things like "pod casts" or "digital; story telling." I do own an iPod am was ecstatic when i realized my car had an "aux" jack for me to listen to the thing out loud.

I am a graduate student at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, NH. I have recently graduate the Bachelor's program with a degree in English Language and Literature. I will admit that I am a little old school about education and I prefer to hand write my essays, which is exactly what I did for my final in my last class of the degree.

I work full time at an insurance company providing quality customer service to our members. I do not wish to get into great detail about my employment, but just know that I hate it and cannot wait for my education to really propel me into the education field. I also work part time at a Brazilian Steakhouse, which I love, but it takes up any last possible second i may have for freedom, therefore I resent it as well. I love English, I love kids, I hate working. What better job than to be a teacher, right? HA! I think I may be in for a bit of a surprise...

I currently reside in Derry, NH but will be moving again within the next couple of months. I find it hard to live in any one place for longer than a year at most so I am constantly shuffling my material possessions and 2 cats from apartment to apartment. Its hectic but it adds a certain flair to my life and personality that I feel would be lacking otherwise.

Anyway, I look forward to advancing my knowledge about the digital media and how it can be applied to the education system, and essentially to my life. I am more than eager to polish off my old typing fingers and get our assignments underway! I look forward to our future discussions and interactions!

Yours,
Jenna Moore