Digital Badge #L

Technology Integration Stages and Issues:

Most of Lee County public schools classrooms I now take on the inclusion pattern when it comes to technology. The computer is only used for transferring information and practicing skills. Computers are only basically used to reinforce learning. When I think back on the reading from the text about a technology – integrated classroom I could only think how could our students reap the benefits of a technology- integrated classroom when we do not even have computers in every classroom, and students are now beginning to have laptops in the classroom, and even then not every grade level and every classroom have laptops. My daughter is in the 5^th grade and will have to take the writing portion of what use to be called the FCAT Writes now 4^th grade does not have to take it but, 5^th grade does and the test is on the computer it has to be typed. However, my daughter only have about 8 computers in her classroom and they are having to pick numbers everyday so every students learns how to type not only does the students have to learn to type they also have to consider typing speed the test will be timed.  I can say lee district schools are behind when it comes to this area. Over the last couple of years the schools received Smart boards in the classrooms. I cannot even say this is an administrative problem this issue goes beyond that. The teachers are willing to add technology to the classrooms however; they do not have the means to do so.

Integrating Technology to Address the Participation Gap:

            I like the books idea of bring your own technology device from home to schools however, what about the schools the schools that are in low income areas were the families do not even have laptops or tablets. I think this would be a great way to get students involved to want to come to school. I know some children like to go to school because it introduces them to a world beyond their means. School to them is an opportunity for a better lifestyle. Cooperative learning and group work I think is also a great idea this I know works and students love working in groups especially young children I saw in a heterogeneous classroom the higher level group of students working together with the lower level students helping each other. I thought this was a good idea I saw the improvement of the lower level students come up. I was amazed, but happy to see that!

Using the Technology you have successfully:

            Successfully using the technology you have I know goes a long ways like I mentioned earlier with the amount of computers in my daughter’s class the students and her teacher they are making the best with how many she has and she also sent a letter home with the students explaining the test to parents and asking them if students have access to computers at home if they could please work on the typing program. I agree with the book computers are mind tools filled with information almost compared to how we use to view a book and reading everything you you ever wanted to know was in a book all you had to do was discipline yourself enough to pick it up and read it .  The computer has taken the place of a book as far as information is concerned. In addition I have to also take into consideration computer literacy you have to know what you are looking for and how to find it. The computer is like an on book full of information you just have to know how to find what you are looking for. However, the computer is so much better and faster it can do this that a book cannot do as far as graphics and sound effects and much more.

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

http://flipquiz.me/u/tonyals/creating-change-as-teacher-leaders

Digital Badge #K

WebQuests, Virtual Field Trips, and Videoconferencing:

Although I have only noticed WebQuests, video conferencing used as a way to deliver professional development in the form of online courses from universities and publishers; and discussion boards; live chats like the military families way to communicate with their loved ones. I think WebQuests can be another excellent way to present information to students in a way that allows them to access information at their own convenience and at their own pace while utilizing the vast resources of the Internet. While previous Web Watch columns have typically focused on Internet resources for teachers, this column focuses on a particular resource for teachers that have direct implications for literacy teaching and learning for students. For me this is a new area of exploring however, I do like the fact that students nor teachers do not have to worry about not having the funding for field trip they can take virtual field trips around the world if they want too. I think this is cool I have been exploring with my daughter using Google Earth. Lee County Schools have not had the chance to explore this new area with the students yet it is still new. My daughter did not know about Google Earth.

Online Learning and Virtual Schools:

            Distance education is becoming a more vital part of the higher education family. Just about every major university offers some online courses. Distance education reaches a broader student audience, better addresses student needs opposed to traditional learning. Educators support online learning because of its unique abilities to provide students with enriched learning experiences, to extend learning beyond the school day, and to support more successful differentiated learning strategies that personalize students’ educational experiences. Additionally, as educators gain more experience with the approaches to and benefits of blended learning. Today’s digital native students expect their learning environment to include technology because it is an intrinsic part of their lives. I personally prefer blended learning opposed to the traditional learning environment. However, I do have some concerns when it comes to charter schools vs public education my concerns have to do with standards.  I worked at a charter school and the students were not on the same learning standards as the students attending lee county public schools. I am aware of that charter schools do not have to abide by district standards. Therefore when the students had to be placed in a lee county schools they we not up to grade level. I hope in the future this will change.

Educational Websites As Teaching Resources:

            Educational websites such as YouTube has been major teaching resources for not only teachers but as for students as well. I did not realize there were so many helpful website to go to for academic support help not only in math and reading but also in many of the other subjects. I think in this fast paced 21 century we need the resources to keep up. I have so little to say here because of all the information out there right now just a few clicks away.  I am still amazed at all the helpful websites to use. My only problem is how would you know where to find them? I try to keep up with the world of education because of the love I have for children but, even I did not know until now reading this chapter the different website resources I could have used them to help my son. My daughter is so amazed at the different science websites, she loves science thank you this chapter has been an eye opener for my family.  

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  

Digital Badge #J

Involving Students in learning and Assessment:

Learning is a complex process. It entails not only what students know but what they can do with what they know; it involves not only knowledge and abilities but values, attitudes, and habits of mind that affect both academic success and performance beyond the classroom. Assessment should reflect these understandings I think by employing a diverse array of methods including those that call for actual performance, using them over time so as to reveal change, growth, and increasing degrees of integration. Such an approach aims for a more complete and accurate picture of learning, and therefore firmer bases for improving our students' educational experience. Assessment requires attention to outcomes but also an equally to the experiences that lead to those outcomes. Information about outcomes is of high importance; where students "end up" matters greatly I think speaking as a parent. But to improve outcomes, we need to know about student experience along the way about the curricula, teaching, and kind of student effort that lead to particular outcomes. Assessment can help understand which students learn best under what conditions; with such knowledge comes the capacity to improve the whole of their learning. I have seen the theory of this come to life at my children school for the past seven years. My children have student led conferences that the student led the parents into and it also shows a reflection of their work for the entire quarter along with the objectives. I have seen samples of all their work and grades for every report card this is a requirement the school set in place to not only involve the students, but also the parents. My daughter is now in fifth grade and this has been in place since she started in the pre-K with Tropic Isles Elementary School. This schools motto says Assessment is most effective when it reflects an understanding of learning as multidimensional, integrated, and revealed in performance over time. This way they show what they have said.   

Portfolios and Reflection:

I personally have an interest in this subject so I choose this area not knowing a lot about portfolios and reflections. I have done portfolios for classes however; I have not done any to show my accomplishments for career reflection this is where I would like to know more information about since this is my last semester of general education classes before I begin classes within my career focus. I have experience in the field of education but, I still have not put anything together to set me aside from other candidate’s coming into the field of education with no experience. I would like to learn how to put together a portfolio for this purpose. Portfolio contains samples of the learner's work and shows growth over time. An important keyword is reflection: By reflection on their own work, learners begin to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their own work (self-assessment). The weaknesses then become improvement goals. In portfolio assessment it is the quality that counts, not the quantity. I know different schools may create different forms of portfolios. Some schools create portfolios that are a representative sample of the learners' work, while other schools use the portfolios as an assessment tool that can be an alternative to classical classroom tests and standardized teacher evaluation. I personally have an interest in Reflections portfolio assessment the learners reflect on their own work. The reflections should say something about why the learners have made the choices they have made in the portfolio, and describe the method used to arrive at the final result. If two learners submit the same work for assessment, the individual reflections may make the difference. Even if a learner has failed with the content presented in the assessment portfolio to a certain degree, he or she might be rewarded for mature reflections on the work. I learned I my career preparation class that this is how employer’s select candidate’s in the world of Business for jobs. Portfolios look better than resumes sometimes there are your resume.

Revealing Misconceptions:

Students do not come to school as blank slates to be filled with instruction. Rather, they come to school with considerable knowledge, some correct and some not. Either way, that knowledge is based on intuition, every-day experience, as well as what they have been taught in other settings. Since a considerable amount of our knowledge is organized by subject matter (mathematics, science, etc.), so too are our preconceptions when it comes to building on concepts learned I think. Before beginning instruction on any new topic, teachers need to know their students’ preconceptions because learning, and therefore instruction itself, varies depending on whether students’ preconceptions agree with the concepts being taught or contradict those concepts. I see this a lot with my son he builds new concepts on how his teachers has taught him to do different subject such as math if it’s not said to him similar to the way the teacher taught the lesson to him in class he becomes confused, and will say I’ll ask my teacher when I go back to school or he will say that’s not the way we did it in class mommy. So it is sometimes hard for me to teach him when I do not know how the lesson was taught in class. I think when teachers can see where the misconceptions are happening student learning and achievement can increase when teachers better understand their students’ thinking about a concept. Furthermore, when teachers listen to and comprehend student thinking, it can expand their understanding of the subject matter, change their beliefs on how to teach, modify their practices and contribute to their professional growth. I know this works it happened for me in the college prep math lab on campus and my professor Ms. Eggleston took me from college prep math all the way to college math by learning the way I learned and helped me to pass not only college prep math but also college math.

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


http://flipquiz.me/quiz/12217