Technology Class Overview

When this class started, I didn't have a big understanding on what technology integration was. I thought of technology integration as something smaller than it actually is. I did not know how many requirements there actually were to use technology in the classroom. I also did not know that classrooms are becoming more digitally-enriched environments. One of the most important concepts I learned in this class was how to use technology to collaborate in the classroom. There were several tools I learned about that allow students to collaborate together whether it is by sharing thoughts or their research on a group project. I also learned a lot about the Copyright and Fair Use regulations. Before this class, I thought I knew about Copyright laws, but I learned that it is a lot more in depth than I thought. I will definitely make sure I follow the four rules for Fair Use when I am in the classroom and out of the classroom. I am planning to use social media in my classroom in small doses. I didn't think that using social media in the classroom was a beneficial thing to do, but now I have learned how I can use it to benefit the students. After taking this course, I definitely have a more positive view on technology integration in the classroom. I haven't always thought technology was the best for children, but I have learned that there are more pros to it than I thought there were. If technology integration is used properly in the classroom, then students will be inspired to learn. Technology integration in the classroom is no longer an option, so I will make sure I am confident in the digital tools I choose to use in my classroom.

Accessibility and Digital Equity

The topic of accessibility and digital equity is definitely a new topic for me. Before taking this course, I hadn't given much thought to this subject. I knew that as teachers we are required to make sure all of our students' needs are met no matter what disability they have or where they come from. Meeting our students needs sounds easier than it actually is. After reading this article "AIM For Digital Equity," by Gayle Bowser and Joy Zabala, I learned a lot more about what meeting our students needs looks like when it comes to digital equity. One concept that I learned from this article is that the switch from textbooks and paper to more digital technology in the classroom could leave behind some learning barriers, but could also create new ones. Teachers are required to provide accessible instructional materials (AIM). These materials may be screen readers, closed captioning, or alternative text. The main point is that there are going to be students in every classroom who have an identified disability and those who have unidentified disabilities. I think it is important that teachers have to be ready to meet students needs whether they are visually impaired or hearing impaired. It seems that there are a lot of resources to help educators in this area as well. To ensure online accessibility for all of my digital content I will include ChromVox or a tool similar to it on every computer in the classroom. I will also provide closed captioning on all of the videos I use in class so that the students can read what is being said in the videos. I will definitely add these tools to all of the digital content being used in class before the school year begins. This is important to do because even though my roster might not specify anyone with a disability, it is better to be prepared than to have to add the tools later.

Social Media in Education?

Should Twitter or other social media websites be used in the classroom? What are the benefits of educators having a Twitter account? What lines should teachers draw while using social media in the class? These are a few of the questions that were discussed in the four articles: "13 Great Twitter Chats Every Educator Should Check Out", "Using Twitter to Break Down Classroom Isolation", "Teachers, Students, and Social Media: Where is the Line?", and "Can Tweeting Help Your Teaching?" Before I began reading these articles about Twitter and other social media websites, I would have to say that I had a negative view on Twitter. I thought of it as just another social media option. As I kept reading the articles, my opinions slowly began to change. One argument that was made in "Using Twitter to Break Down Classroom Isolation" and "Can Tweeting Help Your Teaching?", was the fact that Twitter is helpful because it is quick and easy. Since the posts are a maximum of 140 characters, teachers can get information quickly and concisely. This would be extremely beneficial because I know that as a teacher I will already be busy and pressed for time, so it would be hard for me to get insight and information through reading blogs (which are longer). These articles made me believe that social media in the classroom could be very beneficial for my future students. The term "social media" doesn't always have to have a negative connotation to it. There definitely needs to be boundaries established when it is being used, but teachers can also use it to model to their students how to build a positive digital fingerprint. One of the pros of using social media in the classroom is that it can keep the students more engaged while learning. It is also a quick way for students/teachers to gather information about each other and current issues in the news. Teachers can use it to stay connected to other teachers and gain support from them as well. One con of using social media in the classroom is not managing it correctly. If the teacher doesn't set boundaries and guidelines for the students, then using social media could be more harmful than beneficial. It could also be a con if social media becomes overused in the classroom and takes the place of face to face discussion or pencil and paper exercises. When I use social media in my classroom I will use it for the students to become more connected to one another. I will also use it to post thought provoking questions at the end of the day that they can respond to as homework. I will definitely use it so that I can get support from other educators during my first few years of teaching. Social media can be beneficial to educators and students as long as it is used correctly. http://thejournal.com/articles/2013/09/23/13-twitter-chats-for-educators.aspx https://suite.io/david-r-wetzel/1kg320x http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2014/04/09/facebook-teachers-twitter-students-schools/7472051/ http://www.nea.org/home/32641.htm

The "Flipped" Classroom

These two articles on the "Flipped" classroom, provided me with a lot of detailed information on the concept of this classroom. I have only heard of the concept of the flipped classroom once or twice before, and I didn't know much about it. The "Flipped Classroom" is where teachers provide the students with video lectures to watch at home. After the students watch the lesson, they come to class the next day and work on in class exercises. The teacher is there to answer questions and provide the students with individual attention. After reading the articles, it seems that it could be a helpful way of learning for a lot of students. I like this kind of classroom because the students are doing exercises in class and hands on activities. From what I have experienced, the majority of people learn the most when they have to figure the concept out through hands on activities and other in class exercises. I agree when article "7 Things You Should Know About Flipped Classrooms" says that in this type of classroom the students have to take responsibility for their learning. There is no room for students to sit in class and "participate passively". This is an important part of the classroom model because the students who may float by in class will not be able to float by any longer. The students may not like the idea of this classroom because it may seem like more work for them, but in the long run I can see them learning concepts on a deeper level. One problem I had with the flipped classroom model is that it requires students to have a computer or some type of technological device at their house. Students who come from a lower socioeconomic background may have trouble if they don't have access to a computer to watch the lessons at home. I wouldn't want the students who don't have access to computers to be singled out in a class where a lot of the students do have access to such devices. Also, as long as the teacher puts time and effort into the lessons that the students watch, I think that this classroom model will be successful. I would like to observe a class that is a "flipped" classroom to see how it works, and ask the students what they like or don't like about it.

Should Students Be Able to Access the Internet During Test Taking?

After reading the article by James Cash and Jeffery Star, I have some new opinions on whether or not students should be able to use the internet during the test. When I first looked at the title of the article I was caught off guard. I wondered who would actually think this is a good idea. After I read the "Yes" side of the article, I got some more insight on why the internet could be helpful. The authors commented that the internet should be able to be used during tests because it would mean that the teachers have to create tests that test knowledge beyond basic facts. This is definitely true. If a teacher were to allow his or her students to access the internet while testing, the test would need to be different than most tests. The idea of testing whether or not the students are able to apply their knowledge in different situations is better than testing if a student knows basic facts. If the internet is going to be allowed during tests, there should be a time limit on the test. Although my opinion on the issue has changed a little bit, I still agree with the "No" side of the article. I think that the internet just doesn't need to be used during tests. It is used in so many other areas of our lives, and we can do without it during an hour long test. I might also have this view because I successfully finished Elementary School, Middle School, High School, and College without using internet on tests. Students still learn everything they need to even if they don't use the internet while testing. If the internet is used while testing, and the students know that it is available, then they will use it more as a crutch. I also agree with the article because the internet has a lot of distractions. As much as students would say they wouldn't get distracted during the tests, it is bound to happen. As much as using the internet during tests sounds like it would be great idea, I think it would create more problems.

Journal Assignment # 2 Digital Citizenship

After reading these three articles on digital citizenship, I realized that there was a lot more about the topic than I thought I knew. One theme that all three articles had in common was the idea that once something is put on the internet it can never completely go away. There are many steps that people can take to try and remove pictures or text from the internet, but there is only so much that can be done. This is important to know because there are a lot of high school and middle school students that think it is okay to post inappropriate pictures online as long as they are private. The point that these articles made was that if there is something even a little bit questionable, and you wouldn't want your mom or other adults to see, then don't put it on the internet at all. I don't think that teenagers understand the affect their digital footprint can have on their lives before it's too late. Another theme these articles had in common was the fact that more businesses and colleges are looking up possible candidates online before making decisions. Although some of the universities said that it is not worth the time to research possible students, the fact that some schools still take the time means that students need to be careful. These articles have helped me realize the importance of building a positive digital footprint. I have never been one to put pictures that were inappropriate online. I was taught by my parents at a young age about the importance of posting positive pictures and text online. I would say that I have a positive digital footprint, and after reading these articles I am more determined to keep it that way. When I looked myself up online on different websites, I actually didn't find much information at all. I thought this was a good thing at first, but now I will work on building a professional digital footprint. I want future employers to see papers, projects, or research that I was involved in when they search my name online. One step I will take with students to help them build a positive image is to have multiple talks with them on the issue. I don't want the topic to simply be addressed because it has to, but I want the topic to be addressed so that they will benefit from it. Every time I have my class do something online, there will be an opportunity to teach them about creating a positive digital footprint. I will also make sure that I know as much as I can on the issue so that I can answer any questions they have. I will also make sure parents know that the students are learning about digital citizenship in the classroom so that they too can have discussions about the topic at home. It might be beneficial for me to send home a parent letter about why digital citizenship will be addressed in the classroom.

Journal Assignment #1 Educational Technology

After reading this article about Educational Technology, I have more of a positive outlook on the use of technology in the classroom. I have never been completely against the use of technology in the classroom, but I have always wondered what the real benefits are and how affective it actually is for the students. One thing that I learned that I didn't know before is that when teachers use computers, they should use them to help the students develop " higher thinking skills," as opposed to drilling them on their multiplication facts or spelling words. The article also made me feel more confident about using technology with my students because it seemed to be backed up with strong research and positive results.

One section of the article that I learned while I was in my education classes at Westmont was the social aspect of technology. Students get the opportunity to learn about what their fellow classmates are thinking and learning, and they can provide instant feedback. I think that communicating on blogs and tools such as Padlet can be beneficial to students and teachers because not every student has to speak out loud, and the teacher can see all of the students' thoughts in one place. I also agree with the part of the article that says technology not only stretches the students learning but the teacher's as well. It is beneficial for the teacher to use technology because they are being challenged at the same time too. Overall, technology in the classroom seems to be beneficial for the teacher and students if it is embraced properly.