Prompt #10

I read Chapter 9 on Mathematics. I would integrate technology into math class in ways to make math more visual. By using graphing calculators or online programs, we can visualize what the math means through shapes, graphs, or representations, making it much easier to actually comprehend the meaning of the math. Additionally, in younger grades I would also use online math games to make the kids more interested in math. There are an abundance of games and fun ways to learn basic math online. With younger kids with potentially short attention spans, but large interests in digital games, I think that would best engage them in math. For older students, I think technology could best be used in math by introducing a flipped-classroom setting like I discussed in an earlier post. I think math is the best subject for that because it gives students a chance to work through difficult problems in class with guidance from the teacher and more one-on-one help. I think blogs are a good tool too, because it seems like math is a subject that is lacking in peer discussion. Blogs would help students branch out in their discussions. Lastly, to engage older students in learning math, I agree with the video that it is important to make math seem meaningful. I think using technology with math would help to show that math is still relevant in the digital world.

Prompt #9

Another critical issue is Issue #10: Memorization in the Digital Age. While I think there are some things that still should be memorized, for the most part I believe we don't need to memorize facts in the digital age. I do think we still need to know the very basic facts we learn early on in life, such as the meanings of words and numbers, big effects in history, or how to do daily tasks. I also think we need to know how to use both the technological and physical tools around us that can help us gain new information. However, once we have this small foundation, I don't think there's a need for straight forward memorization. We have all the information we need at our finger tips thanks to today's technology; what's more important is that we are able to understand and apply it. Like it was pointed out, straight memorization without understanding why things are true or important does not stay in our memory for long. There will likely never be a time we have to recall the names of every bone in our body, the capital of Delaware, or the exact date George Washington was elected president, without our smart phone nearby. What we will have to do is know how to access correct information quickly when we need it and understand its real and potential effects on our lives.

Yet my opinion – that most facts memorized in school are unnecessary – is only theoretical due to the many national and state standards for curricula and the stress on standardized testing. Because of factors like these, it makes it nearly impossible to get to college and be hired for a career without memorizing all these facts.

Prompt #8

One critical issue in technology is Issue #3: Podcasting. I think podcasting should replace lectures in classrooms. I would use podcasting in order to create a flipped classroom where the original learning can be done as homework via podcast, while class time is spent applying that knowledge for better understanding. One way podcasts can be more effective at teaching than a lecture can be, is that students can watch and re-watch it at their own pace. Each student can spend the most time trying to understand the concepts most difficult to them, while not wasting time on things they already understand. The counterpoint says that learning is not as active through a podcast as it would be in a lecture. However, if the students use podcasts to learn the basic information at home, they can come to class the next day to actively participate in discussions and get help with difficult problems to help them understand even better. By using class time for the traditional way of lecturing, it leaves students stranded with no help on their homework and application of their knowledge when they get home. I think too that the most important reason podcasts are a better way of learning in this age is because students don't need teachers to hand them knowledge anymore. Information can be found anywhere at any time. Rather, they need teachers to guide them in applying that information once they have it.

Prompt #7

According to Wayne Gretzky's belief, we need to be one step ahead in order to be successful. I think the future of technology will be so expansive, that we need to explore as many types of safe technology as we can. Therefore I think we should be "skating" toward all six up-coming technologies and many more in order to expose students to as large of a variety of digital examples as we can. I think schools are one of the best places to use cloud computing because it will be an easy and effective way for large groups of students to all have access to a big variety of the same controlled information and programs. I also think we should look toward online ways to increase collaborative learning. Like they touched on in the "Using Online Games for Learning" video, the online world is the way youth interacts these days, so it is important to show them how to participate in group projects through technological devices. Game-based learning is effective because it captures the attention of kids. Due to students' taste for technology, using digital game-based learning will engage them in learning even more. I think mobile devices like cell phones and tablets are the biggest tools we should try to use because that is what we carry around with us everywhere. Using these will help better show how to learn in our everyday lives as well. The augmented reality device I liked best was the Wikitude World Browser because it connects people with the world in a very clear way. Lastly, I believe the new ways to use flexible displays should be used in the classroom because it will make virtual information even more convenient.

Prompt #6

Throughout my life, I have seen technology grow in the classroom and even more so in society itself. To sum it up, technology has changed from being just another tool, to the center of every-day life. When I was younger almost everyone had TVs and computers but they weren't used in nearly as many ways as today, so they weren't viewed as essential. I think the biggest change in my lifetime was the rise of cell phones and the increase in their capabilities. Technology has evolved to become much more interactive as well. Before, watching programs or getting information online were common uses. But now there are many more opportunities to communicate with others, share your own ideas, and create your own works. It has changed in the classroom in similar ways, but in unique ways too. One video in Chapter 3 told that in the past, classroom technology was centered around presentation of information. Now it revolves around access to information. In my own life, I've definitely seen this change. When I was younger, I watched movies and paid attention to the overhead. Technology used to be the most common in younger grades in the forms of educational programs. Currently, it seems to me like the most technology is used in high school and college and is indeed much more based on research and learning new ways to get to information.

Prompt #5

The first standard for teachers is to be able to make students excited about learning. One way to use technology to achieve this is by using it in ways that help them understand lessons better. For example the reason the Chemistry Discovery Center makes students more determined to learn is because it uses technology to aid in their understanding, which boosts their confidence. We should also creatively use technology that kids think is fun in order to make them look forward to learning. The second standard focuses on creating ways for students to learn on their own. Before recent technology, this was much harder because the students didn't have access to their own information; they only had the teacher to inform them. In order to achieve the second standard, we must use technology such as the internet to open up as many possible ways for them to learn as we can. The last three standards target the idea of teachers being digital role models for their students. Teachers must keep exploring technology on their own and understand that it's important to try out the latest tools to keep up with their students, to meet standard five. Then they must demonstrate these skills to the students with technology useful in the real word, to reach standard three. Once again, in working toward all the rest teachers will be able to demonstrate digital citizenship and responsibility also, as long as they stress that though technology is fun, it is a serious matter as well.