EDTC 6037 - Team Blog

Current Technology Strategies My goal as an educator is to integrate technology in a way that allows the students to create. Our district is 1:1 with Chromebooks, and therefore the students have the opportunities to create as needed. This allows the students to problem solve, work in groups, and teachers can assess their students with rubrics designed around their finished products. My vision and goal follow under a more constructivist theory. This approach helps grow our students into problem solvers. Chart 2.2 Directive and Constructivist Instructional Needs, Methods, and Assessment help compare the two theories. Looking at the chart, my vision is definitely aligned with cooperative groups, problem-solving, and problem-oriented activities, yet as an educator, students are held to standards and are required to show their knowledge through a state-mandated test. Therefore although my vision aligns with the constructivist theories, it does not mean I would exclude directed theorie...

Reflection on Existing Technology Integration Strategies In my computer science course, I used a lot of directed learning strategies to get students to learn the material that needed to be covered in the unit. For example, I used YouTube videos to show students concrete examples of how programming structures applied to real-world problems, such as managing a classroom of students. The videos were helpful because students that were absent or needed reinforcement could watch the videos at their own pace to learn the material. For skill fluency, I used CodingBat problems, which were designed to be just like batting practice -- practicing a skill over and over again with different problems in order to increase student confidence. What was nice about CodingBat was that it was an online tool that gave students immediate feedback on the material as they were trying out the problems and they could see how they needed to modify the program in order to incorporate all possible test cases fo...

Educational Technology In my view, educational technology is the use of technology resources with the integration of curriculum and pedagogy to provide meaningful learning experiences for students. After reading about the five perspectives of educational technology, I felt like my view was supported the most with perspective five technology as a learning science. I can relate with the learning scientist who builds technology experiences connected with authentic, real, and simulated problems. However, I do not believe that every integration of technology needs to revolve around problem-based learning. I do believe that, as educators, we need to find ways for our students to become creators. As I work with teachers, I have seen technology used mostly for students to consume more often than create. In a recent staff development, I asked the teachers to share their most memorable moments from school. Each and every teacher, no matter what their age, referenced a time that they were cr...

Definition of Educational Technology I believe educational technology are tools and resources that are used to support learners in mastering learning objectives. General Viewpoints After reading chapter 1 see myself leaning more towards perspective two: educational technology as instructional systems and instructional design and perspective five: educational technology as learning sciences. I believe that technology is a valuable part of education if used appropriately. The text breaks down educational technology as having technology components- hardware, software, and support/expertise, as well as educational components- theories, pedagogy, and curriculum. Figure 1.1 from the text shows an awesome visual of this. When all of these components are being used and addressed then technology has been successfully integrated. When just incorporating a few, such as uploading a worksheet to Google classroom you have not integrated technology, just used it. When planning instruction we ne...

Learning Theory & Technology Integration 1. My classroom consists of one Smartboard and one desktop computer.  We use the Smartboard to make it a tool for our student's needs. Even though we have one computer and limited access to laptops cart there are ways to integrate the one device by navigating to interactive websites like BrainPop, virtual math manipulatives and Skype for global learning in World History. My students learn better with directed instructions.  Directed instructions are teacher-organized activities that provide structure to meet the need of the students.  Instructional Strategies  I would like to enhance in the cooperative learning areas with my students.  By allowing students to work more in small groups to complete tasks or projects. The tasks would be structured so that each group member contributes to the completion of the task.  For the students that go off campus on job sites, the portfolio development would be hel...

B2: Technology Integration:  Educational technology is a resource used to enhance learning with individuals. Educational technology is known to help teachers streamline routines tasks and improve assessments and data collection.  Strategy A: Preparing Students for State Tests  e xplains how Mr. Ng's used computer-based programs such as drills, tutorials, simulations, and problem-solving activities that the students could access in their classrooms to prepare the students for assessments and testing.  Strategy B: Simulated Family Project  Mrs. Rodriguez implemented a "wage earner" spreadsheet to help her students learn about "making ends meet" In the classroom, technology could be effective for pedagogical change, as students use technology to take a more active role in designing their own education, and teachers serve as facilitators of knowledge rather than the transmitters. Technology also has the potential to transform learning outside of the classroom...

Definition of educational technology I believe that educational technology are  tools that are used to aid learners in achieving an outcome.  I feel that "aid learners in achieving an outcome" is extremely important, as we find that teachers sometimes use technology with a minimal impact on student outcomes and learning. For example, using Canvas to collect assignments is a usage of technology, but it begs the question of whether or not it helps students achieve a learning outcome. However, if a teacher uses Canvas to deliver formative assessments such as exit tickets, then uses the data to give students feedback and/or reteaching opportunities, then this is an appropriate use of educational technology. General Viewpoints After reading the textbook and looking at the 5 perspectives concerning educational technology, I find that I resonate most with perspective 4: educational and instructional computing and perspective 5: educational technology as learning sciences...