End of Year Reflection

This semester I have learned a lot about integrating technology into education. Before having this class I did not know all of the technological tools that can be used to enhance learning experiences. I also didn't realize that students of today are so technologically based and that their favorite and most understanding way to learn is through technology. Tools are going to keep getting better and better and each generation is going to out tech the other. Therefore we must prepare our students for the future. This does not mean that everything a student should do on the computer or with technology, but in almost every article I have read and from personal experience when technology is used correctly, it really does enhance lessons. I had a lot of fun making this final project. Students will learn a lot and have fun with the tools that they can use. I am going to definitely incorporate a lot more technology and use so many more tools now that I have taken this class. Not only did I get to learn about new tools and ways to integrate technology into my classroom, but we got to discuss as a a class, our opinions about how much technology should be used and hear what other professionals had to say themselves. I have come so far in understanding how to correctly use technology in the classroom just from taking this class. I had never even used a blogging site before and every single assignment I turned in is on here. Technology is also a great way to connect to the NETS for students and teachers and standards. With this last big project I just did I found my project being able to relate to every single NET for both students and teachers. This class was VERY helpful to me!!

Assignment #5 Part 2

NETS for students 1. Creativity and Innovation *Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues 2. Communication and Collaboration * Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats 3. Research and Information Fluency * Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. Process data and report results These are just three of the NETS. But the project really falls under all of the standards. The students demonstrate creativity when they created their crime scenes. I decided to give them a broad spectrum when it comes to picking their crime scene so they can do honestly whatever they want that is appropriate. I had so much fun being creative in coming up with the project. They also use creativity in creating their power points as well. Communication and collaboration was shown with their use of digital media and working as a group. They showed their skills in video taping and power point. Each student contributed to the project. They used Research and Information fluency because they used technology to collaborate all of the information. They evaluated the fingerprints on the slideshow. They used new information they learned about fingerprints and applied it to find the culprit. They are reporting the results to the class after processing the fingerprint data. NETS for teachers 3. Model Digital Age Work and Learning *Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society Model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning 2. Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments *Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS·S. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity Once again, all of the teachers NETS for this project can relate to all for this project. I modeled digital age work and learning by showing them an example of how to make a video and using editing skills on Mac Video. This whole project incorporates using digital tools and resources.I also showed designing and developing digital age learning experiences and assessments. I found this project authentic and a way in which kids could really express themselves. They are analyzing the information on the screen by showing the way to read and interpret fingerprints. Kids have lots of fun making videos and it puts a fun spin on it rather than just writing a paper about a crime scene but they also have to show and share what they have learned about fingerprints and crime scenes (forensics). Standards Grade Level: 9-12 EALR 3: Application Big Idea: Application (APP) Core Content: Science, Technology, and Society Description: In prior grades students learn to work with other members of a team to apply the full process of technological design and relevant science concepts to solve problems. In grades 9-12 students apply what they have learned to address societal issues and cultural differences. Students learn that science and technology are interdependent, that science and technology influence society, and that society influences science and technology. Students continue to increase their abilities to work with other students and to use mathematics and information technologies (when available) to solve problems. They transfer insights from those increased abilities when considering local, regional, and global issues. These insights and capabilities will help prepare students to solve societal and personal problems in future years. Content Standard: 9-12 APPD The ability to solve problems is greatly enhanced by use of mathematics and information technologies. The application standard directly applies to these students working together in groups. They had to work together to come up with their video and power point project. They have to problem solve and come to agreements. All of these kids have watched shows like CSI and this gets them exciting and able to do something that seems intangible to them. They also had to work together to come up with results and comparing the fingerprints. This will help them with future problem solving skills. Grade Level: 9-12 EALR 2: Inquiry Big Idea: Inquiry (INQ) Core Content: Conducting Analyses and Thinking Logically Description: In prior grades students learned to revise questions so they can be answered scientifically. In grades 9-12 students extend and refine their understanding of the nature of inquiry and their ability to formulate questions, propose hypotheses, and design, conduct, and report on investigations. Refinement includes an increased understanding of the kinds of questions that scientists ask and how the results reflect the research methods and the criteria that scientific arguments are judged by. Increased abilities include competence in using mathematics, a closer connection between student-planned investigations and existing knowledge, improvements in communication and collaboration, and participation in a community of learners. Content Standard: 9-12 INQC Explain Conclusions must be logical, based on evidence, and consistent with prior established knowledge. This project encourages students to conduct analyses and think logically. Students had to think of the steps of scientific experiments to solve this case. They showed their understanding of reading fingerprints. This caused them to formulate questions about which fingerprint matched the one found at the scene like real scientists do. Even though it was a fun assignment and videos were silly it really helped put kids into the scientists shoes who is actually solving crime. They showed a closer connection with student planned investigations and what they had learned in class before. They now have to communicate and bring together all their work when they present to the rest of the class. https://www.dropbox.com/home/Tech%20in%20Ed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rglcjeDy0fg&feature=plcp

Reflection #12

Will writing and reading be all digital soon? So many textbooks are being bought online these days. I know one of mine is. It is cheaper and an easier way to get any textbook the quickest. I am unsure about knowing if textbooks are better when read as a real book or online, but so many tools are coming out that is making online tools as good as the real physical objects. Also, writing with a pen and paper is significantly decreasing, teachers rarely use the whiteboard, there is no such thing as written out rough drafts. Reading and writing, the basic educational skills are disappearing more and more each day. Is this good or bad? I do not know, but I will miss the old ways if they do go away soon.

Reflection #11

Two days ago an unthinkable crime happened in my home town. Two people (a mom and daughter) were found shot in a burning house with the door blocked. The daughter was a year younger than me and went to my school. I found this out from Facebook. There have also been a tons of pictures of the suspect on the newsfeed. He is armed and nowhere to be found, but so many people are notified just simply if they are on Facebook. This is a great use of social networking spreading news that some may not know without simply having an account. This is just one example of how social networks and the web can be used to get news out. This is a good thing in many cases but it can also be a bad thing with gossip being spread and cyber bullying. I just noticed how many things we are notified about just by being on Facebook weather is finding a suspect in a crime case or finding out who is in a relationship. Crazy...

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Reflection #10

Even though it seems like there is so much more advancements to be done in technology take a second to reflect on how much technology you use in one day. Technology is used in all of my classes almost every day. I use this computer every day. Television is always an option. All normal phones now have internet. Everything is becoming touch screen. Realizing how much we use technology today I see it being used more and more every day. We now spend almost half our waking hours either online, on the phone, or watching television according to a survey. The average adult is awake for 15 hours and 45 minutes every day and 45 per cent of that time is spent using a proliferation of technology. WOW!

Reflection #9

I was thinking.... do you think that education should/ could become completely technology based? We need to prepare our students for the future, and with how quickly technologies have developed I can only imagine what would be next. Although it seems good to keep old school teaching methods, is it REALLY helping our students when new technologies are developed each and every day. What will education look like in the future? Technology is taking over in schools. We need to use it and prepare for future tools. I like to writing on paper with a pen or pencil will not go away, but will it?