Post for Nov. 21st

Since this is my last blog post for our class, I wanted to have a time of reflection. I was not sure what to expect from this class because this is my first semester in Graduate school, but overall, it has been beneficial to me and has allowed me to look at ways I use technolgy in my own classroom. As I reflect on the affordance analysis, it helped to realize the reason we should use technology. As a classroom teacher, I should not just use technology to say I am using it. It should be used if it makes the task easier or better (only if it makes sense to use it). For example, the ELMO should not be used as a glorified over head projector, but to reach the students and help to teach the skill/idea. I did not think about technology in this regard prior to our affordance analysis. Also, the learning theory assignment helped open my eyes to the ways my students learn. I know I learned thesed theories in undergrad, but it can be hard for me to apply and see what theory (or theories) work for my kids (since all children learn in different ways). It helped to see each group interpret these theories and the ways that we can use them to integrate technology. For example, there are some times when drill practice is appropriate (behaviorism). The learning theory assignment gave me ideas I can use such as internet encyclopedia and drills and practice using the computer. Finally, the hardest thing for me to get adapt to we working in an online group. You really have to work as a team because you can't talk or meet face to face to collaborate as you would in a face to face class. It was helpful and a great experience. I will definitley continue to use what I have learned in this class.

Ell students and reading in the classroom

Reaching my ELL students has always been a concern for me. I believe partly b/c I have not had much experience with teaching ELL children. This year I have been able to work with our ELL resource teacher and provide ways to help my students. Our new reading series has helped with reaching ELL students by providing leveled text and additional reading passages in several different languages. I have also been able to use posters and other visual tools to reach these students. Another really great tool I've used is bookflix by Scholastic. This is an online program that has fiction and nonfiction text. It reads the story to you while having the words displayed and then gives the student the opportunity to read it after they have listened to it. This has been a great tool for all of my students. They can't wait until it is their center time so they can listen to the stories. I will continue to find ways to help my ELL students improve their reading skills.

Best Practices for Writing

In the past I have been unhappy with how I was teaching writing in my classroom. It seemed as if it was limited to language arts time only and the topics were always picked by me. This left the students with little ownership for the writing. How could I really expect them to learn the writing process or how to truly express their thoughts in writing when the experiences I gave them were so vague? I decided I had to change this. I always loved writing as a child and I had a 3rd grade teacher who let us explore our ideas and take time to really work on our writing. Even back then, my teacher worked with us one on one and we were allowed to conference with our peers. I let this, along with other ideas from Best Practices (Zemelman, 2005) to help guide me into what was best for my students. I really wanted them to create authentic, expressive pieces of writing. I chose to let my students have a decision in what they were writing. I help give them ideas if they are having trouble getting started, or I help them narrow down their choices. This has really seemed to get many of my students motivated and excited. Second, I have started conferencing with them instead of just teaching writing as a whole group. It is hard and time consuming, but it helps me to see what each students' strengths and weaknesses are. Last, I am trying to model more writing in my classroom. This allows them to see me as I think out loud and go through the writing process. There are many other things listed in Best Practices, but I chose to pick a few and implement them and then move on to others. It has been tough, but my students are definitely worth it.

Learning Theories

We know that individuals such as Piaget, Skinner, Gardner and Vygotsky all have views of how children develope and learn. Although I do not fully agree with just one view, I do see many parts of these theories in my classroom today. I also noticed that scaffolding played a large role in many of the technolgoy lesson plans that I saw for our last assignment. For example, many consisted of a teacher (or peer) explaining and showing how to use the computer (or create a power point presentation). Then the students were helped to create their own. Scaffolding creates just the right amount of support for the student. This follows closely to Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development. Vygotsky says what a child can do today with help from a teacher or more able peer, a child can do by self later.

Using a wiki as a writing tool in the classroom

I had an opportunity to research information regarding using a wiki for classroom writing. I have just recently had an opportunity to use the wiki as a writing tool for lesson plans across my grade level. It has proven to be such an awesome tool for us, I can't believe that I did not consider using this for my students. But how? I found an article in The Reading Teacher that was a helpful guide. First, what is a wiki? Wikis are "collaboratively authored, searchable documents linked internally and externally" Basically, the wiki allows students to write and also allows others to read and edit the writing. They are similar to a blog, only a wiki allows for users to edit the actually entry and a blog only allows users to comment on the original document. Also, wiki access can be determined (or restricted) by the teacher. Another great feature of a wiki is the easy assessibility. This also allows students to write and have their ideas posted so that they can be more involved in the writing process. Finally, a wiki is all about collaboration. This is a time for students to work together, as well as the teacher.

Integrating Technology

I found ch. 2 to be both helpful and overwhelming. This chapter provided alot of information regarding the learning theories and how they apply to technology and integrating technology in the classroom. Today's classroom is changing shape and the teaching strategies must also to reflect the growing uses of technolgy.

I believe that I do view learning as a constructivist. I do feel that many students learn better with hands on experiences and that they should be able to show what they have learned in different ways (through technology would be an excellent choice). I also believe that children go through stages of learning and we as teachers must make our lessons appropriate for the stage the student is in.

I found the Phase questions to be a good way to start to think about the road I am on to integrating technology into my own classroom. I had to be honest with my self in answering some of the questions of whether or not I did not know how to implement something b/c I was not taught or b/c I choose not to use it. The questions also helped me to focus on what it was I wanted my students to get from the technology and how I present it in my class. I am very fortunate to have a technology teacher at my school who is willing to help with this. It has also helped me to think about the process and not just the results (which I think we can fall into that sometimes). I have had trouble with trying to assess my students also, but Phase 5 (Evaluate and Revise Integration Strategies) has been helpful. (Also the checklist is an easy guide).

Bottom line-Our students need every opportunity to be exposed to technology and have amply opportunities to work with it. Our schools must be committed to keeping technology updated and offering teachers support with professional development.

Technolgy is driving me crazy

I don't know if blogging is for me. I have had so much trouble with passwords and emails addresses. Anyway, I am struggling with trying to communicate with the group. I think we have a great group, it is just an adjustment not being able to sit face to face with a group of people and work on an assignment. I feel like it is hard to communicate. It is definitely a learning experience and I know I will be glad I did it when we are finished. Hopefully it will get easier as time goes on. I wonder if anyone else feels this way???

technology in the classroom

Technology in the classroom is a big topic for many teachers. It is exciting for many, but unsettling for others. Why is this? Many teachers fear the unknown. I know from personal experience. I want to reach my students and use the latest technology, but many times have been afraid to for fear that I would "mess up" or just simply did not know where to start. Professional development has helped, but I am still learning everyday.
Technology is very important for students in daily life and it allows the teacher another source or outlet in which to deliver ideas and concepts. Children seem to respond more and are very eagar to explore the different sources of technolgy. Often I have found they know more than me. Many teachers have limited experience with technology and are afraid or unable to provide adequate support to their students. Still others simply do not want to learn. Also, there may not be computer/technology access in some schools. I realize there are problems, but it is still essential for students to be exposed and have access to technology in school. Everyone benefits from this.

This has been a pretty easy experience creating this blog. I had created a blog 2 years ago when my daughter was born, but never posted anything because I had a lot of trouble with it. I hope this one goes better than before.