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.