Instructional Multimedia Project Created by Melissa & Amy - Week 8

Click on the link below to view our Instructional Multimedia Project!

http://instructionalmultimediaproject.wikispaces.com/

Professional Development Plan - Week 7

I am really happy that I had the opportunity to take this course. When I first started this class, I was very intimidated by technology and apprehensive to utilize technology in the classroom. Now, eight weeks later, I feel as though I have a better understanding of how educational technology can be used to enhance and support learning. This class has encouraged me to become familiar with a variety of technology tools and, as a result, I now feel as though I can successfully implement many of these tools in the classroom.

As we have learned, it is very important for educators to stay current with the constant changes in the field of education. Partaking in frequent professional development opportunities will ensure that educators stay up-to-date and utilize the latest tools and strategies to support student learning. Without professional development on educational technology, teachers would not be able to stay current because the field of technology is constantly evolving. I believe that the sites I chose to bookmark on Delicious provide educators with a variety of resources on how to utilize different types of technology in the classroom. These sites would be beneficial for any educator to use in order to learn how to utilize and apply the latest technology in the classroom.

In order to continue my professional development in the area of technology I plan to further explore and utilize the tools offered on many of these websites. For example, I would like to further my knowledge of WebQuests and practice creating my own to utilize with students. Also, I am interested in using Rubistar to build different rubrics to use for assessment. Finally, I would like to use the HotChalk Lesson Plans Page and Edutopia to connect with other educators through discussion forums and online learning communities.

Finally, I am very excited that I was able to learn how to use Glogster to create different multimedia presentations. Learning how to use Glogster was one of my favorite things about this course! After creating my first few glogs, I was excited to share my work with my co-workers. As a result, I was asked to present a workshop on how to use Glogster during our professional development week! I am excited about sharing my new knowledge with other educators who want to increase their use of technology in the classroom. I am also proud that this course has allowed me to develop a new sense of confidence in my use of technology.

Yes! Using technology CAN be fun!

Online Safety Project - Created by Melissa & Amy

PBL and Student Learning - Week 5

It was interesting to watch the video “Beginning the journey Five-year-olds drive their own PBL projects” and witness kindergarten students who are so engaged in learning. Personally, I believe that these students are motivated to learn because problem-based learning addresses their natural curiosity and allows them to engage in activities that have meaning. For example, as mentioned in the video, students in this particular classroom are allowed to pick the theme for each lesson. Once the theme is established, the teacher guides student learning by providing the resources necessary to complete meaningful activities. Students are interested and engaged from the beginning of the lesson because they have ownership of the entire activity. In this respect, problem-based learning allows teachers to make learning activities authentic. In order to complete each lesson, students are required to use investigative problem-solving, critical thinking, and basic reading, writing, and math skills.

As demonstrated in the video, teachers have the opportunity to enhance student learning through the use of classroom Smartboards and additional technology. Because Smartboards and other technology tools can be interactive, students have the opportunity to manipulate and take charge of their learning. This sense of ownership and the ability to demonstrate that they can be successful learners encourages students and prepares them to continue on the path of lifelong learning. In addition, utilizing technology in the classroom makes learning easier and much more fun.    

Ultimately, a successful project-based unit requires the development of a plan, research, writing, and follow-through. During this process, cooperation, problem solving, and critical thinking are necessary skills students must learn and be able to demonstrate.  At the end of a project-based unit, students will not only be able to demonstrate new knowledge from the completed activity, but they will have also learned several important real-world skills which will help them to be successful in the future.   

References

Ellis, K. (2007, May 9). Five-Year-Olds Pilot Their Own Project-Based Learning [Motion picture]. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/‌kindergarten-project-based-learning-video

Beyond the Basics - Week 4

The material covered in Chapters 5 and 6 of our text immediately reminded me of my friend Joe. Joe has had much success integrating multimedia into his fourth grade classroom. Most recently, he received a grant from Apple which awarded him 30 iPod Touches, two docking stations, and two Mac lap top computers. With this technology Joe has been able to enhance lessons with different educational applications. Students are able to practice math skills, review English vocabulary words, learn Spanish, and even create their own music using applications they have downloaded. Joe is able to monitor all of the students’ downloads from the Mac lap top and he is able to sync all of the iPods so that each machine has the same applications. In addition, as part of the grant, Joe is required by Apple to attend certain trainings which assist him in learning how to integrate different applications into the classroom.

It was really interesting to look at one of the iPods and see the different applications that Joe's students use to support their learning. Each application is very kid-friendly, well-designed, and uses colorful graphics and animation. Joe mentioned that his students love using the iPods in the classroom and that they are continuously motivated to learn. Another thing that Joe mentioned is that many of his students can figure out how to download applications and use them faster than he can! These students are perfect examples of digital natives!

Multimedia and Me

I really enjoyed using Glogster this week to create my multimedia presentation. I can definitely see myself using this tool in the classroom. Another presentation tool that I like to use on a regular basis is Prezi. Prezi allows users to create a multimedia presentation that is similar to PowerPoint; however, it is created on one large canvas instead of using multiple slides. In my opinion, Prezi allows the user to make presentations that are visually stimulating and creative. Check out the video below for a quick introduction to Prezi!

Finally, it was interesting to read in Chapter 6 that research has revealed that students benefit from the use of multimedia and hypermedia in the classroom (Roblyer & Doering, 2010). Personally, I can relate to this idea because I learn better when both visual and verbal explanations are provided and when pictures and graphics accompany text. I did get concerned, however, when reading about the research which concludes that students experience increased enjoyment and comprehension when reading a text in electronic storybook format or when the book was narrated (Roblyer & Doering, 2010). Although the electronic format has proven beneficial for students, I still believe that it is important for students to learn how to read from traditional text. Although we are living in the age of e-books, the Nook, and the Kindle, traditionally print books are important and it is still necessary for students to learn how to read, comprehend, and enjoy material from a traditional text.

References

Roblyer, M. D., & Doering, A. H. (2010). Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching (Fifth ed.). Pearson Education, Inc.

Get started with Prezi by visiting http://www.prezi.com/.

The Note Taking Process - Glogster Poster

I am really excited that I have learned how to use Glogster! Check out the poster I made to explain the steps of the note taking process!

Engaging Digital Natives - Week 3

It was especially interesting to read Chapters 3 and 4 of our text and learn about the different types of instructional software that can be utilized in the classroom. Chapter 3 really helped me become more familiar with the different types of instructional software and allowed me to recognize the benefits of using different types of software in the classroom.

Although each type of instructional software has proven benefits to students, I believe that tutorials, simulation, instructional games, and problem-solving software specifically address higher-ordering thinking skills. Using these types of software promote the development of critical thinking, problem solving, and real-world skills. The functions of these types of software help students to be creative and think outside of the box. This was apparent in the video showcasing Sam. Sam is clearly a digital native who has been able to utilize technology and digital media both inside and outside of the classroom in order to problem solve, strategize, and learn social and work related skills (Bidleman, 2009).

Also, as demonstrated in the second video showcasing students from McKinley High School, instructional games engage learners virtually and introduce them to real-life experiences. Instructional games also promote individualization and both technical and creative skills. In addition, through the use of gaming software, students at McKinley High School have been able to make connections beyond the classroom text. For example, students have learned how math and algebra are important in order to create gaming software (Ellis, 2007).

In addition to promoting higher ordering thinking skills, instructional software also allows for more effective differentiated instruction. By utilizing instructional software such as tutorials, classroom teachers are able to allow students to work on different skills at their own pace (Roblyer & Doering, 2010). Also, when using drill and practice software, students are able to receive immediate feedback which is tailored to their specific needs (Roblyer & Doering, 2010).  This aspect of utilizing instructional software can help teachers engage students with varying levels of ability and different learning needs.

Finally, if I was teaching in the ideal technology situation, I would imagine that my students would function as digital natives.  I imagine students being able to use technology to develop critical thinking, problem solving, and real world skills. Also, students would be able to express their individuality and creativity through the use of technology to complete class assignments.

Although this situation would be ideal, I would still be afraid that students would fail to recognize the importance of developing basic classroom skills. Even though they can be addressed using technology, basic math, reading, and writing skills can sometimes be more effective for students when done “the old fashion” way instead of utilizing technology. I would be afraid that students who do not learn well using technology would not be successful in a classroom where technology is used for the majority of instruction.

References

Bidleman, C. (2009, May 27). Digital Youth Portrait: Sam  [Video file]. Retrieved from Edutopia  database.

Ellis, K. (2007, February 21). Schools Use Games for Learning and Assessment  [Video file]. Retrieved from Edutopia  database.

Roblyer, M. D., & Doering, A. H. (2010). Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching (Fifth ed.). Pearson Education, Inc.