Time To Explore All That Tech Stuff
1) Consider the terms in the Wordle below and these questions: Are you a digital native, visitor, or resident? How do you live your tech life?
So…I definitely was one of those people in the past that this kid is talking about, even though 22 years is a pretty young age. These kids sometimes make me feel ancient. I would mention Facebook to someone who’s only maybe four years younger than me and they would reply, “You have and use Facebook? That’s for old people.” Umm thanks? Or even worse when you say the word Facebook around a child and they just have a blank stare. But what’s even more shocking to them is that at one point I had a one of those huge old computers, tape cassettes, a flip phone without data and limited texting, and to send a single text it took FOREVER! This to them is mind blowing, but to a digital visitor like me and you we have gone through the stages of the process and growth of technology. And although, I don’t necessarily know most of the words in the Wordle and haven’t grown immersed in technology (I was actually outside playing like a child should), I have a good grasp on technology and could at least show grandma how to use a camera a good distance from the face in order to take a decent selfie.
2. Tech Tools to Enhance Student Learning: Visit each site. Consider some of the tools that I have used with my students. (These are not all of them just a sample.) Think about how you might use each one to reach out to students, parents, or the community. Choose one and write about it.
Instead of choosing just one, I would like to cover a few and just state how I feel about them.
Ning Account: LOVE IT! I was introduced to the website last spring semester and I found it so helpful to be able to connect to other interns and educators. It is an easy way to find a solution to a problem, find recommendations, learn new techniques, discover ways to tweak a lesson/unit plan, etc.
Kahoot: the website is a good option to use in the classroom in order to break the mold of what is traditional and do something “new” and different with the students. If college students have fun with the program, I am 99.9% sure secondary students will too.
VoiceThread: I am not a fan of it but it isn’t too difficult to use compared to other similar programs. I would pose it as an option for students to use for an assignment or activity.
Padlet: the website is a great option to use as a bellwork activity or as an exit question for the teacher to gauge student’s understanding of the material. I liked Ashley’s idea of using it to post newsletters and daily reminders for the parents and students to see.
3. Authentic Tasks for Students: Here is a list of a few tools that you can use with students to write virtually. Why is this important? What are the benefits? The risks? Write about your favorite discoveries.
Digital writing is something that whether we like it or not, we have to get used to it (especially teachers) because students nowadays are what we would consider digital natives. I will admit sometimes I feel as if society is becoming too dependent on technology, which definitely has it cons, some being: losing track on one’s priorities, becoming distracted, etc. Yet on the other hand, technology obviously has its advantages and we all know them so I won’t take time on listing them except for one...with technology we now have the opportunity to incorporate digital writing in the classroom! Digital writing has altered the classroom environment by giving teachers more options on how to make the class more interesting and possibly even fun while also increasing student engagement as well as allowing students to have options with assignments and projects. Instead of seeing the same thing over and over again, for example a poster board presentation, students can choose countless of options such as: prezi, popplet, powtoon, creating infographics or even word images. The downside is that there is always the possibility that some students aren’t computer literate due to various factors and some might not have the access to a computer.
4. What Lies Ahead? Check out what is going on in the teacher-tech world. Review Jane Hart’s Post at http://c4lpt.co.uk/top100tools/top100-edu/ and see what teachers are using around the world. This year she has expanded her work to encompass the top 2oo tools for personal, workplace, and school learning found here . I like to start at the end of the PPT to see what technology is emerging. Explore! Write about you noticed about the learning tools!
First off, most of these I have heard and I have used a handful of, so it isn’t surprising that they would be in the top 200 tools for education. Some of my favorites are: Google Docs/Drive, Kahoot, Prezi, Padlet, and so on. All of these offer different manners to present information to students in ways that didn’t seem possible before. Occasionally, teachers just need to start looking for new websites and programs and get creative with them!
5. Review the digital tool version of Bloom’s Taxonomy below. Based on what you have done today and what you understand about Bloom’s Taxonomy, explain what teachers need to consider as they integrate technology?
When teachers take on the task to integrate technology they first need to consider what their objective/goal is, what kind of technology will best assist the students, if they have had any experience with the technology, and how it will ultimately benefit them. Once this is answered, teachers can find ways on how to use the selected technology to the different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy. If at any point, the teacher believes that the students aren’t receiving the full benefits of the technology, the teacher must find time to scaffold it.
6. Based on your exploration what will you try next?
I definitely need to set some time to take a look at the top 200 tools for educators list. While I have heard and tried many of them, there are some that are new to me that peaks my interest.
