Technology

1.  I try not to let technology dominate my life.  I have and use a smart phone, my laptop, and yes, I still use my old iPod.  Even though it is a part of everyday life, I'm so scared of technology! I use my laptop for doing homework and watching television.  I feel like I've never been a huge fan of technology because my teachers didn't use it often.  They used projectors, but they didn't use elaborate technology in the classroom.  Students today live in a completely different world from when I was in high school.  Students in Timber Creek High School were issued their own laptops provided by the county; every class is equipped with smart boards.  As a future teacher, it is important to learn how to incorporate technology as a learning tool to enhance the learning environment.

2.  EDpuzzle is a great site where teachers can select videos, crop the length, and add questions for students to answer as they watch the video.  Teachers can also keep track of student participation as it shows which students watched the video and how many questions they answered correctly.  I think this site is a fantastic way to introduce a new topic and build background knowledge.  For example, before my students read As I Lay Dying, I would have them watch a video about William Faulkner and have them answer questions to ensure they have watched it.

3.  There were a lot of helpful resources that I could use to motivate students to participate, learn, and write inside and outside the classroom.  I loved Flipgrid, which provides online classroom discussions, as well as Bubbl, which is an interactive graphic organizer.  These tools can increase student engagement and understanding.  Students who may feel uncomfortable sharing their thoughts in class may perform better on a discussion in Flipgrid, where there is student interaction, but through technology.  Bubbl can help students who are visual learners acquire information throughout concept maps and sequence organizers.  As beneficial as some of these resources are, issues can arise with the use of technology.  Sources like Canva and Storybird are useful for inspiring creativity, but some students may not focus on the writing that is being graded and instead focus on the aesthetics.  In other words, technology can pose a distraction for some students and take time away from the academic content of the assignment.

4.  I have noticed that Reminder has been very popular for teachers, parents, and students.  Reminder is a free app for phones that allows teachers to communicate with their students whether it is individual text messages or group messages.  It can be simple reminders about homework or notices about upcoming tests.  ClassCall is great for class websites; discussions can be posted and presentations can be uploaded as well.  Google Forms have also been incorporated in many classrooms.  It allows teachers to post surveys for students to respond.  It helps teachers and students receive feedback that is objective and meaningful.

5.  One concept teachers need to consider when integrating technology in the classroom is accessibility.  Students who do not have the financial resources to afford new phones and computers may not be able to participate in activities that require technology.  If students do have access to these tools, then they need to be able to access the websites that the teachers use for their classrooms. In terms of the content of the devices need to fit in to the lesson that is being taught.  Technology needs to have a purpose in the class and coincide with what the teachers wants her students to achieve.  There are certain websites that perfect for lessons, but others are unnecessary.  Teachers need to be aware of how to use technology effectively; if they don't need it for specific lessons, then technology shouldn't be used.

6.  For someone who has a lot to learn about technology, I think using EDpuzzle is an effective tool to use.  It is easy to use, and I can use this as homework assignments, especially when I am starting a new unit.  Students can watch the videos at home, answer the questions, and we can get started on the lesson rather than spending a huge part of the class building background knowledge.  I can't wait to see where technology will take me and my students!