Developing Vocabulary: Using Context Clues
The flip chart I chose aims to teach students to use context clues to determine the meaning of words they might be unfamiliar with and when they don't have a dictionary handy. While the internet and Google are quite ubiquitous, this is an immensely useful skill to have.
This particular flip chart integrates both hardware and software with the use of the ActivInspire software in conjunction with the use of a "clicker (a.k.a., student response systems)" (Roblyer & Doering 2013, p. 11). At the end of the presentation, students will answer questions posed in the presentation with a hand held device.
In addition to this integration, the presentation offers a great example of technology use based on problem solving. Roblyer and Doering note that students often need to "visualize underlying concepts in unfamiliar or abstract topics" (2013, p. 25). I believe that this presentation offers great context from which to understand the unknown or tough words. In addition, the clicker allows teachers to easily track and grade their students' performance and can come to know the effectiveness of their lessons (2013, p. 26).
As part of the essential conditions for technology integration, skilled personnel are at the very top of my list. As with good presentation design, good technology integration is built on understanding design elements and continued training and practice. Roblyer and Doering continue, "because technology resources and applications change so quickly, continuing professional development in technology resources and applications remains an essential condition for effective technology integration" (2013, p. 68). As I was searching through the flip books, many were vetoed because of their poor design or lack of total utilization of the software.
As I stated earlier, I believe this flip chart falls neatly into the category of data collection and analysis in regards to software support tools because of the integration of a "clicker." I love this feature because it "permits each student in a classroom to answer a question simultaneously and permits the teacher to see and display a summary of the results immediately" (Roblyer & Doering 2013, p. 157). This has endless possibilities the most exciting of which is more hands on or targeted teaching. If students struggle with a particular flip chart lesson, teachers can more easily identify these students and customize lessons or homework accordingly.
Reference
Roblyer, M.D. & Doering, A.H. (2012). Integrating educational technology into teaching (6th ed.). Columbus, OH: Merrill Prentice Hall.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Utilizing the Web
Integration of online tools in the classroom is integral to keeping media savvy students engaged in and out of the classroom.
Wiki
Roblyer & Doering define a wiki as "a collection of web pages located in an online community that encourage collaboration and communication of ideas by having users contribute or modify content" (2013, p. 223). In thinking about creating your own wiki in the classroom, a good place to start is looking at what other teachers are doing with wikis. This 8th grade English wiki is representative of many of the wikis made by middle school teachers for their classes. While the site contains a lot of information that would be helpful for students, there is nothing collaborative or communicative about the site. This seems like a waste of potential. Though Roblyer and Doering make this assertion in reference to online courses, it can also apply to wikis, "a great web interface will not save a poor course, but a poor web interface will destroy a potentially great course" (2013, p. 227).
Google Calendar
Organization is one of the most important things to me in the classroom. As a student I often struggled to keep all of my classes organized. If students can go to one place for assignments and due dates, this would be ideal.
Countdown Clock
This countdown clock can be used to denote important due dates or even more important dates like spring break or the last day before summer break. As Roblyer and Doering point out, "sometimes the little extras go a long way" (2013, 227).
Google Lit Trips
When considering web based activities in the classroom Roblyer and Doering ask, "Does the Internet enhance the activity?" (2013, p. 238). In the case of Google Lit Trips, the Internet offers students and teachers varied useful information in one easy place. Using the Google Earth application, teachers can give their students global context to the literature they are learning. I would consider this type of resource to be what the text calls a "lesson enhancement"(Roblyer & Doering 2013, p. 238).
Reference
Roblyer, M.D. & Doering, A.H. (2012). Integrating educational technology into teaching (6th ed.). Columbus, OH: Merrill Prentice Hall.
Wiki
Roblyer & Doering define a wiki as "a collection of web pages located in an online community that encourage collaboration and communication of ideas by having users contribute or modify content" (2013, p. 223). In thinking about creating your own wiki in the classroom, a good place to start is looking at what other teachers are doing with wikis. This 8th grade English wiki is representative of many of the wikis made by middle school teachers for their classes. While the site contains a lot of information that would be helpful for students, there is nothing collaborative or communicative about the site. This seems like a waste of potential. Though Roblyer and Doering make this assertion in reference to online courses, it can also apply to wikis, "a great web interface will not save a poor course, but a poor web interface will destroy a potentially great course" (2013, p. 227).
Google Calendar
Organization is one of the most important things to me in the classroom. As a student I often struggled to keep all of my classes organized. If students can go to one place for assignments and due dates, this would be ideal.
Countdown Clock
This countdown clock can be used to denote important due dates or even more important dates like spring break or the last day before summer break. As Roblyer and Doering point out, "sometimes the little extras go a long way" (2013, 227).
Google Lit Trips
When considering web based activities in the classroom Roblyer and Doering ask, "Does the Internet enhance the activity?" (2013, p. 238). In the case of Google Lit Trips, the Internet offers students and teachers varied useful information in one easy place. Using the Google Earth application, teachers can give their students global context to the literature they are learning. I would consider this type of resource to be what the text calls a "lesson enhancement"(Roblyer & Doering 2013, p. 238).
Reference
Roblyer, M.D. & Doering, A.H. (2012). Integrating educational technology into teaching (6th ed.). Columbus, OH: Merrill Prentice Hall.
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