Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Technology in the classroom
Watch the Technology youtubes on the right. Reflect upon what you saw. What are your thoughts about technology in the classroom? How could the Amazon Kindle change typical textbooks in the future? Please share an example of how a teacher effectively or ineffectively utilized technology in the classroom.
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41 comments:
I really liked all of these videos. I never knew how much teaching could be done on the smart boards and I found the clicker very interesting. I would actually like to learn a little more about the clicker because I didn't really understand it completely. But all in all I think that technology is going to really help us as teachers to get our students involved in the lesson and I think that it will make them more interested because they will actually be doing something rather than just sitting in a desk all day listening to the teacher talk.
Only one of my high school teachers had a smart board and he didn't use it at all. The only thing he used it for was to project our homework that was due the next class. So he didn’t use it efficiently.
I loved watching all the videos! The video that gave some of the uses for a smart board really impressed me. I had never seen a smart board until about a week ago. I was so amazed. I think technology like that can completely change the way students look at school and learning. I didn't know they could help in all the subject matters and really make learning fun and interesting. I only saw them used for notes, not for maps and geometry and science lessons.
The Amazon Kindle looks really interesting too. I think it will change our whole view on textbooks. Students can have all their textbooks on one small machine. They wouldn't have to worry about carrying them to class or home. It would also eliminate a lot of waste from textbooks and save more trees from being cut down.
When I was a student teacher my senior year, I helped my teacher think of fun ways she could use technology. We found a video maker so the kids could record their own videos and add sound effects and different special effects. It was a lot of fun.
Chelsea-
I can't believe your teacher had a smart board and didn't use it! That kills me. Not a single teacher in our district had a smart board and our schools were far behind in technology. Some teachers there could have done amazing things with their lessons. I think this shows us that as teachers we need to adapt to the changing world and changing technology. We need to be constantly improving our teaching methods to help students.
That is a good way to teach kids how to use certain programs. I think that if you are trying to teach kids something, you should let them do it themselves rather than them just watching you. I liked that idea Sarah.
I love smart boards. I think that if a teacher knows ho to use them correctly they can be a valuble asset to the classroom. I'm all for technology in the classroom. It helps the teachers to move out of their realm and into their students'. This helps to bridge the gap between teacher and student. I had an anatomy teacher that let us use a computer program called adam that really helped me learn some complicated ideas that were hard to understand just from the lecture. As far as the electronic books though, I'm not too fond of. I like being able to go through a book page by page and keep my own notes on the side.
I think all classrooms should have access to a smartboard, especially in elementary classrooms. I think that they really help the students learn, and actually help to make learning more fun.
Chelsea, I also cannot beleive that your teacher didn't even use the smartboard. I think that they help in the classroom so much!!!
These videos were all very new to me actually. None of my teachers have ever used a smart board so I really am just now gaining knowledge about what they are and how they can enhance your classroom. As for the "remote response system," I did get the opportunity to use that in 7th grade. Our whole class loved it, we all really focused a lot more because of the new technology. I guess I never really realized how effective that was until now but my teacher had a lot of fun with it as well. Its enjoyable for everyone. And Im sure it makes grading much easier!
The Amazon Kindle seems a little overrated if you ask me. I understand that technology is key in todays world but I also believe that there is a point in which we can all could use a break. Our eyes are going to have horrible vision from staring at computer screens all day! But I see how it could change text books to where they were only available in a digital form. There are still many other issues to review.
I certainly agree with Katie about the book thing, Some things just shouldn't be tampered with.
Nicole Whitaker
i think its a good idea for teachers to bring some technology into the classroom because it relates to what the kids do at home or enjoy doing so it grabs their attention and for a teacher it takes you out of the same routine that you are normally in. In my grammer school when i was in 7th grade my math teacher got a dry erase board with a graph on it. this was very helpful towards me because before we had to use overhead projectors and it was really hard to compare your answers to what the teacher got because it was too small or just tough to make out. so i think that it is good that teachers stay up to date with techonolgy
i agree with katie that the teachers must know how to use the smart boards correctly because if they dont it can waste valuable class time and just make the class less interested
I had no idea how useful technology could be in the classroom. I was very interested in the "smartboard contest winner" video. I want to teach teenagers with autism, and I really feel this program would help. All of the students I am observing love to use the computer, and I'm sure they would much rather learn from a smartboard than a chalkboard. They all need help with writing and comprehension skills, and many of the examples on the video adressed these needs. While I love the smartboard, I'm not so sure about the remote response system.
I thought the amazon kindle was amazing. I would love to have one instead of lugging around five books wherever I go. The convenience is great, but I still think I would miss actual books.
I agree with Chelsea Bauer about the remote response system. I didn't really understand how the clicker worked. I know it would be a good way for teachers to gage students' understanding. However, besides that, I don't know how else it would improve a classroom. I think I just need to learn more about it.
I think that having more technology in the classroom is a great idea. Our students are learning in a totally different way and we need to equip them with all the necessary tools. As a future teacher I want to provide my students with all different materials that way I can meet all the different learning styles of my students. In highschool every classroom had a smartboard. All of my teachers did really well with using this tool to their advantage. Whether it was watching streaming videos or having the students give presentations both the teachers and the students utilized this tool.
I like the idea that sarah had in her student teaching. In a lot of my classes in high school we did videos for projects. It was a lot of fun and we got to be creative.
I would have to say that smart boards are probably one of the best inventions ever. They make things so much easier for the teacher, and allow the students to see a new media of learning. Technology, when used correctly, can definitely be a teachers best friend. Unfortunately, many teachers choose not to take advantage of this new phenomenon. The Amazon Kindle sounds very interesting and would help the students out a ton with saving their little muscles. However, tangible books are always useful tools because you can write in them and highlight certain sections as needed. When students write things out in their textbooks, they are often able to remember them more.
-Rebecca Peddicord
I totally agree with Casey. From personal experience, smart boards make learning a million times more fun, especially if the teacher knows how to work it. I also understand the whole idea of wasting class time with it. One of my teachers spent our whole class hour figuring how to turn it on and wouldn't let us help her do it. That was a waste of one hour of my life. After our principal found out about that, all the teachers in our district had to take a mandatory smart board class to teach them how to effectively use them, and turn them on.
-Rebecca Peddicord
I believe that technology is a very good way to teach students. I have had a lot of experience with the smart board. My high school purchased smart boards my Junior year in high school. They were utilized by most teachers in most classes. The best experience that I encountered with the smart bored would have to be in my Sceince classes. We would go over procedures and in some cases we would do virtual disections of animals. Everything was very interesting. It was almost just as productive as the real thing because this way you didn't actually have to disect and take notes at the same time. It was great to be able to watch the disection, learn from it, and be able to take notes. I could not have asked for much more. As far as the kindle goes, I believe that as soon as the cost goes down, you will see it more and more among students. I do not want that day to come. I do not want it to come simply because you canno go wrong with a book. The Kindle could possibly have some type of malfunction or something and there will be no school for the day pretty much.
I agree with Chelsea. The clicker seems like it could be explained a little more. But given the right explaination, it seems like it could work very effectively in a classroom
I started observing just last week and that was the first time i saw these smart boards and i was mesmerized by it. The most technologically advanced thing that I've seen was an overhead or a projection screen. The videos that I watched also showed me things that I don't see in the high school classroom like the interactive protractor on the screen in the one. It is a very cool way to do those kinds of things.
The remote things that you answer questions with or something like that...it was kind of vague, i thought that it could be a good thing. There are always students that won't answer questions in class and wont really do anything but if the teacher gets that feedback through that then she can tell what the real problems are instead of what two or three kids might be struggling with but everyone else would be fine. You still do want to help those two or three people but the bulk of concern is the class in general.
About the Amazon Kindle, both Katie and Nicole agree with the fact that books are more personal and you can write in your books and see what exactly you want. I think that at the same time I agree, I disagree. Before you know those things will evolve to a point where you can flip through your book and it will be touch sensitive and you will be able to write in your kindle and have all your notes and books all inside that little thing. But if youre a person that prefers to write your notes in the book then for the time being the kindle wont really work. As far as i know you cant write stuff in the kindle but in the near future i see it happening.
I'm sorry, I wanted to leave a comment about a past technology experience, but that video on the Kindle just blew my mind. The possibilities are endless. Children can read along while the book sounds out the words for them. Foriegn languages could be learned at a fraction of the current time. One amazon kindle could replace the need for buying expensive and extremely bulky college textbooks. At any time, you can read the news from around the world with a large screen display. This is the most amazing device I have seen with regard to the educational possibilities. Just wow.
Technology is an incredible tool and resource, especially in the classroom. Technology, such as the smart board can be great tools to aid in the learning process, get student's attention and to get students involved. My math teacher in high school used a smart board everyday for various things like notes, using the grid and a calcuator. It was very convienent if someone missed a few day for he was able to print his notes from the day.
The Amazon Kindle could definitely alter today's use of textbooks, but I honestly prefer a hard back book over something electronic.
I agree with casey in respects that elementary students would benefit from the use of a smart board because it can really engage them into the learning process
I am not a huge fan of the videos to be honest, i believe that learning should be hands-on. now these videos once in a while is a nice break, but hands-on activities are the way for me.
Yes i agree that a teacher must know how to use a smartboard, but it is not really a key thing, for my school did not have any smartboards in them. it can be helpful to know how to use them, but i think it is pointless, because the best teaching is not from computers. it is from the teacher. having the smartboard really should not matter.
all of the videos were really informative. we had smart boards at my highschool. we never used them for anything really and i had no idea that they had so many uses. nicole said it right. kids eyes are going to be really messed up from reading all of the online books and stuff. i like to be able to read a regular book. but it is good to bring technology into the classroom so kids can pick up on things that the may have missed through conventional teaching methods.
the videos were pretty interesting, i've seen the smartboards before, however i have never seen them utilized effectively. The "save" feature seems pretty special, especially if a student would need a copy of the class notes for any reason, or the teacher would want to save the class notes for future reference.
As far as the amazon kindle goes, i cannot see it having an immediate impact on the classroom due to it's price and the fact that full computers are coming down in price and do so much more. The idea is good, but i do not think it is cost effective, or efficient. The vintage hard or soft back book will reign supreme at least for the time being in classrooms and homes.
i remember seeing a similar product for musicians that was essentially an intelligent Music Stand that provided pretty much the same service without EVDO and for music rather than books. It did not go over well because of it's price and limited appeal. Only a few major symphonies have used them, and even then to a limited extent.
I thought all of the videos were excellent. Technology is steadily taking off each year. Kindle could change learning globally and make it easier on the students especially with having books digitally. The smart board amazed me when I first seen the video. Borromeo is where I do my observation and they showed many different of the smart board that just amazed me. The kids really love it too!
I remember when Power Point came out my teacher had no clue of how to use it and they were suppose to be teaching us how to use it. It was a class only for learing how to use power point. I thought that was very stupid for a teacher not knowing what she was doing to try to teach us. We ended up learning how to use the program ourelves, but I thought evn though the teacher was kind of old she could have been more prepared in teaching us how to operate the program.
I enjoyed all the videos. The thing I found most interesting were the smart boards. It's amazing to see that so much can be done to help children learn in various ways; if only teachers made this effort these days.
And Sarah, I agree with you about the Amazon Kindle. You seem to think about things "outside of the box" a lot, something I do a lot of. Your view on eliminating waste and saving trees and such was exactly what I was thinking as I looked the video.
I have tried to use the smart board before in my high school classes and had some trouble. I enjoyed getting more info. on how those operate and function. I was amazed. You need to find a way other than text books to get the kids involved. ~ Aaron Robertson
If we don't spend money to keep our schools updated and we are depending more on technology then how can we expect our kids to figure it out if no one knows how to work all this high tech stuff? ~ Aaron Robertson
Technology in the classroom is definitely beneficial to teaching. The videos really open up eyes to how useful it is. I think students gain a lot from it. The different things you can use or do really grabs their attention and gets them more involved.
I've actually had two teachers at my high school that have had smart boards. My college comp. teacher used hers a fews times in class to show us powerpoints but it didn't go so well because she really didn't know what she was doing. But my chemistry teacher understood how to work it and used it as often as she could. She would even let us take turns doing stuff on it to get us involved. It was a great hands on activity.
Chelsea I have to agree with you also. That wasn't a very efficient way to use the smart board. If you have one than you should know how to use it and get the most out of it because it really can be beneficial to a classroom.
I really liked the videos! The videos made me realize how much we will be using technology in the future. In highschool we did do anything like blog or use smart boards so when I got to college I felt very lost when professors would decided to use them.
I agree with Katie too. I think teachers need to know how to use the technology, like smart boards 100% before allowing them to be used in the classroom. Otherwise this will just frustrate students.
i had the smartboards in highschool and they helped alot. teachers/schools should try new things that might help even in the smallest part.
i agree with Shelsea Bauer. i think teachers could use more technology to get the students involved with the lesson plans.
I think technology is very important in the classroom and can help relate to the students in a more modern way. Teachers have used smart boards to show youtube videos and internet sites that can elaborate on the subject that they are working on at the current moment. I also agree with chelsea and am very interested in the clicker and want to find out more about it.
I have had plenty of teachers use the smart boards in class but had no idea howmuch could be done with them as chelsea said.
Also i read an article about a teacher in the UK using Wii, the interactive videa game in the classroom. He used in geography and weather assignments.I am unsure of theprogram but his methods were described as effective by his collegues.
I feel technology is a great thing in our schools. It helps the students advance much faster. However, i do feel that some teachers may get stuck with the technology. WIth a smart board, for instance. Despite the many things you can do with it, no students wants to only stare at a screen all day, no matter how interactive it is. I fear that with all the new technology, teachers will lose their ability to teach without it or forget to balance their classrooms. It seems like teachers are slowly giving their jobs away to the technology in their classrooms.
I had never heard of the Amazon Kindle before the video. I think it is an excelent tool that, once it becomes affordable to all, will heighten a students want to read. It will eliminate hassle of carrying books to and from classes and schools and will make it easier to study.
Most of my teachers with smart boards just use it as a whiteboard and project notes onto it or show powerpoints. I dont see the point of using one at all if you dont use it to its potential.
Technology in the classroom is a beautiful thing in the class room! The tech that is coming out these days is providing educators with so many more different avenues that they can access to provide the students with the best possible learning enviroment!
I couldnt agree with Casey more! In my observations I have witnessed the students putting the Smartboards to good use! They are a wonderful tool!
I really like the videos. I never had a teacher use a smartboard. I hadn't even heard of one unitl the beginning of this semeseter. I could use it for maps I need for history lessons. I'm not really to sure how well society will take the Amazon Kindle books. I could see some schools offering or wanting their students to use Amazon Kindle books but I think it will always be an option.
i really enjoyed these videos. actually, the very first education course i took was called technology in the classroom. there were a lot of presentations done by the students and each student had to utilize a different technology in their presentation. i loved it! i cant wait to incorporate the things i learned into my own classroom. especially when you learn that the students that we will be teaching will be so technologically inclined. it is always helpful to utilize the tools taht the kids use in everyday life to help them assimilate the new information you are trying to teach them.
and i agree w/ sarah. kids do learn a lot more when they have to share or teach others what they've learned. that becomes a lot easier w/ say -a smart board.
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