Reflection #4

I have noticed in several of my classes that the Professors don't know how to use technology very well.  Often they will turn the projector on and off several times, restart videos on accident, won't be able to find documents, etc.  Although I know it is not done intentionally, it wastes both the Professors and students' time.  For my future classes, I want to do my best to know how to use the technology that is available.

Reflection #3

Last week in one of my classes we used the voters to answers questions on morality.  It was a great way for the students to feel comfortable to honestly respond to the questions answered.  Afterwards, we were shown a pie chart of the responses to see how many people answered true or false.  This would be a good method to use in class for students to feel comfortable responding to questions and it can be used for formative and summative assessment.

Generation IM

The Generation IM article reaffirms the need for teachers to use technology in the classroom.  The statistics seemed really high when I first read them but when I thought about it I was part of the age groups (8- to 18-year-olds) studied in 2005, and most of the students around my age were using quite a bit of technology.  The ideas of having students blog about assignments does seem like a really good idea.  It is true that students want others to acknowledge what they have done and this makes it easy to share with other people (but for students who are bullied this could be a problem for them as well).  For the older grades in elementary school, junior high, and high school I think a lot of the ideas (blogging, videos, school social network sites) would be effective.

Reflection #5 - Promethean ActivBoard

"Press Release - Promethean ActivClassroom technologies transform learning at Brentwood Special School"

 Website - http://www.prometheanworld.com/czech/server.php?show=ConWebDoc.10157 

In this article, it explains how the ActivBoard is successfully being used to enhance learning in Brentwood Special School in Altrincham, Manchester.  “Since the technologies were installed, there has been a vast improvement in terms of inclusivity, student engagement and the flow of lessons,” said Cathy Graves, Deputy Headteacher and ICT Co-ordinator at Brentwood Special School. “The ActivBoard+2 in particular is making a real day-to-day difference to pupils and teachers, by helping to make learning a continuous process, and enabling all students to participate in lessons."  The ActivBoard is allowing more students to participate in learning and also allows teachers to use different methods to teach.  The ActivBoard can be placed low enough for students to reach and even sit on the ground.  I thought it was neat that this of how the ActivBoard is successfully being used in a Special Needs.  

What features of the ActivBoard are different from the SMARTBoard? Which are similar?

Assignment 2

In my presentation, I will be using the following features:

·         Pens

·         Eraser

·         My hand (finger) to drag objects

·         A video clip

·         Audio

·         Random word chooser

·         Timer

Student NETS used:

4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making

Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. Students:

a. identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation.

The lesson plan allows students to solve problems and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools.  The students will use the pen on the SMART Board to circle the correct answers, they will use their fingers to drag the answer to the correct side (and for the true and false question), watch a video, and view the material on the board.  The students will be able to see the questions on the board and interact with them.

Teacher NETS used:

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S. Teachers:

a.	design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.

I used a premade SMART Board lesson and modified it.  I inserted a couple of new slides and added pictures on one to make it visually appealing and an interactive presentation on another slide.  Altogether the lesson will allow students to be engaged in the activity while using the technology as well.  The different slides and activities on them allow the students to use different skills. 

The interactive whiteboard could improve student learning in my future class by helping engaging students.  Most learning styles could be satisfied by using the interactive white board.  I could do kinetic, aural, visual, (etc) activities with the board.  I could also use it as a tool for my morning routine by having the schedule and morning message up on the board.  I could also use the timer (which it is available for the students to see as well) and the random word chooser (to randomly call on students).  The interactive whiteboard has a lot of features that can help students learn.

#4 Smart Board

Today I learned how to modify lesson plans for the SMART Board.  I worked on adding objects and removing parts of the lesson plan that I did not want to include.  I also used the actual SMART Board to try out a lesson plan.  I used the pens, eraser, and made a video run for the first time. 

It is still difficult for me to find different objects to use.  I think I will just need more practice with it.