Elena

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Reflection

As I approach the end of this semester it is time to reflect on it.

This semester has been very good. My class ED 407 has taught me so much. I really enjoyed going to class every Wednesday evening because I always left with new knowledge. I enjoyed 407 because not only did I learn but was able to apply what I learned. I created this blog, a database, a “Jing”, a professional website, and a WebQuest. I have learned that education is changing and technology is a big influence of that change. A big part of my learning is due to my instructor. The instructor of my class ED407 was great. She had a great attitude, was always excited to teach us that made us excited to learn. She was also very helpful and very nice. I will miss going to class next Wednesday. But because of what I learned I will continue to write on my blog, continue to read about the impacts technology is having on education, and learning how to apply technology in the classroom.

Project-Problem Based Learning

Project Based learning is “a comprehensive approach to classroom teaching and learning that is designed to engage students in investigation of authentic problems” (Blumenfeld). Problem/Project Based Learning is a new way of learning and teaching. It allows students to work in groups, learn from each other, and come up with different solutions by using various types of sources. It is a more active way of learning. Project Based Learning and technology help teachers teach in a way that wasn’t able before. Teachers in the 21st century must face several issues, but Project Based Learning allows teachers to address these issues.
The central idea of problem/project based learning is for students to understand what they learn. It is not to pass a test, to memorize words, nor to repeat information given to them. PBL starts with a problem or question, students are then told to work together to develop their own approaches to answering the question or the problem. It allows students to be placed in real life situations, bring in own experiences, and to collaborate with others to create a solution. While the students are working on their project or problem the teacher is a facilitator. The teacher’s job is to guide, provide feedback, and provide access to information and materials. One way to keep the students motivated is through technology. Technology can be use as a source to find information for the project or problem. Technology allows the student to be in control of the information and create a solution. Since technology is so advanced there are different ways students can use it. Students can use computers to search, cell phones to communicate with group members, and cameras to capture moments. Project based learning can be taught through a webquest.

WebQuest

I never knew what a webquest was. I didn't understand how they work or what the purpose was. Now I know that a webquest is a way of teaching and learning. Webquest are created for students to work in groups and to learn on their own. I have been trying to create my own webquest and it is more difficult that what I thought. According to webquest.org a webquest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all the information that learners work with comes from the web. This allows students to use computers and different technology to do their work and complete the webquest. Although webquests take longer than one day they are very productive and fun.

copyright

Who knew that showing a movie or picture to your classroom can be illegal? Many teachers everyday do this inconsciently. That is because many teachers don't know the laws to copyright. When teachers do things such as showing pictures from the internet for a lesson or showing a movie they don't realize that they are using material without permision. Teachers must become aware of the laws and find ways to work with them to avoid trouble.

Native Americans Database

Database
A database allows teachers to keep track of students information, it helps organize and it is easily accessible. Below there is a database that I have created for a third grade class who has been working on Native Americans.


Third Grade
Standards: 3.2 Students describe the American Indian nations in their local region long ago and in the recent past.

Cell Phones: a trend in Education

Although many may not agree, cell phones should be allowed in the classroom. The reality is that cell phones are here and students have them. Although they can be disruptive and have ethical issues, cell phones are a learning tool for students. More and more educators are incorporating cell phones in their lessons. Most teachers understand that we live in a world where technology is advancing at a quick pace and as educators they must adapt to the new world and bring it in the classroom. Our teachers need to teach in today’s world and not in the classrooms of yesterday. Therefore teachers should stop the banning of cell phones and accept them in the classroom. Cell phones have many benefits and since students already have them, all they need to learn is how to use them in the classroom. Students already know how to text, play games, and take pictures. But they don’t know how to text Google to obtain information, they don’t know how to take pictures from their phone and post them in their blogs, they don’t know how to create a project using their video camera on their phone and share with classmates. There are a lot of possibilities students have by using their cell phones. Bellow will be a small list that points out some benefits and ideas of cell phones in the classroom. Hopefully this will give educators a new positive look at cell phones and see the cell phone as more than a distraction and disruptive device.

•Affordable: students already have them in their pocket

•Motivate: new way of doing assignments

•Information: Text Google (466453)to answer definitions or questions

•Pop Quiz/Polls: students can text answers and comments and will be displayed (polleverywhere.com) no right or wrong answer only participation points

•Calculators: most phones have graphic calculators

•Picture: Take picture and submit it with text describing picture taken

•Video: Create a video with group re-enacting a scene from a book

•Reminders: text students reminders of homework

•Absentees: Students who are absent can text teacher questions regarding assignments or homework


*It is important to have control of the classroom and explain to students the rules and expectations. Cell phones can be used in a positive educational way as long as educators set the example and model the proper way.

Cell Phones in Ten Years

My prediction is that in ten years all students will have smart phones. Students from elementary, middle school, and high school will have smart phones that will be used in class as part of everyday lessons. For example, students will use their phones in art class to create a picture or drawing, they can use their phone during music class to record music, and they can use their phone in a P.E. class as a pedometer, to count calories, and keep track of other health issues. A cell phone will be used in any class.
In ten years smart phones will be very affordable and will have many tools and applications that will be free and very useful in education. It will allow students to do homework and assignments, take notes, and take test and quizzes instead of using paper and pencil. Students will be able to download their textbooks on their cell phones to take home. They will also be able to download other books for pleasure reading from the library.
In ten years schools will provide cell phones for those students that for some reason aren’t able to buy one. Schools will provide classes for parents and teachers to learn how to use a smart phone in the classroom and how to help the student succeed in school using a smart phone.
The affect of cell phones in ten years will be a positive effect in education and society. In ten years cell phones will help teachers, parents, and students communicate in ways that are easier and simpler. Cell phones will be more usefull and practical than computers. Every student will have a cell phone and will know how to use it. It will not only have educational use but also entertainment use. The cell phones will have TV, satellite radio, free internet, and many other applications that society will enjoy.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media allows us to communicate through different forms with many people. It is a way of social interactions through things such as blogs, videos, pictures, e-mails, and instant messages to name a few. It allows us to communicate with people around the world without direct contact.

From personal experiences I can say that social media has been a way for me to communicate with friends that live in different countries. In my professional life social media has allowed me to learn new things and make my work easier.

In Education, social media allows teachers to have a better communication with students and parents through e-mails, web pages, and videos. It also allows students to have more resources for school projects and other works. Although social media does have its down sides, I believe it has made a positive impact with education.

Reflection

Reflecting on what I have learned this week or its better said for the first three weeks of this course, I have realized that I am not up to date with technology. As a student this experience has been pleasant because I have learned so much in such a short amount of time. For example I never knew I could create a document with my Google account and share it with someone, and have them make changes to it. Or share my pictures with my professors by pressing a button. Nor did I know how to create a blog and work with it through my phone. It is incredible what we can do and how it is done. Watching 'Shift Happens' was very interesting, but watching 'The World is Flat' was a bit scary. It made me realize how everything is happening so fast. Technology is being updated at an incredible speed and who knows what else to expect. I hadn’t realized the world is flat until Thomas Friedman explained the three great era’s of globalization. According to Friedman we are in the third era, where the world is build around individuals; individuals can globalize themselves. I was able to fully understand this yesterday when I ordered pizza on line. I ordered on line because I was saving 20%, but I realized, like Friedman said about Southwest Airlines, that the individual becomes the employer. There is no interaction with another person on the phone, I was able to create my pizza the way I want it and get it in my house without speaking to anybody on the phone. It was really cool because I was able to experience the third era in a new way.

As an Educator I would use all this in the classroom. I would encourage students to share their documents with other students by working in groups or with a partner. Or to share with another student just to proof read. Also turn assignments in through e-mail to save paper and space in my desk. There is so much we can do.