Welcome Parents!
This blog is here for your benefit, in order to effectively communicate with you what is going on in the classroom. Currently our biggest topic for discussion is fund raising efforts by the PTA for technological equipment in the classroom. Because of state budget cuts, the school budget for technology has been cut severely and as a result it is up to teachers and parents to fund-raise in order to provide technological equipment to the classroom. Currently the PTA is assembling a plan for fund raising which includes several fund raising means and ideas. I would encourage parents to become involved in these fund raising activities to the best of their availability, as the use of technology within the classroom is an important aspect of learning.
I know that some parents have brought up hesitations about using technological equipment within the classroom, and it is my hope to address those issues here. I have heard that some parents are concerned that their students will use technology in a negative way, such as playing games or wasting time. My goal is to address and refute these claims in the following paragraphs.
Why Technology Matters!
The short list
Let me briefly summarize a few reasons why technology is absolutely a great tool in the learning process for the following reasons, taken from Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching. 5th Edition.
• Media can assist students in learning in a way that lecture and reading cannot
“…That media such as slides and films delivered information
in more concrete, and therefore more effective, ways
than lectures and books did”(p. 6)
• Technology can answer instructional needs when it is coupled with instruction
“…That both human (teachers) and non-
human (media) resources could be part of an efficient
system for addressing any instructional need”(p.6)
• Teaching students how to use technology will prepare them for the world outside of school, including careers
“…That an
important function of school learning is to prepare students for the world of work in which they will use technology and that vocational training can be a practical
means of teaching all content areas such as math, science, and language”(p.6)
• Technology gives students the access to resources that may not otherwise be available.
• Technology engages students in their learning on their level and by a means that they are familiar with and enjoy.
• Technology motivates students in their learning by gaining their attention, and engaging them in visual learning through real world demonstrations.
“When students can see that
high-level math and science skills have real-life applications, it is no longer just “school work”; they are
more willing to learn skills that have clear value to
their future life and work” (p.14).
• Technology allows access to information quickly
“Software tools
such as word processing, desktop publishing, and
spreadsheets allow quick and easy corrections to reports, presentations, budgets, and publications”p.15).
Directed and Constructivist Theories and Technology
The reasons referenced above are a short list of why technology should be used on a practical level within the classroom. Gong a little deeper, there are also two major teaching theories that I will discuss that are assisted by the use of technology within the classroom. These two theories are as follows;
• Directed – Direct teaching by the teacher; includes lectures and teacher based instruction to the students
“Teachers transmit a set body of skills
and/or knowledge to students”(p. 44).
• Constructivist – Inquiry based leaning; a system of learning where students engage in their education by asking questions and completing research; hands on and student based.
“Humans construct all knowledge in
their minds by participating in certain experiences.
Learning occurs when one constructs both mechanisms
for learning and one’s own unique version of the knowledge, colored by background, experiences, and aptitudes”(p. 35).
Both of these learning theories and approaches can be used and enhanced with technology in the classroom. In fact, both of these learning theories should be coupled with technology in the classroom for the practical reasons listed above. These theories and the academic advantages that they yield will be aided by technology. If you wish to learn more about these theories here are some helpful links that discuss them in detail;
Ms. Kikers Helpful Links –
Tools for Teaching and Becoming a Self Directed Learning
Self Directed Learning Explained
Constructivist Learning Explained
Lets get Specific
What does this mean to your student?
I want to use the Internet in my classroom as well as PowerPoint in order to reach educational objectives with the students. I have a lesson plan that uses the Internet as a research tool in a project where students research important Supreme Court Cases and Lower Court Cases to determine a stance on an important Constitutional principal and rights.
California Content Standards: Students evaluate and take and defend positions on the scope and limits of rights and obligations as democratic citizens, the relationships among them, and how they are secured.
I also have a lesson plan where I teach students how to use table, graphs and charts in comparing demographics of diverse regions over periods of great historic change, such as mass migrations and wars.
California Content Standard: Discuss the diverse environmental regions of North America, their relationship to local economies, and the origins and prospects of environmental problems in those regions. Discuss forms of popular culture, with emphasis on their origins and geographic diffusion (e.g., jazz and other forms of popular music, professional sports, architectural and artistic styles).
With the assistance of the internet in the classroom students will be able to quickly gain access to actual court records and case briefs that other wise may not be available in the school library. Students will also learn the technique of Internet research, having to use search engine and distinguish between reputable and non-reputable Internet sites. Students will develop cognitive skills by shifting through information found on the Internet and determining whether or not it is historical and viable. Students will participate in a Constructivist learning environment through creating an experienced based education through the completion of Internet research and tools.
With the assistance of PowerPoint in the classroom I will be able to demonstrate to students how to decipher and interpret maps, graphs and tables in order to pull pertinent information to answer specific questions. Students will be able to follow along with instruction with the assistance of a visual aid, which will assist students to visually see what they are being taught. PowerPoint presentations assist the teacher during times of directed learning because they allow for the students to learn on multiple levels at one time. The student’s cognitive level is being taught with direct lecture, and their psychomotor level is being taught with the assistance of a visual aid.
In sum, technology in the classroom allows for so many practical advantages to learning as well as assisting in the enhancing of reaching students through teaching theories, such as directed and constructivist theories. I urge you as parents to become directly involved in the opportunity to make your child's learning environment more well rounded by participating in the fundraiser to bring technology into the classroom. The benefits are so many, as listed above! Please consider aiding us in bringing these benefits to your students.
I would love to hear your comments and concerns regarding this topic and any other pertinent issues regarding your child seduction. Please feel free to comment below or email me with any questions.
Resources
California State Board of Education. (1998). History–Social Science Content Standards for California Public Schools
Constructivism (learning theory); Wikipedia. Retrieved September 4, 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructivism_%28learning_theory%29
Doering, Aaron & Roblyer, M.D. (2010) Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching. 5th Edition. Parsons Education Inc.
Self-Directed Learning; Teaching, Education, Learning. Retrieved September 4, 2010. http://www.selfdirectedlearning.com/
Self Directed Learning; Adult Education Wikibook. Retrieved September 4, 2010. http://adulteducation.wikibook.us/index.php?title=Self-Directed_Learning
DISCLAIMER: This blog is an assignment for an educational technology course at National University. It is not a real fundraising blog.
