How has your opinion of technology integration changed in the past 10 weeks?

Blog: How has your opinion of technology integration changed over the past 10 weeks?

My opinion of technology integration has changed over the past 10 weeks because I feel I have gained a wealth of knowledge about new ways or new projects to integrate technology in my classroom. As a current technology teacher, I found this class very valuable. I was provided with a wide range of resource to help integrate technology in the classroom, and new ideas that I was unfamiliar with

I was able to create WebQuest, which I feel would be very valuable to implement in the classroom as it is a virtual lesson plan that students are able to follow at their own pace. When creating the WebQuest, I realized these are the future of lesson plans. By creating WebQuests, teachers are storing their lessons plan digitally. WebQuests help teachers reuse valuable lesson plans, and also provides teachers with unlimited space to store lesson plans. Moving forward, I feel I would create more Lesson Plans based around WebQuests, because it provides clear instruction for the students and is a great way to store information and lesson plans.

Throughout this course my opinion of technology integration has also changed because I feel I was introduced to a bunch of great resources or project ideas, such as Ignite Presentations or the virtual classrooms that can provide a chat feature (I want this for my classroom so bad!!). The unique project ideas that were discussed throughout this course gave me a lot of new ideas for student projects, and also the new technology ideas gave me new ideas for ways to improve my existing projects. Overall, I felt the resources that were discussed and demonstrated were the most valuable tool that I gained from this class.

To say my view of technology integration changed does not necessarily apply, because I am currently a technology teacher... Therefore, I always believe technology should be implemented in the classroom :)

How can you reduce plagiarism in the classroom?

Blog: How can you reduce plagarism in the classroom? 


As a technology teacher, plagiarism in the classroom is a reoccurring problem. Not only do I deal with plagiarism problems within my own classroom, but teachers throughout my school are constantly dealing with plagiarism issues and seeking alternative ways to prevent this issue. Many teachers find they cannot stop students, or students are not informed enough about what is or is not plagiarism and how they can avoid it.


One of the ways that I prevent plagiarism is by letting students know that I know what wikipedia is, and I know what it can or cannot be useful for. I often have a discussion about times that it would or would not be appropriate to use wikipedia. This helps the students discuss times that it may or may not be appropriate to use wikipedia, and explain their reasoning.


I also show the students how easy it is to alter wikipedia, and thus the information that they find on the website might not be valuable. I explain that if I question any of the information in their projects, I am not afraid to further look into the information they are telling me. I than show them how I can type a sentence into google, and they copied the same sentence I'll be given an exact replica of the information on their project. Many times students do not realize that you can google whole sentences and see where the sentence is on the web.


When going over plagiarism with students, I often find that students don't realize how easy it is to alter information on the internet, and how easy it is to find information if they do not use their own words. 


I also have a conversation, or play a game with my students about "age appropriate words". I'll than talk to them about words they often use when writing, and words they do not use but see on a website or article and copy. I will than put a few sentences together with large, out of place words, and show the students how easy it is to "identify" the word that doesn't fit.


Aside from letting the students know that I know how to check their sources, I also show they where to look for good sources and traits of a good website. By providing students with the knowledge on how to find quality information, I hope this does not make my students feel they would need to plagiarize. 


Overall, I try to let the students know that I can find their information on the internet, and let them know I will check the quality of their work. Most of my students know that I will question their information, and look into facts and figures or sentences that don't look age appropriate, therefore, many students do not want to take the risk of plagiarism because they may know someone who was caught or know I have checked student work in the past.

Lit Review #2

Article
Is Technology in the Classroom a Waste of Time?
Thomas, Paul; Sheninger, Eric
Junior Scholastic; April 2, 2012; 114, 3; ProQuest Education Journals
pg. 9

This article discusses the debate between whether technology in the classroom is a beneficial or harmful tool. Many teachers find that learning how to incorporate technology is too time consuming, therefore, school districts spend too much money on technology that is never used or implemented. There has also been evidence to support that no more learning is happening in classrooms due to technology. Some argue that although students need to be proficient in technology, they need to have something worth communicating or something worth demonstrating their need for the technology.

Although it is understandable that school districts should not spend needed funds on technology that will not be beneficial or enhance learning, technology has increased student interest. Today students are learning in a digital age, where learning is not only happening but is also fun and creative. Online tools allow teachers to create learning to real life examples that students can relate to and understand. Virtual tools also allow teachers to give students opportunity to be creative in new and innovative ways, allow students to search for deeper learning and comprehension.

I found this article to be interesting for numerous reasons. For one, as a Technology Teacher, I am often faced with the question of why technology is beneficial or what it is going to do for our students. Aside from preparing our students for the virtual world they will live and work in, technology when used properly, can increase student learning. Students are often seeking technology based learning due to the hands on, interactive and creative possibilities that await. When teaching, I often notice that today's students are not afraid to explore and make mistakes on their own. Many students would prefer to explore individually instead of being instructed on how to specifically do something.

The dilemma with using technology in the classroom is that many teachers resist technology for a diverse range of reasons. Some teachers fear technology because it is the unknown or the confusing. Other teachers do not feel the need or see the benefit of implementing technology in their classroom. This creates situations where students cannot utilize technology opportunities due to the restraining teachers.
I also found this article beneficial because it could be read by students as an introduction to a pro/con project about technology in the classroom. Because this article was written by Junior Scholastic, it is written for students. This means the article will be written using terminology and language that students understand and can relate to. As a resource, I think this would be a great starting point for students to create a pro/con project... using technology.

Lit Review #1

Article: Resources: Integrate technology and physical education through blogs and Web 2.0
Journal: Children's Technology and Engineering, March 2012 - Pages 8 - 9
Arthur: Kevin J. Kaluf


Resources integrate technology and physical education through blogs and Web 2.0 was written by an Australian PE teacher named, Jerrod Robinson. The author starts off by explaining what a blog is, which is a type of website that can easily be updated by anyone. A blog is often used by a  student, teacher, athlete or anyone looking to share their thoughts and opinion about a particular topic or topics. Web 2.0 s also clarified, explaining this is a set of internet tools and an ongoing philosophy on how to accurately use these tools. By incorporating Web 2.0 into blogs, many people are able to comment and interact on blogs, helping create a more interactive and global community on the internet. 


The article focuses on how PE and technology can be used within the classroom. An Australian PE Teacher is highlighted, due to his blog "The PE Geek". On his blog, he highlights valuable resources for teachers who are looking to integrate technology and physical education. On his blog he showcases apps, programs and resource books that can be useful for different types of integration. This teacher focuses heavily on the use of applications in his classroom. Often showing applications such as a heart rate app to help further link classroom lessons to real life activities and uses. 


This teacher also uses a technology posting tool to create a SMS mailing list with students. This type of blog allows students to comment up to 160 characters, and can create a discussion about a classroom topic. This type of discussion helps students create rapid responses and instant interaction.


Overall, this article was useful because it allowed be to see how other Unified Arts teachers, especially Physical Education, could use technology. I find this article very interesting because my Unified Arts team is currently trying to create digital portfolio requirements for each Unified Arts areas. The digital portfolio is a computer based portfolio, therefore, finding ways to integrate Physical Education into the technology classroom would be beneficial for my students portfolios. This also created great opportunities for co-learning opportunities between the Physical Education and Technology classrooms at my school.

Ed Tech Talk

Blog: Reflect on your K12OC or Ed Tech Talk experience.


The EdTechTalk that I listened to was It's Elementary #43: Interactive White Boards. This was recorded by mariaknee on Tuesday February 23, 2010 at 3:57pm.


I was initially drawn to this video because I have heard that interactive white boards can be a very enhancing experience in the elementary classroom. Although I have heard great things about these classrooms from textbooks and seen many teachers at the secondary education and higher education level using these technologies; in the elementary school these boards are often ignored and avoided. When I was initially hired at my own school, there was an interactive white board that was being used to hold posters and other learning aids! What a waste!


After talking to a few teachers, I realized that many teachers just did not know what to do with the technology. This has caused me to have an interested in the learning possibilities available with White Boards; however, I have to find out more about them before I can approach my school district to purchase one for my use.


This edtechtalk strongly recommended teacher training in the use of interactive white boards. Another teacher added that teachers in their school district who were very weary of using white boards, were easily pros after they had no choice but to learn how to use the boards (older white boards were removed from the classrooms). I do agree that people are more likely to learn to use technology when they have no other choice. If teachers are given no option but to use the white boards - or not be able to project their lessons, notes, ect. - they are much more likely to figure it out!


Overall, I thought the session was really different. It was weird to have so many people talking and putting in their input. It made the season flow like a conversation, but yet they mostly kept on topic keeping it very informative. I really liked this session, however, I wish it had provided more input on what teachers can do with interactive white boards and the best uses for students. 




http://edtechtalk.com/node/4685

K12 Online Conference

Blog: Reflect on your K12OC experience.


This blog was called Tools to Create, Produce and Publish. This blog was posted by Jose Rodriguez on December 8th, 2011. This session shows how teachers can use a variety of tools to help teachers increase their knowledge, and help students create more creative work.


I was drawn to this session because I am always interested in finding new ways to help increase student interest. As my first year of teaching as progressed, I have noticed that students are often drawn to projects or programs when they can create and control an artifact. By being in control of the outcome, students are more engaged and are more self motivated to learn.


This session was really beneficial because the presenter talked about kidblog. Kidblog's are safe and simple blogs for students. This was a great resource to have because recently I was talking to a fellow teacher about how we wanted to provide our students with a safe blogging experience. As a teacher, I'm always very nervous to have students create log-ins or put ANY information on line; therefore, seeing how user friendly and safe this blogging website was made me want to further look into this resource.


Google Docs was also highlighted in this session. Although I have used Google Docs at the college and graduate level, I have yet to try this with my students. Seeing the possibilities with Google Docs, and how frequently they are being used by a diverse group of people, is making me realize how essential of a skill it may be for students to feel comfortable and confident using google docs. As a teacher I strive to teach my students skills they will need in high school and real life, therefore, if Google Docs is going to be highly used I would like to incorporate this technology into my own classroom. 


I would recommend this session to educators for all grade levels and subject areas. This session focused on a lot of ways that technology can be implemented in any classroom, and would be useful for a variety of curriculum areas.






http://k12onlineconference.org/?p=902

Week 3 - Providing Equal Access to the Digital World to all learners

What does it mean to you when you hear that it is up to the classroom teacher to: Provide Equal Access to the Digital World to All Learner?  How, or what, would you do in your classroom to meet that statement?
This is a short (2-3 paragraph) blog entry.

When hearing the statement, "it is up classroom teacher's responsibility to provide equal access to the Digital World  to All Learners", I strongly agree with this statement. As our world becomes more digital and technology becomes more advanced, it becomes more of a responsibility of the teacher, or teachers, to make sure that students are prepared for the digital world they live in. As a teacher, your job is not only to educate students and teach curriculum, but also to help them grow as people and to be prepared for life beyond your classroom.

By not providing students with digital access or digital learning experiences, teachers would be providing students with out of date learning techniques and strategies. The world is becoming more digital, and by not providing our students with digital competency than this is unfair to our students. Our students will be at a disadvantage compared to others later on in life or in their academic careers. Even schools that do not have the funds to provide every student with a computer, or iPads to demonstrate the different uses of apps or does not have the resources or funds to implement smart boards, these schools still have the ability to work with the technology they have.

Many school districts are not able to afford the latest and greatest software, with so many changes to education -often times technology is not a school districts first priority. That is why many educators are willing to share their tips and techniques for finding solutions to these problems. Many teachers are willing to share free educational software or resources, or classroom activities that help integrate technology. Even if a district does not have the resources available that a teacher would prefer, it is the teachers responsibility to integrate technology to the best of their ability.

Integrating technology could mean planning activities using the teachers computer and/or an overhead projector, or the classroom computers if the teacher is fortunate enough to have these available for use. As an educator in the 21st century, it is the teachers responsibility to provide students with a variety of digital resources. All students, from special education to ELL students, should have this exposure. By providing students with digital resources teachers are helping prepare students for future and the technology that they may be using in the future. Exposing students to technology at an early age is often more successful because students will feel more comfortable using different resources.

Week #2 - Technology You Use The Most

Week #2

Keep an eye open.. to see what types of technology you use the most. TV, microwave, cellphone, ect. Do you remember what it was like BEFORE you had it? What is it like when you no longer have the ability to use it (such as a power outage, drop in service, ect).

The types of technology that I use the most would be my laptop, iPad, iPod and cell phone for personal use. When at work I frequently use my laptop, twenty-four desktop computers for my students, my overhead projector and iPad.

I can only vaguely remember what life was like without the technologies that I frequently use. Although I remember a time before I had a cell phone, it was strictly because my parents said I was too young to use one. I also remember having a personal computer in my home around 4^th grade, and having my own computer as early as 6^th grade. Since I started school I always took a computer course, and cannot easily recall life without computers or cell phones.

I remember not having iPods and iPads. Prior to iPods people used portable CD players, by having an iPod people have more access to more music through a smaller device.

When I do not have the ability to access my technologies it can be frustrating or relaxing. I have not been without my technologies besides for vacation purposes since my sophomore year of college when most of southern New Hampshire lost power and/or cable. During this time I was not able to charge my electronic devices, therefore, using them became complicated but not impossible. Even on vacation due to smartphones, I still have the ability to complete tasks using my cell phone that would once have required the use of a computer.

Without having access to checking my e-mail, I truly think my daily tasks would be complicated, and I would feel like I was missing a part of my day. I am constantly checking my personal and work e-mail for communication, therefore, not being able to do this would make my day feel empty.

Blog #2 – What it means to integrate technology in the classroom

Integrating technology in the classroom is something that I am very passionate about. I am very passionate about this issue because I believe properly integrating technology in the classroom not only enhances student learning and learning potential, but also helps prepare our students at a younger age for the global tech-savy communities they are entering in. Technology is constantly changing and evolving, and by not introducing these changing technologies to students they are going to be at a disadvantage to those students who were exposed to technology at a younger age.

By integrating technology students are also given multiple ways to enhance their learning, either by creating deeper learning experiences or by allow students to access the same information in a new way. Often times students are able to learn information and show their knowledge through using technology which can help create a new learning experience for children. Technology is also a great learning tool because it allows children the element of discovery, when students are using a computer they are in control of their learning and the product they are creating. From my experiences, I have seen that children really enjoy the independence of using a computer.

Introduction Blog

Blog #1 – Introduce Yourself

My name is Amber Bishop. I am currently a Technology Computer teacher at a small K-8 school in Southern New Hampshire. I graduated from Southern New Hampshire University in May 2011 with my degree in Business Education. Although I received a certification to teach secondary education, I am currently completing additional certification to become certified in Technology Education. I am also completing my masters in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Technology Integration.

In my spare time I enjoy reading, and hanging out with my two cats Max and Ceasar.