Reflective Post

I have learned much throughout this course. It has been a quick six weeks and lots of work needed to be crammed in but in the end I was sure to pull through. The textbook itself was pretty self explanatory and we covered mainly the most important points. I found the textbook extremely helpful since we did need it for almost every assignment. Mainly because of the simple fact I enjoy details and reading back to see if that's how the textbook shows. Referring to the syllabus it seems as if we covered it all. For the outcomes I believe we have the COM (Communication), CT (Critical Thinking), TIM ( Technology/Information Management), and GSR (Global Socio-cultural Responsibilities). We didn't touch base so much with QR ( Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning) because we didn't really do math in this class or even apply any because it wasn't necessary.

The grading scale we had was pretty lenient. Although, I did not feel it was right that you can keep all of your work at an "A" level and one assignment can almost fail you in the course. Also the layout of the information was difficult to track. Basically having to search throughout the entire canvas page to search for information that was scattered about. I understand it is a technology class but technology should make things simple for us. It was made to make life easier and neater for us, rather than complicated and scattered.

Now, one website I found during this course was the cpalm's standards as well as Education World. These two websites are amazing and I even did a website evaluation on one of them, the other being Cpalms which was shown to us during our lesson plan assignment. One of the videos that I  ran into during all of the assignments that have stayed with me would have to be this motivation video.

Novak, M. (n.d.). You are limitless. Retrieved June 20, 2016, from https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oXJ1FZKwI7c

Digital Blog Post #E

Concept #1 (CHP 4)

I already had knowledge that many schools work with technology. All grade levels work with technology in different ways. Although, I did not know there were two kinds of technology use in a classroom. Either or, inclusion or infusion is in a classroom. Inclusion demonstrates that computers and other useful technologies are used mainly for traditional purposes. (Approximately 30 minutes for group instruction) Infusion, meaning actually using technologies ongoing and learning in all the academic subjects at all grade levels. It is put into a day to day routine. Reading these two differences I feel infusion should be used more. If it works, do not simply include technologies but incorporate it into a day to day use. Actually infusing technologies. What I would like to know is if either one of these benefits the students more? I’m guessing since students learn in different style it all varies.

Concept #2(CHP 7)

Visual thinking and concept mapping have always been a part of schooling. Drawing and writing things on paper to generate your thought. Although, what I didn’t know was that there are software’s to help with generating ideas as well.  Three particular ones that are spoken in the book differentiate based on grade. First, Kidspiration which is for elementary students. Then, Inspiration for high school students and adults. Lastly, InspireData for middle and high school students. They all include basically the same tools. Yet, these tools are used differently to create an original piece. It involves brainstorming, or even unedited writing or drawings to inspire and idea so you can get rid of that “Blank Page Stage”. Software’s like these make it easier to create ideas. I myself have never used any of these software’s knowingly. Therefore, I am quite interested in trying.

Concept #3 (CHP 9)

I have always known that photography is fun and interactive with students. They love pictures/videos and that’s why so many schools have student led news shows. Yet, I have never heard of “concept books”. Apparently, concept books are for beginning readers and ELLs. (English Language Learners) They can be found in libraries to show you how you can make one on your own. The teachers read the students a book. Then the students pose for an illustration to describe the text. Lastly, you create the book. Staging the photographs reinforce the meaning of the concept. I feel I can incorporate this eventually in a classroom. Although, maybe instead of photos they can quickly sketch each other’s poses. Concepts would still be understood.

Reference:

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.