Technology Reflection-iPads

Technology Reflection Assignment

Description/Experience
The last seminar dealt with using iPads in the schools. The iPads had many different applications which students could use in order to learn and could also be used as a motivational factor in learning and behavior. I learned that using the iPad is a way to keep students interested, and that it also provides many different learning options for students.

Application
The activity that could incorporate the use of an iPad is to use different apps that help students learn vocabulary. I could use the iPad to put in the words the students should be using, then the apps would use those words in some form of game that would allow them to have fun while learning such as hangman, crosswords, or word searches. The learners in this lesson would be 9^th grade English students. Learners, at the end of the lesson, will be able to tell a word from a definition or be able to tell the definition by the word. I would know the students have learned because they could do a quick quiz to assess how much they learn to begin with and compare it to what they have learned by the end of the lesson.

• The lesson would begin with introducing the students to the iPad application and show them how to use the apps correctly. This would take about 2-3 minutes to explain.
• The next 20-25 minutes of class would be spent allowing the students the time to try out each application I had picked from them to use and for them to pick the best one that they feel was most effective.
• Following this exploration, we will go over the correct answers as a class and will answer all questions any students have.
• Afterward, the students would fill out an assessment of how helpful they think the app was and compare their initial knowledge on the lesson to the knowledge they have gained through the lesson.

Reflection

                The teaching strategies will really motivate the students. When technology is used, the students are excited to learn and seem to pay more attention. Not only is the technology helpful, but it’s also fun. The students will have fun learning without even realizing how much they are learning. The way I teach this lesson would be different from normal because I would have to make sure the iPad apps are my main focus.

                The students’ understanding will strengthen because they are a media generation. Using technology they are already familiar with in most ways will make it easier for them to gain an understanding of the content and apps associated with it.

--Pedagogy-Content:

• I would give examples of the definitions to the students whether it be from giving direct explanation for a word or from using the word in a sentence and letting the students to use the context clues to figure out the meaning. Either way, the students would use the examples to do well on the activities.
• Some pre-conceptions on this particular content would be that students only want to use the iPad for fun and won’t use it to learn. Also, I don’t want them to fully rely on technology to learn, I just want the students to know that technology can be a wonderful resource for them to learn new things.

--Technology-Pedagogy:

• The technology would be used to present learning vocabulary in a fun way. The apps on the iPad would allow for the students to play games and learn at the same time. This would allow for students to interact more with the content they are learning and not stress over how hard something is to learn.
• Using this technology would allow many different options for me to use throughout my teaching career. Since there are so many apps and more to come, the way I use the iPad in my lessons will be everchanging. Technology would make me have to think outside the box on the lesson and allow for me to integrate something exciting to the students that they can relate to.
• I would have to play extra close attention to the class so that I know they are staying on task and using the iPads for the instructional purposes only. Also, I will have to make sure to implement some punishments for those who decide to use it for other things and give rewards to those who use it properly.

--Technology-Content:

• Using this technology would allow the students to use skills most have already developed. This would make them excited about education again instead of just dealing with the boring day to day work they have every day.

--Technology-Pedagogy-Content:

• The content can be taught effectively because I have used activities that are fun, but they still allow the students to have fun while using it.
• This will enhance what I teach because it is a refreshing way for students to learn. It will also allow for multiple ways for the subject to be taught giving the students more ways to learn.
• I would have to change my teaching strategy to how it would work best with the lesson on hand. Integrating technology into the classroom requires a different sort of method and also requires more discipline in the classroom to keep the students on task.

Technology Reflection

Technology Reflection Assignment

 

Description/Experience

The technology demonstrated in the last seminar was about using EdMoto. This was basically a Facebook type ordeal that allows teachers to connect with their students and other teachers. Teachers can use this technology to engage with their students and post assignments and discussions online. The interaction this contains allows for a better relationship with the students.  

Application

I could use this activity to post an assignment for a project on a novel we had just read in class. I could post different options the students could do and they could discuss it amongst themselves. The students may have questions about the project, and they could just post a discussion. Posting the discussion will allow either me or other students to help with that question. The age group this would work best with would be middle school students and older.  A way to know if this was working would be by assessing the skills of the students before incorporating EdMoto and after incorporating it.

I would post the requirements for the assignment and have the kids post underneath what project they plan on taking. After each student has picked an assignment, they would all post a reason for choosing this project. There would be an open discussion thread so each student could post any questions that they had.

Reflection

Pedagogy-Content:

• I would post examples of what I expect of the student and guidelines for the assignments so that they understand what is expected. Some students may not understand what I am looking for in the project and may think it’s just something they can throw together in the last minute. Once they see what I am expecting, they will hopefully take it seriously.

Technology:

• The main function of this technology is to connect teachers with their students and other teachers around the world. It is easily accessible and is free. Most people have internet and computers at home so the accessibility of should be easy. It is also easy to navigate.

Technology-Pedagogy:

• The technology would be used to give the assignment and different examples of what I expect. It would allow the students to be more in touch with each other and me as the teacher so their questions could get answered in a faster manner. I would need to make sure that all of my students are using this correctly and not using for inappropriate reasons.

Technology-Content:

• It wouldn’t really change that much other than the fact the student can access it online and it would be easier to discuss with the whole class outside of the classroom. I would be able to provide multiple visuals and examples and give the students different websites to reference. It wouldn’t really change the way students practice or understand the content.

Technology-Pedagogy-Content:

• The students would have easy access to help from myself and other students. If other students had the same question, they could just go through the discussion and find the answer. I could reference other teachers on what the best way to teach could be and use their ideas. Being able to connect with teachers from around the world in my content area will open me to new options that I didn’t think of before.