Technology In Adolescent Education

   
   Prior to taking Database Programing and Connectivity, I was completely opposed to using technology in the younger grades. I believed it was a waste of time for both the students and the teachers. I remember using computers for assignments and not being on task. I can also recall many times when my teachers were not technologically savvy, and wasted time. However, I have had a new outlook on technology from this computer course.

   

   The main problem with technology are that the teachers these days are not aware or comfortable enough to use it. They feel that if they were to use it in their classroom this could hinder student learning. I am observing a 2nd grade class and I saw the smart board in the front of the room, but it was never being used. I asked the teacher why doesn't she use it? She replied with "I have no freakin' idea how to work that thing!". She continued saying they have never had a technology training course, and she thinks they all need one. If these teachers were trained in technology, their classroom environment and student cooperation would benefit more than before. 

   After learning about how to implement technology in CS322 and then including it in lesson plans for ED414 I have learned a few positive ways to use it in the classroom. We have learned how to use blogs in the classroom, wiki's for expanding information, many types of videos, and podcasts. I truly believe that by being   introduced into this new world of technology that we can change the bad views and crete a new outlook on technology in the classrooms. 

   In conclusion I whole heartedly believe that with the appropriate use of technology  students can benefit from the use of technology in classrooms. As students in middle school, they are learning how to become themselves. I believe by introducing them to technology early on in life, they will benefit from it later dow the road. Technology is a to be an addition to the learning experience, it is never to be a replacement. With the right training and room to explore technology, using technology could open numerous doors for both the teachers and the students. 

Implementing Technology Into the Common Core Standards

        The purpose of the common core learning standards are to  "provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy. provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy ("Common core state," 2012)". This is the process done to prepare children for the real world, then why not include use of technology in the standards. 

       Technology has changed over the years, and with those changes it has also evolved. When we were in grammar school, the computer was a big deal. These days children had iPods and iPads as their future technology. If technology is so evident in the real world, students should learn how to use it affectively early on. For example instead of kids having an assignment to write an essay, have them type it. Another example is help teach them how to use technology in an educational way. Maybe use the iPods and iPads to do research and create a slide show of the information they learned. The possibilities are endless!                 

       Recently we discussed in our ED414-ILC class that the common core is working on having a nation wide common core. This would mean at the same time during the year every grade level will be on the same level.  If a child moves from Tennessee to New York, they will be on the same track as where they were in their old school. On an odd note they have not one but two companies working on this. The two companies are Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)and Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium. These two are cooperating to create a world wide curriculum. The states have a choice as to which company they will use. Some of the states have not agreed to try this method out, and some states are willing to try out both.

 It's almost shocking to know that schools are aware of how significant technology is, yet they barely use it in any lessons.  If schools begin to use  technology to for class activities in  grade levels maybe all students would be more advances at using technology in the future. If technology is implemented into the common core standards in anyway, teachers would pushed more to incorporate technology into their classrooms. Therefore, making our students  more successful in their futures. 

IRE

T

Why should students be able to analyze video from a constructivist perspective?

                                        

Students should be able to analyze videos from a constructivist perspective, in order to appreciate videos and how they are created. This is also a good way to increase their experience on specific subjects. Usually a teacher just shows a movie, or clips of a movie but the child does not get a feel of the process, they only get to see the product. If they were to experience a video from a constructivist’s point of view the students would understand the planning and time behind creating a video. 

                                                 

Having the students use constructivism allows the students to think, imagine and create personal movies for a subject. Maybe, there is  a subject that isn’t the most appealing to the class. As the teacher you could use the jigsaw method, by breaking up the class into groups and have them create small videos to inform their class on their assigned topic. 

                                                           

Math is everywhere!

I was working today and I never really thought how much math is involved in my job. It's a little ironic because I am a math major, and I have been working there for 3 years and I just realized this now. I wanted to show math from a cashier's perspective.