Chapter 8

Chapter 8 talked about ELearning and the advantages and disadvantages that it has. I never knew about ELearning until I read this particular chapter. For people like me who are new to exactly what ELearning is let’s just say it consists of three basic components: 1. Instructional and learning strategies, 2. Pedagogical models or constructs, and 3. Learning technologies, eLearning contexts range from hybrid classes to those completely online and at a distance from the teacher eLearning can help schools meet the needs of a variety of students.

At GSU I am taking an online class. I NEVER KNEW I WAS ACTUALLY APART OF AN ELEARN CLASS!!! From personal experiences of my own I can tell you some pros and cons of having an online class. The number one reason an eLearning class is great for students especially college students is that it works well for those that are unable to get to the college itself. Time, transportation and location are things that work well for me in my online class. The thing I despise most forgetting that I have an assignment due only because I don’t have a physical classroom to report to. This causes me to miss a lot of assignments and not have a true feel of my professor.

The chapter discussed guidelines for creating eLearning opportunities. Teachers must work toward building a community of learners and consider what the hidden curriculum means for the students in the class. To facilitate online learning, teachers can organize ahead of time and work toward giving clear instructions. With this being stated in the chapter I really would have to commend my professor for having everything lined out week to week in advanced for her students. It helps the class flow.

The final two things that I found crucial to an ELearning class is to develop and evaluate effective technology of activates and creating appropriate assessments for technology activities.

ELearning can be as simple and as difficult as face to face classes but it has added elements of technology and a difference in how time is used. Activities are available both off and online. Books and portfolios can also benefit teachers and students. It is a little more organized and easier to keep up with. 

CHAPTER 7

Chapter 7 focused on production and technology. According to the chapter 7 production is a form of learning whereby students create a products, or a concrete artifact that is the focus of learning. I understand different productions can be used for students of all sorts. Students with differences from being normal to being a student with ELLs or other disabilities are able to use different types of technology or production to assist them with class work and everyday life experiences.

The use of productions can motivate students and their learning with everything from: individual and group projects, critical thinking, decision making, learning technology to speaking and visual skills. According to Egbert and Blumenfeld, production “helps Ells to receive input in English that is comprehensible, to work in ways that they understand, and to play a role in the project regardless of their language fluency”.  

The three production process described in the chapter reminds me of everyday brainstorming where you jot down something, you clean it up then you execute it to turn in for a grade. In comparison to the production process where you have preproduction, production and postproduction stages which are basically planning, developing and evaluating.

What I took from the chapter was the fact that they stated that teachers to keep students most active teachers planning should include ways to have students make their own decisions and work closely with each other. After reading this chapter I understand that technology is used to support student production however it does not result in learning alone.

CHAPTER 5

According to chapter five of Joy Egbert’s book, "creativity can be defined as the creation of original ideas, processes , experiences, or objects; it also states that “creativity can be describe as the ability to see ordinary things differently”.  I looked at creativity as being willing to go above and beyond want is expected. Being different than others and standing out. When Egbert stated "students who can think creativity can determine alternatives, solve problems, and avoid being “lifelong idea consumers”. They learn to make original contributions to human knowledge.

I believe my creativity has gotten me a long way in life. I have always been different when it comes to different things like: styling clothes, making decisions or designing things; then seeing it in stores makes me feel that I should have been a little more aggressive and gotten my ideas patented. I believe the more creative you are the better chances you have at being successful.

TEACHERS AND CREATIVITY

I understand that teachers have a curriculum to follow but being a creative teacher, changing up the style of teaching and making it interesting makes students willing to want to learn. Being opened minded and allowing students to come up with their own ideas helps encourage students to want to do better and learn in the classroom. I believe when teachers allow students to be themselves along with creative learning habits make school and learning fun. Fun learning for example: vocabulary hang-man or any type of educational hangman along with educational jeopardy is creative and fun for learning and studying. The biggest part of creativity is making sure everything is organized and prepared correctly. A way to boost up student confidence is allowing students to show you want they are capable of doing. 

Chapter 4 Reflection

Chapter four was interesting. It challenges you as an individual to come up with ways of critical thinking and basically asking the right questions to get the answers that you are looking for. The chapter discusses on page 105 that “teachers can present students with a general set of steps synthesized from the research literature that can serve as a basis for critical thinking”.  Reviewing content and understanding helps both the teacher and the student. If you understand the content then you are able to break it down and clarify the problem that might be causing an issue. Organizing the material into sections will help differentiate between most important and lease important. Synthesize answers about the material basically telling why this answer supports the topic of discussion, finally evaluating your decision.

Chapter four discusses making choices. Take responsibility as guide the students with: understanding situations, setting goals, talking about options, making choices and thinking about consequences. What I would have my students do will be to assist me with setting class goals, rules and consequences for not following class rules.

Finally the discussion of critical thinking through technology was mind blowing for me. Motivating the students to do more than their best may be the push that students need; in these days of time doing your best is not enough while doing more than what is expected (being an overachiever) is the newest trending topic.  Some students might need assistance with writing. People tend to write the way they speak. With that being said if you use a program that assist with writing the speech of the student will improve as the writing improves without the awareness of the student. They will eventually speak proper grammar without knowing that they have improved with the help of the software.  (Me critically thinking out loud)  

Chapter 2

Chapter two was a great chapter for us to reflect on; it not only gives tips as classroom structures, management but ideas on use of technology and diversity use in the classroom. What I took from the chapter are things I will be able to use in a classroom of my own one day.  Having equal access to everything available in my classroom is a big deal. Making sure students with disabilities both physical and mental are able to use any equipment or follow assignments discussed in class is important to me. The chapter talked about other technologies outside of computers and I was trying to figure out how I would be able to integrate these into the classroom and I thought about it. Being a future language arts teacher I decided that the use of cameras can be used for the students to document their progress in the class and other literary projects: presentations, poems, discussions etc.  Microphones can be used to speak into the computer and hear themselves and how they annunciate words.  The chapter said that the 3-4 students should be together for group computer use but I say 2-3. Big groups cause more problems. There is always some student that is not willing to pay attention and not participate in a larger group; with a smaller group they reason do not have much of a choice.

When have technology in the classroom or not at all, I believe it is important to grasp the attention of each student and engage them in the activities. You can have the student participate or more interested by letting them come up with their own sentences for examples with assignments. Encourage the students to want to work in a group; I believe having one person talk all day is boring and cause one to start day dreaming, if they are in a group they will have the opportunity to learn from other students that might know a little more than them and that can relate more to the student that might need a little assistance. Finally, focusing on the essential question and making sure the purpose of the assignment have been served.

Of course the chapter reminds you to make sure you understand technology yourself or the program before having your students use the program. I remember when I was in high school, my professor got everybody hyped and ready to do an assignment and she wasn’t able to explain it to us on how to use it herself once we were in the lab. Embarrassing.

Chapter two talks about five guidelines which I found to be helpful:

·         Incorporate principles of just in time learning.

·         Differentiate instruction.

·         Teach in a culturally responsive manner.

·         Adopt materials to be accessible for all students.

·         Balance content and tools.

I understand that students are different. Some may not like the use of technology and prefer the “old school” way of brainstorming while others might need the assistance of a computer and another might need a little verbal guidance.  As a future teacher of America, I am ready for the challenge. I understand my assessments must be integrate in the learning area and have to remember the whole aspect of the assignment.

Remember to do a usability test on anything I do evolving students be it with or without the use of technology.

Technology in and out of class

Ten Ideas for Using Instagram in the Classroom

While browsing the internet I came across an article that talked about the use of INSTAGRAM in the classroom something that I think the students of my Language Arts class will love. It will help the students to open up more and tell us about them without the use of words.... I think my students will definitely be interested in participating in this assignment. 

                                                   Pictures say a Thousand Words

On Your Mark, Get Set, LEARN !!!

Ready to Further Your Educational Skills?

Welcome to the fun world of Ms. Fordham!

Ms. Fordham's students will learn to enjoy not only literature by the languages and thrills that comes along with it. I have high expectations that this will be an incredibly successful year for all of my students. This yer your student will be taken on an exciting journey through the world of Language Arts.  As all professional teachers I will be their tour guide to everything they will need to know about Language Arts. Students will learn everything from short stories, different types of novels, and various writing projects that they will need in order to complete the school year. I work hard and will continue to make y classroom fun and highly interactive for the student as well as myself. I believe that your student will do their part by putting forth 100% to every classroom meeting that we have together. 

The use of technology in my classroom is very important. The students will use technology to assist with being more engaged in class with the teacher and other students inside and outside of the classroom, complete assignments, play games that are course related, and build connection and communication. 

Technology in the Classroom

The use of technology will also be used to assist the more visual learns, have a hard time reading, or that like seeing words on the big screen. General Resources