I am looking forward to using more QR codes next year, along with letting the students use the internet more. I have learned a lot about modeling my expectations on the technology usage. I have talked to a few teachers in my school already about different websites that we have learned about and how to use it within their classroom. I have talked to our principal about some PD on using tablets and how to find apps and teach the students to use them properly. I will be using things learned in module 7 more this year, I am very interested in more project based learning for our students. I think the most helpful thing I learned is just more ways for classroom management and hopefully pass on the information to curb other teachers fears.

module 5

I would say for the most part I have control by authority in my classroom. The kids can’t get on sites that aren’t approved by the tech dept. and when they go on sites that they aren’t supposed to then they lose technology privileges for  a day or so, but I also use technology for reinforcement when they are on task, do something extra special, and so on I reward them with free technology time. This is still controlled to a point but they don’t see it that way they just know they get to play a game online and since the sites they know how to get to most of the time is still some sort of learning site.

I think I have an easier time with this than say middle school and high school teachers, since we don’t have the issues of students having cell phones or iPod/iPad on them in class. Though dealing with teenagers in my personal life and along with at extra curriculum events. I see where it is a problem.

I have watched them attempt to be doing homework or with those helping younger kids with the Lego team, and their phone will make a sound and that becomes the new focus.  I do believe that “some” control is needed with the technology in a classroom, I think the students should be allowed to have their cell phone on them for emergencies, but it needs to be put away when it is not needed for an emergency.

Our school system is changing out Wi-Fi for the purpose of the students being able to connect to the Wi-Fi and that way the school has some control over what they can do.  Some sites that are questionable are blocked in the buildings so they wouldn’t be able to connect to them.     I like that the teacher has the ability to shut down the devices when they want their attention.  I know one teacher who if he sees the students on their device he ask them what they are researching and they have to instantly write down the website and a paragraph about what they said they were looking up.

In my classroom, the students use the smart TV where I pull up a site for them to work on using smarttech website so I can pick the lesson I want them to work on. This is they are really good about doing the work but it is a big screen TV that everyone can see what they are doing. Then I have a Promethean table which again I usually pull up an icon for them to use, this they usually end up either get done with and attempt to find their own app to use, or say there are “done” and try to change it. I have 4 students’ station computers in the class which they use for math or reading station.  This is the one that I have the most problem with; they will go on a site that is not reading or math. Most of the time another student will inform me loudly that someone is not on a reading or math site and then I can correct it. I am trying to work on a way to make the computer time more accountable.

I don’t know that I would get to self-control due to 6 and 7 year olds don’t have much concept of self-control. I think just making them understand the reason for using the technology and knowing the consequences of using it improper is the first step and hopefully they will carry that understanding with them through their school years. 

module 6

How can we teach students to learn by using technology?
I believe there is an endless street to using technology to help students learn. They first need to understand that technology isn’t just for games to play, though there are many games out there that will help them with their learning. Students can listen to stories to help those that may struggle with their reading ability. Students who need to have a visual to go along with their learning can get that with use of technology.
I use technology as stations in my first grade classroom; I have 4 student station computers that the students use during our reading block and for math. The students can go to different websites that I have put in files for them to click on depending on what class we are in. During reading they can go to sites that have stories for them to listen to, sites that are for phonetics, they can go and listen to poetry or write their own poem, they like a site that they can write their own story or fill in parts that will make a story. After they are done at their station they are to write at least a short sentence in their journal about the site they were at, what they learned, liked or didn’t like. During math there are different math games set up that are at their levels and what they need extra practice with to help them make benchmark. I also use a promethean table during the station times. The students learned from the beginning what was allowed and what wasn’t going to be tolerated. Now I have a few that will try to sneak in a “fun” game once in a while but they are caught and told on quickly. I am hoping to get some ipads and or ipods this year to use in my classroom for so many apps that are out there for learning and to download books for the students to read. There is a lot of research out there about boys reading more when they get to read using technology.

How can we teach them to demonstrate their mastery/understanding when they aren't given explicit requirements?
I believe when you tell students what their objectives are they understand what the bottom line is, they want to learn and they want to improve but most of the time they don’t know what they are reaching for. When I introduce a new site to the students I show the class how to get on the site, where they are to go to for different needs, and I show them what I expect them to get out of the site. I show them this throughout the year for reminders and I also randomly watch them at the station and see if they are following through with my expectations. I explain to them why I want them to go to the site and what they are to get out of the lesson.