Introducing technology to students

Introducing technology to students is a wonderful way to opening minds to new ideas.  I believe when you introduce it to students you need to make it enjoyable and show them the “cool” things it does first.  Like a game or playing an instrument on it. Then you show them the possibilities of using it for many different things. Then you show them how it can make their life easier.

For example; I have a promethean internet table in my classroom. When they came into class the first day we had it I had the musical instruments pulled up on it. When they sat down and seen it 23 hands went up and questions were flying. I didn’t say anything at first just went over and started tapping on the piano keys, hit the drums a couple of times and finished off with a triangle ring. This had their attention to learn about it. Then I asked, what were some of the things we have talked about it in class the last couple of days?  Additions, subtraction, compound words, were some of the answers shouted out.  So I called 6 students up and had them touch the screen and find addition icons.  They did quickly and added a few problems. I then called 6 different students up and had them find subtraction problems and work on those for a few minutes. Then 6 more for words and then my last group who are struggling with reading, writing and or math came up and found the icon with animal sounds on it to match up on a graph. So by now I had all the students hooked. I then went to the next park and asked them how they think this would help them with school. Hands went up with answers like fun to add, ways to help someone who doesn’t understand after that answer I had to sit down and applaud them for their great answer. I told them that concept was called collaborating with their peers; I explained this was a great skill for them to learn for life.  So we did more discussion about how to use the table properly, what were some of the risk with going on the internet just like a computer, phone, and a tablet. Once I had the students interested anytime another teacher, a parent or even an older student came in our room the table was the discussion for my class. They loved that they could explain how to do the things on the table to the adults who had no idea about how to work the table.

I think it is very important today to show students how to use technology and how to use safely along with efficiently.  I make a “worksheet” type questionnaire on the computer. Put the sheet on my touch screen tv and have the students go and write in a correct answer, or use a mobi for them to answer the question just as easy or easier than I could make it on paper, copy it, have the student work on the paper, copy their neighbors answer, guess the answer and maybe get lucky with the correct answer and turn in the paper and I grade it and give it back to them. They take it home and it gets thrown away and never discussed again. 

So as I stated about teaching the students first then have them teach parents and etc. Once a student learns how to do something they take ownership in it and PRIDE. That carries over to teaching their parents and showing them just how easy it is, along with how exciting it can be.  

 

My philosophy of education is I believe all children can learn, and it is our duty as parents, educators, and a member of a community to find a way to help every child to learn to the best of their personal ability and to give them a safe environment to learn in.
I read this statement and find it to be true. Progressivism is based largely on the belief that lessons must be relevant to the students in order for them to learn.  I believe that children learn easier when they can use personal experiences and personal interests.
As an educator I feel it is very important that every student has the chance to not only learn academics but to learn pride, to have self-confidence, a high self-esteem and integrity within themselves. I want every one of my students to see the love in teaching and learning that I have and, to carry it on. I think it is also very important that as an educator to teach our students to respect themselves and others.
I believe a student’s role in education is to attempt their personal best, which they should realize no matter where they come from; they have the opportunity to make their education their top priority.
As an educator I believe it is very important to realize that every child comes with different background knowledge, they learn differently and communicate differently. This is the reason that I implement “stations” in my room for reading and math. This gives me the opportunity to allow them to work in many different ways, and it allows me the chance to work with a few at a time on specific areas that they need more instruction with.
There are many ways to be an effective teacher and have effective students:
First and foremost important to be an effective teacher is to have the love for children and a passion to educate.
One must have effective classroom management, it is important to have this underway from day one of teaching and continue throughout the year with the management. Having effective classroom management is essential to having quality learning in your classroom.
To have an effective classroom I believe it is important to be strategic with your instruction. The use of technology in a classroom is a wonderful way to reach out to many students. Boys tend to read more, learn more and doing their work more when it is on some type of technology. There are many “resources” out there to use in a classroom, you have to find which ones work best for you then find ways to make them work for each one of your individual students.
 Technology again is another way to add global awareness to your class room.  You can have a skype or face time account that would allow students to talk to a student across the ocean. Using technology is a great way to show students current events around the world; we do need to do this within their ability to comprehend the big picture. There are always those “teachable” moments where you can fit in about something that relates to your lesson that may have happened on the other side of the world.

I believe to be an effective teacher you need to be involved in your school community along with the student’s home community. A teacher should know and understand where their students come from and take an interest in their community. As a student who moved around most of her childhood, I relate to and explain how the future can be to transient students.   I have learned that many times students just want an ear to bend just to feel better internally. I have seen the excitement in students when their teacher past or present makes an appearance at a school function, a sporting event or even just in the public grocery store.
   
My goal to succeeding in my career is to make a difference to my student’s lives. I will be a teacher who teaches and continues to learn. There are always ways to be a better more effective teacher. I will continue to try my personal best for each and every one of my future students. 

exploring 21st Century Skills

The 21st Century Skill that I think is most crucial to my students lives would be ways of thinking.
 I teach 1st graders and since they are just learning how to do critical thinking, problem solving, making decisions and how to use their creativity these are all important skills as the foundation of their lives.
I am very strong believer in project learning. I think it opens up the way for students to learn using their best learning skills, whether that is through traditional books or through technology. 
Teaching research skills gives students the lifelong skills they need to be independent learners.  For example you are doing a science unit on the life cycle of a butterfly. The research can be done through a variety of sources. The students could use videos, books, diagrams; they can go on to websites and talk to different experts on the topic. You can see the metamorphosis live or in videos for those that are visual learners.
 For their finished project students who enjoy writing and does not struggle with it can make a hard copy book in their handwriting, others may like to type it out and include pictures from the web, while others may want to use Movie maker and show their findings that way, then there are those that want to show a 3D version of their research or even act it out.
This allows their own creativity through the way they produce their product. If they are working with a partner this allows for collaboration which is another important skills to learn. Project learning helps with decision making they have to decide what is important to include in their final project, which that also goes along with problem solving.
To asses a project you can produce a rubric which I believe is another life learning skill needed. To know what you need in the end. This puts the score in their pocket  to achieve.

When my older two daughters started middle school, the school was starting project learning. For an example for my article above, my oldest was working on a project that included learning about speed, velocity, angles and etc. They learned how to do math through this project, they learned the history by talking about roller coasters and how they were created which went back to more math, along with writing they had to do research about the different roller coasters and this included (an expensive but worth it) field trip to Disney for hands on learning research.