Digital Post #H

In chapter 9, the first section was "Mulitmedia Technologies in Classrooms Today". In this section, it goes on to prove that teaching in a 'multimodal learning' environment is more effective than teaching in a 'single-mode' environment. Multimodal learning is when you teach a lesson, but incorporate technology; not just by showing a video clip, but showing a short clip, but then recording students reciting a skit. While in a single-mode environment, it's teaching by just having a teacher talking. No video clips or pictures. I personally learn more having examples in a picture or video format, then just having to sit in a classroom where a teacher lectures. But it is also shown that students learn and interact more when teachers include such technology. 

The section "Digital Skills" caught my attention as well. They mention different ways we can include digital tools in our classroom, like a camera or video camera. A fun, interactive way could be to make an "alphabet book", and until now, I had never heard of it, which is why it interested me. Students can draw, take pictures, and write in the book to show what they understand about the letter assigned to them. It also helps with their writing, their understanding of the letter, for example, the sounds it makes and the different ways a letter can look. Another thing that was mentioned was a "concept book", which is somewhat similiar to an "alphabet book", but in a concept book, you can do shapes, colors, objects, patterns or even continents. And to include technology, kids can record themselves explaing their topic or take pictures and place it onto a document and make a book out of it. No matter which book you may decide to do, it's a fun way to interact with your in students in a different way. 

Credit to geralt on Pixabay

The last section was "Photo Taking and Movie Making by Students". Using digital cameras to involve students is a smart idea, at least in my opinion. Students can take their own pictures and talk about them. Or they can shoot their own video and edit it on their own. It gets their creativity mind going and I'm sure they would love it. It's something different and new to them and it's technology! If teachers include technology more and give students a chance to do it themselves, students become more interested in what you're saying and teaching. If you give students a chance to take their own pictures and edit and view them, you also get a chance to see what they know. Technology plays an enormous part of a students life and including it in lessons will work in your favor as well.

Resources:

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Digital Post F

In this chapter, the first section that caught my attention was 'Using Electronic Communication in Your Teaching'. I completely agree with them stating that it would help students if teachers used blogs to interact with students. I would personally use it in a higher level class, like a 9th through 12th grade classroom - maybe 7th or 8th grade classroom too. Some students learn different ways and teaching doesn't have to end once the bell rings. I think if we did use blogs to communicate with students once school is over, it gives students more of a connection with the teacher and the students can go back and look back at the lesson in case they didn't understand or if they missed a day of school. Or ask a question if they are confused about something. I'm all for using blogs to help students learn better!

Credit to geralt on Pixabay

The next section I read that really got my attention was the section called 'Building Learning Communities'. This section is similiar to the one I just spoke about, but it goes on explaining that students want to express opinions and make sure that they're heard, so making a blog for students and teachers to comment on, seems to be a great idea! And blogs don't have to be for just high school classrooms, it can also be used in the younger classrooms. You can state "I wonder questions" which are questions that get kids thinking and they can ask peers or their family to help them answer and that gets a collaborative conversation going.

The last section is 'Wikis as a Collaborative Learning Strategy'. Wikis are more of a collaborative project that could be more useful in a higher level classroom. For example, if I were a teacher giving an assignment to a group of students, I would use a Wiki for the assignment vs a blog. And I would do this because in a Wiki, the whole group can edit and comment on each page and in a blog, you can not. There are many different Wikis and the purposes for them are very useful in school. You can work together with your group without being face to face. In my opinion, Wikis are more meaningful than a blog only because you can work with your peers on the same project to get it done. 

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Resources: 

• Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Digitial Blog Post E

In Chapter 7, the first section that caught my attention was the section called 'Building, Inventing and Creating Software'. Kids can create software themselves - I know, I didn't know that either. Using manipulative tools like blocks, legos or balls, they can learn all the different type of structures or how many ways a ball can be thrown. One of the tools they can use is called Kidpix. I checked out the website myself and I loved what I saw. I could use this if I was in a third or maybe even second grade classroom. In the website, you can make your own little story and that itself, has endless ideas! Kids could also voice record themselves to tell their own story. Another tool that they could use would be Google Earth. Using Google Earth is a cool way to see the world from your computer screen, but it's also a good way to help teach Science or Social Studies. All the ways of learning are endless especially with technology! 

Credit to stevebp on Pixabay

The following section I read was 'Computer Games as Learning Resources'. All games don't have to be violence and use explict language. Games can be used to help kids learn and now a days, it is. In our classroom, computers is a "center" and it's one of the students favorites. They get to enjoy a fun way of learning their ABC's or numbers. Every game has a concept and its to let kids have fun, but also, learn at the same time. 

The last section was 'Strategies for Using Games with Your Students'. For example, we have iPads on a 1 to 1 basis in my classroom for the students to use. But, all the apps are downloaded and have been tested and used by adults to make sure they are kid friendly. So I wouldn't let a student, go grab and iPad and let them download games themselves. We have to closely monitor the game and what they're doing, and also, explain to them how it works and explore it with them. I've done this when the iPads were brought to my class and it worked perfect! Students know where not to go and if it's locked, they know they can't get into it. It's a matter of teaching your kids to make sure they understand what will happen in the game and what they will learn and most importantly, how it can be fun!

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Resources

• Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.