Classroom Management

During lecture we discussed how to manage your classroom in different environments such as: a standard classroom setting, mini-lab stations, and computer lab rooms. Specific situations were brought to our attention-what if you found a great drill and practice activity on a computer program, but only had one computer for the classroom. My solution would be having a schedule for each student to have a 15 minute time slot two days a week with a vibrating timer to alert them when their time is up (that way they know it has been 15 minutes without distracting the rest of the class in a severe way). We also talked about how to manage a class that is working in a computer lab. There is now software to track every individual computer to see if students are on task or not. I think what we talked about was helpful however some of the ideas presented in the lecture seemed like an invasion of privacy, something I do not know if I would participate in as a teacher someday because I want to respect my students just as they should respect me. 

Addressing Issues in the Classroom

Being a teacher is a complex job-- especially when it comes to legal issues. Teachers need to follow copyright laws and acceptable use of software for both themselves and their students. 10% of a text can be used, but if more is used then a law has been broken. Programs like Turnitin.com can help teachers identify if students are plagiarizing or not. These rules are so specific and are often broken by teachers without their knowledge. However, there are specific ways that text can be distributed, used, and shared in a legal and safe way. Because the internet is so useful in obtaining information, it is difficult to put that information into your own words. Teachers need to stay alert and be cautious in reading student's work regarding legalities and with the information they present to their students as well. In todays lecture I felt as though all we talked about was copyright but addressing issues in the classroom is such a broad and important topic that I feel like the content was a little vague. 

Assessment

After a lesson is taught--teachers can assess their students in many different ways. Some examples are multiple choice tests, true or false, and essay questions. Let's discuss multiple choice exams or quizzes. This kind of assessment is simple and fast for a teacher to grade and helps students with the elimination process when searching for the correct answer. Unfortunately with multiple choice questions students can potentially guess the answer with having no knowledge of the topic being discussed. True or false are also easy to grade and allow students to differentiate from simply two options. This form of assessment is helpful to students giving them a 50/50 chance of receiving full credit. Essay questions are more complex and take a long time to read and grade. Essays allow students to develop and justify their answers making it less objective. Although I only discussed a few ways of assessing student knowledge and understanding of content there are many more. To name a few--portfolios, projects, performances, short answers, and fill in the blank.

Data collection/Analysis

Data Collection and Analysis is a form of learning where students use technology to gather and/or synthesize information. Some examples for teachers would be a grade books or creating online/computer based testing systems. The goal in every classroom is for students to learn something from the lesson given. Students can make graphs or charts to express what they have learned or information they have gathered. Requirements would be a computer lab and time for students to gather data. Availability would be productivity tools for instance. Decision would require to decide what to use--one could be a spreadsheet. The explanation then would discuss the Three E's of a spreadsheet. A spreadsheet is effective because it clearly shows the data found. It is efficient because it organizes the information automatically eliminating all the time it would take if it had be done by hand. Last a spreadsheet will enhance the appearance and will enhance learning process because from spreadsheet students can choose from a variety of graphs to express their information.

Production Tools

To prove learning in the classroom--students can create or produce something to show their development. Production Tools give students the opportunity to show what they have learned and it gives the teachers the availability to assess student progress. Production tools help with planning, reasoning, creativity, visualizing the concept, and organization for both individual and group work in the classroom. Production tools do not only assess knowledge of topics but also of the concepts those tools require.

Examples of Production Tools:
-Movies
-Wikis
-Pictures (photography)
-Book Report
-Brochure
-Blog; Journal

Communication Tools

In class we discussed basic communication patterns: One to one, one to many, and many to many.
Examples:
one to one- telephone, letters, tin cans
one to many- teacher teaching kids, web (blogs), you tube, watching television, video conferencing
many to many- chat room, discussion board, oncourse, google calendar

We also discussed the different between asynchronous and synchronous communication (types of interaction).

Asynchronous communication means that you are communicating, but not at the same time. Some examples would be e-mail, forums, blogs and text messages. Synchronous communication means communicating at the same time such as a chat room, discussion boards, and skyping.

Synchronous communication is good for getting feedback and information immediately, but asynchronous communication gives time for development in responses and makes communicating with people around the world possible. All kinds of communication are helpful and useful in the classroom-a teacher just needs to make the conscious decision when to do and use what.

Content Exploration Tools

In class we discussed tools for exploring content. Some of the main topics we touched on were reference, drill and practice, tutorials, educational games, and integrated learning. Me, specifically, wanting to teach Language Arts, would focus mostly on tutorials and integrated learning techniques. This is because with a tutorial my students will be given information and be tested on their understandings. Integrated Learning would also be a great technique for my teaching specification because games and references are sometimes necessary. First, educational games will help keep my students motivated while references are sometimes the easiest and most effective way to communicate facts and or literature.

Productivity Tools

I think productivity tools can be very helpful in the classroom. They are used to do more and to do those things in less time. An example of a productivity tool is word processing. This tool is useful because it gives students access to spelling and grammar assistance, making changes directly in the text, and allows collaboration. It also gives teachers the availability to make their own comments directly on the word document. Productivity tools can also be used for organizational and management reasons. They can be used for scheduling, templates, and grade books -- all things that are very present in classroom today. Productivity tools are not always necessary, but can quicken a process. Take a calculator for instance. If the point of the math problem is not the math, but the answer--a calculator is a productive tool to have in comparison to a pen and paper. Productivity tools will increasingly become more important and present in the future of education.

G-R-A-D-E

G= Goal
R= Requirements
A= Availability
D= Decide
E= Explain

G.R.A.D.E. is a good format to go by when making decisions and giving directions.
The goal is basically the standard and what you hope for your students to learn. Requirements is basically asking, what do you need? What resources or tools are neccessary? From there, you need to look at availability. What resources can you access? Then, you decide. Decide what toos and or resources you will use. Once you have decided what you will use, explain. Explain why the tool you chose address to what you are teaching. It seems somewhat elementary to me and almost like common-sense, but maybe that isn't a bad thing and this only plays as a reminder when making decisions about what and how to teach.

The Three E's

Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Enhancement; the key to student achievement. In class we discussued the three E's in regards to technology in the classroom. First off, efficiency. Technology should be used when it will speed the learning process. Also, to make educational materials because with technology you can do this in a much easier way. Also, rather than having your students write drafts on paper they will do it on a word document. This will eliminate the long process of editing and re-writing because it will already be accessible on the computer. Second, effectiveness. Technology can be used to improve student comprehension, transfer of information, and achievement. Basically, technology can be so effective becasue it betters the comprehension with the availability of visualization and reinforces ideas. And last, technology enhancement. Technology has the power to motivate and engage students which is one of the biggest battles teachers struggle with. Technology can sometimes make the impossible--possible such as connecting with others around the world. This is also an example of an exceptional learning experience. Technology is not always neccessary, but it is great when it is efficient, effective, and enhancing!

Professional Development

It is important to participate in professional development because technology is changing exponentially. Teachers must stay up to date in order to be an effective teacher, because teaching is focused so greatly on motivation and engagement. Also, knowing more about technology will open more doors for teaching your students in more creative ways. Teachers now have the availability to talk to teachers from all over the world. Therefore, they should not only become more knowledgable about technology, but about being a better teacher in general.

Flat World

The idea of teaching in a flat world scares me because I will most likely be teaching a room of students whom are more technologically intact than me. Although it is a fear of mine, it can also be viewed as an amazing future. We will soon be able to do so many unique and hands on activities due to the advancements in technology. I think the most important thing for me, as a teacher, is to stay up to date with all the new advancements. I will be able to use technology to my advantage as a teacher if I am prepared to do so.