Digital Blog Post #F

Technology has become so advanced making it easy to access information and files to use personally or professionally. Bookmarking  and Cloud Computing have made it easy for teachers to access information they want to view or share with their students/colleagues. Bookmarking is wonderful because it allows teachers to create and access a list of save websites that they visit often instead of having to go to the search bar and look for it every time they want to refer back to it. This way if a teacher wants to look back all they have to do it go to their bookmark list and they can easily find the site. Cloud computing is the most modern and covenant way of storing and sharing data using the internet or "the cloud". (Maloy et al., 2013, pg. 134)  Truly one of the most remarkable tools in this day and age, really great if you are nowhere near home and need to access something, it's saved in "the cloud" so you don't have to worry about not using the computer you saved it on. You can use your phone to access whatever it is you need.  This video provides a simplified explanation of how it works.

One-to-one Laptop Computing is a relatively recent initiative states are working to implement into schools across the country. (Maloy et al., 2013, pg. 306) Ideally this is so that every student has their own computing device to use while in school. Whether it be a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, iPad, smart phone, etc. Having students use these devices as early as elementary level prepares them for higher level education and provides them with a growing familiarity with technology. 

Photo credit  to Schoolux Online via Flickr

Cooperative Learning and Group work is a great way for students to each take on a role in a group assignment and teach it to the rest of their peers. This way students are able to teach and learn from one another while using technology to gather information and resources but still keeping focus on the objective. This is a wonderful way for students to collaborate. These types of assignments also give teachers more free range to check on progress and assist students with any questions they may have.  (Maloy et al., 2013, pg. 309) Students tend to not enjoy working in group environments mainly due to poor attitude and not well managed atmosphere. However when teachers are able to plan accordingly the outcome can be quite rewarding for both students and teachers.  (Weimer , 2013)

ToonDoo created by Jessica Drapal

Resources:

Drapal, J. (2016, April 24). Fear Cured by Jmdrapal - ToonDoo - World's fastest way to create cartoons! Retrieved April 24, 2016, from http://www.toondoo.com/cartoon/10011282 

M. (2010). Cloud Computing : Simple and Easy. Retrieved April 24, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRaJ5QdDT2E

Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.   

Schoolux Online. (2008, June 6). Retrieved April 24, 2016, from https://www.flickr.com/photos/104736715@N07/10925340673/in/photolist-hDre9D-dS2MBD-bhpX1D-6i7qAL-dM1ZUV-oCMWL9-DLAivD-e6sjmm-9FUKfq-7Z1dwC-pXpfjn-iLG57b-6bXF19-jBdptu-8ac3Ye-7Adb87-bhoUWn-ikLg56-5jwjuF-5VyXhz-qZU43A-9wimAG-9kJZL1-58SyaY-6NBMaT-8PCwt2-6MEqfW-aGYwC4-bZEv1f-5zr2Lu-9TKYq1-oHDe46-9qgBJv-ai87be-rYYWsP-6YHVgf-ayT4Yo-4wmc5L-axLvSb-e4hh57-7beJ1K-o1yWop-j4tdEi-aHTq7e-nyfwHF-g587AG-npQcVF-dpE6wA-dmsiF1-7ZRJzK/lightbox/

Weimer, M., PhD. (2013). Five Things Students Can Learn through Group Work. Retrieved April 24, 2016, from http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/five-things-students-can-learn-through-group-work/

Digital Blog Post #E

There are two approaches that usually follow the three elements of lesson planning,  student learning objectives or Understanding by Design (UBD). Student learning objectives focus on purpose or the end result of the activity, not necessarily the activity itself. While student learning objectives are more precise in that, after the lesson is complete students will know in particular what they will be able to do. (Maloy et al., 2013 p.78) When using UBD there are three stages to this approach.  First the teacher points out the idea of the lesson and presents questions. Second, the teacher decides what ways students can show that they have learned from the lesson. Third, plan learning experiences and instruction, this is the similar to the student learning objectives as this stage focuses on the objectives and the order of the lesson.  Both approaches to lesson planning focus on key objectives and assessment. (Maloy et al., 2013 p.79)

                              

Literacy learning with digital cameras is a great way in which students and teachers both benefit. By using cameras students can incorporate photographs, short videos or a combination to post, view and review material. Practically any subject/project can be photographed and used to encourage the development of subjects and lessons through photos. (Maloy et al., 2013 p. 230) Alphabet books are a way in which students can create their own books  using photographs or drawings. Concept books focus on a single idea or category like numbers, letters, colors, etc. using pictures. These types of books can help encourage students through their learning of literacy. (Maloy et al., 2013 p. 231)

    

                             

Involving students in learning and assessments is crucial to productivity. Students are more likely to perform better and become more engaged in assignments and activities when given options as to what they learn and how they learn the material. (Maloy et al., 2013 p.283)  Allowing students to contribute to the aspects of assignments and activities will cause them to become more involved the learning outcome have a lasting impact. Which will also in turn motivate students to track their progress and be more attentive of how their being assessed.  

Resources:

Learning A-Z. (n.d.). Alphabet. Retrieved April 03, 2016, from https://www.readingaz.com/books/alphabet-books/

Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.

S. (2010, December 15). Once Upon an Alphabet Pop-Up Book. Retrieved April 03, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JGi04rBCxc