Final Blog

In the next five years I see technology expanding rapidly; it seems that every few months there is a new version of a seemingly fine technology (i.e. iPads, iPhones, Tablets, etc.) I believe every day technology is perfected just a little bit more and apps and tools are becoming more functional and readily available. My hope for  the next five years is that cutting edge technology can somehow be slightly cheaper than it is as of now, I say this because I find it extremely unfair that there are amazing technologies available that could benefit so many students and their families and yet due to the hefty price tags, they are left behind.

Technology is changing education by providing students with new avenues with which to express themselves and to learn and by providing teachers with new ways to teach various subjects. For example, visual learners are given new ways to see subjects through Smart Boards and iPad apps, audio learners are able to learn with podcasts, and hands-on learners are able to figuratively do the work themselves through hands on apps and using Smart Boards. In higher level education, such as high school, students are able to participate in things like never before. For example, a high school student who is too squeamish to actually dissect animals is able to still learn the information through an electronic way via iPad app; students are able to technologically study abroad and view the world’s greatest monuments.

Teachers are able to use technologies such as podcasting, classroom websites and cloud sharing to reach students who are unable to come to class as well as all students parents. Teachers are also able to make students more involved in the lessons that are taught through hands on technologies such as the iPad and SmartBoard. 

As an aspiring teacher I look forward to one day being able to use these technologies in my classroom to be a better teacher, in the following AudioBoo posting I will discuss which technology I am most excited about using and how I plan on using it in my classroom.

listen to ‘Future Technology’ on Audioboo

Graphic Organizers in the Classroom

Graphic Organizers. What are they, how can they be used and why are they beneficial to students within a classroom setting? These are all questions that can be answered by reading this week's blog posting. First of all, a graphic organizer (or G.O.) is, simply put a way of using images, diagrams and organization to help students learn a concept--a familiar graphic organizer is the Venn Diagram used to compare and contrast ideas. Within the classroom, graphic organizers are a great way to gauge students' knowledge of certain subjects without giving the dreaded pre-tests that many students are accustomed to taking. For example, a science teacher could use graphic organizers to test students' knowledge on classification of animals by creating a G.O. with a main idea bubble of Animal Kingdom, then sub-ideas of each classification and having students list as many animals in each category as possible, possibly even giving them a word bank to choose from.

Another way a G.O. could be used is within an English classroom, where it could be used to discuss a story. This is beneficial because students can see the story being broken down into various different parts such as: characters, setting, morals, etc.

In a younger classroom setting a G.O. could be used to teach basic math by showing addition facts using different colored boxes. Or in a science setting, having students divide animals by how they travel: by wing or by legs.

An example the latter graphic organizer that could be used in a Kindergarten to 1st grade classroom setting can be found below:

This G.O. was created using a software called Inspiration 9.

Podcasting in Education

 Podcasting is a audio/video broadcasting technology that could be used in education for a variety of things. To teach students it could be used to explain different concepts in depth, discuss authors of literature being read in class, discuss an artists techniques in a specific piece of work or for foreign language practice. By using a podcast, students are able to learn topics from home, whether it be on sick days or on breaks where an educator wants students to do enrichment work.

Another option is to podcast lessons for students to listen to and then respond to through homework, quizzes or tests. This is a great option for students who may have to miss long periods of class time, or for parents of these students who may want to hear what their students are learning in class. Teachers could also use this option to help subs out when they must miss; in this way all the substitute would have to do is play the podcast for the students and hand out any supplementary work that may go with it.

Some disadvantages to podcasting include the lack of personal interaction when used as a teaching substitute, and the fact that students are unable to ask questions throughout.

Recently many different universities have been allowing their faculty to produce their own podcasts, whether they be video or audio and post them to iTunes for free downloads. This has allowed people who may not be able to afford the "Harvard education" to hear a Harvard professor give a lecture on any given topic.

This week, I reviewed a podcast found on iTunes posted by Eastern Connecticut State University's Early Childhood Educator's Center. The podcast was the second in their series and was a video podcast titled: "Introducing Technology to Young Learners". Below you may listen to my summary of the podcast.

listen to ‘Podcast Review’ on Audioboo