Portfolio

Creating a portfolio at the end of a semester, or year, is very beneficial. Portfolios give the teachers an idea of the success of the semester or year. They are able to view what the student learned and what the student still needs to work on in the coming year. Creating an online portfolio was interesting, and fun, yet very beneficial. This was required of us in my Learning Through Technology class. I felt that it helped me to sum up the semester. It helped me to put everything that I have learned this semester into one file. Throughout the rest of my college career, and even into my teaching career, I will be able to look back at my portfolio and view many important ideas. For example, I have included in my portfolio the New York State standards for teaching, as well as the ISTE standards for teaching. If I ever need to look back and view these standards, they are within easy access on my computer. I feel that creating a blog was more beneficial than taking a final exam because I was required to view and express my opinions on each topic covered in class this semester as well as include examples of my work done. It was a very rewarding opportunity to display my education and successes.

Multiple Intelligences

In our online class in Elluminate, our teacher introduced Gardners Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Gardner says there are at least eight different and relatively independent types of intelligence: linguistic, musical, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, intrapersonal, interpersonal, and naturalists. According to Gardner's theory, IQ tests cannot judge all students abilities to learn, and traditional academic tasks may not reflect true ability. Because students have different intelligences it is important to incorporate each, or at least a few, into lesson plans. For example, doing group work is effective, multimedia projects, assigning students group roles based on their type of intelligence. Technology allows us to determine which type of learner we are, and different ways in which to express our intelligences. Using technology in the classroom is beneficial, especially when it comes to students posessing different types of intelligences.

Direct vs. Indirect Instruction

Direct and indirect instruction are examples of two learning theories. Both theories stress different aspects of student learning. Direct instruction stresses individualized student work. Teachers who beleive in direct instruction tend to lecture students, and give them worksheets to do on their own. These teachers transmit a set of skills or knowledge to the student. They hand them the informtion that they need to know. Indirect instruction requires the students to generate their own knowledge. This view expresses that students gain knowledge through experiences and real-life situations. Many teachers beleiving in this theory propose "what if?" questions to their students to get them to think outside of the box. Non traditional methods of teaching are used with indirect instruction. More videos are shown, more technology is incorporated into the lesson plans. Indirect instruction stresses group work, and cooperative work, so that students can learn from eachother. Personally, I believe that indirect instruction is a more effective way to teach. Students learn a lot from eachother, and even more from experience. I feel that listening to a teacher speak about a subject is a very big waste of time, and that students actually participating in discussions, and seeing what they are learning about is more useful. When I become a teacher, my classroom will be based on indirect instruction because students will find it more interesting and I feel that student interest is the most important key to their success.

Second Life

In our Learning Through Technology class, our teacher introduced us to Second Life. Second Life is a social networking program in which each user creates a "second life" for themselves. There are different islands in which the user can explore and meet new people. Just like other social-working sites people become "friends" and can communicate through Second Life. It is rapidly becoming popular and people are investing a lot of time and effort into this program. People are encouraged, and allowed, to make money off of Second Life. It is possible to obtain a job, purchase items, and gamble all by entering your credit card number. While many people may see this as a great opportuinty to meet people and make money, and create a completely new life for themself, I feel that it is rather strange. Personally, I found Second Life complicated and confusing. Im sure with more practice and access to the program I would be more comfortable, but the idea of creating a whole new life for myself through a computer is not something I think that I would enjoy doing. Overall, being introduced to Second Life was a great opportunity to learn something new, and to learn about the lifestyles of other people, but I do not see myself going back to the site in the future.

Communication Technology

Technology is known for making our lives easier. One of the main ways it has made our lives easier is through communication. It had made communication between people a lot simpler and more convenient. In todays world it is possible to communicate with people all over the country and throughout the world in seconds. The use of cell phones allow us to call people no matter where they are. The use of the internet allows us to send messages and emails to people we would normally not stay in contact with. It is simple for people and less stressful to communicate. It also makes it easier for somepeople, such as the hearing impaired, to see and type to others, rather than struggling on the phone with hearing aids and such. The use of the internet through web cameras and other technology of the sort is useful especially for loved ones who are far away for long amounts of time. It allows them to not only talk to their family and friends but to see them as well. In todays world technology is also much cheaper than it was years ago, making it more available to others.

Virtual Classrooms

Recently my Learning Through Technology teacher introduced me to a virtual classroom. It was very interesting. I had never heard of such a thing before. Students in a class all log into the same program (elluminate) and are connected in a "classroom" online no matter where they are. It is a very interesting concept and is very convenient. Instead of walking to a classroom to meet, we were meeting with eachother from the comfort of our own rooms. The teacher was able to talk to us through a micrphone, and able to present a powerpoint presentation to us that he had prepared. It was a very rewarding experience and I am very glad that I was introduced to this. I feel it is beneficial and helpful to students. It is a perfect example of technology making our lives easier.

Special Education Classroom

Recently, I observed a speical education classroom. This was a requirement for my Exceptional Child psychology class. It was very interesing, I had never been in an environment like this before. The students were in second, third, and fourth grade and what really stood out to me was the use of computers in this classroom. When I arrived there the students were creating books about the Solar System. They were to write a page about each planet, have it proofread by an adult in the classroom and then type it in Microsoft Word and print it. I was only really introduced to computers in fifth grade, I felt that it was great for them to be introduced to the use of computers earlier in their life. The teacher explained to me that typing on the computers is a daily activity that the children participate in becuase it helps work on their fine motor skills. Many of these children had problems with their fine motor skills and their behavior. Working on the computers allowed them to work on their motor skills while being intrigued by the screen and very focused. Also later in the class, during "math time" the students used a program called Math Blaster to work on their addition, subtraction and multilipcation skills. Each level required higher knowledge of math to pass. The children really enjoyed this game and were learning a lot from it. I feel that the use of computers in elementary and special education classrooms is very beneficial in more ways than one. It helps the students focus, it helps them work on their motor skills and also other skills such as math. In this world of technology it is very valuable to be introduced to computers at such a young age. It will definatley help these children out in the long run.