Saturday, May 27, 2017

Philosophy of Technology in Education

Reflecting on my initial philosophy of using technology in the classroom, I noticed that it has not changed much. I still believe that integration into the classroom is vital but now I believe like everything, it has its time and place. Throughout my IT class I have learned that just because it’s new doesn’t mean that it is better. I do still believe that technology allows for greater differentiation and streamlines grading, planning and management for teachers.

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/all/themes/commonsense/images/logo-commonsense.png
            
One of my most impactful learning experiences this quarter was researching different classroom/teacher blogs. I really enjoyed reading through these blogs because most are from current educators. It was impactful to read their experiences and any advice they had from other teachers. I also really enjoyed learning more about digital literacy and exploring Common Sense Media. It has so many different reviews of apps for teachers and students a like. If you wanted to try out a new app or game I would definitely recommend checking out the reviews of it on Common Sense Media!
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http://www.imaginelearning.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Scratch-addition-facts-screenshot-Big-Brainz-300x169.jpg

One tool that I am definitely going to use is BigBrainz. BigBrainz is a web-based app where students can practice their math facts. What is really cool about this program is that it is set up like a video game where students go on quests and in order to progress through the next one they have to answer questions correctly. There are two versions of the game; a premium version where you do have to pay and another one this is currently free (this may change soon). From what I have seen in the classroom, students absolutely love playing and are fully engaged in it.

https://static.classdojo.com/img/page_learn-more/phone-a.png
            
Another tool that I am going to use is ClassDojo. ClassDojo is great because not only is it a classroom management tool but it is also a great way to keep in touch with parents. In terms of classroom management, teachers can add certain positive behaviors they are looking for in students. Every time a student exhibits this behavior they receive a point. These points can be used for anything the teacher wants like prizes or free time. Teachers can also send out messages to the whole class or to individual families. The best part is, ClassDojo is free for both parents and teachers, which is another reason why I am definitely going to use this in my classroom.

http://www.mpsaz.org/crismon/staff/aekagan/classdojo/images/dojo.jpg           


 This class gave me a great base for integrating technology into the classroom. Throughout the quarter I had the opportunity of exploring various tools and finding ones I will definitely implement in my classroom. After taking this class I feel prepared to implement technology into my own classroom, and I now have the tools and knowledge to research other tools and applications. As my education continues, I hope to learn more about Google Classroom. I feel like this is a tool that would benefit students, their families, and myself. Overall I learned so much this quarter that I will continue to build upon everyday!

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Philosophy of Technology in Education

Reflecting on my initial philosophy of using technology in the classroom, I noticed that it has not changed much. I still believe that inte...