Assignment #5

As an elementary teacher at Meadows School of
Learning, I would purchase several pieces of technology with a $10,000
technology grant. These include both hardware and software items that would
enhance both the teaching and learning experiences in my classroom.
The
first item I would purchase is the 87” SMART board X885i4 with UF65w projector
for $5,899.00. This item is an interactive whiteboard that uses simple finger
and hand gestures to toss, rotate or zoom on objects on the board. Two users
can simultaneously write, perform mouse functions, erase and move objects,
while capturing the work to a learning software that can be edited. The user(s)
can write with pen, marker, and other objects without having to press any
buttons. In my classroom, this whiteboard would allow me to conduct interactive
lessons by having my students write, draw, and create objects, letters, and
numbers. Matching games could easily be played where my students would have to
drag the objects on one side to the objects on the other side that match. The
entire class could be involved in these lessons, instead of them working on
individual worksheets. Also, teaching the daily lessons could be done on the
board allowing me to drag and move things around to help the students better
understand what I am teaching. This board would allow me to use Power Point and
pull up pictures and videos that add to my lesson.
The
second item I would purchase would be an HP TouchSmart 420 PC with wireless
keyboard and mouse. The desktop computer would cost $699.99, and the keyboard
and mouse combination would cost about $122.00. This touch screen computer is
very accurate and responsive, recognizing fingers before they even touch the
screen. Because this is a touch screen, a lot of the functions such as
dragging, rotating, and zooming are similar to the functions of the interactive
white board. This computer, also, provides an interactive background allowing
one to write notes and open content at the same time. The wireless mouse and
keyboard permits this touch screen to, also, be a normal desktop computer. In
my classroom, I would let the students work on the computer to do work and play
educational games. By having a touch screen, my students with disabilities who
cannot type could just as easily use the computer.
To
go along with the touch screen computer, I would purchase the Dragon
NaturallySpeaking 11.5 Premium Student/ Teacher Edition for $99.00. This
software program specializes in voice recognition, allowing my students with
disabilities who cannot type or use the touch screen to use the computer. Also,
I would purchase the Smart Tutor software from Learning Today on Reading and
Math for $1,220.00. This online educational program could be used on the
computer or the SMART board and would allow the students to individually work,
while not creating any extra papers to grade or correct. This program will let
the students practice what they have been taught and prepare them for testing.
My
last two purchases would be the LEGO Simple Motorized and Mechanisms Base set
for $136.95 and the LEGO Education WeDo Robotics Getting Started Package for
$1,708.95. Both of these items promote hands-on activities by use of technology.
The Simple Motorized and Mechanisms set teaches the students how to put things
together correctly and how basic machines work. The WeDo Robotics set would
permit the students to be creative and build their own technological objects.
By use of both of these sets, I could integrate them into some of the lessons
(especially in science) by letting the students demonstrate what they were
taught. If we had been discussing photosynthesis in science, I would have the
students build me a model of how photosynthesis takes place. The students would
enjoy working with these items, and they would learn more from the actual
experience instead of simply from a book or worksheet.

Assignment #3!

My result for the Meyers-Briggs, the cognitive style inventory test I chose to take, was personality type ESTJ. This personality type describes a practical and matter-of-fact person who is able to organize well and get things done efficiently. By having this personality, I look for the most logical way to solve a problem and like to make plans for future events. My result for the learning style test was a visual learner. I am more likely to remember or learn something when written down, and test taking is simpler for me because I see pictures and images of things I have learned including notes, pages in books, and PowerPoint slides.
I believe these results are extremely accurate. I had taken the Meyers-Briggs personality test before and received the same result. I see things black and white and always look for the most logical way to do something. I am bothered when others attempt to do something illogically, and gray areas are things I usually do not see at all. I do not like a lot of emotion, whether showing it or being around it. Organizing events and planning things ahead of time are things I really enjoy doing and feel disoriented when I haven’t already thought something through. Efficiency is important to me, which goes along with being logical. Wasting time on stuff that could have been avoided often aggravates me. Also, I agree with my visual learning style. I must write something down in order to remember it. When taking notes in lecture classes, I usually write several pages trying to catch every word the professor said in order to remember them. I have to keep a very detailed planner and remind myself with sticky notes in order to not forget something. Also, I agree that tests usually are simpler for me because I easily see images in my mind of things I have studied or written down. I have a photographic memory, also, so that plays along with visual memory. Thankfully, most teachers cater to visual learners at least somewhat, so learning is not usually a problem unless I simply lack motivation.
My results are mostly helpful for a classroom type atmosphere. As an instructor, organization and efficiency are very important for the teachings to go smoothly. Since I am very logical and practical, my lessons would be to the point and presented realistically. This would save on time and get through the teachings quickly, but thoroughly. On the other hand, since I do not see gray areas well, I may not be able to answer questions that are out of the box or non-realistic in my eyes. Also, I may not see other solutions and answers because of my focus on efficiency and logic. As far as my learning style, I would want to use a lot of visuals in the classroom. I would probably create outlines, presentations, and encourage note-taking and writing activities. However, these would not help auditory or hands-on learners well at all, so I would have to keep that in mind. Hopefully, I could think of ways to combine these learning styles into my instructing so that each student could benefit. It is not fair to put some at an advantage while others at a disadvantage just because of their learning styles that they did not choose. As a learner, I typically benefit because of my learning style. Note-taking is always encouraged in my classes and many lectures are accompanied by PowerPoint and visual presentations.

Meyers-Briggs test: http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp
Learning style test: http://www.howtolearn.com/learning-styles-quiz

My first assignment for CAT 200!

My use of technology in the classroom before college was quite limited, and I have found that there are many current technological objects and programs of which I am fully ignorant. Nevertheless, I do have a few experiences with technology as a student. The progression of using a board is something I have personally witnessed. In elementary school, we wrote on chalkboards. These are now considered extremely out-dated, but I still consider it a piece of technology. Throughout middle and high school, white boards were present for students to use in every classroom. Because I attended a private school, we did not receive the opportunity to use a SMARTboard until my senior year. Using this interactive board amazed and sometimes confused me. However, I learned to give presentations on this interactive board by using Microsoft Powerpoint and grew to enjoy using the board over a basic speech presentation.
My personal definition of educational technology consists of any tool, item, or idea used to further enhance the education of a student or assist in the teaching process. This definition is similar to the definition the book considers correct. They both provide a broad and open field for many different types of technology to fall into. I think the other definitions the book states, including what technologists and computer-oriented educators believe as educational technology, is too limited and specific. These completely rule out many forms of technology used in education. Media and hardware categories leave out technology like pencils, white boards, and books. When trying to explain educational technology, these simple pieces cannot be left out.
Technology’s role in education is, in my opinion, necessary and ever-changing. For teachers and professors, technology provides a way to actually prove the existence and truth of what they are attempting to explain. Without writing utensils, how could we be taught to write? For example, by using video footage found on the internet, teachers are able to prove that the bombing of the World Trade Center actually happened. For students, we are able to use technology to complete our assignments and learn how to do tasks for ourselves. Because of our access to information through the internet via laptops, ipads, cell phones, desktops, and more, we can retrieve all the sources needed to back up what we are trying to successfully prove and accomplish. Also, hands-on activities and lessons through the use of technology such as microscopes, magnets, and robotic machines allow students to learn from actual experience, not from a lecture where the student must simply trust the teachings are truthful. Technology is ever-changing, also, which keeps the teaching and learning processes new and intriguing. Keeping the interest and attention of the students is necessary for any learning to take place, and the contribution of technology provides new and updated programs and objects continuously.
Factors that encourage the use of technology in the classroom can include funding, faculty willingness, and student reactions. If the money is present, then many different types of technology can be purchased and kept up with. If the faculty is receiving to the new technology and willing to learn how to use it, then technology can be often used in the classrooms. Also, student reactions and results must be positive. If the students benefit from the use of the technology, then many technological items and programs can be used on a regular basis. On the other hand, factors including the absence of funds and curriculums can prohibit the use of technology within schools. Without the money to pay for the expensive items, schools cannot receive or use them. Also, curriculums can contribute to the lack of technology used in education. If the curriculum being taught never mentions computers or any computer programs, it may be difficult for teachers to try and incorporate the use of computers in their lessons in a way students can actually learn the functions of a computer. Curriculums that include many current technological programs and objects allow educators to easily teach the uses and benefits of them without struggling to find ways to include them in the other lessons.

About Me!

Hi, I'm Robyn! I'm a sophomore at bama! ROLL TIDE! :)