Final Project

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rx8foz7k0hpjdiv/techedproject.docx

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2fnitq3t1crjus1/Rubric.docx

https://www.dropbox.com/s/tziyul0trcfac8o/TechedProject.xlsx

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9yxt6jp76eqzhef/Template.xlsx

Reflection #12

Technology is a way for teachers to share ideas and teaching strategies with one another; whether it is via email, chatrooms, blog, skype, etc., teachers can now brainstorm and share methods as a group. This is a great source for any teacher especially one who is new to the career. These resources can help speed up the trial and error process that goes on as a teacher, and make us become more efficient in our profession. Networking with people involved in the same career is a great way to build a foundation and improve as a teacher.

Reflection #11

Another way technology can be beneficial in Phys. Ed. is through the use of microphones. I have observed classes where teachers have done this due to the acoustics and loud environment in a gymnasium. This allowed all the students to hear the teacher more clearly, and was very beneficial for those students who are hearing impaired.  I feel this is something for me to consider when I become a future PE teacher.

End of Semester Reflection

Over the course of this semester, I have learned a large amount with regards to technology in education. I wouldn’t consider myself a technologically savvy person; however, after taking this class I would say that I have become more aware of what is out there and available for teachers. With anything, I have understood that there are both pros and cons, but overall I think I could say that this class has helped separate the two allowing me to have a more clear understanding of how technology can be advantageous in my potential career.

There are many ways to include technology in your lessons. I now have an understanding of how drastically technology can progress over such short periods of time. Technology is always changing and I have learned that it is something we as teachers need to stay up to date with. 

Overall, I feel this class has been very helpful in my journey in becoming a teacher.

Thanks Professor Adair!

Reflection #10

Similar to the use of heart rate monitors in Physical Education class, are the use of pedometers. Again, many PE classes are integrating these into their lessons.  They are fairly inexpensive and can be included in almost all lessons. They promote movement, and give students a goal (proposed step count) in lessons. Students will just walk around and continue to move, or run/walk on a spot to reach the step requirement made by the teacher for that specific class.

Reflection #9

In Physical Education classes, teachers are beginning to use heart rate monitors during lessons. This can help students understand and gage what the heart is doing, while exercising. There are different benefits pending your heart rate while exercising, and with the use of heart rate monitors, this allows teachers to include and teach what these benefits are. All this information can be taught and even performed by simply including a heart rate monitor during an exercise lesson.

Reflection #8

Another way technology has been integrated into PE classes is through the use of video game systems, such as Xbox Connect and Nintendo Wii. This has become more common due to the advancements in the video game world. I have talked to a few Physical Education teachers who have incorporated this method and the students’ love it. Kids love video games and now they are able to by being active, rather than just sitting on the couch. I feel at times this can be a positive way to promote exercise and activity in a PE class. 

Comments

http://joshuastechinedblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/reflection-11.html?showComment=1335645218737#c8691586045159856285

http://laurynernster.blogspot.com/2012/04/blog-assignment-week-thirteen.html?showComment=1335645713064#c8237181172689371879

http://beththegingergeek.blogspot.com/2012/04/reflection-9.html?showComment=1335646559595#c5574733260542025232

http://kristinestipp.blogspot.com/2012/04/week-14.html?showComment=1335647213520#c453175756347012358

http://jordynwilsonsblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/reflection-9.html?showComment=1335649035896#c1051063057944939350

Week 14

I found an article on the “flipped classroom method” called How the Flipped Classroom Is Radically Transforming Learning written by two teachers named Jonathan Bergmann and Aaron Sams. A flipped classroom delivers instruction through interactive videos created by the students’ teacher. Although the lecture is watched online, the homework and class activities will be done collectively in the classroom.  

One of the benefits described by Sams and Bergmann that stood out to me in their article was the increased teacher/student interaction.  Student interaction grew for them under the flipped classroom strategy because the teacher became more of a guide and learning coach, rather than a lecturer. In this method the traditional role of the teacher transitions to one a tutor, or a facilitator. Teachers can observe whether the student understands the material and can gage each student more accurately. Instead of the students watching the teacher talk, the teacher can watch the students work.

The flipped classroom is very beneficial for students who miss a lot of class due to sports, music, etc. This method will allow students to stay caught up with the class material and not fall behind (similar to Panopto). I do wonder though, if you carry out this method for the whole class’ setting, how much will each student remember when watching the lecture online prior to class time? Will this all become counter productive or create a greater difference in the level of understanding from student to student?

Reflection #7

Technolgy in the classroom is also beneficial for students who are legally blind.  After doing some reading, I started thinking of ways technology could assist students of this special need.  Beyond glasses, the classroom could focus of the use of braille.  There are braille keyboards and printers to help integrate technolgy in the classroom.  Also, the use of voice recording would be helpful.  This would allow teachers/students to be more discriptive and is a way students could complete assignments as well.

Week 13 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Word: spell check, dictionary, thesaurus, word count, formatting

Excel: recording data, formulas for efficiency in data entry

PowerPoint: for presentations, images, graphs, video clips

Word: Students will write a paper that is sectioned off into specific word counts, formatting, spell check, thesaurus, images/graphs, etc using many tools from word.  The students will have to have the paper put together under specifics such as: Margin and font sizes, font style, image placement throughout the paper, and proper range of word count.

Excel: Students will have to choose an athlete and record their career or season averages in excel. They will to find the athlete’s per game average of a certain stat and have it formatted, so excel is formulated automatically and the final stat appears without manual change. The math for the final averages will be done for the student by excel.

PowerPoint: Students will do a biography presentation on an athlete of their choice.  In this presentation PowerPoint is mandatory. They will need to include a video clip, images, and text throughout the slides of their presentation.

Week 12

In the article Integrating Technology into the Classroom using Instructional Strategies by Dr. Robert Marzano and co. they touch on how games can be a great teaching tool in classrooms. There are many online games and resources, which provide a wide variety of assistance in lessons. Kids enjoy games and I never really acknowledged the learning potential games could have in the classroom, of course when used appropriately.

A comment in Dr. Marzano’s article, which stood out to be the most was when he emphasized the need for student interaction. He made crystal clear the importance of mingling and open group discussion in classroom, and lessons and teaching methods cannot always be technologically based or behind a screen. We still need to make sure as teachers that we do not neglect or restrict developing the students’ social capacity.

Week 11

I observed Mrs. Yollis' third grade class blog from California. Along with her teaching degree, Mrs. Yollis also has completed a master’s degree in integrating technology in education and it shows in her class blog. The blog was filled with interactive and engaging material. She has everything from class videos and pictures to visitor maps and other fascinating links. Her blog is fully loaded and is a great example for any future or current “teacher blogger.”

FlipSnack

Bloom's Taxonomy (Week 10)

Bloom’s Taxonomy is presented in a pyramid with evaluation on the top followed by synthesis, analysis, application, comprehension, and lastly, knowledge at the bottom as the foundation of the theory.

It was tough to identify what was really meant by Bloom’s Taxonomy; however, the site I read over listed verbs that you as a teacher could use when trying to grasp the students’ overall understanding.

I feel technological integration would be beneficial for students and teachers when working up through the pyramid of Bloom’s Taxonomy. Technology could assist teachers during lessons and explanations, giving them multiple potential approaches when adapting to different student learning styles. This will also help students stay engaged and could even further research in certain areas.  Due to how simple technology can be, accessibility to it can further knowledge. For example, something as easy as using google gives us a quick overview on a topic one needs or is interested in.  

Technology Project Plan

Voice Recorder >>

Bob Sprankle's Article (Week 9)

Reading, “Caught on Video” by Bob Sprankle allowed my mind to drift and really ask myself if his idea of using point and shoot cameras would really be beneficial, or just outright ridiculous.  I wouldn’t go as far as that, and I actually think this could work; however, like I’ve mentioned in similar posts, there has to be a happy medium.  I felt at times Sprankle was a little too excited and optimistic about his plans.  There were things Mr. Sprankle didn’t mention, or touch on in his article. 

My first concern with Sprankle’s idea was the issue of privacy.  The thought of a student always being watched makes me uncomfortable.  Having someone, or in this case something, for the most part always looking over you shoulder during your studies leaves the student with little privacy.  Students need to at times learn how to progress and discipline themselves on their own.  This is one way a student can grow both in the classroom and even life.  Also on the topic of privacy, with these point and shoot cameras, students could easily document anything on the web.  Both positive and negative material within seconds could be put up online for the world to see.  I understand that this can already occur with smart phone accessibility; however, we as teachers would be promoting video taking.

Don’t get me wrong; the positives Sprankle mentions are beneficial. I agree that in many cases this idea would work; however, there would need to be a plan in place with strict rules and regulations prior to implementing his idea. I feel if this was not done properly, this method could be very counter productive and could easily spiral out of control.

Reading Game - week 8

There are many interactive and engaging games for the class when using a SMART Board. They offer a site (SMART Exchange) where you can download specific lessons for your class that are taught on a SMART Board. In some cases, the materials on SMART Exchange are games that teach many different areas, even reading and writing.  Here is a link to an example of this:

http://exchange.smarttech.com/search.html?q=reading+games

The link above is a reading comprehension game similar to the classic game show “Family Feud.” The spin off game focuses on the events in Dr. Seuss books. Regardless, kids love games and that is why there are so many gaming systems out there. We are even trying to have children get fit by playing video games, so why can’t we have our students at times learn via interactive games?

"Blogs for Educators"

Looking over other teacher blogs was really interesting. I was especially intrigued when looking over Nancy J Johnson’s blog.  She is currently an 8^th grade teacher at the Singapore American School. This stood out to me because I feel teaching abroad is sometimes overlooked by up and coming teachers, at least by me anyway. It would be amazing to see the world while doing the profession that you chose. Another thing that was fascinating in Johnson’s blog was how she was a professor at Western Washington University prior to her move over seas. The wide spectrum of students she must have taught and the different denominations is incredible.  She must be very versatile in not only her teaching methods, but within her own personality as well.

There has always been technology in math, at least calculators. Now with the technological push in our society there have been some new innovating ways to teach certain lessons.  One method in which we as a class learned was by “glogging.”  We made “glogs” which is a program where students can make their own posters. Students can add graphics, videos, audio, etc. to their poster when grasping the lesson’s learning outcome. As a class we made posters based on the math unit of geometry.  We put together glogs that consist of obtuse/acute/right angels, symmetry, parallel lines, and quadrilaterals.  All these aspects of geometry were present and this was a creative and interactive math lesson.

"My Comments"

http://www.joshuastechinedblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/blog-assignment-2.html#comment-form

http://www.laurynernster.blogspot.com/2012/02/blog-assignment-week-4.html#comment-form

http://www.beththegingergeek.blogspot.com/2012/02/blog-post-week-5-activboard.html#comment-form

http://www.aricanotafrica.blogspot.com/2012/01/blog-assignment-week-1.html#comment-form

http://www.kristinestipp.blogspot.com/2012/01/week-three-blog-post.html#comment-form

http://www.jordynwilsonsblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/generation-im-article-response.html#comment-form

"My geometric glog..."

"Reflection #1-6"

1. One instance where technology has been beneficial to many students, and me personally is Panopto. This is where class lectures and notes from the professor can be recorded and posted online. As an athlete, this has been very helpful to me in season when many classes are missed due to away games. Now when I am on the road, I can watch the class lecture and receive the notes that I’ve missed when I get a chance.

2. When observing a PE classes this semester, my professor was able to start and stop music from his iphone. This was a valuable tool for him, because he didn’t always have to run over to the stereo to stop or turn down the music. When he wanted to stop the class, he could do so by simply stopping the music from wherever he was in the gym; and the students were even conditioned to stop and listen right when the music was paused.

3. I was observing another PE class at Munroe High School, and the PE classes were doing step-by-step yoga over a projection screen. The students followed along with the yoga instructor on the screen. This is very valuable, especially in a unit like yoga.  Since yoga and it’s movements are very specific, it is nice for a teacher to have the students follow the instructor on the projective screen, while he/she can walk around correcting and assisting with the positions.

4. In my educational psychology class, our professor conducted an anonymous class survey with a program over the SMART Board.  This was a very efficient way for him to conduct a procedure and gain information in a study. He would ask a question and give us answers listed A to D, similar to a multiple-choice exam. The question and answers would be pulled up on the SMART Board as well, and we as students had a remote we clicked to answer. The results were tallied immediately, which gave the class the ability to discuss the results right then and there. This was an enjoyable class from the students’ point of view, and an efficient one I’m sure from the professor’s.   

5. In many classes nowadays, it is normal to have the teacher/professor lecture with visual aid.  Usually with a PowerPoint presentation, the teacher is able to lecture with his/her notes and resources already there for them to use. This makes the lecture flow better and is more engaging, compared to watching the teacher try and lecture while handwriting notes; or have no notes for the students at all, having them go off of what they only hear and catch of the lecture.

6. Other benefits of technology are the programs for distance learning. Many people now have the ability to receive an education from certain schools without actually living in that area. With the technology to observe class lectures online and e-mail assignments in, etc. citizens these days can receive an education from the comfort of their own home. This is very beneficial for students with children, or who have difficulties getting to a school, or citizens who want to receive an education outside their native/residing country

"Generation IM"

I laughed when reading the first part of this article.  We wonder why there is an increase in obesity amongst the youth of America, or even America as a whole.  With all that technological entertainment in Jacob’s home, I wonder if he is getting his needed one hour of exercise a day? Even then you’d hope that Jacob could at least get this at school in PE class. With the amount of technology in students’ lives this maybe the only time they do get out and exercise. Yet, they want to limit PE and Health classes in schools? Sorry, that is my bias rant of a future PE teacher haha.

Anyways, tech would and is valuable at times when teaching; however, I still feel there are some benefits in the ways “we were taught.” There needs to be a happy medium and not a dependence on only one.  For example, does the average student in India know math more in depth than a student in our western world?  I have a friend from India who could never use a calculator while in school there due to financial reasons. Whereas myself, I have used a calculator forever, basically dependant on it when doing math, even the simplest of math.  Something as simple as a calculator can restrict students’ learning and advancement; this is why we need to teach both.

You could use technology in science lessons. There are many interactive computer lessons out there. When I was in science classes, as students we learned a lot via movies. I feel nowadays with the technological advancements, you could do something similar with the interactive lessons, rather than plain old lecture and note taking. 

ActivBoard (Week 5)

Website and video clip link:

http://www.prometheanworld.com/en-us/education/products/interactive-displays/activboard-500-pro


The ActivBoard is an interactive whiteboard. You can use a pen or the touch screen feature to easily organize the items on the screen. It allows up to 4 students to work together on activities as it is designed for multi-touch, thus promoting teamwork and group learning. This digital technology allows for more student engagement and increases the attentiveness in the classroom. It is similar to technology used at home, so students can easily relate. Exposure to such technology will help students in the future, as it models real world behavior.

Can you use the touch function and pen function at the same time, unlike the SMART Board?

"Assignment II"

Using the SMART Board, I will teach a lesson on the food pyramid from a program downloaded off of SMART Exchange.  Brooke D. Frahn of McMullen-Booth Elementary created the SMART Board lesson I chose. 

http://exchange.smarttech.com/search.html?q=food+pyramid#page=4

In this particular lesson many SMART Board features are used, such as: the pens, a quiz, and screen shades.  These certain characteristics of the SMART Board will be beneficial by keeping students engaged.

The teacher NETS involved in the specific lesson will focus mostly on number 3 of the teaching NETS, which is “Model Digital Age Work and Learning.”  I will demonstrate and exhibit the knowledge and skills necessary when using the SMART Board (technology) in lesson.  The lesson’s technology based part will be presented fluently and communicate the lesson’s outcome effectively.

The student NETS implicated in this lesson will primarily concentrate on NETS number 4, which is “Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making.” Students will have to solve problems and answer questions during the SMART Board quiz, and apply critical thinking while working through the lecture by understanding the food pyramid.  They will have to know and decide which food belongs in what food group, and know the value of a well balanced diet. 

Overall, the interactive white board can improve student learning in my future classroom because it keeps the students interested and in some cases wanting more.  The SMART Board helps reach your lesson goals more efficiently with the features it possesses.  The SMART Board also allows the teacher to go beyond traditional lectures and notes, which can easily cause students to become disinterested. With the interactive white board teachers can become more creative and prepared for lessons, making their days more manageable and enjoyable. 

SMART Board

I discovered this week that the SMART Board can be a very effective teaching tool in the classroom.  It has many features that will help engage students throughout a lesson, and can push a teacher beyond plain old lectures and note taking.

Questions that still need to be asked when using the SMART Board is how to use it.  What I mean by this is how can it be used in a classroom so that it is most efficient for effective learning?  There are many one on one and small group features for the SMART Board, and teachers must consider that their class sizes usually exceed a “small group.”  As long as this is taken wisely into consideration, there is no reason why the SMART Board cannot provide an engaging class lesson.

Marc Prensky's Article

What stood out most to me in Marc Prensky's article were his points regarding the "digital natives" and the "digital immigrants." I never gave it much thought until now, that students currently in the USA have all grown up with technology.  They are, or can be almost fully immersed in it, compared to generations before.  Prensky mentions, "Today’s average college grads have spent less than 5,000 hours of their lives reading, but over 10,000 hours playing video games (not to mention 20,000 hours watching TV). Computer games, email, the Internet, cell phones and instant messaging are integral parts of their lives."  This does not surprise me too much; however I do believe that there are pros and cons with both and that there can be a happy medium between the two. Therefore, digital immigrants and digital natives should both adapt in different area to discover this. I understand we as a society cannot restrict growth in certain areas, such as technology, but when is too much of something counter productive?  Too much of something usually has its concerns as well.

There has been, and there will be more technological growth in education, and it is our responsibility as teachers to adjust accordingly to students’ learning style. Teachers must teach to both the digital immigrants and digital natives as best he/she can. There will always be students who are at different places and who have different levels of awareness in the tech world, due to accessibility, social economic status, etc; therefore, we must be familiar and able to relate to students at either end of the spectrum.

Classroom Scenario

Middle School: 4 1 hour long blocks each day.  Between 30-35 students in each class, 1:1 laptop to student ratio, Smartboard, document camera.

Student NET: Research and Information Fluency

Teacher NET: Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

Spring 2012 Class Blogs

Joshua Wenzek
Lauryn Ernster
Beth Ross
Arica Johnson
Kristine Stipp
Jordyn Wilson
Monica Adair

Blog Assignment Week 1

I haven't always wanted to be a teacher and have never gave much thought about even furthering my study in university.  It wasn't until receiving a soccer scholarship where I had the option to study in university and choose a potential career path.  After discussing with my parents and advisors, we all figured that with my past experiences in athletics and coaching, that being a physical education and health teacher would be a positive option for me to take.

I am not too comfortable with technology.  I still have and use your basic motorola flip phone, due to the lack of care or need for this "new technology."  This is probably because you can be afraid of what you do not know; therefore, it is easier for one to just avoid it and go on with what one's familiar with.

My feelings on technology in education is simply based on the idea that if it is beneficial for the learner, than it is valuable.  I think that it can be very positive in the classroom; however, if not used appropriately, or too much, it can certainly flirt with being counter productive.