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.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
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.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Saturday, April 21, 2012
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?
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
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.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
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.”
Monday, April 9, 2012
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