I am not sure my first ideas of Educational Technology aligned with what I feel right now. This past week has given me a lot to think about and realize that the technology that is out there is not being used in the classroom. Educational Philosophy is so much more than computers, overhead projectors and videos. It is cell phones, iPods and the programs you can use available on the internet that work with these devices. I am so glad that my Educational Philosophy is just a rough draft, I can see that I will want to make changes to it weekly. I stated earlier that my philosophy was grounded in the views of the Constructivism and I still feel strong about the opinions of the Existentialist, but I feel myself moving away from the ideas of the Realists and leaning more toward the Constructivist and Existentialist. Students can learn so much more from group work and using technology than drill and practice. I am not sure my first ideas of Educational Technology aligned with what I feel right now. This past week has given me a lot to think about and the technology that is out there that is not being used in the classroom.
The two videos were amazing. In fact as I sat there and watched them I looked at the definition I had written for educational technology and thought I am not quite getting the point. The technology that we have out in the world today is amazing and if was used in the proper manner in school, the results would be amazing. I agreed with principal, Sam Ray from Provo High School, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em”. Podcasts could be an effective as a form of instruction. In fact, I looked at the two websites listed in the video to get some ideas for future lessons, lessons that would motivate my students.
I do think we are on the right track, but I don’t think we are there yet. If more educational technology workshops teaching and stressing the positive effects using technology could be made available, I feel then that those who were apprehensive about using technology in their classrooms would change their mind.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Educational Technology Philosophy
Post #1
The education of young people today is such an important part of shaping our future. Teachers play a very important role in helping young people not only learn facts, but they also help them make good choices for the future. Students today have more opportunities than ever before in education with the use of technology. Following the right set of guidelines, students have the ability to search for information on subjects and connect it with past knowledge thus build on what they already know.
My role as an educator is to give each child an opportunity to grow in knowledge and foster the love of learning. I became a teacher because I believe each child is a unique individual and should be given the opportunity to learn and be successful. I plan my lessons and activities around the fact that not all students learn at the same pace or style. A good teacher will continually provide opportunities for all students to seek out new facts and information. The student should feel comfortable in the classroom environment so the learning experiences can help each student be successful.
My technology philosophy of education is a combination of several educational theories. I found I identified with the constructivism theory in providing access to information for the student to discover rather than be the main source. They can then use this new information to practice skills in real situations such as hands on activities. I believe students then retain the new information better. I am still a believer in studying the past as the realists do for a basis between the where we have been and how it relates to our future. I also still believe tests help identify areas where the learner is not making a connection with the material presented and the concept which needs to be learned. I like to provide opportunities for students to think for themselves and make wise choices, but at the same time, be creative which are the thoughts of the existentialist. To accomplish these objectives, I find students learn best through a variety of PowerPoint presentations. These in turn often lead to class discussions. I teach science and use lab activities and computer lab opportunities for students to make connections to the material we study. I also like to use PowerPoint presentations in the form of games such as Jeopardy. Quizdom is another powerful technology tool I use to help reinforce material which has been taught.
Technology today can give students opportunities that have never been available before thus expanding their knowledge. In order for students to have these opportunities, teachers need to be aware of the learning needs of their students in order to provide the best instruction. They also need to be aware of updates in technology in order to improve learning in the classroom.
After writing down my educational philosophy and reflecting on what I have done in the past, I can see how my students could become more involved in the lessons through the use of technology. Instead of reading on a subject they could research the topic from a set of selected websites and make a presentation for the class. As I make new lesson plans, I need to search the Internet for technology related lessons to use in the unit we are studying. I know the students are always more eager to learn when we use laptops as part of the instruction.
As a part of adding new types of technology in the classroom I can see blogging holding great potential encouraging students to read more and then put their ideas down in writing. They could then not only share their ideas with classmates but others in the school. It would give other students another way to look at a problem, offer a link they may not have seen or think about something in a different way. The teacher could also comment on students work and offer help to them. No, I don't think we have met the potential here. The reasons why include lack of knowledge on blogging and by the fact that many are not willing to change their habits. Many people I feel are reluctant to post comments.
In the article, Creating a Culture for Teaching by November, the one area that stood out to me most was #6 - Collegiality Is What's Needed. I thought about my students and how they much prefer to be helped by another knowledgeable student rather than a teacher. Students can also explain steps in simpler terms or in another language to a student who may not be an English speaker.
The education of young people today is such an important part of shaping our future. Teachers play a very important role in helping young people not only learn facts, but they also help them make good choices for the future. Students today have more opportunities than ever before in education with the use of technology. Following the right set of guidelines, students have the ability to search for information on subjects and connect it with past knowledge thus build on what they already know.
My role as an educator is to give each child an opportunity to grow in knowledge and foster the love of learning. I became a teacher because I believe each child is a unique individual and should be given the opportunity to learn and be successful. I plan my lessons and activities around the fact that not all students learn at the same pace or style. A good teacher will continually provide opportunities for all students to seek out new facts and information. The student should feel comfortable in the classroom environment so the learning experiences can help each student be successful.
My technology philosophy of education is a combination of several educational theories. I found I identified with the constructivism theory in providing access to information for the student to discover rather than be the main source. They can then use this new information to practice skills in real situations such as hands on activities. I believe students then retain the new information better. I am still a believer in studying the past as the realists do for a basis between the where we have been and how it relates to our future. I also still believe tests help identify areas where the learner is not making a connection with the material presented and the concept which needs to be learned. I like to provide opportunities for students to think for themselves and make wise choices, but at the same time, be creative which are the thoughts of the existentialist. To accomplish these objectives, I find students learn best through a variety of PowerPoint presentations. These in turn often lead to class discussions. I teach science and use lab activities and computer lab opportunities for students to make connections to the material we study. I also like to use PowerPoint presentations in the form of games such as Jeopardy. Quizdom is another powerful technology tool I use to help reinforce material which has been taught.
Technology today can give students opportunities that have never been available before thus expanding their knowledge. In order for students to have these opportunities, teachers need to be aware of the learning needs of their students in order to provide the best instruction. They also need to be aware of updates in technology in order to improve learning in the classroom.
After writing down my educational philosophy and reflecting on what I have done in the past, I can see how my students could become more involved in the lessons through the use of technology. Instead of reading on a subject they could research the topic from a set of selected websites and make a presentation for the class. As I make new lesson plans, I need to search the Internet for technology related lessons to use in the unit we are studying. I know the students are always more eager to learn when we use laptops as part of the instruction.
As a part of adding new types of technology in the classroom I can see blogging holding great potential encouraging students to read more and then put their ideas down in writing. They could then not only share their ideas with classmates but others in the school. It would give other students another way to look at a problem, offer a link they may not have seen or think about something in a different way. The teacher could also comment on students work and offer help to them. No, I don't think we have met the potential here. The reasons why include lack of knowledge on blogging and by the fact that many are not willing to change their habits. Many people I feel are reluctant to post comments.
In the article, Creating a Culture for Teaching by November, the one area that stood out to me most was #6 - Collegiality Is What's Needed. I thought about my students and how they much prefer to be helped by another knowledgeable student rather than a teacher. Students can also explain steps in simpler terms or in another language to a student who may not be an English speaker.
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