When I think back on all the readings and projects we have done so far for this class I find the website to stick out the most. While they are all unique in their own way, the website (even though it's not completed) has stuck out the most to me. The way I picked a front runner was my time spent on each one. Yesterday I spent a total of 6 hours on my website and I never thought I'd say this, but it was fun. The website can be used in the classroom by everyone involved- teachers, parents, students, collaborating teachers, etc. It can also encompass every other thing we have done like a link to the portaportal, KWL charts, Picasa slide shows, blogs, etc. The website can improve students' learning by being a source to go to when they aren't in the classroom. They can go there for information on what is going on in class as well as for extra practice and activities.
According to the reading, I am not a part of the digital generation which makes me 'traditional.' While this was hard to accept, I can see through all of the readings that while it is sad, it is true that I am definitely not part of the digital generation. The technology method in teaching is definitely more effective. Before reading our book I would have said that a mix of technology and traditional method would be the most effective, but it's not. Technology is something that is present every day in students' lives and it's something us as teachers are going to have to embrace with open arms in our classrooms whether we like it or not. The most important thing about teaching is getting through to our students and technology has been proven to be a way to get through to them.
I can completely see how our generation is considered "traditional" because although much of our generation is now very technology based, that is a recent development in our society. We weren't digital LEARNERS. And I also think it is going to be crucial to incorporate technology into our teaching.
ReplyDelete-Hannah Gartung
I agree that the website was a great activity. Like you said, the website incorporated most everything else we have covered including the portaportal, blogs, etc. I also agree with you that according to the reading, I am not a part of the digital generation, but "traditional". I also agree that as an upcoming teacher, we must use to technology in our classrooms to assure student learning and understanding. Everything we have covered in this class so far has really opened my eyes to how big a role technology plays in today's generation.
ReplyDeleteKelsey Blackburn
Kelsey,
ReplyDeleteI liked that you talked about the website assignment. I too, would consider the website the most beneficial thing we have done in our technology class. When reading your blog, I realized that the way we had to research and figure out how to construct our website and add certain links, questionaires, clipart, and such it was certainly a learning process. Although it was a more time consuming and difficult activity for me to complete, I learned so much from it. By giving children such technology activities that they do not have much experience doing, it can be a learning process too, like it was for us. Great blog! I enjoyed reading it!
-Megan Johnson