How to Use New-Media Tools in Your Classroom Video

In these brief video clips, educators and others from around the country give lessons about specific technology and social-media tools teachers can use with their students. As Susie Boss explained all the positives of having a twitter, I decided to get one! Although, I am not a teacher yet, I have been able to use it as a student to communicate with group members and other students in my class. I can definitely see how it would be beneficial for a teacher to get instant feedback from her students. Also the use of a wiki, like in my EDU315 class allows instant feedback for a teacher on assignments and allows an easily accessed hard copy of what projects may be due. The new-media today, especially social-media, are incredibly useful as students and teachers. It allows for a more ways of communication, which can never be seen as a problem in education.

iPads in Class

This past Monday in class we got to work with iPads. It truly amazes me the technology that comes out these days. The iPads are so incredible. There are so many apps that students can use to enhance their education. I played with a math app and a science app. When I got home I read, https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dfvwdtqp_691dvqrj8gq&pli=1 and found so many other apps that are offered. A person can download a book and even have it read to them! INSANE. Not to mention you can watch television. I can really see all the ways this type of technology can be used in the classroom. It is an easy and convenient way to literally bring the world to the student operating it. I really hope that in the future I will have the opportunity to use these devices in my own classroom.

Observation

Today I observed the first grade for the third time. I really am starting to get used to the schedule and the students. I remember being so afraid to start observing in the classroom and now I wish I could go everyday. The students are so enthusiastic about learning and about me helping them. It saddens me though that so many come from tough backgrounds. I've been able to work with one students whose disability has yet to be determined. He is 6 years old and has never seen a pediatrician before. He was supposed to be evaluated over the summer but his parents weren't able to bring him. The appointment is now scheduled for January. Although it is difficult to distinguish what he is trying to say, I love working with him. When he grasps a concept it is hard for me not to jump for joy with him. He is such a great child, I wish it were January already so that the doctors could figure out what is wrong and that the teachers will know how to approach his learning better. But working with him has led me to figuring out that when I go to grad school I want to get my masters in Special Education. Who would have thought 3 days in the first grade would help me figure out a major part of my future?

Week 6: New Technology and Seeing it in the Classroom

Last week in my technology class we learned about SMART Board and SMART Notebook and the many uses it has in a classroom. There are so many tools in SMART Notebook, such as a protractor and a compass. It was incredible to see this new technology and then to be able to interact with it on the SMART Board was astounding. This past Wednesday I observed in a 1st grade classroom where a SMART Board was present. During Math, the teacher used the SMART Board to do an activity involving ten-spots. The kids LOVED volunteering to go up to the SMART Board and fill in the ten-spot for it to match the number the teacher gave. Last week the teacher did a worksheet involving ten-spots and I noticed the children were so unengaged and easily distracted. The SMART Board is an incredible teaching tool. Students who I believed didn't know how to use ten-spots last week were the first ones to volunteer to go up to the board. Sometimes teachers forget that just because students seem uninterested doesn't mean they don't understand. This can cause a problem for teachers who are informally assessing their class. I thought it was so cool to learn about this new technology and all the things it can do and then see it actually implemented in the school I observe at. I am excited more lessons with the SMART Board in the future.