Current View of Technology in the Classroom

Completing this course has given me a better understanding of the importanceof technology in education. I believe that technology is a vital tool for education. I feel that when technology is used appropriately it can enhance lessons and classroom learning. I do feel that the key to using technology in education is that it is used in the correct manner. Technology needs to be provided for students in a developmentally appropriate way and teachers must realize that there are activities that work better without high technology.
Technology is a wonderful tool for creating interactive and hands-on activities. I believe it is the teacher’s role to introduce technology and ensure that students know how to use it properly. Teachers must strive to stay up to date with new technologies and ways to integrate them into the classroom. I also think it is very important for teachers to realize the gap that may exist with their students and how familiar they are with technology. Schools should be the places where we strive to fill this gap. Every child deserves equal access to a quality education and a quality education in this day and age includes technology.

Non-Computer Based Technology

One non-computer based technology that I feel is extremely important for an early childhood classroom is writing utensils, such as pencils and pens. I think these non-computer based technologies are absolutely essential for early learners. Pencils teach students important motor skills. Pens and pencils also allow students to express their creativity and create their own works. I think computers are great, but nothing compares to good old paper and pencil. I think this is a technology that is overlooked a lot and can be taken for granted. I also think that it is important for teachers to know when to use a computer and when to just use pencil and paper.

Eric Project Reflection

I feel that each of the presentations provided significant information. I think the presentations demonstrated the role technology is playing in early childhood classrooms. It is extremely important for future educators to understand the issues, advances, and benefits of using technology in education. There were a few presentations that mentioned some advances in technology uses in early education programs that I really did not know much about. For example, I didn't really know anything about electronic portfolios before the presentations, but now I feel like they are a wonderful tool for eary childhood educators to use. I think electronic portfolios are a great way for teachers to provided information about themselves and their curriculum for the parents of their students. I also think the issues involving gender and the digital divide are very critical issues that teachers must be aware of. Overall, I feel that I learned a lot from the presentations and I think everyone did a great job!

Article about Technology and Education

The online article I found was title "Technology in Early Childhood Education: Finding a Balance." This article explained that there are controvesies regarding technology and early childhood eduaction. Some feel that technology in an early elementary classroom is wasting time and money. Some also feel that it also interferes with childhood itself, by cutting down the pace and essential learning experiences. There are others who suggest that children should have access to the advantages technology offers. The article argues that no matter what side your on, children are going to be exposed to computers and technology. The fact is that computers are already in the homes and the classrooms and young children are already using them. Since young children are already using computers, the important issue is to ensure that computers are being used in appropriate ways. Educators need to take advantages of the power these technological tools can have, in order to enhace their students education expereiences.
I agree with this article that there are many controversies concerning technology and education. However, I feel that this article did not really touch on many of those controversies. Yes, technology may be a great tool if teachers embrace it and use it in appropriate ways, but it is not true that all children are being exposed to computers. I think the main controversy regarding technology and ealry childhood eduaction is that it is not equally available to all students. For many students technology just creates another circumstance for them to fall behind.

Video about Eduaction

Half-way Reflection

Now that I am half-way through this course, I do feel that I have a much better idea of technology uses in early elementary education programs. I think the main thing I have found so far is that technology will be a vital tool I will use during my planning and reflection process. Through out this course I have realize the amazing amounts of reasources that are available for teachers. I can use technology to get ideas for my classroom design, bulliten board ideas, lesson plans and interactive activities. I can also use technology to find the newest advances in education. I think it is amazing how much teachers have available to them at their fingertips and I am excited to take advantage of all those reasources.

Internet Use in Elementary

There are pros and cons for using the Internet in an early elementary classroom. The internet has tons of great resources for children to learn about all sorts of content. However, the Internet also has lots of information that is not accurate, current or appropriate. I feel that it is extremely important for teachers to really monitor what their students find on the Internet. I think early elementary teachers could use the Internet to find appropriate material for their students prior to class and bring it to class to present. As an early elementary educator I would use the Internet to find fun pictures and information about certain topics I was teaching. For example if I was teaching a unit on the ocean I would find great photos and videos of the ocean to add to my lesson. I believe that in early elementary the Internet can be used to enhance a lesson, but not to teach it entirely.
One of my favorite education websites that I have come across so far is abc teach. This website is for early elemenatry and it has everything! It is for students, parents and teachers. It has lesson plans, activities, materials, unit plans, and games.

Standards for Kindergarten

I feel there are negative and positive aspects of having specific standards for the Kindergarten level. I think specific stardards are good, because they help lay out what teachers need to teach, but too many specifics may be too restrictive. I do feel that students at the Kindergarten level are ready for standards based learning. However, there needs to be some type of transitional period. Kindergartner's need to be transitioned from preschool to primary school in order to be successful. The main thing that makes me worry about having to many standards for the Kindergarten level is that teachers will get caught up with them. Kindergarten sets the pace for a student's perspective on academics and I think it is important that teachers make learning fun and exciting.
I do think standards are important and I think it is great that they are research-based and there is a guide book. I think when I am a first year teacher, I will appreciate having specific stadards and quidelines to meet them. I think having specific standards does not mean you can not be a creative teacher. A good teacher should be able to use standards and still implement lots of exciting approaches to the content.

Lesson Using Images

For my lesson using images, I took pictures of different body parts. My lesson would be for a Kindergarten class and it would be about all the different body parts. I took pictures of a hand, foot, ear, eye, and teeth. For this lesson you could inculde countless pictures. I also feel that for this lesson it is very important to include multicultural pictures of body parts. I would have the class match up the pictures to the correct word. I would also have students explain how they use that body part and how it can be important. For an art activity I would have the students cut out pre-made body parts and paste them on to an outline of a body. I feel that these activities will allow children to explore different body parts and learn about the human body as a whole.

My Teaching Philosophy

- To make a positive difference

- Encourage

-Patience

- Create opportunities for successes for each and every student

Gardner, Bloom and Dale

Three different theories have made a great impact on the field of education. These theories are Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences, Bloom's taxonomy, and Dale's cone of experience. Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences suggest that eight different types of intelligences exist. It suggests that the traditional notion of intelligence, based on I.Q. testing, is far too limited. Gardner's multiple intelligences propose a wider range for human potential. In relation to student learning this theory is saying that different children have different stregths and learn in many different ways. Bloom's taxonomy identifies six hiearchical levels to the mastery of information. Each level leads to the next and a child cannot reach a level until they have mastered the one before. This theory is very structured. Dale's cone of experience diplays the effectivness of techniques used in education. Dale suggested that real experiences are the best way to learn material and that reading material is the worst way. In relation to student learning Dale's theory suggests that more sensory channels used when learning material, the more the students will remember.

Each of these theories supports and detracts from technology integration for learning in an early elementary classroom. Gardner's theory supports technology integration in the classroom, because this integration may offer many programs that directly relate to the individual intelligences. However, if certain programs do not support the different intelligences or are not set up in a proficent way, this theory would detract from technology integration. Bloom's taxonomy also supports technology integration in an early elementary classroom. If children learn at a young age to work with computers and other technological devices the will keep developing their skills. Dale's cone of experience also supports technology integration, because techology can provide very engaging and hands-on experiences. According to this theory, these types of programs are the most effective for student learning. This theory could also detract, because teachers could learn to rely too much on computers. In an early elementary classroom there are many things that the students should learn by experieces that computers cannot offer.

Each one of these theories relates to type 1, 11, or 111 uses of technology. Gardners theory realtes best to type 11, because the types of applications on computers allows students to work with out the aid of their teachers. For example, a liguistic learner may be able to use a word processing application to study with out any direction from the teacher. Bloom's taxonomy relates to type 1, because it is the teachers responsibility to implement the correct programs for success. Dale's cone of experience relates to type 111, because while technology can add to and enhance a teacher's lesson, the teacher must be there to guide and provide real life experiences.

Introduction

Hello, I am Sam. I am from Canton, OH. Some of my interest include kick boxing, snorkeling, and my sorority. I love movies, kids, and my puppy. I am an Early Childhood Education major and I am in my third year here at Bowling Green. I hope to teach Kindergarten some day.
I feel that technology is a very important part of education. I want to teach very young children, but I feel that it is crucial for young children to have experience with technology. I also think technology is a wonderful tool for teachers. I am by no means excellent with new technology, but I hope to learn a lot through this class. I hope to become more comfortable trying new things, because I feel that using technology in my future classroom will be just as beneficial for me as it will be for my students.