Learning Connections (Language Arts): Digital Storytelling - Susan Kraft

In this article, Susan Kraft tells us how she integrated technology and language arts in he classroom. She aught her 3rd grade class how to use digital cameras and presentation software to tell a story. In doing this activity not only was she able to each these children about technology, but she was also able to educate other teachers on how to import graphics in presentation software and give them tips for classroom management and student grouping. "This has become one of my students’ favorite technological activities. Not only does it allow me to integrate the curriculum in a nurturing environment where student’s unique learning styles are recognized and validated, it also allows students to think and express themselves in an environment free of fear and negative consequences because there are no wrong answers".

(Q1): Is this a project that sounds interesting to you?
(A1): I think that this project would be a good chance to explore my love of photography and computers and share it with my students, I would love to be able to bring this in my classroom!

(Q2): What else was interesting about this article?
(A2): After reading the article I found a little insert at the bottom of the page. Kraft also inputed what standards this project relates to. It was good to see an actual example of the standards, and that this article could relate to our current curriculum in class.

Learning Connections:Differentiating by Interest in Elementary classrooms-By Grace E. Smith and Stephanie Throne

In this article, Smith and Throne point out that many times teachers will put in more of an effort if they are interested in the topic they are teaching. They are able to connect to prior knowledge, and relate to how others are able to learn the subject matter. They both discuss how by adding technology into learning, teachers can kick up differentiating by interest. "Draw/paint software, presentation/publishing software, brainstorming tools, and Web resource tools help personalize learning, vary the process by which learning is achieved, and produce products (artifacts) based on what students have discovered and learned". Smith and Throne also inform us of a good tool that can be useful in this discovery. RAFT, Role, Audience, Format, Topic, is one that is supported by technology. In the article there contains an actual lesson plan that relats to RAFT, and shows how to use this within the classroom. 

(Q1): Would you be interested in testing out this lesson plan?

(A1): I believe this looks like an interesting way to bring technology within the curriculum, but would like to look more into the program before implementing it within the classroom.

(Q2): Would this learning connection actually benefit elementary students?

(A2): I believe that because our society is growing in technology, students are learning how to use technology at a younger age and are excited in using it. This would be a good opportunity to maintain your students attention within the classroom. 

WEB 2.0 : Today's Technologies, Tomorrows Learning - Jennifer Groff and Jason Haas

This article talks of all the different leading technological innovations in today's society. It goes on in detail about different popular activities such as social networking, simulations, and digital games. Groff also explains how although these things are such a big part of our lives, they are unwelcome in our classrooms because they can be disruptive. She describes how researchers are studying these activities to find any potential benefits of these technologies. "Hands-on, real world learning experiences are the ideal way for students to learn anything". 

(Q1): Can such technologies be beneficial if used in the classroom?

(A1): Yes, I believe that in incorporating these technologies in our classrooms can benefit our students. If capable of incorporating the material into these hands-on activities, I believe students would be more interested in what they were learning. “By bringing school into the modern era, they like it and relate to it.”

(Q2): What strategies could you use to make this task successful?

(A2): I believe that if you want this task to be successful it would be a god idea to explore these technologies yourself before trying to implement them in the classroom. Another idea that might work would be to partner with a colleague, that way you have the needed support. Support is always necessary in success and the more resources you have the better, and more successful you will be!

First Grade Online - By Celeste Oakes

In this article, Oakes refers to the opportunities that are available by incorporating technology in the classroom. She discusses how sometimes teachers are afraid to try and integrate telecommunications or new resources within the learning process. By taking a telecommunications class she was able to learn about the internet and how to incorporate telecommunications in her teaching. Oakes went on in saying, that if students were empowered to undertake activities involving technology, their experiences would be enhanced by these powerful learning tools". Teaching the students how to use computers gave them the opportunity to learn how to use email and incorporate language arts by practicing their writing skills. By the end of the year, she concluded that "They have taught me that the only limitations to using telecommunications with young students are those we impose ourselves by failing to empower them".

(Q1): Is technology important for first grade students?

(A1): Technology is important for everyone. Starting at a young age could prepare students for the technological future they have ahead of them. All Student love interaction on hands on things, so the use of computers and videos would be a great opportunity to grab their attention. (we all know how good the attention span is of young children!)

(Q2): In what other ways could we incorporate use of this technology for first graders?

(A2): I feel that it could benefit many student to use math simulators online to practice different math skills. They could work on many things like building base-ten block or learning to add through hands-on activities. 

Coach, Nurture, Or Nudge - How Do You Learn Technology Best? -By Kimberley Ketterer

In this Article, Ketterer discusses how there are three different learning styles that people tend to fall under when they are learning new technology: The Coaching Style, The Nurturing Style and The Nudging Style. She says the the Coaching Style consists of a person who is not afraid of taking risks within the classroom and who are eager to teach lessons and embrace feedback. These learners continually are challenged until they meet their own comfort level. The Nurturing Style consists of people who lack the confidence in their technology skills to incorporated technology into the everyday learning environment. The key to this style is to applaud small achievements and build up confidence. The last style of technology learning is the Nudging Style. These learners are those who are successful with present technology, but are unsure about where technology is headed. They need to be pushed to into learning how to intergrade technology but after being informed are comfortable in using technology. Ketterer says that teachers who are reluctant to provide this access to student create a "hole" in students' education. I believe this if true and we all just need to branch out and continue to learn.

(Q1): What is your Technology Learning Style?

(A1): My Style of learning tends to be the Nudging style. I feel as though I am capable of teaching new technology, because I am good with it, but I only learn about the new sources of technology when I am told about it. I don't always find myself looking for new resources, therefore I am unable to teach them if I do not know them!

(Q2): Could you improve your style? 

(A2): I could most likely improve the way I would teach technology by being more assertive. Making the effort to find more resources and learn more about the technology to come I could inform others and together we could expand our knowledge. I look forward to learning about how to incorporate technology in lesson plans and hope to successfully pass on the skill of being 'computer savvy'.

Software Review: Learning.com

Learning.Com

STANDARDS

Web Browsing: Browsing Basics- Grades 6-8:

5. Digital Citizenship

-Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. Students:
a. advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.

6. Technology Operations and Concepts

-Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations. Students:
a. understand and use technology systems.
b. select and use applications effectively and productively.



Web Browsing: URLs- Grades 6-8:

1. Creativity and Innovation

-Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Students:
a. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.

2. Communication and Collaboration

-Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Students:
a. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.

6. Technology Operations and Concepts

-Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations. Students:
a. understand and use technology systems.
b. select and use applications effectively and productively.


Web Browsing: Web Searches- Grades 6-8:

3. Research and Information Fluency

-Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. Students:
a. plan strategies to guide inquiry.
b. locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.


4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making

-Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. Students:
c. collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions.

5. Digital Citizenship

-Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. Students:
a. advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.



Web Browsing: Validity and Sourcing- Grades 6-8:


1. Creativity and Innovation

-Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Students:
a. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.

2. Communication and Collaboration

-Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Students:
a. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.
b. communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.

5. Digital Citizenship

-Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. Students:
a. advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.
b. exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity.


Mini Review:

These tutorials are very helpful for those who are not very computer savvy, or for those who would like to learn easier ways to browse the web. I found the shortcuts interesting, because although I work well on the internet I usually use my own techniques to browse. I think that knowing the validity of websites is very important especially when researching a topic in which you are unfamiliar with.

I think that this software could be very useful within the classroom, however, unless your school gives each classroom access to computers for all students it might be a bit difficult. I enjoyed having the opportunity to have access to this program because it allowed me to see that being knowledgeable about the opportunity that the internet gives us is very important, and knowing how to access the correct information is vital in a students success.


Citation:
(2007) Learning.com. Retrieved March 3, 2009, from http://www.learning.com
(2007) ISTE NETS For Students 2007. Retrieved March 3, 2009, from http://http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/2007Standards/
NETS_for_Students_2007.htm

Learning Connections: Inspiring Students With Special Needs - By Barbara F. Green

In this article, Green explains how graphic organizer software can help support the needs of all students learning curriculum. Green is a special education teacher who uses a program in the software called Inspiration. The program "… gives you a visual representation of concepts and their relationships by linking ideas, pictures, symbols, and text. It provides different colors, shapes, fonts, and patterns to group and classify words, ideas, and concepts". Student can use this as a brainstorming technique for projects or papers. This program can also help students who have a vision disability.
For visual learners, or any student with a learning disability I see this software being very useful. I think that it gives children who are struggling a boost of confidence that they might be lacking. It excites children that are not motivated to learn because they feel inadequate. In giving them the motivation they need, it will produce successful academic results within the future.

(Q1): What kind of learner are you, do you feel like this program would be useful?
(A1): I am a visual learner, so for me this program could’ve definitely been useful! I think if we had even half of the resources back when I was growing up that we do now, things would’ve been much more exciting!

(Q2): What can you relate this to?
(A2): When I was younger we used to use the pen and paper brain storming techniques to write our papers. We used to jot down our ideas in a bubble format, using critical thinking. But I think that if we had this application to work with, using pictures and technology, we could have expanded our thoughts a little further.