Blog # 4 Integrated Unit Reflection

I have never seen twenty minutes fly by so fast in my life! I will say that I was extremely nervous and wish I had more time to present my lesson.  I hope my lesson went well, and I hope I didn't bore anyone to sleep. Using the required model for the unit plan was something totally different from what I have been using and I really appreciated it because it really made the planning process easier.  This particular unit was something that I use with my students, but writing out this plan allowed me to add new ways of integrating content as well as the technology.  Using the technology standards also allowed me to also incorporate those standards with the Common Core and ILS. I will utilize this particular model of planning.  It is very helpful and makes planning a real simple task.

Areas I think I need to work on include mastering the technology so that I can get through my planning faster. I also think I need to prepare for the worst.  The fact that all the computers were working and everyone knew how to maneuver through the sites made the lesson a smooth adventure.  In "real life", something always go wrong, so I have realized that it is always essential to have a plan b through z.  I think I also should have highlighted the technological aspects of my unit. This would have allowed my colleagues to see how the lesson utilized all aspects of technology and not just a small part.

 This particular unit is action packed, but I have found that using technology can sometimes take a lot away from the content and concepts students need to know.  I do believe students need to be exposed to technology, but when it is used throughout the entire lesson, the focus becomes fixated on the technology and not the content.  I think there should be a balance and teachers should make sure they are not over doing the technology.  It can be a very useful tool!

Blog #3 Key Findings/Generations M2

When reading the Key Findings of Generation M2, I really was not surprised at the data concerning media usage among young people today.  I believe that these numbers will continue to increase with the increase of technological devices and software that will be developed.  I reflect on my students in my classroom and how it is a struggle to monitor the uses of the technological devices that they bring to school with them on a daily basis.  We struggle making sure that they keep their cellphones in their lockers because they find ways to access Facebook and other internet sources that should not be accessed during school hours.  These numbers are especially scary when thinking about implementing technology within the classroom.  These numbers show that in order for technology to be utilized in a positive way for promoting academic success, teachers must be well versed and trained in the software.  If the computers are just place within the classroom, the computers will only be used to access the internet, causes the numbers to increase in school as well. 

I really had a hard time grasping the purpose of this particular article. Although this shows data that suggests students who access the computer and other technological devices have poorer grades and so on, I am wondering why are we pushing technology then?  I guess what the author is saying is that technology must me modified so that students are able to balance this with other aspects of their lives.  I still believe that technology can assist in the advancement of academic success, but I truly believe that exposure to the social media access of technology for students can cause that academic gap.  I just speaking from experience with my students who ask to use their cell phones for researching information only to find that they are accessing Facebook.  If the students are utilizing the internet for academic purposes, then technology could be a good thing. However, if they are on the internet with these disturbing numbers only for social media purposes, then this could really be detrimental to academic success.

Blog #2 New Technologies

There has been many misconceptions on how and if technology should be used in the classroom.  In reading Oppenheimer, NETS-S and Tech Tonic, it is very clear to me that these particular issues can be reconciled and they definitely should.

I believe that the reason critics bash technology in the classroom is because it was never properly implemented.  In Oppenheimer's chapter one, he explains how the use of computers can sometimes hinder the academic growth of students.  I find this extremely true when educators are not versed in how to implement the use of computers into the curriculum.  Some believe that if you have many computers in the classroom then the children are able to be computer literate.  The problem is that when school have computers that do not work properly, that really defeats the purpose of what computers are supposed to do for advancing education.  I believe that before the push for computers in every classroom, there should have been a curriculum already in place.  It seems as if Oppenheimer is saying that there has been so much time wasted, and computer are more of a hinderance than help.  For these particluar concepts to be reconciled, technology must be reasonably placed into the curriculum.  I believe that technology should assist in concepts and content and not just for assessing the internet.  I also believe for the ideas to be welcomed, educators must be trained efficiently.  Tech tonic and NETS-S gives excellent instruction of how technology filled curriculum can assist in academic success.

Blog #1

In reviewing the educational philosophies of Allen Orenstein’s book, Contemporary Issues in Curriculum, I believe my personal philosophy follows the contemporary approach, borrowing ideologies from the Progressivism as well as Reconstructionism.  I believe curriculum design within the educational system is the most essential component for granting a quality education to the whole child.  In educating the whole child, the value of the curriculum should address the components of all subjects, for all subjects are valuable, especially for problem solving and critical thinking skills.  I believe that although the instructor holds the knowledge and wisdom of the curriculum, it is up to the student to obtain that knowledge, thereby, encouraging that child to become a fully engaged and active life long learner.

            Teachers should exhibit enthusiastic attitudes towards instruction, molding each and every student into responsible, fully motivated and respected individuals.  Integrated learning units should tap into all the core subjects and also include music, art and especially technology.  I believe technology should be integrated into the curriculum because our students are lacking knowledge in this imperative area.  Technology should be integrated within instruction as well as with hands on activities that allow the students to explore new innovative ways for obtaining information.  Technological awareness goes beyond weekly visits to the school computer lab.  I believe in order for students to receive the most authentic experience with technology, each student should have access to a personal computer and relying less on the pencil and notebook.  Students should not only be exposed to technological strategies, but should also be experts at manipulating these technologies and implementing them into daily assignments.  Technological experiences should also be brought into the classroom through guest speakers and other components.  Students should be exposed to careers that rely on technology to assist in promoting its importance.  Such exposure to technology educates the whole child as well as  prepares students to become competitive in this global society.

In meeting the needs of each individual child, the curriculum should be prompted towards differentiated instruction as well as the multi intelligences.  This particular strategy and technique ensures that each child will be provided an opportunity to grasp the skills and concepts they need to be successful with the lesson. One major component that ensures the success of the student’s future is instructional decision-making.  This process focuses on the curriculum and instruction by using data regarding response to past instruction to guide future educational decisions. This process is based on the proactive concept of early assistance and matches the amount of resources to the nature of the students’ needs.   This particular tactic assists in educating the whole child while providing additional assistance and emphasis on the student’s interests and needs.  Evidence of such process involves analyzing ISAT, Terra Nova or other standardized test, and then properly placing the child within a proper groupings and creating developmentally appropriate curriculum.  Each classroom will be enriched with cultural inclusive components that promote academic success among the diverse population.  Teachers will provide a safe and nurturing environment that exudes warmth and a feeling of peace. 

I believe all students deserve the highest level of quality instruction in which they can utilize in our global society.  To achieve this goal, mathematics, science and balanced literacy instruction will be closely linked with the Illinois State Standards and be taught through Kagan, CRISS, reciprocal, differentiated instruction and high yield teaching and technological strategies. I believe teachers must continuously teach to the needs of the students, embracing every teachable moment possible.  If this is done properly with enthusiasm and compassion, the students will then gain a sense of empowerment, causing them to fully engage themselves in the lesson and invite a more challenging curriculum.