What I Learned from Other Project Presentations

I enjoyed looking at other people's presentations of what they did in their classrooms to incorporate technology into a lesson. One thing I learned from watching these presentations is just how much you can do with technology to enhance lessons. There are so many great resources, programs, and equipment that can be used to help children enjoy lessons and have more hands-on learning. I think that, as teachers, it is important to be willing to take a little extra time to incorporate technology into lessons because it really does add to the quality and effectiveness of lessons. Also, the children really enjoy the use of technology in lessons, and it helps them to develop their understanding of programs and equipment for their own future use of such technology.

Technology Integration PowerPoint

Technology Integration

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Internet Safety

1. For my 4th article on internet safety, I chose to read "Fighting Internet Filth," by Mario Hipol. This article was very helpful and gave a lot of great suggestions for specific things parents could do to help protect their families from encountering problems and filth on the internet. The article was great because it described how to do specific things with the internet, and it was in simple terms and in great detail so that any parents could follow the instructions and use it in their homes.

2. I think that the most important thing I learned from the readings is that it is essential to make a commitment NOW to protect my home and my classroom from internet filth. I learned from these articles that there are so many things we can do as precautionary measures so that we prevent problems before they even happen. I recognized through these readings that we should do everything we can to prevent problems so that we don't have to deal with them when they arise.

3. After reading these articles, I have a new resolve to do what I can to protect my future family and my future classroom from all the filth and problems that can occur with the internet. Before I read these articles, I did recognize that there were lots of problems that could arise with the internet. However, I don't think I really realized how important it is to safeguard against these problems and to do everything I can to prevent issues before they arise.

4. I think that the most important thing I can do to help my family members and friends with internet safety would be to share what I have learned and make sure they are aware of all the things they can do to safeguard themselves and their families against the evils that can come up through the internet. I can help my friends and family to know how to get to resources that can help them with ensuring that they are protected from harmful internet content. Also, I can make sure they are aware of different ways they can be knowledgeable about the internet and other potentially harmful technology so that they will be able to protect those they love from problems that can arise.

Plans for Incorporating Technology

My plan for using technology in a lesson is to show a couple of short video clips at the beginning of a guided reading lesson I am doing tomorrow with a group of 4 students. The focus of my lesson is on helping the children to use vocal expression and intonation when they read, as well as reading smoothly instead of breaking up their reading word-by-word. I will be showing them a clip of monkeys making noises to talk about using expression and intonation when we read. Also, I will show them a clip of swans gliding smoothly to talk about making their reading smooth.

I think that this will be a fun way to get them thinking about what their reading should sound like. It will give them a visual and audio example of how to read smoothly and expressively. I think they will enjoy it, and I think it will be a helpful use of technology that will reinforce what I am teaching.

Technology in the Classroom

One idea I have for incorporating technology into a lesson would be to show a video clip at the beginning of or during a lesson to enhance whatever subject or topic is being taught. I think that video clips (digital storybooks, short educational videos, videos incorporating or illustrating whatever is being taught in the lesson, etc.) can often be a powerful tool for teaching children because they get very excited about watching them. Because of this, they will often pay close attention to the video clips and really learn from them. After watching the video clip, you can then guide the children's thinking to relate what they just saw to something that you are studying. Also, you could tell the children before they even watch the video clip what it is that you would like them to watch for in the clip.

Technology Inventory

I am currently doing my first cohort experience at Mapleton Elementary, where I am working in a first grade classroom.  Through doing the technology inventory, I was able to see what all is available to teachers in that school.  I was surprised at just how much the school really does provide to help teachers incorporate technology into their lessons and their classrooms.  Although the classrooms at Mapleton (or at least the one I am in) do not really have computers available to the students, there are two large computer labs in the school that are available for teachers to schedule whenever they are available.  Also, the children have a computer class incorporated into their weekly schedule.  

I was very pleased at how much technology was available at this school.  I know that Mapleton Elementary is one of the more wealthy schools in the area, and I can tell by all the technology in the school that a good amount of this money has been put toward improving technology at the school and making technological equipment readily available.

Link to Virtual Tour

Here is the link to my Virtual Tour in my filing cabinet:

http://sites.google.com/site/dehipt287/Home/virtual-tour

*Or, you can click on "Diane's Filing Cabinet" under My Links.