wordle of my blog

take away Apr14.

Today I learned about communication and presentation technologies: e-mail, PowerPoint and Voicethread. I am comfortable using e-mail and PowerPoint. However, today's class enabled me to think more about using new programs in a classroom. It will help students and teachers to have a successful learning and teaching experience. If more teachers learn about how to use these technological tools more accurately, there will be more benefits.There is a new application that seems very useful, which is Voicethread. I will try to use this application in my classroom two years later in my country.

Chapters 8 & 9 Reflection

Chapter 8 focuses on the information communication technologies: email, instant messaging, website, blog and wiki. Chapter 9 focuses on the information presentation technologies: Power Point, video and DVD. I already experienced using both technologies through the 7266 class. I thought it was interesting to read these chapters because I have been learning this topic with practice. I need to check my email to confirm my assignments or class requests. Sometimes I use instant messaging to discuss a group project with my team members. Now I am posting my reflection from a reading assignment. Also, I have seen the use of multimedia like PowerPoint or video clips in the 7266 class. Therefore, I see the usefulness of “technology integrating instruction.”

I am sure teachers should create classroom blogs or websites for their students’ education. It can be used for informing students about assignments, giving them learning materials and providing them room for their own reaction. Until now, when I graded my students I used to ask students to submit their worksheets which were written and drawn by hand. Then I had to turn the page over and over to view every response. I could not help but spend more time and effort evaluating the students learning process. However, I could consider using other methods for students who will submit work through chapter 8 & 9. I will try to suggest new technological methods to my students: take a picture of your handout work and make a video clip. Then post them on the class blog using your own cell phone. Students will show their efforts by making their own video clips.

The contents of “Photo Taking and Movie Making by Students” on chapter 9 enabled me to think diversely about my lesson plan. It can be a more student-centered lesson. I believe that the youth are more intuitive about dealing with the new technologies such as computers, mobile devices and applications. Whenever I saw my students using the computer or devices, I saw potential for the educational success in incorporating technologies.

Q1) What do you think is the most usefulness thing in classroom blog? Can you inform me a good example?

Q2) When using presentation technologies like PowerPoint, video and DVD it can be a passive educational experience for students. What do you think are the other strategies for participating active students?

Take Away Message Apr. 7

As I made my WebQuest, I learned how to use e-portfolio for the first time. I thought it was a truly useful tool. When I viewed another student's e-portfolio, I was impressed by the well-assembled documents. There are useful information such as lesson plans, educational philosophy and personal materials. Not only have I leaned about how to create an e-portfolio but also I could be informed about another student's thought and experience. Today in class I learned about using the e-portfolio more clearly.

Take Away Message Mar 31.

Today, I learned about the importance of feedback. The class discussed the group topics but before discussing the topics, I only had a few thoughts in mind. However, I learned new information and several ideas through the feedback discussion. It is truly important to share ideas in the classroom.

Chapter 7 Reflection

         Chapter 7 focuses on the educational software program and also mentions video games.

There are some different types of educational software programs; one is ‘composing and calculating software’ like word processing and spreadsheet software programs. Another is ‘building, inventing, and creating software’ such as Kid Pix and Google Earth. It can provide exploration environments and give students a chance to solve their own question. The other is visual thinking and concept mapping software. It can allow us to create things like graphs, symbols, charts on a computer. Students use these tools in their learning because it is beneficial for various reasons. Using these tools student can express their thoughts or ideas creatively and electronically create things more easily. I agree with the general idea explained in chapter 7.

            However, as I was reading the contrasting views about computer games in learning, I could not help but go back to the most elemental question: What is learning? I think the learning process is never simple enough so that every student achieves their goal easily. It is complicated and it requires more brain work. Maybe this process is called ‘intelligence’. Jean Piaget said, intelligence is what we use when we don’t already know what to do. If students are trained to respond to their task in a certain way, they will not be learning anymore. I think educational tools need to help students’ brain work more intellectually. One thing I am concerned about is the addictiveness of computer games. I do partially agree that there are positive aspects of video games for a student’s education. However, we shouldn’t miss the consequences. When students play games they sometimes become too acquainted with the stimulation and they become distracted if they have to learn. Maybe for these reasons, chapter 7 continuously highlights how to find educational software and videos through showing the criteria, rubric or strategies for using them properly.  

1. Have you played any video games that you would recommend for educational purposes?

2. How can playing video games negatively affect a students' education?

Take Away Message Mar 24.

These are websites assisting teachers to create successful lessons.

https://www.visualthesaurus.com/

http://lexipedia.com/

http://quizlet.com/

http://www.plimoth.org/learn/MRL/watch

https://minecraft.net/

I will try to use this website for my lessons. There are many attractive online materials. The important thing is choosing what online tools should be selected for a lesson. We know online games can be a good educational tool. I think it is a new and interesting method. 

However, teachers should think about how to use these methods successfully in their lessons first. I think that learning is not always fun and students need struggle when they are learn a concept. Sometimes struggling can be a learning experience for students too.   

Chapters 4 & 6 Reflection

Chapter four focuses on the professional growth of a teacher’s engagement for using technology effectively. On the first page of chapter 4, it states that teachers required to be experts in technology is a myth and the reality is that teachers with relatively little technological skills can provide useful instruction. It seems teachers are supposed to think about how to use technology first than be an expert for successful learning. I strongly believe that teachers should continuously contemplate about using technology in their classroom. They also need to be trained properly to meet the advances of technology.

The Internet is in the middle of the technological advancements. I learned how to manage my educational information and learned what educational websites are available through the textbook. I think the educational website tables show six major types of internet contents which are very useful. Until now to search for educational resources, I usually use web contents in my native language. Now I can find many new useful English websites resources through the Internet. There is a saying that goes, “a native language makes a road we can walk in but a foreign language will create a window to the road. Maybe I am seeing the attractive educational materials through that window on my road.

It is quite interesting for me to be informed about the 50 free education apps. I have used some of them usefully and frequently. When I knew about ITunes U for the first time, I was so amazed that I could access lectures overseas. Nowadays, I am using Blackboard Mobile for my education. Also, I have tried to use the Socrative app. There are two Socrative apps: One is called the Student Clicker and the another is called the Teacher Clicker. Teachers need to ask some questions in their virtual room and then the students are supposed to enter the room and answer the questions.

We know there are a variety of educational apps in other app store categories like the news, photo and book categories. My favorite educational app is Google Earth. It is in the travel category. I am sure teachers can plan lessons through this app. It enables a student to not only search for information but can use video clips, data or photos and also experience a 3D virtual world. Finally, I’d like to mention Google image search. I think the visual materials are the key elements in website resources. I would use the search engine to find images or videos rather than through text information for my lesson plans. 

Q1) Young children can easily learn to be digital citizens in their school. But think about the adults who misuse their digital devices because they didn't get the chance to use technology and learn to be digital citizens. I feel the need to learn to be a better digital citizen because I sometimes misuse my digital devices. Do you think you have an adequate knowledge of technology to be a proficient digital citizen? If not, what do you want to learn more about to become a better digital citizen for your virtual life?

Q2) Have you used the websites that are recommend on our textbook (table6.2~6.7). Can you share your reflection using the sites? 

Take Away Message Mar 17

Frankly speaking, today I heard the expression "digital citizenship" for the first time. I have been living in the real world and also the cyber world. We are all supposed to not only be digital citizens but also citizens of our communities. Teachers should carefully think about teaching methods for the young digital citizens.

Take Away Message Mar 10

This class is useful for me! I often do not use my computer to its full potential. Maybe we need to consider using the information we have available more effectively. There are many handy resources. It is important to know where and what kind of information can be found. Thanks to my instructor I have useful tips about using educational material sources.

Chapter 5 reflection

What I got out of the readings from chapter 5 is that school teachers need to be trained in certain essentials of information literacy instruction to support learners in today’s information-rich environment. 

According to Jonassen’s article, he mentioned about the components of a Constructivist Learning Environments on the Web. One of them is Social/Contextual Support. The paper emphasized the importance of training the teachers who will be supporting the learning. I was quite amazed at the one sentence that is what throughout the history of instructional design and technology, projects have failed most often because of poor implementation.

From chapter 5 I read about searching, researching and evaluating internet information. Before I read this I thought information literacy was an easy and simple procedure. But now I believe that information literacy is fundamentally important because it‘s a first step in e-learning classroom and an essential basic skill in information society.

Information resources are mentioned as one of the key element of a Constructivist Learning Environments on the Web on the Jonassen's article. I certainly agree with his statement. Rich sources of information are an essential part of the CLEs and the resources can allow student to think for solving the problem. That why students are supposed to learn the information literacy.  

First of all, students need to learn how to search for information online. When students are searching for information online they will first consider using the search engine. There is so much information on the Web and also there are various web searchers. Web searchers don’t always find what they are looking for online. This is why students need to be taught about using different search tools and teachers need to allow students to explore them to know what search engine is best fit for a topic.

Second, I’m sure it is necessary for students to learn how to evaluate the information they search. Often, the Internet is likely to offer resources where the information is not both current and accurate. I think the criteria listed in chapter 5 for evaluating web resources are really informative for me and I will plan to teach the criteria to my students. Accuracy, authority, objectivity, currency and coverage are key elements in determining the quality of online information.

I think the internet is one of the best ways to retrieve information. Students are supposed to learn about information literacy and teachers are supposed to be trained in information literacy instruction.

Q1) Should all teachers who are single-subject specialists also be specialists in information literacy in their classrooms? Alternatively, do we need teachers who only specialize in teaching information literacy at schools?

Q2) What do you think about more than anything else in determining the quality of online information?

Take away message 24 Feb

When I was undergraduate student I learned about learning theories but I forgot about these essential basic theories. I believe teachers are always supposed to keep in mind about these theories. Today’s lesson was really helpful for me because I could recall the theories and realize the importance again. Behaviorism, Information processing and Constructivism are the key elements of the learning theories. These theories show how the brain works when learning information. Instructors and educators need to first consider these basic learning theories. Then they can consider applying different teaching methods. Moreover, the study of using technology in teaching builds on these learning theories.           

Chapter 2&3 Reflection

The title of chapter 2 is not Transforming ‘Teaching’ with Unique, Powerful Technology but Transforming ‘Learning’ with Unique, Powerful Technology. I think this title shows the importance of the learner’s activity than the teacher’s in education, but it does not mean that the teacher’s role is not counted. Student-centered approaches are more desirable in a classroom that has incorporated technology.

According to chapter 2, using technologies can offer various learning opportunities: Visual Learning, Accessing and Assessing Information, Active Engagement and Collaboration, Feedback and Expressing Creativity. Even though most of them have impressed me, visual learning is more meaningful to me. The students I taught in my country sometimes had trouble understanding 3D models, such as geographical features or the rotation of the earth. However, nowadays we can use popular internet programs like Google earth. It allows us to find maps, panoramas, photos, video clips, data and actually see through virtual reality. From my teaching experience, one topic from a lesson focused on glacial terrains, which does not exist in Korea. It has been challenging for Korean teachers to teach and help students visualize glacial landforms. It is not sufficient for students to understand this natural phenomenon through textbooks or photos. This new advanced technology allowed us to have a successful learning experience. I believe using technology in a classroom helps not only teachers but students.

1. What do you think is the most important thing in learning opportunities using technology mentioned in our textbook? Can you inform me a good example? 

2. What do you think about the learning opportunities using technologies other than the ones suggested in our textbook?

Topic For Webquest

Topic : Draw Map My Town

My Webquest project will allow 6^th grade students to draw maps of their towns. I will let students to assume that they will be lost on the road. They will draw maps and find their way home. The map will contain roads, stores, parks, buildings, etc. Then each student will create a summary for his or her town and explain the structure of the map. They will present it in front of their peers. The presentation will also include the direction, environment and landmark. Students will use various map sources from the internet such as Google map, Google earth or the MTA map.

This task will address the following NYS Learning Standards

Standard 3, Key Idea 2

Key Idea 2: Geography requires the development and application of the skills of asking and answering geographic questions; analyzing theories of geography; and acquiring, organizing, and analyzing geographic information. (Adapted from: The National Geography Standards, 1994: Geography for Life)

Performance Indicators--Students will:

Elementary

• ask geographic questions about where places are located; why they are located where they are; what is important about their locations; and how their locations are related to the location of other people and places (Adapted from National Geography Standards, 1994)
• gather and organize geographic information from a variety of sources and display in a number of ways
• analyze geographic information by making relationships, interpreting trends and relationships, and analyzing geographic data. (Adapted from National Geography Standards, 1994)

Take away message, Feb 10

There are no limitations to becoming an e-teacher. We usually think of educational technologies as using the computer, internet or some other devices. However, let us think about the meaning of "technology". Technology is everywhere and of course, we can find technology in the classroom. Teachers and students can use many different and creative educational materials. What are these materials? How can we integrate it in the classroom? I think that the "how-to" is technology. Therefore, the new technologies allow teachers to get more chances to use new educational methods. I try to be open minded in planning my lessons and accept new methods.

Chapter 1 Reflection

As a high school social studies teacher in South Korea, I would like to discover useful teaching methods and develop skills in utilizing technology in order to keep up with current changes in technology, integrated into learning and teaching. I have been a participant in several training courses concerning the integration of technology and education in South Korea. I know the positive aspects of this particular methodology. However, I always have been concerned about the negative aspects. I look forward to optimizing the use of technology into my classroom.

Q 1. It is common to see a student who has better computer skills than his/her teacher in the classroom. How can a teacher successfully teach a technologically advanced class today?

Q 2. What do you think are the problems occurring among students in the classroom using technology?   

first post

Jan. 27. 2014..

 I am posting on my blogger first. I am familiar with google site. However blogger is not for me so far. But I'm sure it will be very useful for me.