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?