I hope all of you enjoy our new blog to keep current with events going on in our Math classroom and school!
I am writing to express the dire need we have for technology in our classroom to enhance your children's education. As you may already know, the PTA is heading the efforts to make this happen for us all. I hope you are all as excited as I am for this, since technology is the future.
I encourage all of you to use this blog as a place where questions can be asked and answered. Please comment on any concern or questions you may have since I am sure many of you have similar comments and questions. I will check this blog daily yo answer in a timely manner.
Why Technology?
Many of you may have concerns for this "new" way of teaching and learning, but I assure you technology is not all fun and games. "As technology has become more capable and complex, everyday life has changed, and with it out views of education and appropriate teaching strategies. Many educators believe education should focus on general capabilities, such as "learning to learn" skills, that will help future citizen cope with inevitable technological change" (Roblyer & Doering, 2010,p.34)
How to meet today's educational goals
As technology is increasing, so is the way educators believe we should educate our children. Two distinct theories are believed to meet today's educational goals, but it doesn't have to be so black and white. Both directed instruction and constructivist learning can have meaningful roles in the classroom.
Directed:What is Direct Instruction?
- Knowledge has a separate, real existence of its own outside the human mind. (Roblyer & Doering, 2010,p.34).
- Master skills at their own pace (p.44).
- Individual work using traditional teaching and learning methods (p.44)
- Teacher directed and materials: Lectures, worksheets (p.44)
Constructivist: Constructivism
- Humans construct all knowledge in the minds by participating in certain events (Roblyer & Doering, 2010,p.34).
- Stress cooperative work and nontraditional exploration methods (p.43)
- Group based, cooperative work (p.44)
- Students generate own knowledge through experiences.(p.44)
Check out the following link for a PDF file linking both theories: Computer-Based Microworlds
Wish List!
*Laptops
*Software
*Smart Board
Laptops and math software would be a popular way for students to learn and practice what was taught in class. I plan to have students use math "games" which is a fun interactive way for students to practice instead of sitting and do problems out of a book. After teaching, students will be able to use their computers to practice new information and have access to excel, email, and many other computer based programs.
Smart Boards allows presentations to stay relevant. If a student misses class, I will be able to download presentations on a PDF and send the notes to your child through a PDF. Hand-held response devices will allow students to answer questions from their desks and me who can see answers and offer help when needed. Daily I would use these boards to teach lessons to the class.
Connections:
Integrating a mix of the two theories in different lessons will be a credible, current way of educating your children. Many traditional methods could be done in an unconventional way with technology. Directed lessons done from the smart board would be a fun, exciting, interactive way for me to teach directly and be the major source of information. Instead of standing in front of the class, rambling, this will allow me to show visuals while speaking. Lessons now will be exciting and interactive instead of dry and boring.
Math games on laptops will have students explore different lessons they want to work on and gage their own path they are taking. Students are all at different levels and these programs will allow them to work where help is needed. The program will move students along where they are mentally, not the lessons the class is on. This gives students a little more freedom in class to how they will learn.
Software programs will allow students work in groups in a constructivist way. The will be able to explore scenarios and tie what we are learning in the classroom to real life topics of their choice.
THANKS!
I would like to thank each and every one of you for taking time to read this blog and learn a little more about the new age of technology needed in schools. This new technology movement will better prepare your students for college and the working world. I encourage you all to get involved and help us make a difference in our schools.
Please don't hesitate to leave questions, comments, concerns on the blog. I encourage us all to keep in contact with each other and to make the classroom current for your children.
Lets make a difference!
Miss Ramona
Constructivism. Viewed: http://www.funderstanding.com/content/constructivism
Rieber, Lloyd. Computer based microworlds: a bridge between constructivism and direct instruction. Viewed online:http://www.springerlink.com/content/225867182tk44716/
Roblyer, M.D., & Doering, A.H. (2010). Integrating educational technology into teaching.(5th ed.). Boston: Allen and Bacon/Pearson.
What is Direct Instruction. Viewed: http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/methods/models/direct/
DISCLAIMER: This blog is an assignment for an educational technology course at National University. It is not a real fundraising blog!
