Thing 20-Blended or Flipped Learning
http://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/coeT3LeLwE
After completing my screen-cast, I am excited to start to incorporate this type of instruction in the classroom. I was surprised how easy it was to use. One of my goals is to create a Blended Classroom to help differentiate with instruction. I decided to create this intro video to inform my students and parents of the Weebly page. It's important to share some of my pedagogy and tools with the students. Most students have technology at home and having this resource could be beneficial. I can see many strengths creating Screen-cast . One strength is that screen-cast will allow me to attend to students who need individual instruction. I could use screen-cast as a tool for my advanced students as well. Parents will also have access to these screen-cast to aid in any homework. Some weakness are, not all students have computer technology, cost of this technology and I noticed that my voice faded in and out, a few pop-ups occurred. I am sure with practice I can over come these and improve in my video making. My short term goal is to create screen-cast for struggling students to use with individual instruction. I never thought teaching could change so much, but with technology today, its time to embrace it and let technology take teaching to new and improved levels.
Thing 21
Assignment 1-First Step
A blog that stood out to me was a blog on STEM Curriculum Resources by Dr Wesley Fryer. His blog emphasis the importance of computer technology in the Science classroom. Computers help students think. As a teacher I know the importance computers will have on our students success. His ideas, projects can easily be incorporated in the classroom. I am interested in the use of You Tube in the classroom. Fryer "digitally documents " his journey and share ideas useful in today's classroom. His blog best connects to modification and redefinition in the SMAR model. Computers can transform the classroom and give students a responsibility to complete tasks at their own pace. Through redefinition the classroom becomes student centered and student driven.
Assignment 2 -Next Steps
After reading and watching the sound clouds about the emerging technology, I could see incorporating this technology in the science classroom. Each technology would enhance the STEM lessons. Students today need to be actively engaged to encourage learning. The Makey Makey technology could be used to encourage future electrical engineers, Arduino technology could drive the students interested in computers. VR Ocatus meets the interest of the gamers of the world. This 3-D technology is amazing. The 3-D printer could spark interest in the next generation of inventors, manufacturing engineers and encourage the use of math skills. All of the new technology is possible to incorporate into the classroom. Cost my be deterrent but grants could be written. Spark their interest with this technology and the students help in creating new positions or job opportunities for the economy.
Assignment 3 - Future Trends
Today's emerging technologies will impact not only my students learning, but mine as well. I am most concerned that schools are struggling to keep up with new technology.Our school just purchased Chrome books, in a matter of weeks the usage of them skyrocketed. I often find I have to wait a week or two to sign the out again. Students today could be left behind if we as teachers don't get ahead of the game. Whether its BYOD, Cloud computing, Blended Learning, schools will need resources to compete to stay on top of the trends. Decisions, discussions need to be ongoing to stay ahead of the game. To help stay ahead of the game, I would like to see students use their own devices. This is a subject of debate, but an important one to help today's learner in the classroom. I feel the use of devices will need to start early in the elementary classroom. I often find I have to spend too much time teaching how to use the devices when time could be spent using the device to further learning. I also feel that we can teach personal responsibility with personal devices. Too often we see students use the devises inappropriately. Let technology help keep our students engaged!