Digital Blog Post #D - Chapter 5 - Research, a new process.

As stated in Chapter 5 in our textbook, and as proven by our every day life, technology has changed completely the process of research. This post is a reflection of concepts such as keywords, information research and retrieval, and electronic note-taking.

Search engines are softwares that reach databases from different networks, like Google. Keywords are words or phrases used to refine our search to specific subjects. Therefore, online research might be quicker, and more direct than looking through a pile of books. Keywords allow us to target those websites that contain the information we are looking for. Information research and retrieval are skills that definitely must be taught in modern classrooms, together with proper ethics, as technology takes us in that direction. Puzzles and other educational games are good tools to practice and improve these skills, which are nothing more than the process of searching, locating, and filing. 

Technology also facilitates recording and organizing research work. Electronic note-taking is a really convenient way of saving your findings, since with a click you can export your notes to word processor softwares, files, emails, and even presentational programs or applications. 

I use my notes on my phone or tablet all the time. They are easy to find through the search spot feature by typing a keyword, and to apply to other uses, like sharing with others through messages, or emails.

References:

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Digital Blog Post #C - Chapter 3 - Classroom Dynamic and Feedback

After reading Chapter 3 in our textbook Transforming Learning with New Technologies, I would like to refer to two approaches: teacher-centered, and student-centered. These two concepts are not necessarily technological, but they serves as a guide when it comes to inspiring our students to technology use with learning purposes. Teacher-centered approach , also known as transmission teaching, states that the energy and orientation of the class comes from the teacher to the students. Student-centered approach or learner-centered, instead, gives the students an active roll; learning is based on their planning, participation, and conduction over all. In both cases, technology such as computer-learning games or presentation softwares, must follow appropriate guidelines.

Another concept worth mentioning from this chapter is feedback, defined as communication between the learner and the instructor. Thanks to technology, feedback happens right away most of the time. This promotes critical thinking and problem solving skills, both leading to self-correcting and efficiency.

I think technology use is great help for learning, whether the active roll is being played by the educator, or the students. I also think that feedback not only helps the students to acknowledge their mistakes; it helps teachers to identify students strengths and weaknesses, and how effective or not is the educational method they are using.

References:

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Digital Blog Post #B - Chapter 2 - Use of technology and human touch.

While computers, among other digital tools, are there to support the instructional and administrative work of educators, it is important to set a balanced teaching method; one that uses technology to enhance education, yet it is linked to “old school”, warmer teaching. This is, in other words, the relationship between the following concepts: teaching philosophy, (technology) instructional practices, and (technology) administrative/professional activities.

Teaching philosophy is basically your personal view of effectiveness in the classroom. It ranges from student learning to classroom organization. From my observations in Collier County Public Schools’s elementary classrooms, and from reading Transforming Learning with New Technologies, I find acceptance and openness to be the base for successful results from students. To create a warmer environment, I wouldn’t just assign my students to do computer work. Instructional practices involve computer use and teacher-student interaction, such as subject discussions.

I have no doubt that contemporary professionals depend on computers for work management, however, as the software market grows rapidly, new programs and applications come out every day, and educators must stay up to date, which might be challenging for folks from older generations. Administrative/professional activities use of these tools are great for organization. I think students and teachers can benefit from discussing how a new application works. It leaves room for critical thinking, interaction, and peer observation and cooperation.

Again, I think it is extremely important to maintain a good balance between the use of technology and human touch, since both aspects add values and resources to our students.

References:

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc. 

Digital Blog Post #A - Chapter 1 - Technology in the Classroom

Among many concepts and education philosophies based on new technology, it is important to differentiate and balance the benefits and disadvantages educators and students face when it comes to the use of computers and other electronic tools. New concepts are welcome in modern classrooms. In this post three of these concepts will be displayed bellow.

Techlnology-based libraries facilitates access to resources without the search process of physical material; instead, a quick data search using keywords, filing order, or links helps the user to locate the needed source instantly. As long as a balance to promote interest in (books and) reading habits is established, techlnology-based libraries give the opportunity to educate students about managing electronic data, and the use of such information, in a way that inquire thinking, problem solving, and critical thinking are applied. A related concept to techlnology-based libraries is techlnology-based textbook. This concept, not only facilitates a more economic distribution of textbooks, but it also opens doors to educators who truly want to make a difference by being the authors of their own material. It is a revolutionary learning tool, since it permits remote access, modifying, and sharing; it can be interactive, and may include  formats like audio and video, allowing visualization of the material.

Smart devices are making education easier in several ways for exceptional students. It is worth to mention how an iPad, mirroring the teachers computer screen, is used to personalize the learning path of a student with sight limitations, who now has the chance to have an individual close-up to anything that could be projected on a white board in class. Within the same concept, softwares applications like Nova Chat, installed to a Samsung tablet, with a bluetooth speaker adapted in the back, serves as a communication device for non verbal students. Nova Chat offers quick access to common expressions by tapping on icons and buttons on a touch screen, and a keyboard for regular typing; it also features editable buttons, which can be customized to prompt new words or messages.

Although published on October 18, 2012, the following video describes how, and why technology is included in modern classrooms. Please, click here to watch this short video.

Technology in the classroom simplifies the learning process and provides adaptable tools to suit students' diversity.

The information provided in this post is not only credited to Transforming Learning with New Technologies, by Robert R. Maloy, Ruth-Ellen Verock-O’Loughlin, Sharo A. Edwards, and Beverly P. Woolf, but to observations and in-class experiences in elementary schools in Naples, Florida, in Collier County as well.