Final Post

            Well, this is the final blog post and assignment for EME course but just because this class is ending does not mean the skills I have gained along the way will just stop there. I will be honest, at the beginning of this course I was dreading having to take this class. I knew it could help me because technology is not really my forte but I knew it would be a long process and one I thought I was going to not really enjoy. However, that is really not the case here. I have to say I learned so much from this course and I did not dread learning new elements along the way.

            Here, I learned the fundamentals of teaching with technology and the foundations of a new language. Marcinek’s article on, “Technology and teaching: Finding a balance” she refers to apps and other technological aids as opportunities rather than apps. That is key here, the word opportunities because that is exactly what this course has brought to me. The opportunity of where technology can lead me as person and as teacher. It has brought to my attention that technology is the new way of learning and is a new literacy one must obtain in order to be digitally literate and be current with today’s world. She also talks about finding that perfect balance; this is something our textbook mentioned with examples when talking about what technology should be used in what way. It is important we learn what kind of technology is the right kind of technology to use in order to correspond to the lessons we are trying to teach (Marcinek, 2014).

            I want to discuss this in a little more depth because I feel it is the best way I can describe this course. This is a chart that I used in the previous assignment but I never really explained. It is the Bloom’s Taxonomy chart the renewed version. This displays different levels of learning. Levels one and two are remembering and understanding, so here is where we start to be presented information over and over and then are able to recall what those specific things are within that context. Then we have levels three and four applying and analyzing, this is important because this is where we try to apply the things we learned and started to understand  but in a different way, for instance hyperlinking, using citations in apa, embedding, etc. Then we have the last two levels evaluating and creating. This is where we have higher level thinking and start to display digital literacy as well as critical thinking skills. This has been my favorite part because we put our knowledge that we gained into creating something that has our own personal touches on them. We applied tools and techniques while also learning others by creating websites, rubrics, and even communication. This course has helped me in my other classes as well. Just as an example, I have been taking the EDF teaching class as well and there are assignments in this course which required the evaluation and creation of rubrics and websites that I was able to apply and create again in my other classes. The WebQuest in particular has been one of my favorite assignments and something I have been using ever since. I felt it really has added value all over as well as many others.

            I am happy that I have completed this course but like I said just because this course has ended does not mean my skills will. I will definitely apply what I have learned to future classes and classrooms. I understand the importance of teaching with technology and how it will enhance students learning for every kind of student. It is my job as a future teacher to take advantage of every opportunity possible to educate myself in order to educate my students because, “t is a universal language spoken by the entire world” (Marcinek, 2014).

These are 10 Tips I would recommend to someone being introduced to technology and a course similar to this. 

References

Marcinek, A. (2014, March 11). Technology and teaching: Finding a balance. Retrieved October 12, 2016, from Technology Integration, https://www.edutopia.org/blog/technology-and-teaching-finding-balance-andrew-marcinek

Retrieved December 11, 2016, from https://tips.uark.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Blooms_Taxonomy_pyramid_cake-style-use-with-permission.jpg

LisaStroschine’s channel (2013, April 30). 10 tips for teaching with technology Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTQN73tWVpI

 Blog Post # L 

 I really enjoyed Chapter 12 because I feel like it really ties together the whole book. The whole concept of the chapter and this course is integration of technology. This concept leads to many other elements that are necessary to get the most out of learning. This applies to not only students but teachers too.

  Teacher mindset is an essential element that I am very glad they brought up because I believe this is going to set the tone for what is being taught, the way you teach, and the overall learning environment you create for students. Adding to their specific definition to a teacher mindset, in the context to technology, I want to expand further by saying this mindset needs to be positive, and open minded to the endless possibilities that 21st century teaching skills can bring which most often has to do with technology. This mindset leads to what the book refers to as multiple pathways, or those endless possibilities. As a teacher it is important to support educational change and keep updated on new ways of learning. In my opinion a teacher stuck in their old ways or even those who are afraid of technology will not make for effective teachers or not as effective as they could be. This is the 21st century and displaying critical thinking today involves the use of technology.

  Computer literacy is necessary for higher level thinking today and gives us new "tools" to learn. Mindtools is a cool idea the book discusses. This is vital to achieve to gain skills in computer literacy and critical thinking. This gives us a new area to explore and develop and even create new ways of learning and thinking. When we get to the level where computers become mindtools we are able to gain so much more out of thinking and learning because computers alone are not enough, we have to learn to use them effectively in the right way in order for them to be effective.

Mindtool Goals:




 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.

Blog Post # J

  In Chapter 11, I feel like the book did a great job on discussing what the classroom needs from both students and teachers in order for it to be an effective learning environment. Bringing up the need for students to be involved in not only the learning but assessment process as well, is a really important aspect for the overall environment in the classroom. This allows students to feel included. Therefore, students now feel more motivated and apart of something bigger. Mentioning this is important because I learned that this is another lesson for me to take into consideration for when I become a teacher and as a teacher I have to be able to student assess so we can better student self assess.

  Talking about assessments really made me understand the use for student portfolios, which is something I had never really given much thought. Digital portfolios for students, I believe is a great idea because it allows for the portfolio to not only help keep track of student success but in a personalized way. They can also refer back to accomplishments and teachers can see where they are at. They are portable ways to inspire creativity and build technological skills in order to communicate with electronics.  Teachers also have their own portfolios that play a vital role.

  This chapter really explains what makes up a teacher portfolio and why it is so important. It is like showcasing who you are and what makes you, you. It also shows what sets you apart from others. This tiny piece of you gets judged just how qualified you are to be a teacher. It also helps when someone else looks at your portfolio to see what you want to keep or improve on. I will make sure to keep this in mind when I make my future portfolios!

Below I have embedded a prezi that will give you a brief explanation of the key aspects I have picked up from the chapter that will help in the classroom and in creating a portfolio.

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.

Blog Post #H

Chapter nine, “Expressing Creativity with Multimedia Technologies” explains to us the different ways we can use technology to help accommodate to everyone’s learning styles. There are essentially three main ways to this, Multimodal learning, information presentation design, and multimedia. All of  which are important elements to include in the classroom because each of us has our own way of processing information and if we can reach each individual by applying these techniques then we are one step closer to “learning” the information (Maloy, Verock-O'Laoghlin, Edwards, & Woolf, 2013).

            Multimodal learning happens a lot in most classrooms. It is when a teacher not only uses words to explain something or teach something but also accompanies the lesson with visuals. Whether it be a picture or a model you are still receiving the visual affect which is important when trying to learn. It helps us connect the missing pieces that did not quite fit before  (Maloy, Verock-O'Laoghlin, Edwards, & Woolf, 2013).

            Putting those pieces together is part of the purpose for information presentation design. This why presentations done, for example, with powerpoint are extremely useful. It bridges the words and visuals together that create a different ways of looking at the same thing but that go together. The trick to using such tools though is to be effective and to make sure that whatever you are putting together displays what you want your audience to get out of it  (Maloy, Verock-O'Laoghlin, Edwards, & Woolf, 2013).

            Multimedia is a great tool if used correctly just like any piece of technology, especially when it comes to teaching. We want people whether you are an auditory learner or a visual one to receive the same lesson. Using multimedia can be tricky but it is vital to reach a wide audience. Not only because it helps them understand the concepts that you wanted them to get out of it but also because it helps us further in life by developing our digital literacy  (Maloy, Verock-O'Laoghlin, Edwards, & Woolf, 2013).

By aszeztaye | View this Toon at ToonDoo | Create your own Toon

Digital Blog Post #D

   Chapter 5 of the textbook really starts to go into detail why it is important to be digitally literate. It is true that reading and writing are still and will always be a vital part in the learning process and to be literate in general but this is the 21st century and now whether we are students, teachers, employees, or employers, we are still expected to have the basic understandings of technology and more so we should want to because of how much it can really help us. The three concepts I would like to discuss are digital literacy, media literacy and a topic that was brought up but I felt needed to be expanded upon, digital ethics.

   Digital literacy is a very powerful concept for us that we should embrace. Technology, and even just the internet in general has made learning easier, more effective, but most importantly gives us the ability to grow. Back then we could not google things as we can now or would have been able to use certain teaching tools that have proven to be effective in the classroom. With all the concepts we are able to to look up and learn, we are unlocking answers to any questions we have, even if it doesn't have such a simple answer. We now are able to learn to research, which gives us the tools to interpret and synthesize information at a higher level as well as being able to help us manage our thoughts in order to teach others. This is a process, an important process that has helped us gt a lot further and will help us get a lot further in the classroom.

   Media literacy is just important to understand because it is a part of being digitally literate and whether we notice it or not we see multimedia in every every form so much throughout the day. The way we evaluate this media determines what we take away from the media presented to us. Visual learners are very effected by media because it is easier for them to interpret images, or charts, etc. and understand the concepts better. This takes communication to a whole new level. Not only is media literacy important to obtain and understand in the classroom but even in everyday life which leads me to digital ethics.

   I think digital ethics is what is able to make us analyze at higher level. This means we are able to research with a fair mindset, present with balance, and display professionalism. Digital ethics is all about doing things the right way, and the fair way. Both digital and media literacy require you to use digital ethics to be most effective and being able to understand digital ethics aids your comprehension in both literacies. This really ties both together so it is important to understand each part. Below I have made a little diagram from the web tool gliffy to sum up the concepts digital and media literacy can teach us

                                                               Tree Of Literacy

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.

Gliffy (n.d.). Tree of Literacy. Retrieved September 28, 2016