First, let me say that I really enjoyed watching everyones' Digital Story's. They were all so creative. I can see how young students could get so involved in a project such as this one.
The Schmidt article put a lot of things into perspective in terms of the connection between literacy and technology. It was helpful to read about what teachers need to know to be able to integrate technology into their literacy instruction.
It was interesting to read that literacy is considered a "moving target", in that it is constantly redefined as new types of technology emerge, and what it means to be "literate" change with the new technology. I have never thought of it this way, but it is good information to know when planning literacy instruction in the classroom.
There were some key ideas that I took away from the article:
1. Technology should involve collaboration between students, as it will foster language acquisition in students, as well as motivation and engagement.
2. Utilize different form of assessment; oral language, children's work, tests, authentic reading and writing.
3. "Developing good content requires a thoughtful interweaving of all three key sources of knowledge - technology, pedagogy and content" (Schmidt)
Personally, I feel more confident when it comes to teaching the actual technology tools then the actual literacy content. This might be due to my lack of experience at teaching reading to children, so I am sure my confidence will grow with time.
As this is the end of our blogging, I would like to ask my classmates to offer any words of wisdom or advice in terms of teaching. I am currently teaching Pre-K, but would like to teach elementary someday. The thought of this intimidates me, and I would like to hear from some of you that are already teaching.
Thanks!
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Article: Technology in the Early Childhood Classroom
Hertzog, N. & Klein, M. 2005. Beyond Gaming: A technology explosion in early childhood classrooms. Gifted Child Today. Vol 28, no 3. Pages 24-65.
This article discussed how technology has taken on a huge role in Early Childhood classrooms. The article states that, "This generation of students , now referred to as "digital natives" in the computer industry" These Digital Natives were born into a world where technology, or personal computers, are used in everyday life. These children are everywhere that involves computers.
The article poses the question, "How can we channel their curiosity and use technology to help them grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally?" This article gives examples of how a particular school utilizes technology in their Early Childhood program.
First, Clements and Sarama (2003) outline the value of technology in 5 areas;
Social and emotional development
Cognitive Development and Learning
Creativity
Language and Reading
They stress that computers can bring students together, and help children to develop social skills. It was interesting to find that "Preschoolers spoken words per minute were twice as high at the computer then at any other activity." These children are working together, and building new vocabulary as they create and use their imaginations. This can be done when computers are used in a way that helps students to use problem solving skills and original ideas and concepts.
The article describes computers that are used as "Mindtools" when students are given a blank slate from which to work, whether it be art design or word processing. Students can benefit greatly when they are allowed to explore and create freely without boundaries.
The article also discussed how computers can strengthen literacy instruction. First, students enhance their writing when they are focusing more on the flow of ideas, rather then actually writing the words. Also, students are more motivated when they have authentic reasons to read, write, and share. It also helps that students are able to go back to their work on the computer and change things or add on whenever they need to.
There are also many ways that teachers can use technology to enhance their classrooms. First, teachers can include digital photos, scanned artwork, audio/video, and music in the students' portfolios.
This article gave me ideas on ways I can use computers and technology in my own early childhood classroom. For example, I could make a slideshow of the digital photos taken during the day, or week, and play them on a computer for parents to see when they drop off or pick up their children. I would also love to digitally record the students involved in an activity and be able to play it back for students, parents, and other teachers.
I found this article to be informative and contain many ideas and innovative ways to use technology in the early childhood classroom.
This article discussed how technology has taken on a huge role in Early Childhood classrooms. The article states that, "This generation of students , now referred to as "digital natives" in the computer industry" These Digital Natives were born into a world where technology, or personal computers, are used in everyday life. These children are everywhere that involves computers.
The article poses the question, "How can we channel their curiosity and use technology to help them grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally?" This article gives examples of how a particular school utilizes technology in their Early Childhood program.
First, Clements and Sarama (2003) outline the value of technology in 5 areas;
Social and emotional development
Cognitive Development and Learning
Creativity
Language and Reading
They stress that computers can bring students together, and help children to develop social skills. It was interesting to find that "Preschoolers spoken words per minute were twice as high at the computer then at any other activity." These children are working together, and building new vocabulary as they create and use their imaginations. This can be done when computers are used in a way that helps students to use problem solving skills and original ideas and concepts.
The article describes computers that are used as "Mindtools" when students are given a blank slate from which to work, whether it be art design or word processing. Students can benefit greatly when they are allowed to explore and create freely without boundaries.
The article also discussed how computers can strengthen literacy instruction. First, students enhance their writing when they are focusing more on the flow of ideas, rather then actually writing the words. Also, students are more motivated when they have authentic reasons to read, write, and share. It also helps that students are able to go back to their work on the computer and change things or add on whenever they need to.
There are also many ways that teachers can use technology to enhance their classrooms. First, teachers can include digital photos, scanned artwork, audio/video, and music in the students' portfolios.
This article gave me ideas on ways I can use computers and technology in my own early childhood classroom. For example, I could make a slideshow of the digital photos taken during the day, or week, and play them on a computer for parents to see when they drop off or pick up their children. I would also love to digitally record the students involved in an activity and be able to play it back for students, parents, and other teachers.
I found this article to be informative and contain many ideas and innovative ways to use technology in the early childhood classroom.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Article: Digital Cameras
Bull, G. & Thompson, A. 2004. Establishing a framework for digital images in the school curriculum. International Society for Technology in Education. V. 31, pgs. 14 - 17.
This article described how digital cameras can be used in the classroom. This article was written in 2004, when digital cameras were just beginning to appear in classrooms to be used as an educational tool for learning. Although the article was written several years ago, it offers many ideas and tips for using digital cameras in today's classrooms.
The authors outlined a framework for the use of digital images in the classroom. They describe 4 steps that are involved when using digital images:
1. Acquire images
2. Analyze images
3. Create instructional activities and products with images
4. Communicate and disseminate products and outcomes
These steps are not linear, and will often cycle among the phases.
There are many benefits of using digital cameras as opposed to disposable/Polaroid cameras. First, images can be transferred onto a computer and placed into word-processed documents, or saved into an electronic portfolio. Also, children are able to automatically view their photos and retake them as needed.
There are some downsides to digital images. For example, printing the images can become expensive for students and/or teachers.
There are so many uses for digital cameras in the classroom, such as; data collection, visualization, and commication tools.
I feel this article helped me to better understand how I can incorporate digital images into my classroom. The breakdown of the 4 steps made it more clear as to what we can create with the images. It was also good to read how digital cameras can be used across the content areas.
In my classroom today, I gave one of my children my digital camera so he could take a picture of the train track he built, so he would be able to build it later, based on the picture. i taught him how to zoom in and out, look at the pictures he had taken, and of course, take a picture. He seemed so excited to learn how to use a digital camera.
I will continue to research the topic of digital images in the classroom so that I am able to implement them in the most innovative ways possible.
This article described how digital cameras can be used in the classroom. This article was written in 2004, when digital cameras were just beginning to appear in classrooms to be used as an educational tool for learning. Although the article was written several years ago, it offers many ideas and tips for using digital cameras in today's classrooms.
The authors outlined a framework for the use of digital images in the classroom. They describe 4 steps that are involved when using digital images:
1. Acquire images
2. Analyze images
3. Create instructional activities and products with images
4. Communicate and disseminate products and outcomes
These steps are not linear, and will often cycle among the phases.
There are many benefits of using digital cameras as opposed to disposable/Polaroid cameras. First, images can be transferred onto a computer and placed into word-processed documents, or saved into an electronic portfolio. Also, children are able to automatically view their photos and retake them as needed.
There are some downsides to digital images. For example, printing the images can become expensive for students and/or teachers.
There are so many uses for digital cameras in the classroom, such as; data collection, visualization, and commication tools.
I feel this article helped me to better understand how I can incorporate digital images into my classroom. The breakdown of the 4 steps made it more clear as to what we can create with the images. It was also good to read how digital cameras can be used across the content areas.
In my classroom today, I gave one of my children my digital camera so he could take a picture of the train track he built, so he would be able to build it later, based on the picture. i taught him how to zoom in and out, look at the pictures he had taken, and of course, take a picture. He seemed so excited to learn how to use a digital camera.
I will continue to research the topic of digital images in the classroom so that I am able to implement them in the most innovative ways possible.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Technology and Children
Over the past couple of weeks, I have witnessed young children interact with technology in many different ways. I watched my 31/2 year old Goddaughter use her play 'laptop' to count shapes and press the corresponding number key. I also watched two 3 year old girls play with a Disney Princess Laptop which had a touch screen and many different games. Watching such young children use and understand technology is such an awesome experience for me. If I want my students to be engaged in activities, it is getting to the point where some of them need to involve technology. Children are going home any playing computer games, playing educational video games, and watching movies on Ipods. Technology is just a part of their lives, and as a teacher, I need to take this into consideration when planning activities for my children.
In a couple of weeks, our theme will be "Family", and I was thinking that, time allowing, we could take the pictures the students bring of their families, scan them, and create a Digital Story with narration from the children. I am just unsure of how I would record and transfer the children's voices without an Ipod.
In a couple of weeks, our theme will be "Family", and I was thinking that, time allowing, we could take the pictures the students bring of their families, scan them, and create a Digital Story with narration from the children. I am just unsure of how I would record and transfer the children's voices without an Ipod.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Writing Process and Technology
The article by Scot and Harding gave me a better understanding of how to connect a technology project to the writing process. This is such a great way to teach the writing process, because it directly involves the students in their own learning. Looking back to classes I took when I was younger, I think that adding the technology aspect would have gotten me more involved then the standard lectures, especially in my Social Studies classes. For example, in high school Social Studies, I think I would have gained more if we were allowed to use computers, digital cameras, and video cameras when studying history. It adds such a personal aspect to the lessons, that one can't help but retain the information. This is also a great way to have students use teamwork, and practice their compromising skills. What a great feeling the students must have when they are able to show their classmates, teachers, friends, and family their finished project.
This is definatly something I would do in my own classroom.
This is definatly something I would do in my own classroom.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Blogging in the Classroom
Now that I have an understanding of blogging, and how it works, I can think of many ways to use it in the classroom. I would like to someday have a classroom blog where parents can log onto the Internet and check out what we are doing in the classroom. I think this would be a great way to build a stronger connection between home and school.
I could also have (older)students read a story, and journal about it in a blog format. This way, students can view one another's entries and comment on them.
I also think it would be really exciting to blog with another classroom, or even another school. This would give students the chance to hear the views of others outside of their own classroom.
On the note of Digital Storytelling, I hope everyone is doing well with their stories. I am finding that coming up with what I am going to say is a difficult task. I am creating a story on Jewish history, so the research aspect makes it more difficult as well. I can't wait to get to the actual movie making!
I could also have (older)students read a story, and journal about it in a blog format. This way, students can view one another's entries and comment on them.
I also think it would be really exciting to blog with another classroom, or even another school. This would give students the chance to hear the views of others outside of their own classroom.
On the note of Digital Storytelling, I hope everyone is doing well with their stories. I am finding that coming up with what I am going to say is a difficult task. I am creating a story on Jewish history, so the research aspect makes it more difficult as well. I can't wait to get to the actual movie making!
Monday, October 22, 2007
Deubel
The Duebel article was a great refresher on how to select quality software for students. The guidelines were clear, and got me thinking about how I should evaluate the software I give to my students. As soon as I find time, I plan on going through the software in my classroom, playing it, and evaluating it based on the guidelines in the article. I want my students to benefit from the software, and not just play it without knowing "why" they are playing it.
I was also thinking of bringing in my laptop and having the children paint/type/play games because the classroom computer is a bit outdated.
On an unrelated note, does anyone know of any good read-aloud stories/chapter books for Pre-K, (4 and 5 year-old) children, (besides Junie B)? I am trying to find something with substance, yet fun and silly.
I was also thinking of bringing in my laptop and having the children paint/type/play games because the classroom computer is a bit outdated.
On an unrelated note, does anyone know of any good read-aloud stories/chapter books for Pre-K, (4 and 5 year-old) children, (besides Junie B)? I am trying to find something with substance, yet fun and silly.
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