Reflection about learning through technology course.

As I come to the end of my learning through technology course, I have learned unexpected lessons that have changed not only my views on teaching with technology, but on teaching today's Digital Native students in general.

I have learned a lot in this course, and I strongly believe that, although educational technology has existed for decades, we are only now beginning to realize how ubiquitous it can and should be, but also the value and importance of applying technology in purposeful ways. To that end, I intend to continue this blog with a critical-but-hopeful eye on how to effectively and efficiently use educational technology not technology for technology's sake, but technology for the sake of learning and forging a better future.  Also, I feel that after taking this course I learned a lot about teaching, learning, and about myself.  I really see that I have a new perspective on using technology in classroom.  I would use technology more as a motivation than as a way of teaching.  I know I have learned this because now I have a deeper appreciation in using technology as a learning tool.

It would be my pleasure to comment on learning through technology course. I have truly enjoyed this class, not only because the workload was just right, but also because it was a wonderful learning experience.

The objectives that I have met:

3. Design meaningful and authentic digitally based learning experiences with multiple and varied assessments.

I have met that in Webquest is a great way to get students motivated to excel in the classroom.  It provides the students with an interactive way to learn, and has the students take ownership for their learning.  The Webquest provides all the resources students need to complete the activities, and places the information they will need right at their fingertips.  In addition, we want to make sure that we are sending students to credible sites that are giving them the correct information. I also learned that it is important to challenge the students. If they are not challenged they will just get bored and won’t be motivated to learn.

8- Evaluate, adapt and reflect on emerging tools and trends by participating in local and global learning communities and by reviewing.

I have helped improve my technology skills in a number of ways, primarily by exposing me to so many different technologies. I have met and even used wikis, blogs and podcasts in the course; my knowledge of these resources and how they can be used in a classroom setting was very limited. Through this course, I was not only able to experiment and use these resources, but also look for ways to fit each resource into my own teacher.

4. Reflect upon and demonstrate effective use of digital tools and resources

I have met that technology integration in a classroom is essential to help meet the needs of diverse learners.  I will plan to provide my students with instruction to meet their diverse needs are by using a classroom blog which would include many web tools, Google to create surveys, and interactive games that would encourage students to learn the concepts at their own pace. The classroom blog is an excellent place to differentiate instruction. Student’s work on their own pace to complete assignments, and at the same time play interactive games to understand the content they are studying.

Why is it important for all teachers to integrate technology into the lessons they teach, regardless the age of the students or genre that you teach?

I think It is significant for teachers to integrate technology into classrooms regardless of the students’ age because, integrating technology in today’s classrooms is more important now than ever before if students are expected to be productive members of society.  Technological advancements are constantly changing the world in which we live, so it is extremely important for educators to strive to prepare students as best they can for the future.

Interview Teacher( Audio-boo podcasts)

Interview Teacher( Audio-boo podcasts)

Interview teacher1

Interview teacher2

Interview teacher 3 

Experience Interview Reflection

The day that I went to the Gilbert H Hood Middle School was on March 21.  I visited the school during the hours of 7.30 am to 9.30 am and I chose levels to observe seven grade that were in the age group of 13 years.

Gilbert H. Hood Middle School is a wonderful and exciting place for children to learn. I observed three classes in this school each of those class use technology through in the lesson. The first and second class are reading and math in this class use special program to improve reading and math the name of program is (Auto skill). This is program also for students who want to improve basic math, reading, spelling, and writing skills. In addition, The Auto skill uses a patented methodology with an adaptive intervention engine, skill mastery based on automaticity, and motivational principles to build fluency in the foundation skills of reading.

There is one thing I really like it in the school the thing is assistant of teacher. I observed each class has assistant of teacher. I miss that in our school of my country when I will come back in my country, I will suggest that in our school. Because, helping with classroom management during lessons is the most important role of a teaching assistant. When the teacher is busy working with a student, you the assistant should answer questions other students have, assist students with their work, and give feedback or encouragement when needed. While the teacher is giving instructions or lecturing, you can help maintain order by breaking up student conversations and minimizing distractions.  

Finally, I really enjoyed to visiting the Middle school and was a beautiful experience for me.  I have not ever observed experience of Middle school but I had observed experience in daycare before.

I learned from visited the school that technology is very important in classroom. Also, technology use allows many more students to be actively thinking about information, making choices, and executing skills than is typical in teacher-led lessons. Moreover, when technology is used as a tool to support students in performing authentic tasks, the students are in the position of defining their goals, making design decisions, and evaluating their progress.  I hope that return this beautiful experience because it really was interesting.

My Podcast

Listen to my podcast on Audioboo

Mayssah Kadi'animoto

Copy of Mayssah Kadi'animoto

Week 6

Improve Your Learning and Memory.

1- http://thankyoubrain.blogspot.com/

2- The author of the blog is Dr. Bill, "Memory Medic"

Bryan, Texas, United States.  Neuroscientist ... Education Consultant ... Professor ... Speaker ... Author He has been a neuroscience researcher and professor for 49 years. Books I have written that the general public should be interested in include: Atoms of Mind.  This blog has many things can you find about how you can improve your learning and memory. Also, the author wrote summaries of research reports that have practical application for everyday memory. This blog does not have a lot of followers based upon comments left.

3- I believe it is very useful to understand how your memory works and does not work.  This blog helped me with my learning and it is important for you to have both a variety of learning strategies at your disposal and to understand why those strategies work and why others do not. Learning strategies are not magic; they work because they use what we know about how our memory works and are applications of basic memory principles. In short, you can use your knowledge about the information processing model, the memory principles, and your learning style to select appropriate learning strategies and adapt them to you and your needs. This is really the key to success. I read this blog because some time I losing my memory. So, I want to learn more about how can improve my learning and memory. I think the stress and multitasking are among the chief causes of memory lapses. In the first memory situation, interference prevents recall. In the second situation, a lack of memory maintenance hampers retrieval along.  Our third case of memory failure most likely reflects the consequences of stress, poor nutrition and exhaustion more than it involves academic difficulty or memory loss. Nearly every aspect of our daily lives are influence in a significant way by memory.

 4-My favorite posts by the blog author that you found interesting was the reasons memorization matters. There is strategy many people have used to successfully retain information is to sleep immediately following study sessions. While awake, people are constantly thinking, which contributes to memory loss. Likewise, it is also helpful to exercise, socialize with friends, or participate in other recreational activities immediately after studying to increase memory retention.  Also, is often employed by students learning to multiply and memorize equations.  Students who must understand generalized concepts, such as theories, employ understanding based memorization. It is easier to retain information that is related to familiar concepts. While studying, relate recently acquired knowledge with concepts you have already mastered. Always strive to have a well rounded understanding of what you are studying.

 In my opinion, Memory like muscular strength requires you to use it or lose it. The more you work out your brain, the better you will be able to process and remember information. The best brain exercising activities break your routine and challenge you to use and develop new brain pathways.

Memory is more than recalling information for exams or trivia games. It is an important work skill that you can develop and improve. Whether it is remembering key statistics during a negotiation, or quoting a precedent setting action when making a decision, or impressing clients with your knowledge of their product lines your ability to remember is a major advantage.

Week 4- Digital Citizenship

We live in a rapidly changing media and tech world in which kids are far more plugged in digitally than parents and teachers are, and these technologies present huge challenges for our kids and how they grow up. Digital dramas can have a lasting effect on a teen’s life. But parents and educators can make a real impact on the future of teens growing up in a digital world.

In my opinion after I read article about (Teaching Digital Citizenship in the Elementary Classroom) students in elementary should be taught social media/internet etiquette as a starting at a young age and retaught regularly throughout their schooling.  Also, I think make a very important point when you say this topic must be visited and revisited over and over again. Just like any other social skills, it takes time for students to internalize the concepts of digital citizenship as they grow and mature. In addition, there is no excuse for allowing students in elementary to enter into the digital world without a toolkit for not only safety but also success.

After I read article about  (Media and Digital Literacy: Resources for Parents) I think that media digital has truly become the other parent in our kids' lives, powerfully affecting their mental, physical, and social development and in teaching our kids to be savvy, respectful and responsible media interpreters, creators, and communicators.  Also, I think we can’t cover their eyes but we can teach them to see and parents should have a choice and a voice about the media our kids consume and create. Every family is different but all need information.  In addition, social media and digital like Facebook and Twitter are fundamentally changing how we communicate and could also be subtly changing our behavior. The danger of technology is more than the way it changes us, but the way it changes us without our really knowing.  Moreover، why is it the schools responsibility to see that children have some sense of decent behavior? Since when does being mean, cruel or rude, become less so just because it's in digital form and not in face to face interaction? Those are defects in character not a lack on understanding about the proper use of technology.

After I read article about (The Importance of Teaching Digital Citizenship) I think teaching digital citizenship in school is important because address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources and promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information.  Also, there is so much education that needs to be done and the most part, kids who are in college today never received any form of digital citizenship or media training when they were in high school or middle school.  Moreover, the teacher presently has to define rules of online etiquette, social media conduct and personal boundaries, given the speed at which advancements now arrive and online trends shift. That is also problematic for parents, who are expected to lead by example. As ever, the answer lies with education. But there’s a widening chasm appearing between the reality of connected life and the lack of online awareness being provided by our school system.

I think the digital footprint is a trail that is left behind after an individual’s use of media; this could be online, through a mobile telephone, through email and other kinds of media. What you write stays there and once deleted can still is traced. It is important to ensure the content of which you are the author does not offend, abuse or upset other people. In my opinion everyone can provide equal access to the digital world to all learners in the classroom setting it's easy, it's totally in your control.  The teachers who can control and obligation to ensure that each learner has equal access to the digital mediums that you provide. Also, means ensuring all students have quality time with digital technology to complete their assignments and tasks. Moreover, involves having a teacher who is skilled in using the technology and knows how to incorporate it, and then pass that expertise on to the students. 

In addition, digital citizenship is usually defined as the norms of behavior with regard to technology use. It encompasses digital literacy, ethics, etiquette, online safety, norms, rights, culture and more. The students have the know-how about using technology; they still need guidance and wisdom from adults, teachers, and parents on how to use it appropriately. Especially when the Internet is such a dangerous place, or as you say "is an outlet to many new avenues.  I believe that teachers need to come to the realization that students no longer need to be taught the basic applications of technology, but teachers need to teach students the appropriate, effective, and responsible use of online tools. In addition, teachers need to help students grow into a digital citizen. The ability to correctly use technology for both personally and academically is a necessary component of digital citizenship.

Voki about Digital Citizenship https://sites.google.com/a/baliis.net/2014-andrew-ranslam-digital-citizen/home/information-facts http://vimeo.com/23903009 http://www.digitalcitizenship.net/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpFhHt82m0k&blend=10&ob=5&lr=1