Technology in the Classroom

Technology can be used in a variety of ways to enhance students’ education. However, it is important to note it cannot fully replace a real human teacher. Computers cannot understand or care the same way a real teacher can but the resources provided by computers and other technology can add a lot of resources and help to a teacher’s arsenal.

First of all, the World Wide Web provides teachers and their students with an almost infinite supply of information.  Teachers can find all kinds of help in planning lessons and teaching content while students can find vast amounts of informative research for projects. Second, computers give teachers access to new and interactive ways to teach as well. An example of this is webquests. Technology also provides students with creative ways to portray what they learned. For example, instead of writing a paper on a topic, they might make a documentary of it or blog about it.

This semester, my repertoire of teaching strategies and techniques has grown significantly. For example, I knew nothing about webquests or how to use podcasts in an educational setting. I also learned how to find good teacher resources such as blogs by respected educators and how to keep track of these using Google Reader or Delicious. All in all, I am very satisfied with all the educational resources that have been revealed to me as well as those I have discovered on accident this semester.

Teacher Webpages

A teacher webpage is a website utilized by a teacher. It typically gives some of the teacher's personal background as well as giving students, parents, and the community an update on what is being taught in the classroom. Teacher webpages also usually give the teacher's contact information and resources for extra help outside of class.

One advantage of teacher webpages is convenience. They give a lot of information in one easy to find online location. Another advantage of teacher webpages is that it gives parents a good way to follow what is going on in their children's academic career. There are however some disadvantages. For example, not every student may be able to access them.

I plan on using my teacher website the same way most teachers do. I will probably list the assignments due in the future as well as give parents a way to contact me. I will also probably list the rules and expectation of my classroom.

This is the link to my instructional tech video

Podcasts

A podcast is a media file put on the Web for people to download onto their computers or portable devices (e.g. IPod, IPad, etc.) for a variety of reasons. For example, podcasting is often used for entertainment, news, and education. Many of these online files have video put some are audio only.

Podcasts can be used in a variety of ways in the classroom. First of all, they could be sources of extra help outside of class. If a teacher posts podcasts about what is taught, a student having trouble with homework could look find these online for extra help.  Second, podcasts of lessons could keep students up to date on content if they miss class. Third, podcasts could be used in a whole class setting if the teacher is not in class. Teachers could also assign podcasts as student projects.

There are many advantages to podcasts, some of which I just mentioned. Another is that they can be accessed from almost anywhere by anyone because they are online. There are however some disadvantages to podcasts. Shocking as it may be there are some people, even today that do not have internet access at home so some students may not have the same access to podcasts.

Ethics in the Classroom

Ethics are a collection of moral standards and principles that governs a person's life.  Ethics can be based on a faith or religion or it may not be.  There are many people with a code of ethics that do not follow a particular religion.  Some standards seem to be universal.  For example, lying, stealing, and murdering seem to be considered unethical by almost everyone.

I believe it is important to have a strong code of ethics in the classroom.  Obviously, sharing one's religion is often out of the question but a teacher should have good morals for several reasons.  First of all, students should be exposed to ethical role models, especially if there are none at home.  Second, I believe someone who lives by a code is easier to follow and respect than someone without one.  Any teacher will tell you it is important to have the respect of your students.

Being an ethical teacher has its benefits.  As previously mentioned, having ethics often leads to the respect of students and colleagues.  However, there are also some cons to leading an ethical life in the classroom.  For example, the state or district may require a teacher to teach something he or she does not believe in.  This can lead to some incredible controversy.  Should the teacher teach what he or she is asked to or should one stick to the code of ethics?  Difficult questions like this come up often for anyone concerned with ethics.

Virtual Tour

A virtual tour is an interesting way for educators to teach students about places that are either impossible to visit because of distance or lack of access.  These virtual "field trips" are nice because schools can give numerous trips every year to all of their students for little or no cost while real field trips can be very expensive.  The simulations also give students great access to things they may never see.  The obvious drawback to this otherwise bright idea is that looking at pictures, watching videos, and reading information about a place or thing is still not the same as experiencing it in the flesh.

As a teacher, I think I would have students use virtual tours as a form of research and also as a free time activity.  The creators of these virtual tours typically have first hand experience with the subject so they get students closer to the information than say an encyclopedia entry written by someone who has never actually experienced something firsthand.

Learning Styles

35% Visual Learner

41% Auditory Learner

23% Kinesthetic Learner

I agree somewhat with this assessment although I would have switched the percentages for visual and auditory learning. I have always learned very well through visual and auditory means but typically prefer visuals.