Problem based learning

The purpose of this video was problem solving to motivate the children to learn. This video was very interesting and motivating as an educator. I could not but think that I want my own children to go there. My favorite part of the video was when the teachers based their learning off of what the children wanted to learn. The reason why the children are engaged, energized and interested is because their projects are long term, authentic and the teachers attitude was so positive and up beat. When you have such a happy environment the kids feed off that.

Technology can be resourceful and it also is hands on learning for some of the students. In the video the students had access to a smart board. A smart board enhances students learning and can easily keep kids interested in learning because they are able to work together, and figure things out on their own. They can get information, video clips, and pictures at a click of a mouse and not turn to an adult for the answers. Life long learning activities give a purpose to learning and it work on social skills, communication, and to problem solving.

Overall this video opened up so many ideas to learning. They learned to problem solve, be resourceful and socialize. They improved on their writing, spelling and details on a story. In the beginning of the video they were only telling one sentence stories and by the end they were able to add detail with the help of their class mates.

Chapters 5 and 6

Being unfamiliar as I am with technology, I understood chapters 5 & 6. I agree with integrating technology in the schools if the funds are there and if it is beneficial to the students. But in my school environment and with the subject area I teach I find it hard for most of technology to benefit my students. Although I do believe the teachers in my school use technology in their classrooms such as the smart board and talkers to communicate with their students and they adapt everything they can to help educate their students. As I have stated before I try to incorporate technology when needed, for example, wii, DVDs and the Cd player.

In chapter 5, it discuses on using different tools such as grade books. We do not grade our students. We have IEP goals that we set for each individual and as a group we try to get the student to reach that goal. Our school does have a web page that is continuously updated with the activities that are going on that week.

I do believe that the teachers in our school are meeting the needs of each child the best they can.

Integrating Technology

I am amazed on what kids know these days with computers. It has taken me along time to get where I am now and there are kids younger than myself who know more than me and are more advanced with all types of technology. After watching the two videos I realize how important and the benefits of incorporating instructional software. It can benefit our students academically and socially. It can enhance problem solving, critical thinking and high - order thinking skills. For example the book talks about different drills and practice the students can benefit off of. My favorite drill is the branching drill because the program determines the students prior knowledge by asking a series of questions and then will review or challenge the individual on the material. In addition the student has no idea if the computer takes two steps back to help them, it is done automatically.

Integrating technology can help a variety of students. In the video clip "Digital Youth:Sam" she uses a variety of technology that students use on a daily basis. There were two things I liked in the clip, first one is when she taught herself different software through trial and error, and exploring different areas. The second part that amazed me was when the clip pointed out a book can be downloaded onto an Ipod. It would benefit my students because of the environment I work in and most of them are auditory leraners.

If I was teaching in a ideal classroom, I would use technology to incorporate different styles of teaching. In the school environment I work in, I do not use very much technology because of the developmental level of my students. But I do believe that technology has helped students learn by having different software with drills and games that is based on education. In the clip, "Schools Use of Games for Learning and Assessment", expresses individualization and engaging students minds. One thing that caught my attention was when he said that teachers cannot just focus on the basic skills in the classroom they need to think about the future.

There are many positives to using technology in a classroom but there are also some negatives. With all different ages and their background on technology it may take to much time teaching them how to work the software and take away from learning. It also depends on the socio - economic area you work in, because not all students have a computer at home. And lastly, students may believe everything they read on the computer is a reliable source of information and as we all know it's not.