EDT 548 Reading Responses

2006-11-19T16:45:00.000-08:00

Critical Issue: Technology: A Catayst For Teaching and Learing in the Classroom

Research is showing that technology is a key to opening higher order thinking skills and nurturing students to be self-directed learners. This situation happened in my classroom when my first grade learning disabled student wanted to learn a skill that he did not have to learn until he latter part of the second grade, but his friends were learning the skill and it was in an entertaining format, but was presented in a clear, very logical, and very easy to remember way. It was truly a well designed lesson.

Some computer programs and /or online sites can either by the way it is set up or by the information it provides can assist with the development of synthesis, evaluation, analysis and accessing information. Students who have been exposed to this approach exhibit more self-sufficiency in developing information.

When students are taught in a way, so that deeper understanding is able to take root, students will be able to excel on high stakes tests that measure the schools ability to educate their students, because deep as opposed to surface understanding is able to take root.

Stakeholders such as School Board members, School Administrators, teachers, and parents all have a stake in helping all students have access to this technology, whether handicapped or non-handicapped, bilingual or native English speaking, rich or poor have continued access to this technology, because it will enable academic proficiency to take root among all segments of the student population. Teachers must have sufficient training to use technology as the extremely valuable tool that it is.

The article lists many useful and effective websites that are good resources.

2006-11-01T21:21:00.000-08:00

Using Technology To Improve Student Achievement

DES seems to be a well regarded manufacturer of software. A researcher, Murphy, noted improvements in both reading and math. Schacter found that schools using programs that taught higher order thinking skills had bigger gains in achievement. Students in Missouri using the eMints program, including those with special needs, scored significantly higher on the Missouri Assessment Program than those not exposed to eMints.

Educational Goals And Vision Of Learning Through Technology

Inclusion is important for special ed students.

Educators need to have clear goals.
Have a clear goal as to how technology will improve teaching and learning.

Professional Development. - Teachers need to be supported in their use

of technology.. Teachers not only need to learn how to use the new technology,

but also how to provide meaningful instruction and activities in the classroom..

Structural changes in the school day. - Longer class periods are needed to provide

for team teaching and interdisciplinary work. For example. students searching the

Internet to complete online research need time to complete their research.

4. Technical Infrastructure and Support – Technology and support must be enough to

make a real difference in the classroom.

Evaluation – Must be ongoing. To make sure that the technology is appropriate,

adaptable, and useful. This type of evaluation facilitates change if the learning

goals are not being met.

Technology is not regarded as educational by itself but must be viewed with these factors in mind. But with these conditions, technology can become transformative. Goldman, Cole, and Syer have said that – “Technology at its best, can facilitate deep exploration and integration of information, high-level thinking, and profound engagement by allowing students to design, explore, experiment, access information, and model complex phenomena,"

Teachers are encouraged to - Encourage students to collaborate on projects and to use peer assessment to critique each other's work.
Another suggestion is to ask students to keep electronic portfolios.

Caveats- Construct technology budget carefully! Make sure required items are provided for.

Technology must be used with learning goals and teaching strategies that are student-centered, collaborative, engaging, authentic, self-directed, and based on development of higher-order thinking skills.

2006-10-19T13:18:00.001-07:00

Penny Boivin:

Does It Compute
The Relationship Between Technology and

Student Achievement in Mathematics

It behooves us to pursue the development of higher order thinking skills in the use of technology. We should met the following conditions: Computer use was associated with increased performance when the following conditions are met:

Students have adequate access to up-to-date computer technology (e.g., computers, peripheral equipment, Internet connectivity).
Computers are employed to help students learn higher-order concepts (e.g., for 4th grade students, learning games; for 8th grade students, real-world computer simulations and applications).
Teachers are adequately trained in computer technology to permit them to assist students in the use of computers to learn higher-order concepts

In order for the benefits apply to all:

It follows that:

Teachers need to be well prepared in using computers with curriculum to foster "higher-order" learning activities.
Student access to up-to-date technology to take advantage of simulations and other multimedia software.
Particular attention should be paid to providing adequate technology and training to teachers in minority and poor districts, both rural and urban.

1. How can technology influence student performance? It can motivate a student to learn

a skill considered advanced, as what happened with my so called first grade learning

disabled student who mastered a skill in math not normally taught until second grade

and for non- handicapped students considered challenging. It improves student

performance when the application addresses learning objectives applicable. It must

be integrated with curriculum and assessment.

2. How can technology improve student motivation, attitude, and interest in learning?

It happened to one of my learning disabled students. He noticed his older friends

interested in an activity they were engaged in at the computer. Technology

improves performance when the application provides opportunities for student

collaboration. ( As in what occurred between my student and his friends in my

class.) Technology improves performance when the application adjusts for prior

experience and knowledge. This application did address the students where they

were presently in skill level. The game was interactive, so it provided immediate

feedback to the students on their answers.. I think in this case, there would be more

improvement in student achievement if the administration approved and provided

technology hardware, such as projectors and Smart boards for all students, instead of

just regular ed students from the upper grade classrooms. Getting equipment was

anything but easy when it was a projector. I was abler to get an Averkey, a device

that displays what is on the computer onto the TV screen., because

other teachers did not know about them and therefore did not check them out..

It is a different mindset when the administration makes the technology available to all

teachers and students.

3. How can technology prepare students for the workforce? This applications help the

students when these skills are used in jobs. Computer skills are frequently used in

the world of work.

4. What strategies result in effective integration of technology? Administrative support

of the purchase of programs that involve problem solving and real world application of technology, such as spreadsheets, databases, word processors, charting programs, outlining programs and multimedia presentation software. Technology must be systematically integrated into school plans. Teaching strategies need to be matched to student learning needs.

Locating, Using, and Integrating Internet-Based Mathematics Materials

Makes engaged learning. Students change from passive to active learners. A teacher does not have to have all the answers can ask a scientist and get the answer immediately. Ist of How to Guides for the Internet. Inner city schools become more competitive for college entrance. The teacher’s role changes. He or she becomes a co-learner.

Materials must e appropriate, follow State standards ,must be cost effective.

A list of excellent web sites is given.

2006-10-19T13:18:00.000-07:00

Penny Boivin:

Does It Compute
The Relationship Between Technology and

Student Achievement in Mathematics

Students have adequate access to up-to-date computer technology (e.g., computers, peripheral equipment, Internet connectivity).
Computers are employed to help students learn higher-order concepts (e.g., for 4th grade students, learning games; for 8th grade students, real-world computer simulations and applications).
Teachers are adequately trained in computer technology to permit them to assist students in the use of computers to learn higher-order concepts

In order for the benefits apply to all:

It follows that:

Teachers need to be well prepared in using computers with curriculum to foster "higher-order" learning activities.
Student access to up-to-date technology to take advantage of simulations and other multimedia software.
Particular attention should be paid to providing adequate technology and training to teachers in minority and poor districts, both rural and urban.