Chapter Two - How does technology create student engagement and collaboration?

How does technology create student engagement and collaboration?

Using technology as a tool for learning fosters student engagement and collaboration because when you  link something they already know and are comfortable with to new material it makes learning more enjoyable (Malloy, 2011).  A student can choose how they learn and present their work in a way that utilizes their skills. A creative student can create an online storybook and an auditory learner can create a song about a subject.

During 12th grade English class, we studied Beowulf. We were able to choose how we were going to present the story to the class in groups. I was excited to complete the project when we decided to create a "storybook" on PowerPoint using pictures created with  Paint. We added audio elements to the slides and moving text.  After watching the storybook my group had created, I connected with the Beowulf more and was excited to give the rest for the class a chance to understand the story without the apprehension of reading a long, difficult book. This is a good example of active (inquiry based) learning as we had involvement in choosing the way we were going to present and teach the story (Maloy, 2011).

During my teacher observations at a local elementary school I witnessed technology used in most of the classrooms I visited.  The civics class was creating a business plan in groups and they each had an iPad to use in class to research products and prices. The teacher explained that since she given access to iPads for her lessons, the students seemed more engaged and excited about the work.

The math teacher used her smart board to project the image on her computer to the board and was able to write on the smart board with an erasable smart pen. This allowed her to illustrate math problems in multiple ways for the students.

The English teacher had a laptop on each child's desk for them to write their research papers on Greek mythology. This allowed the students to do research as they wrote their papers. Those who did not complete the assignment in class were able to complete it at home and submit it on a website called Angel for grading. This allowed the student to take time and care with the paper instead of rushing it. 

 

Tech Tool

 

http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu is a great resource for teachers who want to incorporate digital storytelling into their lessons.

 

 

 "Digital Storytelling is the practice of using computer-based tools to tell stories. As with traditional storytelling, most digital stories focus on a specific topic and contain a particular point of view."

The website features web 2.0 tools such as wikis, podcats and blogs along with a desription and how to use the tools.

I found some great downloadable Powerpoint presentations that I was able to save for future use.

 

Chapter Summary

 

During my 19 years as a student I haven't known anything but having technology in the classroom. I have witnessed a change from five basic computer shared between the whole school, to a couple in each classroom, to enough iPads for each student and an interactive smart board for the teacher.  I can remember the majority of the projects I completed using a computer, but I can barely remember the work and projects done without one.

For me, computers have become a safety net. I now feel uncomfortable if I cannot access technology, be it my computer, cellphone, or e-reader. I feel lost if I cannot look up an answer to every question that crosses my mind with the swipe of my thumb across my cellphones Swype keyboard. 

If I am away from home and wonder about something while walking along the street, the question does not have to be put on hold only to be forgotten before I can look it up in a book,. I can simply reach into my pocket and within a few seconds I can satisfy my curiosity. Technology has put me in control of my own learning and allowed me to share my knowledge with others. This gives us access to unlimited points of view and access to a single answer in multiple forms best fit for our learning styles. I can watch, listen to, to interact with the works of Shakespeare instead of simply struggling through a book.

 

 

 

http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/index.html

 

Maloy, Robert W.. Transforming learning with new technologies. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon, 2011. Print.

 



 

 

 



Chapter One: Becoming an e-Teacher

What constitutes a highly interactive, inquiry-based learning environment?

Inquiry learning is defined as "educational activities where students investigate questions, issues, and problems and propose answers or solutions based on personal research" (Maloy, 2011).

A student is able to explore an idea in their own way which should heighten their interest in a subject. A student no longer has to be limited by the information relayed to them by a teacher standing at the front of a classroom reciting facts they are expected to memorize.

Technology can be used by teachers to create an interactive, inquiry based learning environment through the use of class websites, online web quizzes, interactive learning games, and using the Internet for research. The possibilities for using technology in the classroom are almost limitless.

Roger Schank is an educator and author of the book "Teaching Minds". He is openly critical about how our current classrooms are no longer working. He created the Story Centered Curriculum as an alternative to traditional classrooms. Carnegie Melon is already utilizing his programs in their masters degrees. While the professors confess that it was difficult to adapt at first, they had the best results of their careers, and the students admitted that while it was the most intense curriculum they had experienced, they retained more information than ever before. Within a highly interactive online classroom, students learn through story based curricula centered around engaging stories where the student plays a central role and works toward completing objectives. Story Centered Curriculum's are an extreme example of using inquiry based learning but provide proof that incorporating technology into the classroom can only benefit learners.



Tech Tools
 

How Stuff Works is a great resource for teachers trying to include technology into their lesson plans. One of the articles I found to be useful was "How to Connect Your Computer to Your TV". Most classrooms these days have access to a television, but some schools may not be able to afford to install the equipment necessary to project what is being seen on the computer onto the wall. Teachers can use this article to show learners movies and demonstrate how to use computer programs among other things. Another great article was "10 Useful Google Tools" which lists resources such as GMail, Google Calendar, Google Earth (which is much more interesting and attention getting than a map on the wall), and Google Docs. All of these resources could be of great value to teachers. I know I would have paid much better attention in geography class if Google Earth was involved. More articles can be found at How Stuff Works

Chapter Summary 

Technology is a part of our children's worlds, so educators have to find a way to teach in their worlds to keep the lessons relevant. The goal of school is to create well rounded, productive, working members of society. When today's children become working adults, they will need to be able to use these essential tools to survive. The last time I applied for a job, every application was online. That meant that my resume had to be electronic. My education prepared me for this by teaching me how to use a word processor and Internet skills. This won't be enough for the next generation. They need to know how to do more, and we have to be able to teach them how.