Tonight’s class provided me with a lot of new information and perspectives about learning and technology. I have a co-worker who has gone through this program but before the class tonight I was feeling uneasy about what I was getting myself into. I felt much better after looking over the syllabus and discussing further projects.
First and foremost I was most eager to meet the people I would be spending my Wednesday nights with! The name game activity was a perfect way for me to learn the names. Hopefully I will remember for next week! I found it interesting discussing the different memory techniques others used to learn the names. I used the association technique. I have done this activity in my own classroom but never thought to ask the students how they remembered the names. This would be a very interesting discussion to have with first graders. It would also be a good opportunity to practice using different techniques and relate it with other concepts. In first grade we give weekly spelling tests. Our goal is for the students to learn the pattern or word family but sometimes we throw in oddball words. These words do not fit the rule and must simply be memorized. The name game activity would be a nice way to relate memorizing classmates names and your oddball words. Some students think of a clever jingle or song to learn the spelling while others learn it a different way. I can’t wait to have this discussion when we start word study tests.
The reading by Bradbury made me think further about society’s view on change and other people’s differences. As Pricilla was reading about how the other students responded to the girl who had seen the sun my mind took me to my students from my class last year. I had a very diverse class and had to spend a lot of time speaking with the students about accepting others differences. There are many great children’s books that have the same underlying theme that we read. I also thought about how people in older generations are responding to the younger’s generation “obsession” with technology. I often hear adults saying that children these days do not socialize enough with their peers and just spend too much time in front of a screen. It made me wonder if these adults really have a point or have not adjusted to the shift in what some children consider “play”.
When Pricilla asked the class what technology was it seemed like an easy question but after trying to find the right words to express what I was thinking I found myself at a loss! I loved the way Pricilla used a visual to explain how technology connects people to the world. The four classifications of technology were physical, social, intellectual, and informational. Separating technology into four different groups helped me think about how each form impacts my life as a teacher. As a teacher I am constantly setting goals as I create my lessons. After our discussion about affordance I started wondering if I am picking the best form of technology to allow my students to perform at their best level and meet the goals I have set. I am interested in learning different modes of technology that I will be able to use with my students. I would like to learn how to set up a WebQuest that is appropriate for first graders. I also would like to see how I could incorporate technology more and more in my classroom.
As I leave class today I am very excited for what the next two years hold! I am looking forward to a great year!
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