Monday, August 31, 2015

Blog Post #1

  • I think computers are becoming an important part in people's education.  Starting even in kindergarten the children are learning how to use computer programs in their classes.  Many concerns come up when using computers in a classroom.  An example is students handwriting and spelling.  As students begin to start typing assignments, they stop writing and if teachers don't make them write much, their handwriting will get worse and worse.  Also, many students don't know how to read or write cursive which is very surprising.  I know that I use spell check ALL the time, because I am a horrible speller.  If kids learn how to use programs like word at a young age, they will learn how to use spell check instead of being able to spell the words out. I do agree with the issues raised in the chapters.  I am majoring in elementary education and I have mixed feelings about technology in classrooms, but the issues raised in the chapter are very important.
  • As an elementary education major I know that technology will be a part of my teaching career.  I would love to be a kindergarten teacher.  In my classroom I will use a smart board or projector and do the work with the students if it is on paper.  I will also probably have math and reading programs that the students will use. In this class I hope to learn creative ways to keep kindergartners interested.
  • I agree with the term digital native.  Kids who have been born in the past few years grew up around technology.  They can turn on computer and get on the internet.  Others know how to use iPhones and other technology.  Digital immigrants are people who didn't grow up with technology.  An example would be a teacher who has never used a smart board or maybe new programs,  I have been in classes where a teacher is a digital immigrant and i wasn't a bad class, but the teacher had long lectures and the teacher wrote everything out.  Sometimes our tests would be copied written questions.  I think my future students will know technology better or as well as I do.  Since I will be teaching Kindergarten it will depend on how much their parents show them.


My Twitter Username:
@mary_eme2040

Monday, August 24, 2015

Blog Post #0

Prior experiences using technology
Prior to this class, I would say I have a pretty good idea about how to use technology.  I know how to use most of the Microsoft programs, and the internet pretty well.  My iPhone is always in my hand or in my pocket,  so I know how to use that very well.  I am on many social media sights right now, so I would say that I know social media very well.

What you hope to learn in this class
In this class I hope to learn how to use different programs and touch up on the skills I already know.  I would also like to learn how I can use technology in my future classroom.  From social media for the students to communicate with me, to presentations in the classroom.

What you learned about your own learning style today
My results from the Leaning Style questionnaire show that I am in the range from about 1-3, with the exception of the 5 in VRB.  If scores are in the range of 1-3 that means I am pretty well balanced in those categories.  In the first category I lean more towards the reflective learner, which means I tend to see the facts and try to memorize them.  It is suggested that when studying I need to do more than just try and memorize the material.  I am a pretty well balanced sensing and intuitive learner. My results also show that I am a verbal learner instead of a visual learner.  I have noticed this all throughout my schooling.  Lastly, I have a 3 in sequential learning.  This means I like to learn things step by step.