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=Welcome to Technology CONEction!=

Purpose

 * This site is used to complete my Masters in Technology Leadership at Lamar University.
 * The current course is EDLD 5364 - Teaching with Technology. Each week of this course I will write a brief summary of the Videos, Reading and Discussions.

Week 1
Week 1 provides an overview of the course content. The course is going to involve a collaborative group project where together we will solve a scenario based problem. Using another wiki site, we determined who would partner up and I could not be more thrilled with my group members. We have already established a team leader and began using Google Docs for collaboration. The videos talked about three theories and we watched a video on each. The first is Constructionist learning which talks about connecting prior knowledge to new learning. I have studied this theory in a previous Masters course and feel that it is very effective, yet difficult to implement in a class. However, when used correctly it is very helpful to students. The second is Connectivism. This one is a bit harder for me to "buy into" but also makes sense that you build neurological connections to ideas and thus improve learning. Networking is big in this theory. I think that it is important to use Connectivism when teaching technology because software programs can change but it you teach students to connect what you know in one program to another different program then they can have more lifelong learning. I think this is where technology gets hard to teach. It is very easy to teach how a software works, but harder to teach the concepts behind why you are using this type of software. The third is cyborg theory. This one is way out there for me. The idea that we can insert chips that will allow us to download information directly into our brain is scary. Where this may be effective, I think it will appeal much more to a generation who is not afraid of government control.

The readings introduced us to one of our textbooks, //Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works//. It provided some great techniques to making sure that the technology that you are incorporating is really best for student learning. One of the things that I have always struggled with is that teachers really don't know how to use technology effectively within their subject area. Just having them write a paper in Word, or showing them PowerPoints is not really using technology effectively. Even as a technology teacher, I struggle with how and when I am using certain types of technology and whether it was effective for what I am trying to teach. Technology can lead to collaboration, creative design, and innovative thinking if implemented correctly.

The second reading talked about Constructivist learning. I posted a quote from this reading to the discussion board and received some interesting feedback. Here is what I wrote: " I am fascinated with Constructivism. This is my second go around at a Masters degree and my first attempt through UNT involved an entire class on Constructivism. We had a write a lesson geared toward Constructivist learning and it was very interesting. Here is the quote that I chose. It comes from the second reading, //Learning as a Personal Event//: "Every person is surrounded by an infinite variety of images, ideas, information, and other stimuli that provide raw material for thought and understanding. If new information matches the learner's existing understanding, it is easily assimilated. If it does not match, the learner must determine how to accommodate it, either by forming new understanding, or rejecting the information. "

As a teacher it is our job to help identify the areas that students assimilate and those that they need to accommodate. We need to present new material in a way that they will want to absorb it and not reject it. This comes from new methods of presenting information. The challenge is presenting new material to students who already have prior knowledge and presenting it in a way that is new to them or interesting to them.

What techniques do you use in your classroom to help students want to absorb new information?" Overall the responses were positive for using Constructivist learning. Of the three styles that we discussed it seems to be the one most incorporated in today's classrooms.

The other reading involved how the brain works and whether teaching constructivist style is effective. We know that making connections to past events is effective in allowing us to retain information. Constructivist learning is closely related to student-based learning which allows the students more control over their learning and how they absorb information. Both articles were very interesting and I am sure we will cover more in the weeks to come.

Finally we discussed the integration of Web 2.0 Tools with our second textbook, //Web 2.0: New Tools, New Schools//. The incorporation of new technology that relates more to the way our students now are learning is a very interesting topic. The use of this Wiki right now, not to mention Blogs, YouTube videos, Social Networking sites, and Collaborative research tools are all impacting the way that students learn. Although many teachers are not able to integrate these tools in their classrooms yet, it is sure to make schools reevaluate the way that teachers present information and require more technology to be used in schools.

Overall this course is going to provide a wide array of information about the use of technology in our schools. Being a technology teacher, I hope to learn new techniques to allow my students to incorporate technology into their lives and allow it to promote their lifelong learning.

Week 2
I got a bit wordy in my Week 1 post so I am going to try to keep it shorter and to the point. This weeks focus is on Teaching Strategies that Positively Impact Student Achievement. Our videos focused on CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology) which discusses the use of technology for students at all levels of learning. Just as there are special restrictions for architecture and product development there are also special regulations for technology application for students with learning disabilities. As a teacher it is important to be aware of what will work best for students with special needs and make the technology work for them. Today, classrooms are integrated with students of all ability levels. The challenges for a teacher are to make the learning environment effective for all students. Technology can play a key role in helping teachers achieve this task.

Chapter 1 of //Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works// discusses setting goals using technology. Including students in the goal setting process can be made easier by using word processing, brainstorming software or internet tools. Examples includes KWHL charts, learning goal contracts, surveys, and rubrics. The reading Technology Enriched Classrooms: Effects on Students of Low Socioeconomic Status showed studies on the incorporation of computers in schools showed a positive impact on student achievement and self esteem. Computers are not judgemental and students relate better to them and are more motivated to learn from them. Other studies have reinforced the idea that there is a positive correlation between the use of technology and increased student achievement and improved test scores. Overall the idea of creating an Universal Design for Learning for all students using technology can allow students at all learning levels to succeed in the classroom.

Week 3
The reading this week involved scenerios about incorporating UDL into classroom instruction. Examples of student examples included an 11 year old who excels in video production and a senior who will be the first to go to college because of his interest in technology. Many school have started technology clubs to help students provide peer tutoring using technology.

The assignments this week involved using the CAST site to create a UDL Lesson plan and a Book using the tools on their website. It really helped to learn the different elements to incorporate in a lesson plan. Focusing on the brain research, learning involves three networks; reflective, strategic and affective. The readings continued talking about how UDL plans help student learning. Students who typically struggle in a traditional classroom setting can excel when technology is involved. The technology both challenges and motivates students at all levels and can be modified for different learning levels. UDL lessons put the student in charge of their success and allows them to work collaboratively with others both allowing them to teach their peers and be taught by their peers. The teacher steps into a role as facilitator and allows their students to lead the way. Web 2.0 tools that will make UDL technology more interactive are wikis, blogs, podcasts and other internet tools such as flickr or social networking sites. Students will have the ability to collaborate with students all over the world and the Internet provides an endless supply of research tools. Overall, technology is a tool that is something schools should not live without.

Week 4
As a technology leader it is important to train and support your fellow teachers. Conducting professional development and providing the role as technology leader is important in supporting not only your peers, but the students in your school. A technology leader should stay up to date with the latest Web 2.0 tools and inform other teachers ways they can incorporate these tools in their curriculum. The videos today provided examples of collaborative learning between students and teachers. They were designed to make you think about different ways to help students in the classroom. One video focused on learning from an academic point of view, but also in a social and emotional aspect. There is more to learning then just "book work" but relating to each other and being able to work together on many levels. An effective learning environment will include both strong academics and strong relationships between teachers, administrators and students. This leads to the importance of project learning. Students collaborating together must have good social skills and be able to work together to solve problems. When students are asked to solve problems they are receiving life lessons that are challenging and fun. Collaborative learning can utilize many different technology tools such as blogs, wikis, podcasts and virtual worlds. By using multiple forms of technology it helps motivate all types of learners and allows teachers to relate to the technology tools that motivate students. When you give students the skills and tools required to use these technology tools, students are empowered by their learning. The videos provided real world examples that are useful in understanding how students learn collaboratively using Web 2.0 tools.

The reading this week focused on professional development and how technology is integrated into schools. We began by reading about the McREL project that evaluated how technology was used in schools and how learners responded to different technology tools. The study showed that student success improved when teacher collaborated on learning. When teachers are properly trained on how technology works they are more effective in incorporating technology in their curriculum and consequently more effective teachers. The role as a technology leader in the classroom is important at many levels in providing other teachers technology support and assisting administrators in making positive decisions in supporting their teachers. "Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works" discussed collaborative learning in this weeks reading. The use of technology lends itself nicely to cooperative learning. The way teachers group students is very important. For example, ability grouping should be used sparingly and groups should remain small. Students should be held accountable for their role in the group and the success of the group should depend on the tasks of each group member. There are many multimedia tools that can be used to assist in collaboration including Webquests, Web site creation and online collaboration tools such as bookmarking sites and online documents. In order for teachers to facilitate effective online collaboration they need to be properly trained. In "Web 2.0 New Tools, New Schools" the chapter for this week focused on professional development. With the changes technology has brought about, traditional classroom teachers need to be trained to stay up to date with these changes. The art of finding the right information for teacher training is not an easy task. Learning communities have been designed to allow teachers to be trained any time any where. When doing technology training the most effective is hands on and relates to how students can incorporate the tools they are learning to their curriculum. Web 2.0 tools such as blogging, podcasting and wikis allow teachers to create learning environments for technical support and collaboration. The design of these online communities allow teachers to practice using these tools and also see how other teachers are using them in the classroom.