Take away

Today in class we were shown examples of previous students' trailers. I thought they were very eye-catching especially the "Earthquake" trailer, I wanted to learn about earthquakes and see what the teacher had in store for her/his students! I like how the "American Dream" lesson gave students the opportunity to reply back using technology. It was interesting to see how students brought out their creativity by interviewing people, adding on audio to go along with their presentation, and adding pictures that pointed out their viewpoints on what the American Dream/American Nightmare is.
During today's lesson we learned about behaviorism, information processing, and constructivism.  I enjoyed the clips that Dr. Chen provided during the powerpoints for better understanding about what behaviorism is. The constructivist perceptive is to engage students in meaningful experiences, use of knownledge to facilitate thinking in real life, and for problem solving and discovery.

Webquest topic

Topic: Butterfly Life Cycle

Kindergartens will learn about the life cycle of a butterfly.


Common Core Standards:

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners aboutkindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.2 Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and requesting clarification if something is not understood.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.5 Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions as desired to provide additional detail.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.3 Ask and answer questions in order to seek help, get information, or clarify something that is not understood.
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Ch 2 & 3 blog

In chapter 2 it covers how technology promotes unique, powerful and transformative learning for students. Experiences with computers might not always be a positive time but students are attracted to technology-based activities. These activities offer students a sense of "independence, exploration, and dynamic learning." Students can use technology to collaborate with one another instead of always competing with each other. They'll be able to do group projects together, help each other if fellow student needs help using an electronic device. Another beneficial factor about using computers during a  lesson is allowing students to be engaged and participate altogether. It was interesting to read some examples of Student-Centered Teaching Methods and how technology supports it. With one-to-one tutoring students get help on topics they are having difficulties in and after they can go home and use their computers to follow through and explore more in depth. Also another was dealing with Inquiry learning, students can exchange and share information with each other and monitor their own learning through these processes.

Yes, technology alone can't take over a classroom or a teacher but it will definitely increase new experiences for the students. Certain programs on the computers can allow students to be more creative and interested. Using computers students have access to the past, present, and imagine the future through visuals, this promotes their visual learning. They can also do a lot more when using computers for instance replay clips going back and forth if they did not get it the first time. Technology is also great for teachers as well because it helps teachers to plan, deliver, and organize for class. It's inevitable that soon all teachers will end up using technology into their lessons. There are so many positive benefits from using technology in classrooms. I enjoy seeing how creative some teachers get with their power points and I'm amazed and how quick some students pick up things dealing with technologies.



1. What do you think are some harms that technology does with students' learning?
2. Which active learning methods did you value as a student yourself and why?

Take away

After seeing the clip of students use Imovie and editing their movie projects I'm actually flustered to even say I majored in Media Studies.. I just learned how to edit during my last two semesters in undergrad.I definitely did not take advantage of those skills and programs wish I did..
It was also interesting to see how teachers incorporate tecnology to their lessons, using social media. I've been learning a lot these days about what websites to acess and what social media teachers use. I like how the teacher uploads pics on instagram of the students works, lessons, and etc, I'll probably most likely do that when I start teaching. There is no doubt in my mind that the younger generation of students will be more advanced in using technology than me.

Blog 1- chapter one

Becoming an e-Teacher…

      Technology has become such a great essential to our lives. Whether it be of a child playing games on his mother's iPad, teacher's using power points for their lessons, or a student using a computer to type his/her paper, or of an elderly using the internet to watch international dramas, it's being used all around us. I've become so used to having/using technology that I can't go a day without using it. While reading chapter one I thought about my past classes where teachers incorporated technologies into their lessons, for me it wasn't until college where I saw the most use of it. Children these days are exposed to different types of technologies at such an young age. 

      It mentions in the reading about today's "youngsters"  being referred to as Generation M, these children are interacting with a wide range of technologies on a daily basis. I plan to use technology to inspire learning and creativity for my future students. For the most part as I student myself I enjoy power point lessons its more organized, the professors add on video clips, pictures, graphs, and etc. It definitely allows the students to see more visually which can be more beneficial. I believe using technology allows you to be more creative with your lessons as whole. I strongly think it's important to use technology for instructional practices and also administrative/professional activities. For instructional practices it gives the students the opportunity to work and experience how and when to use technology on their own. And for administrative/professional activities its very useful for teachers because it helps us to be more organized, engaged, and up to date. 

1. Do you believe it's crucial for elementary school students to use technology in their classrooms?
2. What are some ways(examples) you plan to include technology in your classroom?