Google Classroom

Google Classroom would be really beneficial in the classroom because it keeps everything so organized. The layout of Google Classroom is easy to navigate for teachers as well as students. In addition, the site can automatically grade assignments so it helps with time management for teachers. However, this tool is probably more beneficial to older students with a decent knowledge of technology. All together, Google Classroom is an excellent tool for educators.

Microteaching Feedback

Sarah - I loved the use of the powerpoint in your lesson. This showed how well prepared you were for the lesson.

Hannah - Using the interactive video was perfect to help students learn tricks to finding syllables. The examples you presented worked well to challenge students as they learned syllables.

Erika - You were so well prepared for the lesson. I loved the season wheel you created, this would be perfect for students to remember what activities take place in each season.

TPACK Reflection

1) The use of technology is so helpful in supporting teaching strategies as it implements more ways to reach the needs of students rather than pencil and paper assignments. Using technology also a more fun way to teach the information while holding students' attention, for example, the game allows students to practice what they learned while using technology and thinking they are just having fun.
2) The use of technology enhances students' learning as the more interactive as the video would be fun to sing along to once the students catch the key line. The video presented would allow students to recall a tune in order to remember the information.
3) Using examples is probably the most beneficial way to teach this information because it allows students to see the patterns in words they choose as we did following the video when I asked the class to give me words using vowel pairs.
4) Students should have prior knowledge of what vowels are before learning this lesson. It is important that students know the words they are working with in order to understand the sounds they are creating.
5) The technology works to create a memory of the lesson by using the video but also practice the students' knowledge while playing the game. These use examples which is the most beneficial teaching strategy in this lesson.
6) When teaching this lesson, it would be important to have classroom management in order to keep students from getting too rowdy during the game but also to engage each student in the other aspects of the lesson.
7) The demonstrations in the video and the examples presented in the game enhances the content in order to reach the objectives presented.
8) The game would not be possible without the use of technology because it chooses random words that the students' might not have thought of without technology. Also, the video gives the jingle which would not be as beneficial without the use of the illustrations and sound presented through the video. 

3D Printing

The 3D printing technology is a great resource for teachers and classrooms. For teachers, the source will allow the teachers to create some tools they can use for their classroom; an example of this would be rulers. The teachers can print their own and make them to their own specifications. For students, the technology really embraces each one's creativity. A great example of this is the tinkercard link. This link really allows students to play with options on a plan and create a 3D image to his/her own vision. There are many benefits to having the 3D printing, but, just like any technology, there are cons as well. One negative would be expense. This resource is new so the machine and other materials are still fairly costly. In conclusion, the new technology will greatly benefit teachers and students in the classroom.

Article Inquiries 9.11

TPACK

• What caused the switch from a classroom focus on content knowledge to emphasizing general pedagogical classroom practices at the expense of content knowledge?

Net Generation

• Why do teachers have positive beliefs about technology but still lack confidence in the technology?
• Since teachers are savvy with basic technology and show interest in learning new technologies, what is holding them back from excelling at these new technologies?

Teaching and Technology

• This article sparked wonders when discussing what will happen when technology is wholly accepted. Will teachers and/or student fall through the cracks?

How Technology Changes Our Lives

    Technology is advancing rapidly as the years pass; technology is becoming a major part of nearly every aspect of our lives including medicine, education, and communication. As with nearly everything, there are pros and cons to technology.
    The articles presented many ways that technology is benefitting humans in a positive manner. There are many gadgets that are helping assist people in daily activities and presenting possibilities that would not otherwise possible. An example of this is FaceTime apps. This is beneficial in the classroom because it allows students to FaceTime authors and do question and answer sessions. Another prominent way technology is positive is through communication. There are many devices created through the technology advances that make communication easier and quicker in our generation.
    On the flip side of this, the advancements in communication have had detrimental effects on some individuals. Since technology has made it so easier to communicate through a screen, some people have trouble speaking to others in person because they no longer have to have those conversations. Technology is also becoming a tool that many individuals cannot function without. Many individuals in our generation no longer know how to write a check or address a letter. This is because technology has made it easy to deposit online or shoot an email.
    There are good points to pros and cons presented by both sides of the argument. No matter how one feels about it, technology is still a growing part of our lives.