Reflection #1

Learning can be encourage through the use of technology by using programs like Boomwriter and Newsela.  Social justice is a broad subject and diversity tolerance is an issue in the classroom. By using Boomwriter, students can write about their family, their food and their culture. Other students will be able to read those stories and ask questions about the things they do not understand. The three-step interview approach can be used in the classroom for students to explain to each other things that were not clarified on their online story or to learn about a different culture. Some of the new words or terms could be placed under the vocabulary section of Boomwriter for the whole class to see. This promotes social justice and tolerance by allowing students to learn about each other’s culture.

Newsela is tool that encourages students to read. The site has many subjects for students to choose from as well as different reading levels. This is a good use of technology since it promotes reading at your own level. In a diverse classroom there are students who are on different reading levels. Some students are just beginning to learn the language and other are advanced. Newsela provides students the opportunity to read and learn at their own level. If I was to teach a class in the future, I would Definitely encourage students to use Newsela. I believe that this technological tool can help students and teachers to grow as readers.

 

Reflection #2

Excel is an excellent tool to keep track of student progress. Educators can use Excel to records student’s homework, attendance and grades. By the same token, students can actually check their own progress by learning how to use Excel. The program can be also use by students as a learning tool. Since Excel has many features, students can learn how to keep track of their finances for example for economics class or apply a math formula on Excel for a math class. It is important for students to learn how to use this program because it is the standard program use in every industry for data collection.

Students can always apply Excel in a real-life situation. One of the challenges that young people face and some adults by the same token is keeping track of their finance. Excel made me realize that I spend lots of money in things that I do not need. By creating a budget spread sheet in Excel, I was able to find out what my real budget is in contrast to the budget that I thought I had.

This tool is very helpful and I see students using the application to see where their money is going to. This program made me grow as a person since now I can tell where my money is going to. I really see this program used in a classroom since it addresses real world issues.

Another technological tool that addresses real world issues is Tinkercad. This tool is very powerful as it allows students to create any type of item in 3D. I believe that this tool can be used in any classroom to encourage student’s creativity and also to apply what they have learned in class. For instance, science teachers can benefit from this tool as they can assign their students to do a science project using Tinkercad. As this program has the capacity of building any time of item, students can perhaps design a DNA string or the shape of an atom in Tinkercad. This can allow students to learn about science not only by lecture but also by building something.

From what I read from my fellow students on the blogs, Tinkercad is a popular tool that everyone seems to enjoy. Their comments agree with what I think about this program, as students will have a hands-on experience by using it

 

Reflection #3

At the beginning of the semester, I had no clue about the job of a teacher or the methods they use to teach in classrooms. As the classes passed by, I was able to learn how teachers plan their lesson and the many strategies that they use to transmit knowledge to their students. It was interesting to find out about the 8 activities learning strategies.

As per the Prodigy  website, the 8 activities learning strategies are: Reciprocal questioning, three steps interviews, the pause procedure, the muddiest point technique, the devil’s advocate approach, peer teaching activities, game-based learning platforms and rotating chair group discussions. I think that the game-based learning platforms is applicable in today’s classroom as incorporates technology as part of learning.

Another tool that I found helpful to understand the strategies that a teacher uses in the classroom is the Active Learning Strategies for Middle and Secondary School Teachers. The work was done by Dr. Mary Ellen Adams, from the Indiana State University at Terre Haute, Indiana and Pamela Ray, from Northridge Middle School in Crawfordsville, Indiana. This guide not only shows strategies for active learning but it also show step by step, how to make a lesson plan. I have never seen a lesson plan before, so this guide was very useful for me as it showed me how to build a lesson plan.