Apply and Discover 11.1.

This online course has taught me the importance of technology integration in schools. It really is no longer a choice. Technology enhances students learning, whether it's because it's more engaging, it acts as a manipulative, it's more visual, it's easier to differentiate. This means that eventually I believe that it will be mandatory, or it not mandatory, seriously frowned upon if it's not used. This means that those who are pushing for technology now and integrating it are ahead in a line that everyone will have to be in eventually.


Learning about technology through state standards that are already in place gave a greater understanding of the intended outcomes. It helped me to better understand the areas that I need to think about when making a lesson plan using technology. The readings also helped me to think about why I'm using the technology. There means to be a purpose and a measurable outcome to justify using technology. Though using technology is generally more efficient, setting it up and getting students going can be so time consuming that it really isn't beneficially to use technology just for the sake of it. 


The websites that the other students have shared and that are in the resources I have found very useful. I have learned a lot of new things and have already tried to plan how I can use some of them in my classroom this fall. The text book also gave a lot of useful information. It gave a great insight into how the new generation of students things and deals with technology and education. I will be able to apply this understanding in my classroom everyday. 


The school that I will be teaching at this year has a computer lab with a smart board in it. I am really hoping to be able to use this a lot during the year. There are many wonderful online manipulatives and activities that I have found to help the students with certain concepts. I am also hoping to get a smart board in my classroom, depending on school funding. I would hope to use this everyday if I were lucky enough to get it. The school also uses edline. It gives every teacher a web-page that both their students and their students parents can go onto. I will be keeping up to date with this, posting assignments, handouts, test reviews, test days, online help websites, and much more. I want to continue what I learned in this class and integrate technology in my classroom and throughout my school.

Apply and Discover 10.1

Here is the link to my WebQuest.

https://sites.google.com/site/mscochrane20/

This webquest was made for my Algebra 1 students to practice using fractions since many students struggle with them.  I would like to know what you think of the activities and evaluation in terms of their effectiveness and difficulty. I am also looking to create a geometry webquest, so if anyone knows of any, or has any good suggestions, please let me know.

Apply and Discover 9.1.

Providing equal access to the digital world means that every student should be able to access the benefits that can be had through computers and the internet. This does not mean that students should be given free reign, but should have teachers that guide them to knowledge using digital technology. This includes students with special needs. Technology can make a world of difference for students with special needs. There are many programs that can help students with special needs, depending on their needs. There are programs that type what a student says into a word document for students with who are visually impaired or have dyslexia. There are programs that can read text for students who struggle with reading comprehension. There are tutoring programs for students who struggle in math and science and need repetition or more/different explanations. These are just some examples of programs out there that can help special needs students. They can actually benefit more from using these types of technology than where they not able to access them because they are not in a mainstream classroom.

Apply and Discover 3.2.

http://animoto.com/play/ezQvGXz3qWL0QR2FWi1DDA?utm_content=challenger

Apply and Discover 3.1.

http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/3826530/Technology

Apply and Discover 2.2

As technology integration progresses in schools, there needs to still be a focus on students and their individual needs. If a student is not understanding the material, adding learning the technology on top of that and students may become discouraged. We need to make sure that the technology is enhancing learning and making it more understandable and accessible.

A great way to be able to make sure that a student's needs are still being met are things like online tutors. Some are set up so that if a student gets a question right, they will move onto a more difficult problem, so they do not spend time on things that they already understand. If a students get a question wrong, they work on more question like the one that got wrong to make sure the student understands it before they move on.

Technology that is set up this way is made with the individuality of students and their learning in mind. I think that teachers need to also assess where their students are in their familiarity and skills with technology, just as we do with their prior knowledge in our content areas. Knowing this will help teachers use technology more effectively with our students.