Technology is all around us improving our ways of living by making everyday tasks easier to tackle. I can say that I have been able to see some of the transitions digital technology has made from calling from landlines and sending emails, to sending IM messages and using MySpace, to using Facebook and smartphones as the common place to communicate with friends and families. As the years pass by, I can see how I too have evolved from a digital visitor to a digital resident. I use digital technology for a large portion of my everyday life. I use my social media accounts to keep in touch with friends and family, and use email accounts and other digital technology for work and college. This blog is my way of exercising my writing skills while also expressing myself. I use my phone in many aspects of my life, it is what keeps me on time and "organized". As a future educator, I hope to use tech tools
ructor's quiz, pick a fun username, and compete with your classmates to see who actually understands the material taught. It's great for students because it shows them what they already know or don't know, and it's great for teachers because it shows them what students are struggling with. I would use Kahoot to go over vocabulary or concepts in my future English Language Arts class or as a way to see how well my future students understand Algebraic concepts in my future Mathematics class. Other tools that I absolutely love are: - Infographics from Pik to Chart (www.piktochart.com) - Presentations from Prezi (www.prezi.com) or from Powtoon (www.powtoon.com) - Writing short graphic novels from Comic Master (http://comicmaster.org.uk/) - Publishing from WattPad (www.wattpad.com) As a student, I know how much these tools have helped me improve in my reading, writing, and academic skills. It is important for teachers to have a variation of ways for their students to spend time writing. Often times, time flies in a classroom and time for in-class writing is sacrificed for lesson activities. Allowing students to use Prezi or Powtoon to present their projects is a great way to enhance their digital skills; however, digital technology can have its moments of dis-functionality and that's something teachers would have to keep in mind. Wattpad is my personal favorite tool! I love reading their books (or what I call their "underground books") because the stories published in the cite are at their rawest. They are stories written without the changes an editor would make. Apart from reading, the website encourages its users to write stories, which would be a great way for students to publish their own works of literature. What's happening in the teacher-tech world? A review on Jane Hart's Post . . . (http://c4lpt.co.uk/top100tools/top100-edu/) Hart's "Top 100 Tools for Education" is quite fascinating to me. I find it ironic how YouTube is the number one tool that is being used for education and learning, yet it is at times blocked by Florida School Counties. YouTube is a great source to engage students in along side a lesson by making video presentations. I think the rest of the tools in Hart's Top 100 list are great and "on point" for educators. Looking through the list I noticed many tools strive to bring creativity in a student's engagement. Creativity is a key factor for many of these tools. I believe the best way to teach is by allowing students to engage in their own creativity and self-discovery. Thoughts on digital tool version of Bloom's Taxonomy: I personally love this digital version of Bloom's Taxonomy. If you have no idea what I am talking bout there is no need to fear, I will explain. Bloom's taxonomy was created by psychologist Benjamin Bloom in 1948. It was originally made as a way to classify educational goals for the student performance evaluation. Bloom's Taxonomy has been revised over the years and is still being used in education today. Knowing this, the digital version of the taxonomy is awesome because it provides with various tools that can help evaluate students on every level. Somethings teachers should consider when implementing technology in their lesson plans is creating a Plan B. Digital technology can be amazing but like anything, it can fail. Giving the students both digital and non-digital options would both lessen the chances of a technology fall out and the chances of a student not being able to participate due to lack of technology availability at home. What would I try next? The more technological tools arise the more my own personal teaching methods will evolve, molding into both my students's learning styles and the time's trend. As of right now, I am experimenting with blogging (as you can see). However, I think I'll try infographics and creating my own memes next! It should be a fun experience. Like my favorite sponge would say . . . I end this post with some funny videos on: - Life without mobile technology - Life as a smart phone addict Best of Wishes, JM
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