Authentic and Meaningful Learning

The method of learning I have chosen from the Technology Integration Matrix, falls under the category of "Adaptation and Constructive". This in my opinion is leaked to the first learning category of the International Society of Technology Education(ISTE) and speaks directly to A through D.

The example I have chosen speaks to the ISTE standard of learning with technology in a meaningful way. The students are using technology and making use of tools logically. The kids are working in a group using collaborative skills to determine the effects of a weather condition. Using this real world application makes the learning experience more meaningful. The kids can understand the importance of each aspect of determining the effects of certain weather conditions.

All of the students are separated in taking on real life roles as scientist, mathematician, sociologist, and technologist. They have to determine how they can redirect a hurricane before it becomes to destructive. Their final solution will be a digital presentation using a prototype.

I found this to be the most unique of all the projects because there is an amalgamation of four important disciplines, needed to determine the most effective strategy to solve this complex problem.

Students should be directed to interact with real world applications in order to explore their creative thinking. They need to understand the importance of collaborating and working as a team. If they see their peers working to accomplish a task they will want to buy in an become competitive.

The aforementioned project supports the ISTE standard.

#1: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and creativity.

a. promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and
inventiveness.

The problem is identified and teacher has designed the learning activity such a way that it directly speaks to a.

b. engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic
problems using digital tools and resources.

The teacher is involved with directing the students on how to use web-applications for both research for investigation.

c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and
clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning,
and creative processes.

Here the teacher is encouraging students to interact with one another to share their information to promote all the above.

d. model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning
with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual
environments.

The teacher explains in his narrative how he engages in the learning process with the kids.

This learning exercise encapsulates ISTE standard 1. It is exemplary of the benefits of such an learning experience. It has also given me more ideas to promote creativity by using technology in the classroom. The class Curr518 has equipped me with sufficient hands on knowledge, which will allow me to use more web-based technological applications in the classroom.

Using SlideCast/Extended Classroom

Back to schoolnight

View more webinars from mwt424.

We will be incorporating several forms of technology to extend the classroom. This will be used as a tool to stay connected with every aspect of the curriculum. Its usefulness we not be limited to any one task. It will be a way to interact with me in various ways.

The slide presentations will give you and your parents insight as direction the class will take for using technology in the 21st century. It is there for the benefit of us all. It is my hope that you utilize this medium and make suggestions for further enhancements........

Back To School Night

Students have been engaging an interacting with various digital devices during the break. Most often these devices are used more for social interaction. These tools can be a powerful aid in the process of learning and information gathering.

Therefore, it is appropriate to have a "Back To School Night" to interact with both parents and students. This meeting is used mostly for informational purposes, making everyone aware of how the curriculum will be aligned with the New Jersey Department of Education Standards. Most importantly as it relates to using technology in a 21st century classroom.

There will be presentations that focus specifically on how technology will be used for the 2011 school year.

Creating Technological Pedagogy For The 21st Century Classroom

The classroom of the 21st century is evolving such that the pedagogy has to be more technologically creative. Technological devices are a way of life for today's learners. They are constantly faced with the challenge of technological competitiveness. It is imperative for the teacher to understand the students environment i.e, keeping up with the technology that they are using outside of the classroom. This is not difficult, the only tool needed is dialogue between both you and the learner. It is my opinion that using a democratic approach can foster a more homogeneous learning environment.

Traditional monotone pedagogy is ineffective and will keep today's learners in a state of boredom. It is my belief that being a recent graduate of education has prepared me to align my pedagogy with the NJ Core Curriculum Standards as it relates to content area technology. More appropriately, it is incumbent upon me to align myself with my colleagues and the administration to promote dialogue relative to best practices for using technology in the 21st century classroom.

As a mathematics teacher for both secondary and middle-school, it is my plan to use the core standards as a guide. The strand 8.1c "Communication and Collaboration" in the NJ Core Curriculum content area technology standards is poignantly aligned with my philosophical pedagogical belief. Communication and collaboration are critical elements for effective learning.

The use of digital tools to communicate and collaborate to develop an on-line learning community is essential for the 21st century classroom. This can benefit the parent as well as the student, bringing everyone to a forum in a common place. Imagine a student who is absent from school but is able to go to an on-line community and dialogue with his/her peers about subject content matter and homework assignments. There are a plethora of technological applications that can foster an on-line learning community. One of such would be the development of a Wiki, or Ning such as what I have been exposed to in Curr518. Students can and should be able to model and design documents, create databases, analyze and retrieve research data intelligently. The student should not be limited to using digital tools only used in the classroom.

It is my plan to use various digital tools to engage students in learning mathematics. My goal is to engage students in real world applications as it relates to the content and effectively use themes to build a curriculum.

Week 1

I have been involved with technology for 15yrs. It may appear that I am biased with regards to using technology in the classroom. It is my opinion that technology when used properly, can complement the learning process. I have a undergraduate degree in both computer science and mathematics. I have had the opportunity to witness applications for various purposes evolve over the years. I vehemently believe that technology integrated in the classroom is essential for most if not all learning environments.

The most recent advances in technology have made it more palatable and simple to use. Technology plays an integral role in classrooms today. Smart boards, projectors, computers, and calculators are useful tools. Most textbook companies now incorporate material for use with technology. One example, is how some mathematics textbooks illustrate the use of calculators and applications. They also include on-line textbook material, such as additional exercises for supplementing the content as well as computer aided practice test.

It is my goal to familiarize myself with understanding the intricacies of using technology as it continues to evolve. I think technology is essential for any educational environment today.