Evaluating Websites for Credibility

As a teacher in the Knowledge Revolution, I plan on using all sorts of technology with my students in the classroom. It is always important to monitor what they are working on and teach them appropriate ways to look up information. I can help them with evaluating websites for credibility by telling them to read everything very carefully. Always double check the information you are reading with another website or source of knowledge. If something is not believable it is best to compare it with a truly reliable source. If a student is unsure of how to tell if a website if reliable they can always ask the teacher for help in determining what is right.

It is also important to check for authors and contact information on pages. Viewing how often the page is updated proves that the website has current information listed. When facts are stated on the website it is definitely reliable if the author cites the source. If the source is cited the reader can go back and check the original source for the information and make sure that this is reliable. Teachers should have a list of these procedures by the computers for students to refer to with the last option as checking with the teacher. If this list is too complicated for the students to do at this young age, they can work with an aid or the teacher directly when they are on computers looking up information.

Book Talk Reflection

After completing my book talk on "The Rainbow Fish" I learned a lot about the program I used, iMovie. I had never used it before this assignment so I had to figure everything out as I was doing it. This assignment took a little more effort than I had originally planned because I used two different computers. After saving the unfinished project on a disk and loading it onto another computer, everything did not save as it was originally done. I had to fix some segments and add more pictures to finally have my whole project in one piece. I liked recording my voice and fitting it in the same time frame as the slides on the video. It was challenging at first because I did not know what I was doing, but I eventually figured everything out.

I believe this project was assigned to let us as future teachers become more familiar with technology. The more we use different types of software on computers, the more we can integrate it into our classrooms. I plan on using iMovie to create things for my students to use quite often in class. This can be a unique way to present something. This task impacts my future teaching because I will be able to use this new knowledge and apply what I know for my students. I can also create short films for the students parents or guardians to view and see what is happening in the classroom.

Chapter 2 Reflection

After reading this chapter, I noticed that there can be a lot of diverse views about technology in the classroom. As I was reading, I was comparing my thoughts to the technology enthusiasts' views. I agree that schools need to start preparing students more for the real world and begin to include more technology in the classroom. Currently, technology is mainly being used in special classes and not as often as it should be used everywhere else. Schools should be embracing these opportunities to educate students further with technology. Enthusiasts believe that the gap between technology used at school and work will force schools to incorporate these new methods. I think that technology should begin to be widely used in multiple areas in the school so students can 'grow up' in the Knowledge Revolution and proceed in the working world being prepared with skills in technology. Although this could be expensive to include such technologies in schools, it can start slowly and gradually increase to a common practice.

As a future teacher, I will try to have a large spread of different types of technology in my classroom. I will also be a technology advocate at my school if there are not many opportunities to use technology in other areas throughout the school. It is very important to have students become familiar with computers because they will likely be using them in their careers one day. Technology will not stop advancing and it is imparitive to keep up with this progression. The internet can be used as a tool in the classroom as long as it is used appropriately. Students can use this for assignments or to look up information that they are not yet aware of. "Just-in-time-learning" can be used in the classroom for both teachers and students to learn new facts. Teachers can also use the internet for publication of students work so their parents or guardians can have a chance to see what is happening in their child's classroom. Programs such as computer tutors can be used during center time to aid the teacher in teaching different subjects and to refresh students knowledge.

Exit Slip 1/25

Today I learned a lot of new information about technology! I learned that NETS stands for (National Educational Technology Standards). I did not even know there were standards specifically set for technology in the classroom. I also learned that students can learn both with and from technology. This is helpful in the classroom when deciding what lessons to use and what information to incorporate. I added more bookmarks to my delicious account today and I did not know how to add delicious.com as a bookmark on a computer. I forgot from our last class that we have to sit at the same computer in order for our bookmarks to save. I now know what a booktalk is and what websites to use to create one.

Growing Up Online Reflection

Technology today plays a large role in the lives of young learners. Most rely on it for almost everything including homework assignments, staying in touch with friends, and entertainment. I think it is necessary for both parents and teachers to monitor the use of technology by young learners to make sure they are not using it inappropriately. I think using technology to further learning is most definitely an important aspect especially when researching topics and information. As a future teacher, I will incorporate technology into my classroom and outside of the classroom to the best of my ability. I will assign work that enables my students to become familiar with different types of technology and ideas they can use even outside of the classroom. This video is truly a reality in the lives of people today and catches snapshots of the everyday life happening everywhere.

Digital Autobiography Reflection

I thought that this was a very fun project to complete! It is a very different type of assignment for our class. I was very lucky that my parents were planning a trip to Gainesville this weekend because they were able to bring me some pictures. I enjoyed looking through old pictures and picking out the ones I wanted to use in my autobiography. It was not very hard to scan and upload them to the website. I thought using Animoto was very easy because there were only three short steps to follow. I wish that this website would allow more than a 30 second video because I would have liked for mine to have been just a little longer! I am pleased by the way it turned out in the end and I thought this homework assignment was helpful in getting us acquainted with technology.

Reflection of Preface and Chapter 1

After reading the Preface and Chapter 1 of "Rethinking Education in the Age of Technology", I agree with almost all of the points they have stated. Technology is a large part of our society today and it will eventually become a highly used asset in the classroom. The new alternatives for education in the future include distance education, home schooling, learning centers, and workplace learning. These new changes in the education system will happen in time due to the latest technological advances. I believe the Knowledge Revolution has not yet reached its peak. The use of technology will increase throughout the years reaching both younger and older generations. One important concern when looking at technology both in and out of the classroom is the access that students will have. This will vary among families and what they are able provide at the home. It might limit how far technology in education will fully reach students.

New Thinking

Today I learned: How to create a blog
-That all interactive whiteboards are not called "Smartboards"
- Different types of technology that my classmates frequently use

Role of Technology in Teaching and Learning

Role of Technology in Learning: I believe technology plays a very large role in the classroom. During this day and age, technology is used if many different formats including (but not limited to) computers, interactive whiteboards, and different auditory aids used while reading. Technology is a great assistant for teachers to incorporate during whole group or small group work. From my observations, students are almost always more interested in participating in the activity if they are able to use technology.