Week 6 -- Generation IM

This article reinforced a lot of information that we learned in class: students are not fundamentally the same as they were ten years ago, thus, we cannot teach in the same ways. Integrating technology into a classroom setting is a good way to keep kids engaged and to prepare them for their futures. Having them blog, make podcasts, or even make their own websites is a way to tap into students' new technological potential and integrate necessary content with new methodologies.
To use this type of technology in a science lesson, I might use a SMARTboard to virtually dissect a frog to model it for my students before they dissected real frogs. I could also do a unit on the science of technology, and (for example) how the internet works or how to build a computer.

Assignment 2

• Link to the presentation I'm using: 
• http://exchange.smarttech.com/details.html?id=639b77e7-71f0-423a-879a-430773d281b5
• SMARTboard features I'm using: 
• Pens, Flash quiz, putting together a puzzle
• NETS used: 
• For Students: 
• 4c: Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions
•  Being able to pick apart propaganda and examine the different components, as well as the motivation behind the message will help students to make informed decisions about the information they receive through ads and the internet.
• 5a: Advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology
•  Being knowledgeable about propaganda will help students to advocate responsible use of information, and be able to sort through the plethora of advertisements and messages they are exposed to to discover the motivation behind them. 
• For Teachers:
• 1b: Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resource
  • Informing students about propaganda in the media will engage students in critical thinking about the information that is presented to them daily. They will work on solving the problem of being blinded or misled by media. 
• How can an interactive white board help my students?
• Using technology is an easy way to get the kids of today hooked. No students learn at their best when a teacher just lectures and expects them to take notes. SMARTboard technology will help students to get involved in their own learning. For example, letting students participate in activities that the SMARTboard can provide (quizzes, dissecting a virtual frog, etc) is an easy way to get them to own their own learning. 

Blog Post Week 5 -- Activboard

http://www.prometheanworld.com/en-us/education/products/interactive-displays/activboard-300-pro

The Activboard is an interactive white board system much like the smartboard that can be used for multiple purposes at once. It's useful because of the multimedia abilities it has--sound, touch, and visuals are all integrated into a system that helps students of different learning styles to learn simultaneously in the classroom environment.

Question:
How many people can use the white board simultaneously?

Week 4 Blog Post (SMARTboards)

I learned a lot about the interactive features of a SMARTboard in class. The fact that there are so many resources to use is very reassuring and helpful, especially considering the lack of time that I will likely have as a first year teacher. The user-friendly nature means that it is easy for students to use. I think that when I have my own classroom, the students will be the ones (if the technology is available) who use it most. It plugs them in to new technology while teaching them in ways appropriate for their differently-wired brains. I would like to know more about how to use the more interactive features of the SMART system, such as the templates requiring Flash, because I couldn't figure it out on my computer last time. I also would like to know more about designing my own lesson plans similar to the interactive ones and how much time that would take, along with the tools I would need to do so. It seems like an exciting frontier in the field of education!