Chapter 2- Transforming Learning with Unique, Powerful Technology

Photo Credit to pollyalida on Flickr

Focus Question: How do students use technology to access and assess information?

The opportunities are becoming nearly infinite for students looking to access and assess information through technology today. Students are able to access information through software programs, internet search engines, DVDs, podcasts, Power Point presentations, websites and online journals and articles. Technology has provided a multidimensional realm of possibilities in acquiring information.While accessing knowledge has benefited greatly by technology, students must be information and internet literate in order to properly assess the information. A student seeking information on an internet search engine must be able to differentiate between useful and factual information and that pertaining merely for entertainment purposes. It is the teacher's responsibility to teach the students how to think critically and check for accuracy of internet information. It is also imperative that the teacher guide students through various types of information technology so that the students have experience and are comfortable when utilizing it. 

 This video below is a wonderful example of how the use of technology benefits students in any type of classroom setting. By using the Wii device, the students are able to access information and experience of various types of sports (many of which, they most likely would not have exposure to in an everyday setting), while the teacher is able to accurately compute and track their progress. Having access to this type of technology would have certainly been appreciated on rainy days when I was in elementary school. Rather than watching movies and having the important active portion of the day interrupted, the Wii would have provided the necessary equipment to turn a regular classroom into an interactive gymnasium.

Tech Tool Link: Web Resources for Accessing and Assessing Information

As an avid participant in acquiring information online, I have a deep appreciation for websites devoted to providing knowledge. The utilization of web resources is imperative in providing information to children who are growing up in an interactive world. For example, if I want to teach my class about the planet Saturn, it is not merely sufficient to show them a two-dimensional illustration in a text book. If I wanted to truly grasp their attention and help them comprehend the vastness and greatness that Saturn is composed of I could provide them with the following website link: Cassini Equinox Mission . By providing access to a more interactive tool, complete with video, audio, picture, 360 view, the students will be deeply engaged and learn more effectively.

Summary & Connection:

In Chapter 2 I learned that students benefit less from teacher-centered instruction than they do from a student-centered approach. This means to me that as a teacher I must engage my students with real-life situations that will promote critical thinking and active collaboration. Technology plays a great role in the student-centered approach to teaching. By incorporating the various types of technology into the classroom, students are provided with better knowledge, a more interactive classroom and they are given the tools to utilize these facilities outside the school setting. Technology provides education outlets for all types of students, it benefits all students no matter their learning style and preference.

Resources:

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2011). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc. ISBN:10 0-13-159611-X, ISBN:13 978-0-13-159611-5