Blog 12- Current View On technology

I still think my view on technology is mixed. I am not as afraid of it as I was in the beginning. Technology is vital to any classroom and I know I will need and want to use it in my future classroom. It still and always will be a big scary to me. We all know that technology can go wrong and I know personally when it goes wrong for me I get highly frustrated. Also, I still do not want my students to get highly dependent on technology. They will use it in their everyday lives but I do not want them to rely on it or become oversaturated with it. There has to be a good balance. I want technology to enhance their learning, not overshadow it. Let technology enrich their learning not do it for them. I am glad that this course is required for my degree because I did learn how this can be done and cannot wait to see how technology will work in my future classroom.

non computer technology

I think one of the most important non computer technologies in the classroom today is the digital camera. I think it is something that can be used for a variety of reasons throughout the curriculum. It can be used to take pictures of the children at work or doing whatever they are doing in the classroom and showing that to the parents. This can be done through a website or a newsletter or as a slide show on parent-teacher night. The digital camera can also be used by the children. There are some relatively simple digital cameras out there to use that the children can pick up on rather quickly. They can use it to take pictures of flora and fauna that they can't disturb but need to have for a report. It also can be used to take pictures of an animal, bug, or flower that the children or teacher may not know the exact name of and find it in a book or research it online. To me the most interesting use for the digital camera would be in allowing students to create their own book from it. They would be in charge of the subject matter and it would become very personal for them. I can see it being a high engagement for the students because they would be in control of every aspect of the book making. I have seen my nephews who are 4 and 7 use their mother's digital camera and take pictures. Then she gets those developed for them and they make their own little books. They know how to work a digital camera better than I do. So I definitely see the digital camera as a good addition to the early childhood classroom.

Blog 10 ERIC presentations

There was a lot of information in all the ERIC presentations. I think a lot of good information was brought to our attentions. I liked the presentation about the portoflios. Portfolios have become an increasing technology used in the classroom setting. I think it is a very neat idea and a way to showcase what a student has done throughout their time in school. Even if a student just added one or two pieces of work per year, they could show their progression. When I was growing up, they didn't use portofolios in school. Actually it wasn't until late in my high school career that teachers began to save our work and put them in a folder that we received upon graduating. Having that sort of thing online would be so much easier and wouldn't get lost.

I think that I possible could be excited about using some technology in my classroom now. It doesn't have to overwhelm my classroom but just add to it. Like using digital cameras to take pictures of things that you can't bring inside. I'm still going to monitor how much time children spend on a computer because I don't want that to be the only thing they are doing with technology. This class and presentations showed that there can be a lot more.

online article

This article is about how technology is used in a Montessori elementary classroom. It starts by following an elementary student as she enters the classroom. Then it follows her and how the teachers have been using technology through the day. A work record was made using Microsoft Excel. This will tell the child what she has completed for the week and what see needs to do. The article goes on to tell how the student used the internet to do some research to make a Famous Places card and how she will use a word processor to finish it. Also, the article mentions how the computer is used as a typing tutor or used for math software in addition to Internet research and the word processor. Then it talks about how the teacher tells the students about some websites she found that deal with their study on Africa. She shoes them how to bookmark the website, which they later will have to do to the other computers The third year students are asked during their math time, to work on a website provided by the teacher. They are given an activities packet to do on the website. At the end of the day, each of the children has a job, which is on a Microsoft excel sheet. Once the article had shown the student in her day, it talks about the learning environment and how technology has come into the Montessori classroom. It talks about how integrating technology can take extra time in the beginning to learn but how as time goes by it becomes easier. It also states that it is not replacing any of the traditional Montessori activities. The article says that the children get the hands on manipulatives first and then they get to work with the technology. The teacher writing the article said that when she first used technology that it was mostly software to help with early reading skills and memorizing math skills. Then she started to use technology for production, organization, PowerPoint presentations, Excel charts, digital cameras, and others.
I thought this article was very good. It shows exactly how technology can be integrated into a classroom. It shows technology doesn’t have to overpower the classroom that it can just aid it. I loved how it showed how a student was using technology throughout the day. She felt comfortable working with it too. The only thing I could say about the article was the use of the Internet. It seemed like a lot of the activities used it. Overall though, the author who happened to be the teacher showed that technology could be used in an early childhood classroom. I think one should read this article to get a sense of how technology can be used throughout the early childhood classroom day.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4097/is_200304/ai_n9190373

Blog 8- Youtube Video

This video is about how in this day and age students have become digital learners. It brings up points about how teachers should be more accepting of using technology in their classroom since their students are willing.

Blog 7- Half Way

Hard to believe that it is already half way. My thoughts on using technology in early education are still mixed. I can see how it can be really good for my students but I still have a lot of apprehension about it. I don’t want to rely on technology too much in my future classroom. Mostly because if I feel apprehensive and unsure about using technology I do not want to pass that on to the children. However I do see the positive uses of using technology. I can see how it might help my children learn how to collaborate. I also see how it can open so many new doors for them, take them to places that they may not have thought possible. I can see myself using digital cameras, computers, the Internet, certain software, and maybe even spreadsheets in my classroom. I just have to learn and be comfortable with things before bringing it before my children.

Blog 6- Internet Use

There are a lot of advantages of using the Internet in an early elementary classroom. The Internet provides a wide array of resources that may not be available otherwise. Children can have diversity in the material that is presented to them. Instead of maybe a collection of books by one author, they can browse to see other books on the same subject by different authors. Then if it is a library book they can get it through interlibrary loan thanks to the Internet. Another pro is that children can now go on field trips to anywhere in the world. The virtual world allows for kids to discovery far away places through the Internet and digital video. Another pro for the Internet is that it plays into Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligences. Most every intelligence can benefit from a number of Internet services. Interpersonal people can work together on projects whereas intrapersonal people can work only. There can be graphics for visual people and words for linguistic people.
There can also be a lot of disadvantages to using the Internet in the early elementary classroom. The big con is that there are a lot of untrustworthy websites out there. Filters can help but not all the time. It can expose our young children to things that they should not be seeing just yet. Another con is the social aspect. Young children are spending a lot more time on the Internet and not socializing as much. If it is an individual Internet project kids will not get the socialization that they may need. Another con that using the Internet too much in the classroom may take away from book reading.
Personally, I think the pros of using the Internet in the classroom can outweigh the cons. I think it puts a lot of information at the tips of my children’s fingers, information that they may not have access to otherwise. It can bring them so many new images, videos, and information. Also, it can bring in a world of cultural and diversity that may again not be readily available. I can take them on field trips that they may not ever be able to go on.
My favorite educational website of all time is A to Z Teacher Stuff. To me this site has it all. There are lesson plans for everything. All grade levels and subjects are present. It even has different lesson plans that deal with computer and technology. You can also look at different themes. There are printables and generators to make your own worksheets. They have an article section that talks about every subject a teacher can encounter. My favorite part of the website is the forum. It allows any user (signing up is free) to ask questions whether you are a pre-service teacher or a retired one.

Blog 5- Kate Grossman's article

My reactions to Kate Grossman’s article are kind of mixed. I can see how the guidelines could do good in the classroom but there are parts I don’t agree with. Kate’s article mentioned how teachers needed the guidelines because they did not know what was expected between preschool and first grade. I think this helps teachers be on the same level as to what kids should be learning in their classrooms. Ideally, it would not matter who taught you in kindergarten because you would be ready for first grade. It would also help teachers become better organized. That is something all teachers strive to maintain in their individual classrooms. The article mentions that there are 172 benchmarks that range from writing the alphabet to understanding that hurting others is wrong. I kind of have mixed reactions about making teachers responsible for things such as social/emotional development. I know as teachers we have a responsibility to help children with these things but back when I was little it really was all about my parents teaching me the social/emotional rights and wrongs. I just don’t know if I agree with putting things like as benchmarks but I guess it shows a sign of the times. Overall, I do agree with the need for benchmarks but they just have to be handled right.

blog 4- Images in education

There is a lot one can do with images in education. My image I think will focus mostly on science and maybe some language arts. The main idea would be animals and their habitats. As a class, we could look at this photo and talk about a turtle's habitat. Where have the students seen turtles before? Where do they think a turtle lives? What does it need to survive? Then with the kids you could get them to find other animals in their habitats. As the teacher I could supply magazines in class to do this or kids can find them elsewhere. Then the kids can sort the pictures based on where the animals live or something similar. With the images, you could also let the kids make collages. For older kids, you can get them to choose an animal and then write a small report about their habitat. Another idea would be a craft that would have the kids work either individually or as a group, to make their own habitat with materials supplied. As a teacher, I could even take them outside to find materials that would work and talk about various habitats we might see outside. We could also take pictures of those habitats. Kids could then use them to build their model. Or again they could write about what we say outside. Then we could post the pictures and paragraphs on a bullentin board outside the classroom to show everyone what we were up to.

Blog 3

1. To instill the love of learning

2. Dedication

3. To make a difference

4. Creativity

Blog # 2 Theories

The theory of multiple intelligences by Howard Gardner has eight different intelligences. They show different ways of intellectual ability and a broad range of human potential. The eight are linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinestic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalist. Students can be higher in some areas than others
Gardner's theory of multiple intelligence supports and detracts from technology integration in the classroom. It supports technology because it allows for diversity of ways to learn. If a child is not understanding something in one way, maybe another way can be tried with a different type of technology. There are many different software programs and devices out there to choose from. However, it can detract because a teacher needs to understand all the different technologies and how to use them. I think the theory relates to the Type I, II, and III in a couple ways. It all really depends on the technology being used. The eight different intelligences allows this to happen. There can be software to help with words (linguistic) which can act as a tutor (Type I). Or it kids can be working together on a software program (interpersonal and Type II).
Benjamin Bloom's theory deals with taxonomy. He developed a hierarchical system of ordering thinking skills. There are six levels: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. There are the domains of cognitive, affective, and psycho-motor.
This theory supports and detracts from technology integration in a few ways. It can support it by helping design assessments and storing other information. It detracts because the technology takes the forefront while the student and teacher are just users. The Type I, II, and III depend on what level one is using. The synthesis and evaluation levels, one would see Type III because the computer is the tutee as the students are doing the designing.
Dale's Cone of Experience means the more one is actively involved in the activity, the more they remember. The lower the participation, the less they remember. Verbal receiving, visual receiving, and hearing/seeing.saying/doing are the ranks of remembering.
This theory supports and detracts from technology integration in a couple ways. If a child can see a demonstration or simulate a real experience they will remember it more than just reading or hearing it. It detracts because one could rely too much on the technology. This theory relates to the Type I, II, and III in a few ways. In type I the computer is the tutee and if the kid is just reading the words on the screen, they won't remember them as well. However, if the students are being supported by the application or helping create it, they'll remember more.

Blog #1 Introduction

Hi Everyone!

To introduce myself again my name is Katelynn V. During classes most people call me Katelynn, outside class I am either Kate or Katie. I'll respond to any as long as I know you are talking to me. I have resided in Ohio for my entire life. I grew up in Chardon Ohio which is about an hour east of Cleveland. I am the youngest of six kids and if you ask my siblings they will tell you I am spoiled. I'd like to think I am not but being the youngest has its perks. My interests are varied. I love to spend time with my family and friends. Reading has always been a big to do on my list. I really like to read about history, which is probably a reason why I have a Bachelors in it already.
Why am I here? I am at BGSU because I know it is one of the best education programs in the state, if not the country. I know my time here will be well rounded and fulfilling. Plus when I was here for my history degree, I fell in love with the area. I think it is because it reminds me of home with a little more excitement. I am in this course because BGSU requires me to have it but besides that I think it will be valuable to have knowledge in technology in the classroom. I am hoping to get more comfortable with a Mac computer because I am not used to them at all. I am also hoping to get comfortable with computer programs that I do not use everyday. Hopefully, I'll be a little less uneasy about the computer in general. In the end I really just want to learn new things and this course will supply me with that.

My thoughts on technology in the early childhood program are mixed. I can see the good and the bad. The bad being one might depend too much on technology. Or maybe it doesn't fit appropriately with the age of the children or the content being taught. The good is that technology is abundant in today's society and that children should get exposure to it to feel more comfortable with it. Technology in the classroom is good because it can help aid the teacher or even help enrich the curriculum.