Special Request from your Instructor: Think about a classroom of your choice where you would like to be teaching in. Use your BLOG to share your wish with others. Be ready to share your thoughts with the class as well.

My classroom of choice would be a science classroom in a well funded school district in a suburban area. There would be between 20 and 25 students in the classroom. I am hoping to be able to encourage students to explore science and find parts of it that they enjoy.

Web Enrichment Activities Chapter 2

1. Learning theory in technology-integrated lessons — Identify the learning theory addressed in a WebQuest. Locate a WebQuest at http://webquest.org/. Click on "Top," "Middling," or "New" and then view a WebQuest for a selected grade level and subject area. As you read the instructions and materials included in the WebQuest, make a list of five aspects of the WebQuest that are informed or supported by learning theory. Refer to Figures 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, and 2.6 in the textbook.

It helps the student to understand the lesson and the technology. It introduces new technologies to the students along with helping the students how to utilize the technologies. It will help the students see what they are trying to learn in a step by step manner.


2. Assessment of learning with rubrics — To see an example of rubrics developed for a student project, read about Mrs. Gaines' language arts lesson at http://ali.apple.com/ali_sites/hpli/Exhibits/1000734. Click on "The Lesson" to read the instructions to students, and click on "Assessment" to see the rubrics used by the students. Visit the Rubistar website at http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php for templates used by teachers to create custom rubrics. Refer to Figure 2.7 in the textbook and discuss the model that best applies to Mrs. Gaines' lesson and assessment. List three reasons for selecting that model.

Rubrics are very helpful when grading students. It shows the students what is expected and how they will be graded on their work. It also shows how the lack of certain items will reduce the grade given.


3. Information literacy — The American Association of School Librarians and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology have published the "Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning" located at http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslproftools/informationpower/InformationLiteracyStandards_final.pdf. Read the standards and indicators. Consider one standard and indicator, and think of an additional strategy that could be added to Figure 2.12 of the textbook to help students achieve the standard.

To increase the students awareness of the technologies present. This can help the students achieve the standards.

Making the case for technology Chapter 2

1. Sheingold (1991) said that teachers will have to confront squarely the difficult problem of creating a school environment that is fundamentally different from the one they themselves experienced (p. 23). In what ways is the current K-12 environment different from the one you experienced? Do you feel this presents an obstacle to effective use of technology in your teaching? What are some strategies you feel might help teachers overcome this obstacle?

The current K-12 environment is very different from what I had experienced. I graduated high school in 1999. When I came into upper elementary we started having computer labs in the school and as I got into high school it was optional to utalize the computers in the school. Our librairy still used a card catalog which is uncommon in today's schools. Some schools even have laptops for all students to use. I do not feel that the differences in technology from my school years to today will effect the use of technology in my classroom. I have been lucky enough to attend schools that are technology based and I will have the oppertunity to help the students learn with these technologies. If teachers do feel overwhelmed with technologies they can speak with other teachers who can help them.


2. NCATE's document Technology and the New Professional Teacher (1997) said that, in addition to technology skills, teachers need an attitude that is fearless in the use of technology, encourages them to take risks, and inspires them to be lifelong learners. What current factors and activities can help teachers develop such an attitude? What factors make it difficult for them to acquire it?

Teachers should not be afraid to make mistakes in the use of these technologies. You learn more from mistakes than you do from sucesses. Through trial and error teachers can learn to be more confident. Fear of making a mistake can make it difficult for the teachers.

Chapter 2 Short Answer Questions

Chapter 2 Short Answer Questions
Question 1: Describe the relative advantage of using graphic tools to help students learn new concepts.
Graphic tools are an advantage to students for learning new concepts because it is a step by step method for students to see what they are to do.
Question 2: In Phase 2 of the Technology Integration Planning Model (TIP), teachers focus on the outcomes expected as a result of integrating technology into instruction. List four methods teachers can use to assess the outcomes of the plan.
Four methods that teachers can use to assess the outcomes of the plan are rubrics, checklists, surveys and observation instruments.
Question 3:Describe two advantages of required school and district policies such as policies regarding Internet use, legal and ethical use, and equity.
To ensure the safety of the students to to teach the students proper use of the technology.

Chapter 1 Short Answer Questions

Question 1: Name two advances or developments that have occurred in technology since the 1970s that you feel have had significant effects on education, and explain why these technological changes had such effects.
The development of the microcomputer has made computer technologies more accessable to students in and out of the classroom. This allows students to access a greater wealth of information than ever before and helps to expand a students learning. The internet has also allowed the spread of technology from country to country and it has made the world much smaller.

Question 2: Discuss one emerging trend in technology and the effect it could have on classrooms and schools.
The development in portable devices can have a major efect on the future of the traditional classroom. Portable devices are getting smaller and more acessable to studnts in the classroom. SInce portable devices are becoming more acessable, it will not be uncommon to see more computers used in the classroom. The traditional notebook and pencil may eventually change into notebook computers. One major downfall of this change is the fact that student's spelling has already begun to suffer because of the automatic spellchecker in the word processors used by students.

Question 3: Explain reasons for developing an electronic portfolio.
There are many reasons for developing an electronic portfolio. One major reason is the ability to access this portfolio from anywhere in the world. It makes it very accessable to you without having to carry around a book. Also, you are able to share thh address of the portfolio with perspective employers.

Hi, My name is Carolyn and I am senior at Lock Haven University. Being a senior doesn't mean you are graduating, just that you have a lot of credits. I am majoring in elementary education with a number of minors (math, art, special education, and physics if I can manage to fit in the last two classes) . I am hoping to specialize in Elementary Science eventually.

I have a different view on technology than many people that I have met. I have always had a computer in my home starting with a commodore 64 back in the 80's. Since I have studied engineering previously I understand the importance of technology for future generations.

I am hoping that in this class I will learn ways to implement the technologies in the classroom.