Technology Reflection 1

Description/Experience

Last Friday I learned about a website called Edmodo.  It is a social networking site for teachers and other teachers as well as teachers and their students.  It is very similar to Facebook, except the teacher has full control and viewing rights to anything the students post.  On this site teachers can set up their virtual classroom where students can complete assignments, ask the teacher a question both publicly and privately, as well as view grades.  Another benefit of Edmodo is that it can connect the teacher to other teachers of the same and different subjects from around the world.  I can see a lot of potential in Edmodo in my everyday classroom, and I can see the benefit in communicating with teachers from around the world.

 

Application

An activity I could have the students work on that would use this technology could be a webquest.  It would be aimed at middle school students, but 4^th or 5^th graders could probably complete it as well with some guidance.  I would have the webquest be on inherited and learned traits.  To assess the students there would be a short pre-quiz testing their prior knowledge, they would have a worksheet, on the computer in Microsoft Word, to complete while doing the webquest, and finally there would be and ending quiz.  The students would also have to submit the worksheet to Edmodo.  Not only would the students learn about inherited and learned traits, but they would also gain valuable computer skills, such as Internet browsing, and word processing skills.

I would first pass out the pre-quiz and tell the students not to worry too much about it.  After I collected the pre-quiz I would explain the webquest and what exactly what the students will be doing.  I would do this before I even let them on the computer, because the second you let a student in front of a computer, they will stop paying attention to the teacher.  After I explain what they will be doing I would let them sign on to Edmodo.  From there they would download the worksheet and follow the links and complete the worksheet.  After they finish the webquest the students will submit the worksheet on Edmodo.  Once everyone has submitted the worksheet I would have them complete the post-quiz which would not only show how much they have comprehend, but it will also show me how effective the webquest was.  

 

Reflection

Pedagogy-Content:

The webquest would have videos, pictures, interactive pictures, and readings.  It would compare and contrast learned and inherited traits.  This webquest would clear up misconceptions.  If it didn’t completely clear up common misconceptions, the teacher can cover more content depending on the class level and their level of comprehension.

Technology:

Both Microsoft Word and Edmodo are very easy to access and navigate.  Many students now days have a Facebook and would find the transition to Edmodo completely seamless, and even if the students do not have a Facebook due to age or any other reason, Edmodo is very easy to use.  It is one of the user-friendliest websites I have used, even making an account is easy.  Edmodo will give students a way to communicate with the teacher and other students about schoolwork outside of school.  Also many students, even in elementary school, understand how to use Microsoft Word. 

Technology-Pedagogy:

I would make some of the webquests throughout the year group work but this one would be individual work.  This would make it very easy to manage the classroom as well as provide one-on-one work with students that either need it or ask for it.  Since all the information they need to form answers is right in front of them, I would give them very minor hints.   The hardest part about having that many students working on a webquest would be that I would have to make sure everyone is on the correct sites.

Technology-Content:

The technology would simply enhance the material.  Instead of a boring lecture the students would watch fun and interesting videos, as well as read articles supporting both inherited and learned traits.  Each student would complete several small activities that would be purely for fun and learning the content and would not be graded.  They would complete the worksheet once they finished the webquest and submit the worksheet to me on Edmodo.  Once they submitted the worksheet they would get a badge, which would be a positive reinforcement, for completing the work.

Technology-Pedagogy-Content:

I would teach the material via both the webquest and help when students need it.  I would walk around asking if anyone needed help, or keep a vigilant eye to see if anyone raised their hand.  I would also check Edmodo periodically and after the webquest to see if anyone had questions they didn’t want to bring up in class.  By having a variety of activities, videos, pictures, and articles, I am catering to all forms of learning.  Also since the students are locating and learning the material on their own, many students will retain the information better.  As for my teaching strategies, I would remain flexible and would keep a back up plan for if anything didn’t work. Because when ever you work with technology you need to be ready to face anything.