Why Tech Savvy teaching?

I enjoyed learning in class about the different technological resources that we could use as teachers.  I noticed that as we looked at the different standards and objectives that technology wasn't always the best way to present a subject.  But there are certain objectives where technological resources are perfect.  In my own classroom I am certain that I would want to use some of my educational resources purchasing things like the microscope, the temperature probe, and a digital camera.  I also loved the Stellarium site, the google earth site, Virtual Pond site, and the Microbe Zoo site.  Nasa has some very interesing sites with 3D interactive astronomy tools.  World Wind and Celestia are both wonderful educational resources.  I also enjoyed looking at several of my classmates blogs to see what experiments they did and how they used the technology we studied.  I am very impressed with the work that my classmates have done, and I learned so much from them.

Tech Savvy Teacher

Article by: Dorothy Mitchell, Erica Jarvis, Jennilyn Lowe

As Tech savvy Teachers we have been looking for ways to implement technology in the classroom to enhance the learning of our students. For this specific article we looked at the Utah First grade core curriculum Standard 3 Objective 2a. Then we decided on an experiment we could do using the computer program Logger Pro 3 and a Temperature probe that connects to the computer through the USB port.

We set up the experiment by gathering 5 different paper cups with water at different temperature states including: ice, ice water, drinking fountain water, room temperature water, and boiling water. Then we made a prediction and put the cups in order from coldest to hottest. Then to test our hypothesis we used the Temperature Probe and Logger Pro 3 to collect temperature data. Then we saved the data in a graph to compare temperatures.



Predictions








Testing with Temperature Probe








Using Logger Pro3






We found that our prediction was correct. The order that cups should be in was: ice, ice water, fountain water, room temperature water, and then boiling water. The following images are the graphs taken from Logger Pro 3. They show the temperature differences between the hottest and coldest water states.




Temperature graph for ice






Temperature graph for boiling water




The Logger Pro 3 and the Temperature Probe can help enhance students learning of science in many ways. We just showed how it can help with learning about temperature and states of water. The graphs make it easy for students to see the progression of the temperature change. The graphs also visually illustrate the temperature differences. The Temperature Probe provides fun hands on experience for the students and may help improve their technology skills.

Week 3 post

This week in class we talked about TPACK. This is the integration of Technology, Pedagogy, Content, and Knowledge. It tries to help us as teachers see the interactions of these different areas as we teach and realize that they affect each other. They interplay and do not work in isolation. I also was able to learn about Copyright and Fair Use from the tutorials. This was extremely interesting. I was surprised how much media is out there for the use of teachers that is for free. However there are a number of restrictions, most being understood with common sense. We should be responsible and not use anything that would harm the copyright holder. There are some sites that allow you to use their materials without restriction (ie. Creative Commons, Pics4learning, and freeplaymusic.com). Also we should remember that media that we use should be for educational purposes not for entertainment or reward, and should be acquired legally.

Classroom Post 9/10/2008

I enjoyed class today. Learning about RSS was a revelation. I had no idea such things were available. RSS, Really Simple Syndication, is a great way to keep updated on news, hobbies, and classroom resources. I am also excited about starting a book list in my blog and hope that it will become a very valuable asset for me as a teacher. I enjoyed working with the other ECE students who were at my table. I am aware that these social connections that we make in college can be invaluable as we head into the workforce. I hope that we will have more opportunities to interact and get to know each other.

I've had it with technology.

I started my technology class yesterday and am feeling like a 2 year old in a class of 20 year old technology veterans. Hope I can pull this off. I appreciated my classmates around me for giving me a hand when I started sputtering.

I've been taking the TSA tutorials to try to catch up on my computer skills. This is all very uncomfortable for me. I know it is like moving to a new city and learning all the different paths to my favorite stores, etc. I hope people don't mind when I stop and ask for directions.