In my own classroom, the students have had the opportunity to use IPads in various ways. We have used them to retell stories with the camera, tell about math shapes around the room, and to scan QR codes to listen to stories and practice literacy skills such as letter sounds or sight words.
I had the opportunity to complete a Project Based Inquiry project with a partner at my current school. We looked at the question- "How can we incorporate technology into Daily 5 literacy program?" We used my colleague's 2nd grade class to show different ways we had the students using technology with ipods and computers. We also interviewed the students who were using the different types and asked what they liked about using technology. It provided a lot of insight into how technology can be successful to use in the literacy area and how much students enjoy it.
In my ECI 513: Videography of Education class, I learned how to be innovative with integrating technology and teaching. I learned a lot about creating videos and incorporating video into my own classroom.
A few of the things I took from this class that connected with my compelling question about learning strategies for diversity in my students are below:
A few of the things I took from this class that connected with my compelling question about learning strategies for diversity in my students are below:
- Learning can be fun! Creating these different types of videos (still images, historical memory, public service announcement, etc.) made me think creatively and how I could use fun videos to engage my students.
- Technology can be challenging, but is requires perserverance and patience. Reading requires these 2 qualities as well.
- Students LOVE to use technology- especially this generation of kids. They have the opportunity to use a Smartboard, Laptops, Ipads, and Kindle in my own classroom each day.
I am a Teacher Leader Corps leader at my school and will be for the next 2 years (3 year commitment). I have been attending trainings based on Discovery Education. There are 4 teachers from every school in Wake County attending these workshops throughout the year. I have learned a lot about incorporating technology into my lessons and how to use a short clip to make an impact in what we are studying.
For example, I did an author study about Kevin Henkes and we read Chrysanthemum and the next day we watched Owen on Discovery Education. Then the students compared the two stories by using a venn diagram. It's important to use technology, but not all the time. The students need exposure to books and have modeling by the teacher. But, it is engaging to add in new ways to teach reading through the use of a great tool like Discovery Education.
For example, I did an author study about Kevin Henkes and we read Chrysanthemum and the next day we watched Owen on Discovery Education. Then the students compared the two stories by using a venn diagram. It's important to use technology, but not all the time. The students need exposure to books and have modeling by the teacher. But, it is engaging to add in new ways to teach reading through the use of a great tool like Discovery Education.