Station Rotation

This year my math class consisted of 32 students.  In order to meet the needs of all learners, I divided them into two math groups.  Technology enhanced my use of learning stations in the classroom.  Students practiced basic facts on Math Facts in a Flash.  They received instruction and practice from Education Galaxy.  They also logged onto Google Classroom for an individualized lesson.  Technology saved my math class!

To Use Technology or Not to Use Technology?

My colleague and I were having one of our many discussions concerning technology this week.  She is particularly concerned that it may be harmful to add more screentime into our students' lives when we know they are already spending multiple evening hours in front of the screen.  I understand the concern, but most of me thinks it's still a good idea.  Our students use technology for entertainment.  As they mature and grow, this entertainment may even encompass activities for which technology shouldn't be used.  This is where educators can help.  We can educate children about ways technology can be used for learning and breaking barriers.  If we teach them proper use of technology, hopefully it will carry over into their free time as well. 

Education Galaxy

My students absolutely love Education Galaxy. It very colorful, engaging, and hit Reading, Math, and Language Arts. As the complete lessons, they earn different rockets and aliens. Definitely a PLUS for student engagement.

Technology in the Classroom

Through this class, I have learned to navigate different types of technology that are very beneficial for my classroom. My Blog, "Fourth and Fifth on Fleek", is probably my favorite experience from this class, with my web quest running a close second. I have used web quests in my classroom before, but mainly by giving students different websites to explore and complete different tasks with the information. I also liked using the podcast and screencast and seeing different ways they can be used in the classroom, my only downfall to those are downloading programs for them to be used. This is difficult to do on technology that requires admin to download new programs. Over all, I enjoyed this class and learned a lot of useful techniques that can be used in classroom currently.

Blogger Status

With the rise of social media, has come the rise of blogging. Instagram came into our lives less than 5 years ago, and since the rise of becoming "insta-famous", has become the rise of "blogger status". Blogging has taken over; and now has even become a 6 figure + salary job. I have found myself following certain bloggers; wether they be lifestyle, fashion, food, or education, I keep a daily tab on my favorites. I want to do what these "bloggers" do, and have yet to be disappointed by their suggestions. Until this class, I wasn't really sure what all it took to create, manage, and update a blog, and now see how it can be someone's full time job. I love blogging!!

Most students have an 800 dollar computer in their pockets, why are they not using it?

As i walked around my classroom on the first day of school observing my students and going over classroom expectations I felt my phone buzz in my pocket.  More than likely this was just a notification or a text message, and I disregarded the moment.  Just at that moment I clicked to the next slide on my powerpoint that stated the school policy for cell phones "No cell phones used throughout the day except for lunch and before school begins." This prompted me to get out my cell phone and demonstrate for the class what this expectation meant, secretly knowing I could also check my notification at the same time. As I demonstrated, I saw my notification was from Archeology magazine, they had recently discovered a comb from 2500 years ago.  Awesome, I thought to myself. At this very moment I began to wonder why we weren't using these incredible devices in the classroom.  Out of curiosity I asked my students how many had smart phone devices in their pockets every student but one raised there hand.  Incredible I thought.  Incredible how all of us could be holding a 500-800$ tiny computer in our pocket that receives instant information and sends instant information but we are not aloud to use it until lunch.  Thomas Jefferson, one of the smartest men in American History, is said to have the most extensive library of our founding fathers, and had read most of his books.  Being in the 1700's I can't imagine his library was that extensive as wikipedia or simply google.  Yet, he wrote the declaration of independence and is considered an American hero.  My point is this, our students today have access to more information and a quicker rate then ever before. But we are not a loud to use it until lunch? After giving this some contemplation I asked myself what Jefferson would do? I came to the conclusion of Revolution.  That year in my class smart phones were used for almost everything from assessments, to learning, and feedback.  This revolution, much like Jeffersons, was successful and inspired other revolutions throughout campus.

Technology a Brief History and The Correlation to the Classroom

Technology is defined as any new creation that makes life easier for us all.  10,000 years ago that was agriculture, 800 years ago that was a gun, and 9 years ago that was the smart phone.  For teachers and students, technology has fortunately been developed incidentally for the classroom, to help make both the students and teachers lives easier.  Much like those first farmers 10,000 years ago we are still learning.  What works and what doesn't work, how to use technology effectively and why it is important our students learn these skills for the future.  Through this class we have had the opportunity to learn how to use some of this amazing techniques for the classroom.  And just like for the people that invented the gun 800 years ago, teachers are loaded to ensure our students are ready for the 21st century.  These ideas and skills that we have learned throughout this class are hands down some of the most useful skills I have learned during my Masters program.  And although the smart phone was invented just nine years ago, I feel more comfortable standing up in front of a class today than ever before saying "Alright guys, lets get out our smart phones."

Corey Waters