Classroom Websites

https://sites.google.com/a/eagles.usm.edu/ms-lindley-s-3rd-grade-room/home

Blogfolio Post

Dawn Lindley

IT 365 Fall 2012

Blog folio

 

                Going into this class, I was very apprehensive.  I felt I knew enough about computers and technology to get me into trouble.  Since taking this class, I have learned so much about technology and its different roles in life and education.   It is a wonderful tool that has helped our society advance for the better.

                I feel I have gained the knowledge I need to incorporate the use of movies, concept maps and web pages into my curriculum as a future teacher.  And though I do not know everything there is to know about technology, I have more confidence in my abilities when using it.  I am still having problems with the blogging but I plan to continue to use my blog throughout the rest of my academic and professional career.   

                I did not know that all computers were equipped with assistive technology tools to help those with disabilities.  I learn quite a lot during this section as well as the section on copyright laws.  I believed you needed to buy special programs designed for a specific disability for your computer to make is accessible to those who were handicapped.    As far as the copyright laws, I knew they were there, I just did not know to what extent teachers and students could use materials when doing presentations or projects for educational purposes.

                I know if I continue to work with the different technology that is available to me and polish up on my skills, I will become more advanced and will be more of an asset to my students.   I believe educational systems, even in the lower levels, will soon be using technology in every aspect of the school curriculum.  Teachers and students alike will be using technology on a regular basis and every student may soon have their own computer or tablet at school instead of the traditional school books.

                I will incorporate technology into all areas of the curriculum.  I will develop a website for my students and my parents to be informed of important information and events.  I will have students create movies, power points and concept maps to help them explore their creative sides as well as to help them use critical thinking skills.  Blogging will be used as well for certain group projects and for pod cast in the event students should need more information on a topic. 

                In conclusion, this course has opened so many new avenues of technology that I did not have a clue how to use or was fearful of using.  I will continue to use these tools and I will continue to seek educational opportunities to assist in building my knowledge and skills as I continue my education.  It is my goal to be proficient and knowledgeable in the use of technology so that I may be an asset to my future students and their parents.

               

Assistive technology in Education

Assistive technology can provide both routine and customized access to the general curricula for students with disabilities allowing them to participate in the daily functions of the classroom.
Assistive technology has the potential to augment abilities and, bypass or compensate for barriers that disabilities create (Lewis, 1994). This and following modules address the potential of assistive technologies as they relate to specific disabilities and life tasks. For children with disabilities in public school classrooms, assistive technologies are their tools to extend their physical, social and communicative abilities. They also provide the means for academic and cooperative inclusion.


http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Foundation/intro/index.php

Ethical uses of Technology

Technology is used in the classroom on a daily basis but it is important for teachers and students alike to know the guidelines and laws when using information for educational purposes.  Plagerism is a huge problem in the upper grade levels and students should be made aware that it will not be tolerated.  It is the same as cheating or stealing. 
Educational material usually comes with permission to use for educational purposes only and is not to be used for profit at all.  Penalties, fines and or imprisonment are the punishments for not following copyright laws.  Students should be taught how to site references and give credit where credit is due when using someone elses work in assignments.

Web pages

Web pages are used throughout the school districts to inform the parents, faculty and students of important and useful information.  Teachers can use web pages as a way to keep parents informed of important assignments, upcoming events, and changes in the curriculum and as a point of contact for the parents.  The students and the parents are able to access homework assignments and classwork assignments should the child miss class.  Teachers are able to post helpful links to sites for parents and students in the event they need more information on an assignment.

Web Tools in Education

4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices.

Teachers:

c. promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information

 

Technology is an important tool for teachers to be able to incorporate into their students’ curriculum but the students must know how to use this technology safely and responsibly.  Facebook, blogs, twitter, you tube are all great resources for students to be able to create and communicate with each other but if teachers are going to require the students to complete research using the web, it is the teachers responsibility and duty to assure the students are given the correct sites to explore and are monitored on a regular basis to make sure they are not going to sites that are harmful or inappropriate.

Podcasts and blogs can be used to share information on assignments as a group project or it can be used for the students to communicate ideas with the teacher and other students.