Chapter 11

Chapter 11 in M.D. Roblyer's Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching discusses integration techniques for math and science technology. I am studying to be a math teacher, so this chapter was very interesting for me. Personally, I found virtual manipulative to be the most interesting technology integration strategy. Basically, virtual manipulative helps students do simulated activities on the computer. These help make abstract topics and idea much more concrete. They let the student actually see what they are working with, and usually let the students figure out their own meaning for certain mathematical topics. The text offered some sample resources of virtual manipulatives. I visited some of the sites and found one that I liked very much: http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/. This site offered so many difference activities to helps students in so many topics in lots of subject areas, such as geometry, algebra, data analysis, etc. The site also offered sample lesson plans that use the manipulatives. I think this site would be very helpful for me as a future teacher, and also to help plan lessons for my classes now.
Technology also helps students with problem solving and seeing actual representation of mathematical ideas. Graphing calculators are a big help in helping understand the symbolic, graphical, and numerical representations of the same data. I have experience with graphing calculators and they really help you visualize things like functions or plots. Also, I have worked with Maple, the computer algebra system. This is like a very advanced calculator on the computer, and it lets you see 3d graphs and figures. I think it is very useful.
The text then moved to talk about integrating technology into science. The text stressed how there is a growing concern about the competition that America is now facing with mathematics, science and technology. I recently went to a talk in which they discussed this recent trend, and it is true that education needs to improve in math, science, and technology. Using technology in math and science classes is a good way to improve this. I think there were a few interesting science integrations of technology. Technology allows students analyze data and create their own spreadsheets and charts. The Internet allows for students to research current data and get up to date information. Also, technology allows for students to see representations of data, phenomena, and scientific processes that would be difficult to understand if just reading about them. For example, photosynthesis or mixing colored light may be processes that are difficult to understand. However, technology has the ability to make these more understandable for students. Students can also see or do other types of simulations. They could mix chemicals, or complete virtual dissections of animals. This could help with costs, and it would also allow for students to complete many more runs of experiments. They could see how a little difference could change an entire situation.
I think that math and science have countless opportunities for technology integration. Also, since technology is rapidly improving, there will most likely be more integration techniques and ideas emerging every day. It is important for teachers to keep up with this. There are so many good resources available that I did not know about, and I think many teachers would be happy to use them.

Chapter 10

Chapter 10 of M.D. Roblyer's Integrating Educational technology into Teaching offers information regarding using technology in English Language Learning and Foreign Language Learning settings. I think it is important to realize the increase of minority students and especially those needed to learn English. ESL students must be grouped by language level and have their individual needs addressed. This is very difficult for teachers to do on their own, and there are many types of technology to help accomplish this. By using technology that can be set for different levels and address individual needs, the teacher can better reach all students. Not only can this type of technology help ESL students, but it can also help students learning a foreign language.
I think that the most important part of learning a new language, whether it be English or a different language is being able to have authentic oral and written practice. There are many different types of technology that can help with this. Multimedia software and interactive storybooks offer individualized instruction. learning games on computers and language labs offer other help. They give practice in not only learning word meanings, but using the language orally, and building listening competence. This is particularly important for a new language. The text also noted that many people in high school take a language for a number of years, but never fully grasp the language or are able to speak it. Personally, this is true for me. Classes should have immersion and opportunities to hear the language in various authentic situations. Technology could help make that happen.
The text also mentioned another idea that I found very interesting. They talked about support for text production, particularly word processing programs in the desired language. I think that this is a great idea with many benefits. I took Spanish is high school but I have never used a Spanish word processor. I think if this word processor had very good spell check and grammar check skills, it would be very beneficial. I also liked the idea of having writing groups, for which students read their writing aloud to a group who then provides feedback and questions. This helps the student want to write and make it correct, and it also gives those listening the chance to hear the language and build listening skills.
Another thing the text mentioned was virtual field trips. I have heard of these and have always thought that they were on the Internet or software received that go to a specific place. However, initially described them a virtual field trip "in which the teacher takes the field trip, videotaping the trip and recording running commentary". I think that this idea would be greatly beneficial for language learners. The teacher could go to any type of place and use vocabulary words and provide them in a real life situation, using other words in the language. Since the teacher would be creating it, he or she would know the level of the students and what they are working on, so it would be individualized or the specific class.
Since learning a new language is such a difficult task, it is important that it is made fun and interactive whenever possible. With new technology emerging all the time, it is very beneficial for teachers to use it to reach their students in new and exciting ways.

Chapter 9

Chapter 9 discussed technology usage in English and Language Arts contexts. At first I thought that this chapter would be useless for me since I am going to be a math teacher, but I think that it had some good points for any teachers. It is important for all teachers to realize that the definition of literacy is expanding with the addition of many forms of technology. Gathering information, creating projects or works of writing, and communicating are all being greatly enhanced by new forms of technology. Teachers need to be aware of this, and they should be up to date with these changes because it is so important for teachers to provide students with the opportunities to integrate this new technology into the learning experiences.
Technology has added many benefits to English classes that can also be touched upon in other classes as well. First, technology allows the classroom to become more of a social learning environment involving others in new ways. Also, the classroom has the capability to become more diverse though Internet resources and communication possibilities.
I think one of the most important benefits is that interactive and visual software is helping to increase student motivation. There are new ways to spur students' interest in reading and in writing. Some websites teach decoding skills by offering interactive speech support and reinforce letter recognition and formation. Some websites offer exercises that may seem more fun to students because they are on the computer or because they engage the students more. Many of these types of websites provide instruction in phonics, decoding, comprehension, and vocabulary without the students really thinking that they are learning or doing "school work". The book offered a few interesting ways that teachers can integrate technology into everyday activities with the class. The text mentioned keeping vocabulary lists in spreadsheets, creating flashcards with electronic presentations, etc.
Technology is also important in improving reading and comprehension development. I think that interactive storybooks and talking books really engage students and allow students who have difficulties reading to still comprehend. Digital storytelling also seems like a great way to help students comprehend stories better. I think that having students read a story and then maybe create a digital story summary, or their own digital story on a certain theme would greatly benefit them. It is also something that they would probably be interested in, so they would be more motivated to do it.
I think that blogs and discussion boards are great ways to motivate students writing skills. These allow students to use the computer and the Internet to post their own ideas or opinions about topics. Not only can they share their own ideas, but students can read and comment about what others have to say.
Finally, the text talked about the generally new idea of writing as a process. I completely agree that writing is a process and there are many steps to generating a good piece of writing or literature. I think that technology plays such an important role in making these different steps much easier for the writer or creator. First, pre-writing, brainstorming, and outlining can be done on the computer or on paper. Ideas can be jotted down, concept maps can be created, and even outlines can even be easily organized on the computer. Drafts can be typed up, and I think most importantly, computers have revolutionized the way we revise and edit our drafts. Due to word processors, revising is so easy. Students can see their work, read over it, make corrections, move things around, etc. Spell checking and grammar checking is easily aided by the computer. Also, it is easy to send documents so that others may proof-read them. Finally, the publishing process has also been greatly enhanced. Students can create works that seem extremely professional. Not only can students create typed papers, but now it is much easier to create brochures, cards, newspaper articles, stories, etc. Also, there are new ways to electronically publish works on the Internet so that others can view them. Technology has truly enhanced English and Language Arts education.

Chapter 8

Chapter 8 basically explained different web-based activities, and how and when to use them in the classroom. On page 252 the text says, "The rule of thumb is that if the activity could be done without the Internet, it probably should be!" I am not sure that I fully agree with the statement. Though maybe a student could open an Encyclopedia to gather information about a topic, using the Internet would probably be easier, more time efficient, and it would allow the student to get used to using the Internet. In a society like today, in which the Internet is becoming used more and more in everyday life, it is important for students to learn how to correctly and efficiently use the Internet for various activities. I think that if using the Internet would add a certain distinct benefit or difference to a lesson, it should be used.
The text described a bunch of example of web-based lessons and projects. A few of these jumped out at me as things that I think would greatly benefit students, and that I may one day use in the classroom. I really like the idea of electronic penpals. As a future high school math teacher, I am not sure how I would use this in my own classroom, but I think it is a really good idea for students of younger grades. It seems like something very interesting, and I wish I could have done something like that as a younger student. Problem-based learning also seemed to interest me. I liked the idea of students collaborating and working together. I think a webquest is such a great idea, and could be really helpful and fun for students. I also really liked the idea of using real world data analysis. This is something I think I could really use in my own classroom. I could have students use to Internet to find real world data about the weather, the stock market, elections, or any interesting topic. The students could then use the real-world data to record data, make predictions, create graphs, etc. These types of activities would help students know how to correctly locate and use information on the Internet. They could also help students who are more visual learners. Finally, they would allow students to collaborate and work together, and possible even use the Internet for some of this collaboration.
The text moves on and begins explaining all of the different functions that websites can have for students. Websites offer so much for students as well as teachers. I think it is very important for teachers to provide their students with many resources, some of which would be best found on certain websites. Most importantly, I think teachers should create their own webpage on which students and parents can find assignments, check a schedule, and contact the teacher. To create websites, HTML, Java, VRML, PERL, etc, are all used. At one point in time, a website could not be created without the knowledge of these different types of programming languages. However, today it is very easy to create a simple and free webpage. For example, we easily created our own site using Google Sites. Everything today is very user-friendly and usually web-development software is not even needed for simple pages.
Today, the Internet is used to download all types of things. First, images are taken off the Internet very frequently. There are copyright laws about using images, but it is very difficult to enforce them, and many people do not even know about them. Downloading programs or plug-ins happens very frequently on the Internet to make it possible for people to view streaming video or audio, to see movies, to view animation in games, etc. Most sites offer free plug-in downloads to see or use their product.
The Internet has expanded in so many ways recently, and it is important for teachers to be up-to-date. Teachers need to know how to use the resources available to them in the best way for the students. Using Internet based activities is highly beneficial for students if used in the correct way. Also, developing a personal website is very important for teachers.

Chapter 7

In this chapter, I learned more about distance learning. I was unaware that there were different types of distance learning. I basically just thought that it meant online courses, and not that it also referred to the use of the Internet and other resources to play other roles in the classroom. I found it very interesting how distance learning has evolved over time. For example, I never thought that distance learning could be done without any type of electronics at all. I thought it was funny that people used to take part in distance learning through post mail, sending audio or video information.
I also learned about different types of distance learning activities. Though I never really thought about running and online course, I actually plan on using some of the distance learning activities described. For example, I will most likely have students research using the Internet. I also plan on having students engage in WebQuests or virtual field trips.
The text talked about the difference between face to face interaction and online courses. I found it very surprising that they considered the benefits to be equivalent and that there was no overall difference from traditional classroom instruction. The text noted research that had been done to find these results, but I would like to know what type of classes were researched. For example for what ages and what subject areas did these findings come from? Since there are so many issues in distance learning, I find it hard to believe that it can be seen as equivalent to face to face learning, especially for younger grades. I found a few issues to be more likely to affect students. For example, online courses may cause students to have poor socialization skills because of the lack of physical interaction with peers in a classroom setting. Also, for particular subjects, such as math and science, it may be difficult for students to visualize problems and complete hands on work. Finally, I think that online courses are beneficial particularly for students with certain characteristics. It works better for students who are responsible, organized, and motivated, and could have negative effects for those who are not.
I found it very interesting that the Internet was first used for the Department of Defense, and how it has now expanded in such massive ways. As a future educator, I found it useful that the text addressed problems that educators may face when dealing with the Internet and its usage in the classroom. For example, teachers must be aware of inappropriate sites, privacy issues, online predators, and viruses. Another problem for teachers is that it is much easier for students to plagiarize and violate copyrights. Personally, I am not aware of all of the copyright rules, but I think that I and others have definitely violated them in many occasions. It is so easy for students to ignore copyright rules, especially for images. I think that a lot of the information found at this part of the chapter explained things about the Internet that I was already aware of because I have been using the Internet for years of my life. For example, it explained information about URLs, how to navigate the net, how to bookmark sites, and how to use search engines. A lot of this information is vital to using the Internet, but many people are already aware of this, particularly young students. I think that it is very important for teachers to talk to their students about the Internet and the issues that are associated with it. In particular, I think that teachers must stress to students that all information on the Internet is not always true and that students must make sure sites are reliable before they use them for information.
The Internet offers many benefits for education in the form of communication. Email makes it easier for teachers to communicate with students and with parents. Electronic bulletin boards such as the Blackboard that students at Seton Hall use, offers so many benefits. Teachers can contact all students, post assignments, lead discussions, and so much more. There are also a lot of benefits for students from blogging. Like we are doing in this class, students can blog about their thoughts on certain readings. They could also blog about personal experiences, or creative writing pieces for different classes. The text also discussed chatrooms and instant messaging. Though these are great ways to communicate, they have not been used very much in the classroom yet.
From this chapter, I learned about the benefits of the Internet in the classroom, for all different things. When discussing distance learning as online courses, I learned about how it is important for these courses to be extensively planned. Also, the best online courses use collaborative activities and interactive learning communities. It is important that students connect with each other and the teacher if they wish to learn something from their distance learning course. As a future educator, I may one day be offered a job for which I would have to run a distance learning course over the Internet or another server. I actually think that I may consider doing this if I was prepared with the right materials.