Prezi Presentation

Prezi Presentation on incorporating technology into education and physical education

http://prezi.com/b1oj-hokwfnr/present/?auth_key=dxostjx&follow=kena1dnygtao#4

Jing Tuitorial

This week for class, we were to create a tuitorial on an online instructional tool. I chose to complete a tuitorial using Jing on Quest Garden, a WebQuest design site. My tuitorial can be found at:

http://screencast.com/t/Ioc40JYY2

This is the first time that I have made a video tuitorial and I will not lie, it was a very hard and frustrating process! The process of getting familiar with Quest Garden and Jing at the same time was complicating to me. I have heard about tuitorials before, and viewed a few online, but never thought about creating one myself.

Yes, I was frustrated when doing it but when it was done, I was excited to see it all put together! I was proud of the product and am excited to make another one! ( After a little break first, of course!) Tuitorials can be so informational. If anyone else is trying to use Jing, here is a very beneficial Jing video I watched: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrPm1tQENl8. This makes Jing a very easy tool to use!

After making my video, I started to think of ways to use/make them in physical education. I was thinking about making videos for students to watch on how to perform different skills such
as throwing, catching and kicking. It wouldn't take over my teaching, more just provide students with another instructional tool to learning. I think it would also be fun if the students were to create videos, having them create videos would help teachers see if the students learned the information and for them to show their skills!

Take a look at my Prezi Presentation on why we should incorporate technology into education and physical education: http://prezi.com/b1oj-hokwfnr/present/?auth_key=hqn64h7&follow=kena1dnygtao

Web 2.0 and mLearning

Teaching in the 21^st century can become very confusing to some! Today, instead of textbooks and encyclopedias, schools are focusing on using web 2.0 sites and mobile learning. According to Shelly, Gunter, & Gunter (2012) web 2.0 sites are, “web sites that allow users to modify Web site content, provide a means for users to share information” (p.485).  As a teacher, web 2.0 sites can be very beneficial. They can provide teachers with lesson plan ideas or classroom management techniques, while allowing other teachers to add their comments or ideas as well.  Schools are also using mobile learning techniques in the classroom which can be defined as, “a type of learning that incorporates the use of cost efficient, lightweight, portable devices such as smarthphones or tablet computers” (Shelly, Gunter, & Gunter, 2012, p.474). To incorporate mobile learning, also known as mlearning, into schools many teachers are implementing a program called bring your own device (BYOD).

Programs like web 2.0, mobile learning and bring your own device are starting to gain ground in education because there has been positive benefits observed in the classroom. The first, and probably the greatest benefit in my mind is the impact it has on student participation and interest in learning. Everyone knows these days many kids have cell phones or facebook to communicate with their friends, so why wouldn’t they be excited to use them in school? Students learn to use their devices for learning purposes and not just the social aspect that many of them are used for in daily use. Students are so familiar with technology and how to use it so why not give them the creativity. With the use of technology and these programs, students have the freedom to express themselves and learn at the same time. Web 2.0 sites allow students to participate in blogs, share documents and information with other students (and teachers too!), and video chats/conferences. These programs are teaching students skills that they will need in the future, for their careers, along with improving critical thinking and problem solving skills. They have observed positive effects of using these programs in classrooms but there are also challenges.  

The biggest challenge school districts are facing when thinking about incorporating programs like this in the classroom is putting a policy in place. Making sure that ALL students are using web 2.0 and mobile learning properly and safely while individually learning seems like a huge responsibility on the teacher and school. Unlike BYOD program, where students bring their own devices to school, what about the cost of the technology if schools are going to provide them? The cost of first purchasing, training teachers and then fixing/replacing these items may cost school districts a lot of money. Classrooms are lucky to have three working computers in their classroom right now, think if each class had a set of iPads or iPods.  

In my opinion, if school districts can find a policy that will work for these programs to be used in schools, do it! Students are already knowledgeable of technology, so why not embrace and use their strengths. Some may feel that these programs will just become the past, but I believe that technology is here to stay and is a very important skill to know. We know too, that in the future these skills will be more needed in the workforce.

Reference:

Shelly, G.B. , Gunter, G. A. , & Gunter, R. E. (2012). Teachers Discovering Computers Integrating Technology in a Connected World (7^th ed.). Boston, MA: Course Technology.

Need for Technology

Incorporating Technology into Learning and Teaching can not Only Benefit Students but Teachers as Well!

            Teachers could spend hours writing up lessons and thinking of creative ways to teach their students. Today, in the 21st century, teachers have the web at their finger tips to research, find, and exchange ideas with other teachers. As said by many, there is no reason to "re-invent the wheel".... share ideas!

            Students now days definite live in the century of technology. They have smart phones, computers, social networking sites, and video games. What better than taking their skills and apply them in the school setting! It is another way to develop skills of a "well-rounded" individual:

                     

Technology can improve student communication skills, which we all know is a very difficult skill to practice and learn. When put in the situation to work on a group project at a computer, students have to communicate and cooperate with one another to accomplish the task at hand.

Technology gives students the freedom to express themselves and their creativity. When working on a computer or tablet, you have so many fonts, colors, themes, and options to choose from. Students are still learning the material but are finding fun and exciting ways to display what their learning in their own ways.

Technology has improved the means to the word, "research". Students no longer are just restricted to text books for information but now can find anything through the use of google. It is amazing how available everything is but students also learn the importance of evaluating and analyzing the data they find.

            We live in the 21st century, a place where we are lost without our technology. Being technology savy is an important skill now and will be an even greater asset in the future for individuals to know, so why stop our kids from learning it? If you think, students are still learning the same requirements but teachers are incorporating the skills that are very familiar and beneficial for the students. These skills that technology can teach a student are ones they are going to need when it comes their turn to go into the "real-world" and find a job.