Check it Out!

 This is the link to my website...check it out and tell me what you think!

https://sites.google.com/a/student.fairfield.edu/tmgarr/

Semester Reflections

I wasn't really sure how I was going to manage in this course because I have to admit that I am not the most knowledgable in technology. However, I have found that this course has introduced many new resources and programs that can be useful in my classroom. I particularly like the programs such as picnik as well as the digital photostory because I feel like students would really enjoy constructing and developing their own stories as a way to enhance their knowledge or practice the subject matter. I did struggl a little bit with photoshop just because there were so many steps and processes to go through but with some extra help I was better able to understand it.

I hope for the second half of the semester we are able to continue exploring good technology resources that will be useful in my classroom. I have to just think about how each resource can help students understand a foreign language and keep them interested in the language. I would also like to get some more practice using the smartboard and some other resources.

Seeking Truth in Inquiry-Based Learning

I've tried to think back to my educaional experiences and the type of learning that took place in the classroom. I would like to think that I was exposed to this inquiry based learning, especially in certian classes. However, I think many of my classes took on a more traditional approach that didn't allow for much exploration outside of the textbook materials. Classes such as science, history and foreign language have more concrete concepts that require a more narrow thought process. At Fairfield I have had the ability to gain more experience with inquiry-based learning and expand my knowledge and understanding of materials by looking at various resources that would enhance my educational experience.

I think in my classroom I would ultimately like to incorporate inquiry-based learning. I think so many students have been discouraged from learning a foreign language because they see it as a challenge and not very applicable to their own lives. I want the students to be able to look for new ways to appreciate foreign language and see its importance in today's society. If they are able to question things and take initiative to explore these questions they may have an increased interest in learning Spanish.

How to copy, right

It may be really easy to access information nowadays through the internet, but more recently that easy access seems to be getting some people into trouble. The whole idea of copyrighted materials and laws protecting these materials presents a challenge to usage, especially in the classroom. As we have been discussing and reading in class, educators have been fortunate enough to have an easier time getting away with using copyrighted materials in the classroom because its usage falls under an umbrella of "for educational purposes" only. After discussing the answers to the copyright quiz, I was surprised to see that many of the examples provided were actually allowing the use of copyrighted materials in a legal way. This is an added benefit for educators, however, I don't think it keeps them in the clear. I think many need to be more cautious in the material they are using and for what purposes. Even if it is for educational purposes, the usage, manipulation and distribution of certain copyrighted materials can really hurt educators, especially when caught partaking in any of these actions. I think in the future, more restrictions may be placed on this usage and educators will have to come up with new ways to use materials so as to not be taking away from the protection that creator has put on the materials.

Value Added

As technology is made more and more accessible it becomes a very beneficial addition to the educational environment. In looking at Dexter's eTips, much of the discussion shows how technology can be implemented in schools so as to add to the curriculum and help the students to further their knowledge and understanding. According to Dexter, the addition of technology allows for teachers to achieve what would not normally be possible when confined to certain educational resources. Teacher must focus on what technology can do to for their students and helps them to better develop the goals and outcomes of the class. In order for teachers to know what technology is appropriate for the unit or lesson they must know what outcomes they wish to achieve. The added value of technology also adds to the learning process of the students. They have greater access to information and ideas which then allows students to expand their knowledge of the world so as to prepare them to be active citizens in society.

I think Dexter's eTips as well as technology in the classroom fit into the standards of the UDL. It certainly offers a means of engagement for the students because they have the ability to explore what interests them and use technology that they have access to in their daily lives. It gives them an incentive to complete work when they are able to do something they enjoy. I think technology also allows the students better comprehend things because they can see things represented/presented in a new way. It expands beyond the confines of a textbook. Overall, I think technology is becoming a critical part of the modern day classroom and is helping students gain a better learning experience.

Common Core Standards

For foreign language instruction, a lot of the focus for the curriculum centers around the 5 C standards of communication, connections, communities, comparisons and cultures. In regards to this class I think the most important aspect of these core standards would revolve around the idea of connections and communication. I think these aspects of the standards best use technological resources to enhance the students educational experience. Students would be able to achieve greater communication and make connections while acquiring and using information from a variety of resources.

I believe technology plays a crucial role in foreign language instruction nowadays. Not only is it going to help achieve these standards but it opens the door for greater understanding of other cultures and allows very accessible information regarding the language and the cultures associated with the language. I think students are better able to immerse themselves in this information which previously had been difficult unless they had experienced the culture firsthand. Technology makes for a better communication and understanding of the world that cannot be seen in a textbook.

ISTE

The International Society for Technology in Education is one blog site that I chose to examine mainly because of the title. I think I was drawn to it because I am a foreign language educator and anything with the word international seems to stick out. However, while I was reading through some of the posts, I noticed how it was a good sharing resource of ideas for the use of technology in the classroom. Some things that I found particularly interesting was the blog postings on the use of social media for educational purposes. I was surprised to find in the blog post: "Using Social Media", that there are in fact many educational groups that use twitter or LinkedIn to discuss opinions of education and helpful resources that can be used in the classroom. I also liked that it is something that will be appealing to students who already use the social media in their everyday lives.

The blog entitled "Snow Day on Twitter" also showed the effectiveness of using this social media for educational purposes. The girl that was described in the blog post was able to use Facebook to connect with other students in the class and created a note, similar to a Google document, where numerous students were able to add information. Because it is such a widely used resource, students were able to make it relevant to their educational experience as well. I think this shows the capability of using these resources in the classroom instead of eliminating them from the educational environment altogether.