Tech Reflection 2

Description/Experience:

            The technology presented in the last seminar was about Ipads.  We learned a lot about iPads and how they can be used in the classroom.  The women presenting them said that she used them in her classroom with elementary school children.  She used it as a vocabulary builder where the students could use flashcards to work on words.  She also used it for math problems where they could write different answers on the iPad and it would tell them the different steps they needed to subtract.  Another use was an App. Where they got to hold it up in the air and see the different constellations, where they are and what they need.

Application:

            My PDS is a first grade classroom.  I think I could use the iPads in many ways with them to help them learn.  One way that I think I could incorporate them into the classroom would be by getting an App. Where they could practice rhyming words on flashcards.  Another way could be the math application where they could practice adding doubles and one digit numbers.  They could also use the application that allows them to tell a story while it records them, and then they are able to play it back for the class as a presentation.

Learners:

            This classroom is a first grade class so the students are around 6 years old.  All of the students in my class learn at around the same rate, but there are a few that are very advanced and a few that sometimes fall behind.

Learning outcomes:

            At the end of this activity, students will be able to use vocabulary words better and will better understand their meanings.  Another skill that they will have is memorization of double addition facts and of single different number addition problems.  They will also start becoming more comfortable with speaking and getting their thoughts in order by summarizing a book using only their thoughts.

Assessment:

            A way that I could figure out if the students acquired their learning outcomes is by testing them afterwards.  I could use a short quiz or even an oral quiz the tests them on their vocabulary and on their double addition problems.  I would know if the activities worked by giving them the same test before they started using the iPads, then seeing afterwards if they have improved.

-The lesson would begin with me introducing iPads to the classroom.  I will show them how to use them and what to do so that they start to feel comfortable with them.

-I will then introduce the different applications that I would be using (the vocabulary, math, and recorder). 

-After introducing them I will make sure they remember the steps and will have them start working on the applications in small groups of 3 with my guidance and help.

-Each student will get 10 minutes each to do one application.  They will all start with one application; stay on it for 2 weeks, then more forward to a different application so that they get a good range of the different lessons.

Reflection:

            I would represent the content to the students by demonstrating it on the overhead.  I will also write the directions on the board step by step so that they can reference back to it.  After going over it with the whole class, I will also go over it again in the small groups of three and have them practice doing it with me there to make sure they understand.  I think this technology will enhance the understanding of the content because it will be a fun way for them to practice, along with being a massed practice which usually helps with rote learning like vocabulary and addition.

Pedagogy Content:

            It would be presented by the overhead projector and in small groups so that the students can understand and see first hand what needs to be done.  I think a misconception could be the different backgrounds of the students.  I’m sure many of the students have never seen or used an iPad before so they could potentially have trouble at first.  On the other hand, I think that their motivation and confidence will be very high because they always hear about these new technologies and they are around computers, iPods, and cell phones very often.

Technology Content:

            The technology would be used in my activity because the applications are on the iPad.  They would use it to try out the different applications and would also be able to record themselves and also turn it into a podcast that they could share with the class.  Using the technology could help the way I teach this activity by giving me different options of ways to work on the same basic facts.  I think it would seem more exciting for them to practice flashcards on the iPad then to just have them practice regular flashcards.  I think the classroom management would have to change a little because of the iPads.  Since I will only be working in small groups of 3, they will have to be more focused and work together in the group.  The rest of the class will be working on other material with the main teacher so they will have to stay focused on that material, and not get fixated on what they other small groups are doing.

Technology content:

            The content will be enhanced by the technology by making it more exciting and new for the students.  I think it will help the way that the students practice content because it is a different type of learning of the same material.  I think they will like it and be more engaged because it will feel like they are playing a game instead of learning.

Technology Pedagogy Content:

            I think the content could be effectively taught using this technology because it is information that is used often.  It will also be good because it is a drill and practice type of lesson where the different words or math problems come up randomly so they won’t just keep practicing the same problems over and over.  It also gives them instant feedback on the outcome to notify them if they got it correct or not.  This will enhance the way that I teach because it will give more options to the students by having random words and numbers that are in their grade level.  My teaching strategies would be to use small groups, have a pretest and a post test, and to work on the other students with the same material when they are not using the iPad.