Reflective Post

As a future educator becoming proficient using technology is a must. This class, EME2040, have helped me appreciate how important technology is when teaching this new generation of children that are known as the iGeneration (Maloy, et al, 2013, p. 3). In order to get students attention, we, teachers, need to understand how to use technology as a tool. Implementing technology in schools would allow students to be skillful when working with 21st century literacies and for anything the future hold for them. 

This video explains how education have changed and still changing due to technological advancements. 

During this semester, I was introduced to Web 2.0 tools and I learned how to develop Wikis, WebQuests, Blogs, Electronics Portfolios and other interesting technological tools that I will be using to enhance my future lesson plans. Since this class was online, I was able to also strengthen my communication, critical thinking, technology/information management, and global socio-cultural responsibilities skills to able to meet the standards the curriculum had for us. Also, this class showed me how to create rubrics and that has allowed me to be better at understanding them when I see one. One of the activities I enjoyed the most were the Discussion Boards, they made possible for all of my online classmates to interact with each other while exploring and debating about different topics.

In conclusion, teachers must keep up with advancements in technology. By doing so, students would benefit by acquiring 21st century skills. The following video will give you a  better understanding of what I mean.

Resources:

1. Blog (n.d.) In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 22, 2015, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog
2. Electronic portfolio (n.d.) In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 22, 2015, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_portfolio
3. Jiayong (2011, Jan 18). 21st Century Education. [Video File] Retrieved June 22, 2015, from 
   https://youtu.be/O35n_tvOK74 
4. Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
5. Teknolojileri, Bilisim (2013, March 22). 21st Century Skills. [Video File] Retrieved June 22, 2015, from https://youtu.be/qwJIhZcAd0I
6. WebQuest (n.d.) In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 22, 2015, https://en.wikipedia.org/title=WebQuest
7. Wiki (n.d.) In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 22, 2015, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki

Digital Blog Post #E - Chapters 4 & 9

In chapter 4 & 9, we went over concepts that opened my eyes and allowed me to see how much technology has evolved. Nowadays, technology is used as a tool that makes the job of the educator much easier and allows him to interact with the students in many different ways. Technology can help create and develop a lesson plan.

Enhancing Lesson Development with Technology
Teachers use technology to facilitate their job when looking and developing lesson plans. As a future teacher I would use technology to help me fulfill my lessons. I am sure it will provide me with examples and different lessons plans previously used before by other teachers. I would always keep in mind that my main goal is to know what to teach, how to teach it, and know what the students are going to learned.

Approaches to Lesson Planning
Lesson planning plays an important role on teachers' every day life. They must organize their goals, methods and procedures to determine their lessons. There are two approaches:

1. Student Learning Objective: It focus on the outcomes. As a teacher, I would make sure my students are active learners in order to meet the goals I will be trying to accomplish. I would adapt my lessons to make it understandable for everyone.
2. Understanding by Design (UBD): "It is a curricular development set forth in a series of books by educators Grant Wiggins and Jay Mc Tighe" (Maloy, et al, 2013, p. 78). As a educator I would work hard trying to make my future students remember the relevant ideas from the subject, to remember it, and to implement it when is necessary.

By ocastillo91

Podcast and Vodcast as Tools for Teaching
Podcast are Vodcast are technologies that allows for teacher and students to record their voices (or use someone else's voice), make it an audio file (with the appropriate audio software), post it (online), and distribute it. These two technologies are very portable and can be use practically anywhere at anytime of the day (Maloy, et al, 2013, p. 234). I can say podcast and vodcast work because I used them. I feel like they allow me to access it on my own times.

In conclusion, this two chapter have me a better understating of how teachers can use technology as a tool to be able to create lessons for our students.

Resources:

1. Castillo, O. (2015) " Blogger 5" Retrieved June 14. Created with http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=11541871&height=267&width=2002015
2. Castillo, O (2015, June 14). "Approaches" Retrieved June 14. Created with http://www.toondoo.com/View.toon?param=9067447
3. Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
4. Orlando.F.Castilo (2015, June 14) "Technology" Retrieved June 14, 2015, from https://magic.piktochart.com/output/6645907-untitled-presentation

Digital Blog Post #D - Chapters 6 & 10

After reviewing chapter 6 and 10 in the book, I can see how technology is beneficial for the students if the teachers know how to work with it. Being proficient in the new technological advancements is a must because it would allow us to reach all of our future students. By understanding the content of the websites, teachers are able to limit the intake of information to only credible sources. This would allow for students to learn the steps to access and analyze information properly. Also, technology can be use as tool to help students with disabilities in process known as Assistive Technology.

Educational Websites as Teacher Resources
"An educational website is a source of Internet-based digital content specifically designed with K-12 learning goals in mind"(Maloy, et al, 2013, p. 144). This does not mean all the educational websites would work the same way. As future teachers, we need to look for the ones that fit our students the best. Our search can be focus on websites that received prestigious awards such as the Webby Awards and American Association of School Librarians (AASL). Transforming Learning with New Technologies (2013)  presented us with six types of educational websites for teachers and students to use of academic learning.

1. Lesson Plan Websites: In this websites teachers search for ideas that could be implemented in class. They also look for lesson plans that are relate to the curriculum they are currently teaching.
2. Student-to-Expert Communication Websites: This websites allow for students to interact with people around the world that are professional in different fields. Students can ask questions and share ideas with them.
3. Real-Time and Recorded Data Websites: Students are able to experience things as if they were actually present during the event. (i.e.. Virtual Field Trips)
4. Archival and Primary Sources Websites: Give students access to libraries museums, and the organizations. They can access all of these places from their computers.
5. Skills Practice Websites: These websites allow for teachers to maintain students busy, working on different activities. While they are assisting other students.
6. Exploration and Discovery Websites: These websites give students a view of how beautiful is to discover new things. Students are completely engage with the different activities these websites provide.

Using Educational Websites and Apps Interactively
Not all the websites are interactive. Many of them follow the old way of teaching, where information is presented just to be read. In order for websites to be classified as "Excellent Educational Websites," they need to have the following features:

• Interactive: These websites must keep the students busy by interacting with them. These interactions can be reflected on doing activities such as answering questions, searching for answers, etc.
• Exploration: In order to keep the students entertain, these websites make students look for the answers instead of just providing them. 
• Engagement: The information in the website is allow for students to be engage at all times. 

This website give you access to different websites where you will see these 3 concepts

Assistive Technology to Reach Diverse Learners

Nowadays, technology is also use as a tool to assist students with disabilities. This technology is known as "Assistive Technology." This article give us a good explanation how important is for students, teachers, and parents to get to know what is out there to make the life with people with disabilities much easier. The use of these technologies allow for students to disabilities to engage in the class and actively participate.

Resources:

1. BrainLine (n.d.) Assistive Technology 101. Retrieved June 7, 2015, from http://www.brainline.org/content/2009/11/assistive-technology-101_pageall.html
2. Espinoza, Patricia (2015, Feb 10). 10 FREE Homeschool Teaching Resources Websites Preschool to Grade 12. [Video File] Retrieved June 7, 2015, from https://youtu.be/LvdwIMSyE_Y
3. Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
4. RefSeek- Reference Directory. (n.d.) Retrieved June 7, 2015, from http://www.refseek.com/directory/

Digital Blog Post #C - Chapters 7 & 8

Hardware and Software for Teaching and Learning



Teaching Problem Solving with Computers

BY OCASTILLO91_Resolving Problems with Tech_WWW.BISTRIP.COM

Electronic Communication between Teachers and Students

Nowadays, teachers and students have many ways to communicate among each other:

E-mail 
Text Messaging
Teacher or Classroom Website
Blogs
Online Discussions
Wikis

In EME2040, we are learning the ways of communication while we practice them. I believe that is the best way to become proficient in these areas.


Resources:

Castillo, O (2015, May 31). "EME2040 Ch.7" Created with&nbsp https://www.gliffy.com/go/publish/8244347

Castillo, O (2015, May 31). "Resolving Problems with Tech" Created with http://www.bitstripsforschools.com/comics/PK49D1/

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Digital Blog Post #B - Chapters 3 & 5

Chapter 3 & 5 have opened my eyes and showed how much technology has influenced in the way teachers instruct their students. Nowadays, teachers show the importance of knowing how to access and assess information while using critical thinking. This is taught with the use of distinct learning theories. Thanks to technology and the Internet, information is available to anyone at anytime of day. "Teachers and students must become their own search experts, fact-checkers, and information analyst when working online"(Maloy, et al, 2013, p. 98)

Education around the world is changing, schools are moving from a Teacher-Centered approach to a Learner-centered approach. These two approaches differ from each other and you can see it on the next video.

Developing Digital Literacy 

Students now learn the different literacies needed to access and assess information from different search engines in a era known as "Information Age"(Maloy, et al, 2013, p. 55)

By ocastillo91 |

Students from this generation are surrounded for huge amounts of information. They can get a hold of it 24/7. All of they need is access to the Internet. Teachers train students showing them how to use search engines to conduct online information searches. This process is known as the "Web Informational Retrieval" (Maloy, et al, 2013, p. 105), where individuals try to find information using keywords plugged into and infinite numbers of online libraries around the world. I believe this is good as long as the people know how to properly analyze the information found, getting rid off of what they do not need. In order to become responsible digital citizens, educator are in charge to show students appropriate ways to use technology. This help students to develop a "Strong commitment to digital ethics and digital etiquette in schools and society" (Maloy, et al, 2013, p. 117). I have been lucky enough to have teachers, friends, and professors that have explained me how to properly quote and cite my papers in school. I can say that in this class, EME 2040, we are learning how to become a responsible digital citizen. 

In conclusion, technology and education are changing teachers, students, and parents lives. The Internet could be a dangerous places but as long as we follow the rules and use critical thinking, we should not have to worry.

Resources:

1. Castillo, O (2015, May 24). "Digital Literacy" Created with http://www.toondoo.com/View.toon?param=8985105
2. Chaela 1209 (2012, May 7). From the Teacher-Directed to the Student-Centered classroom. [Video File] Retrieved May 24, 2015, from https://youtu.be/P09PvuX6xQo
3. Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Digital Blog Post #A - Chapters 1 & 2

After reviewing chapter 1 and 2, I have made connections with previous lessons I have seen about technological advancements. I understand that technology is a constantly changing and moving forward. In education, "Technology potentially transforms every learning activity"(Maloy, et al, 2013, p. 5). In order for educators to stay afloat with all the new inventions, they need to constantly educate themselves with what is going on around them. In this blog I will be mainly focusing on three concepts:

1. Today's students and technology
2. Teaching 21st century learners with 21st century technologies
3. Barriers to technology use

Today's Students and Technology

In the world we live in, children are expose to technology starting at a young age. Kids are able to manipulate computers, have access to the Internet, and interact with each other using social media. As educators, we need to be able to know how to implement these tools when teaching in class. This generation of kids was born starting the late 1990s. According to Maloy, et al (2013) this generation of kids live what is know as a "Digital Childhood"(p. 3). When using technologies with students, teachers need to understand that there will be differences of knowing how to use these new advancements among the students because not every student has the same exposure to it. Finding ways to make this technological journey enjoyable for the youngsters is of big importance for the instructors. Also, instructors show students how to use the new advancements as tools for their education.

Teaching 21st century learners with 21st century technologies

Nowadays, teachers are responsible to teach students 21st century skills. These skills will get them prepare to work with modern technology. The schools job is not only to show the kids how to use it but also how to use it creatively and efficiently. This video from Australia give us a clear explanation how the 21st century is impacting education in the world and how important is for children to learn how to use this new technologies.

Barriers to technology use

Implementing technology in schools is not as easy as many think it is. Schools and teachers need to follow procedures and many times technology is not an option. One of the reasons of the lack of use technology in schools is the budget schools have. Also, parents are against how technology is use in education because some do not fully understand it. Teachers face many obstacles and we can read them in this article. 


In conclusion, the 21st century have brought many changes to society and education is not the exception. Nowadays technology is a must in schools; it is used inside and outside classrooms to make the interaction between teachers and students easier. As part of teaching, educators introduce students to many new digital and electronic tools. Not every children is lucky enough to be part of these technological advancements and instructors nee to find ways to deal with digital inequality and parcipation gaps

Resources:

1. AITSL (2012, May 7). 21st Century Education. [Video File] Retrieved May 17, 2015, from https://youtu.be/nA1Aqp0sPQo
2. Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
3. Cathleen Norris and Elliot Soloway (2011, Nov/Dec). The 10 Barriers to Technology Adoption. District Administration. Retrieved May 17, 2015, from http://www.districtadministration.com/article/10-barriers-technology-adoption