Technology in the Social Studies Classroom: Interactivity 3

Compared to other activities there was not as much collaboration as you would usually see. Because we are doing the work online through a Google spreadsheet, it was easier to get everyone’s ideas. Normally group projects can be difficult because everyone has different schedules. I enjoyed using Google Docs because it was an easy way to share the information and everyone could do it at their own pace. Also, it is nice to know that the teacher will be able to see what students contributed. This way everyone gets individual credit for doing the assignment.

Now that I see the final list, I see so many more technologies that I could use and did not even think of. Since my group had Fine Arts majors and History majors, I got to see other technologies that I would not have seen for my major. Blogging is one that comes up a couple times on our spreadsheet because it is a way to get students to use the internet and express ideas with other students. One technology that I came across to use for a Social Studies classroom were social networking sites. For students to create a fake MySpace page for a historical figure is a great way to get them excited about history.

We recently just discussed using technology to promote literacy in our READ 411. I think especially with history, using online databases is a great to help students write research papers while using technology. Also, Skyping with other schools and countries helps students learn what other cultures are like first hand, rather than just reading about them. 

What is a Flipped Classroom?

          In a recent article from the magazine Educational Leadership I learned about a new method of teaching. Something known as a Flipped Classroom, is creating a lot of buzz. The main purpose of this flipped classroom is having more in-class time with your students. A lot of times, especially in college classrooms, lecturing is the basis of the class period. Even in high school classrooms, teachers have to introduce new material and lecture for most of the class. Then students do an assignment at home based on the lecture. This new idea of a classroom has teachers tape their lectures on new material that the students take home and watch. Then the next day in class the teacher does not have to explain from the beginning, but instead they do what would be homework in the classroom. It gives the teacher more one on one time with the students. I think with subjects like math this could be really effective. I remember learning something like a new concept and going home and never understanding the homework. Teachers record themselves on a track with a PowerPoint or of them actually teaching. Usually for about 10-15 minutes and the students can watch it as many times as they need to at home. They can also use it to study before a test. The article says that many teachers feel this would take up too much of their time, but it’s only some added work to their already made lessons. The article compares this to having to students read pages in the text the day before they learn something new. These videos can be more effective because the teacher is actually lecturing them which makes it more exciting. The name flipped learning comes from the fact that you are flipping what is actually done. Usually there is an in class lecture and then a homework assignment. Instead the kids watch the lecture at home and apply what they have learned with the teacher in class. I think this can be effective for students who struggle with homework that is assigned on new material. They have the teacher there for them if they need help. There is also more in class time for activities, like in a Social Studies classroom, I can have students doing projects and applying what I lectured on the night before. I think this method of teaching gives teachers a better chance at making sure all students are keeping up.

“Education is for everyone, but the way in which we deliver education—and the way in which students receive it—is not the same for everyone.”[1]

http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2012/12/why-flips-flop.html

               

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[1] Sams, Aaron, and Jonathan Bergmann. "Flip Your Students' Learning." Educational Leadership: Technology Rich Learning Mar. 2013: 16-20. Print.

Are Teachers Trained Enough To Utilize Technology?

         I had many teachers in high school that had a Smart Board and did not touch it the whole year! They would just lecture or read out of a book and not try to engage students at all. Technology engages students and gets them more involved. Other teacher use technology, but only in menial ways. The problem is that teachers are not always trained to use all the technology that is offered. Most teachers know how to use computers, the internet, and the tools that come along with those. They may not, however, know many other technological devices they could use.  I recently read the article Tech Support PREPARING TEACHERS TO USE TECHNOLOGY and found that many teachers are truly afraid of not being able to keep up with technology in the classroom.  Why put in expensive Smart Boards if you are not going to show teachers how to utilize them? The article said teachers do not have time to teach themselves the program, but need help. “To learn how to incorporate technology into their classrooms, teachers are participating in online discussion groups, forums, e-mail lists, bulletin boards, message boards, and chat rooms. One of the first online communities for teachers is the 21st Century Teacher Network (www.21ct.org), an online network that enables teachers to exchange technology ideas with teachers around the world.” (http://www.principals.org/portals/0/content/48158.pdf). 
      Educators need the opportunity to learn what to do to make technology worthwhile in the classroom. The article says there are many technology workshops that schools should be sending teachers to. I think there should be seminars and opportunities for teachers to learn more about technology. This class is definitely helping me to learn more about technology in the classroom, but I believe there is always more to learn!

The Evolution of Technology in the Classroom

        Watching the video on the evolution of technology in the classroom was very enlightening.  I learned that technology has greatly influenced the classroom over many years. The video also showed me a different kind of classroom setting that is not typical in many schools anymore. The teachers had complete control in the classroom; the students were obedient and sitting in rows like factory workers. Classrooms today are much louder and more animated. The video takes you through the many technologies that transformed the classroom. Educational radio was invented in the 1920s, which let people keep on current events. I think that is extremely important as a history teacher. I think students should keep up with the things that happen in our country and around the world. Especially for when they begin to vote, they should be educated. Radio helped connect the world and understand what was happening.  Instructional films were then created during the progressive movement.  George Klein 1910 created over 1000 educational films. In 1923, the NEA established the Division of Visual Instruction. Educational films are a great way to move away from lecturing and let students see history through another view point.  Classroom films were definitely influential in a history classroom. Being able to see events on screen helps students stay interested. For example, the History Channel creates numerous documentaries on almost every event in history. Some students are visual learners and these kinds of movies are beneficial to them. The Coronet Instructional Films from 1946-1970s included topics like the Plantation System in Southern Life and the Power of Congress. These are both great topics to make movies out of. In Chapter two of Rethinking Technology and Schools, Thomas Edison is quoted, “teach branch of human knowledge with movies,” (pg. 33). I believe that movies help enhance learning especially in history! The radio and instructional movies have helped people stay informed and learn about the past.

History Through Videos

Technology and Literacy

           As we have learned, teenagers spend a lot of time using technology, i.e. cell phones and laptops. I have been learning a lot about students’ literacy and I researched whether or not technology hurts literacy. Students being able to get information and do research is definitely a plus. On article on Education.com says there have been many studies that show that technology helps students expand their knowledge. “Research literature throughout the past decade has shown that technology can enhance literacy development, impact language acquisition, provide greater access to information, support learning, motivate students, and enhance their self-esteem,” (Susan O'Hara and Robert Pritchard 2006).
         I do believe that technology opens up a window to many opportunities for students. From taking Language and Literacy, however, I have learned that many students struggle with reading comprehension. Teachers have to use many strategies to get students reading, I think that technology can hurt students’ literacy. If they are always on social network sites, they are spending less time reading.  Others have argued that even though students are not reading books, if they are reading web pages it still enhances their literacy. Also, when students create presentations on the computer they are still working on their literacy and writing skills. I learned about Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow (ACOT) project and from studying a class for eight years it has been found that students with technology in the classroom do better on achievement tests. Technology helps students become independent learners as well, they have access to any information they need. If they are writing a paper and they use the thesaurus it helps them learn new words. While I think technology consumes many teens’ lives, I think it has its benefits when learning and expanding one’s knowledge.