Technology Integration the Sky is the Limit!

     Creating lesson plans that integrate technology is not a difficult task!  We love technology and look forward to utilizing it in our lessons.  Technology is captivating and useful.  It attracts the attention of students in a way that is unique to anything else.  Attention is the number one cognitive tool for proper learning and knowledge retention.  If you use technology in your lesson then you know that you have laid a sure foundation for proper cognitive learning and memory storage.

     Using technology in the classroom can be as simple as using a DVD player, or as complex, as using a Tablet PC demonstrating flash animation visuals, via power point, while jotting  down notes for the students in the margins projected up on the big screen.  It can be using an inquiry lesson to teach science and letting each student document their findings on digital cameras. Technology does not have to mean difficult.  In fact, in many ways it can mean simplify!  Using technology in the classroom also means synergy.  It creates an opportunity for teamwork like no other tool Google Docs and presentation accommodate team work nicely.  It even lets the synergy happen half way across the world using skype.

     In my classroom I will use a smart board, cell phones, ipods, digital cameras, and more.  I will engage students in the ways they enjoy learning.  I will use e-mail, and websites to communicate to students and parents.  You can look for my class on youtube because we will be there.  So if you'll excuse me...it looks like I better get busy contacting sponsors!!   

Tapping Into the Power of Emotion with Digital Stories

     Digital Stories are emotional to watch and can even be emotional to make.  As we have collected the visuals for our digital story, I have been amazed at my reaction to some of the pictures.  I have looked into the eyes of some of the pictures and pondered about what this persons life must have been like.  This has led me to ask questions about what happened in that particular event or time period and reflect on the story behind the picture.  I have incorporated some of the stories into my personal philosophy of life as reference to the way we should live and why.  I did not expect to have this reaction or take this emotional journey but I am glad that I have incorporated this experience as the digital story assignment unfolded.  

      Having this reaction has taught me how valuable this could be in the classroom.  To have students create their own digital story will be an effective learning tool for students.  I am amazed at how much we learned doing this assignment.  Students could learn a lot by creating a message that they feel strongly about.  Doing it together as a class would be fun and then in groups.  This way they have the initial experience.  After that I would open it up and assign it as an individual project.  I think it is a valuable lesson and I would love to see what the students come up with.  

     I will learn as much as possible to feel confident in taking this on as a teacher.  I would need to make several digital stories myself.  These are great hooks for lessons so the time would serve two purposes.  I would love to feel confident and execute my plan even if I teach the younger grades.  It's never too soon to teach a valuable lesson.

VIDEO:  I looked up two new videos and liked the message of one called "Technology in the Classroom" on youtube.  It says that technology opens minds with a new set of keys.   The second video I watched was called "Classroom Technology Demonstration."  The demonstration was given by a teacher who said that the projector alone has transformed his classroom because now there is no front or back of the classroom.  The teacher can be anywhere in the class and teach effectively with the projector.  He compared it to going from the black and white television to colored.  He demonstrated how by using a Tablet PC it is possible to use Flash Animation to show an animated visual in powerpoint and write notes along side it for the students you are teaching. He emphasizes individualizing the learning.  He said this is possible with this type of teaching.  Students are able to download the lesson on to their video ipods and review and study at their convenience.  He gave an example of a field trip the students went on and took digital pictures of different biomes which he felt enhances student education with hands on learning.  Not to mention how much the students loved the experience.