Chapter 5

In this chapter, I thought the book gave some good recommendations on useful tools just for teachers.  This would include software programs for test making and grading analysis programs.  The grading programs would be especially helpful in being able to quickly track student progress.  Although I already knew about many of the adobe art programs, I was happy to see that they are being used more in schools and that some students are gaining experience with these programs at a younger age.  There now seems to be a program for almost anything you would want.

In my classroom I would definitely use the adobe art programs in a planned unit.  I think it is important to be familiar with these programs because so many art related careers use these programs on  a daily basis.  I also think that the lesson planning software could be helpful to keep me organized and I would be able to clearly see daily lessons and the unit as a hole.

I would be interested to learn how a cell phone could be a useful tool in a classroom.

"Where's the Beef"

I thought that this article made some interesting points about the content and quality of work that students should be focusing on when using technology in the classroom.  One of the main points that I thought was worth while was making sure to use technology in such a way that it does not just recap the information learned, but extends and develops your cognitive thinking beyond what was studied. I also found it interesting that they suggested that the teacher should let the student to pick the technology that they want to use so as to help develop their independent thinking skills.  I think that this could be effective in engaging the students. I agree that is important that the teachers are knowledgeable about the technology they teach; you should ask you students to do something that you cannot do yourself.

There are a number of different art programs that are now available to use in the classroom.  I want to make sure that I make these programs available for my students to use when they want and how they want (within certain parameters).  I also want to be able to use any new programs that are available so that I am able to teach them correctly.

I would like to learn more effective ways of presenting material that develops and encourages cognitive thinking when presenting a topic.

Chapter 3

There is a large variety of computer software programs available for educational purposes.  Each one has it's own set of advantages and disadvantages. The computer games can be used effectively if a student needs extra help on a subject or if they need a more hands on activity to help them learn. It is important to be selective when choosing a program.  Make sure the program has exactly the things you want your students to learn. I also learned that is is very important to use computer games appropriately.  Using a computer game to much as an alternative for teaching one on one is not acceptable. Another down fall for using computer games is that quite often the best ones are very expensive.

I think that simulation programs would be effective in a classroom when there was a complex problem that could be explained by a model to better understand the information.  However, I think that tutorial programs would not be as effective.  Not only because there are a limited number of good programs in production. , but also because I think that they accomplish the same thing that a teacher should be doing everyday: teaching.

I would like to learn more about individual programs that have been developed for education purposes, how they work and what they can accomplish.

Chapter 2

I found the differences between directed instruction and constructivist theories interesting.  In the beginning of the chapter I thought that I would agree more with constructivist theories.  Upon finishing the chapter, however, I think that there is a place for both methods.  Students need to learn certain things to be successful in life, which follows directed instruction. After a certain point in a students education, I think, it is important for the students have a choice in the direction they head. John Dewey stated that "the curriculum should arise from students interests."  I think that this thought could work well with educational technology.  In today's society especially, children have a strong interest in technology.  By using this in the classroom it may motivate children who might otherwise not have an interest in school.  At the end of the chapter, teacher education was discussed briefly.  This is an obviously important part to being able to keep up with the technology.  Training over time and training continually would be helpful in many schools.

With computers today,almost any thing can be done.  By allowing the students to have access to computers, they are able to use them in any direction they want.  (under reasonable supervision)  This will help them to learn by working with things they are interested in. I also think that the drill-and-practice software could be valuable assessment technique.  When I know that a student is struggling with the material I am teaching in class, this could be a fun way to motivate the student to learn what they need to be successful in the class.

I would be interested to learn multiple different ways that would be effective in integrating the two different theories, directional learning and constructivism.

Chapter 1

While reading this chapter, I found the history of technology in the classroom interesting.  It was interesting to learn where different ideas came form and also where they are headed today.  It was also interesting to gain perspective on how fast technologies change.  There are so many different components that it is truly impossible to keep up wit it all.  As a teacher, with everything else that is going on, it would be hard to stay up to date on all of the new developments. This chapter also showed how many different instructional methods there are and how useful they can be.  This being said, I think it is important to at least try to use technology in the classroom and do your best at keeping up with it.  If you have the resources you might as well use them.

In my classroom I would definitely try to integrate any technologies that might be available to me.  One of the things they mentioned in the chapter was an electronic portfolio.  For my students, in an art class, I think this would be a good tool to keep track of their work and also be able to transfer it easily.  I think that the alternative assessment options mentioned in the chapter, using handheld devices, could be useful in tracking the progress of students more closely.

I would be interested to learn what the statistics were about the issues in educational technology, especially in terms of gender and ethnicity.  I would also be interested to learn of any reasons they could give for this difference,whether it's because of availability or if they are just treated differently.