Chapter 4 & 6

Chapter 4

Chapter 4 discusses that how can teachers integrate technology into their classes, how can they take advantages of technology to promote successful learning, and how to involve students in the educational change.

At the beginning of this chapter, it indicates two elements that are necessary for technology and instruction to create successful learning: teacher mindset and multiple pathways. These two elements dispel my doubts about using technology in education. From "Teacher mindset", it says, "content must come before technology". It reminds teachers that they should think about their teaching goals first, then to consider how to use technology to promote these goals. Technology and traditional teaching skills are not isolated in education, they should be integrated. In fact, both of them are working for a same teaching goal. From "Multiple pathways", it mentions that research shows that engaging and exciting instructional activities can occur using only one or two computers. "Technology integration is more about how technology is used by teachers than about the amount of technology a teacher has to use". However, just like the Web Quest video we saw last class, the method of using computers can be multiple. Teachers can separate students into groups, and to make each student in their group act as a different role. To ensure the group work works well, each role should function effectively. In that case, they can share computers. Teachers are controllers; how to use technology depends on different course designs.

Questions:

1)      When technology is used into class, how should teacher do evaluation? It should depend on how well students learn the knowledge or also includes how they use the technology?

2)      The technology skills used in class should be taught to students in a specific class, or teachers who use it should teach students themselves?

3)      How to do the out-class technology based assignments if some students are not equipped with that?

Chapter 6

            Chapter 6 introduces a lot of useful information about information management and some useful resources, such as WebQuests and educational websites.

            Last week, we have learned what WebQuest is. Actually, it is a totally new thing to me. I’ve never heard about it before the class. It is interesting and attractive for students, especially to learn some boring knowledge. It is amazing. Not only can it be used to elementary school students, but also students with further education. After doing the video program and learning WebQuest, I feel like using technology into education is not that impropriate as I thought before. To be honest, education gets benefits from technology. Using technology can make the class more attractive to students, and students will be easier to concentrate on the knowledge. There is no doubt that there are more resources offered online that is convenient for both teachers and students to learn about their subjects. Using technology is also another kind of learning. When I tried to create the video, although professor taught us briefly in class, there were still a lot of difficulties. Overcoming these difficulties and learning how to use it by myself are very important learning experience for me.

            The listed techniques from Chapter 6 are really a good knowledge base for teachers. It is very important for teachers to know how to manage information. Also, it is teachers ability to guide students to involving in learning with technology.

            Questions:

1)      How to make students who don’t know technology very well to engage in a technology based classroom?

2)      How can teachers who are used to using the traditional teaching style, especially teachers using it for a long history to adapt to the new technology?

3)      Since technology is updated very frequently, is it necessary for teachers to be trained about using technology regularly?