Chapter 9

Vision is truly the most sophisticated sensory system that we as humans have. Images that we see are very important when making meaning of certain things. This chapter introduces using visualizing tools in the classroom. I really enjoyed this chapter because it provides some useful and interesting programs and methods to help provide students with meaningful learning. The chapter covers five kinds of visualization tools that can help students comprehend ideas in ways that are easier for them.

The first tool that is mentioned is scientific visualization tool. The scientific world is not always very visible to us. But technology can help us see this world in way that we can truly understand. Visualizing geography with geographic information systems is a really neat tool to use with kids. One that I was already familiar and use regularly is the Google Earth program. I am completely amazed with Google Earth. It recently has been updated and you are able to see actual street views. This summer I was in Brazil visiting my family. They were all curious to see where and how the city that I lived in was. I used Google Earth and I was able to show them exactly where I go to class, where I live, and so much more!

I will definitely be incorporating this in my classroom. It’s a great way to learn the location of different countries and to even take a closer look at specific cities. Another feature of this program is the search engine. You can search specific monuments or areas, and it will take you straight to them. SketchUp was a tool that was new to me, but seemed very interesting and useful. Students are able to create their own models of buildings that can then be placed in Google Earth. This gives students opportunities to be creative and utilize global positioning data.

Visualizing mathematical ideas with technology was the next tool this chapter brought up. Math is a very abstract subject; therefore, visualization is essential in grasping mathematical concepts. Many tools such as graphing calculators and programs such as Mathematica and MathLab are helpful in visualizing math. Personally, I don’t think I would use these tools in my classroom because they seem to be a little to complex for elementary students. But a tool that I might use is TinkerPlots. I would use this with upper elementary when teaching them about graphs. It is great because sometimes it is very frustrating to have to draw and redraw graphs. This program allows students to drag variety of variables to the axis and investigate the data.

The third tool is visualizing with digital cameras and mobile phones. Before this class, I had never thought about using cell phones in the classroom. The book suggested using phones to create personal documentaries. This is actually really interesting and is a neat way to incorporate a tool that most students have. But it’s also a very controversial matter, as has been discussed in some contemporary issue in my presentations. I’m not sure that I will use this tool in my classroom because I am still having a hard time understanding exactly how to incorporate it.

Using video to visualize is the next tool introduced in the chapter. When I was younger, I used to love to make fun movies with my friends. We would create a story and act them out. I think that this is a great way for students to be dynamic, productive, and cooperative. Students need to be imaginative and willing to take chances. I will use this tool in my classroom for a variety of projects. For example, I could incorporate it into a history lesson and allow them to act out a specific moment in history and share it with the class. Many skills, such as editing the videos, can be acquired with creating videos. The chapter provides a step by step process on how to create a digital storytelling. This provides students with the opportunity to establish connections between the creator and the viewer. The students are also able to understand how all the essentials work together.

The final tool is video modeling and feedback. This is a key reason why I would use video in my class. Sometimes it’s not possible to show or explain something in the classroom, but a video may be able to do so. Feedback is very important because it allows students to view themselves in an unfiltered and unbiased way. As a future teacher I will prepare students to use feedback correctly because it can sometimes be frightening if it is used inappropriately.

Visualization is important for students to use. Technology provides tools and programs that can make it easier. This chapter helped make clear the different tools that can be used. I hope that as a teacher, I can use the tools to better help my students.

Chapter 8

This chapter introduced me to a whole side of designing that I had never heard of or never thought could be incorporated into an elementary classroom. Designing with technology is a very complex task, but with proper training, design can be used to motivate students to explore and learn the big ideas of all subjects. This chapter describes four different areas where meaningful learning can be enhanced with the use of design activities.

The first context that the book mentions is drawing design ideas with computer-aided design software. This program is used to allow designers to create a sketch of what they want to make before actually doing it. This is a great tool to use with students because they can visualize what works and what doesn’t. They can then improve the design so that when it is made for real less errors are likely to occur. The book mentions a program called Pro/DESKTOP. This program is available to students at no cost and allows them to develop their ideas as virtual objects. I really liked this program and feel that I could incorporate it into my classroom. I thought it was so interesting that it provides clear feedback to students to guide them when creating 3-D shapes. Another program that was introduced was SketchUp. This program is really interesting because students can walk through their creating, making it very realistic. I think this would be a great program for students because they can get really involved in their designs.

Testing designs and building mental models with simulation software is the next context introduced. This program seems to best for science related topics. They help students build mental models of how the world works. The program introduced in the chapter is Trebuchet Simulator. This program is really neat because it allows students to create a simulation before they actually create it. Students can test experiments through this program. I feel like this program would be good to use in my classroom because it allows students to feel more confident and get less frustrated when building and refining their projects.

The third section is developing programming skills while designing in the media arts. This kind of design involves using a Logo programming language. This program allows students to have complete control over what occurs in the program. I enjoyed this section because it introduced Scratch, which after being in this class, was a familiar program. This program helps students design graphics, games, and much more. It also expands their computer literacy skills. This program will definitely be used in my classroom. One way that I would incorporate it into my class would be to allow students to take a written story and create an animation using scratch that represents the story. The book introduced iStopMotion software. This is a really cool program that allows young students to create their own movies and time-lapse recordings. After looking at this program, I would definitely use it with my students.

The final section of this chapter is designing music with composition software. This was such an interesting section. I had never really heard of anything like it until last week in class when we were working with GarageBand. This is a great way to incorporate music and emphasize its importance in any class. Students are able to explore different instruments and learn about the sounds that they produce. I really like how students are able to create their own arrangements. I will be using this kind of design in my classroom by incorporating it to core subjects. For example, students can create a song to help them memorize a science topic. This will allow students to be interactive with each other, with technology, and with music, while learning. “Musical Sketch Pad” is an example of an inline music composition environment that is introduced in this chapter. I looked it up and thought it was really fun! It is directed for students in primary grades, which is perfect for me as a future elementary teacher. I really liked this program, but felt that students might have a hard time creating musical patterns because there is a lot that goes into it. But with proper instruction, students can really benefit from this website.

Overall, I felt that this chapter was interesting and useful for educators to read. I had never really been exposed to designing with technology. But I have learned so many programs that students can students can benefit from by taking their ideas and making them a possible reality through technology. It is extremely important for teachers to help students with design programs because they can sometimes be quite complex. As a future teacher, which design programs do you think you would incorporate in your classroom and why?

Chapter 7

Communication is essential for successful teaching and learning. This chapter focuses on using technology as a form of communication. It introduces various activities and programs that allow individuals and groups to share and exchange ideas. I realized that this chapter had a close connection to the previous chapter because it also focuses on building a community through technology. I feel that this is extremely important in any classroom and technology allows the community to expand to a great extent.

In society today, technology based communication has grown to a great extent. The chapter talks about using computer conferencing in the classroom. It explains some reasons that support this form of communication. It mentions that students do not have to be in the same place in order to learn. The book also explains that computer conferencing enables learners to reflect on their ideas or response before making them. The last reason that the book encourages computer conferences is that it can guide and scaffold students as they make comments. I personally do not believe that any of these are true reasons to have computer conferences instead of face to face learning. I personally have had classes that are merely online and from that experience I can say I did not get as much as I would have if I could have gone to class and interacted with other students and my teacher. This is even a greater problem with children because these are essential years for them to socialize with other students and with adults.

Discussion board is another tool for communication. I thought this was actually very interesting. The book mentioned that this tool gives English as Second Language students a chance to increase their language skills. I think this is a very useful tool and I really liked how it can be used to help English language learners because as teachers it is important to provide them extra resources to help them succeed. It also gives them a chance to participate in class discussions without the added pressure of peer judging. I will definitely be using this with all my students and especially if I have ESL students.

Synchronous exchange with chats and messaging was a tool mentioned in this chapter. When I was younger, I used to spend hours instant messaging my friends. Even recently, Facebook, added an application where you can chat with people who are also on facebook. I used to love doing that and sometimes it’s nice now to chat with friends that you haven’t spoken to in a while. But I personally don’t think that I would implement this in my classroom. I feel that it can be distracting and is more of a social service than an educational tool. After reading the part in the book that talks about this tool in the classroom, I understand its ideas, but I don’t think that it would be very effective in an elementary class. I don’t think that they will have the literary skills for this kind of interactions.

I really liked the idea of videoconferencing. I think this is a great way to allow students to expand their knowledge in so many areas. The book mentions that it’s a great way for students to interact with experts that would be impossible to do face to face. I think this is such a good way for students to be engaged in a topic or lesson by listening to an expert. As a future elementary teacher, I think this is a very useful tool because we have to teach all areas. This can enhance the curriculum in a way that may not be possible any other means. The book mentions many things to consider with this tool like technical considerations. I think this is important for the book to mention because many people may not consider the implications of this. Also teachers need to be very careful to have a complete resource check on any videoconference being done in the classroom. The internet can sometimes bring inappropriate items for students to view.

Podcasting is a tool that I have never used before. I have heard so much about it, but never truly explored it until reading this chapter. I was amazed at the variety of podcasts available I feel that they are a wonderful tool to be used as a source for students. If I find a kid friendly podcast on a specific subject that I am teaching or want to cover, I will ask students to listen to it as homework. I could even implement a writing reflection on the specific podcast. But I will not use podcasts as a lecturing tool because I feel that it could be very boring for students.

Overall, I really enjoyed learning about different ways to communicate through technology. There were a few tools that I would definitely implement in my classroom to enhance knowledge and engage students, but there are some things that will never replace face to face interaction. I look forward to researching the tools and using them in my future.

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