| Introduction |
Overview |
Narratives |
Exhibits | Summary |
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Strand Three: Teaching, Learning, and the Curriculum Carrie Ann Engel |
Teachers implement
curriculum plans that include methods and strategies for applying
technology to maximize student learning.
Teachers:
A. Facilitate technology enhanced experiences that address content standards and student technology standards.
B. Use technology to support learner-centered strategies that address the diverse needs of students.
C. Apply technology to develop students' high order skills and creativity.
D. Manage student learning activities in a technology enhanced environment.
As I built my unit, I tried to incorporate technology that would enhance the curriculum. I chose to introduce Kidspiration concept webbing software because through this program, the children can begin to group ideas and compare and contrast concepts. These skills will aid the children in higher level thinking as they mature. The children were assigned a season: autumn, winter, spring, and summer.
I wanted to encourage the children to be interested in writing by giving them intersting subjects to write about and interesting ways to illustrate their writing, so I allowed them to make a picture using MS Paint that was later used as a writing prompt. Due to color printing restrictions, the children added color and a title to their pictures later. Through this activity I wanted to use technology to motivate students in a developmentally appropriate manner. One student's topic was spring. Another student chose severe weather.
I decided to do slide shows so that the children could produce a product that would help them remember their math facts. Before they did this project, they practiced making slides with various topics of their choice, such as fish and planets. Then, they produced their math slide shows and shared them with their classmates which gave them an opportunity to create with technology and present it in a collective sense. The children had differing abilities as shown by these three examples of math slide shows: #1, #2, and #3. Max Show, the program we used for these projects is a kid-friendly version of Power Point. This activity helped the children to develop some skill with Max Show to help dissolve any fear about technology. If children become comfortable with using computers as tools early in their lives, they will be able to take adequate advantage of the technology that is available to them. During the unit, the children also interacted with an electronic book I produced called, Tornadoes! This is a hypermedia experience featuring information about Tornadoes in an age-appropriate manner. This was one more way I sought to teach the children the many benefits of using technology as tools to enhance learning.
Another way we used technology as tools during my unit was to collect weather data for a month and then use Graph Club to graph this information. Through this activity, the children were able to learn about visual representations of data, trends in weather, and how adults use computers to process information. We did this activity as a class. The children colored in a
blank graph after they had been distributed to the whole class so they could see how the bars on the graph represent the data. I chose to do it this way so children could participate in manipulating the information.
My well-planned lessons helped students to learn about technology while using technology to learn about all other areas of the curriculum. The key to successful teaching of young children (especially when it comes to technological information) is to give clear, step-by-step instructions, allow plenty of time for questions, offer adult support, and give children time to develop their skills. I periodically had parent helpers in the lab to help the children with our technology projects. I also always allowed the children to explore new programs before I asked them to do anything specific. This fed their curiosities and helped them to experience sucess along the way to the goal of effective technology integration.
Teachers:
A. Facilitate technology enhanced experiences that address content standards and student technology standards.
B. Use technology to support learner-centered strategies that address the diverse needs of students.
C. Apply technology to develop students' high order skills and creativity.
D. Manage student learning activities in a technology enhanced environment.
As I built my unit, I tried to incorporate technology that would enhance the curriculum. I chose to introduce Kidspiration concept webbing software because through this program, the children can begin to group ideas and compare and contrast concepts. These skills will aid the children in higher level thinking as they mature. The children were assigned a season: autumn, winter, spring, and summer.
I wanted to encourage the children to be interested in writing by giving them intersting subjects to write about and interesting ways to illustrate their writing, so I allowed them to make a picture using MS Paint that was later used as a writing prompt. Due to color printing restrictions, the children added color and a title to their pictures later. Through this activity I wanted to use technology to motivate students in a developmentally appropriate manner. One student's topic was spring. Another student chose severe weather.
I decided to do slide shows so that the children could produce a product that would help them remember their math facts. Before they did this project, they practiced making slides with various topics of their choice, such as fish and planets. Then, they produced their math slide shows and shared them with their classmates which gave them an opportunity to create with technology and present it in a collective sense. The children had differing abilities as shown by these three examples of math slide shows: #1, #2, and #3. Max Show, the program we used for these projects is a kid-friendly version of Power Point. This activity helped the children to develop some skill with Max Show to help dissolve any fear about technology. If children become comfortable with using computers as tools early in their lives, they will be able to take adequate advantage of the technology that is available to them. During the unit, the children also interacted with an electronic book I produced called, Tornadoes! This is a hypermedia experience featuring information about Tornadoes in an age-appropriate manner. This was one more way I sought to teach the children the many benefits of using technology as tools to enhance learning.
Another way we used technology as tools during my unit was to collect weather data for a month and then use Graph Club to graph this information. Through this activity, the children were able to learn about visual representations of data, trends in weather, and how adults use computers to process information. We did this activity as a class. The children colored in a
blank graph after they had been distributed to the whole class so they could see how the bars on the graph represent the data. I chose to do it this way so children could participate in manipulating the information.
My well-planned lessons helped students to learn about technology while using technology to learn about all other areas of the curriculum. The key to successful teaching of young children (especially when it comes to technological information) is to give clear, step-by-step instructions, allow plenty of time for questions, offer adult support, and give children time to develop their skills. I periodically had parent helpers in the lab to help the children with our technology projects. I also always allowed the children to explore new programs before I asked them to do anything specific. This fed their curiosities and helped them to experience sucess along the way to the goal of effective technology integration.
Picture: Ms. Engel models a technology activity with the overhead monitor. Questions or Comments: indigo@dmci.net