Abegail+Prado

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**GLOG REFLECTION** I have been using Glogster in my assignments for Towson class since last semester because I really like its unique way of presenting your poster. I can easily navigate the menu bar, the buttons, editing the text, adding videos and photos. I haven't tried printing this on a poster size paper, but I think this can be done too! I haven't tried this Web 2.0 tool to my classes, but maybe in the future I can because it is so engaging and motivating for kids.

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**Virtual Fieldtrip Reflection** I truly appreciate the virtual field trip assignment because it gave me an idea on how I can use technology to my classes in the future. I like how the Flash works and how the information are very broad, showing pictures and explanations on the story behind the photo. This assignment on a topic of "whaling" will be interesting for students because they will be in front of the computer, and reading the text, story and looking at the photographs of what really happened in the whaling industry. They can even select a topic that they like to read first. Most of the students now are too lazy to hold a book, and spends more time in front of the computer.

A virtual field trip that is in-line with the class topic of the day could be an answer for a boring lecture session. An example would be a topic on anatomy or skeletal system. If my students go on a virtual field trip, it would be more interactive and interesting for them, plus the lesson is in line with the Technology Standards and Maryland Standards.

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**PRENSKY REFLECTION ** One of the characteristics of Digital Natives is their exposure to different media like computers, video games, internet and cellular phones. Even a 7 year old student owns a cellular phone and uses it with ease and confidence. They can text, send email and chat…or use Facebook! A college student uses his smart phone to google the directions or find an app (application) that he can enjoy such as games or social networking. A high school student plays computer games every after school right after doing his homework. There is also wifi anywhere like maybe going to a any “hotspot” to do their assignment on their laptop or IPad. Another characteristic is their creativity with the use of computers. A lot of computer software came out that can be used by teachers in teaching instruction. At school, we have the InterWrite boards and we can use different websites to make learning interactive and fun for the students. I noticed that students are more interested when they learn by using a lot of senses, seeing, touching and hearing. They are so into “technology” that they easily get bored when using books only for learning. At our school, kids learn from using different online websites like AAAMath, Studyisland, Coolmath, Discovery Education, etc. They appreciate it when there is something new and involve technology. Digital immigrants in our school are afraid to use technology and seldom open their email. I noticed that they would still come to you to say that they sent you an email while holding a printed copy of the email. It surprises me when someone can just edit a document from Googledocs, which is faster and easier than printing a copy and using a pen to proofread and then type it again after proofreading. In Prensky’s second article, he mentioned about group of kids watching Sesame Street show on TV. One group stays in a room with toys, while the other room is only the TV set. The studies showed that even though the first group was distracted with toys and watched only 47% of the show; their result is the same as the second group of kids who are focused with the program. Researchers have concluded  that, “the 5-year-olds in the toys group were attending quite strategically, distributing their attention between toy play and viewing so that they looked at what was for them the most informative part of the program. The strategy was so effective that the children could gain no more from increased attention”. Today’s learners are more distracted, but it still amazes me when they can still produce a work that follows the rubrics and creates a good output. Before, I thought computer games are just for fun and more learning software were developed and used in schools. I was surprised one time when a student was playing games, at the same time learning. One example is the Study Island internet program. After a teacher discusses a topic, she asked the students to work in Study Island and do the activities. All the while she thought it’s just plainly multiple choice questions, until she saw a student playing games on it. She was surprised to see how this student enjoys playing and at the same time learning. His attention was on hitting high scores when they answer the correct answers on the Math problems. It was a good strategy, that later in the class, she used the Turning Point software to play a group game with the class. She was convinced that learning is fun when incorporated the kid’s higher interest.

I think today’s learners need more learning strategies like this in the future, because it is engaging and their brain works well when stimulated with computers. I remember, it was only in High School when I started to use computers (Word Star) and it was so “cool” for me. I thought of computers are really helpful especially when I do my project. It makes my projects more presentable and I also earned good grades because they are neat and yeah, typed and printed using a computer. Before computers totally flourished, I was so into reading chapter books, where I would go to the library and borrow them and return after a week or two. When I have assignments, I have to write my reflection on a reflection notebook and not very aware if all my spelling and grammar were correct, after my teacher wrote all the proof reading with red ink on my journal. At a young age, I developed the skill of proof-reading my own work, using my creative hands on designing or lettering, and reading books. Now, when I try to imagine what I have done in the past schooling days…compared to our kids now? It was way different! Totally different! Kids now would rather read an eBook, borrow an audio book from the library or read directly from the internet. Proof-reading is not a problem too, because Microsoft Word automatically checks their document after typing a sentence. Also, there are different fonts and styles they can choose from if they need to print a nice work. There are some instructors who are still cyber phobic, but today’s generation of learners are more technology dependents. I think, all educators must also be advanced. I like how our school system opens different workshops to help educators in using technology. Recently, I attended a workshop for IPad users and how it can be used in the classroom. I noticed that majority of the attendees were older than me. This concludes that more educators want to step forward and be 21st Century educators. There are many benefits from using technology tools, but I will only focus on three. First, I see that students are more motivated to learn because they get to use (touch, see, feel) the technology without getting easily bored. They are motivated to learn faster because technology helps them. Secondly, students are becoming smarter because their brains are stimulated. Imagine a child playing a Cool Math game to learn Geometry compared to a child reading a thick book on Geometry with few pictures and more words to read. Computer generated software helps the child to remember facts by showing more pictures, more examples, plus the animation effects on the page, which makes them more interested. The other kid probably will be bored after reading a page, and needs more motivation to like Geometry. Lastly, students learn multitasking and creative imagination. Some kids still imagine in their heads how to make origami, because they saw how it’s done on the internet. Some kids can work on different task when in front of the computer. I am truly impressed at how fast technology has evolved. It’s like everyday, new technology tool is invented and sold in the market, whether for business, personal use or education. Kids nowadays are so into technology that it sometimes scares me because they spend more time with the computer than talking to a real person. Some kids do not have their physical exercise because they just sit on the computer when they get home. It bothers me because I think their social skills decreases and some gets sick because of too much computer games or net surfing. At a very young age, a kid could have a carpal tunnel syndrome for over texting or too much computer gaming. Technology is a necessity now for everyone, and I don’t know what else is happening after a decade. I still hope, computer is still safe for me, my family and students.



Lesson Plan