Read Chapter 3 in Maloy, focus question #2: What are the “student learning objectives” and “understanding by design” (backward design) models of lesson planning?
Understanding by design (UBD) or backward design is to education what “form follows function” is to interior design and ergonomics, your lesson plan is designed with a specific results in mind, as such the information presented will led your students to the conclusion you want them to draw. Let’s say I am teaching Hamlet and want to use Ophelia’s suicide as a lesson in how foolish her impulse to kill herself was when in a matter of days Hamlet would return and they would have reconciled. The path I establish helps them to see that what appears to be a disparate situation one day may shortly be resolved more satisfactorily
Read Chapter 2 in Maloy, focus question #2: In what ways does technology promote unique, powerful, and transformative learning?
Given that I have spent more time on the internet this semester than I ever before, I stumbled upon a lovely children’s book that was published in 1917. It is wonderfully illustrated and tells the story of a rocket ignited by a mischievous boy and how it bursts though the high-rise apartment building where he lives. If I were to read this for a class of Kindergartens I would create a power-point with the illustrations, my version of the Jumbotron, so that as I read aloud, everyone is able to enjoy the pictures. At all grade levels Power-point is the no excuses alternative to the traditional poster board, limited dexterity is not an issue with the use of cut and paste, the inequity of household incomes is eliminated by this requirement, it is a greener choice saving trees eliminating additional waste that is hauled to the landfill.
Read Chapter 5 in Maloy, focus question # 4: How can teachers and students thoughtfully evaluate online information resources, including the online encyclopedia Wikipedia?
Look for the Uniform Resource Locator- or the ._ _ _ & Look for bias.
Teachers and students are able to evaluate online information resources by comparing the information provided to other sources that cover the same topic for consistency, also checking the citation sources listed in the bibliography or reference list.
Read Chapter 6 in Maloy, focus question #6: How might educational websites provide interactive an engaging learning experiences to students?
The gaming industry is booming why not use a question and answer format to acquire those special powers that give player’s the edge or help them to advance to different levels. NASCAR evolved from the days of boot-legged whiskey and Prohibition Agents, a game using vintage vehicles to race across the Canadian border. One could gain advantages in horsepower with a correct answer or setbacks like a flat tire with a wrong one, questions about the period might inspire a new interest in history. Civil Rights/Sports History Trivia. Literary Crosswords. Pictures covered by puzzle pieces that are removed by correctly answering questions. Or any game played with tokens can only be earned by answering questions correctly.
Read chapter 9 in Maloy, focus question #1: What is multimedia technology and how can teachers use it to effectively create and share visual information dynamically in their teaching?
Multimedia technology can be used to enhance education by filling in the gaps between what was and what is. The seemingly dry readings schools require of students can come alive with the aid of digital scrapbooks, power-points, videos or iMovies. If writing information on a chalkboard accompanying by a lecture, was successful the advertising agencies of Madison Avenue would grind to a halt. But while advertisers can influence huge numbers of people young and old to spend more than they have to purchase things they do not need. Teachers are consistently failing to influence the vast majority of students to learn and should look at the example set by the media for a new approach. Similarly product placement is nothing new in literature, To Kill a Mockingbird is full of literary and historical references which if elaborated upon would serve to enrich the text and possibly inspire addition reading.
Read Chapter 7 in Maloy, focus question #5: How can teachers evaluate the effectiveness of educational software?
Effective software of any type but especially educational needs to be user friendly if not it simply won’t be used. Because of this I take umbrage with the court’s decision against Apple in allowing a proprietor claim to be established on basic functions common to all computer software. If I were the mother of a child who requires computer assistance to communicate and my only experience with the computer was as a data entry person, this additional level of unnecessary frustration seems to be an unreasonable burden to the user. But that is my on-going rant of Mac vs. PC. So as a classroom example using digital crossword puzzles, the soft ware would need to be able to provide hints or clues that help to keep the process of solving the puzzle moving. The option of moving up or down in the levels of difficulty would be significant. And it should be easily read and visually appealing.
Read chapter 8 in Maloy, focus question #3: How can teachers use a website or blog to improve learning?
A website or blog should be required for each class, including access to the power-points presented as they can help to refresh a student’s memory of the discussion, of may be needed to fill-in the blanks if there has been a disturbance during the class session. Posting the criteria for assignment and the due dates, providing links to supplemental materials. Include information about school activities so that parents and students can become more involved.
Read chapter 4 in Maloy, focus question # 5: What instructional strategies and approaches promote technology integration while addressing the participation gap?
As someone who hopes to become a special education instructor I am aware of many ways in which technology integration will be instrumental in the classroom and am certain that there are many more that I have yet to be exposed to. Reading levels may vary vastly among students and should meet at a reasonable level of expectation. Remaining cognizant of the variety of skill level demonstrated among students in special education classrooms I feel that it is important to make independent study assignments available to those students that are so inclined.
Read chapter 11 in Maloy, focus question #3: How can students become actively involved in assessment and evaluation using technology?
For an instructor of English at the Secondary Level of Education, or one certified as a Special Education Teacher my desire is to deal with each student’s individual needs. In either position assessment is instrumental in building one’s skills and proficiency. By utilizing any number of online Learning Styles and Strategies quizzes, individual students may identify their academic strengths and weaknesses. Thus we can work to develop the skills that will enable them to perform successfully in the classroom as well as in the workplace.
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