FODEY

Hey Everyone,

I have just become a very big fan of Fodey. I have created a newspaper article that I am going to use in my classroom as the hook for one of my lessons on "Insects". I haven't used many technologies in my classroom but that is something I am trying to work on. I am learning a lot of new techniques that I can incorporate into the classroom.

Brief Overview of Lesson

The Lesson is about students using there basic knowledge of insects and researching different ways in which they affect our environment (good or bad). In this lesson students are to work in groups and come up with the best possible plan to get rid of the bad insects within the school.

Well here is my article would be good to hear your opinions on if it would be a good hook for a Year 2 class on Insects.

Past to Present

Technology has rapidly changed over the years and has become increasingly valued as a useful tool in the classroom. Many new teachers have grown up with computers but many veteran teachers have had to learn how to use a computer on their own (Ivers, 2003). Villa and Thousand (2005) state that in the past technology has been in the possession of a few experts, such as a computer lab teacher but today, all teachers are expected to use technology in their classrooms.

Using technology in the classroom creates a fun and interactive way for students to engage in their learning. Also allowing technology in the classroom provides teachers with the opportunity to differentiate instruction and change their classroom into a dynamic learning environment for students (Pitler, 2007). Russell and Sorge (1999) point to how technology can give students “more control over their learning”, facilitating the analytical and critical thinking and the collaboration championed in the constructivist approach to education.

In the past many teachers began with specific technologies and tried to fit them into the curriculum. This resulted in their use that was often tangential at best, distracting at worst, to the regular classroom experience (Etim, 2005). In present times, incorporating technology in the classroom takes a lot of time and planning to be able to utilise it in the most effective way. Real integration requires change, which may impact the classroom organization, instructional delivery, teacher/student relationship, lesson design and evaluation (Johnson, 2001).

Even though technology may restructure the students learning environment, it allows students to have a more hands on approach to their learning. Also the effective use of technology will allow ‘learning managers’ to cater for diverse learners more effectively within the classroom.

Present technology is revolutionising classrooms. It is possible in the not so distant future that whole school structures may be revolutionised. As an example the “electronic classroom”. This does not depend on teachers and learners working in a single location for a regular set period of time; it holds the potential for breaking down the walls of the classroom as we know it (Somekh, 1997)

References

Etim, J (2005) Curriculum Integration K -12, University Press of America; United States of America.

Ivers, K & Pierson, M (2003) A Teacher’s Guide to Technology in the Classroom, Libraries Unlimited; United States of America.

Johnson, D., Maddux, C & Lui, L (2001) Integration of Technology in the Classroom, Routledge; United States of America.

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M. & Malenoski, K (2007) Using technology with classroom instruction that works, McRel; Colorado.

Somekh, B & Davis, N (1997) Using Information Technology Effectively in Teaching and Learning, Routledge; United States of America.

Villa, R & Thousand, J (2005) Creating an Inclusive School, McRel; Colorado.

It's All About Me !!

Hey Everyone,

My name is Cassie Feldman and this is my first blog, I am still learning how to use this kind of technology. I thought my first Blog would be about me and my life, so you can all get to know me a little better.

I am 21 (almost 22) and I have an awesome, supportive family, which consists of my mum, dad and younger brother. I am still living at home and I never want to leave. I have a wonderful boyfriend who has a young child, which keeps me on my toes, but I really enjoy helping out and doing all the fun girly stuff with her.

I am in my 3rd year of the Bachelor of Learning Management and only one more year to go. It has been a great course but I can’t wait till it is finished. I also attempted a Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast but just wasn’t for me. I really wanted to become a HPE teacher as my passion is sport but I found secondary schooling was not part of that passion, so I changed to this new course and it was the best decision I could have made.

I played a lot of sport growing up, as I am from a country town called Gayndah. I don’t play as many different sports now but I do participate in sports at least 3 or 4 times a week. My favourite sport is Touch Football and I love the competition side of it and working in a team part. I meet a lot of great people playing sport and majority of my closest friends play. I have made NTL (National Touch League) sides for touch football and I hope one day to compete for Australia (need to get fit though).

I am training at the moment for the touch league which is being held next march at Kawana which is a great opportunity for the sunshine coast. My training is pretty full on and takes up a lot of time so my time management is very good.

Enough blabbing on about me. Time to get to work and hope you enjoy reading the upcoming Blogs that I will post.

Thanks
Cassie