AR vs VR

Augmented reality and virtual reality are both really good uses of technology to aid the teacher and students in learning.  They are fairly new and could be useful in the classroom to help students learn in a different way, but I believe that these technologies shouldn't be relied on the most to aid students in learning.  I think that games that don't involve technology are just as good as virtual reality and augmented reality when it comes to helping the students learn.  A lot of times hands-on learning whether they are being taught or learning through physical activities like games, help a child's brain develop well too.  I like augmented reality better than virtual reality because I feel like the students are doing more hands-on learning and the students are more interactive when it comes to learning.  It is also fairly inexpensive whereas virtual reality is a lot more expensive. Augmented reality helps form students minds better than virtual reality can.  Augmented reality is a very diverse learning source, students are able to learn new languages, learn how to draw, learn new math skills, and so much more.  It is a great source for students and teachers to use, not every day but every once in a while, I think it is good to include augmented reality into lesson plans.  Virtual reality is not as much of a learning tool and able to tie into classroom lesson plans as well as augmented reality.  I can see augmented being used in my classroom in the future.  I really think that it is a good resource for the students to use as well as directed teaching styles and individual work.  It allows students to learn different subjects in a different way.  Students like change in routine, being able to use different tools in order to learn.  Doing the same thing every day in a classroom may have students be unmotivated to do work, but if the way you teach changes every once in a while will keep the students motivated to do the work asked and required of them.  I think augmented reality is going to be a great resource for teachers and students to use in the future!

Gamification, Yay or Nay?

Gamification is a fantastic resource and learning method for students to learn from.  There are so many games a student can pick from.  There are language learning games, drawing games, matching picture games to make different words/ combinations and much more.  Gamification is a very engaging resource for students.  There also is a lot to consider when using it in the classroom such as making sure that the games your students are playing are appropriate for the age group that you are working with.  Also making sure that the gamification that your students are using does not require them to have their own device.  Most students depending on the age group won't have their own device that they can access the game from.  I think that the best example of a gamification that I have seen is the game Duolingo.  This game allows the student to learn a new language.  If the student sticks with using the gamification every day, the student is very possible to become fluent within three months.  This game is not only fun for the students but it is very educational.  I think that gamification is a good resource if you use games that accommodate the age group that you are teaching.  Some gamifications can be inappropriate for younger students, so choosing appropriate gamifications are extremely important.

How Students Learn

As a student, I learned best the old fashioned way, when the teacher instructed us on the new information rather than teaching ourselves or having technology teach us.  I was always a visual learner.  The material that I was learning had to be drawn out in front of me on the board and explained to me step by step in order for me to understand the concepts.  I also learned by using flashcards, vocabulary was easy for me to memorize if I studied using flash cards.  I have come to learn that your brain retains information better when you write out information rather than type it.  Using your small motor skills sends signals to the brain allowing it to retain it better than if you type the information you are trying to study.  As a teacher, I would teach my students the same way that I was taught.  I think hand written assignments and learning is the best way to learn and the most effective.  Technology can be so useful and such a great resource, but I will only use it as a temporary or back up plan, it won't be how my students would be learning every day.  I think it is great to give students good feedback but when rewards are given out a lot for them doing good work, it then becomes expected.  Rewards are most effective when they are occasional and sporadic.  I do believe that rewards motivate students to do better and work harder but I do not believe they are effective for an every day occurrence.

Staying up to date...

I stay current by using social media.  Social media isn’t always a bad thing if it is used correctly.  On twitter this week we did an assignment asking us to follow professionally appropriate accounts.  These accounts included educational, news channels, teachers, and so much more.  This allowed me to understand new techniques that are erupting throughout the schools and educational programs.  They give us updates on new websites and accounts that we can use with our students.  Using technology in the right way and taking advantage of it, can be extremely beneficial to not only the teachers but the students as well.  Using sites such as Pinterest can help you with lesson plans or ideas for crafts.  Pinterest is one of my favorite social media accounts; I use it for so many things.  It helps me think of who I am as a person and the teacher I am becoming by the things I pin on the account.  I have found so many creative ideas that I am excited to use next year when I will be making lesson plans for my field placement.  It will also be a great resource to use when I am officially a teacher in a school with my students.

Where We've Been...

As technology is rapidly increasing, it is hard for teachers to keep up to date with it.  This makes it hard for teachers as they have to learn new techniques and learning styles themselves so they are able to apply it in their lesson plans.  They also have to teach the students the new technology that they have recently become accustomed to.  Technology has so many positive affects on today's learning, as it allows new ways for students to interact with each other and learn at the same time.  Younger generations are brought up with a greater understanding of how technology works and how it is used as those who are from older generations did not have the luxury of growing up with such technological understandings.  By keeping up with today's technologies, it will be easier for students and teachers to adapt better as a unit. 

 As teachers we need imply the importance of using technology in a professional manner and safely.  I plan on teaching my students that technology is a great resource but it is not a necessity.  Relying on technology instead of relying on our brains, does not help students learn.  If technology is used in the correct way, it can be an incredible resource for students and teachers.  It will show the students how to use technology properly and appropriately.  It is hard for students sometimes to stay focused on that aspect, so as a teacher I want to elaborate on it and work with my students to make smart, educated choices.  Looking back to when I was younger, it is amazing how much technology has grown.  It's also overwhelming at the same time because to think that you start understanding one concept of technology, another concept is coming out that needs to addressed.



Here is my Ed Tech Tools timeline!
I chose to pick tools from various different time periods so the reader can really see how Ed Tech technology tools have advanced.  I think it's very neat to see how far technology has come throughout the years! Take a look!!

Microsoft vs Google

After completing the exercises asked of me in google docs and slides, Microsoft power point and word, I have come to the conclusion that I prefer Microsoft better. I have found pros and cons for each program as I was working with them. Because I am more familiar with Microsoft office, I have found that those assignments were easier for me to do than those in Google.  Microsoft is very user friendly and has all the tools you need to access in easy to find places.  Most of the labels of the tabs describe where and how you can upload or access these traits.  A con of using Microsoft is that it does not automatically save your work for you.  You need to manually save your work and it can only then be accessed on the device you saved it from unless you save it on a flash drive.  For Google, I found that it was more difficult to access what I needed to find, since I was not as familiar with it as I am with Microsoft.  Most tools are harder to access since they are in subcategories.  A pro to using Google is that it automatically saves your work.  With this, you can access your work on any device at any time as long as you know your log in information to Google.  As a future educator, I found that Google would be a great resource if I needed to share a document or power point with my students.  My students can also use this for presenting and not have to worry about carrying around a flash drive so they can present their information.  However, Google does not have as many font choices as Microsoft does.  When it came time to put sound into my Microsoft power point I was able to easily access it however when it came time to put sound in my Google Slides, I was not able to find that feature at all.  In my personal opinion, I prefer to use Microsoft over Google, but as a future educator I believe that Google makes the most sense when it comes to sharing and receiving assignments from my students.

Students and Technology Usage

When you write out information, your brain tends to remember it better than when you rely on technology all the time.  I want my students to be independent without technology, I want them to rely on their brain, not the internet for the answers.  I will present technology as a scary way, so my students understand that whatever they post on social media will never go away, also that technology can be a useful source but there are various downsides to the use of technology.  In schools today, the administration can block websites and even images so students cannot use or see things they are not supposed to be.  It helps the students use the technology given to them in a resourceful way instead of abusing their privileges. 

With today's day and age, many are dependent on technology as it becomes more advanced.  As a teacher, I would encourage my students to use technology appropriately, but not frequently.  I still love the idea of giving kids worksheets, as this is how I grew up.  I also believe that children learn more by writing information down, instead of typing it.  

 I found a really good website that is safe for students to search through, this website is called Kidtopia.  This website allows kids to do research without having to worry about inappropriate things surfacing during their searches.