Meaningful Learning

As a student, and just a person in general, I will say something that has continuously been a barrier is communication. When it comes to teaching this barrier appears when a student does not understand exactly what it is the teacher is trying to teach. There are now tools to help overcome that barrier. One that I am grateful for personally is the rubric. There has been so many times when I have got an assignment and did it early, turned it in and felt confident and when I received it back I did terrible! The work I did may have looked great and been great work but it isn’t what the assignment was. I think rubrics help eliminate that whole issue. There are also tools such as Inspiration that helps improve communication. I think that Inspiration is a unique tool and what I like the most is I see it as a tool that transforms the same information in many ways. I think a lot of times information changes when you have to transport things on your own because that’s when some mistakes are made.

I’ve really enjoyed this class. Taking this class at the same time I’m taking another class has made me value a lot of things I’ve learned over the summer. One thing that I really appreciate is the fact that I’m testing, using, and personalizing the things that we learn. It makes a difference because I’m not just opening a book and taking test, I’m actually working hands on with the things we go over. At my job I’ve incorporated a lot of things we’ve done in here in my math and technology class =)! The students I work with have enjoyed the things as much as I do! I’m also excited and anxious because I know in a couple of years it’s going to be something bigger and better! But just looking at the reactions I’ve received this summer I know I will definitely use these tools in the future especially blogging. It gives you the chance to make things your own and give your opinion. When I do use these tools I hope my children enjoy this as much as I did. Thanks Ms. Lin!  

Visualizing with Technologies

I think that it is very important to use the tools that help enhance the learning process. With more designs I think that helps make things become your own. And if a teacher is able to make something his or her own that will help leave an imprint in students mind. For instance, this summer when I taught math I didn't call it math, I just made sure I related the subject to everyday events that the students could relate to. So instead of them thinking they were learning how to add and subtract negative numbers, they thought they were just dealing with money. Slowly but surely I stepped away from saying the problem ex. "You let me borrow $10 dollars I only gave you $2 how much do I owe you", to writing it on the board and that became 10-2.

With that being said I think when people use technology to teach it is similar and it will help stick in the children thought process and because they're going to be excited about not learning by lecture I think it will definitely improve the learning of students.

Designing with Technologies

Essentially, we teach things to students so that they can get a head start and become successful in whatever goal they have set for themselves. Recently, when I worked with my students I could tell some of them didn't really aim high or just didn't know what they wanted to do. I think that school is the perfect opportunity to introduce students to some of the most creative things in the world!

As I went to the Lego website I will say that I completely feel in love with the stuff provided! I can see children falling in love with it also. Next thing you know some students will want to become engineers and or gain an interest in computer programming/ gaming. Things like this just open bigger doors! 

The Musical Sketch Pad is unique as well. I think it is important to see how things actually go. When you create something and then see the finishing product it's different than just seeing the finally outcome. For instance when you go to a restaurant and you order something that is great, you are just happy its good. But if you are able to make it yourself and watch people enjoy it, it is a different feeling.