Today’s educational technology is in a constant state of change and it is expected that teachers integrate it into the curriculum. One of the connecting elements across content areas is the integration of technology. Educational technology is not simply a “computer” course in which students learn to use the rudimentary forms of technology. As teachers, we are to incorporate technology into each level and subject as a tool to extend students’ learning on a daily basis (Star, 2011). With the digital shift in learning educators are inspiring their students to become dynamic learners.
Teachers must incorporate various styles of technology into their standards-based lesson plans. The overall goal of Educational Technology in a teaching-learning environment is to engage students in an active-style of learning that will enhance their learning of the content and expand their technological knowledge. Students should work towards mastering the technological skills and have a better understanding of the materials (How to Integrate Technology, 2007). Technology has been used as a form of communication in various forms throughout history. It is important to engage learners and educate them in appropriate methods of communication using a variety of technological devices. This authentic approach to learning can cross over into future professional skills needed in the workforce.
In an educational setting, technology has allowed students to gain useful knowledge through inquiry-based learning. This constructivist view allows students to create their own understanding through various experiences (Roblyer, 2016). Another view of learning that connects to educational technology is the cognitive approach of information-processing. The integration of technology helps students understand new information and use it in appropriate ways. Students need access and understanding of how to effectively use technology to obtain the 21st Century skills and knowledge to reach their academic and professional goals. This includes forms of communication, how to use the Internet effectively, and other basic multimedia principles that will assist in learning.
Schools need to provide technology to students in the classroom due to the fact that the "digital divide" may put their students at a disadvantage at home. Teachers need to be willing to become students of technology, so they understand the proper ways to integrate effective technology into their lessons. As a learning community, we should encourage the students and their family to understand the importance of this life skill.
How to Integrate Technology. (2007). Retrieved August 30, 2016, from http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-guide-implementation
Roblyer, M. (2016). Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching (7th ed.). Massachusetts: Pearson.
Star, L. (2011). Integrating Tech: More Than Just Having Computers. (n.d.). Retrieved August 29, 2016, from http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech146.shtml
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
EDTECH 513 Project #5: Worked Example Screencast
The benefits of using a worked example is allowing your learners to see a step-by-step visual of how to complete a task. This instructional process that allows students to work through a problem and helps build upon their previous skills. The video is segmented allowing the learner to follow along and not become overwhelmed.
For my Work Example Project, I used Camtasia Studio to create and edit my project. The purpose of my work example was to show my students how to use Adobe Spark to create short visual presentations. I learned how to use Spark when making my Digital Story and felt that this product would be great for my middle school students.
Some of the challenges I faced when creating this was the recording and editing. It was easy to record, but found I needed to redo segments a few times to make sure it was the quality I wanted. Also, during the editing, most was easy to adjust and cut, but when recording it stayed on the screen as I was clicking the "stop" button. This was on the video and because it was a short time it was difficult to cut that small of a section.
Link to EDTECH 513 Work Example
Link to Adobe Spark Work Example Narration
For my Work Example Project, I used Camtasia Studio to create and edit my project. The purpose of my work example was to show my students how to use Adobe Spark to create short visual presentations. I learned how to use Spark when making my Digital Story and felt that this product would be great for my middle school students.
Some of the challenges I faced when creating this was the recording and editing. It was easy to record, but found I needed to redo segments a few times to make sure it was the quality I wanted. Also, during the editing, most was easy to adjust and cut, but when recording it stayed on the screen as I was clicking the "stop" button. This was on the video and because it was a short time it was difficult to cut that small of a section.
Link to EDTECH 513 Work Example
Link to Adobe Spark Work Example Narration
Thursday, August 4, 2016
EDTECH 513: Final Reflection
Final Reflection for EDTECH 513: Multimedia
- Working with new programs and recording audio was my biggest challenge. I am not one who likes to hear my recorded voice so the podcast was the most difficult assignment. I had trouble narrowing down my topic and creating a podcast that could work long term. Once I developed my script it just took some time to edit it to where I was satisfied. I had used Audacity before, but since it had been a while I had to work through some issues.
What strategies or other creative resources did you use to address these challenges?
- I worked through these challenges with trail and error. Also, I searched for YouTube videos instructing me step-by-step how to complete the action I was looking to do.
Which artifact do you feel was your best and why?
- I am not sure I can categorize it as my best, but the artifact that I plan on using the most in my classroom is the digital story. I really enjoyed the ease of Adobe Spark to create a short presentation. I think this will work really well in my middle school history classes.
What is one thing you plan to do in your school as a result of this course?
- My goal after this course is the share the different methods of integrating technology into the classroom with my fellow teachers and the technology committee I am on. The committee talks about how we can teach our coworkers to use their iPads in an effective way and I think a lot of the artifacts I created in this course will be useful to the elementary and middle school teachers.
EDTECH 513 Course Syllabus
EDTECH 542: Final Reflection
With the complete of this Project Based Learning course I feel that I have completed a PBL I can use in my classroom this year.
- I understand the active learning PBLs encourages and the implementation of technology connected to it. This is a type of learning takes quite a bit of time to develop and integrate into the classroom, but the long-term knowledge the students will gain is worth the time. This allows the students to take an active roll in their learning and will connect them more to the content.
- I am still learning how to develop the process and create a meaningful entry event. This type of activity will work well in a history classroom, but I need to manage my time properly to ensure I am able to cover all the content I need to for the year.
What did you expect to learn in this course? What did you actually learn? More, less, and why?
- I expected to learn how create a PBL and understand the purpose in the classroom. I felt I learned more because I created an actual PBL that I can use in my classroom. It was helpful to work with Tim Stark on the project to be able to combine ideas and develop meaningful project.
- I will use the project created in this course and use it as an example for how to setup more PBLs for other topics. I hope to share what I have learned with my coworkers and possible develop a project across curriculum.
EDTECH 513: Digital Storytelling - Augustus Caesar
The creation of my digital story was one of my favorite projects so far. I think this would integrate well into the middle school classroom and allow students to easily create a short project. I created a digital story about Augustus Caesar. I wanted to create a video I could use in my middle school history class. It gives a brief history of his family connections, successes and rise to emperor. I used the personalization principle in the tone and brief summary of information. Even though it was a historical story, I made sure to make the language age appropriate since I will be presenting 12-13 year old students.
I used Adobe Spark, which I downloaded on my iPad. It was easy to use and I liked that it had a library of photos and icons that I could use. There was an option to upload your own images if there was something that fit the story better, like a personal photo. It also gave automatic credit at the end of the story to the sources. This product was easy to use and I am looking forward to integrating it into my classroom for presentations.
Link to Digital Story
Link to Digital Story
Link to text narration
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