In this post, I get to critique one of my favorite websites of all time, nationalgeographic.com. At first look, the website seems like a collage of articles, pictures, and videos. To some extent this is true, however, the website is a lot more user-friendly than it might seem. Tabs located directly at the top of the home screen make it easy to find specific categories. I appreciate the fact that the website is not as striking as it could be, considering it deals with national geography. Instead, it is highlighted by pictures of animals presented on a neutral, yet aesthetically pleasing background. If I could change anything about this website, I would consider to decrease the amount of media held within the site. Such an enormous amount of media makes it difficult for each page to load quickly. I cannot be too upset with the amount of media encompassed in the website because I understand that it is national geography, and perhaps a large amount is necessary.
Once I enter the classroom, I plan to incorporate the use of Microsoft PowerPoint and Youtube on a daily basis(or every other day) if possible. As a teacher, I will look to limit the necessity of some forms of technology outside of the classroom because I understand that not all individuals have access to the same technologies. Therefore, my students will not need to be concerned about the issues of digital communication or digital commerce for example. Perhaps the only concept of digital citizenship I will need to address is digital literacy. Teaching them how to use different programs and software will be vital to their future success. I plan on teaching high school students(older teenagers) therefore, they should have the capacity to learn how to operate Youtube and PowerPoint, especially in today's age.
After completing the Newsletter Design assignment, I feel I have become more creative in using Microsoft Word. I used to believe Word was just a basic word processor, however, I learned that it has more advanced functions thought I had no knowledge of. I liked that we were required to shade at least one section. Shading can provide a little color to a basic, boring document. I cannot identify a specific aspect of the assignment that I did not like.
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Technology in the Classroom
In today's era of technology, it is essential that computers are incorporated into the classroom. Computers enable users to quickly gather information through all kinds of mediums(articles, podcasts, etc), a useful ability that should be adapted into classrooms. In addition, computers offer an alternative source of knowledge outside a teacher's expertise. Although computers bring large advantages to classrooms, not all schools have access to this resource. Every educational institution have priorities that are affected by economic resources, and technology is one of them. Perhaps the most critical aspect of the incorporation of technology in classroom is its economic cost because it directly affects budget, a priority some officials hold higher than education itself.
The most prevalent way I plan to use technology in my classroom is as a teaching aid. Instead of catering only to auditory learners through spoken lecture, I plan to use PowerPoint Presentations to accompany my lecture. This form of lecture will allow me to accommodate visual and auditory learners. I hope to learn how to include all or most learning styles in my methods of teaching, especially with the aid of technology.
According to the podcast, a digital native is "a person who has grown up knowing technology", a definition I am comfortable agreeing with. In the past, I have experienced differences in how my past teachers(digital immigrants) and I(digital native) use technology, or do not use it. Just two years ago, my history teacher gave all her students a forewarning on the first day of class. She informed us that she would not be using PowerPoint or any technological aids in the classroom, just her voice and notes sufficient for lecture. This made learning in her class difficult for students who were not primarily auditory learners. When I become a teacher, I do feel that there will be differences with my students on how to use technology. Technology comes with its innate duty to change and progress, and not growing up with new technologies makes it difficult to put them in use.
The most prevalent way I plan to use technology in my classroom is as a teaching aid. Instead of catering only to auditory learners through spoken lecture, I plan to use PowerPoint Presentations to accompany my lecture. This form of lecture will allow me to accommodate visual and auditory learners. I hope to learn how to include all or most learning styles in my methods of teaching, especially with the aid of technology.
According to the podcast, a digital native is "a person who has grown up knowing technology", a definition I am comfortable agreeing with. In the past, I have experienced differences in how my past teachers(digital immigrants) and I(digital native) use technology, or do not use it. Just two years ago, my history teacher gave all her students a forewarning on the first day of class. She informed us that she would not be using PowerPoint or any technological aids in the classroom, just her voice and notes sufficient for lecture. This made learning in her class difficult for students who were not primarily auditory learners. When I become a teacher, I do feel that there will be differences with my students on how to use technology. Technology comes with its innate duty to change and progress, and not growing up with new technologies makes it difficult to put them in use.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)