Science Final Reflection

Over the course of this semester, I have learned different strategies about how to teach not only science, but other content. I have learned that students need science instruction and not just in fifth grade. Students should receive science instruction, even if it is integrated. I know now, that there are many ways to integrate science into other subject areas, such as reading.

I have learned that there are many different ways to give students content. One of these ways are for teachers to create pathways for their students. Pathways differentiate instruction and create a learning environment that supports students. Pathways are student lead and encourage students to take control over their own learning.

I have learned about interactive science note books and how to use them in my classroom. I have also learned about different online tools to use in my classroom. These are tools that will not only help me teach science, but other content areas.

I will take what I have learned and apply it to my future classroom. I will be able to create lessons that use these tools and instill a love for learning in my students.

This semester, I also learned how to lesson plan for science. I think the hardest part of completing these lesson plans were coming up with ways to integrate the science content. However, I over came this by talking with my teacher at internship and searching ways to integrate curriculum.

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Final Reflection

Over the course of this semester, I have learned a lot about technology. I have learned why technology is important for students and ways to integrate technology into my classroom.

I have learned that students need to know what a digital footprint is and why they are important. I have learned ways to teach students how to be safe on the web. I also learned that my own personal digital footprint has a important role in my life.

I have learned about new tools for students and how these tools can teach and assess student learning. I have learned that pretty much anything can can be completed on paper can also be completed on an online tool, such as, using flipgrid or google classroom.

Integrating technology into the classroom is important because technology is only improving every day more and more. Our students need to learn how to use these technologies in order to run our world one day.

Future Classrooms

We all know the education is changing more and more everyday. This means that teachers should be changing the way they teach every year. Students don’t need the same things students twenty years ago needed.

This means that in the future, classrooms should look a lot different from classrooms today. In the future, students should experience more hands on learning, technology, and STEAM or STREAM activities in their classrooms. With this being said, teachers may need to get more education on these topics themselves. However, if it will better student learning, why not education yourself on what your students’ need?

In the future, students need to learn how to problem solve. This is where STEAM activities come in. This means that the teacher is not in charge of students learning, but students themselves are in charge of their own learning. The teacher becomes more of a classroom facilitator.

Technology is becoming bigger and bigger when it comes to students’ learning. Their whole world is technology, and teachers should embrace that. Students need to learn through technology. Now, this doesn’t mean just hand students’ an Ipad and let them play on an app to learn. Teachers should use technology in their lessons. For example, if students are researching on the planets, have them record their finding on a Flipgrid video or to make their own google slide show about the planet.

My point, is that education is changing and teachers need to change with it if we want out students to succeed.

Copyright and Fairness

To view my infographic on copyright click here.

Technology for Pre-Service Teachers

• How should universities prepare pre-service teachers for technology use in the classroom?

Universities should prepare pre-service teachers by teaching them how to use the technology for their future classroom. I think this is important because pre-service teachers need to know how certain technology can be included in their classrooms. I know a lot of the time pre-service teachers are shown a new website or tool, but aren’t shown how that tool can be used in the classroom. This is important because pre-service teachers want to know examples of how to use technology tools in their classroom. For example, Flipgrid is a recording website. It would be great to have professors show pre-service teachers how to use Flipgrid and how to use that in the classroom.

I think this is important because many pre-service teachers didn’t attend elementary, middle, or high schools that used a lot of technology because of the time period then. Technology was just coming into the school and many teachers didn’t use it.

I think another way to prepare pre-service teachers with technology is to make them use the technology in their lesson plans. If pre-service teachers are required to use one technology tool in their lesson plan, then when they get out of teach on their own, they will be more willing to teach with technology because that is what they are used to.

Technology is a great tool for students and it is already part of their world. Therefore, teachers need to use that to help teach students.

Pathways

-It is important for students to manage their own learning.  We can help provide these opportunities through flexible learning environments.  Flexible learning environments are more than just providing comfy couches and unique chairs.  Do some research on flexible learning environments and explain what they mean to you.

 

Pathways are the future of education. Many schools are not doing them now because they are so new and they don’t really know what they are. However, in just a few short years they are going to be the new way of teaching. Pathways are student lead. This means that students are in charge of their own learning. They get to see their growth in the end and they get to be in charge of that growth.

The Digital Learning Competencies (DLCs) is the instructional manual of how to integrate technology into learning. To learn more about Digital Learning Competencies feel free to watch this video. This should be done in all content areas. However, for science integrating technology is smart choice because sometimes teachers don’t have all the science kits to do what they want in science class. When integrating technology into science class, students can record their experiments, use online interactive notebooks, watch videos of experiments, etc. All of these can be integrated into a pathway as well.

I think that the most important thing to include in a pathway is choices. If we want students to take charge in their own learning, we must create learning to fit the students. We know all students don’t learn the same, but we know all students can learn. Therefore, if we teach our students to make the right learning choices for themselves, then they will be able to be in charge of their own learning. Giving students choices allows students to feel important. It also motivates them to learn and keeps them engaged in the learning.

Pathways are flexible learning so why not allow students to complete the pathway work  in flexible learning environments. Flexible learning environments is teaching students that they don’t have to just sit in their desk to complete the work. It is so much more! Flexible learning environments are classroom environments where students can get up and move while completing their tasks. Students may work better sitting beside a friend or in a group. They may work better on the floor or in the hallway. They make focus better when they are standing up by their desk rather than sitting in their chair.

Having a flexible learning environment doesn’t mean you need to spend a lot of money on comfortable couches for students. It means that students are able to move around and they aren’t tied down to one spot in order to learn.

Advice to Students

Dear students,

I know you are growing up in a world full of technology and sometimes you aren’t always taught how to use technology safely. So, I am writing to you all to give you a little bit of advice.

Technology is a wonderful invention. It has changed how we learn, communicate, and teach. However, there are many safety precautions you should know when using technology. First, I know many of you have some sort of social media, we all do! Social media is a great way to stay connected with your family and peers. I just want you all to be aware that what you post on social media is forever out there, even if you think you deleted it.

Posting the wrong things are social media can get you in trouble with your parents, friends, school, or even the law. You need to remember that what you post will forever follow you. Therefore, post things that are nice and clean because posting the wrong types of things can ruin your future.

I want the best for all of you and I want you all the go far in life. So, don’t make the mistake of leaving  a bad digital footprint because it is forever there and you have the world ahead of you.

TPACK/SMAR in the Classroom

TPACK and the SMAR is the new way of teaching students. These are not ways people used to learn in the past. But, the world has changed so much and education must change with it. Technology plays a huge part in our educational system today.

In my classroom, students are allowed to use ipads or chromebooks to read on epic or to play math games. Now, yes we could have students do this the old fashion way by reading actual book or playing board games. However, students need to know how to use technology because it is part of the world. Epic is great resource for students because it allows them to read books that might be available to them in their classroom library or their school library.

Online games are a way of review math concepts and teaching how to use the computer or ipad. Students have to log on to the device and use the internet to get to the math game website in which they would like to play on. This is important because they will have jobs in which they must use a computer to research something. The earlier students learn this skill the better off they will be.

It is important for teachers to include technology in their lessons because it teaches more than just math or reading. Students need to be well versed in technology.

Integrating Online Learning

Our world is moving more and more towards technology and it is important as educators we understand that. Technology is becoming a way of life and we have to be able to teach our students that. This is why it is critical that we teach students through technology. Students love to work on iPads and computers, so why not teach reading, math, science, or social studies using technology.

One of my favorite sites for reading is epic. Buying a classroom library can get pretty pricey, but with epic students have access to all types of books at their fingertips. Epic even has activities to go along with the books and students read at their level and read about their interests. I didn’t know about this site until this year when I saw my students at my internship using it during AR time. This can change the lives of students because many may not have access to books that they like to read, but now they do.

Another great technology resource for teachers is flipgrid. Flipgrid is where students can record short videos about anything. This is great resource because teachers can use it for every subject. This is a great tool for formative assessments because the teacher can go back and watch the video as many times as needed. Students will love working on flipgrid because they will be able to watch their classmates’ videos and comment on them.

Click here to learn more about flipgrid!

In my internship classroom, students use google classroom to complete assignments, but I haven’t really seen a lot of other sites being used yet, other than epic.

Technology is growing more and more and we need to prepare our students for a world of technology. This is why it is important that we incorporate technology into our classrooms.

Anchor Charts in the Classroom

Anchor charts are texts written for students to use on content in which they are learning about. Anchor charts should be made with the students instead of pre-made. This is important because students will learn more if the teacher creates the chart with them instead of before or after the lesson.

Anchor charts can be used for every subject and organized in many different ways. In regards to science anchor charts can be used to teach vocabulary, used for a labeled graphic, or even a graph. The possibilities are unlimited to what teachers can do. Depending on what concept in science is being taught depends on what might go on the anchor chart. It is important for teachers to know that just because they use an anchor chart to teach doesn’t mean that they have to leave it up in their room all year. Anchor charts are for quick reminders for students to remind them what they have learned and how to use it. With that being said, after the teacher feels like the students have mastered the concept that has been taught the anchor chart is free to come down.

As a future teacher, I know I will use anchor charts in my classroom. I will make sure that they are made in front of my students and put on display to be used properly. I believe that anchor charts are a great resource not only for students to use, but for teachers to use to teach.

 

Dittl, T. (2017, August 4). Why I Won’t Be Hanging Anchor Charts in My Classroom this Year. Retrieved September 30, 2018, from https://www.weareteachers.com/over-decorated-classrooms/

Moses, E., & Lee, H. (2014). Imitate and Innovate Anchor Charts [Abstract]. Motivating Students, Inspiring Teachers,1-15. Retrieved September 30, 2018.