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Integrating Websites into the Classroom

Funbrain
This site offers educational games for kids, parents, and teachers.  This website makes education fun, providing games that teach good math skills. I attached a link to the numbers page so that you can check it out yourself. This would be a good website for teachers to use to make math more fun. This site could be used in the classroom during free time. I always thought it was nice to offer a game during free time because children are more likely to gravitate towards something fun. If this was available for students to use on their own in the classroom I bet they would. This site could also be used in a math lesson as extra practice. As a teacher, I could assign this website at the end of a lesson and know that any game the student has chosen on this page is going to be practicing math. Because of the fun aspect of online games this is a good website to suggest for at home learning. Students will be more inclined to use it because it has an entertaining aspect to it. I think this is a good classroom website when used correctly.

Math in our every day lives

https://media.iearn.org/projects/math
This site was my favorite because I thought that I was the most useful and the easiest to use. Many students question the usefulness of math in our everyday lives and this site provides a good explanation for that. I like the fact that it uses math to explore community issues and asks the students to figure out a a way to take action against these issues. It is important for students to link school to real life because it will spark a greater interest in learning for a lot of students. The project uses analysis and synthesis to make the students think about how they can use math in their everyday lives and how they can use this information throughout their lives. I think this is a really solid project as long as the teacher follows up and keeps the students thinking.

Tellecollaboration

Telecollaborative projects are important for students' education because they help develop critical thinking skills. A good example of  telecollaborative projects are webquests because they involve multiple parts and partners to complete. Many teachers like to use these projects to develop students' critical thinking skills.
      Bloom's taxonomy pyramid provides the perfect explanation of the critical thinking process. Good telecollaborative projects should use all these parts. There are six parts of the pyramid. 1. Knowledge. Students must recall information and be able to apply it correctly. For example, in a webquest, students might be asked to do some research. Students must be able to learn from that research and use the information for the project. 2. Comprehension. Using the webquest example again, students must be able to understand the information they have researched otherwise they will not learn the information. 3. Application. Students must correctly apply the information they have come up with to the project. 4. Analysis. Students must be able to analyze the information they have used and be able to compare and contrast it to to other information. 5. Synthesis. Students should be able to use this information to form their own ideas and use those ideas to create an element of originality. and 6. Evaluation. Students should be able to judge the effectiveness of the ending product of the webquest. These are the steps of good critical thinking.
      Telecollaborative projects should include all the elements of Bloom's Taxonomy Pyramid for the students to effectively learn good critical thinking skills.

My Technology: Past, Present, and Future

During my K-12 education technology was a substantial part of my education. I was introduced to the computer as an educational tool in elementary school. One hour a week I had a chance to get on the computer and play educational games (math games, grammar games, typing practice, etc). This was important for my education because it got me used to the computer and helped develop the skills needed to operate a computer. As I got older the computer became an even more important part of my education and it became expected that I knew how to use one. I had a two classes (7th grade + 10th grade) in computer training that taught me programs such as Microsoft word, Adobe Photo Shop, and Microsoft Power Point. This was key because I began to use the computer to type essays, do research, do classroom presentations, email teachers, do online assignments, using online websites for class, etc. and having these tools made it much easier to do those things. Now it seems so simple to whip up a power point presentation or write an essay for class but it is important to remember that these were skills that were taught to me and without them it would not be easy.

I definitely think that it is important for students to be introduced to the computer at a young age, especially because of how prevalent technology is in our everyday lives. As teachers it is our responsibility to integrate technology into the classroom as our word becomes increasingly dependent on it. This means we have to step it up. Class websites should be set up for all classes, even for elementary school. I plan on working in an elementary school and getting the children used to using a computer is essential. Give assignments where the children have to get on the computer to complete it. assign online readings to the older kids and/or set up an email that students can send their written assignments to. For the younger students, I would still set up a class website and give in class "webquests" a website that teaches students to follow directions, do research, learn critical thinking, and learn creative problem solving. I would give these assignments in groups because on top of learning the internet/computer, the students will also learn to work in groups. (can also apply to older students). You can check out webquests at a website called bestwebquests.com

The most challenging part of using technology in the classroom are the temptations that come along with it. The internet provides an infinite number of sites with everything from educational tools, research, games, adult websites etc. The internet is also a huge tool for communication, and as we all know students love to talk to their friends. These things are a distraction in the classroom and they are also hard to monitor. It is very easy for a student to hide what they are doing on the computer and it is even easier to be distracted. This is why it is challenging to bring technology to the classroom.

Avatar: How can avatars be used to support instruction and/or enhance communication?

An Avatar or voki is a digital representation of a speaking person or being. Avatars bring an audio/visual element to the online classroom. Many teachers find avatars useful for class websites because they add a more personal element to an online class or classroom website. Teachers can use avatars to introduce the course and provide further instruction for assignments or new topics. Another reason why avatars are used to support education is that they are helpful for students who are audio/visual learners. Avatars can be used for communication throughout the world. Students from all over the world are able to translate the avatar making it easier for them to actually use the website. Avatars or vokis are key tools in making an effective educational website. I have provided a link to an avatar website. check it out and see how easy it is to make your very own avatar. http://www.voki.com