The way a teacher supports children’s use of computers will impact if their experiences are successful or frustrating. The teacher’s role is to help children learn to use computers as a tool for learning, problem solving, creativity, and fun. The best way to introduce children to computers is in small groups; under your guidance support you can comment on their actions. Such as, the way they hold a CD, the location of keys needed to operate the program, how the mouse moves items on the screen, how to advance through the program, sounds that indicate when the printer is working, and how to exit the program. To assist children’s learning in computers you have to take time to observe every child. While observing their usage on the computer try to think of how you might enrich their learning experience. Paying close attention to whether he or she uses the computer independently or relies on others for help, stays occupied in the program, asks to use the computer or is required to use it, etc. By doing this you are likely to observe a wide variety of skills which in terms helps you plan each child’s needs.
Because computers can be used to present small bits of information in a outlined sequence and offer repetition, individualized instruction, and immediate feedback, it is ideally suited to children with special needs. Studies of children with developmental delays show that they enjoy and learn from computer experiences. Children with developmental delays respond to computers in the same ways that children without disabilities do. Both groups of children are capable of engaging in computer activities for fifteen minutes or more per session. When educating children with mild developmental delays you shouldn’t have to alter your approach to computers. One of the most important benefits of computers is its ability to respond to children’s individual timetables. Children with developmental delays can get the repetition and reinforcement they need by using the program as any other user would. After the computer usage and basics are explained to the child you may consider pairing a child with developmental delays with a child who is not disabled. The more advanced child, which maybe the developmentally disabled child, will be able to encourage and boost the confidence of the other child. Both children will be enriched by their time on the computer together.
Computers offer may opportunities to integrate learning across all content areas. Computers help to expand children’s vocabulary and language development by introducing them to software that labels vocabulary with pictures, written words, and the spoken language. It teaches children number concepts, helps them to discover patterns and relationships, and promotes the understanding of measurement. It also teaches children science by letting them explore how things work; it introduces children to life science on the computer. There are also programs available that help children learn about the earth and its environment. The computers itself helps to make children aware of the technology by involving them in their everyday classroom life as a natural tool.
As the teacher knowledge grows about computers and the many ways computers can be used effectively in the classroom, children’s learning opportunities will multiply. Computers should be used for children to have while exploring the many exciting things that computers do. If used correctly Computers will help children demonstrate self-direction and independence. Computers aide children’s intellectual development and close the gap between concrete and abstract thinking.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Permission To Speak My Mind
As week 1 and Lesson 5 comes to an end I start to reflect on all that I have learned, all that I have accomplished thus far, and all that is too come. Like most students in the course I have taken the telecourses and maybe one or two online courses so I come in with the pre-assumptions of what this semester has in store for me. Yet, at the same time I am eager to learn more about online teaching for future references and teaching online as it may help me in the elementary through high school years to come. But I still entered the course a little skeptical of what’s to come? The course even started out on a bad note with me being given the wrong advice from the college.
Week 1 focused on the basic functions of Webct for first time users, familiarizing yourself with the course, getting to know each other, and just refreshing yourself with the computer skills that we have not used in a while. Here I was also introduced to “the Blogs”. I have always heard about blogs but never really felt the need to create one. But after we were required to do our first blog I started to get an understanding of what people get out of it. Yet, I never really tried to understand it either. From my research I have come to realize that a blog is a website where entries are written in chronological order and displayed just the opposite. As a verb the meaning means to maintain or add content. I have come to realize that blogs basically gives the writer someone to communicate with in areas, such as, commentary or news on a particular subject such as food, politics, or local news; some function as a personal online diary. I kind of like the idea of being able to communicate with others without having a bias response or someone telling you what they think you want to hear. The readers have the option of answer or just moving on to the next person’s blog without responding. Plus, it gives you that set of ears that you sometimes need when things are a mess. And for this I have grown to like to enjoy blogging. On the negative side I am still a little skeptical about what I write and who may read it. The questions that I constantly battle with is can a reader track you down from your information? Do I really want to share anything with strangers and to what extent? I do know the answers to these questions but I still have my doubts. All in all I enjoyed the assignment after I got it up and running. However, I wasn’t as happy with my grade as I was to finally learn to do a blog but that is another story.
Week 2 examined online learning environment, the importance of incorporating high touch and high tech to achieve effective learning outcomes. This is the assignments where we got to respond on our own feelings on constructivism and high tech high touch. I loved the constructivist approach because I believed children learned from other children and this perspective really helps them to do so. Plus, children learned more so from observation and their environment and this goes hand in hand with the constructivist perspective. This approach fitted this particular class because the teaching and interaction process is completed through the student's active construction. It places the responsibility of learning on myself; I am responsible for what I get out of this class and what I don’t. This is true for any class on campus or online but I get to play an active role in my learning while the instructor facilitates. It also allows me to meet new people, complete group projects, and for me to learn from other students. What more could I ask for?
Week 3 shredded light on the various models of online learning starting from fully-online courses to web-based resources to enhance learning in the traditional face-to-face environment. I really enjoyed this unit because it was able to give me an idea of what model I learn from and made me more aware of the other models that I deemed useless to me. In this unit I had the pleasure of completing a group project. The project started out a little ruff because my group got a late start but after all work was assigned we were able to get the ball rolling. I came to learn different models of learning from a first hand perspective since we all were different models or assigned to a different model. I found this useful as a educator because I must be able to touch into all students model and learning style. I got the opportunity to go back to what I consider lesson planning 101 also known as goal writing. To be able to write a lesson plan I must first set goals for my children and this was no different; however, it was strange to incorporate web-enhancements to enrich the on-ground version of the course.
Week 4 concentrated on learners in the online environment, reviewing learning styles, and factors that influence a student’s ability to be successful in online learners. After taking part in the learning styles inventory I learned that I am an auditory learner who likes to like to brainstorm, and talk with people which was much true in my case. The results seemed so accurate that it was scary. I always tend to brainstorm through things before reacting and I also have a tendency to check over things at least two to three times before reacting. Again this unit on learning styles became helpful to me in pin pointing students weakness as a learner and their strengths. With knowing their strengths I know what angle to come to them at in hopes of them learning and understanding an assignment. This was a great unit for future references in my career.
Week 5 takes a closer look at teaching styles and ways to adapt it successfully in online learning. Week 5 was fairly easy because it gave us a chance to reflect back on our ability to work in groups. This was good for future references since we will have another project with this same members before the end of the semester; but bad because we did not get to know our team members responses. I would have loved to know the responses (not who wrote it) to better improve myself. I feel that if we were given a grade for our ability to work efficiently as a group then I should also be allowed to read the criticism for future references, especially since I will be working with these same individuals in a few weeks. This does not mean that I would work no differently only harder. How am I suppose to correct my ability to work as an efficient team member if I am only allowed to see the responses to question like: How did you think the project went? What worked and what didn't? What did you learn from this project that you can carry forward into the next project? How do you feel about using group projects in courses that you might teach in the future? People tend to hold back their responses when they know that they may encounter the person who is reading this one day but if they are forwarded as anonymous then it is nothing to fear.
As of today I have learned a lot about online courses and have grown rather fund of it. I enjoy running to the computer my every spare moment to see if my response was eye catching enough to get a response or if the instructor had something good or bad to say about my post for the week. I have learned not to read too much into the instructors or the other students post because this does not reflect what your grade for the week might end up being. I look forward to the weeks to come. If I had to pick just one thing that I have enjoyed the last week it would be blogs. It gives me the courage and opportunity to speak freely about the course and the direction I think it has taken in my education. These are things that I would have never said in class or on an email for fear that it would reflect my grade.
Week 1 focused on the basic functions of Webct for first time users, familiarizing yourself with the course, getting to know each other, and just refreshing yourself with the computer skills that we have not used in a while. Here I was also introduced to “the Blogs”. I have always heard about blogs but never really felt the need to create one. But after we were required to do our first blog I started to get an understanding of what people get out of it. Yet, I never really tried to understand it either. From my research I have come to realize that a blog is a website where entries are written in chronological order and displayed just the opposite. As a verb the meaning means to maintain or add content. I have come to realize that blogs basically gives the writer someone to communicate with in areas, such as, commentary or news on a particular subject such as food, politics, or local news; some function as a personal online diary. I kind of like the idea of being able to communicate with others without having a bias response or someone telling you what they think you want to hear. The readers have the option of answer or just moving on to the next person’s blog without responding. Plus, it gives you that set of ears that you sometimes need when things are a mess. And for this I have grown to like to enjoy blogging. On the negative side I am still a little skeptical about what I write and who may read it. The questions that I constantly battle with is can a reader track you down from your information? Do I really want to share anything with strangers and to what extent? I do know the answers to these questions but I still have my doubts. All in all I enjoyed the assignment after I got it up and running. However, I wasn’t as happy with my grade as I was to finally learn to do a blog but that is another story.
Week 2 examined online learning environment, the importance of incorporating high touch and high tech to achieve effective learning outcomes. This is the assignments where we got to respond on our own feelings on constructivism and high tech high touch. I loved the constructivist approach because I believed children learned from other children and this perspective really helps them to do so. Plus, children learned more so from observation and their environment and this goes hand in hand with the constructivist perspective. This approach fitted this particular class because the teaching and interaction process is completed through the student's active construction. It places the responsibility of learning on myself; I am responsible for what I get out of this class and what I don’t. This is true for any class on campus or online but I get to play an active role in my learning while the instructor facilitates. It also allows me to meet new people, complete group projects, and for me to learn from other students. What more could I ask for?
Week 3 shredded light on the various models of online learning starting from fully-online courses to web-based resources to enhance learning in the traditional face-to-face environment. I really enjoyed this unit because it was able to give me an idea of what model I learn from and made me more aware of the other models that I deemed useless to me. In this unit I had the pleasure of completing a group project. The project started out a little ruff because my group got a late start but after all work was assigned we were able to get the ball rolling. I came to learn different models of learning from a first hand perspective since we all were different models or assigned to a different model. I found this useful as a educator because I must be able to touch into all students model and learning style. I got the opportunity to go back to what I consider lesson planning 101 also known as goal writing. To be able to write a lesson plan I must first set goals for my children and this was no different; however, it was strange to incorporate web-enhancements to enrich the on-ground version of the course.
Week 4 concentrated on learners in the online environment, reviewing learning styles, and factors that influence a student’s ability to be successful in online learners. After taking part in the learning styles inventory I learned that I am an auditory learner who likes to like to brainstorm, and talk with people which was much true in my case. The results seemed so accurate that it was scary. I always tend to brainstorm through things before reacting and I also have a tendency to check over things at least two to three times before reacting. Again this unit on learning styles became helpful to me in pin pointing students weakness as a learner and their strengths. With knowing their strengths I know what angle to come to them at in hopes of them learning and understanding an assignment. This was a great unit for future references in my career.
Week 5 takes a closer look at teaching styles and ways to adapt it successfully in online learning. Week 5 was fairly easy because it gave us a chance to reflect back on our ability to work in groups. This was good for future references since we will have another project with this same members before the end of the semester; but bad because we did not get to know our team members responses. I would have loved to know the responses (not who wrote it) to better improve myself. I feel that if we were given a grade for our ability to work efficiently as a group then I should also be allowed to read the criticism for future references, especially since I will be working with these same individuals in a few weeks. This does not mean that I would work no differently only harder. How am I suppose to correct my ability to work as an efficient team member if I am only allowed to see the responses to question like: How did you think the project went? What worked and what didn't? What did you learn from this project that you can carry forward into the next project? How do you feel about using group projects in courses that you might teach in the future? People tend to hold back their responses when they know that they may encounter the person who is reading this one day but if they are forwarded as anonymous then it is nothing to fear.
As of today I have learned a lot about online courses and have grown rather fund of it. I enjoy running to the computer my every spare moment to see if my response was eye catching enough to get a response or if the instructor had something good or bad to say about my post for the week. I have learned not to read too much into the instructors or the other students post because this does not reflect what your grade for the week might end up being. I look forward to the weeks to come. If I had to pick just one thing that I have enjoyed the last week it would be blogs. It gives me the courage and opportunity to speak freely about the course and the direction I think it has taken in my education. These are things that I would have never said in class or on an email for fear that it would reflect my grade.
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