Smart Boards

 How would you use the smart board to change the types of instruction in your classroom?

    For students that have a visual impairment, the smart board can be used to make text larger and for those who learn visually it can help the student to better understand the information . It can also be used to help struggling readers as pictures can be posted on the board. It can be used for games in the classroom also  it benefits the students learning to work collaboratively.They learn the value of team work and communication among group members .They learn that it takes a team of people with different talents to develop thoughts and ideas. Students can also to be encouraged to socialize and work together to learn different skills. The greatest benefits of having a smart board in your future classroom would be the ability to help students with different learning styles. As you work on your own smart board you should keep in mind ; interesting materials for the students, meeting content standards, and engaging visuals . If you have access to a smart board I would encourage you to make the most of it, it is an extremely helpful tool! 

  

Cyber Bully, Do Know Where to Look?

Cyber bullying comes in all shapes and sizes but do you know the signs? Did you know that in 2015 alone nearly 43% of children have been bullied online at some point? Using this reading from the book I found out very valuable ways to recognize and prevent bullying and how to address the issue in the classroom. This issue is important to me due to the increasing usage of technology in the classroom and for recreational use. The earlier that the students are taught the etiquette of the internet the better the time on the technology spent. The classroom rules that I could come up with would be a contract that we went over as class that has a zero tolerance for that type of behavior and having a system available to tell if someone is going on that track.

Copy Right?

Using the following websites I found some very helpful information concerning copyright and how it is used.The following types of works are protected by copyrights: Literary works; music and lyrics; dramatic works and music; pantomimes and choreographic works; photographs, graphics, paintings, and sculptural works; motion pictures and other audiovisual works; video games and computer software; audio recordings; and architectural works.Two things that students must do when they use portions of copyrighted material are give proper credit and citations. They must also include on the opening screen of their programs and on any printed materials that their presentation has been prepared under fair use exemption of the U.S. Copyright Law and are restricted from further use.

. Educators may claim fair use provided that they are: face to face curriculum based instruction, demonstrations of how to create multimedia productions, presented at conferences, remote instruction that is signal limited and kept for only two years.Fair use ends when the multimedia creator loses control of his product's use, such as when it is accessed by others over the internet. And we don't want that to happen!

Learning Theories & Differention

Learning Theories 

In the teaching world there are four major theories of learning. These theories guide us teachers in our differentiated ways of teaching the students by focusing in on their strengths. The first theory the Behaviorist Learn Theory which states that learning is a changed behavior that occurs unconsciously through responses to stimuli or the environment. The teacher reinforces student behavior or learning through rewards and punishment. Two types of technological supports include computer games that provide skills instruction with built-in rewards and drill and practice software.The Second theory is Directed Instruction which says that learning is defined as the mastery of a body of transmitted knowledge.Teachers shape learning by transmitting an organized curriculum and students passively reiterate information.Two types of technological supports include software tutorials and SMART board or PowerPoint presentations. The third theory is the Cognitive Learning Theory this theory states that learning is an internal mental process. Teachers can shape learning by structuring material to focus on building cognitive or intellectual processes. Two types of technological supports include blogs for reflection or connecting prior knowledge and visualization software. The fourth theory is the Constructivist Learning Theory this theory basically says the the building of knowledge is constructed through experiences and reflection. Teachers can emulate this by using digital storytelling software or YouTube for kids that offer visual simulations that could be easier to understand.   

Differentiated Instruction 

This instruction is based upon the context in which the learners prefer:

• Intelligence Preference (Multiple Intelligences) - These learners respond using visual-spacial and musical intelligence, with this knowledge the teacher can create assignment as needed. 
• Gender - Using technology to accommodate female and male ways of learning and making sure both genders are equally represented 
• Culture - Focused on the environment that the child is from. Using this information you can cater to the needs of students from different continents making sure that the information is culturally appropriate 
• ADD/ ADHD - Most common behavioral disorder of childhood. By giving the student earphones or a quiet space the teacher creates an essential working environment that can help develop focus.
• Index of Inclusiveness - When a classroom provides resources for all of the students with technology that matching selected preferences
• Universal Design for Learning - Allows teachers to customize and personalize learning activities addressing the students' diverse learning styles and working strategies. The use of technology gives diverse options to get information and spark interest.
• Grouping Students - Provides students with different areas that suit differentiated learning by using technology as a center.
• Assistive Technologies - Used by individuals with disabilities to adjust wording and help students with speech disabilities