EDT+674+Discussion+Questions

==**__Discussion Question 1 - completed during Weekend One __**==

**What do you know about using technology with students?**

I know how to use the basic programs that students have access to computers at school. Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint....etc. I include websites for them with any research assignment. The idea is to focus their research to specific sites from the beginning in an effort to save them time.


 * What do you want to know about using technology with students?**

I would like to know more about how students can use technology in their final product. Ultimately I want them to use technology to demonstrate learning and knowledge. I would also like to integrate more technology throughout my entire curriculum rather than a few assignments or units. I realize that this would take time to do. That stated, I would like to see if there are shortcuts or ways to save me time as I plan and implement these new strategies.

I did get a smart board at the end of the school year. I would like to find ways that I can implement this piece into my classroom.

Another goal is how to maximize technology given my school's technological resources. We would all like for our students to have access to the best technology. Most of our students do not have laptops. As a teacher, I don't have access to a computer lab on a daily basis. When I do, the labs are more trouble than they are worth. The hardware is old and slow. Some computers are missing parts. Given the availability of our computer labs/space, how can I maximize technology that is at my disposal??

**Look at the Essential 21st Century Skills List - Select one skill and discuss how you already meet this skill via your current instruction.**

Periodically, I will divide the class up in "expert" groups to learn and present new information. For example, there might be 5 new concepts or topics that I will introduce. I will assign one of the five topics to a group and they will learn the information, answer any questions that the focus group members have, and hopefully become an expert on that topic.

From that point, the students will go to a discussion and learning/teaching phase with members from the other groups. In the discussion group, each member will be expected to summarize and teach there focus concept to the other members who were assigned different concepts.

This expert/discussion group activity addresses many of the skills that are on the list of essentials for the 21st century. What I like is it requires students to be accountable for their information to a point where they have to teach it to other students.

Our school is implementing a new discipline policy throughout the school. It has been implemented and modeled throughout the United States and several districts in Wisconsin. It is designed to model and teach responsible behavior. It is designed to teach positive behavior in every student throughout the school by a variety of ways including classroom instruction.
 * Select another Essential 21st Century Skill that you may NOT already touch upon and project how you might be able to meet that need in future instruction**.

As a history teacher, I plan to use examples throughout history about examples of people who exhibited moral and ethical responsiblity. Students also need to be presented with the reality that life presents moments of moral ambiguity. There are instances where people have been presented with times supporting individual conscience and what is good for collective society can at times collide.

Presenting history through that lens may help the student to personalize a historical era/person as well as learn proper behavior.


 * You Tube Video:**

media type="youtube" key="47rQkTPWW2I" height="385" width="480"
 * Stuck on an Escalator** is my attempt to illustrate the importance of students to be independent thinkers, problem solvers, and critical thinkers. Humorous. Enjoy.

The reading/book is one the most useful sources I have read for any class. Besides written and illustrated with clarity, the chapters addressed many topics that educators should consider while plying their trade. The chapters paralleled and described very clearly how a teacher can meet the needs of a learner in the 21st century.
 * To complete the KWHL- what have you learned from the readings, activities and discussions from this course about using technology with your students? **

Too often we are presented with the theory of sound educational practices. The course and the book not only described theoretical reasons, but also offered sound practical strategies of how teachers can educate learners of the 21st century. Strategies described in each chapter in the text along with presentations by my classmates were helpful in gaining new ideas. Especially helpful will be the wealth of information offered by the text and the wiki about useful websites that will help me implement the instructional strategies outlined in the text.

As I leave on the last Saturday of the class, I am just beginning the class. Which is to say, I have acquired a wealth of ideas, strategies, and websites that I will be tapping into as I write new lessons, improve on existing lessons, and improve on my overall ability to teach.