Amber+Hof


 * -D

This is the HTML page I made for my ISTC 301-501 course for Spring 2012.

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This is my avatar statement about preservice teachers understanding the technology and state curriculum.

=**Responses/Reflection to Learning Styles and CAST Website Resources**=
 * In completing the learning styles survey, did you learn anything new about your personal learning style, or did the information confirm what you have already determined about how you learn best? Were there any suggestions offered for improving your study skills that you had not considered before?**

I have taken a test like this in high school. I received the same learning style again after taking this test. I am a tactile/kinesthetic learner. This means I learn best when I am involved in hands on activities and watching demonstrations before acting. To help myself as a learner, I did learn strategies which can help me. During lectures I should sit in the front and take many notes, not worrying about spelling or complete sentences. I should also try drawling pictures of the information being taught. When I am trying to study, I should read the information out loud and try walking around while holding the material I am trying to learn. One thing I knew about the type of learner I am, is to make note cards to help study. This is something I have always had to do, and it helps me greatly. I am able to create the note card personally and then use it to study. I also limit the amount of information on each card I create.


 * What was your overall impression of the CAST website?**

I personally believe the CAST website was very helpful. It gives teachers a new way to look at things. I never knew all the little details involved in creating goals for students until now. One thing I learned is to not make the goals highly specific because it limits the creativity and the possible strategies students can use to reach the goal. I also thought the section on how the brain can help tell us things about learning differences. I believe it is important for teachers to understand how the brain works and all of the different ways students learn.


 * Did you find any interesting information in the electronic version of //Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age//? Describe how you might incorporate that information in your teaching.**

I found almost everything on this interesting. It gave me a new insight to teaching, and how each child is truly different and each child learns in a different way. Some ideas are similar, but every child is completely different and teachers need to grasp this concept and generate ideas to which each child can be successful. The main thing I will take from this and incorporate into my teaching is the fact that each child is different. There are so many ways to differentiate assignments, and often this needs to be done. Also, understanding how the brain works is important too in getting to know each student. Teachers need to make sure they are flexible and be willing to stop an activity and change it half way through if it is not going as planned, whether it is too hard, or too easy.


 * What was your reaction to the 2 activities in which you participated? Did you gain any new insight into your strengths and talents through these exercises?**

Through taking the test, I was reinsured of my learning style. I had taken the test back in high school, and the same results appeared. I understand how I learn best, and I am very good at determining which students I work with, learn like I do. One strength I gained was learning how other learning styles are, and different strategies in which they learn best. With the group project, I learned that you can still accomplish assignments even when you are not face to face. E-mail and phone calls work very well in getting assignments done. It also helped that two of my other group members were in my cohort! Everyone divided up the work very fairly and we all put in all the effort completely to get it done. I really liked how we only had to take one chapter per group and become an expert on that chapter. This allows for all of that information to be learned, and learned well. Than with the other chapters, I was able to read them and understand them without making it into an assignment.


 * Many of my students have responded quite positively to the materials at CAST. How do you feel about this approach to developing differentiated instruction?**

I like the CAST information. I think they did a great job at presenting the information. Also, it was not bias. There were strengths and weaknesses each instruction had for the students and the teachers. I believe the strengths overpower the weaknesses, and the weaknesses can be tweaked in order to properly manage each section. One example, in chapter 5, which my group worked on, listed was cons of having standards in the classroom. One con was that standards do not allow for much flexibility. As an upcoming teacher, I have realized the importance of being flexible while teaching, so even though standards can cause lack of flexibility, teachers should remember that you must be flexible in order to accommodate the students and be successful.



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**Virtual Field trip** I think virtual field trips are a great idea for the classroom. It is an inexpensive ways to show children what places look like, and allows them to explore. Also it allows for schools to “visit” other states without any of the costs. It allows for an experience a textbook or an online article cannot give. However, the downfall of the virtual field trip is the lack of “hands on” experiences. Students can look at pictures and explore the sites, but they still are not able to be there. For example, students can look at a picture of the British Museum in Ancient Egypt, but being able to go there and use all their senses to experience it will get a better understanding of the place. Since it would not be reasonable for any school in the United States to go to Egypt as a field trip, a virtual field trip is the best thing a teacher can do to provide the students with multiple pictures and experiences the website offers. I know that virtual field trips aren't in any way comparable to the real thing, but I like how teachers today have so many resources available to make lessons come alive rather than simply relying on pictures from a book. I will use virtual field trips in my classroom when I become a teacher to keep children engaged when an actual field trip is not reasonable. A very good time to use this is when traveling to another state and/or country is involved.

This is my digital story. I am dedicating it to my niece who will be turning 3 in two months! Time is flying by!

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My Final reflection:

I feel it is important to have up-to-date technology in the classroom. This is because so many of the students can relate to the technology because they are using it. This usually means that they will be more motivated to learn if they are able to use any type of technology. Technology is also a great way for teachers to differentiate students work. Computers allow for audio clips to be played and words to be pronounced correctly which students can listen to. It also allows for a lot of hands on working for students who learn best that way. For example, on the smart boards they are able to get up from their seats and actually use the pens to write on the board and explain their thinking. Technology also provides a creative way to assess students. There are many websites with learning games. Teachers can find ones which fit with their topic and allow the students to play the games. While the students are doing this, the teacher can observe each student working and take notes if needed. Technology is becoming essential in the classroom because of the creativity is allows.
 * Before taking this class my views on technology in the classroom was poor. I had mentioned how my grandmother thinks it is insane that young students know how to use iPhones and iPads, and I agreed with her because I never got a cell phone until I was in middle school, and I never used a computer until high school for school. I now realize how important using technology is. There are so many different things technology can do for students. It is also extremely motivating for students. During my internship this semester I used the computer as one of my learning stations. I had found a website with a game about telling time. When I introduced this to the students they were more excited to do the computer game station than any other station we had available. I am glad I have finally seen the importance in technology and learned how to use so many different things so I can incorporate these into my classroom in the future. **