Mattie+Cavey

Mattie's page.

This is my html page for my ISTC 301 class.

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**Reflection to Learning Styles and CAST Website Sources** After completing a learning styles survey, the results were not surprising to me. I know that I am a visual learner, and that when I study notecard help me out tremendously. I tend to color code almost everything, which was suggested in helping study. My binders are color coded for each class, as is my closest, which helps me maintain my organization. I already knew that I do not learn very well during lectures, but I was surprised to realize the difference between having visuals and verbal instruction vs. visuals and non-verbal instruction. On the survey, I actually had to same score for both, and it depends on my mood or the task I am doing whether which one works better for me. The only aspect of my learning style that kind of surprised me was that my kinesthetic score was higher than my auditory. I am very klutzy so it would make sense to me that the kinesthetic score would have been the lowest, but that was not the case. I guess the reason for that is because I learn very well when I am doing something hands on. The study suggestions that were offered are ones that I know would not work for me, like using a tape recorder, and the others are one that I already do, using notecards and studying with a partner. I felt like that CAST website was very informative and interactive. I liked doing the activity and applying the various networks within the activity. In my experience, applying what you learn is the best way to remember the information and distinguish the information you learn. For me, it also helped because the chapter my group was assigned and the section I read also talked about the various networks: recognition, strategic, affective. I also really enjoyed the book-builder section of the website. I think students would really enjoy creating their own books that other people throughout the country could see. The part of **//Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age//** that I was assigned to read, was very interesting and brought up some interesting insights. For example, my section talked about how using technology to store information is completely different than storing information has been previously. They used the Mona Lisa as an example of how the artwork is store by using paint on canvas, which is permanent. However, technology allows that picture to be stored on a computer using numbers which can be brought up on almost any media, on a computer screen, TV, printed out on paper, but that technology allows the image to not be permanent. This is an important aspect to use within the classroom. Students are able to be exposed to so many things, various environments, people, artwork, almost anything, and with technology they can almost feel like they are experiencing that material in person, rather than just reading about it in a book or having to travel long distances in order to see it. The activities showed me what I actually do pick up on in some instances and what my strengthens and weaknesses are when working in groups. For the first activity, I chose to make an Indian dinner, even though cooking is not my strong suit. I was able to determine even though I do not have much experience or enjoyment with cooking, I would still be able to contribute to the dinner-making process. I tend to take the position of a leader within groups, so I can help distinguish what should be done at what time, who should do what, and maintain peace. The second activity really showed me how various people can look at the same thing and see something completely different. For example, I looked at a picture with various people sitting around, and I noticed that the man looked like he was walking and all the women were hesitating and seemed to be wondering why he was there. Whereas, in comparison, a mother may have noticed the children sitting at the table. These activities helped me realize that everyone has a purpose when working in groups, even if it may seem small, everyone has a way they can contribute. Also, that people see things differently based on their prior experiences and interests. I feel like the CAST website gives different insights into differentiation. I have been exposed to various ways to differentiate instruction for students, but not so often has it been for technology. I think that kids today respond well to technology because they are practically raised on it. Given that fact, if teachers can differentiate instruction for their students and incorporate technology, students are only going to be more engaged and therefore succeed more. For example, I mentioned I liked the book-builder section, and most students have to write at least one story per year. Kids would be much more interested if they could create a book online where other people could read it, rather than only the people in their school. This helps make kids more interested and they want to do a good job because they know that on the internet, anyone can access their stories. I enjoyed the CAST website and I think it provides a lot of good information. I know I learned a lot from the information I read in my chapter, and I am anxious to see what other people have learned as well.

**Assistive Technology** Based on the information I gathered from the websites and videos, assistive technology is definitely needed for students with disabilities. In today’s society, many people have cell phones, computers, iPads, and more on a daily basis, and probably would not know what to do without them. However, they would slowly and more than likely hesitantly learn to survive without them if they had to. That fact is different for students with disabilities because they require assistive technologies to help them function, especially in school, various activities, or doing daily routines. Some students require a motorized chair in order to move around because they are unable to walk, which without that use of technology that student would not be mobile and would limit their potential success.

Most of the websites, for me, contained a lot of information and made it a little more challenging to find good information or links to help direct me. However, the one site I loved and will definitely refer back to once I begin teaching was the [] website. I felt as though that website provided a lot of information, but also organized the information in an approachable way. The website contains basic information as well as tutorials, which will be helpful, and more resources which can ultimately help me solve a problem one of my students may be having.

Technology provides a lot to students with diverse learning needs. Every student learns differently, and if there is a technology tool that can help enhance their learning, why shouldn’t the students be allowed to use it? Most students come to school with so much exposure to technology already, and some students can use that technology to increase their understanding and participation within the classroom. For example, in the one video, the student used a joy-stick to help him play his horn, which he was incapable of doing prior because he could not press the keys. In my opinion, this helps the student tremendously because it teaches him/her that they can do anything they can think of, it just might have to be done in a different way. I also think that technology can be used for students in the gifted and talented program. Those students get bored very easily and I believe that allowing gifted students to use technology resources can help boost their motivation and challenge their thinking, which is what they ultimately need.

Prior to coming to Towson, I spent 15 hours in a special education center. I was amazed at the limitations some of the students faced, but some of the technology was definitely helpful. The classroom I was in had five students at the elementary level, and included a SmartBoard. The SmartBoard was used to help students classify various shapes and colors, rather than having them write the answers out on paper independently. Also, the students were allowed to use a computer once during the day, which helped maintain the students’ interest. Every student was very excited to have a chance to go on the computer, and therefore became eager to finish their work.

I think that it is important to get to know your students, and be aware of what is offered to them inside the classroom. Every child learns differently and therefore I have to be prepared for anything that comes my way. I think that meeting the needs of all my students will be challenging, but I think as long as the students have a chance to test out various things, they will not feel left out from a student who may need to use assistive technology on a regular basis. For example, if a student needs to use a laptop daily and other students do not, I think that one student per day should have an opportunity to work with the student who uses the laptop, so they will feel included and the student with the laptop will have a chance to interact with his/her classmate. I think having a sense of community within the classroom is very important, which includes every student working together as a whole.

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**Virtual Fieldtrips** I think that virtual fieldtrips are a very useful tool in today’s classrooms. When I was in elementary school, I remember going on a lot of fieldtrips for various subjects. However, in today’s society, money is very short and therefore there are less and less fieldtrips that students have an opportunity to go on. Due to that fact, I think that virtual fieldtrips are the way to go. The virtual fieldtrips that I looked at, give students an opportunity to explore various subjects and backgrounds, while still engaging the students and allowing them to have control of the experience. Topics that are covered in elementary school, whether it be about an old topic such as colonial America or an abstract concept such as space, may be difficult for students to have an opportunity to explore those topics on an actual fieldtrip, and a solution to that, is virtual fieldtrips.

Fieldtrips allow students to explore and richen their experience about various concepts taught inside the classroom. The fact is, fieldtrips cost a lot of money and many parents and school systems do not have that money. Another point to consider is that we live in a litigious world and school systems expose themselves to possible lawsuits if students are hurt on fieldtrips. Sad but true . When students are able to engage in virtual fieldtrips, they are still able to be exposed to experiences and deepen their understanding, even if they are not physically in a setting. Virtual fieldtrips allow students to take even further control of their learning because many sites that offer virtual fieldtrips, allow students to choose where they want to explore next and offer both auditory and visual options. By giving students an opportunity to use virtual fieldtrips, there is no need to worry about the cost because even if a student is unable to go on an actual fieldtrip due to the price, that is not a barrier that needs to be broken down because every student has access to a computer at school or a library and can engage in the virtual fieldtrip. Fieldtrips are a vital experience for students to enrich their understanding of a concept, however, there are many barriers to fieldtrips that must be addressed; therefore, virtual fieldtrips are a wave to the future that will help deepen student understanding without the many barriers that fieldtrips usually pose.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**MovieMaker**

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">[] <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">The Greek's believed in many myths in order to explain occurances in the world. They believed in the story of Persephone to explain why there are seasons on Earth.


 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Final Reflection **
 * //<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Scenario: //**
 * //<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">You find yourself at a job interview for your first teaching position in a public school (of your appropriate grade level). As you are talking to the principal, you ask how much technology is available in the school (i.e. labs, computers in classrooms, interactive whiteboards and the like) and how much emphasis is placed on teachers’ using technology in their teaching. The principal says, “Oh, yes, the teachers have whiteboards and computers in their rooms, but some teachers don’t like them and don’t use them very much. Why do you ask?” So you’re put on the spot, in a sense, to explain why you feel it is important to have up-to-date technology in the school and for teachers to use technology in teaching and in student learning. //**

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">In my experience, using technology greatly helps students achieve success within the classroom. In today’s society, students come into the with a vast knowledge and exposure to technology, and the idea of having them abandon what they have done for their entire lives when they come into the classroom, is not realistic. Students are constantly exposed to so much technology on a regular basis, they have enough trouble trying to sit in a desk for hours and be quiet, and with the technology that is now available, this makes the students even more restless. Students have very short attention spans, and by incorporating technology, only helps increase students’ attention.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Response: **

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Another aspect of technology that helps students is the vast amount of various instruments that are available which help students learn. Students can make interactive videos based on stories they have written, which can be posted onto the web for everyone to see. Students may feel a sense of pride in their work, and when they know that is going to be on the web for everyone to see, they are more likely to put forth a better effort because they know everyone is going to be able to see it.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Access to the web also gives students access to other students their age from various cultures. By allowing children to interact with others from various cultures, they have a chance to interact with other people and learn about others who live differently from them. This gives students the opportunity to appreciate what they have and learn how fortunate they are, and how other kids their age do not always have the same opportunities they do.