Chapter 9

Focus Question: What is multimedia technology and how can teachers use it to effectively create and share visual information dynamically in their teaching? 

     Multimedia technology applies to interactive computer elements, such as graphics, text, video, sound and animation, to deliver a message, and to communicate information through learning. Schools have shown the importance of not using non-interactive learning because they feel like mutlimedia has drawn us away from the true way of learning (Transforming Learning with New Technologies, pg.271). We've become so used to multimedia helping us in various ways and feels like it's another way of perhaps being lazy. Multimedia classrooms however, integrates multiple  technologies for teaching and learning (Transforming Learning with New Technologies, pg. 271). Multimedia is not so bad actually; here's a link that explains how multimedia helps us remember things a lot faster, it's called the Cognitive Load Theory. 'Everything' is fast-paced, we rely on technology so much! and 'everyone' is required to know technology, because technology is the way of the future. 

Tech Tool link: Have Fun Teaching

     This website is full of FUN activities for students of all ages! Not only does this promote students to become interactive, but it's a great resource for teachers who need help on having multimedia in the classroom. Students can click on the eight choice Have Fun Teaching has to offer, such as worksheets, coloring, flash cards (on almost anything), activities, and so much more! Students will have a great time on this website; it's not intimidating! When I become a teacher, I will definitely use this website as a resource! Multimedia is so important as well as non-interactive learning, so i believe the use of both learning styles is very important in the classroom. 

     Here's an example of one of the videos from the Have Fun Teaching website. Have fun with the counting down from twenty song! 

Summary & Connection:

Chapter 9 focuses on creating and sharing information with multimedia technologies (Transforming Learning with New Technologies, pg. 240). This chapter transforms your learning from boring to absolute fun! It's all about how important it is to use multimedia in the classroom, because technology includes all the technology used to view pictures, games, interactive websites, and so much more! Multimedia technology also promotes learning and creativity, and the sharing of information thru communication. This chapter also calls for students to learn ways to interact and work together electronically (Transforming Learning with New Technologies, pg. 241).  

Chapter 8

Focus Question: How can teachers use a website or blog to improve teaching and learning?

     Teachers can use a website or blog to improve teaching and learning by allowing the students to do their homework by accessing the website or blog the teacher provided for them. Websites and blogs are becoming apparent as one of the most important things a teacher can allow their students to use. It allows teacher to communicate with their students, families, and colleagues. (Transforming Learning with New Technologies, pg 236) Three basic types of education-related blogs: 1.) "official face" blogs, 2.) single-purpose blogs, and 3.) active learning blogs. Plus, teachers have the option of creating their own website or even their own classblog. There are three options a teacher has to keep in mind: 1.) a do-it-yourself option, 2.) a commercially available option, or 3.) an open source option (according to Transforming Learning with New Technology book, pg 236).        


Tech Tool link: Fact Monster

     There is a lot of great information on fact monster! Many teachers can use this website to create an imaginative virtual experience for students who are having trouble with a certain subject. There's even a homework center where students can click on any subject, and a skills section where the studetns can acquire better listening skills, studying skills, writing, and researching skills. This website has a reference desk which includes a dictionar, an almanac, an atlas, and more! It's an amazing resource! Talking about technology and how we can go to websites to help students further their academic goals, there's also blogs! Blogs are liek journal enteries, students can record homework and research which is a good way for teachers to know if their students are actually doing their work. Teachers can go to Kidblog where they can create a blog for their class! for free! Teachers can access kidblog to view their class anywhere. Thank man for technology! Here's a small tutorial on Mr. Bellow's kidblog,  showing you how to create a class blog, and the many things 'Kidblog' has to offer.

Summary & Connection:

     Chapter 8 is a chapter that points out the importance of communicating and networking with websites, blogs, wikis, and more! This chapter explains the many ways a teacher can use technology to contact students, by using computers and other technologies to share ideas and information in classrooms. Teacher can also communicate via the internet by having classroom blogs. These are 'home grown' by teachers and students working together. (Transforming Learning with New Technologies, pg. 207) It's a great chapter for those of you who don't know much about creating webites or blogs. Technology is emerging everyday with new and bright ideas, so let's make sure we're all in the 'know'.

Chapter 7

Focus Question:
What are intelligent tutoring systems and how can students and teachers use them successfully?

      Intelligent tutors are basically computer teachers that track a student's performance in getting the correct answers. The intelligent tutors modify their teaching style based on how well or how poorly the student does and of course, on their learning needs. The tutors use a story line with characters and request feedback which should promote inquiry learning and problem solving. This system was bulit on the need to help the student become a better academic learner. It is said, that the intelligent tutor would be similar to having one teacher for very one to three students (Transforming Learning with New Technologies, pg. 197) This system is effective and has shown improvement in student learning. I feel as though one day, our teachers really will be computers- it's a crazy thought, but look at how amazingly far we've come in technology. Intelligent tutoring systems is only the beginning. 











Photo credited by Chris Daly from Learning Solutions Magazine


Summary & Connection:

      This Chapter focuses on problem solving and using technology as a tool for learning. With so many software and web tools, we can create a dynamic form of learning that takes learning to a whole new level, especially, with the Intelligent Tutoring System, a new software program where students learn through computer responses to student actions! (Transforming Learning with New Technology, pg. 197) Children tend to have a natural attraction to things that stand out and are totally unique for them. This chapter sticks to the NETS-T Standard 1, part b where teachers "engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems" (Transforming Learning with New Technolgies pg.175) This is a cool chapter and I really enjoyed it. 

Chapter 6

Focus Question: What are WebQuests and virtual field trips?

      WebQuests is information that bring alive the language, drama, comedy, and history of Shakespeare- as well as hundreds of other playwrights, poets, and authors( Transforming Learning with New Technologies, pg. 153, 2012). WebQuests are very innovative and take on Web-based teaching methods that can help all grde levels. WebQuests allow th students to visit groups of preselected websites to learn about academic topics by pictures, audio, video, and even online digital text. The virtual field trips are also innovative and quite interesting because the students are taken virtuallly to places all over the world without leaving the classroom, as part of their academic studies.

Tech Tool link: The Cave of Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc

The Interactive online field trip of The Cave of Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc shows some of fthe earlier painting. It goes on explaining how early humans inhabited the cave some 31,000 years ago. There's a map of the whole entire cave with buttons linking to that particular spot, that actually presents pictures. A lot of these paintings inspire students to draw their own paintings, drawings, even writings. This also inpires students to visit a local history museum and find out about other past civilizations. I recommend this site for those who have never heard about this cave. It's a very beautiful discovery. This video shows a little bit of the cave and what to expect when you go to the website itself. 

Summary and Connection:

This whole chapter is about teaching with educational websites and other online resources. It presents new way of educating students by showing WebQuest and virtual field trips. This chapter also talks about bookmarking and information alerts that help teachers organize and prepare lesson plans. I enjoyed this chapter because it focused on educational websites and different ways to teach children online at home or in class. I wonder where technology is going to take us next time...?