Dear CSA School Parents:
Welcome to 9th grade Biology Class Blog. As you know, CSA School depends on successful fundraisers to provide funds necessary to continue offering enhanced educational opportunities for our students. Our mission is to create an educational environment in which students are given the opportunity to achieve their full potential, and academic, social, and developmental needs of each student are satisfied.
Our school’s Faculty Technology Committee has decided to launch a fundraiser event in order to purchase more computers and technology in the classrooms. We value you as concerned parents and appreciate your dedication to the children. The children and I invite you to come to school to volunteer your time and talents and help us with this awesome task. A suitable date and time will be decided later.
Some parents do not believe that technology can enhance student learning, as they see their children goofing around with computers. They believe in more traditional methods of teaching. I appreciate your concern about the use of technology in classroom. School has adopted procedures to safeguard access to students’ personal information. Parents and students are also required to sign an Authorized Use Policy (AUP). Most importantly the school has installed filtering software to prevent access to objectionable materials. Technology is a great tool that can enhance your kid’s learning in different ways:
· Incorporating technology into the classroom makes the subject more exciting and meaningful for the students. Slide shows and colorful graphics motivate Students to learn in a more relaxed way.
· Technology offers experience to students similar to working environment that one sees in offices and business organizations; and prepares them for future professions“Technology is important in life because it is the only economic force that is guaranteed to move in a forward direction (though the rate of forward movement very much depends on the factors acting upon the economy)” (Why is Technology so important today? Blog post).
· Using computers on daily basis helps them in developing an understanding of various software and tools and makes it easier for them to develop their skills in software application.
Two Learning Theories
There are two fundamental approaches to teaching and learning, i.e. Directed and Constructivist. Fortunately both can be practiced through technology in most effective manner.
Directed learning: It is based on the concept that learning has to be teacher directed and it should come in a systematic and structured way. Students should all pass the same standardized tests.
Constructivist learning: This approach is based on the concept that learning should be student centered and students do activities that help them generate their own knowledge. Students should be allowed to reflect on their learning through different ways, not just on written tests.
Technology addresses the two approaches
Directed technology integration helps to learn the content and skills which are clearly defined. It also helps students to learn and practice pre requisite skills. It helps those who need individual tutoring. Students can practice and pass standardized tests.
Constructivist approach is satisfied by integration of inquiry based technology. It helps students to see how they can apply concepts to real world problems and issues. Students are able to work in collaboration and it provides motivation for students to research, explore and discover their own interests. Students can use alternative ways of learning and show competence. It enables them to create multimedia products to present their findings.
Technology can be efficiently utilized to merge the two approaches, as it provides activities that range from practice and drill of basic skills in math, reading, writing etc., to solving real life problems that require higher order skills.
My Technology Wish list
My technology wish list includes but not limited to using Drill- and- practice, and Web Lab simulation software. Drill- and- practice software will allow my students to practice critical thinking and decision making skills. For example, students will practice to understand organic compounds and how they are represented by formulas that show components combined in specific numbers and configurations. Web Lab simulation software will help my students to study the growth and development of living things. For example, students will be asked to pair the organisms in order to find out the genetic combination in their offspring. They can also use simulation for dissection of animals without having to kill animal or using chemicals.
Lesson approaches
My technology wish list software serves to facilitate constructivist as well as directed learning. Drill and practice software focuses on directed learning; which is based on behavioral and cognitive learning theories. These theories represent the concept of delivering information to help students acquire and retain information and skills” Many teachers feel that such practice gives students more rapid recall and use of basic skills as prerequisites to advanced concepts” (Roblyer & Doering, 2010, p.80). Simulation software supports the constructivist learning, which is based on the concept derived from social activism, scaffolding, stages of development and multiple intelligences theories. It helps students explore the topics and generate their own information” If students are conscious of the procedures they use to solve problems, they often can more easily improve on their strategies and become more effective, creative problem solvers” (Roblyer & Doering, 2010, p.46).
Thank you in advance for your support. Please feel free to post your questions and comments on the Blog. I’m looking forward to working with you and your child during the fundraiser campaign.
Sincerely;
Shaheena Qayyum
9th Grade Biology teacher
http://www.life123.com/question/Why-Is-Technology-Important-Today
References
http://www.life123.com/question/Why-Is-Technology-Important-Today
References
Jan Martin Luus. (2010 January20). [Why is Technology so important today? Blog post].Retrieved from
Roblyer, M. D & Doering, A. H. (2010), Integrating Educational technology into Teaching. Pearson Education, Inc.
DISCLAIMER: This blog is an assignment for an educational technology course at National University. It is not a real fund-raising blog.
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