Journal Post #2

Lucy Marc EME2040

Chapter 2
Transforming Learning With Unique, Powerful Technology

Focus question: How does technology create student engagement and collaboration?

To engage means to occupy, attract, or involve. Engaging students is at the heart of teaching and as a teacher you need to have the right tools to get students engaged and excited to learn. Technology promotes active learning or discovery learning which refers to the direct involvment of students in educational activities. Discussion boards, online publishing, digital games for learning, collaborative researching,  are some different strategies that will promote engagement of students. Teaching a child different ways to engage themselves with differnt learning tools and skills is always a win especially for a student who may not have much support at home but may have a computer to still be able to reach out to other classmates and teacher for help via blogging, emailing, conference calls even video chat! Todays technology is so enhanced that we are able to do things beyond the clasroom.

 Technology is such a powerful motivator for students when used well for example, enlarging students' technological skills, teaching a difficult area-math, science, reading and most of engaging stundents' "inner attention" which is helping students to think deeply about a topic.

Tech Tool Link: Blogs

Blogs are great for generating online discussions about academic topics. Students and teachers can post ideas and information then get electronic feedback. This is my first time having a blog and I think that it is a great engaging tool for students and teachers.
 
 
Summary & Connection
Technology can really transform a classroom into a place of creation, innovation, and collaboration.
I truly believe in active learning not just sitting behind a desk trying to absorb everything a teacher says and then hope for the best when it comes to testing. I found a lot of great points in this chapter especially the importance of engaging and collaborating.

Resources: Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010). Transforming learning with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon. 

 

http://www.ed.gov/technology/netp-2010/learning-engage-and-empower