CHAPTER TWO

Focus Question: “How do students use technology for learning visually?" -Technology provides several different programs such as: Software programs, internet sites, videos, graphing calculators, and devices like telescopes and microscopes. All of these different programs provide information dynamically. Technology now-a-days can do things that in the past would not have been capable of. Technology now can reveal the ocean depths, the immenseness of the solar system, and the structural systems of the human body. We see things now that we would not have seen without the technology. Technologies teacher can use online simulations and experiments, 3D virtual reality presentations and tours, real-time data displays and analysis, online video clips, and so much more to promote learning threw visual experiments.

Photo Credit to Josh Monza

Summary: Chapter two of “Transforming learning with new technologies” first starts on highlighting the three learning theories. Educators tend to follow one of the three learning theories. The learning theories are: Behaviorism, Cognitive Science, and Constructivism. Behaviorism is a set of changes in human behavior created as a function of events in the environment. Therefore learning is a process of memorizing, demonstrating, and imitating. Cognitive Science on the other hand suggests that learning is also influenced by nonobservable and internal constructs, such as memory motivation, perception, attention and metacognitive skills. Finally constructivism claims that every person interprets and constructs the world in their own way. Therefore learning is a process of manipulating and interpreting the surrounding world in a unique way for each individual. Technology is now becoming an important asset to have in the classroom. Technology lets teachers conduct drill- and- practice learning of concepts through computer-based learning games, reviewing key material, and providing rich resources. Technology can expand the curriculum to include the world beyond the classroom; which is extremely important in my eyes! Also technology creates multiple opportunities for engagement and collaboration. Student- center classrooms highly revolve around student collaboration therefore incorporating technology into my classroom would help me tremendously. Technology promotes: student-conducted online polls and surveys, collaborative digital storytelling, digital games for learning translation software, and online posters and website publishing. My students will be active learners which the book states as "discovery learning, "learning by doing", "inquiry-based learning", or "hands on learning". This is ultimately what learning is all about; learning through action.

The video presentation I found below does a great job of enhances the differences between a teacher-centered classroom and a student-centered classroom. The presentation also talks about how technology has expanded our resources.

Video Presentation credit Patricia Galien

Tech Tool Question

Wayang Outpost

The tech tool link I checked out was the Wayange Outpost. This Website is designed to help prepare middle and high school students for standardized math tests such as the SAT, MCAS, and CASTAR. The website is very well organized and is simple to use, after a simple signing in and logging into your account students are then able to being practicing math problems.