The technology I would most likely use in my future classroom... and WHY:
There were two techonologies that particularly grabbed my attention that I think I might definitely use in a future classroom setting:
1. Vorbeo
2. Quizlet
Vorbeo is a poll making site in which you can create a poll and embed it into a blog or website. In terms of instructional use, vorbeo can be used to create an online multiple choice quiz, checks for understanding after learning vocabulary, and also for recording opinions from the class. The program is free and there is no need to create an account to make a poll, which adds greatly to its appeal. It also seems relatively easy and friendly to use, so students can even poll their friends or create their own test/exam questions and see how successful it is with their peers.
Quizlet is a program I think I might use for myself in the very near future. This program allows you to create flashcards on the computer and also to play games to learn the information. You can create and share the flashcards either with your friends, or if you're a teacher, you can create the flashcards and share them with the students to help them better prepare for an exam. It can help with a variety of subjects, from spelling to geology to simple math facts. I feel like that ability to share your flashcards is what was most appealing to me about this technology.
A technology I do not think I will utilize in my classroom:
Because of the fact that I do now own an iPad, nor do I anticipate iPad availability for every single one of my students, I do not think I would use the Mathboard app for the iPad. Although it's range of information can begin at addition and go all the way to exponential values, I don't think that it would be the best use of money. Though I was impressed with the fact that the application not only gives you practice problems, but also walks you through the steps of the probolem if you choose, due strictly to accessibility issues and lack of group collaboration, I don't think I would buy this app.
Instructional Strategies I learned from my peers:
I learned a lot about the wide range of technological mediums in which students can learn. I feel like creating vivid slideshows/movies, and digital art are all big themes which proves just how friendly technology has become a means to fostering creativity in students. I felt as if the majority of these technologies were relatively cheap (for basic versions) and easy to use. Teachers and students no longer need to be completely tech-savvy to create something sophisticated and beneficial to the classroom.
I felt as if a big trend in a lot of our technologies was accessibility to students of all types, and technologies with a very basic level of ease of use. These easy to use interfaces made learning much less initmidating. Voki for instance is a good tool for giving oral presentations/sharing information with those who are not comfortable speaking english. It is also beneficial to those with social anxiety who are unable to comfortable give a speech in front of a classroom, etc.
The most fascinating thing I learned from my peers today:
Even basic thing such as brainstorming and flashcards are now being offered digitally through the internet. And there is a certain sophistication to The Smartboard that is an impressive way for students to touch, drag, and learn outside of a book and piece of paper.The ability to share lesson plans, flashcards, homemade slideshows/etc. all point to one very positive thing: an inclusive classroom learning community.
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