Week 7

Chapter four discussed how important it is to use concept maps in the classroom. This is one activity that I would incorporate into my classroom. As a teacher of physical education teacher I would use mapping for students to help understand how important exercise is. Using concept maps on the computer is a fast productive way for the students to organize their thoughts.

I like power points and I think they would be very helpful in the classroom. They are a good way for student to visualize information and take correct notes with proper spelling. A power point should have useful information and not be too busy. If a power point is too busy it can be a distraction to the class and be a waste of time. Also if a power point is not put together in an engaging manner it can cause students to lose focus. One pitfall that the book mentioned is not to have too many slides and I think that I can avoid this pitfall.

In conclusion mapping and power points are useful technology in the classroom. Power points used correctly are very educational. The book Meaningful Learning with Technology is very useful in pointing out how the tools can help in the classroom. I plan to apply these useful strategies when I am in the classroom instructing.

Jonassen, D. Howland, J. Marra, R. M. Crismond, D. (2008). Meaningful Learning With Technology. Upper Saddle River, NJ. Merrill Prentice Hill.

Chapter 2 Blog

I think that personal digital assistants are very useful. I have always had a cell phone but now I have a phone that is connected to the internet. This has made things more accessible as far as gathering information.(PDA's)are personal computers and they are needed in the classroom because just the other day an instructor in my Psy.300 class needed help in answering a question and one of the students was able to assist. Computers are being made more efficient to serve students better with learning.

Online surveys are useful in gathering information that can serve to be useful people. We use classroom surveys in many ways: ex. a teacher evaluation. When creating a survey it is important not to be bias and ask appropriate questions. I like to take surveys because I feel the information will be used effectively.

Overall I think that personal digital assistants will be increasing in the future. I enjoy having information at the palm of my hand. Surveys are also going to be increasing in the future. Chapter 2 had some good information regarding these two topics. I am excited to be learning about technology.

Jonassen, D., Howland, J., Marra, R. M., Crismond, D. (2008). Meaningful learning with technology. New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc.