Using Technology With Young Children

I am constantly amazed at the amount of technology children are able to use to meet subject concepts. I was unaware of things that children as young as five years old are able to do. I never thought to allow kindergarten children to use a word processor. In my classroom, children use the computer to play educational games. I never thought to provide activities using the word processor such as trying their names or the names of their classmates, or typing sight words or word families. I am learning more and more about involving children in activities that would incorporate the use of the computer. My students love to use the computer but they are getting bored with the learning games I have that teach phonics concepts, and math skills. There is so much more that can be utilized to motivate children to learn.

In researching the lesson plan assignment, I went to the Alabama Course of Study for Technology in Kindergarten. I was amazed at what children are learning about technology. I feel I am learning right along with my students. The course of study states that young children learn best when they are allowed to explore and interact. Learning should be a hands-on experience and developmentally appropriate. Teachers need to provide activities that provide opportunities for technology objectives to be experienced as they learn throughout the curriculum. As I learned in the lesson plan assignment, all subjects can be taught and enhanced through the use of technology. I am beginning to use more technology in my classroom due to the insights I have discovered by taking this technology class. My students are excited that I am taking this technology class as they are getting more exposure to the computer. It goes to show that you can teach an old dog new tricks! I am enjoying this class because I am learning so much that I know will benefit my students. Wish I had learned this many years ago! Better late than never, wouldn't you say!

Totally Frustrated Again?

I am so frustrated with trying to publish my blog entry today. I spent a lot of time reflecting on what I learned from reading Chapter 4 and had everything completed but the last sentence and for some unknown reason my whole entry was gone. I had a blank page. It says that it is saved to a draft. Now, I can not retrieve it to publish. Just when I think things are getting better and I start feeling more confident with technology something happens to sweep the rug right out from under me. I have been so upset that all I could do was cry. I feel defeated. I AM learning so much from this class but it is the constant problems that haunt me.
I sent a note to Dr. Wang in the tech consultant section and am awaiting her help. I hope she can save me! I went to the blogger help section and copied the information they provided but was still unsuccessful restoring my post. What am I to do? I guess I will just have to start again tomorrow.
I want to have a good attitude about learning technology but with the frequent setbacks I am wondering if I will ever feel confident with this. I am sure it is not the computer but ~~ME!
If anyone reading this has any suggestions for me please post a comment to this blog entry. I am glad there are people in this technology class who can offer some support to me and help build my confidence. I am encouraged when people offer to help. Even if it is just emotional help!

Instructional Software

Chapter 3 gave me insight into the different types of instructional software programs. I had not even thought about them. I do know that computer software provides a variety of opportunities to meet the needs of the students. I learned the five types of software which include programs that offer drill and practice, tutorial, simulation, instructional games, and problem solving. I am familiar with instructional games and drill and practice software. These are included in my kindergarten computer stations. The main software programs I have in my classroom are instructional games. I realize that many software programs are not always meeting the instructional goals. As I reflect on the software I provide, I want to seek out software that causes my students to question and construct knowledge.

I usually do not offer computers as a reward. It is a required station that each child must rotate through every week. I do provide opportunities for children to choose computers at other times during the day. The computer activities do promote learning in an interactive way and increase motivation. This is my students favorite station. They just love computers.
I want to use more software but I do my stations during literacy and intervention time so I can not have children working on math skills during the ARI literacy block. That is a major no-no. Having only taught kindergarten, I am not familiar with programs that provide simulation or problem solving activities. This is very interesting to me. I hope to utilize more types of instructional software in my classroom. I like the idea of providing problem solving strategies to promote higher level thinking skills and allow children to question, research, explore, interact, enjoy, and transform learning. I know the importance of teaching our students using real and meaningful strategies. Computers can offer children opportunities to work alone or collaboratively to reach an academic learning goal.

This chapter has encouraged me to research the software programs that I offer. I am realizing that I need to incorporate more advanced learning opportunities for my students. I need to look at the software I have and evaluate to see if it is meeting the needs of my students. If not, I need to research other programs to purchase or get the librarian to purchase that will challenge my students. I am learning every day about how to provide the best learning opportunities that will help my students develop higher level thinking skills. I need to critically examine what software is available to insure that I am offering the best possible instructional learning opportunities for all my students.

BLOGS

I have been inspired by the things I am learning through blogs. In viewing other's blogs, I have gained many helpful ideas to implement in my own classroom. I was particularly inspired by someone who left their school webpage address for others to view. I was amazed at what this teacher had on her website. There was so much information for parents, such as a calendar of events and assignments as well as pictures of students in her class and spelling words, word lists and activities. I thought if I were a parent I would love the communication this provides. Her website was for first grade students but I can see how I can implement similar ideas when creating my own classroom webpage for my kindergarten students, which is required by my school. I have gained much knowledge by reading others blogs. Until this class I had no idea what a blog was. Now I feel like I am becoming more comfortable with using it and can see it as a wonderful way to communicate with others.

Through researching blogs, I have gained a better understanding as to how blogs can be a very beneficial tool in a classroom. I can see how journaling with blogs encourages and motivates students to develop writing skills. It is a wonderful way to engage students with the text and provide opportunities for authentic writing experiences.

Blogs are a great way to communicate with other students in other communities, states, or even countries. An example of this would be becoming pen pals. We can all learn from each other. Blogs help motivate students as they develop language skills. One of the great ways blogs can be beneficial is by allowing students to reflect and express ideas or opinions. Blogs can also promote friendships.

I am enjoying learning to blog and learning to reflect what I am learning. I really enjoy the positive comments I have received. That people reading it care enough to respond.