Reflecting on What I Know, Chapter 1 & 3

Chapter 1 

<1. Must I use a inquiry-based learning approach in my classroom to use computers as a tool?

Inquiry based learning is a learning style that allows for the teacher to pose a question and the students to explore and inquire about what they would like to know or think they know. I believe that this would be a beneficial way to use classroom computers as a tool because it would allow the students to use them to help guide them to the answers to the questions. This style of learning will also help the students to foster independence.
2. Can I still use tutorials and drill-and-practice software?

Drill and practice software can still be used in classrooms today. The textbook describes it on page 114 by saying it is, “designed to reinforce student learning of basic skills with applications and uses found most often in language arts and mathematics.” Software today is more up to date with colors and graphics and also gives immediate feedback on programs.

    3. Won’t I have to spend a great deal of time to develop these units of instruction?

I believe that a great deal of time is needed in order to develop well thought out units of instruction. It is important to spend the appropriate amount of time to make sure that a unit is beneficial to a student. As a teacher the unit will have to be well planned and tested to make sure that it will be appropriate and accurate for the students learning.
 

4. Won’t every student need a computer to use it as a tool?

No, I do not believe that every student will need a computer to use it as a tool. If there is only one or a few computers present in a classroom that is okay. It will allow for the students to rotate and use at different times. It also can allow for students to work together on them and to also learn from each other as they explore. 

Chapter 3 

1.Why is it important to learn about different technology tools when they are constantly changing?

It is important to learn about different technology tools around us because children are growing up in a changing world. It often times seems like the children around us know more about up to date technology than we do. As teachers it is important for us to know about the current technology because we should be knowledgeable in their functioning in order to use them in our classrooms and show our students how they work.

2. Most desktop computers do the same things as mobile devices, so why do teachers need to use both?

I believe that is important for teachers to use both because it will allow for demonstration to the students that they are able to use both. It is also a matter of how portable one is over another. Teachers can take mobile devices with them around campus and use them to capture students learning outside of the classroom environment. I believe it is important for students to know that there are different types of technology to be used and the different ways that they function.

3. How can the cost of digital devices be justified when the functions they perform are often limited in number and scope?

I believe that the cost can be justified because of the limitless amounts of information that digital devices can be provided to our students. Technology in the 21^st century is used to deliver great amounts of instruction to the students. In this growing society it is important for our schools to stay up to date on the products that they use in the schools. The technology that they use in the classroom will also be used one day to help prepare them for the future.

Lowther, D. L., Morrison, G. R. (2010). Integrating Computer Technology into the Classroom: Skills for the 21st Century. Boston, MA:Pearson Education, Inc.