Assignment #1 Technology Literacy

I feel like I have a lot of experience with technology. As I read the Professional Preparation Performance Profile it seemed a lot of the things listed were vague an up to your own interpretation. this is exciting because it means that teachers have a lot of freedom to do assignments with thier students that they want to do. The main things I want to learn in this class are the different types of technological tools that are out there that I don't yet know about. I already know how to make a web page, research on the internet, make a power point, things of that nature, but I'm sure there are tools out there that I do not yet know about, for instance I would like to learn more about the Smart board and other tools separate from the computer.

I think technology should have a large role in education and learning. There are so many new technological advances that people in large companies are using. The reason we go to school is to learn everything we can to prep us to go out into the world and be competent adults. It wouldn't make sense not to use technology as much as possible in the classroom to get students comfortable with what is out there so that they won’t be confused when they get into their career. Technology definitely aids learning and it would be a waste not to use every resource available to teach our students. Besides that, it keeps them interested.

There is a wide range of standarsd that students in 3rd grade should meet, some of these things include:
1. Produce a media-rich digital story
2. Use digital-imaging technology to create works of art
3. Recognize bias in digital resources
4. Select and apply digital tools to collect, organize, and analyze data
5. Identify and investigate a global issue
6. Conduct science experiments

Three ways I could help my students meet the NETS standards for their age level are:

1. The students could conduct a scientific experiment using computer software, digital instruments and measuring devices. I know there is software to conduct physics experiments. Maybe they could make a digital ramp for a ball to follow and calculate how long it will take for the ball to drop. (I, II, III)

2. The students could take an interactive test online that I prepared for them. The students would be allowed to take the test at home, and it would be graded by the computer as soon as they were done taking it. (III, IV)

3. The students could participate in an online interview with experts. They could talk to scientists conducting experiments at the North Pole through a computer camera and ask them questions. The students should take notes and ask questions pertaining to our class assignment. (V, VI)