The Effect of Technology on Literacy

Does Technology in the classroom help of hinder literacy?

I decided to do research to learn if technology positively or negatively effects children's literacy. Here is what I learned. 

My Final Course Reflection

What did you learn or “take-away” from this course and how has your perspective about integrating technology into K to 6 education changed/grown throughout the course?

How did this course help you answer your “burning” question about the use of digital technologies in K to 6 education?

How did you contribute to the learning of others?

What did you learn from others?

      Throughout this course, I have learned about the predominant role that technology plays in the classroom. With the assistance of technology, we, as educators, are able to diversify the lessons taught. It is important to understand how the technology works. As well, we must create a clear set of standards that are expected of all students. Because cyberbullying is a strong factor of the digital world, we must create a safe environment which enforces the open values that a normal classroom would exhibit.  I have learned about the benefits that technology has and how it can create an more open atmosphere in which parents, students and teachers can communicate.

        Technology in education helped me answer my burning question of whether technology helps or hinders literacy development in the classroom. I have determined that, with a mix of classic and new teaching styles,technology can be a resource that helps teachers scaffold a student’s learning. As well, if a student is struggling,technology gives a variety of resources that can help the student advance in their learning. Just because technology can be a distraction doesn’t mean it can’t be properly implemented.

        During this course, our class created a safe environment where projects were often shared and commented on by others. I helped others develop their ideas through these comments and suggestions. Similarly, I learned from others through the same process. This course taught us to work together and to help others achieve success. When we become teachers, we will be able to use the skills and relationships we learned in this course to help each other develop excellent lessons and programs for our students.

The Effect of Technology on the Classroom Environment with Digital Technologies

How do you think digital technologies can be used to create a safe, respectful, and trusting learning environment for students?

This video we discuss the importance of developing healthy classroom relationships, The necessary preparation for creating a safe technology based class, and how to be respectful within the classroom. 

How to Engage Parents in the Learning Process with Digital Technologies

How do you think digital technologies can be used  to engage parents and the community in K to 6 elementary schools?

How do you think digital technologies can be used  to create and enhance partnerships between the community, teachers, parents, and students?

This video focuses on how to interest the parents into the school community and classroom. It builds on the idea of how to create a good relationship between the parents and the teachers. 

Assessing Learning with Digital Technology

How do you think digital technologies can be used to assess student learning, peer learning, and self learning?

This video describes the different methods of assessment, the benefits to using digital assessment and how digital assessment effects the classroom. 

Facilitating Learning with Digital Technologies

How do you think digital technologies can be used to engage students?

This video post reflects on the influence technology has on engaging the students in their own learning. 

Planning for Learning with Digital Technologies

How do you think digital technologies can be used to support or assist you in lesson planning?

This video gives a summary of how important I feel technology is when it comes to the lesson planning process. 

My Introduction to Technology Based Learning

My Personal Learning Goals for Current and Emerging Technologies

        I've read that people who set goals achieve more than people who don't so I'm happy to create a list of goals for this course. 

• I hope to determine how to bring technology into the classroom without losing the personal touch. 
• I want to be able to use technology to expand on a students' knowledge and ability to learn. 
• I want to engage the students more in their own learning with the use of technology.
• In order to expand my ability as an educator I would like to develop proficiency with educational technology.        

        Most importantly, I hope to learn how to create an optimal learning experience by combining traditional methods with newer technological devices.

Previous Educational Technology Experience

        I do not have a great deal of experience with technology in the classroom. However, I know some of the basics. Because I live in a society where technology is so heavily used, I was introduced to technology at a young age and, it has given me the opportunity to develop my skills. Some of my experiences include the following:

• In junior high school my class had just introduced the interactive whiteboard and, alongside our teacher, our class worked together to learn how to use the device. 
• In my field experience last semester, my classroom had an interactive whiteboard and I had an excellent mentor who taught me how to optimize its use.
• In school through the years I have used programs such as Powerpoint, Word, and Excel.
• I work part time as a bank teller and this requires me to maintain my technical abilities through constant learning of new programs. 

My Burning Question

Does technology help or hinder the development of literacy?           

        Children are at a disadvantage and may not reach their highest potential without proper literacy skills. I am interested to determine if technology can help educators in the fight against illiteracy. For example, I wonder if tools like spell check and autofill will turn out children with less developed spelling skills. I am also curious to see if social skills are adversely affected by increased interaction with technology. On the other hand, because technology makes information more accessible does it help children to answer questions.