Technology in the classroom
Describe an experience in your education at CCSU where technology could have been used to enhance the learning experience. If you prefer, you can cite an example in a class you attended where technology was used effectively and why.
Although most of my classes at Central have been Graduate classes in the Teacher Professional Program, I do think at times some of my French classes could have incorporated more technology. It would have been difficult to use technology when most of the class periods were spent having the students answer written essay questions, as it was a French Composition class. However, my SPED 315 class taught by Dr. Pancsofar was an amazing course that used PowerPoint to display images, videos, song clips, articles, and games for every class. It was rarely lecture-based, and we learned so much about differentiation in the classroom and how to make students with varying disabilities receive the same education. I think he was not only a wonderful Professor who definitely was up to speed with technology in the classroom, but also a real inspiration to teacher candidates.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe I have had a class at CCSU that did not include at least some type of technology. It seems to be a pretty standard practice here to use Powerpoint, moodle sites, and Blackboard Vista/Learn. One of the best classes that used technology was my Linguistics 200 class. It was a Tuesday evening three hour class, and it's surprising how quickly it went because of the professor's interactive powerpoint presentations and use of videos. He would give a standard lecture for about 20 minutes and then with the powerpoint he would quiz us on what he just finished talking about. This made it so that we had to be actively listening to what he was saying to us for the entire three hours. He also showed us many interesting videos about different languages around the world, and he also used the Blackboard Vista site effectively by putting up his powerpoint presentations from class and different readings or homework that he wanted us to do throughout the week before class. He made this once a week class one of the classes I had to work the hardest in.
ReplyDeleteI did have a humanities course that used some power points but not to the extent that was really helpful. I think the class would have been better if more technology was used in order to show more examples of art so the class wouldn't be so dry. It was a survey course and had a lot of information to fit into one semester but all we did was read a book and run through a power point. I've had more classes that have effectively used videos online and better power points to make the class more interesting and not just a simple lecture. That humanities course had a lot in it but if half the class is falling asleep then no one is really getting much out of it. Obviously changing up the teaching strategies including using some technology can really help to make the class better overall.
ReplyDeleteAs I have mentioned before I am a physical education major, and some of the courses that I have taken do not place a large emphasis on technology. But I’m guessing that students with all different majors have experienced at least most of the same things that I have so far in my time at Central. But I can remember at least a handful of classes that never posted anything on Blackboard vista, and that just makes for there to be a bit more of an inconvenience. Also I have never really had a class that referred to the use of any internet reference as a resource. However up until I started this class I was unaware of these different resources available to teachers and students. That’s why when I become a teacher I plan on implementing a resource that I have had the chance to work with since beginning this course within my own classroom.
ReplyDeleteThe class that used technology the most was a reading class I took last semester. Using a clicker technology, we used this device in class to vote using poll questions giving instant results. These questions lead to discussions about why or why we did not we agreed with the question put out there. Besides that piece of technology, part of that class involved creating a lesson plan where most students, including myself, used technology to a point. I utilized a DVD as a compliment to that lesson and I think it went over well.
ReplyDeletemost of my utilization of technology at ccsu is via blackboard and moodle. while these are neat tools and ways of submitting work online i'm not sure how much they enhance my learning experience. perhaps because i'm not very computer savy i'd say this class has been my best eperience with technology in the classroom. i never thought i would create my own website and am suprised at how easy it is. i'm learning a lot so far.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a freshman I had to take a language because I did not have 3 consecutive years of a single language in high school. It would have been more beneficial to have more technology in the Spanish class because I think with more audio aids it would have been easier to grasp the language. I also think more visual aids that tied into the audio would have made it easier for students who have never been exposed to the particular language.
ReplyDeletei think that just about all of the classes i have taken at ccsu have utilized technology to enhance student learning. In several of my PE classes the use of pedometers, heart rate monitors, stethoscopes etc were used quite effectively. Inside the classroom the use of dart fish technology as well as the use of videos were very effective in breaking down skills into main components. in addition, videos are commonly used throughout the PE program to film peer student teaching. this allows students to watch themselves teach to their peers and learn what they did wrong, things to improve upon and things that worked well for them.
ReplyDeleteMost of my classes at CCSU have not used technology to enhance learning. Most of my history classes have used technology in the same way: powerpoints, posting on Moodle or Blackboard, and showing videos or pictures during lecture. Often the professors have been using technology they don't really know how to use so it has caused delays or frustration for both the students and the professor. Another professor used a lot of powerpoints with tons of information and then wouldn't allow you to see them again to get any information you missed during the lecture. If the professors had used Moodle or Blackboard for class discussions, responses to readings, links to further resources, and posting powerpoints it would be a better use of technology. Also it would be helpful to teach all the professors how to use the projectors and other electronics in the classroom, so there wouldn't be as many problems. Professors also could have used Google Earth or other map software to show us locations they were talking about so their students could gain a better understanding of the geography that had an impact on the events discussed.
ReplyDeleteIn many of the skill courses offered in the PE program technology is not used efficiently enough. I think that I learn best from hands on and visual stimuli, which is probably what drew me towards physical education. I feel that video recording and analysis of certain aspects of movement can allow students to understand and make corrections that allow them to become more efficient movers. I feel that the technology available makes this easier than it has ever been. Video recording and analysis can help students understand which movements to make when verbal feedback might not be working.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that CCSU uses the available technology at its disposable to provide different avenues to help educate its wide variety of students and their situations. I think that many classes that I have taken at CCSU could be turned into online classes. I'm not sure why CCSU is so hesistant in offering this option to its students who either work during the day or at night, have families to take care of, or are not able to take certain classes due to class time conflicts. By giving more online class options it would help all of these situations.
ReplyDeleteAll of my classes at CCSU have used technology, some effective and some not so effective. In a few classes I've taken, the professor's vista was such a mess that I gave up looking for the assignment. It would help out my learning experience if they could organize vista to make easier to navigate. I have taken a few dance classes where up-to-date technology could have been used instead of old VHS tapes to show current material.
ReplyDeleteMany of my classes have included group presentations, and the professors recommended using power point. Power points are easy ways to combine information. I have also been presented many great documentaries and educational films which was the professor utilizing the internet, you tube and the projector. Many of the History and Geography classes could have benefited from that the map program that Eric put on his wikispace. Using visuals for Geography is very helpful.
ReplyDelete