My Reflection

Blog Post#14

Top Ten Tips for Using Technology in the classroom:
This video, by Jose Piscardo, lists and explain his ten suggestions for using technology as an educational tool. Throughout the semester, I have learned a lot about the importance of technology in today’s schools.
Of the ten suggestions, the two that have already found the most useful are blogs and teleconferencing. Blogs have proved to be great writing practice and offer global feedback. I plan on having a class blog for my history class with weekly assignments based on required readings. Reading requires reflection, and writing about each reading is a must if anything is to be learned.

Teleconferencing tools, such as Skype, are great. Until this class, I never even thought about using Skype in the classroom. It offers advantages in collaboration and feedback. For instance, a history class in Mobile, AL can communicate with a history class in California when discussing similar topics. Also, a class can talk to the authors of the material they have read.

However, I am not very familiar with ITunes nor am I in full understanding of how it helps students in the classroom. I am sure it does have some advantages, and I am the one who needs to become more familiar with its features. As I have said throughout the semester, I plan to be willing learn as much as possible for the benefit of the students; education requires an open and rational mind.

PLN Final Report

My personal learning network includes the things we have used the most in EDM310. I am excited about making contacts and adding more history education links to my personal learning network. I hope my PLN helps me develop the tools to become a great high school history teacher.