EDT+674

Discussion Questions 
 * Friday 1**
 * What do you know about using technology with students?**

Students like to use technology in class, but they don't always come with the skills that we expect them to have, or they come at such different ability levels. Many don't have access to technology outside of the school setting, and those that do use it mostly for entertainment. (digital divide) Technology can enhance student learning but it doesn't always. Sometimes it can actually get in the way of student learning and productivity. There are so many programs out there for students to use, that if students switch schools, they are also likely to have to learn new computer applications as well as content. Technology usage needs to be relevant to student learning.

When is it appropriate to use technology? Should it be used for every lesson? Should teachers have all of the power (whiteboards) or should students (laptops)? How do districts provide enough technology so that all teachers who want to use it can? How do we get students to use technology effectively, to see it as a tool for success? Technology should not be it's own class, but should be incorportated as a tool for learning. However, what is the correct balance between spending curriculum time teaching technology skills and just teaching the content? How do we keep up with the amount of programs and software that is created on a daily basis, and how do we know what is good and what we can pass on? How important is virtual learning to middle school students?
 * What do you want to know about using technology with students?**

Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works ** PowerPoint
 * Saturday 1

Rubric Assignment

Rube Goldberg Video - Simple Machines Rube Goldberg Video

This video demonstrates how simple machines can be combined into a compound machine to do a job. Rube Goldberg was famous for making complex contraptions to do simple jobs. After watching the video students will need to discuss what simple machines they saw used in the contraption. They will also need to analyze which devices were used for each job type.

media type="youtube" key="0J16dyV4Du8" height="385" width="480"


 * Excel Grade Book Creation Assignment** (worked on with Theresa Klug)




 * Friday 2

Student Certificate of Achievement**



Year of Science in Review 1 Year of Science in Review 2 Year of Science in Review 3
 * Powerpoint Game**


 * Saturday 2 **

Worked on with Theresa Klug
 * Excel Mail Merge**




 * Claymation Video **

To complete the KWHL- what have you learned from the readings, activities and discussions from this course about using technology with your students?

There are many things I learned from this course. The first was gaining access to even more phenomenal Web 2.0 resources. I like that the links are all accessible at any time, and well organized on a wiki. The book proved to be very useful. I really liked that it provided detailed examples of each of the strategies listed, as well as why we as educators should use these strategies. This book will be a useful resource to keep in my classroom. I can quickly find technology projects to deepen my students' knowledge, and the philosophy of why I should use them. And the bredth an depth of topics covered will be invaluable. I especially liked the chapter on student feedback. We are moving toward standards based grading at my school, and providing useful feed back is at the core of improving student achievement. Class discussions were very helpful as well. I really like hearing/learning about the lesson plans that others create. This was the most helpful for me. It is always good to see what others are using technology for and what successes and obstacles they incurred.