Technology Literacy Paper

TEACHER PHILOSOPHY, TECHNOLOGY, AND FIELD EXPERIENCE: FACTORS AFFECTING
LEARNING GAINS FOR STUDENTS IN A SOCIAL STUDIES CLASS.

Thomeczek, Melissa. "TEACHER PHILOSOPHY, TECHNOLOGY, AND FIELD EXPERIENCE: FACTORS AFFECTING LEARNING GAINS FOR STUDENTS IN A SOCIAL STUDIES CLASS." 2009, Vol. 59, p114-117. Education Research Complete. Web. 7 March. 2011.

Summary
This paper begins by discussing a problem arising in school districts. Due to pressures placed on teachers to boost standardized test scores, standards, curriculum and budgets, hands-on experiences outside the classroom are shrinking. They go on to explain that the philosophy of constructivism is that students need to "build their own understandeing of new ideas based on what they already know." Bringing in technology in the classroom works hand in hand with the constructism philosophy because with technology students can demonstrate their understanding by creating, and visually presenting. Technologies also allow many hands on opportunities that keep students engaged and motivated in the classroom. They did an experiment using 4 different elementary classes (67 students) using a Lewis and Clark unit and testing different learning gains throughout the unit. The thesis was "that hands-on, constructivist activities
(including technology integration and field trips) would
enhance student learning." They experienced a 97 percent increase in learning using the constructivism approach. The students learned better "doing" something. In this particular case it was a virtual field trip.

Reflection
This article didn't neccessarily say that integrating technology in the classroom was the reason for this increase, infact the article says that the learning experience is what is important, connecting the content with experience for the children is what made the difference. I found this to be helpful because they didn't zero in on a single cuase for the increase but they found out what really sticks in the brain of elementary students-experience. Technology is one of the many tools that teachers can use to make this happen!

Application
I can apply this in the future because I now understand that providing an intelectual environment where the students can experience the content and connect with it in that way is what is important. This will make my teaching more efficient, technology will be a great tool to help this connection happen however, there are many ways to do this!

NETS for Teachers
The NETS that I want to focus on is NETS 3d.
Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society. Teachers : model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning.

This is really why I am taking this class, so that I can be up to date with technology in Education. This will benefit my students because with how fast things are changing they will need to keep up with their generation and the teachers need to be up to date so that their students don't fall behind. I will work on this by really digesting what I learn in this class, by incorporating it into lessons I need to teach in other classes, and by practicing the new skills so that they become smooth.

NETS for students
1. Creativity and Innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Students: create original works as a means of personal or group expression.

This is important for my future students because becoming a creative thinker will benefit you your entire life. There is so much in this world that tries to squelch creativity it is so important that students are allowed to express their learning in unique ways distinc to themselves. Two projects I could have them do that fufills this standard is
1. Create a video demonstrating their knowledge of the the unit we just finished.
2. Create your own project. I could have a page of content or questions that must be answered but allow the students freedom in how they do it. The possiblities are enless they could write a song demonstrating their knowledge, they could make a video, write a story the choice is up to them!