Tech Savvy Teachers

What is the content you are focusing on in your science lesson?
In my lesson I am focusing on 2nd Grade: Lifecycle Properties of rocks. The rocks that my students will identify are sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous.

What is the pedagogy you are using and why is it a good fit with the content?
The pedagogy I am using is a hands on, and learning by discovery lesson. During the assignment I did not tell my students anything about the rocks that they were going to look at. I wanted my students to list the attributes of all the rocks and show that they can see the differences and tell them to me, instead of me just telling them. I think that this pedagogy is good because it enhances critical thinking and observation skills in my students. It is a good fit for with my content knowledge because it lets my students hold, see, and feel all of the rocks getting a more complete understanding of each of them.

What is the technology you’ll be using and why is it a good fit with the content and pedagogy?
The technology that we will be using is the digital microscope. I think that this fits perfectly with my content and pedagogy because it is hands on and discovery, but it helps magnify the details of the rocks giving students a better understanding of what those rocks are made of. The microscope also takes pictures, which will allow my students to remember and reference back to their findings. Using this technology with rock identification is a great way to help students learn, because it magnifies the rocks and makes their small details that indentify them larger. By using a hands on, discovery based learning students can use the microscope and the rocks to help them identify the rocks they are looking at.

The Tech Savvy Teacher

TPACK

1. Add a post explaining what you understand about TPACK and why it is necessary for teachers to have this knowledge.
TPACK: The TPACK framework is a way of thinking about how you integrate technology into your teaching. It stands for Technological Pedagogical And Content Knowledge. I have learned so much about TPACK. I think that it is important to have a firm knowledge on all three main aspects of TPACK. If you have a firm understanding of technological, pedagogical and content knowledge then you will be able to create a lesson that will help all students learn. It is important for teachers to have this knowledge because it will help their students to learn. If you can have can obtain a firm grasp of TPACK then you will be more successful as a teacher.
2. Also include a post on your blog about one of the science/math technologies you explored.
I explored the use of the temperature rods. I think that if you have the right project and lesson then these rods would be fun. Although they are fun to work with I have a hard time seeing how they could really help students understand a difficult concept. This project helped me see that just because something is cool and fun, doesn’t mean it is the right source to use.

Using RSS, Goodreads and Delicious

I had such a great time in class this week! I never knew that there were so many wonderful resources for teachers. I believe that I would use these tools everyday. I really like the RSS because it is a fast and easy way to get updated on the latest news and events. RSS provides a great way for me to check all of the headlines while only having to check one site. I would use RSS everyday to update myself on current educational events. I also really love Delicious and Goodreads. Goodreads is great because I can look at what other books my friends are using in their classrooms. I would use Goodreads to update my own book list with books friends and colleagues use for their classes. All of these resources will help me to become a better teacher and to become more efficient online and in the classroom.

School Blog

This is my school blog! I am excited to have it up and running! I am not very technological savvy! I can send emails, post on a blog, and use google! I am excited to learn about how to use different forms of technology and how to implement them into my classroom.