Science Technologies

I thought that all of the technologies that we explored in class were really interesting, and could all be applied in a classroom. You could use Stellarium to do a unit on constellations and show how they move throughout the year, and some are only visible from certain places and at certain times during the year, this would make the information a lot more interesting and meaningful to the students. The microscopes were really cool because they were so easy to use, and would involve the whole class, it would be fun to do something similar to what we did, and send the class to find things to look at. I was amazed that the microscope didn't cost more! I loved experimenting with the temperature probes, I think it would be a really fun thing to make ice cream in a classroom like they did in the video we watched. Seeing the possibilities for science projects in the classroom, and recognizing the fact that they don't have to be over the top made the prospect of teaching science less daunting.

TPACK

This week I learned that TPACK is technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge. The best teachers use all three of these types of knowledge in their classrooms. When teaching a lesson, you can get the information across to the students best if you know how to teach well, use the latest technology to present it, and have understanding of the subject. Oftentimes people have knowledge that is less specific, or does not use technology, or knowledge that they cannot teach well. TPACK is knowledge of how to present specific information through technology in a way that will make it easy to learn.

Web 2.0 and RSS Feeds

I learned that Web 2.0 refers to the changes in the internet. Web design and technology allow for creativity, improved communications, and the opportunity for collaborating with others. Examples of Web 2.0 tools are blogs, information sharing sites, and collaboration sites. Because these sites allow you to put information online for people to see, Web 2.0 sites would be very useful in the classroom. You could use a blog to keep the parents informed of assignments, and to provide links for them to have easy access to information learned in class. Parents could also look at lists of books online and choose from the teacher's recommendations.

RSS is often called "Really Simple Syndication," it allows you to subscribe to different information on the internet, and access it all from one place. To receive RSS feeds you must have a reader which takes the information you want from the websites you have specified. You get the latest information regularly. RSS feeds could be used in the classroom to quickly and easily access information that relates to the units you are studying, you could have feeds from National Geographic, NASA, The History Channel, and news providers.

Technology

My technology background is average. I know how to navigate myself around the internet, but I know I could be more informed. I know how to use word processing, spread sheet, and presentation programs, and use them fairly regularly. Technology is a very large part of our culture now, and so it is very important to be up to date. I am excited to learn more about using technology in the classroom.