Reflection #12: Field Experience #3

WHAT?: This week during field my partner and I were able to teach our lessons. We were able to use quite a bit of technology integration in our lesson plans including: digital story, Power Points with pictures, projector to show maps and pictures, etc. Our lessons went overall really well, which we were happy about! We taught the students Greek art, architecture, and mythology.

SO WHAT?: For our lessons my partner and I wanted to make sure we used as much technology as possible because we felt that the children did not get to experience many technology integrated lessons. The only really technology they use is Power Points with just words and then they watched multiple videos for science. We really wanted to have the students experience something new with our lessons to see if it helped their comprehension or their participation. The students absolutely loved our "Tour of Greece" digital story. They thought it was a great way to learn about different architectures in Greece. The students also loved being shown pictures of the artworks, temples, maps, etc. I believe that it really helped the children's comprehension levels, because the next day we would ask them about what we learned the previous day, and they would remember almost all of it. We made sure that the children got to see pictures of what they were learning and also summarized slides because it helped them see the main facts/points and not try to write down everything while not paying attention. It is so important to summarize for the children and tell them the important things.

NOW WHAT?: I think it is very important to integrate technology into the classroom, and I believed that using technology a lot in our lesson plans really showed us that. The students cannot always learn with just a pen and paper and taking notes. It really helps the children to see and visualize what they are being taught. I think this helps the children remember what they are being taught, and it also helps them with their creativity. I know that as a teacher I will use a lot of technology for my students while teaching them or even use it as their assignments. I think that getting them to use technology for homework and assignments is critical because then they learn how to use technology and become so much more comfortable in using it. Without this class I would have never been able to use technology near as much in my classroom. We have learned so many awesome skills that will be great to use in my future classroom as a teacher and colleague.