I need a "MAP"

Have you ever felt like you needed a map to get back on track, or at least a compass to be guided in the right direction? I have to admit that that is where I am or where I was for the first two days of what is my life for the next 2 years. I stand corrected, the correct terminology for that(what I'm feeling I mean) would be that I am in a temporary state of disequilibrium. My options are to assimilate or to adapt, and I have think I am doing a little bit of both.

The transition from being the person giving all the homework (TEACHER) to the person receiving the homework(STUDENT) is very different. I guess this is where I see how my students feel, when every teacher they meet gives them homework that is due next class. Putting that aside, I get to the root of the matter at hand, the reason this blog was created; TECHNOLOGY!!!

Educational technology is a wide field that may include many definitions. During my search the definition I found is suitable is; Educational technology can be considered as a collection of different research interests addressing fundamental issues of learning, teaching and social organization. Technology on its own can defined as the systematic application of scientific knowledge to practical tasks. Therefore, educational technology is based on theoretical knowledge drawn from different disciplines (communication, education, psychology, sociology, philosophy, artificial intelligence, computer science, etc.) plus experiential knowledge drawn from educational practice. It aims to improve education. Technology should facilitate the learning processes and increase performance of the educational system(s) as it regards to effectiveness and/or efficiency.

Teaching and learning can be so much fun and so easy if only we'd use the mediums that are available to us. There is a wealth of knowledge to be offered to eager minds who learn in different ways and all those styles and needs can be catered to if changes are made.

Take a look at the the technology map below and lets see if it makes sense, then you can take some time to see if this would work in your classroom...
                                                               
                                        Global Connections 
                                                      |
                                                Learning          Symbols  
                                                         \             /

                                Creativity <----Technology ----> Storing information 

                                                       /            \

                                                   Tool         Media/Medium

                                                                            |

                                                                  Manipulatives 

                                                               Resource Persons 

                                                                      Videos 

                                                                    Visual aids 

If you aren't quite sure what it's saying then here it is explained; 

1. Technology is or should be the main component 

2. Technology can be viewed as a tool for creativity which promotes learning with the use of symbols and is a wonderful storage option(no more walking around with piles and piles of notebooks)

3. Technology can be used with other mediums, therefore making the learning process so much easier.

Since we've been talking about learning and how the use of technology makes it easier to learn, it is a good idea to understand how students learn. I took a learning quiz that evaluated my learning styles and have included the link (http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=questionnaire) to the website and my own results.  

Below is an example of a power point presentation that I created to use in a class. You can try creating your own and adapt it to the needs of your students.

                                  

If you haven't started as yet and you aren't quite sure how to start using technology in your classroom, we'll get into much later as I continue to make posts. In the mean time there has to be a youtube video for that. There's a youtube video for just about everything, think outside your norms and get Techno edified with me.