1. Teachers act as designers when they merge content and technology to produce high quality teaching. Teachers focus on a difficulty and search for ways to resolve problems with the use of technology. The chapter gives us many examples and one I liked very much was the creation of a catapult (trebuchet) by a science class. Instead of recurring to the established way where they built with wood, and spend long days rebuilding every time they experiment, this class created a catapult with a simulation program.
2. It is possible to learn from television when students assume an active role instead of just sitting to be entertained for hours. When watching educational television adults should ensure that the programs are appropriate for the age and skill level of the child.
3. The use of word processing programs to prepare book response journals is an opportunity for the students to express their personal reactions. Here students are encouraged to communicate everything they read and demonstrate their understanding. A teacher can provide feedback to each student by sharing ideas, or making suggestions about the material studied. In addition, the teacher can assess the student’s writing mechanics and literacy skills. Another assessment opportunity for the teacher is through students’ presentations prepared with power point. These presentations transform ideas into something concrete and observable through visual, audio, movement, and/or music. Here the teacher has another opportunity to assess the student’s ability to communicate what she/he learned.
Resources:
Jonassen, David, Howland, Jane, Marra, Rose, & Crismond, David. (2008). Meaningful learning with technology. Prentice Hall.
