I found the section on multicultural education interesting. I absolutely agree that students will learn more when the material they are learning is relevant (Maloy, et al., 2014, p. 246). To make material relevant it should relate to real-world type settings; however, what is real-world for one student may not be real-world for a diverse student. This is one reason why teachers should try to make their lesson plans as diverse and multicultural as possible. Technology makes this easier than ever by allowing students to go on virtual field trips all over the world or to translate languages to communicate with foreign students (Maloy, et al, 2014, p. 247).
Translation software, such as Google Translate, is also a big help for linguistically diverse students (Maloy, et al, 2014, p. 247). This can also benefit the teacher and help improve communication with parents. I like the idea of teachers using this new technology to translate newsletters so that non-English speaking parents can be involved in their child’s education. This would be a definite plus in Arcadia where I work due to the large Hispanic population.
Finally, I really enjoyed the section on the writing process. Writing is such an important skill to learn. I especially liked the part about the writer not being alone and how an audience is essential. This must be catching on and becoming more mainstream, because I have noticed that this feedback portion of the process is being used in my children’s classes. After they complete their rough draft, they bring it in to be reviewed by two other students. They can then make changes to the final copy based on the feedback they receive. I think this is important because it takes some of the pressure off the student to know they will get some guidance before they have to turn in their paper. Some students could already get this kind of help at home from a parent, but many students don’t have that kind of support. Besides, sometimes it is better to hear advice form a peer rather than parent anyway.
Technology can make it easier for the teacher to help each student maximize their education. From adding more diversity to lesson plans to making accommodations for students with disabilities, technology seems to have an answer for almost everything.
References
Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2014). Transforming learning with new technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.
References
Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2014). Transforming learning with new technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.
Love your Voki - and, as you can imagine, students love to see the playful side of their teacher as well as get the added voice to written text. They also love creating Vokis themselves - imagine Voki being a book report rather than the traditional written report.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that writing is moving into both a more open and authentic experience, but often to a more collaborative one, as well. Allowing students to tap into their own strengths and share with others is something we have done too little of in our traditional classrooms. There still must be a way to leverage accountability, but the efforts to collaborate are very much 'real world' (whether we like it or not!). :)