TheTech Savvy Teacher

How Do You See the World?

By Becca Pike and Angie Permann

This shows the options available in Celestia

Do you go outside and look through a telescope to look at the moon? Or do you sleep outside under the stars? Have you ever wondered what the sun looks like up close? What if all these answers and more were available to you with a push of a button and your computer screen. We are here to teach you how this can become reality.

A look at the Moon through Google sky

A look at the view of the earth on Google sky

A view of the sun and the earth's size in comparison in Google sky.

First, we want our students to be able to understand the appearance and the shape of the sun, moon, and earth through their own learning experiences. We want them to see how each play a very important role in providing us with life through light. Google sky and Celestia are the tools that help us to get a view of these three scientific wonders up close and learn what the relationship is that they have with one another.

Our objectives come from the UEN 3^rd Grade Science content, Standard and objective #1. Students were to describe the appearance of the Earth and the moon, describe the shape of the earth and the moon as being spherical, explain that the sun is the source of light that lights the moon, and list the differences in the physical appearance of Earth and the moon as viewed from space. The students were to record their findings in a graph using Inspiration 8.

This provides a fun hands on and interactive way of learning about the earth on which they live and the light that they receive from the sun and the moon. This helps them to see their world in a whole new light.

The students record their data on Inspiration 8

Kidspiration

Kidspiration was one of the technologies that I explored. I really liked it because there were a ton of different options for different things. I thought it would be especially good for the younger ages because it was so simple and basic. It had tools on it that would be nice to have for all the students but sometimes isn't possible. It gives the students the opportunity to work on their own but still makes learning fun. Some specific things that I really liked that I thought would be really beneficial for younger elementary students was that math section. I feel like sometimes math can be very repetitive and routine for students. Knowing that that is how we learn concepts, I think that Kidspiration could really step in and bring a different type of learning to the table. Especially with the world moving to a new age of technology, it is important that kids get a hold on both concepts.
Overall, I think that it is just a great tool that can make the learning process different and fun for all types of learners.

TPACK

The TPACK was really informative for me.  I hadn't heard anything about it before, but I can see how necessary all of the different aspects that make it up are.  Being aware of the technology that is available to us, especially educators, is so important.  If we are aware and use what we know, we can really make learning come alive for our students.  The pedagogy aspect of it is essential because it is how we really can know "how" to teach.  What works best for the students that we are working with and what is the best way to approach the subject matter.  Content specific aspect I think is really important for the teacher because it is what they focus on.  I think of it as their specialty.  All of them together just make up a good teacher.  It is so important for us to be really well rounded.

RSS and Web 2.0

RSS and Web 2.0 were a little bit confusing to me at the beginning. I had never heard of either them before this class so it was all pretty new information. But I think it makes things tons easier. I think personally this would be a really good way to keep parents informed on what happens in the classroom with their children. It would require a little bit of extra work for the teacher but I think it would be worth it. I feel that it is so important for parents to be involved in the schools and what is going on in the classroom. For those parents who work and don't have a lot of extra time, this could be a good tool for them to stay up on things.

Technology in the life of Angie

I honestly have not had much exposure to technology in my life. I pretty much get by with the basics of being able to use the email and basic searches online. I have taken a few classes in high school and one at BYU, but I feel like the technology changes so much that I just get behind soon after I take it. But I do feel like I am able to learn about it quickly when I need to. I am excited to become more technological savvy.