20% Reflection #6

After completing my 20% project on the pros and cons of the “bring your own technology” policy, there are still some questions that I have yet to answer. One of them is how would the BYOT policy actually be implemented into a classroom? The teacher could implement certain rules concerning the devices that students could bring, and the manner in which they could use them. This would be an interesting question to explore to see how this could alter the effectiveness of the BYOT policy if it is implemented into a classroom. Teachers may be able to allow a large amount of freedom in the use of personal technology in the classroom, which may have different benefits than a classroom where the use of the students’ personal devices is more limited. This would depend on the teacher’s ability to control the classroom and to effectively implement the technology into the lesson plan.

Another question that would be interesting to explore would be, with a non-BYOT policy, what would a standardized technology plan look like in comparison to a BYOT plan? This would be beneficial to compare to see the benefits of both plans. Non-BYOT plans could still potentially be implemented in ways that would still bring creativity and excitement to the classroom in similar ways that a BYOT plan could. Comparing different methods of implementation between BYOT and non-BYOT plans could help in the decision-making process of whether or not to choose BYOT for a classroom, which would be helpful for schools and teachers. 

Reflection #6: Augmented Reality

I think augmented reality could be a very valuable tool in 21^st century learning and teaching. One of the articles mentioned the teacher’s use of AR to create environments in which the students would enter into and collect information that would then relate back to the specific subject. Using AR to create learning specific environments that are custom to the teacher or student’s need could be very beneficial to achieve meaningful learning. Students having the ability to create their own learning environments would also be beneficial to their personalized learning style.

The AR Dino Park app could be very useful as a teacher in the classroom. With this app a teacher could immerse students into a world where dinosaurs actually seem real and present in front of their eyes. The teacher could use this to engage the students and peak their interests in the details about the dinosaurs, and use that to create a classroom that is eager to learn and participate. 

20% Reflection #5

My project relates with various topics that we have covered in EDIT 2000 so far. The first being our technology integration topic and project. My project is focused on the integration of technology into the classroom, and the pros and cons of the BYOT method of technology integration. My focus of the project is centered on a form of technology integration that teachers and schools may or may not choose to use when bringing technology into their classroom.

Another related topic is the communication and collaboration subject that we covered earlier this semester. By choosing BYOT students’ ability to collaborate with one another could be affected by the different levels of technology brought to the classroom. By choosing BYOT, there may be a difference in what students have as far as technology, which would also affect their ability to communicate and collaborate with one another. Whereas with non-BYOT, students technology would be more standardized and would more than likely be able to better collaborate using the same level of technology.

Creativity and innovation is also a part of my project, because the BYOT program is one that can be used in creative and innovative ways in order to achieve meaningful learning in the classroom. The teacher and student both must be creative with their technology that they bring to the classroom. They also must innovate new ways of using the technology in conjunction with their lesson plans in order to also achieve meaningful learning. Overall my project relates well to out topics covered so far. 

Reflection #7

I have taken online courses before, I took two last summer. I really enjoyed taking the online classes for several reasons. The classes provided me with so much more flexibility in my schedule than traditional classes. I was able to work at my own pace for assignments and tests. I was able to spend much less time on the online classes than I would with traditional classes, mainly because there was not an actual classroom or lecture to attend daily. I still feel that I learned just as much through these online classes as I do through traditional classes, and did so while having much more freedom in my schedule and not spending hours every week in an actual classroom.

                The good thing about online courses is the flexibility it provides to students. You do not have to physically attend class daily, and can complete classes from anywhere. This gives students more freedom in their schedules to balance school into their lives. The only bad thing is that some students may have trouble learning on their own, and may have a more beneficial learning experience through cooperation with others in person and hands-on approaches.

                The readings discuss how MOOCs are becoming problematic because of a few reasons. The first issue is that they have a history of low participation by the students who register for the classes. The second issue is the lack of a human connection that can help provide a more quality learning experience through a personal connection with the teacher or mentor who is the source of great knowledge. The third issue is that many people are skeptical of change, and it may take time before MOOCs can prove themselves to be legitimate.

I believe that MOOCs are a great option for some students; however I also think that many students would benefit more from an in class learning experience because of the human connection and hands-on opportunities offered there. The learning experience can be more engaging in person if done correctly.

http://thedmonline.com/online-courses-offer-flexibility-to-students/

This article discusses the flexibility that online courses offer to students, and how that is a benefit over traditional courses as long as the student has the discipline to meet the course requirements on their own time.

                

Creativity and Innovation Project Reflection

This project has taught me a lot about the use of creativity and innovation in the classroom to achieve meaningful learning. I learned about the potential that the use of creative and innovative thinking can have on the learning experience, and that it can also be very fun and engaging. Creative tools like Prezi are such a great way to approach common classroom activities and make them a little more interesting and exciting for the students. It still presents the necessary info, but what I learned is that although a creative or innovative idea may do the same thing as standard tools, it can do it in such a way the really engages the student in the learning. I think that from this project I have learned how valuable a creative mind can be to the meaningful learning experience.

My thinking towards creative and innovative methods has changed somewhat after completing this project. I feel that I am now more open towards new ways and methods than before, especially after seeing how many common classroom activities can be done in new and exciting ways that changes the atmosphere of the learning experience. Overall I think that the use of creative and innovative tools is crucial to the development of our education systems. A developing field of creative education will facilitate creative and innovative thinking in the classroom, and will make the classroom a fun place to be. It will also engage students into the meaningful learning process like never before. 

Reflection #5

I think there are many games that have taught me little things here and there. It may not be advanced literary or mathematics, but as the article talks about, it sometimes is a skill or concept that can be brought into the classroom. One game in particular would be the board game (now also a video game) “Risk”. This game definitely teaches players about management of resources and forces them to think strategically using what they are given.  I think these principles are things that can be carried into learning at school, whether it’s learning history or maybe even mathematics. It gives those who have played some sort of experience to relate to various educational topics.

I think gaming is so popular now in learning and teaching because it is such a popular thing in daily life today. It is easy to bring things from society and culture into the classroom, and is much more relate-able for the students. I think through using gaming, educational topics can be better understood through connections to gaming experiences. Students can engage in games and collaborate with each other through games, then apply their experiences to learning concepts. 

20% Post #4

I have not talked with any experts in my potential audience of teachers or students. However, I have talked with fellow students about my project and received valuable feedback on my topic. One friend of mine, who is also a college student, told me about his personal learning experience with technology, and how using his own technology was an overall benefit to his learning process. Looking at the primary education level, however, is different than looking at the college level when considering the bring your own technology policy. Most students in college will have the ability to afford some type of personal technology for school, considering how much college itself costs. While many primary education students may or may not have that ability. Considering that many schools are public and free, they will contain families of various income levels. So while the policy may be beneficial in college (or private schools) where most students have the means to purchase technology, it may not be in public schools where the financial means of students varies greatly. I think this will be an interesting topic to integrate into my final recommendation on the policy. It really shows that the policy and its effectiveness depend on the school to which it is being applied. The policy cannot have a definite answer or results when applied since school systems across the nation are so diverse in their student population, financial abilities, and methods of learning. This means that when considering BYOT, it really does depend on the individual school or school systems situation.