I think this class was important because I learned things about software that I had no prior experience using. The most helpful thing I learned was how to design a website. I had always thought making a website was so mysterious and difficult but it turned out to be fairly intuitive once I gained experience using the software.
All of the projects we completed in ISTC 501 have relevance to teaching in the secondary level and they can all be incorporated in some way into effective lesson plans. As I alluded to in my first blog post technology is becoming integrated into society at an exponential rate and, therefore, must be integrated into the classroom as well. Making a mini-movie for students via moviemaker can raise students’ interest level in the lesson topic by incorporating emotive pictures, music, and other multimedia. Making the movies can also help increase the teacher’s knowledge of the subject because he/she has to search documents, pictures, and videos on the subject.
When we researched the different learning theorists and software that associates with their learning theories I felt that it was an interesting activity. I think that educational software should be designed according to solid learning theories to ensure students actually learn the material and do not just play games. Learning software generally supports a constructivist model and is therefore in step with the most popular teaching model used today.
Going forward I would really like to build on and maintain a personal website. I will also definitely incorporate mini-movies into my lessons. Being a Social Sciences teacher it is important to engage students early in a lesson or they may drift off into daydream land. I will make it my goal to use technology to boost student learning and understanding.
