Journal 1

• Describe an experience you have had (as teacher or learner) in which a technology was used effectively for the purpose of increasing INNOVATION. What was the technology? How was it used? What made it effective?
  • I have been a student in several classes that used a PRS or clicker technology. 
  • It enabled me to do the following:
    • Participate in a large lecture hall environment. 
  • This technology was effective for the purpose of innovation for the following reason(s):
    • It allowed for engagement of the learner in a lecture hall, which is very important in the learning process and is often difficult to do in this environment.
• Describe an experience you have had (as teacher or learner) in which a technology was used effectively for the purpose of increasing EFFICIENCY. What was the technology? How was it used? What made it effective?
  • I have been a student in several classes that used Sakai, WebCT, or Wiki. 
    • It enabled me to do the following:
      • access all the information needed for the course (i.e. contact information, notes, syllabus, assignments, announcements, supplementary information and media such as simulations, and discussions) at any place and time.
      • immediately post questions and comments to discuss topics with my classmates, professor, and TA.
      • submit assignments online.
• • • I believe this same technology was effective for the purpose of efficiency for the following reasons
      • Since information was available at all times, we spent less time being confused and more time being prepared.
      • Since we were able to discuss these topics outside of the classroom, we were better able to use the class time provided. 
      • Submission of assignments online eliminated the paper printing process which saves on time and resources.
• Describe an experience you have had (as teacher or learner) in which a technology was used effectively for the purpose of increasing COMMUNITY. What was the technology? How was it used? What made it effective?Consider the examples you described. Can you identify general characteristics that made this “good technology”?
  • I believe this same technology was effective for the purpose of increasing community for the following reasons:
    • Unlike the classroom which is time constrained, the discussion board allowed for a more open and comfortable setting for discussions.
    • The obstacle of poor acoustics of a classroom was eliminated and so everyone’s comments and questions are clearly understood by all. The online discussion board has the advantage of an archive and so the information discussed can be accessed at all times. 

   

• Describe a situation in which you saw technology used POORLY! What could have been done to address the situation better?
  • In a course I recently took, the same technology was available. However, it was used poorly for the following reasons:
    • The instructor rarely posted classroom information (announcements, syllabus, feedback). Actually the only information posted was the instructor’s contact information and a long list of readings. The technology was not used for the purpose of increasing efficiency.
    • The information posted was unorganized and so the technology was not used to increase efficiency.
    • Although the assignments were all typed, paper copies were submitted in class and so the technology was not used efficiently.
    • Outside classroom discussions were not encouraged and so the technology was not used effectively for the purpose of increasing community. Because of the nature of the course, most of the learning occurred during group discussions and so a discussion board could have really been a great opportunity for learning. 
  • The following could have been done to address the situation better: 
    • The students could have suggested the capabilities of the technology and their advantages. 
    • The instructor could have learned about the capabilities of the technology prior to the start of the course and/or during the course and use it. 
• Consider the examples you described. Can you identify general characteristics that made this “good technology”?
  • Good technology is innovative and effectively increases efficiency and community.

   

About Me

I am currently a student in the Graduate School of Education Ed.M. program for Science Education. I am majoring in Physics and Psychology and will graduate undergrad this May ‘08. I plan on teaching Physics in a secondary school upon graduation of the Ed.M. program. I aim to pursue a PhD in physics education after a few years of teaching. besos!