Reiser Article Response

The examples of the Integrated Final Projects show the methods and goals of the Project TEAMS. According to Project TEAMS, the integration of instructional technology is key and the presence of technology is found in each of these examples. In these examples, students are able to interact with each other and get involved with "active learning" through the station activities. Interdisciplinary instruction is also found in these examples by four different subject areas implemented into one unit theme.

It would take a lot of planning and organization in order to teach this way. The availability of computers in the classroom is also important in order to teach this way. Project TEAMS requires four computers in each classroom, which is unrealistic for many schools. I think that this could work if technology was brought into the classroom instead of confined to a media lab. Many schools have a media lab that have 25-30 computers. These computers could be put into the classrooms. Because the studies show mostly positive results, I think that this would be worthwhile. I want to stay positive about it happening soon because technology is continually growing and is apart of our everyday lives. All schools need is the right funding for technology and it can happen. Hopefully that funding will come soon.

Robyler Article Response

Question #2: What is the difference between acquiring knowledge and employment of knowledge as described by Tennyson (1990) in the article?

According to Tennyson, acquiring knowledge is "the verbal information and procedural knowledge" and employment of knowledge is using "contextual skills, cognitive strategies, and creative processes." The difference between the two is that acquiring knowledge is what you are actually learning and employment of knowledge is taking what you learned and actually using it. Many students don't realize how important employment of knowledge is because they feel that they aren't going to actually use what they learn in school later in life. Employment of knowledge is just as, if not more, important as acquiring knowledge. Tennyson makes a good point when he says that 30 percent of learning time should be spent on acquiring knowledge and 70 percent should be spent on employment of knowledge. What's the point of learning if you aren't actually going to use it?

I meant to put this picture with my first post. I thought I would share it with you anyway. I am currently on the Football MUSS Board and have had a couple of opportunities to meet with various athletic coaches on campus.. mostly the football coaches. I have also had the opportunity to meet the new men's head basketball coach, Jim Boylen. He is a great guy and he is determined to turn our basketball program around. He's really into getting students involved and making them apart of the team. He's even going to hold open tryout this fall! This picture is with Coach Boylen at the alumni house during the house party where he came out to meet students.

biggest benefit of using technology in the classroom..

I feel that the biggest benefit of using technology in the classroom is the ability to engage your students. You can encourage your students to get involved in the learning process by engaging them in the subject that they are learning. Instead of reading about World War II, students can watch videos, listen to audio clips and see images from that time period. We are creating new learning environments for our students by using technology in the classroom.

All About Me

My name is Mallory and I am a senior here at the U. I am majoring in history teaching and minoring in english teaching. I have blogged before, but I don't do it on a regular basis. Usually only when I'm feeling extra creative. I grew up here in the Salt Lake valley and I love living here. I mostly go to school and work, but I like to have fun with family and friends in my spare time. I am a cake decorator on the side and have done numerous wedding cakes. I hope to turn it into a side business during the off-season of teaching (aka summer) someday.

I actually changed my major after my freshman year. I spent all of high school and freshman year of college dreaming of one day becoming a journalist, only to one day suddenly change my mind. I loved high school and everything that my teachers did for me, and so I decided that I wanted to have that same impact on future students. Even though my mom has discouraged me from becoming a teacher (due to low pay), I went ahead with my own judgement and am a year away from my cohort year. Teaching is just something that I know I will succeed at and I know that I will enjoy for years to come.

I think that using technology in the classroom is critical, especially in this day and age. It is something that most students are familiar with and use everyday. Not only will it get your students engaged, but it will give them an opportunity to use this technology in the future. I like the idea of using the technology that students already have (like cell phones and iPods) to your advantage in teaching.