Back to School - Technology

To create presentations like this, it will be a wonderful experience for teachers and students to have a better communication between them.
It is very interesting to see, that in this kind of blog, we can post any type of help, like power point presentation’s, links, and possible videos to have faster information in the moment that we need it.
In my Spanish and art classes, I will have the perfect tool, to help my students to understand different cultures in more active and fun way.

Power Point to blog

Week 3

TASK #1

Although, technology is an important resource to use in class, I am sure that in my class, I will apply technology as a support of research and intercommunication with other cultures as is shown in the article “Four Takes on Technology”, and for many projects more. As a future second language teacher, is very important for me, that my students have a fluent conversation in Spanish in the real world. This goal can be reached by having interactive activities during class, with the help of graphics, physical movements and discussion among students.

The technology, in this case, the computer, DVD’s and Cd’s, can be use as support for the class. The success technology can reach, depends in the interest that each student takes in order to learn and progress in class.

 In the video “Integration of 21^st Century Skills: Hydrology”, a perfect example is shown. The video presents the ways a class can be arranged. In that scenario, we can see how a teacher uses technology, but at the same time, he makes activities where the students have to work in teams to solve problems and create new solutions.

Also, I would like to teach in a district where I could find good interrelationships between the directors, administrative and teachers, because it helps, when you have these professional alliances, to teach and apply different resources to the class.

In my opinion, technology is important as long as it is used in balance. It is important, to combine technology, while keeping social interactions among the students.

TASK #2

Strand           C. Communication and Collaboration

As a prospective Spanish and art teacher for levels K-12, this strand (P), can be used in any age. For example, with kids between ages 6 to 10.  If I want to teach a song, the lyrics and beats are very attractive to learners. (See the song’s video).

Other example is if I would like to do a field trip with students of high school. I will place the students that have an understanding of Latin-American culture, with those that have not. The interaction between the two groups will foster a better understanding and a better experience on the field trip. I will prepare activities using audios, movies and CD’s, to give them enough information about culture, human behavior, and much more. I would want to include field trips, because, for personal experience I learned so much by going to many, and at the same time I enjoyed so much, that I believe these activities will create a comfort zone for the students.

MY EXPERIENCE WITH TECHNOLOGY

I have to confess, that technology is not my strong point. In my country, years ago, it was not an important class and for this reason, I never had an interest in it. I know that technology is very important to execute any job right now. To give a simple example, only to pump gas, the sales person has to know how to use the gas pump machine, and if the customer pays with credit card, the sales person needs to know, how to do the transaction.

 I graduated with two Bachelors in Interior Design and Industrial Design, when I graduated in 2005; I found a job faster in Interior Design that in Industrial design. With Interior Design, I had to work with AutoCAD program. This program is wonderful and I work on it, all the time. But, if right now, I would like to find a job as industrial designer, it could be difficult because the companies ask for so many programs that I feel in a prehistoric time, even though I know how to use the computer and three programs of design more, still it is not enough.

I support the idea that technology has to be integrated in the curriculum program from K-12, so later on, the children won’t have the problem of making mistakes with technology.

I am very optimistic with this class, because I would like to know how to integrate technology in my classes and how I can be more productive in the school. The article Four Takes on Technology, really open my expectations to go forward in this class and learn as much as I can. In the web site to integrate groups of students around the world in the article Friends & Flags, the students have the opportunity to learn other cultures and languages with interactive activities. I want my future students to have a good experience in my classes learning Spanish and Arts with technology as a principal source for them.