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Virtual Field Trip Reflection

Virtual field trips provide students with a new way to learn information. I think virtual field trips are a great way to teach students in a new way rather than just a lecture. In addition, it is important for students to be interactive and take an active role in their learning. I think that students will learn better this way because it is unique and more exciting. I would use virtual field trips in my classroom, but I would be sure to keep them simple and easy to follow. I thought that the skeleton field trip was very interesting and that the images were very clear. I think that using images that are realistic and watching a video clip help students learn. Students can read the material, listen to the material or look at it visually. Virtual field trips are helpful when the teacher is unable to take the students to the museums due to funding or location issues. In addition, this is a cheaper alternative than spending money for each student to travel. It is important for students to explore museums and learn about culture to better their understanding of the subject matter they are learning about. The virtual trips can provide the student with a close to real life experience. In addition, the Internet is a great resource, which provides a wealth of information for students. I would incorporate virtual field trips into my social studies units as well as for science. I would use a virtual field trip for museums in New York City since those are some of my favorite ones. In addition, I would make up a worksheet for my students to fill out as they go along in the virtual field trip to record the information that they discover. I will be sure that this worksheet is sequential so students can follow along in the trip. This will also allow the students to have all of the information they learned on one sheet where they can use for future access. By having a sheet, the students will be able to explore the important parts of the field trip and stay on task. Virtual field trips allow the students to learn information in a new way that is exciting and interactive. These trips give students great opportunities to explore new subjects and the wonders of the Internet as a resource. If you use a virtual fieldtrip, you need to give students a little assessment to see what they learned. One way to do this might be to create a podcast where you, the teacher, interview the students and ask them what was the one thing they liked most about taking the "trip."

Final Reflection " Exam"

In order to respond to this scenario, I would discuss the impact of technology in the classroom. Technology enhances the learning experience for all of the students. When students are granted access to technology through computers, the students are able to explore the Internet to learn new information. Instead of the teacher relaying all of the material, the students serve as active participants in their learning by discovering new information themselves. The World Wide Web connects students with the real world through text, images and videos that enrich understanding of all concepts. In addition, students are able to benefit from using the computer, since it is useful to know the basics of technology in the future. It is the job of the teacher’s to prepare the students of today to be the leaders of tomorrow. If we teach our students how to use the technology, it will benefit them in the future when they are in the workplace. Technology is essential for all students to become familiar with since we live in a society that relies on technology to complete tasks. In the future when students prepare to go to college, they will be required to have a solid foundation on how to use technology in the educational atmosphere. Technology enables students to be more creative by creating PowerPoint’s as well as using computer software to learn information. I feel that students find the use of technology to be more exciting and therefore will focus their attention and be more engaged in the classroom setting. Technology serves as a great way for teachers to meet the needs of all different types of learners in the classroom. Students can interpret information through sound or through text. This concept is known as Universal Design for Learning. Universal Design for Learning is a key tool that allows all individuals to have the opportunity to learn information in an interactive way that appeals to all learners. I have explored the CAST website which features lesson plans that include interactive videos, audio, and books to read that enhance the material covered. Since this website offers a wide variety of ways to learn, the students are able to learn in a way that matches their individual learning style. There is a multitude of ways for students to use technology in the classroom for any subject. Students can record podcasts of information and write their own scripts and create digital stories to share with their classmates, friends and family members. In addition, students can post thoughts on a virtual discussion board, which will enable them to communicate with other students in their classroom through the use of technology. Students can create webpages to show what they have learned and make them accessible for other students to refer to. Students can go on a virtual fieldtrip and explore places they wouldn’t be able to visit on their own. For instance, students can check out museums in other states that relate to the subject matter they are learning about. Technology greatly enhances the learning experience. **I re-read my beliefs of the importance in education from earlier in the semester in order to see if my thoughts changed since then. I still agree with what I have written. I had written about how I felt that technology supports lessons and gives students the chance to have an active role in the classroom. I had mentioned in my statement that it is better to start introducing students to technology when they are young since as they grow their skills can build to be even stronger. I agree with these ideas. When students are involved with technology, they are enhancing their own learning experiences. Students are becoming more involved in the learning process, which is remarkable. If students are more engaged in what they are learning, they will retain more information and truly enjoy their schooling experiences. With a wide variety of websites and other white-board interactive activities, students can use these tools to comprehend concepts in a more enjoyable way. Technology supports lessons by making lessons more interesting since technology opens the doors to many possibilities. Throughout this course, I have truly developed a better understanding of how technology is implemented in the classroom setting. I feel that this class was extremely beneficial towards becoming a teacher in the future. By creating podcasts, and digital stories I was able to open my eyes up to how the power of voice can assist students who learn better that way. By the use of virtual fieldtrips, I discovered that the students who learn by listening and seeing the information can retain the information well. Through the use of the Glog, I learned that a virtual poster provides a fun and interactive way to display information that is unique. The keystone project was extremely helpful because I was able to have a simulation where I was the teacher. By implementing PowerPoint as well as a video in my lesson, I was able to see first-hand how students learn through a blend of learning styles whether it be from listening, writing, or being active in the classroom. I feel that learning about the technology and curriculum standards was important so when I am a teacher I am aware of what goals I should set for myself in my lessons and what I’d like to see my students achieve. This course has taught me that technology enables teachers to do wonderful things in the classroom to ensure that all students succeed in their learning. Technology is an essential part of our society and it needs to be reinforced all throughout the schooling of our students.**

Link to Digital Story