EDUC 7102 Module 4

http://dbuckhalter.wikispaces.com/EDUC+7102 (link to graphic organizer)



The quality of content knowledge, collaboration, and communication is vital when it comes to being successful in the classroom. There are many technological tools that can enrich the educational environment. Technological tools are a necessity in the 21st century classroom. The 21st century classroom accommodates the Net Generation. The Net Generation is the group of young people between 1982 and 1991 who has been exposed to computer-based technology (Sanders & Morrison, 2007). The technological tools bring an interest of learners to the classroom.

Content knowledge is the meat of the course. Content knowledge is the material learners are responsible for learning and applying. Webinars, research databases, and electronic textbooks/books are technological tools that can be utilized in the classroom. Webinars can be utilized to provide real world connections to content, connect with others globally, and learn strategies to assist them in the area of content. Research databases and electronic textbooks/books are used to research information related to content. This tool works well because it allows the student to find information at any time and with access to millions of information. This is an advantage because students are able to conduct research outside of a library.

Collaboration is a component in the classroom that assists in building the community in the classroom. Blogs, Chats, Discussions, and Wikis are technology tools that allow for collaboration in the classroom. Blogs, discussions, and wikis allow for learners to display their knowledge and share information while allowing for classmates and instructors to provide feedback and opportunities to collaborate. All Chats are an opportunity for classmates to collaborate with one another. An advantage of chats is that it allows for all participants to be active simultaneously.

Communication is a requirement for a course. Communication is imperative in a course. It sets the tone for classroom community. Email, Skype, and instant messaging are technological tools that can be utilized in the classroom. Email provides a way to communicate with multiple people and to keep track of what was discussed in email. Skype does multiple tasks. It allows you to send instant messaging, video and voice calls. Skype also allows you to share files with one another.

Content knowledge, collaboration, and communication are all ingredients to a successful classroom. There are many technological tools that can aid in bringing these ingredients to build a classroom. Technological tools should be incorporated in the classroom to bring the student interests to the classroom and also enhance instruction.

References

Sandars, J. M. (2007, 3 29). What is the net generation? The challenge for the future. Retrieved 1 28, 2010, from U.S. National Library of Medicine: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17701615

Related Blogs

Concetta Gotlieb discusses strategies on ways to integrate technology into content knowledge.

http://me.edu.au/b/cgotlieb/entry/linking_technology_pedagogy_and_content

Neil Stephenson discusses the many roles of Skype in the classroom.

http://www.isteconnects.org/2009/02/15/the-many-roles-of-skype-in-the-classroom/

The author discusses whether or not Instant Messaging is good or bad in the classroom. He also provides strategies to use when utilizing Instant Messaging.

http://edte.ch/blog/2009/11/14/using-instant-messaging-in-education-good-or-bad/