EDU 777 01 Blog

This week I explored a variety of research statistics about students and their technology use. Due to the pandemic last year and virtual learning, I knew that technology usage had increased in the home but I was most surprised to learn about how much technology time has increased for students ages 0 to 8 years old and the parent's view of technology for this particular group of students. Technology for young students As I explored Common Sense Media, they provided a great insight into the media usage of students ages 0 to 8. I n the article titled  "Teaching Digital Citizens in Today's World" , I learned that students ages 0 to 8 have an average screen time of two and a half hours. This was shocking to me! That is such a long time to  spend staring at a screen, especially for young children. I also was shocked to learn that most of the 0 to 8 year olds screen time was devoted to TV or videos (an average of 33%) while 16% was spent on homework. I wonder why the TV or v...

Active Learning This week, I explored active learning and how beneficial it can be to learning. According to an article by the University of Minnesota titled Center for Educational Innovation , "active learning refers to a broad range of teaching strategies which engage students as active participants in their learning during class time with their instructor". Therefore, the students are fully engaged in their learning and interacting with what they are learning. Some activities that promote active learning include journal writing, partner discussions, case studies, role plays or even team-based learning. Any activities that involve the students to show their knowledge in creative ways or interact with others can support active learning.  The graphic below, also from the article  Center for Educational Innovation ,  offers a way to make time for active learning. While I personally would make the activity's section longer and the lectures shorter for my first graders, I ap...

Digital Map This week, I explored the concept of a digital map and the difference between the status of a visitor or resident when using technology. The article titled  Visitors & Residents , helped explain the difference between the two concepts and helped me when creating my own digital map. David White explains in the article that visitor mode is when you do not leave a social trace online and are using an app for one purpose and then moving on or going offline. On the contrary, resident mode is when people use the app to create an online presence where they can connect or share with others. Keeping this in mind, I created my own digital map below! My Digital Map When creating my own digital map, I sectioned it off into four sections: professional and personal going from top to bottom and visitor mode and resident mode going from left to right. When I arranged the various digital apps that I use in my daily life, I made sure to place the apps in a specific location based on ...

Treads in Edtech: Creativity After reading the article titled The Hottest Topics in Edtech in 2021 ,  I was really drawn to the trend of creativity. As a first grade, dual language teacher I love using technology in the classroom, however many students at the first grade level have a hard time with technology and just logging into the computer. On top of that, technology can be extra confusing for my students who are English Language Learners or learning in another language. With these added struggles, incorporating technology in the classroom or at home can seem daunting. I love the idea of integrating technology in a way that can allow students to be creative when learning and help reduce some of that stress with technology. A resource I love that allows students to be creative when responding and submitting assignments is Seesaw.    Image source:  Seesaw logo Seesaw This resource, allows students to respond to assignments virtually with a multitude of resources. F...

Technology Frameworks In module 2, I learned about many different types of frameworks for technology integration. This week, I choose to explore SAMR and evaluate myself using the SAMR model. SAMR stands for the levels in the model titled Substitution, Augmentation, Modification and Redefinition and is developed by Dr. Ruben Puentedura. With this model, educators can explore and integrate different types of technology tools with different goals in mind. For example, each level of SAMR represents a new way to think about and incorporate technology when teaching.  In this  video , Dr. Ruben Puentedura's model is explained level by level with technology examples as well. The substitution level is when the new technology replaces the old technology but the task does not change. In the augmentation level, the technology is substituted for a more functional reason/purpose. The modification level is when technology can be used to redesign tasks. In the redefinition level, there is no...

HELLO! My name is Emma Lewis :) Welcome to my blog! Image source: Personal photo All about me  Hi! I'm originally from Oak Park, IL and graduated with my Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Spanish from Illinois Wesleyan University . Since graduating in 2014, I have taught English in Madrid, Spain for 1 year, taught as a 2nd grade, Dual Language (Spanish and English) teacher for 2 years and now I'm teaching 1st grade, Dual Language (Spanish and English). Below is a picture of me in my classroom this year. While it has been a crazy start to the year, I am so happy to be back in person with my kiddos! Image source: Personal photo Currently, I am living in Urbana, IL, teaching and trying to finish my Master's Degree in Education from Dominican University. I am very excited but also nervous to be finishing up my course work this semester!  Image source:  https://giphy.com I look forward to working with you all this year! Please enjoy a cute picture of my dog named...