After reading through Chapter 1: Definition in Educational Technology, A Definition with Commentary, I have become more aware of my own practices in the classroom. Prior to really understanding technology and how to teach it to my students I would let them do a little exploration on their own and then tell them the things I wanted them to know. I really wasn't sure if they even understood it but I knew that I was utilizing my time in the computer lab. After a year of doing this, I knew I had to do something more. I needed to teach them the hows and whys of what they doing.
I have now changed how I approach utilizing the technology in my students learning as applicable to first grade students. First I started with the basics of what a computer is and all of its basic components, i.e. mouse, keyboard, tower, monitor, ear phones. Next we were able to focus on how use each of the components correctly. We discussed how a mouse works, how to use each of the buttons and the roller in the middle of the buttons. Next we discussed the keyboard and how to use it to do what they would need, i.e. capital letters, punctuation, space bar, numbers, etc.In addition to knowing how to use the keyboard we discussed how to type on the keyboard to make a document. I was first able to show them how to open a program, type into the document, and then use one of the formatting techniques. Now, for first graders, their hands are a little bit to small to completely use the correct placement of their hands on the keyboard but they are now understanding how to use the computer to help them put their thoughts into a document.
My students are now the ones taking ownership of their own work and I am now able to utilize my time teaching them technology better. I am finding more resources for them to use and as a whole we are able to feel more comfortable using technology.
Meaning of Educational Technology Review
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