"Effective teachers apply technology in the classroom."

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The introduction of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a new core curriculum subject will have a tremendous impact on teachers and students in the classroom.  It is now compulsory * for me as a teacher to become conversant with both the use and instruction of modern technology as a means of exploring and obtaining the goals of the other core curricular objectives.


Technology is one of the most rapidly changing elements of the classroom.  The use of technology in its many forms can have a phenomenal impact on student learning.  I have found my lessons, and their preparation, to be immeasurably improved by the use of new technologies.  It is through the use of technology that I spend less time preparing lessons and more time honing and improving them. 

Artefacts Artefacts Artefacts

 

 















Reflection On 'Down Down Yellow And Brown': A Clip-Art Document Artefact One

Reflection On Computers And LearningArtefact Two

Reflection On Using Excel In The ClassroomArtefact Three 

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Artefact One 'Down Down Yellow And Brown': A Clip-Art Document


Reflection on Artefact one
Reflection on Artefact one


This sample reading-aide was a pleasure to make. It was very useful to the students who wanted to read by themselves but did not yet know their letters. I plan to make a great number of documents like this one in preparation for a Kindergarten class of my own; it gives the students a great deal of independence. We read the large chart paper document 'Down, Down Yellow and Brown" together but when independent reading begins many children want help reading a book. Unfortunately, I cannot read very many books at once.


















Down, Down Yellow And Brown
Artefact One 
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Artefact Two Reflection On Computers And Learning


Reflection On Artefact Two
Reflection On Artefact Two



This picture shows some of my students working hard at a problem on a computer (very collaborative). At present, I am reading a few articles, and books, about computers in the classroom and as learning aids. I am not altogether sure that computers are as great as they sound, but they certainly are a part of our lives. This is why I set up the computer so that my students could get used to using a mouse and understanding how computers work, all the while learning about colours and shapes. I found the computer a particularly useful tool for helping ESL students learn colour and number words.



















Artefact Three Using Excel In The Classroom (a worksheet and a sample)


Reflection on Artefact Three
Reflection on Artefact Three



Using computers to graph data can be very instructive for grade six students who are befuddled by "too many numbers". When I look at this particular computer lab today, I find that it was a little too focused on teaching them how to use the computer, and not focused enough on learning the purposes and uses of graphing. In the future, I will try to make computer labs a little less tool-oriented.







































Some Children Discussing How to Approach A Problem On the Computer
Artefact Two 
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Artefact Three, Part 1

Data Management Lab

Using Excel to Make a Graph

 

Procedure:

 

Open Excel by clicking on the 'X' icon.

 

You will see a spreadsheet (with numbered rows and lettered columns).  Columns go up and down, notice column A, then Column B.  Rows go from left to right (i.e. row 1, row 2, etc.).

 

Each rectangle is called a "cell".  The first cell in the top left corner is called "A1" the next over to the right is called "B1", "B2", then, "B3" and so on . . .

The cell directly below "A1" is "A2", then "A3" and so on . . .

 

You will take turns making a graph each of you must make one -- flip a coin to decide who goes first.  To begin your graph, follow these steps (as carefully as you can):

 

Ø      in Column A enter the names of the teams (see the data that you must use at the bottom of this page)

 

Ø      in Column B enter the scores of the teams

 

Ø      Click in the left top corner of your group of cells and drag so that all of the cells are highlighted

 

Ø      Go to "Insert", and select Chart then select Column and finally click on Next

 

Ø      Now, Simply click Next

 

Ø      Click in the box for Chart title and then enter the Chart Title.  The title must be descriptive of the data (information) being used and your name (e.g. Title, by George Renoir)

 

Ø      Do the same for category x and y (the x and y-axis).

 

Ø      Click on Next

 

Ø      Click on "As New Sheet".

 

Ø      Click on "Finish"

 

Your graph should be finished (turn page over to see a sample).   If you have time consider experimenting with the font or layout..

 

BE CAREFUL, save before you experiment.

 

Print when you have your finished product and I will collect it from the printer.  No queuing at the printer please.

 

 

Data

Colorado                120                Edmonton              80

Buffalo                   110                Ottawa                   76

New Jersey                105                 Toronto                 56

Philadelphia                100

Detroit                    97

Rangers                 90

Pittsburgh                85




Artefact Three, Part 2 A Graphing Sample 
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