"Balance "face to face" and virtual environments to meet your learner's needs and objectives through your lesson plans to foster a creative and authentic learning environment?"
A teacher's first priority should be to meet the needs of each of their students. I feel that because of this, it is imperative to have a balance of "face to face" teaching methods and the use of technology in the classroom. Students have different learning styles, some may excel with technology and some may respond better to "face to face" methods. It is important to know how your students learn best in order to use adequate and effective types of technology.
As an elementary teacher I would use Powerpoint with a lot of fun graphics and effects to teach reading and vocabulary. I would then do small group and individual help with the students to make sure they understand the concepts. There are various reading and vocabulary websites with fun interactive games for the students to use during free time.
Technology can really enhance math skills as well. I would teach techniques "face to face" and then have the students to play math games on the computer such as FASTMath. FASTMath allows the students to compete with themselves and move to new levels of math skills.
I think PowerPoint is a great way to really catch the attention of students and maintain their undivided attention as well! Plus, presentations can be saved and sent to a child at home (if the child was sick, for example.) This makes it easier on the parents/guardians as well.
ReplyDeleteI am working on being a math teacher so I'm really glad you mentioned FASTMath. I'd never heard of it before. I'm going to have to try it out.
ReplyDeleteI like Tyler, like the use of PowerPoint presentations. One can post presentations on their website or LMS allowing students to access the information anytime and anywhere.
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