Category: Weekly Reflections

I wasn’t able to make it to the class for the topic on technology, classroom management, and inquiry-based learning, so i decided to reflect on how these topics connect to my future teaching. Technology is such a great tool for making learning fun and accessible, like using tablets or interactive whiteboards. At the same time, it can be challenging to keep kids on task and ensure they’re using the technology appropriately. In a kindergarten classroom, I’d want to use technology mindfully, focusing on short, interactive activities that don’t take away from hands-on learning or social interactions. Young children learn so much through play and exploration, so I wouldn’t rely heavily on screen time in my classroom.

Kids are naturally curious, especially at the kindergarten age, and I love the idea of incorporating inquiry-based learning into my teaching. I would encourage their curiosity and let them take the lead in their learning. At the same time, I’d make sure there’s enough structure so they don’t feel overwhelmed and can stay engaged. I’ve noticed that some neurodivergent children, such as those with autism, can find inquiry-based learning more difficult. For those students, I’d want to adjust their learning plans to better fit their needs while still encouraging exploration in a way that works for them.

Classroom management would play a big role in making inquiry-based learning successful, especially when it comes to teaching students how to take turns, share materials, and respect each other’s ideas during group activities. Having clear expectations and routines in place would be important, but I’d also stay flexible to support individual needs and make sure every student feels included and supported in their learning.

Describe how smartphones and tablets are, and are not helpful in educational settings at the age level you’d like to teach.

Smartphones and tablets can be really helpful in kindergarten classrooms when used in the right way. Tablets, for example, are great tools for teaching foundational skills like letter recognition, counting, shapes, and colors through interactive and engaging apps. They also allow me, as a teacher, to personalize activities for kids who might need extra support or more of a challenge. On top of that, tablets help introduce young learners to basic technology skills in an age-appropriate way, which is important for their future.

That said, I know there are challenges to using technology in kindergarten. If not managed properly, tablets can be distracting, and too much screen time could take away from hands-on activities that are critical for developing motor skills and creativity. I also think it’s important to avoid over-relying on screens, as it might limit opportunities for kids to work together and build social skills. Additionally, not all students come to school with the same level of access to devices at home, so it’s important to be mindful of that.

If I’m in a school where tablets are available, I would definitely use them because I believe in offering as many learning opportunities as possible. I’d also make a point to get to know my students and figure out which kids respond well to learning with tablets and which do better with other approaches. It’s important to give every child a chance to explore and see how they learn best with technology, but I’d make sure it’s balanced with play-based and social learning to support their overall growth.

• Can computation thinking help learners become better problem solvers?

Computational thinking helps learners become better problem solvers by teaching them to break down problems, find patterns, and plan steps to solve them. For kindergarteners, this could be sorting activities or puzzles that build basic thinking skills. In middle school, students might use coding and more complex logic to solve problems. Starting with simple activities and building up, computational thinking teaches students to tackle challenges step by step, helping them become more confident problem solvers.

• Discuss how gameplay can be used as a tool to make traditionally less popular topics more engaging for some learners.

Gameplay can make subjects like math, which I personally find difficult or boring, more enjoyable and engaging. Games turn math into a more engaging challenge, where students solve puzzles, practice skills, and explore numbers in a hands-on way. For instance, a math game might involve solving equations to reach a new level or earn rewards. This approach makes learning feel fun and less intimidating, building students’ confidence and interest. By making math feel like a game instead of a chore, gameplay can help students feel more excited and motivated to learn.

How can the SAMR theory of technology adoption help you evaluate technologies that you might consider using in your classroom?

The SAMR model helps me evaluate technologies for my kindergarten classroom by providing a framework to understand how each tool enhances learning. At the Sybstitution level, I would replace traditional methods with digital tools, like using a digital whiteboard. Augmentation, I could incorporate educational apps with interactive elements, such as tracing letters. At the Modifivation level, I would seek tools that enable new forms of engagement, like creating digital drawings. At the Redefinition level, I could use virtual reality (VR) to take my kindergarten students on immersive field trips without leaving the classroom.This model encourages me to focus on age-appropriate technologies that genuinely enhance learning and engagement.

Could sketchnoting benefit learners in the grade level you hope to teach at? If so how?

Kindergarden is the grade level i would like to teach at. As their teacher i could use sketchnoing myself to support visual learning, and helping students connect ideas with images, which can improve memory and engagement. It also bridges the gap between art and emerging literacy as children begin to combine pictures with words. But, Sketchnoting would be to comlex for my students to do themselves at that age. I think the closest they could get to sketchnoting would be to have multiple words and pictures cut out for them and then, have them color each picture and then match each picture to the word that represents it. then, i would have them glue the matched pairs to a larger piece of paper.

As someone with a language processing disorder, I often notice that consistent and straightforward navigation and layout are digital accessibility practices that are frequently overlooked. I find it easier to understand websites and content that use simple, clear language. When there’s too much jargon or overly long sentences, I feel overwhelmed and struggle to comprehend the information. It would be helpful if I had a tool that allows me to highlight a sentence and receive a text bubble explaining it in simpler terms. I wonder if AI is advanced enough to support this feature. Additionally, another useful option would be the ability to highlight a large paragraph and have it broken into smaller sections with bullet points or clear headings on a separate page.

I believe one reason digital accessibility practices aren’t more widely known or commonly used is that individuals with high-functioning disabilities are often overlooked. Many of them have to self-advocate to access the support they need, which can be a significant challenge in itself. As a result, when people with high-functioning disabilities are not recognized or assisted, they may remain unaware of the resources and tools available to help make their digital experiences more accessible.

Example of an accessible video:

Describe possible cross-curricular active learning opportunities for 3D Design & 3D Printing.

3D Designs and printing is a great way to offer hands on projects in multiple different subjects. For example, in Math students could print models of geometric shapes, and use those models to learn about symmetry and meaturement. In sciences students could create 3D models of animals, ecosystems or possibly create life size parts of the human body. students could also 3D design sculptures in for Art and bring them to life with a 3D printer.These opportunities allow students to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways, making learning interactive and engaging across multiple subjects.

What are the potential pros and cons of using 3D Design and print at the school and grade levels you hope to teach at?

I would like to teach in a kindergarten classroom so, a major con is that the software is way too advanced for young children to navigate independently. However, pro of 3D technology such as a 3D printer can still be a valuable teaching tool. As a teacher, I could use it to create engaging learning materials, like 3D models of shapes, animals, or letters, to support hands-on learning. Additionally, I could take students’ drawings and turn them into 3D-printed objects, bringing their creative ideas to life and making the learning process more exciting and meaningful for them.

What are some major limitations of AI?

Some major limitations of AI are the lack of unique human creativity. AI can process and synthesize data but, it cannot replicate the personal uniqueness and individuality that each person has, specifically in creative work. Another big limitation is the biases within generative AI, such as racial and gender biases. This is very concerning because it reinforces systems of inequality, and fail to promote an inclusive, intersectional environment. Additionally, political and geographical biases should be considered when using AI. While being specific in AI prompts can help minimize some of these issues, the technology is still missing unique creativity individuality that only humans possess.

How have you fund GenAI useful or not in your educational purposes?

I’ve found GenAI to be incredibly helpful in my educational work. I often find that i express my ideas in confusing ways, and my thoughts can be scattered. When I write rough drafts, I tend to pour all my ideas onto the page in a way that makes sense to me, but most likely seems disorganized to others. I have used Chat GTP to help me reorganize my thoughts and give me suggestions in ways I can word things better to make my writing more understandable.

I don’t see H5P tool to be a useful took at the grade level i would like to teach. I would like to teach kindergarten which I think is best taught through hands on learning since they are developing cognitive and motor skills at this age. I personally believe that children at that age benefit more from physical interactions and play based learning than from spending time looking at screens.

• In a kindergarten classroom, I don’t like the idea of video or audio editing as an assignment medium, but i can still incorporate multimedia strategies to enhance learning through the use of both pictures and words. I can create colourful visuals and use engaging images matched up with simple text which will hopefully capture the children’s attention and help them understand concepts more effectively. For example, I might use picture books, illustrated charts, and interactive displays that combine images with vocabulary so that my students can explore and interact with the material in a fun and meaningful way.
• Multimedia Learning Theory, developed by Richard Mayer, suggests that people learn more effectively when information is presented through both visual and auditory elements because it engages different cognitive channels. By combining images, text, and sound in instructional videos or tutorials, students can process information more efficiently and retain it longer. Reducing excess details and carefully combining visual and verbal content heightens understanding, prevents cognitive overload, and creates deeper learning.

When I think about our current education systems, a quote often attributed to Albert Einstein comes to mind: “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.” This quote reminds us that students have different strengths and weaknesses. Instead of making everyone learn the same things and take the same tests, students should be encouraged to explore what they’re passionate about and give them the resources they need to develop their skills. This approach can make learning more engaging and personal, helping students solve real-world problems and develop critical thinking and creativity.

I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was very young and anything that I didn’t find interesting seemed impossible to pay attention to or find the motivation to learn about. I am excited about the potential for more personalized and engaging learning experiences. If I had this approach in school I may have been more motivated to learn by aligning education with things I’m interested in. I also hated studying for tests because I knew I would forget the information as soon as the exam was over. What’s the point of an exam if you’re not going to remember the information afterward? Hands-on projects help you learn through trial and error while also being more effective in helping retain information and content learned through the project.

Lesson plans offer a structured approach to teaching, which is great for making sure that content is covered and learning objectives are met. This could be beneficial to younger students who might need more routine and guidance in their learning. The downside to lesson plans is that they limit flexibility and do not always take individual student needs into consideration. Learning plans, on the other hand, can be personalized to the individual students. This allows students to work at their own pace and focus on things students are already interested in, which can increase engagement and motivation. This is great for older students who can benefit from more freedom and creativity in their learning. The downside is that learning plans need more time to develop and can be hard to introduce to a traditional classroom.