Technology+Issues

__Technology Issues:__
HIGH ORDER THINKING: Technology can be used to support high-order thinking by going above and beyond requiring students to merely know facts. It allows them to be creative and learn real-life applications of their studies. High-order thinking involves collaborating, problem solving, and creativity. Activities that involve high-order thinking do not ask for one answer, but look for different solutions and ideas. For example, in a website that shows a 360-degree view of a foreign land, students can not only learn facts about the place, but they can understand more about the culture and way of life for people. High-order thinking results in more well-rounded and tolerant students. Students should learn to be more supportive and understanding of different ideas, views, and ways of life though a high-order thinking activity.

DIVERSITY: Pertaining to different diversities in schools is very imporntant. Not only do all students need to feel accepted and appreciated, regarsdless of their culture, but all students also need to learn to respect all cultures, religions, races, etc. I will affirm diversity in my classroom by presenting material in different ways, appreciating all the differences in my students, and providing a diversity of role models. Presenting material in different ways can be as simple as using the Google:Translate tool to put the directions to a worksheet in different languages. I can also allow the students to do a presentation of their culture, kind of like an "all about me" project, so others will learn about different cultures. Finally, I will provide access to information of different cultural role models so all students can be proud of their cultures. There are many interactive websites that help teachers provide information about people who have helped make the world what it is today that are from many different cultures. My favorite website that affirms diversity in the classroom is National Geographic for Kids (http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Places/) which is an interactive website that allows students to explore and learn on their own accord but points out many amazing differences in culture that students will find interesting.

TEACHING FOR ALL LEARNERS: It is important to use technology that will help all students in their learning. My favorite type of technology is the assistive technology. There are so many awesome and interactive technological activities that can help students with disabilities. One of these is the technologies that speak for children who cannot speak. This helps them be involved in the classroom and interact with their peers so they can be a part of the classroom. In the video we watched about assistive technology, one girl even used the device at home so she could communicate with her family better. This helps her to really be a part of the family instead of just observing. I would use as many of these assistive technologies in my classroom because I want all of my students to feel they are a contributing part of my classroom. A large part of learning in the classroom is more than academics, it is the social aspect and feeling like you belong and are welcomed and that is my main goal in the classroom.