"Uncountable Nouns" Lesson Matrix

Final Technology Matrix

                This technology matrix summarizes the standards, strategies, and technologies used in the lesson on "Uncountable Nouns". The following description will outline my lesson and provide you with insight on how these technologies will enhance learning for my students.

             First and foremost, I begin my lesson with a verbal Question and Answer (Q&A) assessment to gather information and assess my students' knowledge on uncountable nouns (Assess). The students will be able to practice different communication forms and collaborate in their opinions and answers. I will provide the accurate answers on the Chalkboard and my own definitions. Then, I will provide images of uncountable nouns on the overhead projector and appear on the Smartboard. The images will be in a Powerpoint presentation on a computer. Through this, students will be able to apply different reading strategies and comprehend information via graphic features. This set of activities will allow the students to make decisions on what images to  label as "uncountable nouns".

            Then we move on to the standard Analyze. In small groups, students will discuss the previous activity. I will provide students with graphic images/clips on the overhead projector and Smartboard. I would need internet access to do research. I will also provide examples of 3-D objects. In their small groups, students will collaboratively analyze these images and objects, label them as uncountable nouns or countable nouns, and provide explanations for their choices. Through this, students are learning how a group meets their decision, selecting and using appropriate digital tools, and engaging in technology problem solving and decision-making. These activities encourage students to analyze information and go through the step by step process of decision-making, in a small group environment. 

         To transition into the standards of Evaluate and Produce, students will be given their homework assignments. They will have to individually complete this assignment: using the internet, students must access and download the homework document onto their computer or laptop. They may open this assignment with Microsoft Word and print to out. The students must match the images with the corresponding noun type: uncountable or countable. They must research and provide the teacher with five uncountable noun images to bring to class the next day. Students will be able to produce a first, second, and third draft of this assignment. Each draft will be submitted to the teacher and the teacher will provide feedback. By giving this as a homework assignment, students are able to review and edit their work before submission. They are also required to use technology on their own account and create documents, navigate the internet, and use decision making tools such as Google or Bing. By the final draft, the teacher will have the opportunity to evaluate the students' progress.  The students will be knowledgeable in decoding and defining words and images. They will practice responsibility and ethical behavior by engaging in individual work. 

           Lastly, the closing portion of this lesson will focus on the standard Communicate. We will engage in an open discussion on the learning material. This will serve as a review for students and also as a way for them to share their opinions on the lesson. Students will be able to paraphrase some of their classmates ideas from the previous small-group activity. Then, the students will break up into pairs and have access to a computer, voice recorder, internet, and a microphone. Students will record their understandings, comments, and concerns on uncountable nouns. Students will practice ethical behavior, applying information they learned, and accessing recording materials. Ultimately, they will create a multimedia presentation on their overall understandings and misconceptions of uncountable nouns. They will learn how to access information effectively and contribute to their learning community through their original and personal ideas. Then students will log onto their email accounts via the internet and email their recordings and presentation to their teacher. This portion of the lesson will serve as a way to communicate and assess students' learning via technology. 

  

           

         

Textbooks on Nooks

Nook Tablet, Textbook Business

           The Education Week article above focuses on Microsofts $300 million investment in the Nook Tablet. The original goal was wipe out competition such as Apple and Amazon, and so the two companies, Microsoft and Barnes and Noble, collaborated in this plan. Their hopes are to make textbooks available via the Nook, primarily for college students. However, this article states that there is a possibility that these companies will include K-12 textbooks as well. How cool is that?

            As a future English teacher, I think this idea is brilliant. I am a Nook owner and download all of the novels for my courses on my Nook. It is such a convenience because I don't have to carry around a load of books. On this lightweight tablet, I have all the books I need for class. I also find it much easier and faster to read off of the Nook because the page lengths are much shorter. Now, imagine not having to carry around large textbooks?

           I really believe that having the Nook tablet readily available to students is a great way to motivate students to read and ultimately carry their books to class. I remember when I was in high school I used to dread carrying my textbooks around, especially when I had to carry two or three at a time because I did not have time to stop at my locker. I believe the Nook is a tool that can be used in any classroom and will really encourage students to do their reading assignments.

           However, there are some setbacks in using this device. First, it is very costly and for a school district that has a low budget, it might be extremely difficult to purchase Nooks for everyone. If there is not enough of them for each student, students cannot complete homework assignments. If this is the case, Nooks can only be used inside of the classroom. The second reason why this might be a challenge is because you make the student responsible for the damages and misplacement of the Nook. Because it would be considered school property, the student might have to pay for the damages or harm done to their assigned Nook. Do we really want to burden the students with this? 

        So again, I believe this is a great tool to have in the classroom. It can really enhance the willingness of the students to read. The Nook should be implemented in schools' curricula. However, I believe the safest way to go about this is to only use this device during school hours. What do you think?

Thoughtful Lesson Planning: Integrating Technology

Education Reform: Language and Technology

            The Huffington Post article above emphasizes the importance of carefully thinking out lesson plans when integrating technology. It mentions of disaster lessons because teachers just throw technology into the lesson without thinking about how it will enhance or hinder learning. The author of this article, Mirla Gonzalez, makes a valid point that technology should be used to enhance the students' learning experience and not draw away from it. Therefore, as 21st century teachers, I believe it is very important to carefully plan out a lesson, especially when using technology, and think of technology as an aid to facilitate and enrich learning the material.

         

         Gonzalez also expresses that the demand for STEM: Science, Technology, Enginneering, and Math, has taken away the importance of language in schools. A good program is one that can successfully integrate and balance all of these. Technology should not replace language; it should assist in making the learning of a language more exciting and worthwhile for students. 

           As future teachers with hopes to integrate technology into our lessons, I would advise everyone to really think about the technologies you plan to use. Do not use a specific technological device just because it is the most common and popular among adolescents at the moment, which is what we saw in this article with that grade school teacher. Think about how this device can facilitate and enhance the learning experience for that group of students. Remember that all students and classes will be different, so think about what works best with a particular group of students. Lesson planning, in general, is something that requires much thought and planning. When integrating technology in your lesson plans, you want students to see it much more than an easy way out; you want them to be challenged even if they are in their comfort zone because they are working with technology. Through each other's blogs we have learned of different programs, devices, and methods of integrating technology in our lessons that can be beneficial to us and our students. However, let's make sure that we are not getting so caught up in the uniqueness of the technology and forgetting about our original goal in using it.