Today I was given the chance to see how technology could work alongside D&T in the classroom. This was excellent for my development as "teachers need to be aware of the different kinds of programs that can be used in large and small group instruction" (Bittner, 2002, p97). I saw how bee-bot could provide an exciting link between what we had made and what simple technology programming can do. "Technology is about helping teachers to use technology as a tool for learning" (Gorder, 2008, p63) and todays lecture has certainly demonstrated a technology that I can use as a tool in my deliverance of lessons. Bee bot used simple commands to pull along the models that my group created and with my experience working in a primary school, I am certain that this would have provided and enjoyable and engaging strategy to bring technology across the curriculum.
Bee Bot!
Learn
Next I saw how 'Learn', a program by data harvest, could be used to remember a pattern when lighting up a circuit. This was an excellent addition to the lecture as it also connected to the topics of electricity and circuits that we had been learning in science. This hammered home the idea that technology of many different forms can be appropriate and enhance lessons across the curriculum.
References
Bitner, N & J. (2002). Integrating Technology into the Classroom: Eight Keys to Success. JI. of Technology and Teacher Education. 10 (2), pp95-100.
Dewey, J Democracy and Education, New York: Macmillan Company, 1944, p. 167.
Gorder, L M. (2008). A Study of Teacher Perceptions of Instructional Technology Integration in the Classroom. The Journal of Research in Business Education. Volume L, No. 2, pp63-76.
Dewey, J Democracy and Education, New York: Macmillan Company, 1944, p. 167.
Gorder, L M. (2008). A Study of Teacher Perceptions of Instructional Technology Integration in the Classroom. The Journal of Research in Business Education. Volume L, No. 2, pp63-76.