Blog 5

 My first experience with Twitter was in high school. As the student responsible for distributing information about our club I was asked to create a Twitter account.  I used this account to post details about upcoming events and details about members or past events. The information was available to other high school students with Twitter accounts, frequently from the same club. I did not like Twitter, perhaps it was not the correct tool for the job. I did not like its limited editing ability, particularly the fact you could not back-track and edit entries. 

It seemed rather two-dimensional compared to Facebook and Instagram which I prefer, and seem to be more three-dimensional forms.  

My experience with Twitter, using it perhaps in the wrong application leads me to feel that I would likely use it in a very limited way. It may be a good 'instant' communicator, getting details out to large groups fast but I think I would more likely use Facebook or Instagram first.

The digital divide is the phrase used to describe the comparative access to the internet. In schools, today students have differing levels of experience with internet access and the application that run on computers. Some students come from homes where the internet is freely available, they have access to multiple devices and parents or siblings who demonstrate how easy it is to use, these students are comfortable with the technology and using the software at school. Other students have limited or no access, they are not as confident with the technology. The less confident students may struggle using the technology which can be detrimental and cause them to appear to be slower learners as they must combat the machine while learning the new concept being taught.

As teachers, we must be alert to this divide and ensure that the concept is not lost because of technological struggles. Additionally, since the world is becoming ever more technologically based, we must as teachers try to find ways to help all students gain experience on the internet, on smartphones, laptops, and applications. Having classroom access will give students the confidence they may otherwise not have gained from homes without the access and prepare them better for their future adult lives.

Making learning fun is one of the crucial ways that teachers can make it easier for elementary students to learn. The fundamentals of learning are Reading, Writing, and Mathematics, and elementary children need to have a good grasp of these. The Math software Prodigy is a great software supplement. This is a fantasy-based adventure that teaches math concepts while the students have fun. It has statistics that a teacher can view and easily see which students are struggling in which concept. It automatically tailors the skill level and pace to the student, allowing the student to feel more confident and not get lost on the more difficult concepts. My second piece of software is called Focabulary, This software is aimed at improving the students' vocabulary and creative thinking. It teaches using video, reading passages, and quizzes. It has flexible content so can be used for all levels of students. It is not game-based like Prodigy but does cover a broader range of skills, including maths. Students are encouraged to be creative, to analyze or reason out problems, understand concepts, apply what they learn and repetitive usage helps them remember the concept.  It is important to try to use multiple methods and styles to teach concepts as every student is different, the more variety the more likely the student will become engaged and learn.