Introduction to Blogging

       I am a high school biology teacher who want to effectively incorporate meaningful technology based activities and lessons into my teachings.  We currently live in a society that is technology has become the center of our everyday life.  However, despite these changes in our world many classrooms are not changing at the same pace (Thornburg, 2004).  As a teacher I want to stir away from class lectures and integrate more powerful and educational tools that will help build and have a lasting impact on children.  I am currently a graduate student who is learning new strategies and techniques to incorporate into my classroom.  However, I often run into the problem of lack of available resources.

       In my school I utilize daily a projective in which I can incorporate PowerPoint, video animations, and illustrations to help further students understanding of complicated concepts.  For example in my class I am currently teaching on DNA replication and protein synthesis.  As an introductory lesson I showed students models of DNA and they examined the structure of it along with illustrations that I was able to project.  I provided my students with brief notes using PowerPoint.  I my class I find it extremely beneficial to incorporate hyperlinks into my PowerPoint’s to show video animations to my students.  The concepts in my class are often difficult for students to understand that incorporating a video animation or you tube video into my class it help students to visualize the lesson and have a better understanding.  In addition, I often find many songs on you tube that relate to the lesson to increase the understanding of students.  Many of these songs are to the beat of commons songs that students lesson to that they often find the lyrics catching and memorable. 

Contrary to video animation I find it important for students to utilize hands on activities.  This week in class my students worked in groups to model DNA replication.  Each group was assigned a different DNA sequence and used various types of candy to demonstrate DNA replication.  The group had to create the original strand and then create its complimentary bases pair.  As the students were working I would assess each group and ask them questions regarding the creation of their structure and helped made sure they were designing it correctly. 

Although I utilized technology in my lesson I would like to begin to branch away from what I am used to using regularly.  However, I often have difficulties due to the lack of computer lab space and availability in my school.  In addition, there are often times that the Wi-Fi is not available in the building and makes it difficult to depend on a computer-based activity or project.  I am hoping that you will reply to the blog and provide any examples of useful technology you incorporate into your lessons.     

References:

Thornburg, D. (2004). Technology and education: Expectations, not options. (Executive Briefing No. 401). Retrieved from http://www.tcpdpodcast.org/briefings/expectations.pdf