2TCK

Since content knowledge and technology knowledge are reciprocally related to each other, teachers not only need to know subject matter they teach but also the manner in which the subject matter can be changed by the application of technology. Technology tools can work as a “hook” to spark interest among students. Examples: Progressive writers - this gives the students an opportunity to experience audience and purpose and be interactive on a global scale. In addition, writing progressively; using and engaging in a wide global audience, allows students to be more creative and share their ideas and thinking globally - collaborating in a new and different way. Immediate Gratification - this provides students with an opportunity to share an idea and receive immediate responses from others globally. Students can guess, model and change one factor or one piece and see what happens immediately! Or receive feedback from peers or others. Other Tools: Students using Ipod graphing application instead of using a graphing calculator. Students used to have to buy a graphing calculator worth approx. $120.00 for Grade 11/12 math. Now, students can use their ipods or iphone for free. This is also more beneficial because the students can manipulate the size with their hand (zoom in and out with their fingers), giving them a better understanding of the graph as they can easily go to different areas of the graph with ease. Also, more students have access to this as it is no longer a financial burden. Applications: Leads students to conduct virtual experiments that they would not be able to do in the classroom. For example, a teacher uses a virtual carbon cycle to illustrate what happens to a carbon atom. This allows them to go in and change the pathway of the carbon many times to see what would happen. It would be impossible to build this cycle without the use of technology. Also, this provides “fun” and “interactive” learning. Provides an opportunity for learners who need multiple rehearsals to bring partially known information or skills to deeper understanding through repetition, model, prompt practice feedback provided by many programs. Also, allowing the teacher to represent things in a different way, allowing for differentiated instruction and reaching a variety of learning styles.