Throughout CEP 811 I have learned more and more about the Maker Movement in education. It’s easy to recognize the advantages of using technology to enhance student learning, but too often teachers recognize the disadvantages first. Technology has so many uses in a classroom, for both students and teachers, and it’s significant to the future of education. It not only prepares our students for a technological world, it allows them to learn and think creatively and compete in digital world.
After working with and learning about the Maker Movement in education I can see myself implementing technological adaptations to assess/evaluate students. As a kindergarten teacher I have found that assessing students in a “traditional” way is difficult because students are just learning how to read and write. Giving them a project to complete where they can be creative and get their ideas out will excite them and keep them interested in learning. One way I have thought about using a technological adaptation for assessing is for writing. Since I have to assess them on their ability to meet a standard based on narrative writing I thought they could do it using an app called Story Buddy to create their piece. They can type their story and illustrate it so that it ends up looking like a book. Giving students that creative outlet is imperative to keeping them inspired about learning. After using my Makey Makey Kit I also realized the possibilities for assisting students with disabilities in their learning. I think that most students benefit from these same advantages even if they don’t have any disabilities. Giving them the opportunity of learning in that way is powerful. Using my Makey Makey Kit for students to explore with would be hard due to their age, but I definitely think that we could explore ideas as a class and then work on a project together. Keeping students inspired and feeling good about learning is so important because it fuels their attitude towards learning and school forever.
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After taking CEP 810 and 811 I think that I have learned a lot about myself as a teacher and how to grow towards becoming a better one. I also have found that often, when it comes to something that as a teacher, I am “required” to go to, it’s often not worthwhile. I have found with my CEP classes that the things I’m learning in them are not only interesting but also useful! The content that I have been learning has been so valuable to me because I am then able to try and apply it in my own classroom and see it’s worth. The students are also receiving a huge bonus because they are learning along with me and are getting to try new and exciting things. CEP 810 and 811 have made me want to continue to learn how I can transform my classroom with technology so that my students receive an even better education. I’m excited to continue on this journey!