Wk 4: Assignment 2

Kristen Brown

LBSU 302

Week 4, Assignment 2

September 26, 2015

I had mentioned in my previous blog post my desire to learn more about the struggles teachers face when dealing with integrating technology into the classroom.  My research this week helped me dig deeper into that aspect of learning.  Most elementary teachers teach all subjects and finding a way to integrate technology can be incredibly time consuming when using different software’s for different subjects.   However, studies have shown that classrooms that used technology, such as CD-ROM storybooks versus a printed book, saw a greater comprehension of the book through the CD-ROM version.  This study was conducted in 2001 so, today, technology has advanced passed the CD-ROM era into even more accessible tools that can be used with ease everyday.

For this research process, I utilized the chapman online library through the Academic Search Premier.  When initially beginning the search, I was a little overwhelmed with the amount of results I was given.   I narrowed the search down using the search for “Peer Reviewed” Journals and utilizing the thesaurus term available.   I also changed my word search to be more specific.  I was given significantly less results, which allowed me to skim through journal titles and dive into the articles within.    As I continue to conduct research on this topic, I hope to be able to find ways teachers have been able to integrate technology into the classroom without extensive training and using it to promote interactive academic achievement that also engages the students on an emotional level to enhance their learning from day to day.

Week 3: Assignment 2: Blog Post

Kristen Brown

LBSU 302

Week 3, Assignment 2: Blog Post

September 16, 2015

After doing some research and digging, I the found the book Increasing Student Engagement and Retention Using Multimedia Technologies: Video Annotation, Multimedia Applications, Videoconferencing and Transmedia Storytelling. 

I had yet been able to develop a more specific research question but my research into the books this week helped considerably with that problem.  I also was able to dive deeper into the aspect of school curriculum and technology.  More specifically how technology is being used and ways it could be used in enhancing the learning experience.   I expanded my knowledge on this topic quite a bit in skimming and reading through different books I found as a result of my searches through e-collections.  I read on how multimedia has the potential to increase thought process and engage emotional interest and allow for a more interesting class experience.    Technology can create a more interesting, interactive learning experience within the curriculum that can enhance learning since “learners abilities are formed to a large degree via their social interactions (pg. 5).  Children these days know technology better than many adults, sometimes their own parents and teachers.  Their interaction and knowledge of social media and technology can be used and even enhanced in the classroom but to create academic achievement.  However, in reading, I also learned that some challenges teachers face is not having a good understanding of technology thus seeing the technology as only a distraction and hindrance to the learning process. 

My search process for books this week did not start out encouraging.  My first search through an e-collection suggestion in our Badke textbook came back with no results.  This is where I began to use the advanced search to achieve more specific result.  I used another e-collection site suggested, as well as the Leatherby Libraries eBook Academic Collection site.  I’m learning how to be effective in the search process, which is excellent since I have always struggled in the research process of papers.  Not knowing how to find the results and material needed has always been very frustrating.     

As I continue my research for my topic, I am hoping to dig deeper into the challenges that teachers in the classroom face with technology.  And how technology can seem intimidating to some when being incorporated in the classroom in a way that will enhance learning and be effective.

Week 2: Assignment 2

Kristen Brown

LBSU 302

Week 2:  Assignment 2: Blog Post

September 13, 2015

Throughout my search for credible sources to use to further my knowledge of technology, children’s literature, and technology affecting school curriculum, I begin to learn that technology has begun to shape school curriculum and the classrooms.  Technology used to be an indulgence for the classroom; however, now it has become somewhat of a requirement for the learning of children.  Because of technology, children’s brains are learning to think and to focus in different ways than prior generations.  Reading a book is different than reading through an article on the internet for many reasons such as the distractions that the internet can cause.  The focus of the child can be centered on the information being read when the reader has an actual book in front of them versus reading information off the computer where disruptions are right at the fingertip.  But technology can also bring the frustration of sorting out the credible sources with viable information from the opinionated, non-qualified information full of personal biases.

In finding my sources for assignment 1, I utilized several new search strategies.  In conducting a Google domain search, I utilized the advanced search option.  I did several different searches and experimented in using the different field options such as “key word” or “entire document”.  This was able to key in my search for more specific results.   I also accessed the Leatherby Libraries website which was new to me. This research was very different from a Google domain search. Again, I experimented with the different options provided, learning how to create more specific results.  I discovered that not all reference collections provided applicable information for my research but again using specific terms in the search brought about better sources. 

Through the small amount of research I conducted in finding a few reliable sources, researching the affect that technology has in the classroom and on the way children learn could be something worth researching further.   The idea that children in this generation are learning very differently because their brains are being development in a whole different way then the prior generation.  Not necessarily good or bad, but different.  The way children think and focus on things being taught is different when the Internet is readily at their fingertips.

Assignments 2: Blog Post

Hello Instructor Kelsey and my fellow classmates,

I am looking forward to this class and engaging with you throughout this term.   This is my first class with Brandmen University.   I have decided to complete my degree in Liberal Studies and continue on with my credentialing to become an elementary school teacher.  I look forward to being an asset in instructing the next generation.

When I am not working, I enjoy finding a nice quiet place to kick up my feet and read a good book.  I have lost many hours to the pages of a book I could not put down.   Because of this, I could see myself researching a topic in children's literature.  I would like to improve on citing sources since that has never been a strength for me.   I am also interested in what our book "Research Strategies" talked about as far as discerning whether information on the web is reliable, how to access journal articles and possibly utilize these for my research.

I look forward to corresponding with everyone!