Blog Post #5: Chapter 6 and ASSURE (education's scientific method)

Technology and curriculum integration has grown exponentially over the years and will continue as technology improves. Curriculum integration is the idea that technology is being used in the classroom to meet the standards of learning that the curriculum requires. Technology is used through all sorts of classroom activities, both individually, in groups, or presented to the whole class. Technology has become a “tool to enhance or support instructional strategies.” There have been many specific types of technology created to aid specific learning styles, topics, teaching methods, other needs, etc. The ASSURE model was interesting because it could be completed to evaluate where a class is at as a whole or each individual. ASSURE first asks to identify the learner, their skill level and their learning style. Next it asks to state the objectives and expected outcomes of the classroom. Then it asks to list the materials, technology, resources, and overall methods of the teaching process, and how each will be used to achieve the desired outcome. Next it asks how participatory the lesson is and how much the learner will be expected to respond/engage. Lastly, the teacher is asked to reflect on their teaching and the methods used to figure out what worked and what needs revision. This step by step plan outlines success because it asks for a very detailed explanation of what will be happening in the classroom so when the lesson is done problem areas can be pinpointed. The ASSURE model reminds me of a variation of the scientific method.

Since my last posting, I have found the PowerPoint projects to be really beneficial. As much as I had a really general knowledge of how to use it, I had not used it since probably middle school. Furthermore, going through it like this helped me learn about a lot of other options available on the program to make it look even better. As much as I think SAM is redundant and a little boring, I really do find it very helpful and therefore don’t mind doing it.

My family came in this weekend and it was the first time two of my nieces and one of my nephews had ever visited FSU. My nieces are 10 and 13 and my nephew is almost 4 years old. It was really fun and they were planning on sleeping in my dorm room but they fell asleep at the hotel. It was cute because they woke up the next morning asking where I was and why no one woke them up. But anyways, my Mom decided to come back to the dorm with me to sleep over. We had SO much fun!! We went to the diner at 1am hahah everybody looked at me like I was a goofball for bringing my Mom in, but I absolutely loved it. It made me miss her a lot -- Cant wait to go home to NY in 16 days!!!