Reflective essay 6

Clement jean François

Reflective essay 6

My definition of student production, is based on fundamental aspects of education that involve students engaging in specific task, in which students cultivate creativity, teamwork, critical thinking and responsibility. “Through production, students learn new and diverse tools that can provide opportunities of learning new concepts and material” (Egbert, 190). What I like about chapter seven in the Supporting Learning with Technology text, is that it introduces the concept of production not only as tangible outcomes, but as impetus such as the use of words that help explore the diversity and versatility of production. “The variety of task that are of the production process makes it easier to integrate students with different abilities” (Egbert, 185). The Scenario of chapter seven, describes a teacher instructing a media literacy unit that is delivered through the support of student production. The scenario describes the benefits and its good content for students, such as knowing how and when to use technology, visualizing and decision making. (Egbert, 185).

The opportunity of choosing methods of how a project is conducted engages students, because it allows students to have control of expressing their ideas. Students are motivated when working on projects that refer to their method of learning. I believe that student production should be mandatory for all grade levels; because students can exercise teamwork by helping one another explore the use of certain tools of technology. Through student production, students can teach their classmates, which makes it not only easier on the teacher, but the teacher will have time to evaluate students and examine the effectiveness of student production in the classroom.

Though the role of student production is diverse and versatile, student production requires specific guidelines that organizes and structures how students should be graded. I agree with the text and its explanation of the importance of guidelines; however despite group work students should be responsible for their own summaries and part in completing the project. In Ms Okeefe’s It 3210 class students, are responsible for their own weekly reflections which relate to the assigned projects and assignments. In conclusion, Student production is effective when specific guidelines are applied. 

Reflective essay 5

Clement jean François

Reflective essay 5

Creativity is a way of expression that explains much about a person. With in the classroom, creativity plays an important role by allowing students to think in their own way while learning.  The characteristics of creativity in the classroom involve different types of thinking such as, divergent thinking and convergent thinking. Student creativity is important because it reflects student learning styles. All students do not learn the same; therefore creativity in the classroom creates space for students to expand their abilities to think out the box.  Though the text “Supporting learning with technology” states the benefits of creativity, it only states the benefits from one perspective.

Despite what the text “Supporting learning with technology” states, I believe that student creativity has nothing to do with staying on task. For instance a student may not be on task but some how is able to retain information. It’s as if the text explains its own description of what student creativity is with out considering the aspects of what makes a student creative.  Challenging the norms and ideas of what is acceptable as creative thinking will help expand our understanding of what creativity is and what defines student creativity. The text also describes a creative thinking process with steps.

One might suggest that the text defines creative thinking in a way that holds no creative background. I believe that the text does not explain the proper components of defining student creativity; however the role of teacher creativity has more in-depth description. The role of teacher creativity is important because the minds of students are not all the same. With teacher creativity, a teacher creates an atmosphere of learning that is open to all students and not geared to a specific way of thinking. Technology is nothing without creativity. Despite the available methods of creating material, technology requires the mind of people in order to function properly. By understanding the freedom of expression I believe that student creativity will be redefined and exercised in a productive way.   

Reflective essay 4

Clement jean François

Critical thinking is a fundamental skill that is exercised through the mind of a thinker. Many people believe that critical thinking is given to them at the time of birth, however critical thinking remains as a skill that expresses higher thinking abilities. The role of critical thinking in the classroom is important, because it challenges students to think, enhances creativity and develops communication skills. When students are challenged to think, students train their mind by using faculties of their mind that have not been used before. Challenging students to think supports critical thinking, because it does not with critical thinking there is not much tools to use.

   Chapter four of Student learning with technology, Author Joy Egbert sates that “Tools are not as necessary for critical thinking”. I believe that Author Joy Egbert is correct to a certain extent, because critical thinking involves the mind and the mind is a fundamental tool of the body. Teacher must teach students that tools can only assist the students while thinking but are not necessary functions when thinking. As students are challenged to think, students will enhance their creativity by taking part in thoughtful discussions after lessons and explaining their thoughts in writing. During discussions, teachers play an important role by assisting students in critical thinking exercises. Asking students questions that specify such as, how so? What do you think? and Exactly when?, Will give students an opportunity to think deeply about the question by providing their own creative way of thinking.

Through critical thinking students can be better communicators, by expressing their thoughts, respecting the views of others and using tools to explain their thoughts. Technology supports critical thinking by being a tool of research. As technology continues to progress, researching tolls will be available in different areas of technology. It is important for teachers to introduce critical thinking in the classroom, so that students can decide critically when researching topics to create answers. I believe that technology has a role in critical thinking , however it can not develop critical thinking because it only assist students when making decisions. In conclusion, Critical thinking is a tool that creates higher thinking skills, enhances creativity and communication skills.