Understanding and Building of Knowledge

How can technology support student understanding and building of knowledge?

Technology can support student understanding by building background knowledge on a topic. Through Internet searches the student is given an opportunity to have access to a wide range of information. This allows for a student to use critical thinking skills when researching a topic. Students are given different types of information when they do a search; photos, videos, power points, and articles. Literally information is at one’s fingertips!

Explain what types of products do you feel can inspire creativity and innovation?

Apple computers have made it very easy to inspire creativity and innovation through their software. iDVD and iMovie allows one to be very creative in delivering information in an innovative way. Smart phones or flip videos allow creativity an upload away to You Tube.

First Reflection: What Do Students Need to Know?

What do students need to know before engaging in Internet searches and online social networking sites?

It’s important to know that when students search the Internet they should be using appropriate search engines depending on their age. The student also needs to know how to use effective search terms and evaluate the credibility of information sources.

When engaging in online social networking sites the student should be aware of not giving out personal information. The student should take caution to the friends that he accepts and realize that his photos and comments can be linked to his friends’ pages. One needs to be proactive about taking steps to minimize certain potential risks when using social networking sites.

It’s also important for a parent to monitor a student’s time on the sites that are visited online.