Service learning and mobile technologies are two important topic in the education field. Service learning can allow students to become active members in society and mobile technologies can allow students to learn in a different way that can be beneficial to them. As a teacher, it is important to understand the importance of these two topics and understand how to use them within the classroom setting. This section contains artifacts that discuss each topic.

Authentic Service Learning is a way of teaching that not only incorporates doing community service and instructing but also being able to reflect on this and turning it into a learning experience. By partaking in service learning, students can use and apply what they learn in real-world situations and can learn to be active members of society. “Students build character and become active participants as they work with others in their school and community to create service projects in areas such as education, public safety and the environment”  (NSlC, 2012, p.1). Teachers should be proactive about allowing students to participate in service learning because there are so many benefits that doing service learning creates. Students are not only doing an act of community service, but they are also reflecting on what they have done and figuring out possible solutions. By doing this students are learning how to engage in teamwork effectively, be an active member in the community and this teaches students responsibility (NSlC, 2012, p.1).

Students can learn at an early age the importance of being an active community member and can also learn how to reflect on real world problems and become critical thinkers. “Some researchers found that many service-learning tasks help students to improve higher order thinking skills such as analysis, problem solving, decision-making, cognitive complexity, and inferential comprehension because they are exposed to relevant tasks” ( RMC Research Coporation, 2007,p.1).As a teacher, there are many ways that service learning can be incorporated into my curriculum. When learning about different cultures and diversity, teachers could teach my students about poverty and hardships people face. Teachers could then pose the question to see what the students think can be done to help. In return, teachers could have the class have a fundraiser and host a food drive. Students learn life skills as well as a curriculum when they are in school, as a teacher it is also an important task to prepare students for the real-world and teaching student’s character and the importance of helping others is crucial. This term, I have seen a food drive being hosted at a local school. Students were very eager and helpful by bringing in food and items to donate to other families in need. The jeopardy game that I created is an example of service learning because it taught the students not only how to work together and use their 21^st century skills but also enabled them to use their critical thinking skills.

References

NSlC. (2012). www.servicelearning.org. Retrieved from http://www.servicelearning.org/whatis-service-learning

RMC Research Corporation (2007, June). Why districts, schools, and classrooms should practice service-learning. Retrieved from http://www.servicelearning.org/instant_info/fact_sheets/k-12_facts/why

This is a comic strip that was created using the strip design application on the iPad that I designed for the first grade class at Groton Elementary School. The students had been learning about Veterans Day and I took before and after pictures of the worksheet that the students were creating. The class worked on learning about Veterans Day throughout the week and read a poem each day the school celebrated this with a bulletin board in the school. Students can use this to demonstrate work they have created and show their before and after of work or can be used as a project and teachers can use this by creating visual representations of projects or progress of their students. Students could use this in a unit such as Veterans Day to summarize what the students have been working on. This application can be used in any subject and age level.

Students have to come out of school prepared with 21st century skills and these new technologies allow for the practice and improvements in 21st century skills. With technology increasing, so are the amounts of careers involving technology. Children can be adequately prepared for their futures by learning how to use technology now.

Schools are addressing these changes with the movement of mobile technologies because now schools are able to personalize lessons for each student, depending on their interests and learning styles and how they best learn. Teachers are adjusting to these changes and will learn to be able to implement technology into the classroom. There are so many ways to use technology in the classroom and there are so many resources technology offers that helps students learn and investigate.” sixth-grade teacher Mark Abbott has steered his classes to virtual manipulative exercises available for free on the internet, including the math games on funbrain .com and probability exercises that involve rolling virtual dice” (District Administration, 2009, p.1).

The accessibility of  being able to use tools from mobile devices such as drawing solar system orbits can be very beneficial and allows for visual and kinesthetic learners to see something more vividly. Also, students are learning 21st century skills and can research and collaborate with their peers on projects. Technology is essential in the future, so for students, the opportunity to practice at such a young age is very advantageous. Children should be able to learn and manipulate technology as well as teachers. Teachers need to attend workshops and be able to also use technology and instruct students on the usage.Teachers need to keep up with the changing technological field and be able to use mobile technologies in the classroom. Since technology changes so frequently, teachers need to learn from others how to use technology. If teachers are able to use and explain the technology, then students can easily grasp the concepts and be able to use them too. As students use these tools, they are learning 21st century skills and are being more prepared for their futures.

 People are used to using lingo from the internet and are becoming less cautious with their grammar and spelling. What is exciting about mobile technologies is that there are so many modifications with technology that doesn't exclude any type of learner. Technology is a great way to get special education students excited about learning and there are so many settings that can be adjusted to suite different needs that children may have. Also, the accessibility technology offers can allow students to practice their school work anywhere. There are so many apps and games available that allow students to practice learning in an informal and fun way. The push to mobile learning seems very beneficial. With the help of government funding, all schools should receive technology to incorporate into their lessons. All learners are influenced in a positive way by using technology. Technology can be beneficial, if used in the proper way. However, there are kinks to work out such as inappropriate sites, and protecting student’s information.

References

Bjered, Atkins and Dede. (2010). Ubiquitous mobile technologies and the transformation of schooling. Wireless Ed Retrieved from

http://www.qualcomm.com/media/documents/files/ubiquitous-mobile-technologies-and-transformation-schooling.pdf

 Chadband, E. (2012, July 19). Should schools embrace “bring your own device”?. Retrieved from http://neatoday.org/2012/07/19/should-schools-embrace-bring-your-own-device/

District Administration (2009). District administration: the magazine of school district managment . Retrieved fromhttp://learnprod1.cortland.edu/bbcswebdav

/pid-10146-dt-forum-rid-49832_1/courses/2011Summer-EDU315-510/Mobile_Learning_DA_Magazine.pdf