Chapter 2 Reflecting on What I Know

1.  How do I plan an integrated lesson that will work with my students?


There are five elements to consider when enhancing students learning:  Teacher, Student, Computer, Lesson, and Learning Environment. The consideration of these five components will help develop "an integrated lesson plan that is inquiry based and student centered, in which computers are used as a tool and the teacher facilitates student learning" (p.28).

2.  Why do I need objectives to help with my planning and lesson development?


Having objectives when planning a lesson help to ensure the lesson goals are achieved.  The objectives are derived from State Curriculum Standards so there should be little question about what a teacher should teach.  Because of these specific goals created, the objectives are very clear.  


3.  How can I encourage my students to engage in the process of information?


By being specific with each student about the research and analysis portion of the lesson and planning properly for each student to be engaged, the student should be engaged.  For example,  if the students are broken into groups during research and analysis, each student should have a task and if needed should rotate their task to encourage all students to be engaged.


4.  Do I have to use a different lesson plan when i want my students to use computers?


No, the lesson plan should be the same but must incorporate technology to enhance it.  the teacher should decide what technology would enhance the lesson plan and them incorporate it.


5.  What is the relationship between the objective and computer function?


In order for a lesson plan to be integrated with technology successfully, there should be a match with at least one computer function.  "Some objectives such as calculate, draw, graph, and sort are easy to match with a spreadsheet, drawing, or word processing application.  Objectives describing such behaviors as plan, discriminate, evaluate, combine, infer, predict, interpret, and judge require careful planning and thinking to match the process with a computer function" (p.33).


6.  Can you use a computer for every objective or lesson?


You can if you evaluate the objective and then apply what computer function will enhance the that specific lesson.