Chapter 5 Reflection Post

This chapter was interesting to me. I liked the way that it said that computers are used a lot of the time as a “teacher” for students. Instead computers should allow students the opportunity to interact and use the technology to help them construct “mental models” that they can use. That way they are contributing too, it is not just answer this question with something that you have memorized in your head and I (the computer) will tell you if it is right or wrong. The way that the chapter suggests making these models is with “mindtools”. It makes sense to me that teachers should incorporate technology tools for students to organize and gather their thoughts with. The only things I think of is are these really useful if it is something that can easily be done on paper in less time? For example, concept maps, I have only used concept maps to organize my thoughts before writing a paper. They were very easily constructed on paper. We had to make one for our science class on the computer and I felt like it took me forever to get all of the lines to show a connection like I wanted them to. I would have spent more time on the concepts I was highlighting and less on making it look good if I was to do it on paper. On the other hand, I do agree with the textbook authors that spreadsheets are good tools to use. These programs (once figured out) do help with having more accurate data. I know that if I am trying to add a whole row of figures by hand I might miss a number here and there or need to add it multiple times before I get the same answer twice. I like that you can total a whole column on a spreadsheet in a matter of a few clicks. This is much easier than doing it on paper and more useful to me. After reading this chapter I do agree that teachers should incorporate using some type of mindtools into their teaching so students learn to use technology to help them learn. I want to teach the early elementary grades so if I was to incorporate these tools into my teaching I will need to research what is available and try to adapt it to younger students. The book stated that most of these are used for older grades.