Reflection-LAE+4314

REFLECTION
Technology and multimedia resources contribute positively to the elementary language arts instructional approach by allowing teachers to encompass all learning styles more effectively. By accessing the language arts resources that technology and multimedia resources have to offer, a teacher is better able to effectively reach their students. One student’s learning style may best be accommodated by watching and discussing a YouTube video about prefixes, while a student who learns best kinesthetically may learn best by playing a related game online. Furthermore, the teacher’s instructional approach is expanded through technology by connecting the students learning to the global community through blogging or being able to communicate with students from other countries via email etc. While an important aspect of language arts is learning how to effectively and correctly express oneself to others, being able to relate to others is equally important. Thanks to technology, communicating and relating to people all over the world is easier than ever. To summarize, technology and multimedia resources keep the type of instruction varied and interesting. A teacher is able to improve their instructional approach by filling each day with new and exciting resources that keep students interested and learning. 

A teacher can use technology to assist with alternative assessments and evaluation in several ways depending upon what is being assessed. One resource I found allows students to submit their own vocabulary list and practice the spelling and definitions with a series of games and activities. If a teacher were to hand out a worksheet mid-week in order to asses student’s spelling and vocabulary progress, anxiety may set in for students and performance results will be tainted. By utilizing websites such as the one I mentioned, teachers are able alternatively assess their students in an environment that is comfortable for both parties. Also, if students participate in some sort of blogging program, a teacher can review each week’s blog outside of class and make notes in order to more effectively help students in class. These are just a couple examples but the amount of quizzes, games, videos and websites that technology has to offer allow teachers to alternatively assess their students in multiple ways.