Chapter 2 Reflecting on What I know

1. How do I plan an integrated lesson that will work with my students?
     Planning an integrated lesson requires some work but the NTeQ model gives us 10 steps to implement a plan that will work with our students.  These ten steps are "specifying objectives, matching objectives to computer functions, specifying a problem, considering the research and analysis activities, planning the results presentation, planning activities during computer use, planning activities before computer use, planning activities after computer use, incorporating supporting activities and finally the assessment of the project as a whole".  (pg. 30-53)

2. Why do I need objectives to help with my planning and lesson development?
     Objectives ensure that state standards are being met within the lesson itself.  Once you have identified the objectives you can make sure that they are met while planning the lesson.

3. How can I encourage my students to engage in the processing of information?
     One way to encourage students to engage in the processing of information is to make sure that the subject matter is relevant.  If students are interested in the subject they are more likely to engage in the project.  If they do not care or are not interested then it is harder for them to become involved. 

4.  Do I have to use a different lesson plan when I want my students to use computers?
     You can use an existing lesson plan and adapt it to an inegrated computer unit (pg.28).  This would obviously take less time than coming up with a new lesson from scratch. 

5.  What is the relationship between objectives and computer functions?
     The relationship between objectives and computer functions is finding how to use different computer functions to support your objective.  When deciding on what computer functions to use look at the verbs in your objectives.  If you see words like "calculate, draw, graph or sort" it is easy to match these to a spreadsheet application (pg. 33).

6.  Can you use a computer for every objective or lesson?
     In my opinion, after reading the text, you cannot use a computer for every objective or lesson.  This is a time when pen and paper are useful tools in preparing a project and these should be use with computers.  It is important to integrate computers into our lessons and also have time for students to use other functions.

References:
Lowther, D.L. & Morrison, G.R. (2010). Integrating Computer Technology into the Classroom; Skills for the 21st Century (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.