Chapter 1

The ARCS motivational model seems like a great way to help students learn. Attention is a huge part of learning, therefore, that is the first step in a successful student. Relevance was always a big question when I went to school. Many students asked "how does this relate to me?" and often teachers would have to fumble for an answer. I believe that the relevance should be clear to the students from the beginning to hold their attention throughout the topic being discussed. Challenge and Confidence is the third aspect of the ARCS motivational model. Many students are not challenged and lack confidence in the schools I have attended and observed and I hope to be a successful, challenging teacher that wants the students to strive to do their best. Satisfaction and success is the outcome of these factors coming together and making the student feel accomplished. The teacher's job is to design lessons to keep the student's attention, have relevance, and challenge them so that they may succeed in the classroom and in the world.
Being part of the digital era I did not realize how many teachers do struggle to keep up the technological advances in today's society. If you don't grow up with a computer in your home it must be a big change to have to use one every day and teach your students how to use one as well. This first chapter has brought to light how very important it is to utilize new technology in the classroom and I am excited to begin learning new ways of doing so.
I have really appreciated the SAM software so far. I have never used Excel very much because all of my homework assignments were done through Word, Powerpoint, or the Internet. However, as an educator I can already see how Excel would be a useful tool and I'm glad I'm getting comfortable with it now instead of in the classroom.