I really enjoyed reading this educational blog. However, when it came to the time when I had to formulate my own comment, I was a bit intimidated. The blog I read was focused on the issue of "failing school" and "diverse learners" and the it posed the question: How can you solve the problem of failing schools and also avoid the stigmatism of having diverse learners?" This is a very tough question to answer and I really do not know what the best thing is to do. However, it was good to think about this issue especially because I am interested in teaching in a low income area. This is for a sure an issue I may be facing in the near future. I enjoyed reading the article and participating in the discussion. However, it still was a bit scary posting my ideas for the entire world to see.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Reflection #7: Giraffes, A Mystery
What:
This is my riddle video that I created in class last week. This was a challenge but, in the end, I am really glad that I learned this skill. It is funny to think that I have had this application on my computer for a few years but have not taken the time to learn how to use it. I included pictures of giraffes and african music to give a feel for the culture in which giraffes are found. It took a lot of trial and error and a lot of frustration as well as an entire two hour class time. However, I do think that the practice was well worth it and now I am better prepared to make more videos in the future.
So What:
Well, this is an excellent tool for an anticipatory set on pretty much any topic. It is a great idea to create riddles that get more and more difficult that engage students and cause them to begin to think about the topic even before the lesson begins. I also am interested to look into other ways to make creative videos and to even try and take more pictures that could be used in personal videos. I even have a few trips that I have gone on and it would be cool to make videos to show friends and family that represent these trips as well.
Now What:
Now I plan to use this skill further in the classroom. I plan on creating more videos and also having students use programs to put their own information into videos. This would be a great tool for student presentations. I know that my nanny children already love to make videos and podcasts about our days together. I think that it would be fun to make a video with them as well. Also, it seems as though many kids already know so much about technology, so using these interests in the classroom.
Technology Project Plan
Here is a link too...
Introduction to my Project:
For my Technology in Education project I am going to do a project called "Exciting, Energetic Earthworms." In this project I will be using the SMARTboard software as well as a DELICIOUS account bookmark list. I will have different activities for students (about grade 3) regarding earthworms as well as information about the book "Diary of a Worm." This SMARTboard lesson is designed as a supplement to a lesson on earthworms for science that also ties into english. For the second part of the lesson or unit, students will be required to look at a DELICIOUS account to find website that will give them information on an animal of their choice. Therefore, I will have a link from my SMARTboard presentation to a bookmark list of websites first on earthworms as an example, and next on different animals so that students can use them for resources.
Panel Questions (required)
Here are my three questions for the panel:
1. What are some ways that study abroad could be effectively added into the education program?
2. What is the best piece of advise that you have have ever received regarding education?
3. What is the worst experience you have ever had as a teacher?
4. Why did you choose teaching?
5. Why did you choose public/private school?
6. What are some ways that you use technology in the classroom?
7. What are some effective classroom management techniques that you have used, how does this vary with grade level and school district?
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
"Caught on Video" (required)
Well, I really like the idea that the author presented in this article. I particularly like the concept of a time capsule. How cool would it be for a student to see themselves at graduation taking about what they were learning in first grade, fourth grade and eleventh grade? I think that this is also very applicable to our day and age. More and more it seems that media skills come hand and hand with job criteria and I think that is great for students to learn how to manipulate this type of communication at an early age. I do think however, that strict guidelines need to be set in regards to who can view these video and what content can be in videos. I think that this could be a particular problem at the secondary level. However, if these guideline were set and privileges were given only as these rules were followed, video could be a very beneficial tool both for the classroom and for the student.
Assignment #3
Introduction:
For my "Tool Box" I chose to set up a Delicious Account so that I could book mark resources that I will be using for a few different classes that I am currently in. These classes include: Reading Methods, Instructional Design and Math Methods, all of which I have lesson plan assignments coming up in. My Delicious account is set up with easy to understand titles for each link as well as clear tag so that it is easy to navigate each website based on topic or subject.
Here it is:
How it is Organized and Why I Chose these Sources:
I organized the titles of my websites alphabetically. However, I also tagged each website by subject and topic to make them easier to navigate through. I decided to add these sites mostly because I have a few lesson plans due in other classes and I thought this would be a great opportunity to research for them. This is why the topics in my delicious are very eclectic from earthworms to books, seed germination to snakes. I also included a few projects that I have used in Sunday school and a few resources such as my website that could be useful for parents.
How I will use it and How I will Share it:
I will use this as a resource for my classmates. If they have any lessons they are teaching on these subjects, here are a lot of resources. Also, I think that, in the future this is a great place to have resources posted for students. This I think would be especially helpful for specific projects and topics. For example, if students need to research snakes, I can have a list of bookmarked resources that they can find all in one place. I hope to share this with the tech in ed class by posting the list on my blog.
A Summary of Few Sites:
This website was remarkably helpful when I had to do a lesson plan on poetry. It is a great resource to find a fast and easy way to relate poetry to kids. It went through a step by step process of teaching that was helpful and also provided kid friendly examples of poetry types ( this can sometimes be hard to find). It also had a very wide variety of poetry forms within the website.
I love this website, it has so many simple, inexpensive but quality crafts and projects for kids. I used this particular recipe for a first grade class at my church and it worked really well. Also, the supplies were easy to find and relatively inexpensive. I found it to be the perfect holiday creation and the kids making their houses and taking it home. Overall, this website it a great resource for reliable crafts even if a gingerbread house is not what you are looking for.
I was so excited to find these printable pages. I am doing a reading lesson on the book "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" and this colorful pages would be a great supplement. I am unsure if I will use them in my lesson, however, they are a great resource for a classroom. This is also a great example of activity pages and printables that are available online today.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Reflection #6: One Room, Three Separate Worlds
What:
Today I am nannying for two girls, one two year old and one seven year old. This morning was an unusual one for this household. Usually the girls are very active and ready to embark on imaginative play when I arrive in the morning. However, today the girls took longer to wake up and the seven year old played "Cookie Mama" for the morning. It was unusual in that, as I sit here, I am on the computer typing homework, Josy ( the two year old) is watching Caillou on On Demand, and Nicole ( the seven year old) is continuing to play her game. We are all sitting in the same room but are involved in separate worlds.
So What:
I think that, though technology has contributed great things to society, it brings many dangers as well. Moments like we are having today are not bad if they are not the norm, however, I believe that it is easy for technology to take over a house if we are not careful. This is also the case in education. I think that it is important to remember that technology is merely a supplement to teaching, not the teaching itself. There are just some things in life that you have to learn in real situations with real people. I hope that society remembers this as we become more and more digital.
No What:
Well, I need to finish this up so that I can make breakfast and start the kids playing for the day. Though this lull in the day is relaxing, it is important that kids are active learners. As a teacher, I want to make sure that I don't just have students watch how to do something but actually do it themselves. There is nothing as significant as real experience.
Reflection #5: Student as Leader
Article on Leadership Written by a Student
What:
I went on the New Horizons for Learning website and followed a few links until I found this article. It was cool to see that New Horizons advocates for student voice in regards to technology. There was an entire section dedicated to student voice. The article I read was written by a Sophomore in high school from the Seattle area. The author speaks of leadership and what exactly it means to be a leader. He wrote about knowing what you believe and, as a teen, deciding what you really think about different issues and really following through with your own choices and opinions.
So What:
I think that it is very valuable for students to have a voice online. For one thing, it makes students feel significant to be published on the web because anyone can read it and it makes them feel proud of their work. I also think that it is a great idea to have students who are leaders in school to talk about issues such as leadership for the sake of their fellow students. This allows students to see what their peers are saying. This would obviously need to be monitored and certain restrictions would need to be put in place. However, I think that the idea of student voice could be a great one for student confidence and growth.
Now What:
Well, if I taught on a secondary level, I would look into having a forum for topics that we discuss in class. I would also have students work on essays of opinion for a few weeks. When their essays are perfected and well edited I would have the class put them on the class website or a blog that they create on their own. Then, I would have students tell friends and family about their blog and have a groups of followers. Also, I would have them comment on the blogs of a few classmates. This is similar to what we are already doing in technology in education class. Overall, I think that the web is a great place for student voice and inspiration, and teachers should tap into this resources especially on the secondary level.
Reflection #4: Digital Nation
What:
My friend Tiffany mentioned that she watched a documentary in one of her classes on technology and society. It told her I was interested to see it myself and she sent me the link so that I could watch the part that specifically focused on technology in education.
This documentary is very interesting and focused in on technology and how it is affecting society from school to relationships. I only was able to watch a few sections of it, however I really think that the whole thing is worthwhile to watch. This is a crazy eye opening film that really causes me to think "what is technology doing to change society?" and " what is the future going to look like because of it?"
The part specifically on education mentions that some schools have switched over to using computers as the main educational tool. It was interesting to see the different perspectives on technology and eduction. Teachers at the primary and secondary level regard technology as a necessary tool to draw students in. Many teachers mentioned the need to "meet students where they are at" and " prepare them for the future." However, on a university level the perspective is much different. Professors at MIT especially mentioned that students are being " fooled into thinking that multi-tasking is benefiting their education." I am having a hard time figuring out if this is really true or if this is just skepticism of change.
So what:
I think that this documentary causes me to think about technology and to weigh both the benefits and problems that technology brings to society. It is important to set boundaries for oneself and to use technology as a tool, but also to keep it from running your life or taking over important things such as hands on experience, and real face to face relationships. I think that this is a precautionary tale of the problems our children may face in the future as well as the type of world they will live and grow up in.
Now What:
As a future teacher, I plan to look more into the affects of technology on children. I think that it is helpful that I can observe technology in the classroom now in order to develop my own opinion on what I think works well and doesn't work well. Also, I think I am once again reminded that children today are growing up as digital natives and understand technology in ways that I never will. This film causes me to strive to learn more about technology and also the set boundaries for myself and my future students about the balance between technology and real life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
