Reflect on communication and collaboration and how the technologies in this week's articles could be used in a classroom
It is amazing to me remembering how we use to have pen pals when I was in elementary school. Yes, over the summer, we would write at least every other week. Now, texting, chatting, and email has made those types of communication practically obsolete. During group work, there was always the inconvenience of having to meet at some one's house or having the parents to drop all of us at the library. I remember those times of course because of the camaraderie; however, new age communication makes it more convenient to collaborate on assignments. Being exposed to how the twittering or chatting can be beneficial to education is making me recognize how these tools can be used to our advantage. Using this in an elementary setting is definitely possible. I also believe in exposing children at a young age, we give them a better chance of being successful and competing as they progress through school.
I teach language arts so I can definitely see starting a blog about novels that we have read. This helps when it takes a few weeks to read the book, and children test on this later. Perhaps they can remember discussions about the book and better answer open-ended questions
Monday, December 7, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Meaningful Learning
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Meaningful Learning
Meaningful learning is the idea that students have actually learned material (not just memorized) and can build and/or apply information to different situations. Meaningful learning means that a student can relate to what is learned because they have made a connection through hands-on interaction and not simple call and response. The students are in control of what is being learned vs. teacher standing and "pouring" information into their brains.My group's link to our voicethread on meaningful learning:http://voicethread.com/#u588991.b722604.i3821077
Posted by macdst79 at 5:05 PM 0 comments
Meaningful Learning
Meaningful learning is the idea that students have actually learned material (not just memorized) and can build and/or apply information to different situations. Meaningful learning means that a student can relate to what is learned because they have made a connection through hands-on interaction and not simple call and response. The students are in control of what is being learned vs. teacher standing and "pouring" information into their brains.My group's link to our voicethread on meaningful learning:http://voicethread.com/#u588991.b722604.i3821077
Posted by macdst79 at 5:05 PM 0 comments
Second Life in Edu
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Second Life in Edu by LDW
What I've learned about SL and its implication for education is that it's not the wave of the future....it's here! Listening to those that have implemented SL and the number of those who are excited about doing so tells me that technology has just reached a new plateau. Personally, I don't think I would be successful at trying to use this, especially at an elementary level. I believe secondary and post secondary levels will gladly embrace this as distant learning is the 'now.' I was totally against the use of SL (highly contributed to an episode of LAW&ORDER: SVU). I honestly wanted nothing to do with it even in an educational setting. However, I understand how this can be a useful tool in education. I need to be open and embrace the technological changes that are quickly moving ahead. Typically, those of us in education or the last to get on board. We should not be.
Posted by macdst79 at 4:06 PM 0 comments
Second Life in Edu by LDW
What I've learned about SL and its implication for education is that it's not the wave of the future....it's here! Listening to those that have implemented SL and the number of those who are excited about doing so tells me that technology has just reached a new plateau. Personally, I don't think I would be successful at trying to use this, especially at an elementary level. I believe secondary and post secondary levels will gladly embrace this as distant learning is the 'now.' I was totally against the use of SL (highly contributed to an episode of LAW&ORDER: SVU). I honestly wanted nothing to do with it even in an educational setting. However, I understand how this can be a useful tool in education. I need to be open and embrace the technological changes that are quickly moving ahead. Typically, those of us in education or the last to get on board. We should not be.
Posted by macdst79 at 4:06 PM 0 comments
Thinking Tools Blog
Thinking Tools Response
Three thinking tools. Each of these tools are designed to promote higher order thinking. These will be very beneficial in a classroom, as they provided a visual aide and promote group interaction. Students can see what they have formulated, talk through the process, think through the process, and determine if what they have determined is supported. Seeing Reason- interactive way to examine cause/effect relationships. I am a language arts teacher and the reading is chopped full of determining cause and effect. In the classroom, this can be used in a way that the assigned groups will have to work togther to find cause/effect relationships. The color codes makes it better to "see" the relationships and work and possibly how other relationships can stem from a particular cause or effect. Mapping the relationships is beneficial in that it provides a visual aide.Visual Ranking- allows students to rank, in order of importance or impact, information related to a particular subject. Not only do the students rank, but they have to give an explanation which requires higher order thinking. They are analyzing the information to make their decisions. This tool also allows for comparison between groups. Teachers can see the thoughts of why students ranked the way they did. This tool could be great with science and social studies.Showing Evidence- allows students to pick an argument and support the argument with evidence. After they have chosen statements to support their position, they can rate these supporting statements by degree of strength. This is not just a pick and choose type assignment. Students have to really formulate a reasonable thought process. Again, this encourages the use of higher order thinking.
Three thinking tools. Each of these tools are designed to promote higher order thinking. These will be very beneficial in a classroom, as they provided a visual aide and promote group interaction. Students can see what they have formulated, talk through the process, think through the process, and determine if what they have determined is supported. Seeing Reason- interactive way to examine cause/effect relationships. I am a language arts teacher and the reading is chopped full of determining cause and effect. In the classroom, this can be used in a way that the assigned groups will have to work togther to find cause/effect relationships. The color codes makes it better to "see" the relationships and work and possibly how other relationships can stem from a particular cause or effect. Mapping the relationships is beneficial in that it provides a visual aide.Visual Ranking- allows students to rank, in order of importance or impact, information related to a particular subject. Not only do the students rank, but they have to give an explanation which requires higher order thinking. They are analyzing the information to make their decisions. This tool also allows for comparison between groups. Teachers can see the thoughts of why students ranked the way they did. This tool could be great with science and social studies.Showing Evidence- allows students to pick an argument and support the argument with evidence. After they have chosen statements to support their position, they can rate these supporting statements by degree of strength. This is not just a pick and choose type assignment. Students have to really formulate a reasonable thought process. Again, this encourages the use of higher order thinking.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
How Can Students Speak Their Mind Through Video
While watching each of the videos and reading the article, I was amazed at the passion the students, as well as their teacher, had for their production/class. The students learned a number of skills that will benefit them both socially and academically. For example, they learned how to work with others in a group setting. The students, when volunteering on weekends, also built a rapport with the community. Those who came it for the classes/tutorials offered were greeted with friendly faces and knowledgeable "instructors."
When we speak of the growth of the students academically, we see that the production class incorporated cross curriculum learning. One student talked about having to know math when designing a video piece. He had to know the angles and rotations in degrees in order to make his scene realistic. The students also incorporated history lessons, economics, and grammar during their production course.
The materials published by the students was their work. They took ownership of the pieces on which they worked, and it was meaningful to them. It was another form of assessing what they learned and are capable of doing when giving the opportunity.
When we speak of the growth of the students academically, we see that the production class incorporated cross curriculum learning. One student talked about having to know math when designing a video piece. He had to know the angles and rotations in degrees in order to make his scene realistic. The students also incorporated history lessons, economics, and grammar during their production course.
The materials published by the students was their work. They took ownership of the pieces on which they worked, and it was meaningful to them. It was another form of assessing what they learned and are capable of doing when giving the opportunity.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
TPACK Development Article Response
After reading the article "Instructional Planning Activity Types as Vehicles for Curriculum-Based TPACK Development," I have a different understanding of technology integration and framework. Let me start with what my perception of integrating techonolgy. We use what is available (focusing on technology). I believe the article referred to this as "technocentric." Now, let me share what I have learned.
TPACK development utilizes three areas of planning (content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, and technological knowledge) to help educators better understand how to integrate techonology. The most important piece of information that I gathered was that educators need to take the curriculum and integrate technology to work with the curriculum and what has been planned.
I also appreciated the breakdown of types of taxonomy. Each activity type and type of technology that would be most beneficial was specifically addressed. There were some types of technology that I am not familiar with but look forward to learning.
Overall, I understood the article and the points being made. Information provided supported what the authors were trying to convey. The only issue that was not addressed was limited resources and lack of funds available to acquire the technology. I understand that this was not the purpose of the authors; however that is the question that educators want to know.
TPACK development utilizes three areas of planning (content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, and technological knowledge) to help educators better understand how to integrate techonology. The most important piece of information that I gathered was that educators need to take the curriculum and integrate technology to work with the curriculum and what has been planned.
I also appreciated the breakdown of types of taxonomy. Each activity type and type of technology that would be most beneficial was specifically addressed. There were some types of technology that I am not familiar with but look forward to learning.
Overall, I understood the article and the points being made. Information provided supported what the authors were trying to convey. The only issue that was not addressed was limited resources and lack of funds available to acquire the technology. I understand that this was not the purpose of the authors; however that is the question that educators want to know.
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