Thursday, November 18, 2010
Exit Slip: 11/18/10
One new thing we did in class today was a jigsaw discussion! I liked the jigsaw discussion because we were able to share ideas with two groups and in the end come up with a vision for education. This was a great way to get all the different peolpe in our group to bring our ideas together. Next, we did a media search. The idea of this was to find helpful resources for the grade level we hope to teach. We found a video, a podcast, a IWB lesson, a Scratch project, and an online game. This activity allowed us to find resources that might be helpful to us, but also to get helpful resources from our classmates. Through our delicicous accunts we all have access to eachothers resources.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Podcast Reflection
Before this class I didn’t even know what a podcast was, and now I’ve created one. Unfortunately, the process did not go as smoothly as I had hoped. I can honestly say I spent several hours working on my podcast but I still don’t feel all my effort shows through the podcast. Finding a relevant article and wring a script were no problem. However, I had a hard time with the actual production of the podcast. Since I was using a Windows computer I had to use Audacity for my podcast. First, the music clip I wanted to use would not work in Audacity so I ended up finding a new one (this also happened with my sound effect). After I recorded the actual podcast I was having problems getting my musics clip lined up with the end of the podcast. Finally I figured it out. Creating this podcast allowed me to understand how podcasts are made. However, as an early childhood education major, I doubt I will be using podcasts in my future classroom. Although, if I do decide to change grade levels I could see podcasts being helpful tools for higher levels.
Link to article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/technology/21brain.html
Link to article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/technology/21brain.html
Chatpers 9, 10, & epilogue of Blogs, Wikis, & Podcasts
Chapter 9: Social Networks
Finally, a chapter about something that I have heard of before. Of course, I have used social networking websites before such as myspace and facebook, but I had only used the websites for personal connections. Social networking websites in the classroom were never something I'd really considered before. It was interesting to hear a couple examples of teachers who have incorporated social networking websites into their classroom. I do think it is a good idea. I think these websites would be a great way to get students involved via discussions, videos, and photos (all relevant to the course material of course). Another way I think a social networking page could be beneficial would be for the class would be to make the page a place to share with other classrooms and parents about what is going on in the classroom. Students could post what they learned each day. For me, being an early childhood education major, this seems like a more practical approach to using social networking websites in the classroom. Also, like Jim Meredith stated on page 137, his students had all been exposed to facebook before so they already knew how to use it. From this chapter not only did I learn that social networking sites could be used in the classroom, but I also learned that, in many instances, there may be effective ways to use tools we are already familiar with that I may not have thought of before. However, one thing I think we need to be careful about with having students use these websites, especially facebook, is their personal use of them. Some students might try to use them for personal use during class time. This is why I think using a website like ning, as mentioned in the chapter, would be a great idea.
Chapter 10 & Epilogue: What It All Means
The chapter begins by summing up two "unstoppable" trends: one, more and more content will be online. This effects us, as educators, because it is possible that textbooks may be entirely be online before we know it. Perhaps I am sort of a traditionalist because I think this is kind of sad. For me, when I am at a computer or looking at a computer screen I am distracted so much easier than if I have a book in front of me, and only that book. I think books are great things and I am afraid of books disappearing entirely! However, I am aware that the most important aspect of books is the content, and that would still be there. Also, I am sure students would get used to reading their content on the computer. Anyways, the second trend mentioned is that more and more of the creation of content is collaborative. The Internet gives us more opportunities to collaborate than we have ever had before. The chapter also went into detail about some of the big shifts we will most likely have in our classrooms. These shifts. along with the rest of the book, got me thinking about things I may encounter in my classroom. I can honestly say before this class, and reading this book, I hadn't given much thought into technology in the classroom. This book has showed me several specific examples of ways I might integrate technology into my classroom. I believe even in the early childhood grades I will need to integrate technology into my classroom. This book gave me a better knowledge of several specific tools I may be able to use. I think one tool I might use is podcasts. Even for grades such as kindergarten, podcasts can be made for their learning. I hope to use my knowledge of technology to create an effective learning environment for my students.
Finally, a chapter about something that I have heard of before. Of course, I have used social networking websites before such as myspace and facebook, but I had only used the websites for personal connections. Social networking websites in the classroom were never something I'd really considered before. It was interesting to hear a couple examples of teachers who have incorporated social networking websites into their classroom. I do think it is a good idea. I think these websites would be a great way to get students involved via discussions, videos, and photos (all relevant to the course material of course). Another way I think a social networking page could be beneficial would be for the class would be to make the page a place to share with other classrooms and parents about what is going on in the classroom. Students could post what they learned each day. For me, being an early childhood education major, this seems like a more practical approach to using social networking websites in the classroom. Also, like Jim Meredith stated on page 137, his students had all been exposed to facebook before so they already knew how to use it. From this chapter not only did I learn that social networking sites could be used in the classroom, but I also learned that, in many instances, there may be effective ways to use tools we are already familiar with that I may not have thought of before. However, one thing I think we need to be careful about with having students use these websites, especially facebook, is their personal use of them. Some students might try to use them for personal use during class time. This is why I think using a website like ning, as mentioned in the chapter, would be a great idea.
Chapter 10 & Epilogue: What It All Means
The chapter begins by summing up two "unstoppable" trends: one, more and more content will be online. This effects us, as educators, because it is possible that textbooks may be entirely be online before we know it. Perhaps I am sort of a traditionalist because I think this is kind of sad. For me, when I am at a computer or looking at a computer screen I am distracted so much easier than if I have a book in front of me, and only that book. I think books are great things and I am afraid of books disappearing entirely! However, I am aware that the most important aspect of books is the content, and that would still be there. Also, I am sure students would get used to reading their content on the computer. Anyways, the second trend mentioned is that more and more of the creation of content is collaborative. The Internet gives us more opportunities to collaborate than we have ever had before. The chapter also went into detail about some of the big shifts we will most likely have in our classrooms. These shifts. along with the rest of the book, got me thinking about things I may encounter in my classroom. I can honestly say before this class, and reading this book, I hadn't given much thought into technology in the classroom. This book has showed me several specific examples of ways I might integrate technology into my classroom. I believe even in the early childhood grades I will need to integrate technology into my classroom. This book gave me a better knowledge of several specific tools I may be able to use. I think one tool I might use is podcasts. Even for grades such as kindergarten, podcasts can be made for their learning. I hope to use my knowledge of technology to create an effective learning environment for my students.
Exit Slip: 11/11/10
Today, was used primarily as a work day! Whoo hoo, I know I am definitely using the time to wrap some things up. As usual, we started class with discussion of the chapter we read. Today's discussion was on Chapter 9: What Does it all Mean? I was a part of discussion guide this week. To see more about the discussion check out my post on discussion guide.
Also, Dr. Boyer shared a link with us about a first-grade classroom integrating facebook into their classroom. Before reading this link, I thought that as an early childhood education major, using facebook in the classroom was not even an option. In fact, the idea even sounded ridiculous to me. However, I found this article really interesting and I did seem like it was working well for that classroom, and students were benefiting from it. Also, I decided to use this article as an informal article for my technology inquiry wiki since I am researching ways to integrate technology in the early childhood classrooms.
http://www.southwestiowanews.com/articles/2010/11/07/council_bluffs/doc4cd61de0eceb2779388716.txt
Also, Dr. Boyer shared a link with us about a first-grade classroom integrating facebook into their classroom. Before reading this link, I thought that as an early childhood education major, using facebook in the classroom was not even an option. In fact, the idea even sounded ridiculous to me. However, I found this article really interesting and I did seem like it was working well for that classroom, and students were benefiting from it. Also, I decided to use this article as an informal article for my technology inquiry wiki since I am researching ways to integrate technology in the early childhood classrooms.
http://www.southwestiowanews.com/articles/2010/11/07/council_bluffs/doc4cd61de0eceb2779388716.txt
Chapters 8 & 9: Rethinking Education In the Age of Technology
Chapter 8: How Schools Can Cope With the New Technologies
Chapter 9: What Does It All Mean?
As you can see in the title this chapter brought together all the concepts throughout the book. So we have learned all about technology in today's education system but what does that all mean? One quote that I think sums up this chapter pretty well is this one: "For the first time, cchildren may know more than us which is why we need to learn more so we can integrate it in our classrooms. In order to do this we need to study what they're learning through technology." I think this is a great quote to sum up, not only the chapter, but the book so far. It's true, many children know more than us about technology which is why we need to understand it so that we can help them learn through it. Its obvious that children are learning through technology why is why we need to understand how, and figure out what we can do to help them learn even more . One of the ways the chapter states that children are learning is through video games. Although, video games are often thought of as addictive or corruptive, children are actually learning problem-solving skills as well as communication skills through video games. Another resource children can use to learn is online communities, children can share what they know as well as learn about what others know about things they have a passion for. Adults may think this is a waste of time but in reality this could be building on children's literacy and research skills. These are just a couple examples the chapter shared about ways in which children are learning, on their own, through technology. The last section of the chapter states that although technology innovations are breaking through in administrative offices, schools are still behind. With all this evidence that children can learn through technology, teachers need to switch from traditional practices to more modern (technology integrated) practices. This chapter didn't really change my views on technology since it was kind of a wrap up of the rest of the book but it did reinforce the idea that technology needs to be integrated into classrooms. In the future, I plan to use technology in my classrooms because I truly believe that technology can be a powerful tool and, when used the right way, can help students learn!
This chapter began with an issue between state and federal policies and school officials. Basically, state and federal policies are putting more emphasis on the accountability of the schools. If students do poorly on standardized testing, it is the teachers fault. The chapter then goes on to state some ways in which technology can be used to take some of the pressure off of school officials. The first topic discussed was assessment. The chapter offers a different type of assessment then our traditional ways off assessing. Basically, students find the certifications they need to graduate, on the topics they want, on the computer. Students would end up having several credentials and certificates before they could graduate but they could make a plan that would fit their lives and interests. The chapter also talked about new curriculum designs. Here, students would be able to focus their curriculum and goals on their own interests. Students would get certifications in areas they were interested in. And, the last section of the chapter discussed equality. We all know that there is a digital divide, but if we somehow found away to bring technology to all regions, there would be an equal chance for everybody.
Personally, I found this chapter pretty unrealistic. I do like the idea of giving students some freedom to study, and become expert, in fields they are interested it in but I don’t agree with some aspects of the idea. I don’t think students should be able to graduate with just knowledge on one field they are interested in. I think it helps students to be exposed to several different areas to become better learners. In the real world, we will need knowledge in more than just one area whether we want to or not. Also, a lot of students in high school have no idea what they want to do, therefore, they need to be exposed to all kinds of fields because they really don’t know where they will end up. Also, I think we all know that when it comes to the digital divide and the issue of equality our problems would be solved if we could get all regions to have access to technology. Unfortunately, I just don’t see that as very realistic. I think it would be great if all regions could gain from technology but I don’t see it happening anytime soon.
Chapter 9: What Does It All Mean?
As you can see in the title this chapter brought together all the concepts throughout the book. So we have learned all about technology in today's education system but what does that all mean? One quote that I think sums up this chapter pretty well is this one: "For the first time, cchildren may know more than us which is why we need to learn more so we can integrate it in our classrooms. In order to do this we need to study what they're learning through technology." I think this is a great quote to sum up, not only the chapter, but the book so far. It's true, many children know more than us about technology which is why we need to understand it so that we can help them learn through it. Its obvious that children are learning through technology why is why we need to understand how, and figure out what we can do to help them learn even more . One of the ways the chapter states that children are learning is through video games. Although, video games are often thought of as addictive or corruptive, children are actually learning problem-solving skills as well as communication skills through video games. Another resource children can use to learn is online communities, children can share what they know as well as learn about what others know about things they have a passion for. Adults may think this is a waste of time but in reality this could be building on children's literacy and research skills. These are just a couple examples the chapter shared about ways in which children are learning, on their own, through technology. The last section of the chapter states that although technology innovations are breaking through in administrative offices, schools are still behind. With all this evidence that children can learn through technology, teachers need to switch from traditional practices to more modern (technology integrated) practices. This chapter didn't really change my views on technology since it was kind of a wrap up of the rest of the book but it did reinforce the idea that technology needs to be integrated into classrooms. In the future, I plan to use technology in my classrooms because I truly believe that technology can be a powerful tool and, when used the right way, can help students learn!
Discussion Guide Reflection
Deltas- Share Prezi, forgot student, new tool didn't work
+'s - Plan B, new tool (limit dominant voice, save time, reduce off-task talking), new grouping, walked around
I was a part of this week's discussion guide on Chapter 9: What Does it all Mean? For our discussion we had planned to use four different scrib link pages for students to share their ideas of specific questions: positives and negatives of technology and social communities on learning. Unfortunately scrib link didn't work! Instead we had students get into groups to discuss their ideas. This worked fine, but I was bummed scrib link didn't work because I was excited for the students to use a new and fun tool for discussion. One thing we should have done to help students would be to share the Prezi with everybody. This would reduce confusion. Also, in our groupings, we left a student out! I know in our classroom it wasn't a big deal, but in elementary school, this would have been a bigger deal. This shows how careful we need to be while making groups because we even double checked our lists but still made a mistake! Overall, the discussion didn't go as well as I had hoped but I know in the future lessons will not always go as planned so it is helpful to learn now how to deal with the unexpected.
+'s - Plan B, new tool (limit dominant voice, save time, reduce off-task talking), new grouping, walked around
I was a part of this week's discussion guide on Chapter 9: What Does it all Mean? For our discussion we had planned to use four different scrib link pages for students to share their ideas of specific questions: positives and negatives of technology and social communities on learning. Unfortunately scrib link didn't work! Instead we had students get into groups to discuss their ideas. This worked fine, but I was bummed scrib link didn't work because I was excited for the students to use a new and fun tool for discussion. One thing we should have done to help students would be to share the Prezi with everybody. This would reduce confusion. Also, in our groupings, we left a student out! I know in our classroom it wasn't a big deal, but in elementary school, this would have been a bigger deal. This shows how careful we need to be while making groups because we even double checked our lists but still made a mistake! Overall, the discussion didn't go as well as I had hoped but I know in the future lessons will not always go as planned so it is helpful to learn now how to deal with the unexpected.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Exit Slip: 11/4/10
In today's class, we took awhile to go over some helpful tools for Scratch. I think this helped me a bit since I'm still overwhelmed by Scratch. One thing that got me thinking was, is the iRLO really reusable? I hadn't really thought about how some lessons (specifically math) could end up being memorized by students, therefore, they wouldn't really be learning. Next, we talked about our technology inquiry's. One thing I learned was that I need to make sure I have enough white space in my inquiry wiki so it is readable and organized. Also, I didn't know that for APA format, only the first letter of the Article is to be capitalized. These are some changes I'm going to have to make to my technology inquiry wiki to make sure it is professional and represents me.
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