The video on problem based learning was amazing. The things the kindergartners in the video were doing were like things I previously read about in text books. The students in the video have taken ownership in the educational process. I believe the reason why they are so energized, interested, and engaged is because they are learning about things that are practical. They are not just learning because a teacher said this is something you need to learn. The learning that I saw take place in the video was could automatically be directly connected to real life experiences. The students also played a major role in each step of the project. In many classrooms when a project is beginning the teacher does the research and decides what activities are going to be completed as well as the order they are going to be completed in. The example in the video demonstrating problem based learning showed a very different scenario. The student’s interest determined what the new unit of study was going to be. After they decided on a topic the students assisted with the research, went on relating field trips, and helped design all the props.
Technology is a very important part of lifelong learning. The Internet has so many different uses. For children embarking on a journey of learning technology can provide access to videos, research information, and visuals. In the video I thought it was wonderful watching the students use the Smart Boards. When the technology coach was talking to the student about the confusion of the letter b and d, she had the student drag the b on top of the d. It was very easy for the student to see the difference. The Smart Boards are also interactive. The students were able to create letters as well as manipulate the letters on the screen.
I think the main element of a project based unit is for students to first decide what they want to study. I think this is critical to ensure that students have a desire to complete the project instead of losing interest in the middle. Another element is to have varied activities to the students to do that foster learning.
Overall the video was great. I do not have a Smart Board, but I am already thinking of ways I can create an environment like the one at Auburn.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Technology and Learning: Chapters 5 & 6
When I am first asked about the amount of technology I use in the classroom, my answer is usually not much. However, after reading chapters 5 and 6, I have a new concept. I use much more technology than I originally thought. I can admit that this past school year working with preschool, I used less technology than I have used in the past. When I taught second and third grade I used test maker software and well as software to make worksheets and puzzles. I absolutely love using my print shop to make certificates, posters for various areas of the classroom, and other things for the students. Also in my district attendance is completed online, our grade books are online, and students cumulative records are kept online.
I would like to use music editor software in my classroom. I have noticed regardless of what grade level I was teaching, one thing remained the same. My students loved music. I could catch them singing the lyrics to the latest song or humming the tune. I think incorporating more music into my classroom would truly be an asset for my students especially my struggling students. I also believe using more multimedia software such as PowerPoint’s with transitions and sound effect could captivate my student’s attention.
My thoughts about technology have often been about using the latest types of technology. I now realize that many things qualify as technology. The aesthetics alone that technology brings is a great attention getter for the students. The most effective thing I have done in my classroom was allowing my students to watch videos online. Months after the lesson was over I would still hear the students discussing the video or using it as a reference for something else. Technology is extremely useful and I am looking forward to using more of it in my classroom.
I would like to use music editor software in my classroom. I have noticed regardless of what grade level I was teaching, one thing remained the same. My students loved music. I could catch them singing the lyrics to the latest song or humming the tune. I think incorporating more music into my classroom would truly be an asset for my students especially my struggling students. I also believe using more multimedia software such as PowerPoint’s with transitions and sound effect could captivate my student’s attention.
My thoughts about technology have often been about using the latest types of technology. I now realize that many things qualify as technology. The aesthetics alone that technology brings is a great attention getter for the students. The most effective thing I have done in my classroom was allowing my students to watch videos online. Months after the lesson was over I would still hear the students discussing the video or using it as a reference for something else. Technology is extremely useful and I am looking forward to using more of it in my classroom.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Digital Natives
When I first read the word Digital Natives I wondered what the definition of the word was. After I read the Prensky article, I thought the word was very fitting. I believe the students we teach in today’s generation are comfortable with technology. Students now are capable of things on the internet that it might have taken me a while to learn. This past school year I taught preschool students. They were able to turn on computers, type in passwords, and click on the appropriate icon to get to the website they wanted. I was amazed at their knowledge of technology, but it also helped me to face the reality that I needed to integrate more technology into my teaching if I truly wanted to be an effective teacher.
Today’s students enjoy cell phones, iPods, webcams, computers, and much more. In the movie Digital Youth Portrait: Sam, she mentioned that she learns to use the computer software by doing trial and error. Trial and error, even though it sounds simple, requires higher order thinking skills because what she is really doing is problem solving. She was learning to differentiate between what would work and what did not work. I was highly impressed by the things I saw her do in the video. The engagement in an activity is a better way to learn than someone just sitting having the information thrown at them is a statement I heard in the video Schools Use Games for Learning and Assessment. I thought the statement alone captured the essence of what Sam was doing.
If I were teaching in an ideal technology situation all of my students would have a laptop. I have taught for five years and one thing remains common. In each classroom there are various levels of learners. Computer usage will allow me to possibly assign certain websites to students and allow them to work at their independent level. They would be able to gain practice in areas where they need it the most. The text mentioned there is computer software for various skills such as drills and practice, which are very useful for both teachers and students. The pitfalls would be for the students who are not as attached to technology. They still may feel as if they are missing something that is needed for them to be successful. Another downfall would be that all students are not on the same level even when it comes to technology.
I think my students would love to have computers. I have two student computers in my classroom and often time’s kids would argue about who should be on the computer. The principal at the school where I previously worked purchased a program for the school called Lexia Learning, which is a reading based program. In the beginning I was concerned about the program. When my students first started using the program they were given a computer generated test to determine their instructional level. Then they were given lessons to assist them beginning at the appropriate level. My students all enjoyed the program and I began to see the difference in them concerning reading. Just like the databases mentioned in the text, all of my students information was stored in a database and I was able to look at the data and give students that additional help they required.
Technology is definitely a major part of the lives the students I teach and I feel as an educator it is time for me to incorporate the technology that they are most with or as Sam would say, “Their second life.”
Today’s students enjoy cell phones, iPods, webcams, computers, and much more. In the movie Digital Youth Portrait: Sam, she mentioned that she learns to use the computer software by doing trial and error. Trial and error, even though it sounds simple, requires higher order thinking skills because what she is really doing is problem solving. She was learning to differentiate between what would work and what did not work. I was highly impressed by the things I saw her do in the video. The engagement in an activity is a better way to learn than someone just sitting having the information thrown at them is a statement I heard in the video Schools Use Games for Learning and Assessment. I thought the statement alone captured the essence of what Sam was doing.
If I were teaching in an ideal technology situation all of my students would have a laptop. I have taught for five years and one thing remains common. In each classroom there are various levels of learners. Computer usage will allow me to possibly assign certain websites to students and allow them to work at their independent level. They would be able to gain practice in areas where they need it the most. The text mentioned there is computer software for various skills such as drills and practice, which are very useful for both teachers and students. The pitfalls would be for the students who are not as attached to technology. They still may feel as if they are missing something that is needed for them to be successful. Another downfall would be that all students are not on the same level even when it comes to technology.
I think my students would love to have computers. I have two student computers in my classroom and often time’s kids would argue about who should be on the computer. The principal at the school where I previously worked purchased a program for the school called Lexia Learning, which is a reading based program. In the beginning I was concerned about the program. When my students first started using the program they were given a computer generated test to determine their instructional level. Then they were given lessons to assist them beginning at the appropriate level. My students all enjoyed the program and I began to see the difference in them concerning reading. Just like the databases mentioned in the text, all of my students information was stored in a database and I was able to look at the data and give students that additional help they required.
Technology is definitely a major part of the lives the students I teach and I feel as an educator it is time for me to incorporate the technology that they are most with or as Sam would say, “Their second life.”
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
I have always considered myself to be a person who enjoys technology. I usually want the latest cell phone, computer, or mp3 player. However, when it has come to teaching I have to admit that I have not used a lot of technology. In five years of teaching, I feel like the best technology I have used has been the computer.
I have used the computer to allow students to explore interactive websites, do research, and even watch videos. The students have always enjoyed the use of technology. I work in a school where we have mobile labs, smart boards, and projectors. I hope to learn more effective ways to implement technology into the classroom. I truly believe the use of technology can assist my students in learning and open up a world of opportunity for them. I'm ready to come out of my teacher comfort zone and successful implement technology in my classroom.
I have used the computer to allow students to explore interactive websites, do research, and even watch videos. The students have always enjoyed the use of technology. I work in a school where we have mobile labs, smart boards, and projectors. I hope to learn more effective ways to implement technology into the classroom. I truly believe the use of technology can assist my students in learning and open up a world of opportunity for them. I'm ready to come out of my teacher comfort zone and successful implement technology in my classroom.
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