Saturday, December 13, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Journal 10: Making History
Shein, Esther (2008, October). Making History. The Journal, Retrieved October 26, 2008, from
http://www.thejournal.com/articles/23394
Again, we are learning about technologies for the classroom such as creating a podcast or using a business simulation program. These 2 activities are a great choice for student learning because they are used as a collaborative project and they go beyond text book learning, which makes the knowledge more relevant and personal. I really liked the idea of creating a podcast about an event in history that didn't get much attention or any in the textbook. As they research these historic events they are also getting to sample music and personal accounts of the time period. As for the business management program it mentioned that it was a program accessible off-campus. So when a student injured herself and was out from school for a week, instead of falling behind on the group project she was able to work from home. I think that is a huge bonus and another reason for integrating technology in the classroom
Question 1:
What other collaborative programs/activities can be used in the classroom?
IMovie is an option and since so many of us go to the movies it is relevant to our lives.
International Learning Circle- High School students discuss a specified topic with 8-10 other schools from around the globe. The program is conducted in English, Spanish and French. Each classroom takes a turn to ask a question for all to answer and discuss.
Animation- using this medium, pick 2 different professions and animate "A day in the life of..."
Question 2:
How do you make students more accountable?
When you work on group projects students will feel more accountable as they don't want to let others down. Also if a student falls behind, one of their peers will be asking them to step up rather than just the teacher. An option for the classroom would be for each student to create an on-line calendar with their gmail account and every time they log on to their account they are reminded of what assignments are needed to be completed.
http://www.thejournal.com/articles/23394
Again, we are learning about technologies for the classroom such as creating a podcast or using a business simulation program. These 2 activities are a great choice for student learning because they are used as a collaborative project and they go beyond text book learning, which makes the knowledge more relevant and personal. I really liked the idea of creating a podcast about an event in history that didn't get much attention or any in the textbook. As they research these historic events they are also getting to sample music and personal accounts of the time period. As for the business management program it mentioned that it was a program accessible off-campus. So when a student injured herself and was out from school for a week, instead of falling behind on the group project she was able to work from home. I think that is a huge bonus and another reason for integrating technology in the classroom
Question 1:
What other collaborative programs/activities can be used in the classroom?
IMovie is an option and since so many of us go to the movies it is relevant to our lives.
International Learning Circle- High School students discuss a specified topic with 8-10 other schools from around the globe. The program is conducted in English, Spanish and French. Each classroom takes a turn to ask a question for all to answer and discuss.
Animation- using this medium, pick 2 different professions and animate "A day in the life of..."
Question 2:
How do you make students more accountable?
When you work on group projects students will feel more accountable as they don't want to let others down. Also if a student falls behind, one of their peers will be asking them to step up rather than just the teacher. An option for the classroom would be for each student to create an on-line calendar with their gmail account and every time they log on to their account they are reminded of what assignments are needed to be completed.
Journal 9: Avoiding the 5 Most Common Mistakes in Using Blogs with Students
Reynard, Ruth (2008, October). Avoiding the 5 Most Common Mistakes in Using Blogs with Students. The Journal, Retrieved October 26, 2008, from http://www.thejournal.com/articles/23434
According to the article, if the blogging tool is not presented in a way that the students sees as relevant but rather just another assignment among the many then they could easily reject using this tool. There are 5 common mistakes that affect the success students have with blogging. #1 Ineffective Contextualization: There needs to be planning and structure for the most effective use of this tool. It is meant for self reflection and building on critical thinking skills along with giving the student a voice. #2 Unclear Learning Outcomes: You need to be clear on what you want the end result to be, such as "new higher level thinking skills" through analysis, synthesis, new ideas and application. #3 Misuse of the Environment: It is not meant for collaboration even though students may have the opportunity to comment on each others blog. It is an opportunity for independent thought and expression. #4 Illusive Grading Practices: There needs to be clarity on how this assignment will be graded as it is confusing. #5 Inadequate Time Allocation: If possible this assignment should be ongoing throughout the year. The more it is used, the more value the students will see in this tool and ultimately strengthen participation.
Question 1. How do you grade this ongoing project?
The article states that blogs may be evaluated on the following: Reflective statements, Commentary statements, New idea statements, and Application statements. It was really helpful to have these guidelines as I'm still getting use to the idea of blogging and have it be more meaningful than a way for people to vent or write what happened to them during the day.
Question 2. How could I use this tool in my classroom?
I see it as a tool for self expression like a form of journaling and so I would like to have students begin using it to write what they learned in class and what they liked and didn't like with what was presented to them. Another activity would be for the student to choose one day a week to reflect on the days events, the people they interacted with and what they would have changed or what worked well for them. Lastly, it would be great to have each student choose 2-3 different places to volunteer (total of 10 hours per semester) and the blog would be a space for each student to document and reflect on their experience (using the above evaluation criteria).
According to the article, if the blogging tool is not presented in a way that the students sees as relevant but rather just another assignment among the many then they could easily reject using this tool. There are 5 common mistakes that affect the success students have with blogging. #1 Ineffective Contextualization: There needs to be planning and structure for the most effective use of this tool. It is meant for self reflection and building on critical thinking skills along with giving the student a voice. #2 Unclear Learning Outcomes: You need to be clear on what you want the end result to be, such as "new higher level thinking skills" through analysis, synthesis, new ideas and application. #3 Misuse of the Environment: It is not meant for collaboration even though students may have the opportunity to comment on each others blog. It is an opportunity for independent thought and expression. #4 Illusive Grading Practices: There needs to be clarity on how this assignment will be graded as it is confusing. #5 Inadequate Time Allocation: If possible this assignment should be ongoing throughout the year. The more it is used, the more value the students will see in this tool and ultimately strengthen participation.
Question 1. How do you grade this ongoing project?
The article states that blogs may be evaluated on the following: Reflective statements, Commentary statements, New idea statements, and Application statements. It was really helpful to have these guidelines as I'm still getting use to the idea of blogging and have it be more meaningful than a way for people to vent or write what happened to them during the day.
Question 2. How could I use this tool in my classroom?
I see it as a tool for self expression like a form of journaling and so I would like to have students begin using it to write what they learned in class and what they liked and didn't like with what was presented to them. Another activity would be for the student to choose one day a week to reflect on the days events, the people they interacted with and what they would have changed or what worked well for them. Lastly, it would be great to have each student choose 2-3 different places to volunteer (total of 10 hours per semester) and the blog would be a space for each student to document and reflect on their experience (using the above evaluation criteria).
Journal 8: A "Fantastic Super" Use of Technology: Closing the Digital Divide
Curtis, Diane (2002, November, 1). A "Fantastic Super" Use of Technology: Closing the Digital Divide. Edutopia, Retrieved October 26, 2008, from
http://www.edutopia.org/fantastic-super-use-technology
This article shows how technology was implemented in an elementary school in North Carolina and the positive effects it had on the students, teachers and parents. This was a new school with a Superintendent that supported a new program. The technology that was available to this school was the Internet, wireless laptops, computers in all the classrooms, lots of software programs, closed-circuit school television news, internet devices for low-income families, and teacher offices with phones and computers which was supported with a large grant from a large corporation. Besides all this technology, the school environment was supportive to the staff through a team effort approach. Time was provided for teachers to get together to plan and share ideas and new teachers were paired up with veteran teachers as mentors. The school was also supportive to the childrens' families which encouraged parental involvement. For me, this article describes what an ideal school looks like and it becomes more clear how beneficial technology can be.
Question 1. What could I do if there was lack of technology in my school?
Grants from the community and large businesses can make a huge difference in our schools. The first thing I would need to do is learn how to write a grant. I know it is a time consuming project that takes some skill to be done correctly. Instead of me getting the funds I could also turn it into a class project where we learn how to create a budget, write a proposal and solicit for funding. This is when it can be really helpful to have good relationships with the parents and community.
Question 2. How do you get parents more involved?
I really liked that each teacher had their own website where the daily learning was posted so parents knew what went on and could ask their children better questions and be more involved in their learning process. This would be a good tool to use for posting what is needed for the classroom and when extra help is needed in the class. This could a place for them to sign up to be a part of the classroom for the day. I like the idea of posting weekly questions that students would need to discuss with their parents and then posting on a blog called, What I learned from my Parents.
http://www.edutopia.org/fantastic-super-use-technology
This article shows how technology was implemented in an elementary school in North Carolina and the positive effects it had on the students, teachers and parents. This was a new school with a Superintendent that supported a new program. The technology that was available to this school was the Internet, wireless laptops, computers in all the classrooms, lots of software programs, closed-circuit school television news, internet devices for low-income families, and teacher offices with phones and computers which was supported with a large grant from a large corporation. Besides all this technology, the school environment was supportive to the staff through a team effort approach. Time was provided for teachers to get together to plan and share ideas and new teachers were paired up with veteran teachers as mentors. The school was also supportive to the childrens' families which encouraged parental involvement. For me, this article describes what an ideal school looks like and it becomes more clear how beneficial technology can be.
Question 1. What could I do if there was lack of technology in my school?
Grants from the community and large businesses can make a huge difference in our schools. The first thing I would need to do is learn how to write a grant. I know it is a time consuming project that takes some skill to be done correctly. Instead of me getting the funds I could also turn it into a class project where we learn how to create a budget, write a proposal and solicit for funding. This is when it can be really helpful to have good relationships with the parents and community.
Question 2. How do you get parents more involved?
I really liked that each teacher had their own website where the daily learning was posted so parents knew what went on and could ask their children better questions and be more involved in their learning process. This would be a good tool to use for posting what is needed for the classroom and when extra help is needed in the class. This could a place for them to sign up to be a part of the classroom for the day. I like the idea of posting weekly questions that students would need to discuss with their parents and then posting on a blog called, What I learned from my Parents.
Journal 7: Collaborative Documents
Collaborative Documents describes applications you can use to store information and work on projects together. These documents are usually private and one is invited to be included in the group. The documents may allow for concurrent editing like google documents or not, like Wiki.
The discussions under this category were great for getting sources for many collaborative documents. The source that received the most recommendations was google documents. It is easy to use with a good interface as we have discovered through this technology course. One teacher uses it for all written papers. The documents are shared with the teacher and he can quickly respond. He no longer needs to collect paper and schlep it around instead he can be anywhere to look over the assignments. It saves paper and the students don't need to carry around flash drives. Unfortunately, google, like many mail applications is often blocked from schools so unless you can get special permission or sign up for google applications for education it may not be a feasible option for primary or secondary students. There are other applications that also need an email address to sign up for the collaborative documents and again this will be prohibitive if the school doesn't allow mail. The alternative is finding a prepared site that only requires a password, such as Niceweb.
Facebook has a new application called Study Groups where you can create a secure collaborative document. If you want to create a collaborative newspaper or brochure you can go to ReadWriteThink Printing Press. Moonedit is another site that is competitive with google documents that also allows for real-time collaboration and each user is a different color. I highly recommend the reading more on the threads to find out many more options for collaborative documents.
The discussions under this category were great for getting sources for many collaborative documents. The source that received the most recommendations was google documents. It is easy to use with a good interface as we have discovered through this technology course. One teacher uses it for all written papers. The documents are shared with the teacher and he can quickly respond. He no longer needs to collect paper and schlep it around instead he can be anywhere to look over the assignments. It saves paper and the students don't need to carry around flash drives. Unfortunately, google, like many mail applications is often blocked from schools so unless you can get special permission or sign up for google applications for education it may not be a feasible option for primary or secondary students. There are other applications that also need an email address to sign up for the collaborative documents and again this will be prohibitive if the school doesn't allow mail. The alternative is finding a prepared site that only requires a password, such as Niceweb.
Facebook has a new application called Study Groups where you can create a secure collaborative document. If you want to create a collaborative newspaper or brochure you can go to ReadWriteThink Printing Press. Moonedit is another site that is competitive with google documents that also allows for real-time collaboration and each user is a different color. I highly recommend the reading more on the threads to find out many more options for collaborative documents.
Journal 6
Review of Inspiration and IMovie
1. How I liked the program.
Inspiration is a fairly easy program to use without any prior knowledge. I know the possibilities are greater than what I created with the program but what I was able to accomplish I feel an elementary age student and above could also do the same. The images they offered were more youthful than I would have liked, however; there were quite a few choices and it was very convenient. I think students would enjoy brainstorming and linking ideas in this way. It's more interesting than just doing it on paper plus they are learning how to use technology.
IMovie is a great tool for editing small projects. I love that it links up with the other apple programs, so for example I was able to purchase a song from itunes and easily import it into my audio track for imovie. There is a lot involved with editing and it was challenging figuring out a lot of the features, particularly how to cut shorten audio, transitions and timing. However, I have worked with cool edit pro for sound editing and this program was a lot easier and less frustrating. I think students would really appreciate learning about this program. It may be tedious at times but they can create something unique that gives them a voice.
2. How I could incorporate this software in my classroom.
Inspiration: I think this could be a fun activity to begin any project or writing assignment to show how beneficial it is to brainstorm. I think finding an image to represent their ideas helps them to further define and contemplate what they are trying to get across.
IMovie: Since most high school have cell phones I would have the students use their phones to take pictures and record things that were important in their lives which they would download into IMovie. They would also choose a song for their audio track. The final project would be a 3 minute edited video which would be shown to the whole class.
3. How I liked learning via Atomic Learning.
I did not use Atomic Learning for Inspiration as I had forgotten about it. I had not worked on it in class but I had been watching 2 of my classmates and listened when they asked questions. From that and some notes I was able to figure out what I needed to do. Of course, I had to play around with the program to get the desired effects. I wish I knew how to create nicer arrows that went from the images to the bubbled ideas so it looked more professional. In which I should go back and look at some of the Atomic Learning tutorials.
I definitely needed the Atomic Learning (AL) tutorials for IMovie beside watching Jeffery's video again. Unfortunately, I didn't know which IMovie version I had at first so when I chose AL there were about 6 different ones to choose from. I watched the newest version first, which didn't help me and when I found the correct one there was an extra feature in their HD version. I liked how the tutorials were broken down into small topics. They were quick and easy to follow. However, I would have liked for them to be a little more in depth and cover more of the features such as how to cut out music from the audio track or sound on the clip, how to make the timing work with transitions or keeping the title on the clip until the end of the clip. It would have been nice to have "common mistakes" tutorials. Overall AL lessened my aggravation with not knowing what the heck to do.
1. How I liked the program.
Inspiration is a fairly easy program to use without any prior knowledge. I know the possibilities are greater than what I created with the program but what I was able to accomplish I feel an elementary age student and above could also do the same. The images they offered were more youthful than I would have liked, however; there were quite a few choices and it was very convenient. I think students would enjoy brainstorming and linking ideas in this way. It's more interesting than just doing it on paper plus they are learning how to use technology.
IMovie is a great tool for editing small projects. I love that it links up with the other apple programs, so for example I was able to purchase a song from itunes and easily import it into my audio track for imovie. There is a lot involved with editing and it was challenging figuring out a lot of the features, particularly how to cut shorten audio, transitions and timing. However, I have worked with cool edit pro for sound editing and this program was a lot easier and less frustrating. I think students would really appreciate learning about this program. It may be tedious at times but they can create something unique that gives them a voice.
2. How I could incorporate this software in my classroom.
Inspiration: I think this could be a fun activity to begin any project or writing assignment to show how beneficial it is to brainstorm. I think finding an image to represent their ideas helps them to further define and contemplate what they are trying to get across.
IMovie: Since most high school have cell phones I would have the students use their phones to take pictures and record things that were important in their lives which they would download into IMovie. They would also choose a song for their audio track. The final project would be a 3 minute edited video which would be shown to the whole class.
3. How I liked learning via Atomic Learning.
I did not use Atomic Learning for Inspiration as I had forgotten about it. I had not worked on it in class but I had been watching 2 of my classmates and listened when they asked questions. From that and some notes I was able to figure out what I needed to do. Of course, I had to play around with the program to get the desired effects. I wish I knew how to create nicer arrows that went from the images to the bubbled ideas so it looked more professional. In which I should go back and look at some of the Atomic Learning tutorials.
I definitely needed the Atomic Learning (AL) tutorials for IMovie beside watching Jeffery's video again. Unfortunately, I didn't know which IMovie version I had at first so when I chose AL there were about 6 different ones to choose from. I watched the newest version first, which didn't help me and when I found the correct one there was an extra feature in their HD version. I liked how the tutorials were broken down into small topics. They were quick and easy to follow. However, I would have liked for them to be a little more in depth and cover more of the features such as how to cut out music from the audio track or sound on the clip, how to make the timing work with transitions or keeping the title on the clip until the end of the clip. It would have been nice to have "common mistakes" tutorials. Overall AL lessened my aggravation with not knowing what the heck to do.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Journal 5
Christensen, Author's first name initial C.M, & Horn, M.B (2008). Disrupting class: student-centric education is the future. Edutopia. Aug 13, 1-4.
I like how this article began by showing us a future classroom that was learning a language other than English. Each student had their own laptop and was learning according to their style. We then learn that our current classrooms are far from being like this one and even more that what technology we have been using hasn't been effective. I realize that there is more to just buying computers and having them sit in the classroom. There is much to be learned which is why we are now required to take a technology course for our teaching program. I am all for new ideas, so if it takes disruptive technologies to transform our schools then I am all for it.
Questions:
What are other examples of disruptive technology? This concept was not so clear to me and I needed more concrete examples, so I looked online for clarification as to what they were talking about. Here's what I found: Cell phones replacing payphones, Laptop computers replacing Desktop computers, Digital photography replacing Film photography and Plastic replacing metal, wood and glass.
How do we implement disruptive technology? Is this the right question? I guess it's a process, like us striving for an inclusive and multicultural education for our children. However, because it's technology it's hard for me to visualize how we choose disruptive innovations. The article says this is the future then what do we do in the meantime as this type of technology takes time and goes through many stages of improvement before it is efficient and effective?
I like how this article began by showing us a future classroom that was learning a language other than English. Each student had their own laptop and was learning according to their style. We then learn that our current classrooms are far from being like this one and even more that what technology we have been using hasn't been effective. I realize that there is more to just buying computers and having them sit in the classroom. There is much to be learned which is why we are now required to take a technology course for our teaching program. I am all for new ideas, so if it takes disruptive technologies to transform our schools then I am all for it.
Questions:
What are other examples of disruptive technology? This concept was not so clear to me and I needed more concrete examples, so I looked online for clarification as to what they were talking about. Here's what I found: Cell phones replacing payphones, Laptop computers replacing Desktop computers, Digital photography replacing Film photography and Plastic replacing metal, wood and glass.
How do we implement disruptive technology? Is this the right question? I guess it's a process, like us striving for an inclusive and multicultural education for our children. However, because it's technology it's hard for me to visualize how we choose disruptive innovations. The article says this is the future then what do we do in the meantime as this type of technology takes time and goes through many stages of improvement before it is efficient and effective?
Journal 4
Villano, M (2008).Text unto others... as you would have them text unto you. The Journal. Sept, 1-7.
Good digital citizenship is necessary as technology becomes more and more prevalent in our lives. Schools are now realizing the importance of this issue and the need to add it in to the student's curriculum. The rules of what makes a good citizen are the same rules that apply to being a good digital citizen; we need to obey the law, respect one another and act responsibly. All of this takes time and lots of learning on the part of the educators, students and parents. There are many issues to be discussed under this topic, such as etiquette, appropriate use of social networking, cyberbullying, building safe communities, managing personal information, illegal downloading and piracy, health and access to all students. I like how the UK views learning about good digital citizenship; it's about growth and shaping your world in a positive way com.
Questions:
How do you protect your identity? There are several ways but I believe the number one way is by educating yourself and being informed. It's important to research what is out there especially in an arena that is constantly changing. Another way is to not fill out any personal information unless the site is secure. If you are on a public forum such as a yahoo group you also do not want to post personal information. It's good to have a variety of passwords and to change them frequently. One can also set up some form of emailing blocking so that so your email can't get through to a sender unless they have accepted you.
What are good digital communication options? When you want to create a social network for the classroom a good way to go is with a network that allows the teacher to manage a private site for the class such as Ning or Penguin. Another one I learned about this past week are Wikis and my favorite so far for small group collaboration is google documents.
Good digital citizenship is necessary as technology becomes more and more prevalent in our lives. Schools are now realizing the importance of this issue and the need to add it in to the student's curriculum. The rules of what makes a good citizen are the same rules that apply to being a good digital citizen; we need to obey the law, respect one another and act responsibly. All of this takes time and lots of learning on the part of the educators, students and parents. There are many issues to be discussed under this topic, such as etiquette, appropriate use of social networking, cyberbullying, building safe communities, managing personal information, illegal downloading and piracy, health and access to all students. I like how the UK views learning about good digital citizenship; it's about growth and shaping your world in a positive way com.
Questions:
How do you protect your identity? There are several ways but I believe the number one way is by educating yourself and being informed. It's important to research what is out there especially in an arena that is constantly changing. Another way is to not fill out any personal information unless the site is secure. If you are on a public forum such as a yahoo group you also do not want to post personal information. It's good to have a variety of passwords and to change them frequently. One can also set up some form of emailing blocking so that so your email can't get through to a sender unless they have accepted you.
What are good digital communication options? When you want to create a social network for the classroom a good way to go is with a network that allows the teacher to manage a private site for the class such as Ning or Penguin. Another one I learned about this past week are Wikis and my favorite so far for small group collaboration is google documents.
Journal 3
Greenhow, C (2008).Who are today's learners?. Learning and Leading with Technology. Sept/Oct, 16-17.
Today's learners are kids that are using technology in school and at home whether they are well off or low income. They view technology as a indispensable tool for entertainment, communication and education. This doesn't mean they are super savvy on the computer and that teachers need to be afraid. But the middle school aged children they interviewed expressed a need for technology to be meaningful and engaging in the classroom. They also thought that restrictions needed to be loosened up so they could use all forms of technology, such as mobile computing and user provided sites. It was interesting to learn that students communicated more through chat rooms and instant messaging than emailing.
Questions:
What technologies are my students using and what are their skill levels?
The first rule to remember is to not make assumptions about what students are using or how good they might or might not be. In order to answer these questions we must talk to our students and have them show us individually where they are at. Otherwise, what I see students using are ipods, cell phone and different forms of gaming. The skill level is all over the place.
How do I need to use technology to motivate and engage my students?
It needs to incorporate the things they are using outside of the classroom plus exciting programs to further them in life. I like the idea of using digital games to help the students feel like they are experiencing the ideas being presented to them, making for a deeper comprehension. It's important to find different ways to learn new information rather than rote style learning which isn't fun for anyone.
Today's learners are kids that are using technology in school and at home whether they are well off or low income. They view technology as a indispensable tool for entertainment, communication and education. This doesn't mean they are super savvy on the computer and that teachers need to be afraid. But the middle school aged children they interviewed expressed a need for technology to be meaningful and engaging in the classroom. They also thought that restrictions needed to be loosened up so they could use all forms of technology, such as mobile computing and user provided sites. It was interesting to learn that students communicated more through chat rooms and instant messaging than emailing.
Questions:
What technologies are my students using and what are their skill levels?
The first rule to remember is to not make assumptions about what students are using or how good they might or might not be. In order to answer these questions we must talk to our students and have them show us individually where they are at. Otherwise, what I see students using are ipods, cell phone and different forms of gaming. The skill level is all over the place.
How do I need to use technology to motivate and engage my students?
It needs to incorporate the things they are using outside of the classroom plus exciting programs to further them in life. I like the idea of using digital games to help the students feel like they are experiencing the ideas being presented to them, making for a deeper comprehension. It's important to find different ways to learn new information rather than rote style learning which isn't fun for anyone.
Journal 2
Groff, Author's first name initial J, & Haas, J (2008). Web 2.0. Learning and Leading with Technology. Sept/Oct, 12-15.
Web 2.0 includes technologies such as social networking, simulations and digital games. When used properly in the classroom they are of great benefit because they encourage collaboration, goal oriented activities, problem solving, critical thinking that are highly engaging to students. More importantly it bridges "the gap between the traditional scholastic culture and the culture of today's learner."(pg. 1).
Questions:
Is it possible to use social networking sites productively in the classroom environment?
Currently, the ones that are used by students at home, such as myspace or facebook are blocked at schools. Yesterday when I was at Carlsbad High I was trying to access our class blog on webct but it was blocked too. I guess the first thing to do is to find out which ones are available to be used on school campuses. Once that hurdle is passed then I see it as a great tool to be used for a classroom as we do for our technology class.
What types of digital games might be applicable to the types of lessons I plan to teach?
I plan on working with students with special needs and games are a great way to help them with life skills, such as how to use the computer, dealing with money or buying groceries. There are some easy and fun games that I have seen used to learn basic math skills. All the students I've worked with want to be on the computer so there is a great deal of enthusiasm which helps learning tremendously.
Web 2.0 includes technologies such as social networking, simulations and digital games. When used properly in the classroom they are of great benefit because they encourage collaboration, goal oriented activities, problem solving, critical thinking that are highly engaging to students. More importantly it bridges "the gap between the traditional scholastic culture and the culture of today's learner."(pg. 1).
Questions:
Is it possible to use social networking sites productively in the classroom environment?
Currently, the ones that are used by students at home, such as myspace or facebook are blocked at schools. Yesterday when I was at Carlsbad High I was trying to access our class blog on webct but it was blocked too. I guess the first thing to do is to find out which ones are available to be used on school campuses. Once that hurdle is passed then I see it as a great tool to be used for a classroom as we do for our technology class.
What types of digital games might be applicable to the types of lessons I plan to teach?
I plan on working with students with special needs and games are a great way to help them with life skills, such as how to use the computer, dealing with money or buying groceries. There are some easy and fun games that I have seen used to learn basic math skills. All the students I've worked with want to be on the computer so there is a great deal of enthusiasm which helps learning tremendously.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Introducing Becke
My name is Becke Shulman and I am forever a student. I was born in Los Angeles but my dad moved us down to Carlsbad when I was just 3 years old because he thought it was a better place to raise a family. I'm glad he did because I love San Diego and feel fortunate to live in this part of the world. As for school, since I lived on the north side of La Costa I was part of the San Marcos School District (this was before La Costa Meadows and La Costa Canyon High School). I went to Alvin Dunn Elementary then San Marcos Jr. High and lastly San Marcos High. My High School had an Ag farm where I raised sheep which inspired my desire to be a veterinarian and led me to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Three years later I changed my mind and came back home to go to Palomar College to figure out what my new career should be. I then transfered to SDSU and received my Bachelors in Theatre-design emphasis (costumes was my focus).
My experience in technology is lacking. I didn't grow up with computers and didn't start using them until college when it was required to turn in typed written assignments (for a long time I would prefer to handwrite my papers first). I never had the newest anything when it came to technology and was probably one of the last people to get a cell phone. But that all changed when I married a computer programmer. Now we might have the latest computers and toys but I still don't know what the heck to do with it all. Slowly, as I usually work, I'm coming to accept the fact that I can't exist in our society without being more fluent in technology. Still I can't help being continually frustrated and wanting to give up.
I am a mac person and have Microsoft office 2004. I use the computer daily for emailing and the internet but not much more except when I am enrolled in classes or applying for jobs. This 422 class is the first time using the computer at this level and duration.
Unfortunately, I didn't choose the Mission Statement as a factor in coming to CSUSM. I'm curious now to see what SDSU says in comparison as that was initially where I was going to go for my credential. The part that speaks to me is "...transform public education by preparing thoughtful educators..." When I took the cultural diversity class, the word transform was used a lot. This class was extremely thought provoking to me because it showed how closed we are without even knowing it. Yet when we become aware of our opinions and biases and try to see through the eyes of another we become better and more thoughtful educators.
My experience in technology is lacking. I didn't grow up with computers and didn't start using them until college when it was required to turn in typed written assignments (for a long time I would prefer to handwrite my papers first). I never had the newest anything when it came to technology and was probably one of the last people to get a cell phone. But that all changed when I married a computer programmer. Now we might have the latest computers and toys but I still don't know what the heck to do with it all. Slowly, as I usually work, I'm coming to accept the fact that I can't exist in our society without being more fluent in technology. Still I can't help being continually frustrated and wanting to give up.
I am a mac person and have Microsoft office 2004. I use the computer daily for emailing and the internet but not much more except when I am enrolled in classes or applying for jobs. This 422 class is the first time using the computer at this level and duration.
Unfortunately, I didn't choose the Mission Statement as a factor in coming to CSUSM. I'm curious now to see what SDSU says in comparison as that was initially where I was going to go for my credential. The part that speaks to me is "...transform public education by preparing thoughtful educators..." When I took the cultural diversity class, the word transform was used a lot. This class was extremely thought provoking to me because it showed how closed we are without even knowing it. Yet when we become aware of our opinions and biases and try to see through the eyes of another we become better and more thoughtful educators.
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