Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Blog # 6
The Southern Regional Educational Board website is a fantastic resource for teachers! The SREB provides reliable and current information for teachers of grades K-12. The SREB provides one point of access for multiple sites dealing with all kinds of topics. The, “EvaluTech,” section contains an Evaluation Review Criteria page that features links to lesson plans and other useful resources. Lesson plans on all topics can be found here including: math, language arts, social studies, science and more. Not only are lesson plan links found here, but so are enrichment activity ideas and digital libraries! EvaluTech has reviewed and evaluated these sources ensuring that the information is of high quality. The EvaluTech tab also contains a section dealing with technology for students with disabilities. This section provides teachers with information about the latest technology that can make technology available even for students with disabilities. EvaluTech also evaluates the latest ‘E-learning software’ by certain companies. This information takes the guesswork out of picking software for your classroom. If a specific software program is recommended by EvaluTech, teachers can feel confident that it is a good program to use. This section also provides examples of programs that are appropriate to use at certain grade levels and in certain subject areas. In the, “Challenge to Lead,” section of the site, teachers can look to see how their state is doing with regard to educational progress. This is a good idea in order to keep state educational progress streamlined. All in all, I think SREB is a great resource for teachers who want to make a difference.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Blog # 5
Hello Class,
I found Bloom’s Taxonomy to be very interesting and very useful. Being a student myself, I see how often teachers use the basic level of ‘Knowledge’ to teach their students. I can see why this is done…it is quite a bit easier to ask yes or no questions or multiple choice questions. These types of questions are also a lot easier to grade…mindless almost. It is easier to evaluate right and wrong and thus easier to dole out grades. However, I think education is making huge progress. I see more and more teachers applying Bloom’s Taxonomy by asking more in depth questions (essay questions for example) which force students to demonstrate their understanding. This is what education should be about. I know when my mom was in school, school was more about memorizing fact after fact. Memorize the 50 states, memorize your times tables, memorize your vocabulary words, etc. A lot has changed since then. It is very useful to have the chart demonstrating Bloom’s Taxonomy as well. For us visual learners, the concept of Bloom’s Taxonomy might be lost without the chart. The chart includes sample words that indicate which level of understanding is required. The types of questions that ask the student to “argue” or “assess” the given information are the ones we most dread (at least I do). These are the questions that usually demand the most effort. However, when a teacher says the test will be multiple choice or definitions, or true/false, students are usually very relieved because only the most basic effort will be required of them. So, it makes sense that the natural tendency is to ask the types of questions that require the least effort on the part of the teacher as well as the student. Thankfully, Bloom created his theory on Taxonomy….hopefully all teachers will start to teach more on the ‘Evaluation’ level and less on the ‘Knowledge’ level!
Regarding the multi-media we learned this week, I think PowerPoint is an extremely useful tool in the classroom. From a teacher’s point of view, PowerPoint is an easy way to condense a lot of information into a visual presentation that may keep students more engaged. PowerPoint divides information into separate slides which make it easier for the teacher to stay on track and stay organized. Also, once a teacher creates a PowerPoint presentation for a lecture, it is very easy to go back in and edit a few pictures and information to create a whole new presentation. From the point of view of a student, PowerPoint is very helpful when there is a lot of information. As it does for teachers, PowerPoint divides information up into easy to see slides and allows the student to take organized notes. The visual aids available in PowerPoint help the student to stay interested in the information being presented as well. I would use PowerPoint to organize myself and my students and to facilitate a better understanding of the subject matter. I think PowerPoint is a very easy program to use once you try it and its benefits are abundant! PowerPoint is a visual, organized and efficient means to present all different types of information….I would definitely use this program in the classroom!
I found Bloom’s Taxonomy to be very interesting and very useful. Being a student myself, I see how often teachers use the basic level of ‘Knowledge’ to teach their students. I can see why this is done…it is quite a bit easier to ask yes or no questions or multiple choice questions. These types of questions are also a lot easier to grade…mindless almost. It is easier to evaluate right and wrong and thus easier to dole out grades. However, I think education is making huge progress. I see more and more teachers applying Bloom’s Taxonomy by asking more in depth questions (essay questions for example) which force students to demonstrate their understanding. This is what education should be about. I know when my mom was in school, school was more about memorizing fact after fact. Memorize the 50 states, memorize your times tables, memorize your vocabulary words, etc. A lot has changed since then. It is very useful to have the chart demonstrating Bloom’s Taxonomy as well. For us visual learners, the concept of Bloom’s Taxonomy might be lost without the chart. The chart includes sample words that indicate which level of understanding is required. The types of questions that ask the student to “argue” or “assess” the given information are the ones we most dread (at least I do). These are the questions that usually demand the most effort. However, when a teacher says the test will be multiple choice or definitions, or true/false, students are usually very relieved because only the most basic effort will be required of them. So, it makes sense that the natural tendency is to ask the types of questions that require the least effort on the part of the teacher as well as the student. Thankfully, Bloom created his theory on Taxonomy….hopefully all teachers will start to teach more on the ‘Evaluation’ level and less on the ‘Knowledge’ level!
Regarding the multi-media we learned this week, I think PowerPoint is an extremely useful tool in the classroom. From a teacher’s point of view, PowerPoint is an easy way to condense a lot of information into a visual presentation that may keep students more engaged. PowerPoint divides information into separate slides which make it easier for the teacher to stay on track and stay organized. Also, once a teacher creates a PowerPoint presentation for a lecture, it is very easy to go back in and edit a few pictures and information to create a whole new presentation. From the point of view of a student, PowerPoint is very helpful when there is a lot of information. As it does for teachers, PowerPoint divides information up into easy to see slides and allows the student to take organized notes. The visual aids available in PowerPoint help the student to stay interested in the information being presented as well. I would use PowerPoint to organize myself and my students and to facilitate a better understanding of the subject matter. I think PowerPoint is a very easy program to use once you try it and its benefits are abundant! PowerPoint is a visual, organized and efficient means to present all different types of information….I would definitely use this program in the classroom!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Blog # 4
Hi Class!
I particularly enjoyed Ariel Owen’s article, “Mapping Student Minds.” I wish this type of technology was available when I was in 6th grade! In this particular article, 6th grade students were introduced to the health of one particular creek and given the opportunity to evaluate what factors affect the creek’s health. I think the idea of gathering data from a real or virtual field trip and then entering it into an online data base is great. Once the date is entered, students have a visual tool to see the causal relationships between factors and creek health. This concept of causal mapping is designed to show, “…the causal relationships among kinds of objects and events in the world,” (p.9). Being a visual learner myself, I can see how this tool would really increase a student’s understanding of a scientific concept….especially if the map is kept simple. According to the article, once a student makes his or her causal map, he or she is encouraged to present it to others. In doing this presentation, students are able to see what they created and then correct their mistakes if there are any. One challenge for the students is keeping the map simple and only including relevant factors. It is easy to overload on information when learning a new concept. These types of maps can be used in various situations. As long as there is, “measurable data and dynamic cause-and-effect relationships in that data, this is a terrific tool for focusing and expressing student’s thinking,” (p.10). I think causal maps are a great way to get students involved in the world around them.
I particularly enjoyed Ariel Owen’s article, “Mapping Student Minds.” I wish this type of technology was available when I was in 6th grade! In this particular article, 6th grade students were introduced to the health of one particular creek and given the opportunity to evaluate what factors affect the creek’s health. I think the idea of gathering data from a real or virtual field trip and then entering it into an online data base is great. Once the date is entered, students have a visual tool to see the causal relationships between factors and creek health. This concept of causal mapping is designed to show, “…the causal relationships among kinds of objects and events in the world,” (p.9). Being a visual learner myself, I can see how this tool would really increase a student’s understanding of a scientific concept….especially if the map is kept simple. According to the article, once a student makes his or her causal map, he or she is encouraged to present it to others. In doing this presentation, students are able to see what they created and then correct their mistakes if there are any. One challenge for the students is keeping the map simple and only including relevant factors. It is easy to overload on information when learning a new concept. These types of maps can be used in various situations. As long as there is, “measurable data and dynamic cause-and-effect relationships in that data, this is a terrific tool for focusing and expressing student’s thinking,” (p.10). I think causal maps are a great way to get students involved in the world around them.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Blog # 3
Hi Class!
The article, "Oh the Changes We’ve Seen," is very interesting to me considering I was in elementary school in the 80’s (like many of you I’m sure). I can relate to many of the programs. One of my favorite programs the article mentions is Oregon Trail (p. 5). I used to love that game! I had no idea all the concepts it was teaching. “Teachers put students in teams that had to reach a consensus, providing opportunities for purposeful interaction,” when they used programs such as Oregon Trail (p. 5). The article also mentions the numerous roles technology allows students to play. The roles include Learner of Facts, Programmer, Problem Solver, Editor, Designer, Collaborator, Adventurer and Sense Maker (p. 2). As a previous student of the 80’s, I can relate to many of these roles. I remember being taught how to perform basic functions as a Programmer, learning how to type in commands and then watching them work. I can also remember being an Editor and Designer. I loved using different types of fonts and working with paint shop to make my homework 'pretty.' Although, I did not learn how to use PowerPoint until much later….I find it fascinating that younger students are using this program in school!
Because we did not have class last week, I cannot say much about the tools I have learned and practiced. I completed the 4 Nets for Better Searching project early and previously discussed what I learned from it in Blog #2. I have not yet started the Newsletter project which is one project I feel I will learn a great deal from.
The article, "Oh the Changes We’ve Seen," is very interesting to me considering I was in elementary school in the 80’s (like many of you I’m sure). I can relate to many of the programs. One of my favorite programs the article mentions is Oregon Trail (p. 5). I used to love that game! I had no idea all the concepts it was teaching. “Teachers put students in teams that had to reach a consensus, providing opportunities for purposeful interaction,” when they used programs such as Oregon Trail (p. 5). The article also mentions the numerous roles technology allows students to play. The roles include Learner of Facts, Programmer, Problem Solver, Editor, Designer, Collaborator, Adventurer and Sense Maker (p. 2). As a previous student of the 80’s, I can relate to many of these roles. I remember being taught how to perform basic functions as a Programmer, learning how to type in commands and then watching them work. I can also remember being an Editor and Designer. I loved using different types of fonts and working with paint shop to make my homework 'pretty.' Although, I did not learn how to use PowerPoint until much later….I find it fascinating that younger students are using this program in school!
Because we did not have class last week, I cannot say much about the tools I have learned and practiced. I completed the 4 Nets for Better Searching project early and previously discussed what I learned from it in Blog #2. I have not yet started the Newsletter project which is one project I feel I will learn a great deal from.
Monday, February 5, 2007
BLOG # 2
Hello Classmates,
I think one of the most useful tools I learned about this week is all the Yahoo resources. I have Yahoo as my personal homepage and I still was not aware of all the useful and FREE services that were offered. I already used the maps and movies features over the weekend. I played around with a few more of them and they are all very easy to access and to use. This will be a very helpful resource now that I know it exists. J I am also particularly interested in the Yahoo groups. I had no idea there was so much information available to share and be shared for free! This is a great resource for teachers and for anyone else who is looking for information within a certain context.
I think the article, “Teaching Understanding,” is a very good article for teachers and parents to read. One topic the article touches on is the use of technology to find the misconceptions soem students have. Once these misconceptions are identified, a better understanding is possible. According to the article, WebLearn is one of the programs available that helps identify these misconceptions. I think the concept of first identifying misconceptions and then teaching accordingly is very important for a greater understanding. Another way modern technology aids in a better understanding is through visual learning programs. The example the article gives of teaching the concept of retrograde motion with a program that allows the student to manipulate a model of the solar system is exceptional. I am a very visual learner myself and these types of concepts (such as retrograde motion) are harder for me to grasp. I think that if a program like this would have been available to me as a student, I may have had an easier time understanding these types of concepts. I had no idea how abundant the software for interactive learning has become!
Hello Classmates,
I think one of the most useful tools I learned about this week is all the Yahoo resources. I have Yahoo as my personal homepage and I still was not aware of all the useful and FREE services that were offered. I already used the maps and movies features over the weekend. I played around with a few more of them and they are all very easy to access and to use. This will be a very helpful resource now that I know it exists. J I am also particularly interested in the Yahoo groups. I had no idea there was so much information available to share and be shared for free! This is a great resource for teachers and for anyone else who is looking for information within a certain context.
I think the article, “Teaching Understanding,” is a very good article for teachers and parents to read. One topic the article touches on is the use of technology to find the misconceptions soem students have. Once these misconceptions are identified, a better understanding is possible. According to the article, WebLearn is one of the programs available that helps identify these misconceptions. I think the concept of first identifying misconceptions and then teaching accordingly is very important for a greater understanding. Another way modern technology aids in a better understanding is through visual learning programs. The example the article gives of teaching the concept of retrograde motion with a program that allows the student to manipulate a model of the solar system is exceptional. I am a very visual learner myself and these types of concepts (such as retrograde motion) are harder for me to grasp. I think that if a program like this would have been available to me as a student, I may have had an easier time understanding these types of concepts. I had no idea how abundant the software for interactive learning has become!
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