Tuesday, April 29, 2008
My EDM 310 Blog Assignments are Now Complete
Hey guys! This semester has gone by pretty fast. I wish all of you luck on your finals and passing this class! Have a GREAT summer!
What Have I Learned?
I did not realize that our world is becoming this big ball of technology. I did not realize how far behind I was because of these technological advances. I have learned many ways in which technology could be used for educational purposes in the classroom at any age.
Things I have learned:
How to create a website
What is a blog and how to use it
Educational usage for iPods
Creating a trifold brochure
What RSS feeds are
HTML
Tags
I did enjoy the few videos I did watch. They were very helpful. Instead of just having to read the directions, I had a visual/audio to go by. It made my review easier. This could have been helpful to me too had I missed a day of class.
Things I have learned:
How to create a website
What is a blog and how to use it
Educational usage for iPods
Creating a trifold brochure
What RSS feeds are
HTML
Tags
I did enjoy the few videos I did watch. They were very helpful. Instead of just having to read the directions, I had a visual/audio to go by. It made my review easier. This could have been helpful to me too had I missed a day of class.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Wikipedia
Wikipedia is not a resource that I would let my students use. This site allows its users to edit the information on the site. The Wikipedia Scanner is used to keep tabs on who goes onto Wikipedia and changes or adds information. This is good, but this doesn't make the website anymore trustworthy or reliable. The scanner just shows that a particular page has been edited, but it still doesn't make the information posted accurate. If it was more reliable, this site would be great, because the information is always frequently updated. I would ask tell my students to use other websites that are more reliable. There are professors that will not accept Wikipedia as an Internet resource.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
iTunes University (Growth vs. Fixed Minds)
The video explains the importance of knowing the difference between growth and fixed mindsets. It goes on to tell us that there are basically two types of students, those with fixed mindsets and those with growth mindsets. Students with fixed mindsets believe that they each have a certain amount of intelligence, and they will often pick activities that they can show off in. This is the group that goes around wanting to be smart. Other students with growth mindsets believe that intelligence is developed and can increase. This group wants to learn and is eager to learn.
An eight session study was done to explain growth mindsets. The students were broken up into two different groups. Group one was given study skills only. Group two was given growth mindsets and study skills. Researchers saw that group one had a steady decline in their grades, because there was no motivation to put into practice. Group two had a "rebound" in their grades, because they knew that they could increase intellectual skills.
The study showed that their is a connection between growth mindset and optimal performance level. The video also said that students with growth mindsets can admit mistakes and overcome them. We could not keep up with the changing world if we could not grow and learn. It also said that a person cannot be a good manager without having a growth mindset.
As teachers, we have to realize that some of our students are going to have a fixed mindset. It is going to be up to us to open their minds and give them everything they need to develop a growth mindset. Motivation is mentioned in the video also. We can't just give students the study skills only. We have to motivate them to want to learn, to grow, and to do better. Just like the video says, growth mindsets are needed to keep up with the changing world.
An eight session study was done to explain growth mindsets. The students were broken up into two different groups. Group one was given study skills only. Group two was given growth mindsets and study skills. Researchers saw that group one had a steady decline in their grades, because there was no motivation to put into practice. Group two had a "rebound" in their grades, because they knew that they could increase intellectual skills.
The study showed that their is a connection between growth mindset and optimal performance level. The video also said that students with growth mindsets can admit mistakes and overcome them. We could not keep up with the changing world if we could not grow and learn. It also said that a person cannot be a good manager without having a growth mindset.
As teachers, we have to realize that some of our students are going to have a fixed mindset. It is going to be up to us to open their minds and give them everything they need to develop a growth mindset. Motivation is mentioned in the video also. We can't just give students the study skills only. We have to motivate them to want to learn, to grow, and to do better. Just like the video says, growth mindsets are needed to keep up with the changing world.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
iTunes University (WGBH Teacher's Domain)
There were videos after videos available for teachers to use. These videos would be great tools for teachers to consider using in the classroom. Teachers could use them as a backup resource when teaching a particular subject or as a video for the class to view to help them better understand what the teacher is talking about. The videos give teachers other options in teaching a lesson instead of just using the regular text book. The videos are short and informational which means it would not take up too much time to view and discuss.
I watched "What Is A Planet" under the Grades K-5 category of the Teacher's Domain videos. In the video, astronomers believe that there may be more planets out there. We may have between 12 or 13 planets out there. A possible planet was discovered in 2005. There were at least 13 planets back in the 1800s. The count of planets was higher then than it is today. An official definition of a planet was not created until August of 2006. Things with tails are called comets. A planet is a body that orbits a star, has enough mass to create its own gravity, has a round shape, and has cleared it's neighborhood. Pluto is not considered a planet because it has not cleared it's neighborhood. Pluto has not cleared the area around its orbit, because it crosses paths with Neptune.
This video would be great to use in a science class when talking about the solar system. It tells about asteroids, comets, and our planets. Not only is it an educational video but it provides different pictures or scenes for students to follow along to. This is good for students who are verbal and/or visual learners. The only problem I had was when the video would pause or skip around. It may be because of the buffering system. I would worry that it would shorten students' attention span.
I watched "What Is A Planet" under the Grades K-5 category of the Teacher's Domain videos. In the video, astronomers believe that there may be more planets out there. We may have between 12 or 13 planets out there. A possible planet was discovered in 2005. There were at least 13 planets back in the 1800s. The count of planets was higher then than it is today. An official definition of a planet was not created until August of 2006. Things with tails are called comets. A planet is a body that orbits a star, has enough mass to create its own gravity, has a round shape, and has cleared it's neighborhood. Pluto is not considered a planet because it has not cleared it's neighborhood. Pluto has not cleared the area around its orbit, because it crosses paths with Neptune.
This video would be great to use in a science class when talking about the solar system. It tells about asteroids, comets, and our planets. Not only is it an educational video but it provides different pictures or scenes for students to follow along to. This is good for students who are verbal and/or visual learners. The only problem I had was when the video would pause or skip around. It may be because of the buffering system. I would worry that it would shorten students' attention span.
Monday, March 24, 2008
iTunes University
According to Apple (http://www.apple.com/education/itunesu_mobilelearning/itunesu.html), iTunes U is a new mobile way of learning. It "delivers easy, 24/7 access to educational content from hundreds of top colleges, universities, and educationally focused organizations across the country. And it’s accessible to anyone with a Mac or PC." It takes learning on the go to a whole new level.
Apple partnered up with Stanford University to test the success of the program. iTunes U audio/video lectures, podcasts, and vidcasts available to students. Having these options available could help students in and out of the classroom. If a student is absent and misses a lecture, an audio/video lecture could get them back up to speed. Students who learn at a slower pace or has to review things over and over before they get the point would benefit from the iTunes U program.
Apple partnered up with Stanford University to test the success of the program. iTunes U audio/video lectures, podcasts, and vidcasts available to students. Having these options available could help students in and out of the classroom. If a student is absent and misses a lecture, an audio/video lecture could get them back up to speed. Students who learn at a slower pace or has to review things over and over before they get the point would benefit from the iTunes U program.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Using iPods In Instruction
Another way of incorporating technology into instruction has introduced itself through the iPod. Students and faculty are learning how to develop and deliver course content through the use of an iPod. They are being used for a new thing called podcast in foreign language courses, radio productions, recording, and language studies. In an article by Judith V. Boettcher,(http://campustechnology.com/articles/48799/), she says "students review course requirements and see that they will be learning, creating, and presenting with their iPods, as well as reading text and listening to course content with them."
It has even been said that iPods are being used in more than the basic courses. In an article found on (http://www.dukenews.duke.edu/2005/12/ipodupdate.html), it says that "the use of digital technologies expanding beyond foreign languages and computer science to engineering, dance, medical physics, biomedical engineering and math". There was another student in this article who used an iPod as a visual glossary for a type of medical/biology class. However, there are things that can go wrong with the use of iPods. Some students have taken advantage of this new in class technology. Instructors have had to ban the iPod from the classrooms on testing days because of students using the iPod for cheating on tests.
I have some concern of the use of them myself such as: Will students be required to have an iPod? If so, are the schools going to supply them? If the schools are not going to supply the students with iPods, who is going to pay for them? What about students who can't afford an iPod? Is the use of an iPod in instruction really all that it is hyped up to be? I see where iPods can be used in instruction, but I am not completely sold on the idea of it yet. I do not know if it is necessary.
This is the link to another interesting article (http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/03/future-city-police-officers-on-the-beat-with-their-ipods/)
It has even been said that iPods are being used in more than the basic courses. In an article found on (http://www.dukenews.duke.edu/2005/12/ipodupdate.html), it says that "the use of digital technologies expanding beyond foreign languages and computer science to engineering, dance, medical physics, biomedical engineering and math". There was another student in this article who used an iPod as a visual glossary for a type of medical/biology class. However, there are things that can go wrong with the use of iPods. Some students have taken advantage of this new in class technology. Instructors have had to ban the iPod from the classrooms on testing days because of students using the iPod for cheating on tests.
I have some concern of the use of them myself such as: Will students be required to have an iPod? If so, are the schools going to supply them? If the schools are not going to supply the students with iPods, who is going to pay for them? What about students who can't afford an iPod? Is the use of an iPod in instruction really all that it is hyped up to be? I see where iPods can be used in instruction, but I am not completely sold on the idea of it yet. I do not know if it is necessary.
This is the link to another interesting article (http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/03/future-city-police-officers-on-the-beat-with-their-ipods/)
Sunday, February 24, 2008
"A Formula For Success"
In the Best of February 2007 blog, Fisch brings up a good point. He talks about how teachers should consider how they assess kids' knowledge of what they know and how they approach teaching content. Fisch says that teachers should teach students for understanding and not just memorization, or because students need that information for the next chapter. Most teachers teach their students that there is only one right answer. Fisch says that the answer depends on the way the question is asked whether there is only one right answer or not.
Fisch uses Math as an example in his discussion, and I'm glad that he did. My Mathematics for Elementary Teachers instructor teaches us just that. There isn't always one right way to do things. We had examples of children's' work that we examined. Students were given the same math problem to work and were taught how to work it the same way. Some of the students worked the problem a different way and came up with the same answer as everybody else. A normal teacher would just mark the problem wrong. Our teacher asked the students to explain how they arrived at their answer. Come to find out, they taught her a new way to work the problem and get the right answer every time. The student actually had an understanding of what was taught in class. So, yes I do agree with Fisch. There are other ways to do things and more than one right answer in a lot of cases.
Fisch uses Math as an example in his discussion, and I'm glad that he did. My Mathematics for Elementary Teachers instructor teaches us just that. There isn't always one right way to do things. We had examples of children's' work that we examined. Students were given the same math problem to work and were taught how to work it the same way. Some of the students worked the problem a different way and came up with the same answer as everybody else. A normal teacher would just mark the problem wrong. Our teacher asked the students to explain how they arrived at their answer. Come to find out, they taught her a new way to work the problem and get the right answer every time. The student actually had an understanding of what was taught in class. So, yes I do agree with Fisch. There are other ways to do things and more than one right answer in a lot of cases.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Is It Okay To Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?
Technology is becoming a major part of our world. We could saw that from the myspace video on technology. I believe that teachers should have some knowledge of technology. Technology shouldn't take over the whole classroom. It should be incorporated into the teaching and learning style of the class.
I wouldn't let technology take the place of the overall curriculum, such as research. The internet, especially google, is a great source for finding information. I just believe that we shouldn't replace good oldfashion book research with technology. For instance, if a student recieves a project requiring research, they should be required to use the internet along with other sources to find their information.
I wouldn't let technology take the place of the overall curriculum, such as research. The internet, especially google, is a great source for finding information. I just believe that we shouldn't replace good oldfashion book research with technology. For instance, if a student recieves a project requiring research, they should be required to use the internet along with other sources to find their information.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
International School and Teacher Blog
According to the site (http://internationalteachertalk.com/blog/), this blog is in develpment for "international teachers to get information, exchange information, ask questions, talk about their jobs and their schools and their countries, and in general be able to say what’s on their minds." It is interesting, because international teachers are able to share their experiences and ask questions about getting into the internationl teaching profession.
This site is for Economics students at Shanghai American School. According to the site, "the purpose of the blog is to motivate my students to become excited about economics by connecting them to economics related news, stories, videos, cartoon, and other blog entries."
Thursday, January 31, 2008
School and Teacher Blogs
I found this teacher's blog (http://nperal.tblog.com/) through Blogheads. This is a blog between a teacher and her students. She made herself a superhero character named SuperThinker. She starts each blog with, "Hello boys and girls! It is I, SuperThinker..." She has links and archives that are there for use also. She uses it to remind students of assignments, extra readings, and just to find out how her students are doing. She also gives examples of items on the assignment that she gave the students in class.
Another blog that I liked was the Hamilton-Maineville Elementary school blog (http://littlemiamischools.com/hm/). This was a well organized site for a school with useful information. The homepage featured recent posts which included congratulations and importanat events for the month posts. The listing of links were sites for, contact information, school hours, little miami schools, superintendent, maineville teachers and staff, teacher websites, important events, maineville photos, parent progress book log-in, cafe prepay, maineville PTO, and membership join now and log-in links.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
ACCESS
The ACCESS (Alabama Connecting Classroom, Educators and Students Statewide)program is another website made available for the benefit of teachers, students, and administrators. ACCESS can also be accessed through, ALEX, another great website we viewed previously. This program is specifically being used to improve the Alabama school system.
ACCESS's main purpose is to provide a high quality education for students and teachers. It offers a technological advance on education by providing advanced courses not provided by schools. It also offers the teachers, students, and administrators videoconferencing opportunities and web based instruction. This program opens up a chance to expand student learning by allowing the students to interact with students from other schools. The best part of this program is that it is funded by the federal government. ACCESS brings in the outside resources needed by most schools in Alabama.
ACCESS's main purpose is to provide a high quality education for students and teachers. It offers a technological advance on education by providing advanced courses not provided by schools. It also offers the teachers, students, and administrators videoconferencing opportunities and web based instruction. This program opens up a chance to expand student learning by allowing the students to interact with students from other schools. The best part of this program is that it is funded by the federal government. ACCESS brings in the outside resources needed by most schools in Alabama.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
ALEX in the Classroom
The ALEX website can be a really good resource for teachers. The course of study is broken down by subject. Each subject there is a listing of grades and specific subject matter. Under the subject there are web links, lesson plans, and a brief description of what the student should learn.
Teachers have access to lesson plans, news letters, educational message boards, research, and leadership information. ALEX is also used as a search engine, reference, and guide for students. There are links provided specificly for students to help them with their research. Overall, this site is beneficial for the teacher and for the student.
Teachers have access to lesson plans, news letters, educational message boards, research, and leadership information. ALEX is also used as a search engine, reference, and guide for students. There are links provided specificly for students to help them with their research. Overall, this site is beneficial for the teacher and for the student.
ALEX
The Alabama learning exchange is a great website. I haven't heard of this site until now. It offers resources for the needs of teachers, administrators, parents, and students. It offers links, activities, and the opinions of other teachers.
The website is broken into eight sections. There is a section for a courses of study, web links, lesson plans, search, personal workspace, professional learning, distance learning, and help. Under each section, there are specific links that are more detailed to cater to each person's interest. The web links section has a teacher web link that is designed to help teachers for each course or subject of study. This ranges from lesson plans to helpful links.
The website is broken into eight sections. There is a section for a courses of study, web links, lesson plans, search, personal workspace, professional learning, distance learning, and help. Under each section, there are specific links that are more detailed to cater to each person's interest. The web links section has a teacher web link that is designed to help teachers for each course or subject of study. This ranges from lesson plans to helpful links.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
thefischbowl.blogspot movie
The "Did you know?" movie turned out to be very interesting to me. The stats that were given during the movie were almost unbelievable. I didn't realize that the world was so dependent on the web. It seems like that's what everything is centered around now. I agree with the movie about getting our children prepared for this big change or update in computer technology.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
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