Owen, Ariel. (2002). Mapping Student Minds. Learning and Leading with Technology Journal 29 (7), 6-9, 26.
The Mapping Student’s Minds article by Ariel Owen described a teacher’s experience with her students in observing a local creek. The students were engaged with earth science and geology. Technology was used to help record and analyze the data from the observations. Casual mapping seemed like an effective tool for the students to use and to organize their findings. I thought the author brought up a good point of how important it is to let the students figure problems out and work things out on their own because the information becomes more meaningful to them. Technology can aid this kind of independent learning. By the teacher listening to their thought processes and understanding the way they think will help the teacher become more effective and successful in communicating with them. How does the casual map work? It allows students to understand the relationships between two different concepts and organize the order of actions. How does this benefit the student? Many jobs in the future will be more computer based and enables the student to work more productively and efficiently.
Curriculum Design and Technology Integrating- Robin Beaver and Jean Moore This article advocated for using technology in the classroom and how helpful it can be in supporting the teacher’s lessons and concepts that are being taught. Whether the teacher likes it or not, it is necessary to incorporate technology into the classroom because we are becoming a more technologically based society. Technology is becoming more and more apart of students lives and the schools need to keep up with all the advances. I think teachers may be unaware of how helpful technology can be in the classroom and assisting student’s learning. Some teachers may also fear technology or don’t want to bother learning or applying it in the classroom. Technology can help with keeping a variety of different teaching methods and there are even different ways within technology to use it. I really liked the example the first grade teacher gave of using the programs Kidspiration and Kid Pix to support the learning with visuals. I think using visuals and having the kids create them themselves is such a helpful tool for learning. The article talked about ways to incorporate all of Gardner’s multiple intelligences and how important it is to touch on all of them because each individual is intelligent in their own way. What are the different ways technology can be integrated in the classroom? Technology can be integrated through video, pictures, blogs, wikis, and interactive educational games. Why is it some important that teachers be up to date on new technological advances? Technology is improving and changing all the time and the teachers need to aid their students in preparing them to deal with all the new technologies in the future.
Project Tomorrow- Creating Our Future: Students Speak Up about their Vision for 21st Century Learning The article argues that the internet and technology should be used as a tool to engage students more and make them more excited about learning rather than being viewed as disengaging. The community should see using technology in the classroom as a positive, useful tool rather than a negative distraction. Using the internet allows learning outside the classroom walls and can support learning and content in the classroom. I feel like I need to research more and learn more about it to see if I can find more positives than negatives for these sorts of issues. I do agree with interactive computer games because I think they do make the student excited about learning. I support integrating technology into the classroom, but it has to be done carefully and in the right way with educational games, blogs, and social networking. I think the Speak Up project is a great idea and way to get the students’ voices heard and have their opinion integrated in their own education. It’s also interesting to hear the parent’s point of view and how they think technology should be integrated into their child’s education. The results show that kids and parents alike would like to be able to use more technology in the classroom to support their learning. How has technology helped support your learning as a student? I used to play computer games all the time that I thought were very helpful and that dealt with math, money management, geography, and problem solving skills. Having a computer class in schools is very important and learning how to type. I am now able to type very fast due to having computers and doing typing exercises when I was younger. What are some cautions the teacher needs to be aware of in integrating technology into the classroom? In my own experience, students would use technology any way they could to cheat and I feel like cell phones, I pods, and even graphing calculators make it easier for them to do so. If you are allowed to have your cell phone in class it makes it very difficult for the student not to text their friends. In every single one of my college classes, students who had laptops went on facebook or unrelated sites on the internet. It was not only distracting for the student who was using it, but also for the other students around him or her. This issue does not get better as the student gets older or when they should be more responsible.
ISTE Article 3- Learning Connections Oliver, Kevin. (2007). Student Collaboration with Trees and Trails, Learning and Leading with Technology Journal 35 (2), 33 Hall, Leslie, Campbell, Anne. (2007) Online Resources and Instructional Strategies For K–8 ELL, Learning and Leading with Technology Journal 35 (2), 34-25.
I looked at the social studies section and English language learner section of this learning connections article. The social studies section featured a web tool called Geni which helps students create a virtual family tree. For each person in their family, the student can post a picture, biography, or other facts about the person. The student has an organized visual of their family history. The section also suggests the teacher assigning a famous person to each student for them create another family tree and understand the history of that person. The English language learner section first discussed the challenges ELL teachers deal with in working with these students. The section emphasized bridging the digital gap between ELL students and the average student because many ELL students do not have computers at home and therefore are a farther behind on technological skills. They also stress the importance of context embedded communication. Using technology can give language learners the extra support, context, and meaning they need to learn English more quickly and efficiently. Using visuals as much as possible is the most effective tool.
How can Geni benefit the student? This activity allows the student to be more closely connected with relatives. The students are also encouraged to look at other students’ families in the classroom online as well and reflect on them. Students can learn about immigration and where other families have come from as well which makes history more personal for the student.
What are some examples of using technology to support English language learners? The section suggests using charts or graphs on the computer, Pics4Learning, The Internet Picture Dictionary, concept mapping, graphic organizers, and using digital cameras the students can experiment with. The main goal is to use anything that’s visual that the students can interact with.
ISTE article 4- “Learning Connections” Felker, Ken. (2007). Dynamic Human Anatomy, Learning and Leading with Technology Journal 34 (6), 35 Land, Kathryne. (2007). Vamos a los Oscars!, Learning and Leading with Technology Journal 34 (6), 37.
“Dynamis Human Anatomy,” the health section of this article, supports the interactive learning Dynamic Human Anatomy software created by Primal Pictures. This program allows students to virtually explore the human body and all its parts through graphic images. The program also includes animations, MRIs, quizzes, and full 3-D view of body parts to engage the student. The images can also be used in word or PowerPoint. The author created “Vamos a los Oscars!”, an online program, to help encourage third year Spanish students. The program focuses on critical writing and speaking skills. The students produce films in Spanish allowing them the creatively use the language and attach meaning to it as well. The students are able to use the different tenses and moods of the language and use formal as well as informal. The students could be critics of “the worst film of the year” and they used WebQuest to support the project. This program integrates all parts of the language in a creative way where the students are forced to think in that language.
How can the Dynamic Human Anatomy software support a lesson in the classroom? This program can help the students visualize and get a clear, close up picture of human body parts. Instead of the teacher just telling the student, the student can engage with the program independently and read the names and definitions at their own pace. This also allows the student to explore their curiosity and choose to research and look at what they are personally interested in.
Why is “Vamos a los Oscars!” a more effective and efficient way for students to learn a foreign language? This idea covers all the ways to create a robust learning environment. The students collaborate with each other and collaborate with technology to create something original. The students use the language as a tool which gives them practice and attaches meaning to what they are learning. They are able to apply the language in practical ways and cognitively think in that language while writing scripts.
ISTE article 5 Burns, Mary. (2003). Beyond Show and Tell: Using Spreadsheets to Solve Problems, Learning and Leading with Technology Journal 31 (2), 22-27.
I have to admit, technology does tend to intimidate me as well and I am reluctant to expand my knowledge and use of it because it seems too complicated and takes time to learn or I just stick to the basic way because I already know how to do it. The article advocates for students to use spreadsheets because it encourages critical thinking and higher problem solving. It also compares spreadsheets and PowerPoint and the author argues spreadsheets allow the students to actually create the material rather than just present it. Spreadsheets let the student manipulate and work with the data rather than solely organize it and it encourages logical reasoning. The author debunks the myth that spreadsheets can only be used for math. I didn’t know how to use an excel spreadsheet and didn’t want to take the time but now we have learned how to use them in class and I feel a lot more comfortable with them. Through my own recent experience and reading this article, I have realized how important and useful spreadsheets can be. The example the author used on teachers dealing with the government and voting showed to be affective and resulted in engaging discussions. This enables active learning rather than passive learning.
Why do some teachers sometimes “fear” technology in the classroom and sometimes reluctant to use it? I think teachers sometimes feel the same way that I did in that it is complicated, takes time to learn, and are afraid they might not understand. When teachers see how beneficial technology can be in the classroom and how much it can support lessons, they will realize it is worth putting in the extra time and effort. Why is PowerPoint not as effective as spreadsheets? Teachers often think that by just having a PowerPoint presentation for their lesson, they are integrating technology into the classroom. The PowerPoint doesn’t allow the students to engage in the material like a spreadsheet does and the teacher isn’t really that engaged either when they’re just reading off the slides.
ISTE article 7 Cesari, Lindsay & Donahue, Patrick. (2010). These Infomercials Teach Science, Learning and Leading with Technology Journal 37 (8).
This article advocated for students creating commercials based on what they were learning in class. In this specific case, the student did periodic table of elements. My class and I made commercials in sixth grade, but it was on anything we wanted. I think the goal of our lesson was more advertising and presentation skills rather than actually learning material. I was trying to sell Goldfish crackers, but it helped with my planning and organizational skills, speaking skills and writing the script. We learned how to use a video camera, cut film, and re-record until we got the shots we wanted. In the class in the article, each student researched an element and then used Photo Story software to present the videos. The students worked on their research, discussed copyrighting and fair use, how to advertise, and how to use a storyboard as well as digital storyboards. The article really emphasized the importance of copyright which is a vital concept for students to learn in any educational use such as writing papers. The students were able to learn all the different elements that go into creating a film such as the visual, audio, and planning a storyboard. Do you think student created commercials would be a good assignment? I think creating films is a good way to get students excited about school and group projects. Students have fun working together and producing something they’re proud of to the whole class while learning the material at the same time. Students acquire other skills listed above and the project teaches the most important lesson of fair use and copyright. Do you think there is a certain age level that this is appropriate for? I think you can incorporate technology into the classroom at any grade level, especially now with students being more proficient in technology at a younger age. I think sixth grade was a good age to do the project at when I made my commercial, but the teacher could probably also assign it at the fourth or fifth grade level now.
ISTE article 8 Barrett, Helen. (1998). Strategic Questions: What to Consider When Planning for Electronic Portfolios, Learning and Leading with Technology Journal 26 (2), 6-13.
This article is a basic guide to creating electronic portfolios for students. The portfolios include teacher observations of students and also stored student artifacts. The article discusses the two different current software programs which are Sunburst’s Learner Profile and Auerbach’s Grady Profile. The portfolios are used for evaluation and assessments, but also show progress, improvement, or achievement over a period of time, and displays growth and development. The portfolio includes learner goals, guidelines, work samples, teacher feedback, student self-reflections, rubrics based on standards, examples of good work. This allows the teacher to be more prepared for each student individually and connect with them better through learning their individual learning style. The article encourages the mixed model which also lists the different things to assess. The guide explains how to store and publish the electronic portfolio and what types of multimedia can be included in the portfolio. The article highlights the students using HyperStudio, Kid Pix, and Macromedia Director, as well as creating Web pages.
Why should I use an electronic portfolio? It is an easy an efficient way to keep track of students’ progress. It can be updated and changed at any time and is stored in an easily accessible manner. Regular paper portfolios cannot show student achievement through technology where this can actually display the work. How does this help the student? The student can get more practice with technology and interacting with their own material as well as multimedia. They can see their progress over time and access assignments easily that they need to show or present.
Owen, Ariel. (2002). Mapping Student Minds. Learning and Leading with Technology Journal 29 (7), 6-9, 26.
ReplyDeleteThe Mapping Student’s Minds article by Ariel Owen described a teacher’s experience with her students in observing a local creek. The students were engaged with earth science and geology. Technology was used to help record and analyze the data from the observations. Casual mapping seemed like an effective tool for the students to use and to organize their findings. I thought the author brought up a good point of how important it is to let the students figure problems out and work things out on their own because the information becomes more meaningful to them. Technology can aid this kind of independent learning. By the teacher listening to their thought processes and understanding the way they think will help the teacher become more effective and successful in communicating with them.
How does the casual map work?
It allows students to understand the relationships between two different concepts and organize the order of actions.
How does this benefit the student?
Many jobs in the future will be more computer based and enables the student to work more productively and efficiently.
Curriculum Design and Technology Integrating- Robin Beaver and Jean Moore
ReplyDeleteThis article advocated for using technology in the classroom and how helpful it can be in supporting the teacher’s lessons and concepts that are being taught. Whether the teacher likes it or not, it is necessary to incorporate technology into the classroom because we are becoming a more technologically based society. Technology is becoming more and more apart of students lives and the schools need to keep up with all the advances. I think teachers may be unaware of how helpful technology can be in the classroom and assisting student’s learning. Some teachers may also fear technology or don’t want to bother learning or applying it in the classroom. Technology can help with keeping a variety of different teaching methods and there are even different ways within technology to use it. I really liked the example the first grade teacher gave of using the programs Kidspiration and Kid Pix to support the learning with visuals. I think using visuals and having the kids create them themselves is such a helpful tool for learning. The article talked about ways to incorporate all of Gardner’s multiple intelligences and how important it is to touch on all of them because each individual is intelligent in their own way.
What are the different ways technology can be integrated in the classroom?
Technology can be integrated through video, pictures, blogs, wikis, and interactive educational games.
Why is it some important that teachers be up to date on new technological advances?
Technology is improving and changing all the time and the teachers need to aid their students in preparing them to deal with all the new technologies in the future.
Project Tomorrow- Creating Our Future: Students Speak Up about their Vision for 21st Century Learning
ReplyDeleteThe article argues that the internet and technology should be used as a tool to engage students more and make them more excited about learning rather than being viewed as disengaging. The community should see using technology in the classroom as a positive, useful tool rather than a negative distraction. Using the internet allows learning outside the classroom walls and can support learning and content in the classroom. I feel like I need to research more and learn more about it to see if I can find more positives than negatives for these sorts of issues. I do agree with interactive computer games because I think they do make the student excited about learning. I support integrating technology into the classroom, but it has to be done carefully and in the right way with educational games, blogs, and social networking. I think the Speak Up project is a great idea and way to get the students’ voices heard and have their opinion integrated in their own education. It’s also interesting to hear the parent’s point of view and how they think technology should be integrated into their child’s education. The results show that kids and parents alike would like to be able to use more technology in the classroom to support their learning.
How has technology helped support your learning as a student?
I used to play computer games all the time that I thought were very helpful and that dealt with math, money management, geography, and problem solving skills. Having a computer class in schools is very important and learning how to type. I am now able to type very fast due to having computers and doing typing exercises when I was younger.
What are some cautions the teacher needs to be aware of in integrating technology into the classroom?
In my own experience, students would use technology any way they could to cheat and I feel like cell phones, I pods, and even graphing calculators make it easier for them to do so. If you are allowed to have your cell phone in class it makes it very difficult for the student not to text their friends. In every single one of my college classes, students who had laptops went on facebook or unrelated sites on the internet. It was not only distracting for the student who was using it, but also for the other students around him or her. This issue does not get better as the student gets older or when they should be more responsible.
ISTE Article 3- Learning Connections
ReplyDeleteOliver, Kevin. (2007). Student Collaboration with Trees and Trails, Learning and Leading with Technology Journal 35 (2), 33
Hall, Leslie, Campbell, Anne. (2007) Online Resources and Instructional Strategies For K–8 ELL, Learning and Leading with Technology Journal 35 (2), 34-25.
I looked at the social studies section and English language learner section of this learning connections article. The social studies section featured a web tool called Geni which helps students create a virtual family tree. For each person in their family, the student can post a picture, biography, or other facts about the person. The student has an organized visual of their family history. The section also suggests the teacher assigning a famous person to each student for them create another family tree and understand the history of that person. The English language learner section first discussed the challenges ELL teachers deal with in working with these students. The section emphasized bridging the digital gap between ELL students and the average student because many ELL students do not have computers at home and therefore are a farther behind on technological skills. They also stress the importance of context embedded communication. Using technology can give language learners the extra support, context, and meaning they need to learn English more quickly and efficiently. Using visuals as much as possible is the most effective tool.
How can Geni benefit the student?
This activity allows the student to be more closely connected with relatives. The students are also encouraged to look at other students’ families in the classroom online as well and reflect on them. Students can learn about immigration and where other families have come from as well which makes history more personal for the student.
What are some examples of using technology to support English language learners?
The section suggests using charts or graphs on the computer, Pics4Learning, The Internet Picture Dictionary, concept mapping, graphic organizers, and using digital cameras the students can experiment with. The main goal is to use anything that’s visual that the students can interact with.
ISTE article 4- “Learning Connections”
ReplyDeleteFelker, Ken. (2007). Dynamic Human Anatomy, Learning and Leading with Technology Journal 34 (6), 35
Land, Kathryne. (2007). Vamos a los Oscars!, Learning and Leading with Technology Journal 34 (6), 37.
“Dynamis Human Anatomy,” the health section of this article, supports the interactive learning Dynamic Human Anatomy software created by Primal Pictures. This program allows students to virtually explore the human body and all its parts through graphic images. The program also includes animations, MRIs, quizzes, and full 3-D view of body parts to engage the student. The images can also be used in word or PowerPoint.
The author created “Vamos a los Oscars!”, an online program, to help encourage third year Spanish students. The program focuses on critical writing and speaking skills. The students produce films in Spanish allowing them the creatively use the language and attach meaning to it as well. The students are able to use the different tenses and moods of the language and use formal as well as informal. The students could be critics of “the worst film of the year” and they used WebQuest to support the project. This program integrates all parts of the language in a creative way where the students are forced to think in that language.
How can the Dynamic Human Anatomy software support a lesson in the classroom?
This program can help the students visualize and get a clear, close up picture of human body parts. Instead of the teacher just telling the student, the student can engage with the program independently and read the names and definitions at their own pace. This also allows the student to explore their curiosity and choose to research and look at what they are personally interested in.
Why is “Vamos a los Oscars!” a more effective and efficient way for students to learn a foreign language?
This idea covers all the ways to create a robust learning environment. The students collaborate with each other and collaborate with technology to create something original. The students use the language as a tool which gives them practice and attaches meaning to what they are learning. They are able to apply the language in practical ways and cognitively think in that language while writing scripts.
ISTE article 5
ReplyDeleteBurns, Mary. (2003). Beyond Show and Tell: Using Spreadsheets to Solve Problems, Learning and Leading with Technology Journal 31 (2), 22-27.
I have to admit, technology does tend to intimidate me as well and I am reluctant to expand my knowledge and use of it because it seems too complicated and takes time to learn or I just stick to the basic way because I already know how to do it. The article advocates for students to use spreadsheets because it encourages critical thinking and higher problem solving. It also compares spreadsheets and PowerPoint and the author argues spreadsheets allow the students to actually create the material rather than just present it. Spreadsheets let the student manipulate and work with the data rather than solely organize it and it encourages logical reasoning. The author debunks the myth that spreadsheets can only be used for math. I didn’t know how to use an excel spreadsheet and didn’t want to take the time but now we have learned how to use them in class and I feel a lot more comfortable with them. Through my own recent experience and reading this article, I have realized how important and useful spreadsheets can be. The example the author used on teachers dealing with the government and voting showed to be affective and resulted in engaging discussions. This enables active learning rather than passive learning.
Why do some teachers sometimes “fear” technology in the classroom and sometimes reluctant to use it?
I think teachers sometimes feel the same way that I did in that it is complicated, takes time to learn, and are afraid they might not understand. When teachers see how beneficial technology can be in the classroom and how much it can support lessons, they will realize it is worth putting in the extra time and effort.
Why is PowerPoint not as effective as spreadsheets?
Teachers often think that by just having a PowerPoint presentation for their lesson, they are integrating technology into the classroom. The PowerPoint doesn’t allow the students to engage in the material like a spreadsheet does and the teacher isn’t really that engaged either when they’re just reading off the slides.
ISTE article 7
ReplyDeleteCesari, Lindsay & Donahue, Patrick. (2010). These Infomercials Teach Science, Learning and Leading with Technology Journal 37 (8).
This article advocated for students creating commercials based on what they were learning in class. In this specific case, the student did periodic table of elements. My class and I made commercials in sixth grade, but it was on anything we wanted. I think the goal of our lesson was more advertising and presentation skills rather than actually learning material. I was trying to sell Goldfish crackers, but it helped with my planning and organizational skills, speaking skills and writing the script. We learned how to use a video camera, cut film, and re-record until we got the shots we wanted. In the class in the article, each student researched an element and then used Photo Story software to present the videos. The students worked on their research, discussed copyrighting and fair use, how to advertise, and how to use a storyboard as well as digital storyboards. The article really emphasized the importance of copyright which is a vital concept for students to learn in any educational use such as writing papers. The students were able to learn all the different elements that go into creating a film such as the visual, audio, and planning a storyboard.
Do you think student created commercials would be a good assignment?
I think creating films is a good way to get students excited about school and group projects. Students have fun working together and producing something they’re proud of to the whole class while learning the material at the same time. Students acquire other skills listed above and the project teaches the most important lesson of fair use and copyright.
Do you think there is a certain age level that this is appropriate for?
I think you can incorporate technology into the classroom at any grade level, especially now with students being more proficient in technology at a younger age. I think sixth grade was a good age to do the project at when I made my commercial, but the teacher could probably also assign it at the fourth or fifth grade level now.
ISTE article 8
ReplyDeleteBarrett, Helen. (1998). Strategic Questions: What to Consider When Planning for Electronic Portfolios, Learning and Leading with Technology Journal 26 (2), 6-13.
This article is a basic guide to creating electronic portfolios for students. The portfolios include teacher observations of students and also stored student artifacts. The article discusses the two different current software programs which are Sunburst’s Learner Profile and Auerbach’s Grady Profile. The portfolios are used for evaluation and assessments, but also show progress, improvement, or achievement over a period of time, and displays growth and development. The portfolio includes learner goals, guidelines, work samples, teacher feedback, student self-reflections, rubrics based on standards, examples of good work. This allows the teacher to be more prepared for each student individually and connect with them better through learning their individual learning style. The article encourages the mixed model which also lists the different things to assess. The guide explains how to store and publish the electronic portfolio and what types of multimedia can be included in the portfolio. The article highlights the students using HyperStudio, Kid Pix, and Macromedia Director, as well as creating Web pages.
Why should I use an electronic portfolio?
It is an easy an efficient way to keep track of students’ progress. It can be updated and changed at any time and is stored in an easily accessible manner. Regular paper portfolios cannot show student achievement through technology where this can actually display the work.
How does this help the student?
The student can get more practice with technology and interacting with their own material as well as multimedia. They can see their progress over time and access assignments easily that they need to show or present.