I chose this technology because I feel that it is rather new being used in classrooms in America (from my previous knowledge) however it is more common in the UK with a lot of the schools in my local area having them in every classroom.
The interactive white board is a board which can be wrote on like any other whiteboard however this one can be used to manipulate things on the screen and you can use it to show the students different things and have them interact with different tools on the actual whiteboard. There are other tools however that can also be used, such as a wireless drawing pad which can pretty much do the same thing. They all come with different software to use, which is pretty much the only difference between them all.
The drawing pad can be moved around the classroom and passed onto the students which can be of an advantage, however the interactive white board has to be at the front of the class, but students can go to the front of the class and they can also take part in the class that way. Therefore meaning that both of them can be used to get the students more involved in the class.
To me any type of technology which allows the students to take part in the lesson and allows then to interact with the teaching and fantastic and all the advantages which are discussed about one system is joined with the same number of disadvantages, I think it just depends which people want and what they want to use.
I feel that no matter what, just having some way in which the students can interact with the teacher and they can take part in the classroom is an advantage, and I would be happy to use any of the systems in my classroom. It is up to the school to decide which one to use and then the teachers would just have to adapt to that one. One is not better than the other and they all aim for the same thing which is to get the students interacting more with each other and the teacher and to get the teacher away from the front of the class and spending more time with the students.
For more discussion on this issue you can look at the forums I visited which can be located at: http://www.classroom20.com/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=iboards
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Journal 6 - Trouble with Rubrics
Kohn, A. (2006). Trouble with rubrics. English Journal , 95(4), Retrieved from http://www.alfiekohn.org/teaching/rubrics.htm
In this article Alfie Kohn talks about the trouble that there are with rubrics. He begins by discussing the way in which they could be seen as useful when it comes to showing students where they went wrong and being able to improve their grades, and it gives them something definitive which they can improve, and it also helps in parent-teacher conferences when the parent asks why their child only got a certain grade, you can then show them exactly where their child went wrong and needs to improve. However it points out that it does not help the students who are driven on getting A's and the parents who drive their children to do so.
The article then goes on to discuss how the rubrics have turned teachers into grading machines, and they are not particularly looking at how the students are doing and they are just following the rubric to make sure that they have the essential parts of the assignment there and not the other parts which make students stand out. The rubrics however do help the student to understand what is required of them, and they can become dependent on them if they need to follow a structure, just to get a high grade in the class.
The article concludes that the rubrics, just make teachers leave the reason they went into teaching behind them, and the focus of the pupils learning is shifted away from what they are suppose to be learning and gaining in their education. The article does not say that the rubrics are a bad idea, it rather challenges the reasons behind having them and the usefulness of them in the classroom to "help" the students, whereas in some cases they are actually hindering the students.
Can the rubrics be used in a positive manner to help students?
They can be, however, there must also be a way in which the students are learning more than what they have to put in the work. The rubrics would work if the students were going to just follow them to get an idea of what they should do, kind of like a check list of what should be in there, however the grade that they receive should not be dependent on the rubric and the students would need to know this so they can aim to get a higher grade, with the assistance of the rubric, without the rubric holding them back.
Should students be able to create their own rubrics?
If a student was able to make their own rubric once they have been given an assignment and then the teacher checks it and makes sure that they have an idea of what is needed from them, it would allow teachers to find out what part of the work is most important to the teacher, and it would also allow the students to form their own ideas of what is required rather than providing them with the information. If the student however gets the wrong idea then the teacher can intervene then instead of when the final draft if due and they can assist the student where they need assistance allowing teachers a more one on one relationship, whilst at the same time making sure that the work is being done correctly and to the best of the ability of the student.
In this article Alfie Kohn talks about the trouble that there are with rubrics. He begins by discussing the way in which they could be seen as useful when it comes to showing students where they went wrong and being able to improve their grades, and it gives them something definitive which they can improve, and it also helps in parent-teacher conferences when the parent asks why their child only got a certain grade, you can then show them exactly where their child went wrong and needs to improve. However it points out that it does not help the students who are driven on getting A's and the parents who drive their children to do so.
The article then goes on to discuss how the rubrics have turned teachers into grading machines, and they are not particularly looking at how the students are doing and they are just following the rubric to make sure that they have the essential parts of the assignment there and not the other parts which make students stand out. The rubrics however do help the student to understand what is required of them, and they can become dependent on them if they need to follow a structure, just to get a high grade in the class.
The article concludes that the rubrics, just make teachers leave the reason they went into teaching behind them, and the focus of the pupils learning is shifted away from what they are suppose to be learning and gaining in their education. The article does not say that the rubrics are a bad idea, it rather challenges the reasons behind having them and the usefulness of them in the classroom to "help" the students, whereas in some cases they are actually hindering the students.
Can the rubrics be used in a positive manner to help students?
They can be, however, there must also be a way in which the students are learning more than what they have to put in the work. The rubrics would work if the students were going to just follow them to get an idea of what they should do, kind of like a check list of what should be in there, however the grade that they receive should not be dependent on the rubric and the students would need to know this so they can aim to get a higher grade, with the assistance of the rubric, without the rubric holding them back.
Should students be able to create their own rubrics?
If a student was able to make their own rubric once they have been given an assignment and then the teacher checks it and makes sure that they have an idea of what is needed from them, it would allow teachers to find out what part of the work is most important to the teacher, and it would also allow the students to form their own ideas of what is required rather than providing them with the information. If the student however gets the wrong idea then the teacher can intervene then instead of when the final draft if due and they can assist the student where they need assistance allowing teachers a more one on one relationship, whilst at the same time making sure that the work is being done correctly and to the best of the ability of the student.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Excel Crossword Assignment (NETS III)
This was made in Excel, using instructional video's from Atomic Learning (see links. You can make one with any subject, and they can be used on the computer and you can also print them. Students would be able to make their own as well using the instructional videos and they would be able to share it with peers. They could be produced in groups or by individuals.
City Word Search
City Word Search
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Journal 5 - Creating Tech Wizards
http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=May_No_7_1&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4305&ContentID=23327&DirectListComboInd=D
I chose this article because I feel that by going through this class we are going to be able to help become part of the group who creates Tech Wizards!
The article discusses how an area set up a group for students to represent their school in technology and to show how god the students were at using technology. As the students of today are more dependent on technology and also more technologically advanced when they enter school, it makes sense for teachers to offer something for students to show how talented they are with computers.
The other aspects that came out of the original program, at the different schools, also show that the students can become important to the school and also more involved in the school. It offers those students who are not the usual students who do well in the school and who are often looked over.
Finally the way in which the students at one school offered the teachers lessons and appointments to learn how to use the technology and other programs, highlights the importance for teachers of technology in the classroom.
Should ALL teachers (qualified and unqualified) have to take a technology class?
I feel that it would be beneficial to all student teachers (like us) to take a technology class as we are, however I also feel that all teachers who are currently teaching should be made to take a class on how to use technology. I know when I was in school a lot of my teachers did not know how to use the computer and the students had to show the teachers what to do, the teachers should be the ones teaching the students, not the other way round.
How would technology classes for students before and after school benefit students?
Not only would they enable students to learn more and to become more technologically proficient it could also enable students who do not have access to a computer, the chance to use the computer to do homework and also to not feel inadequate as they too would have the opportunity to participate in classes fully and also by providing students with the ability to improve their skills to enter into the workforce once they leave school.
I chose this article because I feel that by going through this class we are going to be able to help become part of the group who creates Tech Wizards!
The article discusses how an area set up a group for students to represent their school in technology and to show how god the students were at using technology. As the students of today are more dependent on technology and also more technologically advanced when they enter school, it makes sense for teachers to offer something for students to show how talented they are with computers.
The other aspects that came out of the original program, at the different schools, also show that the students can become important to the school and also more involved in the school. It offers those students who are not the usual students who do well in the school and who are often looked over.
Finally the way in which the students at one school offered the teachers lessons and appointments to learn how to use the technology and other programs, highlights the importance for teachers of technology in the classroom.
Should ALL teachers (qualified and unqualified) have to take a technology class?
I feel that it would be beneficial to all student teachers (like us) to take a technology class as we are, however I also feel that all teachers who are currently teaching should be made to take a class on how to use technology. I know when I was in school a lot of my teachers did not know how to use the computer and the students had to show the teachers what to do, the teachers should be the ones teaching the students, not the other way round.
How would technology classes for students before and after school benefit students?
Not only would they enable students to learn more and to become more technologically proficient it could also enable students who do not have access to a computer, the chance to use the computer to do homework and also to not feel inadequate as they too would have the opportunity to participate in classes fully and also by providing students with the ability to improve their skills to enter into the workforce once they leave school.
Journal 4 - Flow Charts as Technical Support
Caudill, J. (2006-2007). Flow charts as technical support. Learning and Leading with Technology, 34(4), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=December_January_4_&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&ContentFileID=3252
I chose this article following the Inspiration project which we completed.
This article is talking about the way in which a flowchart can help all people, not just students but also teachers. It discusses how it can be used in many ways and how it can be made differently as you can include pictures in it and it may help those students who do not understand things if they just read them. It also talks about the way in which you can use the flow charts for all different things and it's use is not limited to just one thing.
The article then goes on to talk about how it is effecetive for students as they can sit down and work through problems with other students who do not understand it and then they too can learn how to do something in a simple way which means that they will benefit from each other and they can use peer learning and assessment. It can also be a test for a teacher to see if the students have learned how to do something well, because if they can teach another person to do it then they understand it fully.
How can the flowcharts be incorporated into the classroom?
You can get the students to sit down and make a flow chart in a group on something which they had done or learnt how to do, and then they can use that to teach the rest of the class. With it being visual as well, more students who have different learning styles will also be able to benefit from it because they will be able to look at it and see what to do and then follow the instructions.
How could this benefit the learning in the classroom?
Not only would the students be able to learn how to use more technology on the computer and also increase their abilities to use existing skills like word processing and also searching for relevant pictures, they would build new skills. Also as I have already stated if students learnt in different ways it can also benefit them, as well as helping those students who may also have other difficulties including Special Education Needs. This is because it would take the students through a step by step process and they can check something off once they have completed it and they can see their success build step by step. It will also make sure that the students are learning and is another way of assessing the progress being made in the class by the student, rather than say a test.
I chose this article following the Inspiration project which we completed.
This article is talking about the way in which a flowchart can help all people, not just students but also teachers. It discusses how it can be used in many ways and how it can be made differently as you can include pictures in it and it may help those students who do not understand things if they just read them. It also talks about the way in which you can use the flow charts for all different things and it's use is not limited to just one thing.
The article then goes on to talk about how it is effecetive for students as they can sit down and work through problems with other students who do not understand it and then they too can learn how to do something in a simple way which means that they will benefit from each other and they can use peer learning and assessment. It can also be a test for a teacher to see if the students have learned how to do something well, because if they can teach another person to do it then they understand it fully.
How can the flowcharts be incorporated into the classroom?
You can get the students to sit down and make a flow chart in a group on something which they had done or learnt how to do, and then they can use that to teach the rest of the class. With it being visual as well, more students who have different learning styles will also be able to benefit from it because they will be able to look at it and see what to do and then follow the instructions.
How could this benefit the learning in the classroom?
Not only would the students be able to learn how to use more technology on the computer and also increase their abilities to use existing skills like word processing and also searching for relevant pictures, they would build new skills. Also as I have already stated if students learnt in different ways it can also benefit them, as well as helping those students who may also have other difficulties including Special Education Needs. This is because it would take the students through a step by step process and they can check something off once they have completed it and they can see their success build step by step. It will also make sure that the students are learning and is another way of assessing the progress being made in the class by the student, rather than say a test.
Journal 3 - Walk, Fly or Teleport to Learning.
Brown Yoder, M. (2009). Walk, fly or teleport to learning. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(2), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=September_October_No_2_3&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4381&ContentID=24200&DirectListComboInd=D
This article is about virtual worlds in the classroom and how the amount of students who are participating in these virtual worlds at home are going to be increasing and how this may impact things in the classroom.
The article then goes on to discuss the different ways in which teachers can get involved with MUVE's (Multi-user virtual environments), and the ways in which they can be used to reach out to the students and also as a education platform with teachers being able to create different levels (or worlds) for indivdual classes and therefore being able to interact with the students and educate them at the same time.
In the article it also discusses the way in which the students can also interact with other people and they can become reconnected with reality through being in a virtual world. You can use it to your advantage to look at things which are effecting the world in real life and they can then learn about things that they may not otherwise pay attention to in real life. They go into a reality world to leave from the real world, to being learning about the real world again.
Finally the article closes with ways that teachers can bring this into their own classroom and the way that it would benefit the students and make it possible for them to become more connected with students who are becoming more dependent on technology and also provide them with another platform to educate the students.
What would parents think if this was a child's homework?
I know many parents would not be happy if they were supervising their children and their homework consisted of the child playing a "computer game" for their homework. Therefore I feel that if a teacher was going to do this with their students then they would have to send out some correspondence to the parents and justify their reasoning for having the students do this work, and they would have to make sure that they are learning something though this homework and it was a advantage to their education and they were benefiting from it.
How would the teachers make sure that the students were benefiting from this?
I feel that the teacher would have to make sure that the student was learning and would have to make a quiz or an assignment to make sure that the student was doing what they were suppose to be doing and also learning what they are suppose to at the same time. The students may complete the assignment, but they may not necessarily learn from it and if it going to be beneficial to the student then they have to be checked up on and make sure that they are learning as well as having fun!
This article is about virtual worlds in the classroom and how the amount of students who are participating in these virtual worlds at home are going to be increasing and how this may impact things in the classroom.
The article then goes on to discuss the different ways in which teachers can get involved with MUVE's (Multi-user virtual environments), and the ways in which they can be used to reach out to the students and also as a education platform with teachers being able to create different levels (or worlds) for indivdual classes and therefore being able to interact with the students and educate them at the same time.
In the article it also discusses the way in which the students can also interact with other people and they can become reconnected with reality through being in a virtual world. You can use it to your advantage to look at things which are effecting the world in real life and they can then learn about things that they may not otherwise pay attention to in real life. They go into a reality world to leave from the real world, to being learning about the real world again.
Finally the article closes with ways that teachers can bring this into their own classroom and the way that it would benefit the students and make it possible for them to become more connected with students who are becoming more dependent on technology and also provide them with another platform to educate the students.
What would parents think if this was a child's homework?
I know many parents would not be happy if they were supervising their children and their homework consisted of the child playing a "computer game" for their homework. Therefore I feel that if a teacher was going to do this with their students then they would have to send out some correspondence to the parents and justify their reasoning for having the students do this work, and they would have to make sure that they are learning something though this homework and it was a advantage to their education and they were benefiting from it.
How would the teachers make sure that the students were benefiting from this?
I feel that the teacher would have to make sure that the student was learning and would have to make a quiz or an assignment to make sure that the student was doing what they were suppose to be doing and also learning what they are suppose to at the same time. The students may complete the assignment, but they may not necessarily learn from it and if it going to be beneficial to the student then they have to be checked up on and make sure that they are learning as well as having fun!
Journal 2 - Grounded Tech Integration.
Harris, J., & Hofer, M. (2009). Grounded tech integration. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(2), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=September_October_No_2_3&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4381&ContentID=24179&DirectListComboInd=D
This article talks about the way in which technology had been integrated into the curriculum in schools, and how it has redrawn the lines of education.
The article begins by discussing how the teachers can integrate technology into the classrooms and it points out that there are limitations to technology being used in the classroom. These limitations include the teachers ability to use technology and also the resources available and the commitment to using these resources.
The article continues by discussing the way in which it is important for teachers to incorporate technology into the lessons instead of building the lessons and learning goals around the technology. That way the technology is grounded and incorporated into the teaching of the child and is not the reason why the child is learning. By doing this the lesson become less "technocentric" and more beneficial to the students who would not nesscarialry meet the curriculum requirements of the class if the class was structured around the technology.
If the school does not have enough technological resources for each child is the teacher going to be able to fulfill the suggested way of planning?
In places where technology is not available to all teachers at all times, surely the teacher is going to have to plan the lesson around the technology and not around the learning because they are going to have to make sure that the technology available to them at the time is used in the right way. If this is the case then the lessons cannot always be planned and then the technology incorporated, which is the best way to learn as suggested by the article.
Will this work with all areas of the curriculum and subject areas?
I feel that this way of planning lessons in some subjects would not work as well as it could do. I feel that it would be hard to plan a lesson and then incorporate technology into it in areas such as languages or history. I feel like if you plan a lesson and you are going to use a computer or technology into the class, then you should be able to plan what you want the students to do with technology and then link it into the classroom and a part of the curriculum. I personally feel that it doesn't matter which one comes first as long as it is an advantage to the students education and not something which will hurt the child's education.
This article talks about the way in which technology had been integrated into the curriculum in schools, and how it has redrawn the lines of education.
The article begins by discussing how the teachers can integrate technology into the classrooms and it points out that there are limitations to technology being used in the classroom. These limitations include the teachers ability to use technology and also the resources available and the commitment to using these resources.
The article continues by discussing the way in which it is important for teachers to incorporate technology into the lessons instead of building the lessons and learning goals around the technology. That way the technology is grounded and incorporated into the teaching of the child and is not the reason why the child is learning. By doing this the lesson become less "technocentric" and more beneficial to the students who would not nesscarialry meet the curriculum requirements of the class if the class was structured around the technology.
If the school does not have enough technological resources for each child is the teacher going to be able to fulfill the suggested way of planning?
In places where technology is not available to all teachers at all times, surely the teacher is going to have to plan the lesson around the technology and not around the learning because they are going to have to make sure that the technology available to them at the time is used in the right way. If this is the case then the lessons cannot always be planned and then the technology incorporated, which is the best way to learn as suggested by the article.
Will this work with all areas of the curriculum and subject areas?
I feel that this way of planning lessons in some subjects would not work as well as it could do. I feel that it would be hard to plan a lesson and then incorporate technology into it in areas such as languages or history. I feel like if you plan a lesson and you are going to use a computer or technology into the class, then you should be able to plan what you want the students to do with technology and then link it into the classroom and a part of the curriculum. I personally feel that it doesn't matter which one comes first as long as it is an advantage to the students education and not something which will hurt the child's education.
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