Jennifer Groff and Jason Haas wrote about how it is important to utilize the technologies that kids are used to into the curriculum at school. Children will learn better if you let them use learning games or other fun ways to learn without them realizing that they are learning. There are games where kids can solve problems, or find clues to the answers. These games can encourage self-guided learning, or can even encourage collaboration.
Even though I think that this is a great idea, I think that there is a time and a place for this. I think that games like these could be used as reinforcement or even as homework. However, I think that learning in other ways in the classroom could be more effective in some situations. I think that there should be a good balance between all of the different types of learning styles. As we all know children learn differently so it is important to include all different styles of teaching in the curriculum. I think that kids are more likely to want to learn when it is fun. There could be a competition to encourage children to play the games. I think that anything that you can do to create excitement in a child toward leaning is a great idea.
There is a teacher that I observed for recently in a High School Math class that used Facebook to communicate with her students. They were able to ask questions on her class Facebook and other students could see it and help each other. She also was able to post updates about class assignments or tests on that Facebook. I think that this is a great idea because students are constantly on Facebook and that is the place where they are most likely to see information. Students are less likely to sign on to Blackboard or other websites like it, even though those are great websites, students would rather be on Facebook. There are plenty of other ways that we as future teachers can help students and make it easier for them to succeed and learn.
Groff, J., & Haas, J. (2008, September). Web 2.0: Today's technologies, tomorrow's learning [Electronic version]. Learning & Leading with Technology, 12-15.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Digging up Internet Safety
I read the article "Students Dig Up Dirt to Learn about Internet Safety" by Jesse Morehouse. This article was written describing his lesson plan where he had the students in his class dig up dirt about himself and other teachers using just what they got off the internet. He then recorded what they had found and showed them just how much information they were able to find using only a few pieces of information. Next the students were able to find another person of their choosing and research about them. They created a profile for this person using all of the information that they had found online. He did this to show the students just how much information was out their about each and every one of them.
I think many students do not realize that everything they put on the internet is out their for everyone else to see. Even the "private" information is not private. Kids forget that the internet is something that lasts forever and once information is out there it is out there for good. This way of teaching this lesson is a creative way to show students the information that is out their instead of just telling them. Kids are more resposive in some instences when they learn by doing instead of sitting in a lecture type situation with someone talking about the internet. Children are able to see first hand just how much information is able to be found by people who dont have any researching training at all.
If all that information is available to people who have no professional training, imagine how much information is available to those people who have the experience and whose job it is to research peoples information. Do you want everything that you post online in the hands of someone you've never met.
Jesse, Morehouse. (2011, September). Students dig up dirt to learn about internet safety. Learning and Leading with Technology, 34-35.
I think many students do not realize that everything they put on the internet is out their for everyone else to see. Even the "private" information is not private. Kids forget that the internet is something that lasts forever and once information is out there it is out there for good. This way of teaching this lesson is a creative way to show students the information that is out their instead of just telling them. Kids are more resposive in some instences when they learn by doing instead of sitting in a lecture type situation with someone talking about the internet. Children are able to see first hand just how much information is able to be found by people who dont have any researching training at all.
If all that information is available to people who have no professional training, imagine how much information is available to those people who have the experience and whose job it is to research peoples information. Do you want everything that you post online in the hands of someone you've never met.
Jesse, Morehouse. (2011, September). Students dig up dirt to learn about internet safety. Learning and Leading with Technology, 34-35.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Social-Based Learning
In the article Unleashing the Future:Educators "Speak Up" about the use of Emerging Technologies for Learning, teachers aspiring teachers, and administrators write about the advancements in technology in the classrooms.
As technology becomes more prevalent in the classroom, children are learning how to communicate and collaborate with their classmates. This collaboration does not have to occur in the classroom anymore, the students can learn anywhere. Classes are also able to communicate with other children allover the world. Children are becoming more motivated to learn and are responsible for their own education. Teachers are able to create interactive lessons and get the children directly involved in their learning. Technology in education is becoming a core curriculum mission for districts. Schools are introducing online classes and other ways that students can interact with each other. They are able to connect their learning to the outside world and their future. As shown in Table 1:Top Technology picks for the ultimate school, Middle and High School Students rate communication tools as the most important aspect of technology for the best school. For teachers, communication tools are third on the list of important technology.
Students can "reach beyond the boundaries of their traditional circle of friends, classroom and school to seek new experts to add to their learning network." With this new style of learning, teachers are able to collaborate directly with students instead of through parents or other adults. Children are learning how to use word processor, spreadsheets, and databases. Technology does not only help the student, but it helps the teacher and parents as well. Each person involved in the education process is able to collaborate with one another. Students are becoming more involved and more excited about learning.
Instead of taking out a pencil and paper to learn, children will be able to take out a computer. In the future, computers, call phones and other forms of technology will be a regular aspect of every classroom. The world as a whole will become more connected. Children will also be more prepared to enter today's technological world.
As technology becomes more prevalent in the classroom, children are learning how to communicate and collaborate with their classmates. This collaboration does not have to occur in the classroom anymore, the students can learn anywhere. Classes are also able to communicate with other children allover the world. Children are becoming more motivated to learn and are responsible for their own education. Teachers are able to create interactive lessons and get the children directly involved in their learning. Technology in education is becoming a core curriculum mission for districts. Schools are introducing online classes and other ways that students can interact with each other. They are able to connect their learning to the outside world and their future. As shown in Table 1:Top Technology picks for the ultimate school, Middle and High School Students rate communication tools as the most important aspect of technology for the best school. For teachers, communication tools are third on the list of important technology.
Students can "reach beyond the boundaries of their traditional circle of friends, classroom and school to seek new experts to add to their learning network." With this new style of learning, teachers are able to collaborate directly with students instead of through parents or other adults. Children are learning how to use word processor, spreadsheets, and databases. Technology does not only help the student, but it helps the teacher and parents as well. Each person involved in the education process is able to collaborate with one another. Students are becoming more involved and more excited about learning.
Instead of taking out a pencil and paper to learn, children will be able to take out a computer. In the future, computers, call phones and other forms of technology will be a regular aspect of every classroom. The world as a whole will become more connected. Children will also be more prepared to enter today's technological world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)