Sunday, September 30, 2012
Reflection 3
I was thinking the other day about how valuable technology is to teachers and the time saver it is. There are so many classroom tools and lesson plans available on the internet that can save us so much time and give us ideas. It is like a huge shared brain. We get to share our ideas and take other teachers' from all over the world. Before all this technology the shared lessons and ideas would have been limited to just the teachers you knew and lived around you, but now you can take lessons from teachers everyone and make them your own to fit your classroom.
Week 6
The Generation IM article was very interesting and really made me think about how intertwined kids are today with technology and the role that plays in their lives and learning. I really like the seven ideas of how to integrate technology into the classroom because they were very good ideas that I probably wouldn't have thought about. Especially the Google maps and using them to show kids what they are actually learning about and taking them on virtual journeys. I was surprised with how much time kids actually spend using technology and it was a good reminder for me as I go into teaching how important it will be to teach in a way that involves and keeps students engaged. This could be used in a science lesson by having the students study pictures of brains of kids today and kids years ago when they were not raised on so much technology and the differences in brain development.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Reflection 2
The other day I was able to talk on Facebook with a friend I met in Thailand who grew up in one of the children's homes we worked at and now works there. I also have been able to stay in contact over email and Facebook with the family who runs the home that takes care of Tina, the little girl who stole my heart. I was just thinking about how incredible it is that I am able to stay up to date and talk with these friends on the other side of the world, and am able to have an almost instantaneous conversation with them. This could be used in a classroom by instead of having pen pals and being limited to the US, students could have email pals and bridge cultures and countries.
Week 5
The Promethean Active Board is a high tech interactive white board that has many functions that can help foster learning and engage and actively involve the classroom. It has functions that allow multiple pens to be used at once enabling small groups of students to work together at the board. It also can be used for interactive presentations, videos, and many other things that can help this generation of students stay engaged in class. I am curious as to how it is different than other interactive white boards and what makes it either easier or harder to use. I got the information for this active board at http://www.prometheanworld.com/en-us/education/
Assignment 2
Link to the activity for my presentation: http://exchange.smarttech.com/details.html?id=d5875907-2e6e-42c0-a94f-93303008fb60
List of features in my presentation:
Sound (balloons popping)
Graphics
Moving pictures and words
NET for teacher:
"Design and Develop Digital Age Learning
Experiences and Assessments: Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic
learning experiences and assessment incorporating
contemporary tools and resources to maximize content
learning in context and to develop the knowledge,
skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS·S."
This NET is included in my lesson by having students come up to the board and participate by actually using the SMART board. The SMART board is a contemporary tool and by having the lesson as an interactive slide show and game it involves the students in not only learning the lesson, but also how to work the technology.
NET for student:
"Technology Operations and Concepts
Students demonstrate a sound understanding
of technology concepts, systems, and operations."
By having the students actually participate in using the board (clicking the words, the frog, and balloons) it is helping them to begin to understand how to use the SMART board as by me using it in class they are able to see even more of the functions and how they work.
Future Learning:
Using an interactive white board in the class can be a tremendous tool for student learning. It can help keep them engaged and involved in their learning and even an active participant in the learning process. With all of the tools and resources available for interactive white boards it can help a teacher to vary the ways material is presented to reach every type of learner as well as keep students interested and avoid being mundane.
List of features in my presentation:
Sound (balloons popping)
Graphics
Moving pictures and words
NET for teacher:
"Design and Develop Digital Age Learning
Experiences and Assessments: Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic
learning experiences and assessment incorporating
contemporary tools and resources to maximize content
learning in context and to develop the knowledge,
skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS·S."
This NET is included in my lesson by having students come up to the board and participate by actually using the SMART board. The SMART board is a contemporary tool and by having the lesson as an interactive slide show and game it involves the students in not only learning the lesson, but also how to work the technology.
NET for student:
"Technology Operations and Concepts
Students demonstrate a sound understanding
of technology concepts, systems, and operations."
By having the students actually participate in using the board (clicking the words, the frog, and balloons) it is helping them to begin to understand how to use the SMART board as by me using it in class they are able to see even more of the functions and how they work.
Future Learning:
Using an interactive white board in the class can be a tremendous tool for student learning. It can help keep them engaged and involved in their learning and even an active participant in the learning process. With all of the tools and resources available for interactive white boards it can help a teacher to vary the ways material is presented to reach every type of learner as well as keep students interested and avoid being mundane.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Week 4
The SMART Board technology is incredible. I had no idea before this class that it was so involved and had so many different things you could do with it. In the past, when my teachers had used it they mostly used it just as a white board, but this was also right when they were beginning to come out. I learned a lot in class about how to navigate it and use it effectively. I like the website that has all of the lesson plans you can download and was surprised at how many there are. They also showed just the beginning of all the things the SMART Board can do and some of the fun games and learning tools it has. I still have lots of questions as to how exactly to work it and the best way to use it to keep all my students involved in each lesson. I think these will be answered with practice and experience.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Demographics Write-up
*Some of this information is fictitious for assignment purposes
Classroom Demographics:
In my 3rd grade classroom at Woodland Elementary I have 28 students; 15 boys and 13 girls. Eleven students are on free and reduced lunches and I have 4 students on IEP's. 2 of my IEP students are ELL, 1 is autistic, and 1 is ADHD. I have 4 parents who regularly volunteer and 5 who come in on occasion. There are five computers in the back of the classroom available to my students. I also have a laptop for my own use and classroom document camera.
School Demographics:
Woodland Elementary is located in Lacey, Washington in the North Thurston School District. It has about 540 students in grades K-6th.
*Chart taken from OSPI website http://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/summary.aspx?groupLevel=District&schoolId=2917&reportLevel=School&orgLinkId=2917&yrs=&year=2011-12
Community Demographics:
Woodland Elementary is located in a mainly suburban area. It has a lot of middle to low middle class families, as well as a large military community. Because of the military community there is some fluctuation in overall attendance to the school. There are always a few new students and some that move away each year. The community is fairly supportive of the school and tries to be involved. There are many active PTA parents. The school is in the process of upgrading their technology, but because of the budget the process has been slowed down. There is a fair amount of support from the community in regards to improving technology in the classrooms.
Technology Standards(for a 3rd grade classroom):
1. INTEGRATION: Students use technology within all content areas to collaborate, communicate, generate innovative ideas, investigate and solve problems.
1.1 Innovate: Demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge and develop innovative products and processes using technology.
1.2 Collaborate: Use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
1.3 Investigate and Think Critically: Research, manage and evaluate information and solve problems using digital tools and resources.
2. DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP: Students demonstrate a clear understanding of technology systems and operations and practice safe, legal and ethical behavior.
2.1 Practice Safety: Demonstrate safe, legal and ethical behavior in the use of information and technology.
2.2 Operate Systems: Understand technology systems and use hardware and networks to support learning.
2.3 Select and Use Applications: Use productivity tools and common applications effectively and constructively.
*Standards taken from OSPI website http://standards.ospi.k12.wa.us/ComponentListByGrade.aspx?subject=8,GLE&gl=4
Classroom Demographics:
In my 3rd grade classroom at Woodland Elementary I have 28 students; 15 boys and 13 girls. Eleven students are on free and reduced lunches and I have 4 students on IEP's. 2 of my IEP students are ELL, 1 is autistic, and 1 is ADHD. I have 4 parents who regularly volunteer and 5 who come in on occasion. There are five computers in the back of the classroom available to my students. I also have a laptop for my own use and classroom document camera.
School Demographics:
Woodland Elementary is located in Lacey, Washington in the North Thurston School District. It has about 540 students in grades K-6th.
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Community Demographics:
Woodland Elementary is located in a mainly suburban area. It has a lot of middle to low middle class families, as well as a large military community. Because of the military community there is some fluctuation in overall attendance to the school. There are always a few new students and some that move away each year. The community is fairly supportive of the school and tries to be involved. There are many active PTA parents. The school is in the process of upgrading their technology, but because of the budget the process has been slowed down. There is a fair amount of support from the community in regards to improving technology in the classrooms.
Technology Standards(for a 3rd grade classroom):
1. INTEGRATION: Students use technology within all content areas to collaborate, communicate, generate innovative ideas, investigate and solve problems.
1.1 Innovate: Demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge and develop innovative products and processes using technology.
1.2 Collaborate: Use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
1.3 Investigate and Think Critically: Research, manage and evaluate information and solve problems using digital tools and resources.
2. DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP: Students demonstrate a clear understanding of technology systems and operations and practice safe, legal and ethical behavior.
2.1 Practice Safety: Demonstrate safe, legal and ethical behavior in the use of information and technology.
2.2 Operate Systems: Understand technology systems and use hardware and networks to support learning.
2.3 Select and Use Applications: Use productivity tools and common applications effectively and constructively.
*Standards taken from OSPI website http://standards.ospi.k12.wa.us/ComponentListByGrade.aspx?subject=8,GLE&gl=4
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Week 3
I thought the article by Marc Prensky was very interesting, and he presented his case in a way that really made me think about education and the shift in the different generations. I really liked his terms "digital natives" and "digital immigrants" and how he said that even though the immigrants may try their best to adapt, they will still have an accent. I know this to be true first hand because even though based on my age I would most likely be labeled as a native, often times I still feel like an immigrant especially with how much more exposure young kids have now as compared to when I was growing up. I'm sure I have a digital accent to them, and liked the way Prensky explained that and how it affects both the students and the teachers. As someone planning to go into the education field it really makes me think about how I can best reach the younger generation who have grown up in a different way I have. It also makes me wonder how it will progress as technology becomes even more advanced and inundated into life from younger and younger ages, and how that will affect how lessons are taught and the format of classrooms.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Reflection #1
The other day in volleyball practice my coach had his ipad out and would video us doing our approach and then using a program could slow it way down to show us our mechanics. I had never really thought about how valuable of a teaching tool this can be for coaching or even in a health and fitness class. It is amazing to think that he could video us, pull us aside, show us what we were doing wrong and right almost instantly, and then we could go straight back to practicing with the idea of what we needed to do differently fresh in our minds. This technology allows us to see what we are doing and be able to try and fix it right away instead of waiting until after practice when film is downloaded onto a computer.
Week 2
Sir Ken Robinson states in his TED talk, "Reform is simply improving a broken model. What we need is not evolution, but a revolution in education." I believe this is very true and it is clear by looking at the education system there are major issues that need to be fixed and sometimes that requires tearing down the foundation and beginning again, but it is much easier to say what is wrong and propose a solution than to actually implement it and make it function. As I listened to his speech I agreed with much of what he said about the education system and its downfalls, but at the same time wondered how much of what he said could realistically be implemented and how soon this revolution could occur.
One of the major downfalls that Robinson pointed out was the linearity of the education system and the almost assembly line characteristics of it. It is as if we have the kids on a track and just move them through the classrooms assuming they all learn the same, have the same life goals, college, career, retirement. Like the example Robinson uses about the student who wanted to become a fireman, many of his teachers did not leave room for him to comfortably move outside of the box our education system has become. As teachers it is critical as Robinson put it, "to feed the spirit" to figure out our students passions and personalize our curriculum as much as we can to feed each of our students' passions. It is the idea of moving from the industrialized model to the agricultural model of education, to create an environment that allows our students to grow and flourish if they so choose.
Unfortunately, as with many great ideas there are hindrances that make it much harder to successfully implement them. In this case, realistically there is not enough money, time, or teachers to create classrooms that can have a true agricultural model. You simply cannot create a curriculum for each student you have. As nice as Robinson's ideas sound, as with most ideals, they are not completely attainable, but I do believe we can find a balance between the standardized assembly line form of education and the personalized agricultural form and create classrooms where students are able to flourish and grow more. We cannot reach the ideals of Robinson, but with committed, passionate teachers I believe we can start a revolution in education and begin the journey of creating classrooms where students are most likely to succeed and grow.
As for technology in the classroom, I think it can be an important tool used to involve students. Most young people today have grown up in an environment saturated with technology, to think then that we can keep doing education the same way and not adapt our curriculum to fit the way students are learning now is unrealistic. As Robinson is pointing out, we need to create curriculum and environments that best fit our students needs and learning styles and create classrooms that encourage their learning and growth, not hinder it. With how prevalent technology is in this day and age, it is an important tool in creating classrooms that students can flourish in.
One of the major downfalls that Robinson pointed out was the linearity of the education system and the almost assembly line characteristics of it. It is as if we have the kids on a track and just move them through the classrooms assuming they all learn the same, have the same life goals, college, career, retirement. Like the example Robinson uses about the student who wanted to become a fireman, many of his teachers did not leave room for him to comfortably move outside of the box our education system has become. As teachers it is critical as Robinson put it, "to feed the spirit" to figure out our students passions and personalize our curriculum as much as we can to feed each of our students' passions. It is the idea of moving from the industrialized model to the agricultural model of education, to create an environment that allows our students to grow and flourish if they so choose.
Unfortunately, as with many great ideas there are hindrances that make it much harder to successfully implement them. In this case, realistically there is not enough money, time, or teachers to create classrooms that can have a true agricultural model. You simply cannot create a curriculum for each student you have. As nice as Robinson's ideas sound, as with most ideals, they are not completely attainable, but I do believe we can find a balance between the standardized assembly line form of education and the personalized agricultural form and create classrooms where students are able to flourish and grow more. We cannot reach the ideals of Robinson, but with committed, passionate teachers I believe we can start a revolution in education and begin the journey of creating classrooms where students are most likely to succeed and grow.
As for technology in the classroom, I think it can be an important tool used to involve students. Most young people today have grown up in an environment saturated with technology, to think then that we can keep doing education the same way and not adapt our curriculum to fit the way students are learning now is unrealistic. As Robinson is pointing out, we need to create curriculum and environments that best fit our students needs and learning styles and create classrooms that encourage their learning and growth, not hinder it. With how prevalent technology is in this day and age, it is an important tool in creating classrooms that students can flourish in.
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