use with faculty members for school issues or event planning. My verdict is good. I like it.
Check it out.
http://voicethread.com/
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Voice Thread Speaks Volumes for Education
Voice Thread has been enticing to use. It adds warmth and depth to sharing and understanding an issue or theme for any content area in education. I also think it would be a powerful way to
use with faculty members for school issues or event planning. My verdict is good. I like it.
http://voicethread.com/
use with faculty members for school issues or event planning. My verdict is good. I like it.
http://voicethread.com/
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Exploring Project-based Tools considering Constructivism
The wild road through the Web is wonderful. But not all Web sites are organized the same. We would all like to find sites that motivate and relate to our students. I also look for sites that help organize my deficient left brain skills and overactive right brain. Some sites that I explored and surveyed this week from our Walden resources suggested both constructivism and behaviorism elements. One site I explored and liked is called PBL., for Project Based Learning that assists teachers to think and organize lessons. Edutopia was interesting and provides technology based motivation in which students explore real-world problems. The most interactive site was the NASA. I can't wait to show my students this one and the science teacher.
PBL is an online resource that organizes by providing a progressive check list that offers multiple planning ideas, drafting key questions, assessments, mapping out the project, and a checklist for what skills we will need to manage. This is a resourceful site if you are a new teacher or need organizational help like me. Here is the site: http://pbl-online.org/default.htm. I would describe PBL as more of an outline planning process that does allow change and altering. It is a keeper. In relating this site to our text Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that works byPitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski this PBL site breaks down the whole parts of a lesson into individual tasks. This is like our systems analysis read in Chapter eleven called, "Generating and Testing Hypotheses" (Pitler p. 203). You problem solve as you work on their site by checking off your designated plan. It does allow you to resolve and conclude your lesson plan decisions. The six tasks written about in our text, systems analysis, problem solve, historical investigation, invention, and experimental inquiry can be found from yourself in this site, as you plan and construct. You can fit new information together with what you may already know. It is user friendly and easy to read.
In contrast, the Edutopia site http://www.edutopia.org/project-learning I surveyed uses constructivist/constructionist learning theories because it creates a greater insight for the viewer. By watching the virtual tours of designated subjects, you begin to understand by interaction with the virtual environment. There are many videos about students who are excelling in technology and interviews from educated people who share their theories. The George Lucas Educational Foundation makes media resources available and it offers links; Edutopia.org, Edutopia magazine, and video Edutopia video: I enjoyed this site and would use it as motivation for my students in pursuit of passion for life and overcoming technology fears.
Last, but not least is my favorite of the three sites: http://space.jpl.nasa.gov/ or NASA Solar System Simulator. WOW. This site was the most engaging. Perhaps it is the subject matter of the Lunar Module, or the astronauts that is enticing. It is interactive and visually enthralling. The photographs can be zoomed in and out. There is a moon with Lunar sites you can click on and hear and see and read about. Then there are more interactive features. There is fun stuff too. The site offers you to download a program to make "photosynths". Who needs a science curriculum if you have this site! NASA provides additional links to sites such as "Dr. C" who is a computerized scientist aka as someone who is real. Please visit.
Our text book offers sites that are interactive and resourceful. How we choose to use these sites to engage our students is important for the constructing of ideas. If we understand the tasks, and believe these Web sites can assist in children creating their artifacts and bring them closer to real life situations, then technology is worth it. Let students have new experiences and reinterpret and invent with their ideas. Jean Piaget said, " The principle goal of education is to create men who are capable of doing new things, not simply of repeating what other generations have done-men who are creative, inventive and discoverers"(http://thinkexist.com/).
Pitler, H., Hubbell,E., Kuhnn,M.,& Malenoski. (2007). Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Work. Alexandria, VA: ASCD
PBL is an online resource that organizes by providing a progressive check list that offers multiple planning ideas, drafting key questions, assessments, mapping out the project, and a checklist for what skills we will need to manage. This is a resourceful site if you are a new teacher or need organizational help like me. Here is the site: http://pbl-online.org/default.htm. I would describe PBL as more of an outline planning process that does allow change and altering. It is a keeper. In relating this site to our text Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that works byPitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski this PBL site breaks down the whole parts of a lesson into individual tasks. This is like our systems analysis read in Chapter eleven called, "Generating and Testing Hypotheses" (Pitler p. 203). You problem solve as you work on their site by checking off your designated plan. It does allow you to resolve and conclude your lesson plan decisions. The six tasks written about in our text, systems analysis, problem solve, historical investigation, invention, and experimental inquiry can be found from yourself in this site, as you plan and construct. You can fit new information together with what you may already know. It is user friendly and easy to read.
In contrast, the Edutopia site http://www.edutopia.org/project-learning I surveyed uses constructivist/constructionist learning theories because it creates a greater insight for the viewer. By watching the virtual tours of designated subjects, you begin to understand by interaction with the virtual environment. There are many videos about students who are excelling in technology and interviews from educated people who share their theories. The George Lucas Educational Foundation makes media resources available and it offers links; Edutopia.org, Edutopia magazine, and video Edutopia video: I enjoyed this site and would use it as motivation for my students in pursuit of passion for life and overcoming technology fears.
Last, but not least is my favorite of the three sites: http://space.jpl.nasa.gov/ or NASA Solar System Simulator. WOW. This site was the most engaging. Perhaps it is the subject matter of the Lunar Module, or the astronauts that is enticing. It is interactive and visually enthralling. The photographs can be zoomed in and out. There is a moon with Lunar sites you can click on and hear and see and read about. Then there are more interactive features. There is fun stuff too. The site offers you to download a program to make "photosynths". Who needs a science curriculum if you have this site! NASA provides additional links to sites such as "Dr. C" who is a computerized scientist aka as someone who is real. Please visit.
Our text book offers sites that are interactive and resourceful. How we choose to use these sites to engage our students is important for the constructing of ideas. If we understand the tasks, and believe these Web sites can assist in children creating their artifacts and bring them closer to real life situations, then technology is worth it. Let students have new experiences and reinterpret and invent with their ideas. Jean Piaget said, " The principle goal of education is to create men who are capable of doing new things, not simply of repeating what other generations have done-men who are creative, inventive and discoverers"(http://thinkexist.com/).
Pitler, H., Hubbell,E., Kuhnn,M.,& Malenoski. (2007). Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Work. Alexandria, VA: ASCD
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
"This video by Nokia was played at the Geelong eLearning conference and gives an interesting insight into how technology has impacted on our society over time. It talks about the “fourth screen” which means devices such as mobiles and pocket PCs now allow us to communicate and access information “anywhere and anytime”.
"Web 2.0 is being embraced in education as it can make learning more collaborative, personalised and innovative. While teachers and students must make themselves aware of security issues with using Web 2.0 technologies, there are so many fantastic opportunities for enriching teaching and learning which must not be missed!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V-2qQS3NY0&feature=player_embedded
My Two Long-term Goals Within Two Years for Transforming My Classroom Environment by Which I May have to Overcome Institutional or Systemic Obstacles.
Physically the art room needs a new LCD projector installed in the ceiling. The rolling cart takes up unnecessary space which interferes with table arrangements. Part of my goals are to complete several more grants and hope I am awarded the gift money to implement needed change. I would like several more computers in my art room. Five computers times two students would allow more students to get right on the Web 2.0 and research or journal in a class blog. I would like students to create several pod casts and have them published. The obstacles are preventing me from showing my students poignant Utube art related videos would have to be overcome with me purchasing my own laptop with Internet service to use in the classroom. I plan on fusing as much Web 2.0 research and constructive projects in next year with a few hands on art projects. Ironically, because of budget cuts and poor money handling on the part of the Superintendent and his cronies, I will be a poor art teacher. But, the Web 2.0 will bring enrichment to my students and connections to the world wide web.
"Web 2.0 is being embraced in education as it can make learning more collaborative, personalised and innovative. While teachers and students must make themselves aware of security issues with using Web 2.0 technologies, there are so many fantastic opportunities for enriching teaching and learning which must not be missed!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V-2qQS3NY0&feature=player_embedded
My Two Long-term Goals Within Two Years for Transforming My Classroom Environment by Which I May have to Overcome Institutional or Systemic Obstacles.
Physically the art room needs a new LCD projector installed in the ceiling. The rolling cart takes up unnecessary space which interferes with table arrangements. Part of my goals are to complete several more grants and hope I am awarded the gift money to implement needed change. I would like several more computers in my art room. Five computers times two students would allow more students to get right on the Web 2.0 and research or journal in a class blog. I would like students to create several pod casts and have them published. The obstacles are preventing me from showing my students poignant Utube art related videos would have to be overcome with me purchasing my own laptop with Internet service to use in the classroom. I plan on fusing as much Web 2.0 research and constructive projects in next year with a few hands on art projects. Ironically, because of budget cuts and poor money handling on the part of the Superintendent and his cronies, I will be a poor art teacher. But, the Web 2.0 will bring enrichment to my students and connections to the world wide web.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Podcast Assignment: Profiling the Students of Today - Part I APP5
I learned from this assignment that not only exposure and practice of technological opportunities are important for all of us, but also the value of this audio tool, pod casting. This lesson peeled a layer of the onion skin and revealed what young people really think about learning and technology. Who are today's students? What are their varied levels of technological experiences? I hope this Profiling of Chris, Jonathan, and Nathan will bring us closer to knowing.
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