Saturday, February 21, 2009
Week #6
This week's video covered a lot of the information that we had seen in previous videos, but it was more interesting because there were actual students in the video. This week I went and talked to my sixth grade teacher. She made a comment that was interesting. She said that things have changed a lot since I was in school. Students don't want learn anymore, they want to be entertained. As I look back on that conversation now I realize that she didn't even have a computer at her desk. It was obvious to me that technology wasn't used frequently in her classroom. It made me wonder if using some of the new technology, that is ever present in our society, would help engage her students. It also made me worry that when I become a teacher I will not be able to help students find the joy and discovery in learning. I think showing students how to learn using technology will help them to enjoy learning. I first remember frequently using a computer when I was in 7th grade, but now that age is a lot younger! Children as young as 2 play games on the computer all the time. The world is quickly changing, and technology is a HUGE part of that. This video just showed how important it is for teachers to adapt to their students. If we continue to use the traditional teaching techniques students will continue to be board out of their minds. It has definitely shown me the importance of beginning to search now for technology tools I will be able to use when I become a teacher.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Technology Articles
JUMPSTART KINDERGARTEN AND FIRST GRADE
Jumpstart Kindergarten and Jumpstart First Grade are two computer programs that I will be using frequently in our classroom. I talked a little about these programs in the Technology In Our Classroom section of the website, but I wanted to explain a little more. These programs are the same one I remember using when I was a child. Of course the graphics are updated now, and the programs run a little better, but they are still pretty much the same. I didn’t struggle in school when I was younger, and I believe that these programs were one of the many reason that I didn’t. I loved to do math and I learned how to think logically by using these amazing programs. I found the joy in learning, and that is something that I still possess today. These games will help me as a teacher to instill a love of learning in our students while also allowing them to have fun. The programs appear to just be games to children, but as a teacher I know they are so much more. Learning happens faster when it is fun, and these programs create a fun learning environment. They help our students develop their skills in word identification, rhyming, counting, ordering, sequencing, colors, shapes, and telling time. One of my favorite parts is that the game builds on it’s self. It starts with the most basic skills and then uses those skills in the next level. It tells kids when they make a mistake and helps them figure out how to get the right answer. It does require the students to be on the computer for an extended amount of time, but technology is rapidly evolving and allowing these kids to learn how to use computer programs will only help them in the future. In my curriculum these programs will be integrated in. I will schedule time weekly for each and every student to spend time working playing it in our computer lab. Some students may struggle at first because they aren’t familiar with computers, but these games are simple and have been designed to be user friendly. They are designed specifically with children this age in mind, and that is just one more reason why they are so beneficial in the classroom. We will begin at the first of the year with Jumpstart Kindergarten, to make sure that the basic skills are in place, and by the end of the year they will be using Jumpstart First Grade to allow them to be prepared for their First Grade year.
GOOGLE EARTH
In our class we will be using may technological tools to help the students learn. One tool that we will be using is Google Earth. I explained a little about why we are using this in the Technology in Our Classroom section of the website, but here I will explain a little more. This program came out just a few years ago, but it is amazing! It allows me to show the students the places on Earth that we talk about. We can start at our school and go anywhere! It will allow the students to be able to visualize how large Earth is, and how many amazing things are present on it. One cool feature that we will use often is the snapshots that are placed on of different areas of the world. When I talk about the ocean I will be able to show the class how much area the ocean actually takes up. I will be able to show them exactly how far it is away from our school, and show them snapshots of different areas. When we talk about deserts I can show them Africa and the deserts that are there. I can show them what jungles look like, and where they are located. The pictures aren’t 3D, and that is one major con, but the snapshots assist with this problem. The main use of this program will be to show students where everything is located, and how big they really are. It will help to broaden their perspectives. The tool has its faults. There are a lot of places that it doesn’t have very good images of yet, but updates are continually occurring, and the basic images are already there. It may be difficult for our Kindergarteners to understand at first, but I know many young children throughout the world love the visual aspect of it, and can’t believe what they are seeing. I will assist our students in this process of discovery, and help them understand what they are seeing. I know it will be a valuable tool in our classroom, and will help students build a foundation for the geography they will learn later in their school years.
Jumpstart Kindergarten and Jumpstart First Grade are two computer programs that I will be using frequently in our classroom. I talked a little about these programs in the Technology In Our Classroom section of the website, but I wanted to explain a little more. These programs are the same one I remember using when I was a child. Of course the graphics are updated now, and the programs run a little better, but they are still pretty much the same. I didn’t struggle in school when I was younger, and I believe that these programs were one of the many reason that I didn’t. I loved to do math and I learned how to think logically by using these amazing programs. I found the joy in learning, and that is something that I still possess today. These games will help me as a teacher to instill a love of learning in our students while also allowing them to have fun. The programs appear to just be games to children, but as a teacher I know they are so much more. Learning happens faster when it is fun, and these programs create a fun learning environment. They help our students develop their skills in word identification, rhyming, counting, ordering, sequencing, colors, shapes, and telling time. One of my favorite parts is that the game builds on it’s self. It starts with the most basic skills and then uses those skills in the next level. It tells kids when they make a mistake and helps them figure out how to get the right answer. It does require the students to be on the computer for an extended amount of time, but technology is rapidly evolving and allowing these kids to learn how to use computer programs will only help them in the future. In my curriculum these programs will be integrated in. I will schedule time weekly for each and every student to spend time working playing it in our computer lab. Some students may struggle at first because they aren’t familiar with computers, but these games are simple and have been designed to be user friendly. They are designed specifically with children this age in mind, and that is just one more reason why they are so beneficial in the classroom. We will begin at the first of the year with Jumpstart Kindergarten, to make sure that the basic skills are in place, and by the end of the year they will be using Jumpstart First Grade to allow them to be prepared for their First Grade year.
GOOGLE EARTH
In our class we will be using may technological tools to help the students learn. One tool that we will be using is Google Earth. I explained a little about why we are using this in the Technology in Our Classroom section of the website, but here I will explain a little more. This program came out just a few years ago, but it is amazing! It allows me to show the students the places on Earth that we talk about. We can start at our school and go anywhere! It will allow the students to be able to visualize how large Earth is, and how many amazing things are present on it. One cool feature that we will use often is the snapshots that are placed on of different areas of the world. When I talk about the ocean I will be able to show the class how much area the ocean actually takes up. I will be able to show them exactly how far it is away from our school, and show them snapshots of different areas. When we talk about deserts I can show them Africa and the deserts that are there. I can show them what jungles look like, and where they are located. The pictures aren’t 3D, and that is one major con, but the snapshots assist with this problem. The main use of this program will be to show students where everything is located, and how big they really are. It will help to broaden their perspectives. The tool has its faults. There are a lot of places that it doesn’t have very good images of yet, but updates are continually occurring, and the basic images are already there. It may be difficult for our Kindergarteners to understand at first, but I know many young children throughout the world love the visual aspect of it, and can’t believe what they are seeing. I will assist our students in this process of discovery, and help them understand what they are seeing. I know it will be a valuable tool in our classroom, and will help students build a foundation for the geography they will learn later in their school years.
Week #5
This week in class we learned about youtube, zamzar, teacher tube and explored the national geographic website. I really enjoyed a lot of the activities that were on the national geographic website. Especially the site for kids. I think that it is a great tool that can help me connect kids to technology. I know my cousins who are in the Kindergarten love to play on the internet, and allowing them to play on this site will not only help them learn, but it will allow them to have fun.
Teachertube and Youtube were sites that I was familiar with before our class. I had used them in other activities and I love the resources that they are. The only problem with youtube is that anyone can post anything and sometimes those videos aren't good for kids to watch. Teachertube solves that problem, but it also doesn't have half as many videos. Zamzar comes into play to solve this problem. It allows me to save my videos onto my computer and then show them without using the internet. I really enjoyed learning how to use Zamzar and I think it will be very useful when I am a teacher because I will not only be able to keep the videos that I find for future use, but I will also be able to show them to my students without the dangers of the internet. :) I will also be able to share the videos with colleges and parents through my classroom website and emails.
This week's video was really short, but also way cool. I especially liked the part where they talked about what they think the future of technology will be like. When I think about it I am blown away by how fast technology is evolving. The fist Ipod came out only a few years ago, and now with the Itouch and Iphone they are more like mini computers. I thought the idea of credit cards becoming obsolete was a really good idea, one I had never even considered before. It amazes me what people can come up with, and the kid that suggested fingerprinting could be the one to actually develop it. It is also crazy to think that when I am a parent my kids, and students will grow up in this constantly changing technological world. It definitely shows the importance of using it in the classroom. Traditional classroom activities are changing, and technology should be a huge part of that change.
Teachertube and Youtube were sites that I was familiar with before our class. I had used them in other activities and I love the resources that they are. The only problem with youtube is that anyone can post anything and sometimes those videos aren't good for kids to watch. Teachertube solves that problem, but it also doesn't have half as many videos. Zamzar comes into play to solve this problem. It allows me to save my videos onto my computer and then show them without using the internet. I really enjoyed learning how to use Zamzar and I think it will be very useful when I am a teacher because I will not only be able to keep the videos that I find for future use, but I will also be able to show them to my students without the dangers of the internet. :) I will also be able to share the videos with colleges and parents through my classroom website and emails.
This week's video was really short, but also way cool. I especially liked the part where they talked about what they think the future of technology will be like. When I think about it I am blown away by how fast technology is evolving. The fist Ipod came out only a few years ago, and now with the Itouch and Iphone they are more like mini computers. I thought the idea of credit cards becoming obsolete was a really good idea, one I had never even considered before. It amazes me what people can come up with, and the kid that suggested fingerprinting could be the one to actually develop it. It is also crazy to think that when I am a parent my kids, and students will grow up in this constantly changing technological world. It definitely shows the importance of using it in the classroom. Traditional classroom activities are changing, and technology should be a huge part of that change.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Week # 4
This week we used Microsoft word to create a welcome letter as a pod. This tool has obvious ways in which it will help me to communicate with my student, their parents and my colleagues. I will be able to create handouts, letters, announcements, etc and send them out. I will also be able to create things like lesson plans and send digital files to other instructors in my grade level so they can use it for ideas if they would like. Word is an extremely useful word processing software program that I have been using since for school since I can remember. This tool can be used by students to type up assignments, and I can use it to type up the instructions to their assignments. The uses of Word are unlimited as long as you know how to use the program, and since I have been using it since I was very young I know a lot of these ways and I am constantly learning more.
I have really enjoyed watching the videos that have been presented to us in this class. It is amazing to see how much time they say an average 21 year old spends using technology like the computer or television. It is hard to imagine what they world will be like even 10 years from now with the huge explosion of technology. It wasn't even years ago that the first ipod was introduced, and look how much that has changed! They are now mini computers that you can control by touching the screen! Even DVD's and movies are changing. I remember back when it was DVD and VHS, now it's DVD and Blue Ray. With all of these changes and advances it shouldn't be surprising that teachers are now being expected to teach students how to use technology. It really is hard to believe all the advances that are being made in the world, and teachers especially should be paying attention to, and learning about the advances because they will need to show students how to use many of them.
Another part of the video that I thought was interesting were the facts presented on college students in the US, India and China. It doesn't surprise me at all that the United Stats had a lower number because students here are not taught to work hard and many of them never choose to attend college. We are not required to learn another language although it should be an obvious decision with the changing world we live in. Teachers today need to do their best to instill in students a passion for learning, and an ability to work hard or students will continue to fall behind.
The second video this week was one I really liked. It showed what the life of a typical college student was like now days, and they hit the nail on the head. It is very confusing to me that a lot of instructors are not using the technology that is available to teach. Hundreds of students bring laptops to class, and instructors should strive to find ways to engage these students. I believe that most students have access to a computer and would rather learn by using it then by listening to a lecture.
I have really enjoyed watching the videos that have been presented to us in this class. It is amazing to see how much time they say an average 21 year old spends using technology like the computer or television. It is hard to imagine what they world will be like even 10 years from now with the huge explosion of technology. It wasn't even years ago that the first ipod was introduced, and look how much that has changed! They are now mini computers that you can control by touching the screen! Even DVD's and movies are changing. I remember back when it was DVD and VHS, now it's DVD and Blue Ray. With all of these changes and advances it shouldn't be surprising that teachers are now being expected to teach students how to use technology. It really is hard to believe all the advances that are being made in the world, and teachers especially should be paying attention to, and learning about the advances because they will need to show students how to use many of them.
Another part of the video that I thought was interesting were the facts presented on college students in the US, India and China. It doesn't surprise me at all that the United Stats had a lower number because students here are not taught to work hard and many of them never choose to attend college. We are not required to learn another language although it should be an obvious decision with the changing world we live in. Teachers today need to do their best to instill in students a passion for learning, and an ability to work hard or students will continue to fall behind.
The second video this week was one I really liked. It showed what the life of a typical college student was like now days, and they hit the nail on the head. It is very confusing to me that a lot of instructors are not using the technology that is available to teach. Hundreds of students bring laptops to class, and instructors should strive to find ways to engage these students. I believe that most students have access to a computer and would rather learn by using it then by listening to a lecture.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Week #3
This week we learned to put together a website. This skill is one that I think will be extremely helpful when I become a teacher. If I teach the older grades my students will be able to just check the website if they miss a day, and I will also be able to remind them of important information over the website. This tool will also be useful for communication with parents. I will be able to post announcements and also post a calendar which will help parents know what is going on during the school year.
This tool can also be useful in achieving class objectives. I can post assignments and quizzes on line, and also keep the students up to date on their grades using these online tools. The only problem I see with this tool is that students are already spending to much time online in my opinion and this a website could just add to this time. This is also a positive though because it may reduce the time they spend on other websites because their class website will be just as easy to access and use. It was very frustrating setting the website up, but I can see what an asset it will be as a teacher once the initial set up process is complete. It wasn't nearly as difficult to set up a website as I thought it would be, and I can't see why more teachers aren't using these tools Google puts out. They are very user friendly and similar to programs that are already being used so the transition shouldn't be very difficult, yet many people aren't using the tools. This website will definitely be something that I use in the future, and it is something that I may start using in the college classes I mentor.
The video this week was an interesting one. When I clicked on the link, youtube informed me that the video was no longer available, but I had watched the video early this semester and found the video on another website. I thought that this video presented some very fascinating ideas. I had never though of using cell phones or podcasts as teaching tools! I love the idea of multiple intelligences so when they brought up the Digital Learners idea I thought it was amazing that no one had thought of it before. Every student has their own way of learning, but almost all of them love technology and use it daily. I myself know the power that learning through technology can hold. I love using blackboard, and websites as a student, and I am sure that when I become a teacher my students and their parents will feel the same way.
I also thought the part that talked about how students are born into a world where they are expected to be able to remix, create and share things with each other was interesting. I'd never thought of it that way, but it is very true. It is amazing what Jr. High students can do with music and other things today, and it would be very beneficial to these students if their teachers could integrate these things they can do into learning. Students live in a very fast paced world, and if teachers can find a way to keep that pace going in the classroom I believe students would benefit greatly, and learning would increase.
I thought the research done on how often students get to ask questions was also very interesting. I believe that self discovery is the best way to learn and one of the ways to reach that is by allowing students to ask questions. A teacher should facilitate a discussion, and guide the students to discover what the teacher wants them to learn instead of the teacher feeding the information to the student.
I thought the list of how to use the www's to our advantage was also very interesting. I can see how using a tool like google earth could enhance a history lesson, or geography lesson. I know I would have loved to see the areas we were discussing in my 6th grade class! It is mind blowing how many tools we have as humans on earth at this time, and it makes one wonder what is next. Technology needs to be used to enhance learning, or students are going to quit learning in school and learn whatever they want, when they want online. As teachers we should be teaching them how to use these tools to learn, and using them to instill a love of learning. Instead we tell them they spend too much time using the tools.
This tool can also be useful in achieving class objectives. I can post assignments and quizzes on line, and also keep the students up to date on their grades using these online tools. The only problem I see with this tool is that students are already spending to much time online in my opinion and this a website could just add to this time. This is also a positive though because it may reduce the time they spend on other websites because their class website will be just as easy to access and use. It was very frustrating setting the website up, but I can see what an asset it will be as a teacher once the initial set up process is complete. It wasn't nearly as difficult to set up a website as I thought it would be, and I can't see why more teachers aren't using these tools Google puts out. They are very user friendly and similar to programs that are already being used so the transition shouldn't be very difficult, yet many people aren't using the tools. This website will definitely be something that I use in the future, and it is something that I may start using in the college classes I mentor.
The video this week was an interesting one. When I clicked on the link, youtube informed me that the video was no longer available, but I had watched the video early this semester and found the video on another website. I thought that this video presented some very fascinating ideas. I had never though of using cell phones or podcasts as teaching tools! I love the idea of multiple intelligences so when they brought up the Digital Learners idea I thought it was amazing that no one had thought of it before. Every student has their own way of learning, but almost all of them love technology and use it daily. I myself know the power that learning through technology can hold. I love using blackboard, and websites as a student, and I am sure that when I become a teacher my students and their parents will feel the same way.
I also thought the part that talked about how students are born into a world where they are expected to be able to remix, create and share things with each other was interesting. I'd never thought of it that way, but it is very true. It is amazing what Jr. High students can do with music and other things today, and it would be very beneficial to these students if their teachers could integrate these things they can do into learning. Students live in a very fast paced world, and if teachers can find a way to keep that pace going in the classroom I believe students would benefit greatly, and learning would increase.
I thought the research done on how often students get to ask questions was also very interesting. I believe that self discovery is the best way to learn and one of the ways to reach that is by allowing students to ask questions. A teacher should facilitate a discussion, and guide the students to discover what the teacher wants them to learn instead of the teacher feeding the information to the student.
I thought the list of how to use the www's to our advantage was also very interesting. I can see how using a tool like google earth could enhance a history lesson, or geography lesson. I know I would have loved to see the areas we were discussing in my 6th grade class! It is mind blowing how many tools we have as humans on earth at this time, and it makes one wonder what is next. Technology needs to be used to enhance learning, or students are going to quit learning in school and learn whatever they want, when they want online. As teachers we should be teaching them how to use these tools to learn, and using them to instill a love of learning. Instead we tell them they spend too much time using the tools.
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