Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Integrating Websites into the Classroom
Site Title: World Images
This site is for those who are looking for images for education purposes. It provides thousands of pictures covered a range of topics. Browsers can also use the index to easily find the subject area they are looking for, or merely browse through to enjoy. Users can also email contributors to the site for better resolution images for sharing pictures in class... etc. There is also a Tutorials/Tools link on the sidebar that gives glossary definitions for art terms, tutorials, and helpful tools for the user. This website was a little stark. It is supposed to be about images, but I think that it could've been a little more pleasing to look at; especially when one clicks on the categories.
What are two ways the site could be used in the classroom?
This site could be used for finding a picture that the kids want to draw. Kids could find their favorite animal, building, tree... and then leave it up on the screen for drawing class.
This site could also be used for finding pictures to add to a powerpoint presentation on a topic as the images range from people to plants.
This site could be used to extend learning opportunities beyond the classroom by showing the kids examples of photography. If kids were to go on a field trip, they could find something that they like and try to replicate it/use it for inspiration to find something on their own that they want to photograph. Print Page in IE
This site is for those who are looking for images for education purposes. It provides thousands of pictures covered a range of topics. Browsers can also use the index to easily find the subject area they are looking for, or merely browse through to enjoy. Users can also email contributors to the site for better resolution images for sharing pictures in class... etc. There is also a Tutorials/Tools link on the sidebar that gives glossary definitions for art terms, tutorials, and helpful tools for the user. This website was a little stark. It is supposed to be about images, but I think that it could've been a little more pleasing to look at; especially when one clicks on the categories.
What are two ways the site could be used in the classroom?
This site could be used for finding a picture that the kids want to draw. Kids could find their favorite animal, building, tree... and then leave it up on the screen for drawing class.
This site could also be used for finding pictures to add to a powerpoint presentation on a topic as the images range from people to plants.
This site could be used to extend learning opportunities beyond the classroom by showing the kids examples of photography. If kids were to go on a field trip, they could find something that they like and try to replicate it/use it for inspiration to find something on their own that they want to photograph. Print Page in IE
Monday, October 18, 2010
Telecollaborative Learning
Telecollaborative projects develop student's critical thinking skills in many ways. Students must first gain knowledge of the subject matter in order to do anything with it. Collaborating with students from other countries increases students knowledge that they most likely wouldn't receive otherwise. The keypal example shows how students from Canada exchanged information with students in Australia to figure out what a "vegemite" is. The telecollaborative projects also allow students to teach, also in the vegemite example. Teaching is one of the best ways to learn because it shows how much you really know of the subject.
In another one of my education classes we are studying different ways to approach learning, rather than the usual teacher dominating the classroom with her whiteboard and rules. The telecollaborative learning allows students to create their own projects, be in charge of themselves, and really get involved with what they are doing. People learn different ways and this one other way to be able to communicate with students gives them just one more way to achieve success. Students are able to go from the bottom of the pyramid, knowledge, all the way to the top, evaluation, when they are done with their projects and/or communicating with students from other places. Print Page in IE
In another one of my education classes we are studying different ways to approach learning, rather than the usual teacher dominating the classroom with her whiteboard and rules. The telecollaborative learning allows students to create their own projects, be in charge of themselves, and really get involved with what they are doing. People learn different ways and this one other way to be able to communicate with students gives them just one more way to achieve success. Students are able to go from the bottom of the pyramid, knowledge, all the way to the top, evaluation, when they are done with their projects and/or communicating with students from other places. Print Page in IE
Monday, October 4, 2010
Technology Past, Present, & Future
1. Tech Past
My experiences with computers in the classroom were very infrequent and not really of much use. We didn't use computers in the classroom, we had a computer lab where we all went during our scheduled time. We learned how to look up books in the library and how to type. In the 4th Grade we played an Oregon Trail game in which we had to survive until the end that was very fun to play, but didn't teach us any computer related skills. My teachers always seemed very flustered when we were in the computer lab; they would frantically run from one corner of the room to the other trying to answer questions and not knowing how to explain the answers. It seemed like my classmates really enjoyed computer lab time, as did I, but we really didn't get too much out of it because the teachers were too busy trying to get everybody on the same page.
2. Tech Present
I am hoping to teach the 3rd-5th level of elementary education. I have thought of integrating technology into my lesson plans by using it to teach geography with interactive maps. We can play games where the children click on the right area of the map, and it could possibly tell them facts about the area we are studying. I also think the Voki could be great as well, as a teacher I could change what it says each morning. This would give the children directions for the day and giving them some variation from a person just standing in front of the room all day.
3. Tech Future
I think the most challenging thing about integrating technology into my classroom is going to be just getting to actually use it. Time seems to be the biggest issue for schools these days trying to schedule a block to get into a computer lab. I think having laptops for students would be awesome but with kids classes getting cut from education budgets, I really don't think that purchasing laptops is anywhere near the top of the list of things to do. If there were easier ways to get into a computer lab for longer periods of time then I think technology integration would be easier. I also think that if, as a teacher, I were able to spend more time with each individual student then it would be easier to teach them necessary, basic computer skills rather than just play games. Print Page in IE
My experiences with computers in the classroom were very infrequent and not really of much use. We didn't use computers in the classroom, we had a computer lab where we all went during our scheduled time. We learned how to look up books in the library and how to type. In the 4th Grade we played an Oregon Trail game in which we had to survive until the end that was very fun to play, but didn't teach us any computer related skills. My teachers always seemed very flustered when we were in the computer lab; they would frantically run from one corner of the room to the other trying to answer questions and not knowing how to explain the answers. It seemed like my classmates really enjoyed computer lab time, as did I, but we really didn't get too much out of it because the teachers were too busy trying to get everybody on the same page.
2. Tech Present
I am hoping to teach the 3rd-5th level of elementary education. I have thought of integrating technology into my lesson plans by using it to teach geography with interactive maps. We can play games where the children click on the right area of the map, and it could possibly tell them facts about the area we are studying. I also think the Voki could be great as well, as a teacher I could change what it says each morning. This would give the children directions for the day and giving them some variation from a person just standing in front of the room all day.
3. Tech Future
I think the most challenging thing about integrating technology into my classroom is going to be just getting to actually use it. Time seems to be the biggest issue for schools these days trying to schedule a block to get into a computer lab. I think having laptops for students would be awesome but with kids classes getting cut from education budgets, I really don't think that purchasing laptops is anywhere near the top of the list of things to do. If there were easier ways to get into a computer lab for longer periods of time then I think technology integration would be easier. I also think that if, as a teacher, I were able to spend more time with each individual student then it would be easier to teach them necessary, basic computer skills rather than just play games. Print Page in IE
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Avatars in Education
Avatars could be very helpful in a classroom situations for a variety of reasons: an avatar could be in the basic sense motivation, if the kids have done well that day they are allowed to change one thing about the avatar - hair, what he/she says... etc. It could also be for welcoming the kids in the morning, asking them to do a certain assignment when they get in the classroom.
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