Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Google Mapping Activity
This map could be used in a lesson introducing weather processes. We would discuss the science behind tornadoes, how they are formed and what are the effects. Students would then be able to see where severe tornadoes have occurred in Michigan and see if there is any common theme they can draw from the location.
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Friday, July 25, 2014
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Reflection week Four
Out of all the learning theories presented in chapter four, I believe the Situated Learning Theory would be the most beneficial. This type of learning takes place through student participation. I believe students learn the most by participating in hands-on, applicable learning exercises. Using this method, I would present the students with bags of marshmallows. I would give each group a different brand of marshmallows and they would have to count the number of marshmallows in the bag. We would then create a table on the board to compare the number of marshmallows, size of the bag and the price of each bag. This would help students to see the actual numbers affiliated with cost per ounce scenario. They would then be introduced to various other problems based on their favorite foods. Is would make the calculation interesting to them.
The other method I was interested in is, Gagne's Theory of Instruction. I appreciated his 9 events of instruction. The events, as he described them, would apply easily to the majority of classroom instruction. The first concept that you would need to help students understand is "what is an ounce". You could gain their attention by displaying some favorite foods and toys on the table. You could put 10 ounces of each. This would give them a visual of an ounce. From here you can teach them how to calculate price per ounce by labeling each item with a different price per prince number. They would then calculate the price of each display.
The last of the learning theories that I would utilize would be the Cognitive Theory. It would be a great task to assign the students to go to a grocery store and compare price per ounce or pound of various products. This would help move the concepts they learned in class to their long term memory.
The Human Performance Improvement discussed in chapter 14, would be a great addition to any work place, school or home. We should all be striving to help those we interact with on a regular basis to be constantly improving. As a teacher I could use the concepts of positive reinforcement and encouragement to drive the student to accomplish their best. This would also be useful in the home environment. My children "perform" at a greater level when expectations are clear and positive motivators are set into place.
The podcast I chose to subscribe to is TEDTALKS EDUCATION. I really enjoy the innovative ideas that are presented through this podcast. The thoughts and ideas of the future of education and schools is a great motivator and inspiration as an educator.
Bookmarking would be a great way to introduce students to the latest and greatest information that is available. The best way I see to utilize this would be to have the teacher post and if students find something relatable and interesting, they would receive approval from the teacher and it could be added. This would be a great resource for parents to see what their child is currently learning and to learn and discuss right along with them.
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Instructional Design & Technology: Week 3 Reflection
The idea of learning through media has been around since the first decade of the twentieth century. This was surprising as I thought it was a new concept that is being built upon. The thought in the '30's concerning the radio, film and television; "tomorrow they will be as common as the book and powerful in their effect on learning and teaching" (Morgan, 1932, p. ix) was intriguing. Educators had high hopes for instructional technology. The definition has been reevaluated throughout the century to come to a broader scope which includes improve learning and performance. The focus should be on the teacher's proper implementation of media to accomplish the goal of educating our students.
As a science educator, I have been able to utilize many wonderful media within the context of my science class. The options for videos and microscopic images is astounding. Properly used these can be very beneficial tools in introducing your class to some complex subjects. I have utilized Khan academy numerous times with my students. These are short lectured videos that introduce topics. These are helpful for students to hear from a different perspective and for the repetition.
The scenario presented seemed very dull. In this situation, I interpreted that they took a traditional classroom with textbooks, workbooks, student study guides and teacher curriculum and put them all in electronic form on a laptop. They did not address any teacher training that took place to integrate the new method. There was no mention of a new method of teaching to incorporate more technology instruction. The difference is they would open a laptop instead of a book. I fail to see the benefit of this situation, with the exception of kids carrying one laptop as opposed to a text, workbook and study book for each class. It did not appear that the teachers were using the technology available to their fullest extent. A development of a blog, online grade book and some actual on-line instruction would have benefited the student.
I believe it will be very challenging to ever replace a teacher effectively. Technology can provide us with some incredible teaching tools, but can they motivate and challenge struggling students? My belief is that the majority of El/MS/HS students need a positive role model as well as a teacher. They need to be with someone who has a genuine interest in the subject area and their personal life. This will benefit the student most and produce the best long term result. On the other hand, as a graduate student and mother of four, I have greatly appreciated the benefit of online learning. The opportunity for me to go back to school would be greatly diminished without this tool. Therefore, in the right context and with a motivated student, instructional design and technology is needed in our society and I believe will continue to grow as better tools are made available.
As a science educator, I have been able to utilize many wonderful media within the context of my science class. The options for videos and microscopic images is astounding. Properly used these can be very beneficial tools in introducing your class to some complex subjects. I have utilized Khan academy numerous times with my students. These are short lectured videos that introduce topics. These are helpful for students to hear from a different perspective and for the repetition.
The scenario presented seemed very dull. In this situation, I interpreted that they took a traditional classroom with textbooks, workbooks, student study guides and teacher curriculum and put them all in electronic form on a laptop. They did not address any teacher training that took place to integrate the new method. There was no mention of a new method of teaching to incorporate more technology instruction. The difference is they would open a laptop instead of a book. I fail to see the benefit of this situation, with the exception of kids carrying one laptop as opposed to a text, workbook and study book for each class. It did not appear that the teachers were using the technology available to their fullest extent. A development of a blog, online grade book and some actual on-line instruction would have benefited the student.
I believe it will be very challenging to ever replace a teacher effectively. Technology can provide us with some incredible teaching tools, but can they motivate and challenge struggling students? My belief is that the majority of El/MS/HS students need a positive role model as well as a teacher. They need to be with someone who has a genuine interest in the subject area and their personal life. This will benefit the student most and produce the best long term result. On the other hand, as a graduate student and mother of four, I have greatly appreciated the benefit of online learning. The opportunity for me to go back to school would be greatly diminished without this tool. Therefore, in the right context and with a motivated student, instructional design and technology is needed in our society and I believe will continue to grow as better tools are made available.
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Videos-Josh Wilson
My family and I were able to see this artist perform Sunday night in Grand Haven. We really enjoyed him.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Blogs, RSS Readers and Wikis: Week 2 Reflection
This week has opened my eyes to the seemingly endless possibilities of the internet. The technology-based tool that I enjoyed the most was setting up the Wiki. I was not familiar with this tool and found it to be easy to use. This is a tool that I would find very beneficial in my classroom. As a science teacher, I could assign a group project on genetics that students would be able to collaborate together using a wiki. There are some great educational options within pbworks that would suit my classroom.
In years past, I set up a blog for my classroom. This allowed for great communication from teacher, parents and students. Each week I posted the material we covered in class and the assignments for the week. This was a great forum for students to access and parents to receive much needed information.
The most intriguing tool was the RSS Reader. I am not, what most consider computer literate. The idea of having all the sites I follow in one source was very new to me. I really liked the option to categorize the information and to see it all in one glance. This would be a great source to have my students utilize if there are certain sites I would like them to follow. They could also have the classroom blog on their RSS Reader which would help keep them informed.
Because a Wiki could be used for group activities, I would place a wiki around the middle of Dale's Cone (demonstrations, educational television, collaboration). A blog would be used more for individual projects or information. I would place blogs higher up on Dale's Cone (visual symbols and pictures). Feedly is interesting because a student will have a greater desire to stay in tuned to their RSS Reader. The majority of the sites they follow will be of interest to them. A person's interest will drive there education on the subject. Therefore, I believe it would be toward the bottom of Dale's Cone (direct purposeful experience). With the desire to learn, they will learn very quickly.
I really enjoyed Siegel's article! As I stated previously my son was enrolled in an on-line charter school. Our experience was very monotonous. My son lost his desire to learn. I sat through a number of his lessons and understood why. A teacher would be teaching the lesson in a 2"x2" square in the upper corner and notes would pop up on the screen as he/she was talking. At the end of a 7-12 minute lesson there was a quiz. The problem arose if you had little to no interest in the subject. The lesson was tedious.
I would love to see some student interaction being utilized through on-line communication. A teacher could post a question to the class blog and students could respond and collaborate answers. This would benefit students to think outside of themselves and stretch their interpersonal skills.
An imaginative way to utilize wiki and feedly would be to have students post on their wiki page a weekly summary from their feedly account. A class could be studying a specific subject such as, cell reproduction. They could be following information on their feedly account and then required to put a group report together using their wiki. I find the possibilities exciting. I would love to apply these technology tools to my classroom and help encourage collaborative learning.
In years past, I set up a blog for my classroom. This allowed for great communication from teacher, parents and students. Each week I posted the material we covered in class and the assignments for the week. This was a great forum for students to access and parents to receive much needed information.
The most intriguing tool was the RSS Reader. I am not, what most consider computer literate. The idea of having all the sites I follow in one source was very new to me. I really liked the option to categorize the information and to see it all in one glance. This would be a great source to have my students utilize if there are certain sites I would like them to follow. They could also have the classroom blog on their RSS Reader which would help keep them informed.
Because a Wiki could be used for group activities, I would place a wiki around the middle of Dale's Cone (demonstrations, educational television, collaboration). A blog would be used more for individual projects or information. I would place blogs higher up on Dale's Cone (visual symbols and pictures). Feedly is interesting because a student will have a greater desire to stay in tuned to their RSS Reader. The majority of the sites they follow will be of interest to them. A person's interest will drive there education on the subject. Therefore, I believe it would be toward the bottom of Dale's Cone (direct purposeful experience). With the desire to learn, they will learn very quickly.
I really enjoyed Siegel's article! As I stated previously my son was enrolled in an on-line charter school. Our experience was very monotonous. My son lost his desire to learn. I sat through a number of his lessons and understood why. A teacher would be teaching the lesson in a 2"x2" square in the upper corner and notes would pop up on the screen as he/she was talking. At the end of a 7-12 minute lesson there was a quiz. The problem arose if you had little to no interest in the subject. The lesson was tedious.
I would love to see some student interaction being utilized through on-line communication. A teacher could post a question to the class blog and students could respond and collaborate answers. This would benefit students to think outside of themselves and stretch their interpersonal skills.
An imaginative way to utilize wiki and feedly would be to have students post on their wiki page a weekly summary from their feedly account. A class could be studying a specific subject such as, cell reproduction. They could be following information on their feedly account and then required to put a group report together using their wiki. I find the possibilities exciting. I would love to apply these technology tools to my classroom and help encourage collaborative learning.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Next Generation of Software:Harnessing Collective Intelligence
The face of the internet is continuing to change. This change is determined by the users of the web. Blogs have been instrumental in this change by directing and feeding the desires of the internet user. Information is being shared and spread at lightning speed.
http://smtyler98.pbworks.com/w/page/82736557/FrontPage
http://smtyler98.pbworks.com/w/page/82736557/FrontPage
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