Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Smartboard and Teaching
The Smartboard is such a great tool for teaching. I really enjoyed seeing all of the presentations in class tonight. There are so many different things you can do with it. You can play games, write on it, search the web on it... and the greatest thing about it is that you can do it all on such a grand scale and not have to be holed up behind a computer monitor. Kids can come up and touch it. You can be describing something up front and write a little note next to it. It's a great way to get kids involved in their learning, rather than just watching you play around with stuff up front.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Reflection #5
Skype and the like...
I have really enjoyed seeing the use of Skype and Googletalk and other such programs. Especially in our Northwest U culture where there are many missionary kids/families or aspiring ones, resources like this prove invaluable. Personally, programs like this may have a big impact in my future since my fiance and I are thinking of going to Japan for the JET program. If we don't do that we are thinking of working at a Christian camp for a couple years located in the middle of the Sequoia National Forest. Needless to say there isn't much cell service down there. Programs like that would allow us to keep in contact with family and friends - without racking up the phone bill.
In the classroom stuff like this can be extremely useful - especially if the teacher has contacts in other parts of the world. Children could communicate with other classrooms all around the world. They could learn about different cultures, and see what other 2nd graders are learning the same time they are.
I have really enjoyed seeing the use of Skype and Googletalk and other such programs. Especially in our Northwest U culture where there are many missionary kids/families or aspiring ones, resources like this prove invaluable. Personally, programs like this may have a big impact in my future since my fiance and I are thinking of going to Japan for the JET program. If we don't do that we are thinking of working at a Christian camp for a couple years located in the middle of the Sequoia National Forest. Needless to say there isn't much cell service down there. Programs like that would allow us to keep in contact with family and friends - without racking up the phone bill.
In the classroom stuff like this can be extremely useful - especially if the teacher has contacts in other parts of the world. Children could communicate with other classrooms all around the world. They could learn about different cultures, and see what other 2nd graders are learning the same time they are.
Reflection #4
One thing I have really enjoyed seeing since this class began is all of the different examples of school and teacher websites. Classroom websites are a new idea to me, and the more I see of them, the more I like them. They aren't that hard to do, and they can have so many great benefits. It provides kids with a safe place to explore technology, as well as a resource for extra homework, help with homework, and a place to display their hard work in class. It also provides a great resource for parents to see what is going on in the classroom and to get a general idea of what the teacher is like.
I really think I will use this idea in the classroom. However, it will be important for me to be aware of the ability of my students to access the internet from their home. If many of them can't, then I will need to make sure to use it in the classroom, and not rely on it as a homework resource.
I really think I will use this idea in the classroom. However, it will be important for me to be aware of the ability of my students to access the internet from their home. If many of them can't, then I will need to make sure to use it in the classroom, and not rely on it as a homework resource.
Reflection #3
I'm not really sure if this website will count... but I really like it. It is called: woot . It's a website that has one item everyday for a discounted price - usually it's really nice stuff on the more technological side. Once a month they will have a "woot off" where they go through their entire month's inventory and auction it off one after the other for great prices. I don't know that this website would be a great one to share with your students, but it could be a great resource for teachers. They may have just what you need to complete a project for a whole lot less money - or it could be inspiration!
They also have a shirt woot that is a competition for the best t-shirt design. This could be a great idea or example to show students for a similar competition in the classroom.
They also have a shirt woot that is a competition for the best t-shirt design. This could be a great idea or example to show students for a similar competition in the classroom.
Reflection #2
Working on the del.icio.us sites sparked this next reflection. One of my favorite sites that I've found is the kids National Geographic site. I really like it because it has tons of fun activities, printouts and games, and is connected with something tangible like a magazine. Many different activities could come out of this. You could use it as a reading activity by using the magazine, and then the kids have to find a portion of the site that correlates with that article.
That led me to think that there are probably other such sites. Most major companies have websites now, especially interactive ones. Children could explore the internet by taking a major TV station or magazine that they like and finding their website.
That led me to think that there are probably other such sites. Most major companies have websites now, especially interactive ones. Children could explore the internet by taking a major TV station or magazine that they like and finding their website.
Reflection #1
So not really knowing where to start with my reflections, got me thinking about the technology I've seen in the class I'm observing. I am placed in a lower income school, so there isn't a whole lot of technology, but there is some. The main piece of technology I see used is the document camera. I have never been a big document camera fan. Most of the time I think that students can just either see what the teacher is holding up, or they can follow along on their own handouts. However, after seeing it used more in the classroom, I am able to see more of its benefits. It seems rather nice to be able to use an actual piece of paper rather than have a transparency or powerpoint made for everything. I'm still not completely sold - but I can see more of the benefit of them.
Assignment #3
For my Smartboard presentation, I am using a geography game found on National Geographic's kid site. It's very interactive and I thought it was a lot of fun. It is a bit slow moving for one person, but if divided into teams or split up, I think it would be more affective. Here is the link to national geographic
The NETS Student standards that fit this presentation are: Technology Operations and Concepts
a. understand and use technology systems
d. transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies.
The presentation showcases these standards because students will have to have some understanding of computer technology and of the Smartboard's technology in order to play this game. They will also have to transfer their knowledge of computer technology to the technology of the Smartboard - as well as transferring their geographical knowledge in order to play the game correctly.
The NETS teacher standards that fit this presentation are: Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
a. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and activity
This standard applies to the presentation because I will be using a digital tool/resource to help the students learn about the 50 states. They will use their background information to become a "geo spy" and identify the 50 states as a class using the game found on the National Geographic kids website.
The NETS Student standards that fit this presentation are: Technology Operations and Concepts
a. understand and use technology systems
d. transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies.
The presentation showcases these standards because students will have to have some understanding of computer technology and of the Smartboard's technology in order to play this game. They will also have to transfer their knowledge of computer technology to the technology of the Smartboard - as well as transferring their geographical knowledge in order to play the game correctly.
The NETS teacher standards that fit this presentation are: Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
a. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and activity
This standard applies to the presentation because I will be using a digital tool/resource to help the students learn about the 50 states. They will use their background information to become a "geo spy" and identify the 50 states as a class using the game found on the National Geographic kids website.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Greatest Challenge...
What is my greatest challenge regarding teaching and technology? Well, at the school that I am currently at, it is simply access to technology. We are fortunate enough to at least have a projector, docucam, and overhead, but not much beyond that. There are a couple of computers in the classroom, but I've never seen the kids use it. To my knowledge there is no computer lab or anything. I'm not sure how I could overcome this in my current position, but if I were a teacher I would have a few more options. I could talk to the administration to see if there are any hidden resources in the school or in the budget that could be used to enhance technology. I could apply for grants or talk to other teachers to see if they have any resources we don't have access to. I could also bring in what I have at home to at least give the kids some exposure. It would be difficult, but there are definitely some solutions.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Assignment #2
I decided to look for websites in these four areas: spelling, science, geography, and math. I figured that these were good subjects to have some fun interactive games for, or that I might need some inspiration when trying to teach these subjects. Here are the links to my bundles:
geography
math
science
spelling
spelling city is the first site I will tell you about. It is a site where children can practice their spelling in a number of different ways. They input their spelling words from their class list, and from there the list is formulated into different games, or they can be tested on them. There are also sample lists that children can use to just get better at spelling. I thought this would be really useful as an extra homework assignment or an option for kids to use during the time they have to work on their spelling.
smithsonian education contains a lot of useful resources for science and history. There are activity sheets that can be printed off and used in class, and several games. There are resources for educators, students and families, all of which are very useful. There are many different lesson plans for educators that can be adapted for any age level, with corresponding activities in the in the student section. Overall this site would be extremely helpful in putting lessons together and engaging the students in interactive games to further emphasize the concepts being taught.
math playground has tons of games that help children with their math skills. Many of them are for upper elementary, but there are some for the lower levels. They are all very interactive and a lot of fun. It covers a variety of types of math, in a number of different ways. This would be a great way for students to get some extra practice in certain areas they are struggling in, or could be a fun homework assignment rather than a worksheet.
national greographic provides a great resource for geography and other aspects of social studies. There are tons of games for the children to play, but also other types of interactive activities. There are quizzes and videos and stories about different animals. It is a very fun website and would be very appealing to kids. It is great for teachers to use as re-inforcement for particular concepts. Children can also use it as a research tool - teachers could very easily tell them to go use this website to discover a new fact about an animal or something and use it as an easy and fun assignment.
Del.icio.us could be very useful among other teachers as a way to share exciting new sites to get your kids engaged. Sometimes it is hard to find time to research new sites for games or even just a fresh perspective on teaching a certain topic. But with del.icio.us, you have easy access to other teacher's sites for a quick mode of research. It can also be very useful in the classroom with students as a way for the students to share information with each other and with other students aroudn the world. Maybe they are doing a research project on a certain topic, rather than having to search the whole web and hope to find something useful, they can just look at other student's tags for websites on that topic. I think it would cut down the frustration level significantly, as well as providing them with a way to begin networking with others.
geography
math
science
spelling
spelling city is the first site I will tell you about. It is a site where children can practice their spelling in a number of different ways. They input their spelling words from their class list, and from there the list is formulated into different games, or they can be tested on them. There are also sample lists that children can use to just get better at spelling. I thought this would be really useful as an extra homework assignment or an option for kids to use during the time they have to work on their spelling.
smithsonian education contains a lot of useful resources for science and history. There are activity sheets that can be printed off and used in class, and several games. There are resources for educators, students and families, all of which are very useful. There are many different lesson plans for educators that can be adapted for any age level, with corresponding activities in the in the student section. Overall this site would be extremely helpful in putting lessons together and engaging the students in interactive games to further emphasize the concepts being taught.
math playground has tons of games that help children with their math skills. Many of them are for upper elementary, but there are some for the lower levels. They are all very interactive and a lot of fun. It covers a variety of types of math, in a number of different ways. This would be a great way for students to get some extra practice in certain areas they are struggling in, or could be a fun homework assignment rather than a worksheet.
national greographic provides a great resource for geography and other aspects of social studies. There are tons of games for the children to play, but also other types of interactive activities. There are quizzes and videos and stories about different animals. It is a very fun website and would be very appealing to kids. It is great for teachers to use as re-inforcement for particular concepts. Children can also use it as a research tool - teachers could very easily tell them to go use this website to discover a new fact about an animal or something and use it as an easy and fun assignment.
Del.icio.us could be very useful among other teachers as a way to share exciting new sites to get your kids engaged. Sometimes it is hard to find time to research new sites for games or even just a fresh perspective on teaching a certain topic. But with del.icio.us, you have easy access to other teacher's sites for a quick mode of research. It can also be very useful in the classroom with students as a way for the students to share information with each other and with other students aroudn the world. Maybe they are doing a research project on a certain topic, rather than having to search the whole web and hope to find something useful, they can just look at other student's tags for websites on that topic. I think it would cut down the frustration level significantly, as well as providing them with a way to begin networking with others.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Cool Cat Blog
I decided to read the Cool Cat Teacher Blog, and it is amazing. It is a great example of the potential a blog has, particularly as a teaching tool. She has put so many links on there as resources or connections to other educators, as well as put several projects up that the class is doing. Her blogs are also really interesting. One in particular that I found interesting was the special needs blog . I am taking a special needs in education class, so reading this article from a teacher's perspective was really insightful.
Overall, the Cool Cat Teacher did a great job of putting together a website that is abounding with information, resources and fun activities. It will be a great tool to use in the future, as well as a great example of what I could do!
Overall, the Cool Cat Teacher did a great job of putting together a website that is abounding with information, resources and fun activities. It will be a great tool to use in the future, as well as a great example of what I could do!
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