I was absent for this assignmentm so I hope that I'm not too late to post my opinion.
1. Gee's fundamental argument is that children can learn a lot from videogames, and that they should be placed in learning environments to teach children more, and so that they have more opportunities to play and do so.
2. I agree with Mr. Gee to an extent. I believe that all children need time to play, and that some games can teach them a lot about real-world experiences, but I do not think that videogames should make more of an appearance in the classroom because later in life it will make the children, (then adults) lazy and give them an excuse to play instead of work. Videogames will have been all they knew.
3. I believe good teaching has a lot to do with keeping things new in the classroom. If the teacher 'spices things up', the children will not only be ready and willing to learn, but they will also be entertained. Teachers should introduce a new way of teaching as often as possible. Videogames can be used occasionally, but if used too often, I think that would present an example of bad teaching, because it makes the teacher come off as lazy for not getting the students involved.
4. I think Scratch is a great website to teach children short lessons and for them to play short, educational games, but I don't believe I would use it in my classroom. I found it to be difficult to understand at first, and I don't believe in letting my students play videogames everyday, all day.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Presentation idea
I have decided to do my presentation on contractions. The english language is very complex, and sometimes people misspell or misuse contractions. I hope to enlighten some with my presentation, ans I hope that everyone likes it. I found a youtube video that goes along with my presentation perfectly. I plan to use powerpoint for my presentation.
Presentation
I had hoped to ask some questions on Tuesday, I'm not certain I did this right. Here is the link to my presentation on Contractions.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Scratch idea
After looking through the projects on scratch, I finally found one I think I will try to modify. I was looking for a fun idea, that may involve a little easy game of some sort, that will also teach a lesson. I wanted something science-based, that is well known to younger students. I finally stumbled upon Fishing for Recyclables. This scratch involves a game in which you move your cursor around the screen to catch recyclables in the ocean. A few things i would change about the game are how slow the4 cursor moves, and the text of the instructions. The words are barely visible and the cursor moves entirely too slow to catch anything.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Blogging with Fifth Graders!
I really liked blogging with the fifth grade class from Fairview Middle School. I liked hearing their hopes for fifth grade, what they thought about school, homework, etc. It's always fun to get involved with younger students when they're learning new things. The students seem to really enjoy getting our responses to their blogs, and we enjoyed writing them back. This is definitely a new step in classroom teaching. When i was younger, computers were rarely used in the clssroom, much less blogging and communicating with other clasrooms. I'm not sure if i would use this tool in my future classroom. I guess it will depend on the number of computers in my class, or how often we would get to use the lab. I think blogging is a really fun teaching tool, but it will also depend on how quickly my students pick up on using a computer and newer technology. Overall, I think that blogging with Fairview Middle was fun and exciting, and I will definitely consider using it in my classroom.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Scratch Modification
SC.O.1.3.5
develop respect and responsibility for the environment by engaging in conservation practices (e.g., recycling, or trash clean-up).
The scratch I chose to modify was called "Fishing for Recylables". It is a game in which you drag your cursor across the screen in order to catch the recycled material from the ocean. When i first saw this scratch, the recyling bin moved very slowly, and the instructions were hard to read. I changed the font and color of the instructions and sped up the movement of the recycling bin. While these were both simple changes, I think it made the game a lot easier to understand. To see the modified verson of "Fishing for Recylables", please click here.
develop respect and responsibility for the environment by engaging in conservation practices (e.g., recycling, or trash clean-up).
The scratch I chose to modify was called "Fishing for Recylables". It is a game in which you drag your cursor across the screen in order to catch the recycled material from the ocean. When i first saw this scratch, the recyling bin moved very slowly, and the instructions were hard to read. I changed the font and color of the instructions and sped up the movement of the recycling bin. While these were both simple changes, I think it made the game a lot easier to understand. To see the modified verson of "Fishing for Recylables", please click here.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
New Media Literacy
1. What is convergence culture?
Convergence culture is the mix between old and new technology to make a form of technolofy used today.
2. What are the implications of convergence culture for education?
It can help teach students the new ways of learning through technology, the old ways, and a mixture of both and how to apply them in everyday life.
3. How are schools limiting kids' access to digital tools? Do you agree with these policies? Why or why not?
I believe that kids should be taught to use different tools that technology and the internet have to offer. While may are very helpful, others should not be used in the elementary classroom. Tools like Blogger and other online sites are very beneficial to learning, while other social networking sites like facebook and myspace are mainly for fun. I think that there are some limitations that should be placed in the classroom, but other things could be very useful in learning.
Convergence culture is the mix between old and new technology to make a form of technolofy used today.
2. What are the implications of convergence culture for education?
It can help teach students the new ways of learning through technology, the old ways, and a mixture of both and how to apply them in everyday life.
3. How are schools limiting kids' access to digital tools? Do you agree with these policies? Why or why not?
I believe that kids should be taught to use different tools that technology and the internet have to offer. While may are very helpful, others should not be used in the elementary classroom. Tools like Blogger and other online sites are very beneficial to learning, while other social networking sites like facebook and myspace are mainly for fun. I think that there are some limitations that should be placed in the classroom, but other things could be very useful in learning.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Website Authenticity
The website I chose to validate was about the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus. When first looking at the website, the graphics and pictures make it seem like a reliable source of information. The first paragraph talks about facts about the octopus, which could make someone believe it, but as i went farther down the page i found "facts" that were very hard to believe. Supposedly, the octopus can reproduce while in the trees, and tells how they migrate from water to land, and from land to trees. It states that the octopus was overharvested and used for fashion, and includes a picture of a woman supposedly wearing one as a hat. The domain for the website is ".net", which means that no company or organization or educational facility created it. If you look up the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus on wikipedia, it brings up a page that says that the website was a hoax created in 1998. It goes to show that you cant always trust the information on the internet. I will definitely keep this in mind when I look at other information.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Magazine cover
My partner was Kristin Duncan. Here is our magazine cover. :)
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing."
Albert Einstein
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Web 2.0 Bookmark
I chose Slideshare for my Web 2.0 bookmark. It is used to upload powerpoints, documents, etc. I think it will be very helpful in the classroom. I would have liked to know about this site when posting my student artifact, because it was a powerpoint presentation. This website will come in handy when classes make online projects or documents and want to save them or upload them. I will be sure to use this bookmark in my future classroom.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Student Sample
Here is my student sample for my WebQuest. I actually want my students to make a PowerPoint presentation, but I couldn't figure out how to post it on my blog.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
WebQuest Final Draft
I didn't recieve any comments on my rough draft for my WebQuest, so I made a few changes I thought would make it better. I added an artifact for the students to complete, and a few other minor details. I'm hoping I did everything correctly. Click here to see my updated WebQuest.
Would Socrates approve of WebQuests?
I think Socrates would approve of WebQuests to an extent. He believed in finding new ways of learning, and learning all we can, but didn't believe in getting caught up in the newest trend. WebQuests are a new-age way of teaching people new things. I think they are very helpful, and a great way to incorporate new technology into learning. I think that Socrates would use WebQuests also, and would find them helpful in teaching and discovering new things.
I believe that my webquest falls under the Retelling Taks category. My students will learn to count to ten, identify certain numbers, and put them in the correct order. After completing the activities, the srudents will show me what they have learned by retelling the information.
I believe that my webquest falls under the Retelling Taks category. My students will learn to count to ten, identify certain numbers, and put them in the correct order. After completing the activities, the srudents will show me what they have learned by retelling the information.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Webquest Choice..Continued
I have chosen 1,2,3! Count With Me! as the webquest I will adapt.
click Here for a link to the webquest.
While looking at the webquest I chose, I thought that it was very well put together. I thought the main purpose of the webquest was made known, and it was right on target with the subject. I thought the graphics and design of the page were very appropriate for kindergarten students, although I saw some things that could be updated and/or changed to make it better.
There was a link on the original webquest that taught the children how to count to ten. When I clicked on the link, I saw that the web page had expired, and that the link did not work. I found a website that could be used to replace it, that fit perfectly with the webquest. click here to see the replacement website. I also thought that the color scheme of the webquest was bright and energetic, perfect for young students, but i would have chosen a different color. The clip art and graphics used could have been more flashy, or even using few pictures with bigger graphics would have worked. The pictures could have moved, or had sound. That would help keep the students intersted and capture their attention. The task was simple for students to understand and all of the links posted went right along with it. All in all, I think this webquest was very well done, and was appropriate for the age group it was designed for. After making a few minor adjustments, it shouldn't have any problems, and should be very successful in teaching children about math and numbers. I will definitely use this webquest in my classroom in the future.
click Here for a link to the webquest.
While looking at the webquest I chose, I thought that it was very well put together. I thought the main purpose of the webquest was made known, and it was right on target with the subject. I thought the graphics and design of the page were very appropriate for kindergarten students, although I saw some things that could be updated and/or changed to make it better.
There was a link on the original webquest that taught the children how to count to ten. When I clicked on the link, I saw that the web page had expired, and that the link did not work. I found a website that could be used to replace it, that fit perfectly with the webquest. click here to see the replacement website. I also thought that the color scheme of the webquest was bright and energetic, perfect for young students, but i would have chosen a different color. The clip art and graphics used could have been more flashy, or even using few pictures with bigger graphics would have worked. The pictures could have moved, or had sound. That would help keep the students intersted and capture their attention. The task was simple for students to understand and all of the links posted went right along with it. All in all, I think this webquest was very well done, and was appropriate for the age group it was designed for. After making a few minor adjustments, it shouldn't have any problems, and should be very successful in teaching children about math and numbers. I will definitely use this webquest in my classroom in the future.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Multimedia Literacy
During the time I atttended elementary school and middle school, taking tests or doing assessments on a computer wasn't an option. As our society becomes more and more advanced, teachers are now using computers to teach students online, rather than just plain pencil and paper.
While reading Orchestrating the Media College I saw examples of how teaching students, and giving assessments online could be beneficial. By creating my own photostory, I felt as if my creativity was brought to a whole new level. Creating it online was a much more artistic way to show my views on teaching, rather than just writing it down.
The NETS for teachers also goes along with the reading, and the video:
2a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.
2c. Customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources.
When I become a teacher, and am in control of my own classroom, I will most definitely try to incorporate digital essays and work into my lesson plans. I believe it is a great way to let students express their creativity through new-age technology.
While reading Orchestrating the Media College I saw examples of how teaching students, and giving assessments online could be beneficial. By creating my own photostory, I felt as if my creativity was brought to a whole new level. Creating it online was a much more artistic way to show my views on teaching, rather than just writing it down.
The NETS for teachers also goes along with the reading, and the video:
2a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.
2c. Customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources.
When I become a teacher, and am in control of my own classroom, I will most definitely try to incorporate digital essays and work into my lesson plans. I believe it is a great way to let students express their creativity through new-age technology.
Webquest About Webquest
Collectively, as a group we decided that webquests are an intriguing and resourceful tool. The majority of or group thought that Creative Encounters was the best webquest. It was extremely descriptive and provided critical thinking. The group agreed that Creative Encounters was great because of the group collaboration involved in solving the problems. A close second would have to be the one on John Wilkes Booth. This webquest promoted creativity and was very task orientied. The one that we decided was the worst webquest was the one for Ancient Egypt. The site contained links that weren't working properly and the domain had expired. This site provided a lot of information on more than one topic making it more difficult to stay on task.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Blogging as a Teaching Tool?!
As I read through the blogs from different elementary classes, A Duck with a Blog caught my attention. I have never heard of blogging to help students learn, but while looking through various posts from different classes, I see how beneficial blogging can be. I believe that the more opportunities a child has to learn to use technology, the better. Learning to be technology savvy early in life will make it easier for them to keep up with the fast-pace world we live in today. Not only will it help students by teaching them new things, but it's also fun!!
The blog I chose is about a momma duck deciding to lay her eggs on the playground of an elementary school. The teacher has posted pictures the children have drawn, short stories, etc. throughout the page. The children were also asked to give the duck advice as to where they think she should lay her eggs. Their drawings and suggestions were done by computer by using paint and typing up the words. This helps children learn the letters on a keyboard and how to use some of the most basic applications a computer has to offer.
As for the NETS for teachers, I believe that it applies to many, but i chose only two for this assignment:
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
a. promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness.
(ex. drawing pictures and ideas to help the mother duck)
b. engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
(ex. solving the problem by giving their suggestions, and using computers instead of writing it down on paper.)
Another reason I chose this blog is because of the memories I've had doing a classroom project like this. Every kindergarten class in my school raised baby ducklings from eggs using an incubator. We gave the ducklings away after they had hatched, but recorded the growth of them, and the progress of the eggs throughout the project. Allowing children to raise a living thing like an animal from birth, or a plant from a seed gives them a sense of responsibility and a feeling of being in charge. When I have my own classroom, I will definitely use blogging as a teaching tool. I think it will be a fun, new way to help my students learn.
Link to A Duck with a Blog: http://duckdiaries.edublogs.org/
The blog I chose is about a momma duck deciding to lay her eggs on the playground of an elementary school. The teacher has posted pictures the children have drawn, short stories, etc. throughout the page. The children were also asked to give the duck advice as to where they think she should lay her eggs. Their drawings and suggestions were done by computer by using paint and typing up the words. This helps children learn the letters on a keyboard and how to use some of the most basic applications a computer has to offer.
As for the NETS for teachers, I believe that it applies to many, but i chose only two for this assignment:
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
a. promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness.
(ex. drawing pictures and ideas to help the mother duck)
b. engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
(ex. solving the problem by giving their suggestions, and using computers instead of writing it down on paper.)
Another reason I chose this blog is because of the memories I've had doing a classroom project like this. Every kindergarten class in my school raised baby ducklings from eggs using an incubator. We gave the ducklings away after they had hatched, but recorded the growth of them, and the progress of the eggs throughout the project. Allowing children to raise a living thing like an animal from birth, or a plant from a seed gives them a sense of responsibility and a feeling of being in charge. When I have my own classroom, I will definitely use blogging as a teaching tool. I think it will be a fun, new way to help my students learn.
Link to A Duck with a Blog: http://duckdiaries.edublogs.org/
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Here We Go...
I've never written a blog before, so I'll make my best attempt. I'm making this blogger for my instructional technology class at Fairmont State University, a class I think I'm really going to like. I'm not very computer savvy, but I think I'm getting the hang of it.
I'm really liking FSU, every day I spend here I start to like it more and more, and get more comfortable. I attended a day at the welcome weekend and really enjoyed myself. It just feels like everyone on campus is part of a big family. I'm looking forward to the next four years of my life at Fairmont, and to getting my teaching degree. I am an elementary education major, just like my mother and father who also attended Fairmont State. I'm very eager to learn as much as I can so I can pass my knowledge on to my students.
I'm really liking FSU, every day I spend here I start to like it more and more, and get more comfortable. I attended a day at the welcome weekend and really enjoyed myself. It just feels like everyone on campus is part of a big family. I'm looking forward to the next four years of my life at Fairmont, and to getting my teaching degree. I am an elementary education major, just like my mother and father who also attended Fairmont State. I'm very eager to learn as much as I can so I can pass my knowledge on to my students.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
