This Chapter was a little more difficult than the others we have read. Not quite sure why... but maybe because software is not my thing. I use Word. When it comes to Spreadsheets, databases, etc I don't like them. Anyway, the first question was this, because there are so many different types of software which ones should be included in my lesson? I felt this was a great question. The software that should be included should have to do with your audience. If you are teaching high school, then of course you are going to use a much more wide variety of software than if you were in an elementary setting.
This takes us into the next question of why should fourth graders be using or learning spreadsheets, databases and video editing software? Many different classes are equipped with different types of computers and software. It probably would be imperative for students to learn whatever they could in order to keep on top of things as much as they can. Technology is integrated into our teaching and activities all the time, why not teach our students how to use them as well? Get them out of the textbooks and into and beyond the classroom!
Software is pretty much our tests! So teaching our students different types of software to help improve scores can only help them. how to read a spreadsheet and sorting functions, excel for math functions, search engines, plug-ins for downloads and many more can only help when taking test for school. Why not teach them all!
me
Go Pirates!
Friday, January 27, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Reflecting on What I Know pg 58. CH 3
It is so important to keep up with the changing times... because they are doing just that... CHANGING! You go and get the new device, and the next day it's upgraded! Ever see that commercial? Our classroom's will be that same way I am afraid. However, with budget restraint's we may not be able to keep up with the ever so changing times... No MACs, and iPADS, I am thinking. I wish.. I think it would make for a more fun learning environment, but not this time folks! However, when things are changing on the outside it may be smart for us as educators to keep abreast with those things changing around us, and our students.
I feel as a teacher it is important to backup our backup! So use your desktop ALL the time right? Sure, use it in the classroom, but your not taking it home are you? So use your mobile device to make it easier on yourself when you get you home, for grading, planning and what ever else you may need for the next day or week in the classroom! We always need both. Even far into our teaching career we will be "checked-up" on by principals, people outside of the school even to make sure we are doing our job, and being able to pull up on your desk top computer on your desk, lesson plans, etc and not being caught off guard is always an A+ in my book.
The cost of digital devices are often times NOT going to be justified in most school districts. As I mentioned before, we are budget restricted with many, many things and mobile devices are going to be on the TOP of many schools list. However, there are many things you do as a teacher to justify their use. Overhead projectors are one, they are very useful for ALL students to be able to see when chalk or white boards are not. Computers are a must in today's society, maybe not top notch ones, but a one computer class room is just not going to cut it in today's world. Even have your students come up with devices, and reasons why they should be used and present them to the principal and the school board. Have fund raisers to help come up with money for purchase if necessary.
I feel as a teacher it is important to backup our backup! So use your desktop ALL the time right? Sure, use it in the classroom, but your not taking it home are you? So use your mobile device to make it easier on yourself when you get you home, for grading, planning and what ever else you may need for the next day or week in the classroom! We always need both. Even far into our teaching career we will be "checked-up" on by principals, people outside of the school even to make sure we are doing our job, and being able to pull up on your desk top computer on your desk, lesson plans, etc and not being caught off guard is always an A+ in my book.
The cost of digital devices are often times NOT going to be justified in most school districts. As I mentioned before, we are budget restricted with many, many things and mobile devices are going to be on the TOP of many schools list. However, there are many things you do as a teacher to justify their use. Overhead projectors are one, they are very useful for ALL students to be able to see when chalk or white boards are not. Computers are a must in today's society, maybe not top notch ones, but a one computer class room is just not going to cut it in today's world. Even have your students come up with devices, and reasons why they should be used and present them to the principal and the school board. Have fund raisers to help come up with money for purchase if necessary.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Reflecting on What I Know pg 146 1-3
1. Now that I have access to the Web, how can I use it effectively?
I believe making sure the students use this the best way possible and intergrating it into each lesson as much as possible would be the best possible way to use it effectively. The Web, and other technologies are only being used more frequently and the more our students know, the better. Of course we as educators need to make sure it is a productive tool in our lesson plan, that offers a very large database to get a lot done in a small time frame.
2. How do I manage students' use of the Web in my class?
Make sure each child and parent have reviewed and signed an "acceptable use policy." This Policy should go over use of the internet, responsibilities, acceptable and unacceptable behavior on the internet, consequences, parent notification, and access. Most districts use filtering software, hopefully yours will be successful in preventing access to harmful sights.
3.Which features of the Web do I use?
Depending on what grade level I was working with,Dictionary.com, Google, Dog Pile, Ask, etc. would be a good sights to start with. Depending on what subject they were researching. However, Google could lead to other sights that were not approiate. Being the educator, and knowing the subject were going to be researching, I would probably have domains listed on the white board as the students came in the room that were allowed to be searched. During their research time, I would walk around the room, and make sure these were the sights being searched and help the make sure nothing was being plagerized, etc.
I believe making sure the students use this the best way possible and intergrating it into each lesson as much as possible would be the best possible way to use it effectively. The Web, and other technologies are only being used more frequently and the more our students know, the better. Of course we as educators need to make sure it is a productive tool in our lesson plan, that offers a very large database to get a lot done in a small time frame.
2. How do I manage students' use of the Web in my class?
Make sure each child and parent have reviewed and signed an "acceptable use policy." This Policy should go over use of the internet, responsibilities, acceptable and unacceptable behavior on the internet, consequences, parent notification, and access. Most districts use filtering software, hopefully yours will be successful in preventing access to harmful sights.
3.Which features of the Web do I use?
Depending on what grade level I was working with,Dictionary.com, Google, Dog Pile, Ask, etc. would be a good sights to start with. Depending on what subject they were researching. However, Google could lead to other sights that were not approiate. Being the educator, and knowing the subject were going to be researching, I would probably have domains listed on the white board as the students came in the room that were allowed to be searched. During their research time, I would walk around the room, and make sure these were the sights being searched and help the make sure nothing was being plagerized, etc.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Reflecting on What I Know pg. 27 CH. 2
pg. 27.
1. How do I plan an integrated lesson that will work with my students?
All students are different, and work at different levels. However, technology and the use of it always seems to intrigue even the most hard to reach students! The length of the lesson can vary, we know from hours, to the whole day for a whole whole week to several weeks. As long we as teachers consider all the students involved, and their attention spans, grade levels, how long it will take, their problem solving skills, we can make an appropriate lesson plan. We should also not teach our entire lesson with the computer. We should expect to use other resources and other activities to engage the children. Use these steps for your integrated lesson plan :Source of your objectives, Match your objective to your computer activity, Make sure you specify your objective or problem, and Use research and analysis.
2.Why do I need objectives to help with my planning and lesson development?
If we use objectives in everything we do, then we have a goal we are working toward. Lesson planning should START with stating your objective, so your audience knows what your point, or goal in teaching is for that day or week. These objectives should cover ALL the instruction for that particular unit or lesson. It should not however just be info related to the technology part or computer part of the lesson.
3.How can I encourage my students to engage in processing of information?
"Student ownership of the problem is very important and is easier to achieve in a student-centered learning environment." (pg 36) The more students are involved in the problem solving aspect of your lesson plan the more they will process the information. If they identify the goal, determine the resources needed and decide how to configure the database the more ownership they will feel in the project, and they will process the information better.
4.Do I have to use different lesson plans when I want my students to use computers?
No, you do not need a separate lesson plan just one that integrates the use of a computer.
5. What is the relationship between objectives and computer functions?
The objective is the "goal" you are set out to do, the instruction, the lesson related to what you are going to be talking about. However you can MATCH your objectives with your computer functions, and to create a successful integrated lesson plan you must match the two. "Computer functions are tasks that computer software can assist with or perform."(pg.33) After you define your objectives you need to make sure if there is a match between them and the computer function before moving forward.
6. Can you use a computer for every objective or lesson?
No, don't use the computer for every objective. Make the children use other resources. It will keep them interested, and allow them to use the library, books, newspapers, journals and EACH OTHER for help.
1. How do I plan an integrated lesson that will work with my students?
All students are different, and work at different levels. However, technology and the use of it always seems to intrigue even the most hard to reach students! The length of the lesson can vary, we know from hours, to the whole day for a whole whole week to several weeks. As long we as teachers consider all the students involved, and their attention spans, grade levels, how long it will take, their problem solving skills, we can make an appropriate lesson plan. We should also not teach our entire lesson with the computer. We should expect to use other resources and other activities to engage the children. Use these steps for your integrated lesson plan :Source of your objectives, Match your objective to your computer activity, Make sure you specify your objective or problem, and Use research and analysis.
2.Why do I need objectives to help with my planning and lesson development?
If we use objectives in everything we do, then we have a goal we are working toward. Lesson planning should START with stating your objective, so your audience knows what your point, or goal in teaching is for that day or week. These objectives should cover ALL the instruction for that particular unit or lesson. It should not however just be info related to the technology part or computer part of the lesson.
3.How can I encourage my students to engage in processing of information?
"Student ownership of the problem is very important and is easier to achieve in a student-centered learning environment." (pg 36) The more students are involved in the problem solving aspect of your lesson plan the more they will process the information. If they identify the goal, determine the resources needed and decide how to configure the database the more ownership they will feel in the project, and they will process the information better.
4.Do I have to use different lesson plans when I want my students to use computers?
No, you do not need a separate lesson plan just one that integrates the use of a computer.
5. What is the relationship between objectives and computer functions?
The objective is the "goal" you are set out to do, the instruction, the lesson related to what you are going to be talking about. However you can MATCH your objectives with your computer functions, and to create a successful integrated lesson plan you must match the two. "Computer functions are tasks that computer software can assist with or perform."(pg.33) After you define your objectives you need to make sure if there is a match between them and the computer function before moving forward.
6. Can you use a computer for every objective or lesson?
No, don't use the computer for every objective. Make the children use other resources. It will keep them interested, and allow them to use the library, books, newspapers, journals and EACH OTHER for help.
Reflecting on What I Know
Pg 3.
1. Must I use an inquiry based learning approach in my classroom to use computers as a tool? I answered this with an easy NO, because the term "inquiry based" is often times interchangeable with other learning terms such as problem-based and project based it is not a requirement to use only Dewey based style learning known as inquiry based learning. Even though I feel this type of learning is the one I would most often use in my classroom. I would use this style because of the question then problem solving activity technique. It is nice to know, however that's not the only learning strategy to choose from. I also feel this type of learning style will help children in socialization and collaboration skills.
2. Can I use tutorials and drill and practice software? There is always room for tutorials and drills in any classroom environment. This would definitely be used in conjunction with activities that support the students problem solving techniques and my objective as a teacher and my overall lesson plan.
3. Won't I have to spend a great deal of time to develop these units of instruction? I know that it will take some time and effort on my part to make computer technology work for me and my students. I should pay special attention on how to integrate this type of learning style in the classroom. Being prepared is the best thing. Plan ahead and have fun activities. Seeing what works the best the first time with little modification the second time would be an ideal lesson.
4.Wont every student need a computer to use as a tool? In the perfect classroom every child would have a computer, however they are not required too. With students working in groups you could use fewer computers if need be. They could also take turns and collaborate with each other which would help in socialization skills and problem solving skills, just to name a few.
1. Must I use an inquiry based learning approach in my classroom to use computers as a tool? I answered this with an easy NO, because the term "inquiry based" is often times interchangeable with other learning terms such as problem-based and project based it is not a requirement to use only Dewey based style learning known as inquiry based learning. Even though I feel this type of learning is the one I would most often use in my classroom. I would use this style because of the question then problem solving activity technique. It is nice to know, however that's not the only learning strategy to choose from. I also feel this type of learning style will help children in socialization and collaboration skills.
2. Can I use tutorials and drill and practice software? There is always room for tutorials and drills in any classroom environment. This would definitely be used in conjunction with activities that support the students problem solving techniques and my objective as a teacher and my overall lesson plan.
3. Won't I have to spend a great deal of time to develop these units of instruction? I know that it will take some time and effort on my part to make computer technology work for me and my students. I should pay special attention on how to integrate this type of learning style in the classroom. Being prepared is the best thing. Plan ahead and have fun activities. Seeing what works the best the first time with little modification the second time would be an ideal lesson.
4.Wont every student need a computer to use as a tool? In the perfect classroom every child would have a computer, however they are not required too. With students working in groups you could use fewer computers if need be. They could also take turns and collaborate with each other which would help in socialization skills and problem solving skills, just to name a few.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)