My technology class was good to me. I wish it was at the end of the program so all the tricks I've learned will be fresh. Maybe I should re take it because as we've learned, things will be different by the end of my grad school.
I have to say, I can not wait to get my hands on one of those smart boards! I just love how great it will be for assessment and getting all students involved. I like how it keeps track and organizes the data. I also can't wait just to play with it and draw on websites. Nothing like giving Abe Lincoln a blue beard! I also loved the grab bag sites. Huge fa of freerice.org
I liked the web quest project, but wished mine came out a little more visually pleasing. I can't wait to get student feed back, but will be editing it before they see it! I started with wix but lost my patience. I will use technology in class, I swear, but I have a hard time being in front of a computer for long periods of time. I totally won't mind supporting the kids working though!
I did get to use technology with my kindergarten the other day. We read a book and a character said he was afraid of a flood. A student asked what it was so I hoped online and found pictures from a flood in a basement to a natural disaster. I wish we had more than one computer in my room, though. The kids just love the computer already. I offer it as a center, but it's hard to get all 20 a fair chance to use it.
08 December 2010
04 November 2010
Discovering Genres of Online Discussion Threads via Text Mining
This article caught my eye after last night's class on voice threads. It was also educational for me to find because I used some of the data base search techniques we learned in the other class. Anyway the link is: Discovering Genres... This article was about teachers using things like discussion boards and maintaining them. The article points out how much work goes in to monitoring the discussion boards, maintaining them, looking at students work as well as trying to participate and be available for questions. The article's research question was whether or not a certain web mining program can help with the process of data collection and is it as accurate as a human judge.
The first thing the program would do is place posts into different genres, such as announcements, questioning, clarification, interpretation, conflict, and assertion therefore making it easier for the teacher to go through the information. Moodle is a program we learned about in class that educators use for these types of forums. The great thing is, the students have access to supplementary materials, can work from a place other than school and can ask questions. Of course the teacher is the one that has to do the coding and reading of every post which the article argues is very time consuming and is usually done on personal time.
The article is really detailed and computer science sounding. It was hard to read about the data collection because it got pretty technical. It talked about how different fonts or language fonts could throw off coding results. I recommend this article to more technical people who want to know how things work. I just want to know what works and what is fun to use.
The first thing the program would do is place posts into different genres, such as announcements, questioning, clarification, interpretation, conflict, and assertion therefore making it easier for the teacher to go through the information. Moodle is a program we learned about in class that educators use for these types of forums. The great thing is, the students have access to supplementary materials, can work from a place other than school and can ask questions. Of course the teacher is the one that has to do the coding and reading of every post which the article argues is very time consuming and is usually done on personal time.
The article is really detailed and computer science sounding. It was hard to read about the data collection because it got pretty technical. It talked about how different fonts or language fonts could throw off coding results. I recommend this article to more technical people who want to know how things work. I just want to know what works and what is fun to use.
27 October 2010
K12 Online Conference II
ok, so, I decided to be a good little do-be and try one of these things from the k12 conference with students. I chose the e-book to motivate pupils writing. Great. Not so much. First, the district wouldn't unblock the site so the kids couldn't work on the actual book. Second, I couldn't find a book making site as user friendly and as free as My E books. Third, rounding up permission slips to put them and their work on line. Fourth, it was a class of 20 and three computers, so trying to get them all a chance to work with computers was tough. It was ok though. I let them do the photography and play on photo booth on my Mac, and I let them type to a point. The poor things hit caps lock each time they needed a capital and they didn't realize the computer would move down a line as they typed. But despite some formatting nightmares, they liked picking out fonts and colors and the whole idea of being on line. They were pretty excited and some did go home to look at the book. Please check the book out at The Ugliest Gourd! Tell me what you think!
Cheers
Cheers
15 October 2010
Lit Review: The Digital Learning Classroom
I read an article called "The Digital Learning Classroom: Improving English Language Learners’ academic success in mathematics and reading using interactive whiteboard technology." It was written by Omar S. Lopez and published in a journal called Computers & Education in May of 2010. Here is the link if anyone is interested: Link to Article. I chose this article because I'm interested in ELL students and because I've yet to see these interactive white boards (IWB) but already want one!
The article focused on how the use of this particular technology could close the gap between English Language Learners (ELL) and non ELL in math and reading. The students in his study were 3rd grade and 5 th grade students in a town in Texas with a high ELL population. The reason he chose this group is because if you don't pass the Texas state tests in those grades, it's grounds for retention.
The author then took the Texas educational principles and tied them to how the IWB couild help foster these principles. Just to give you an idea, he writes " The first principle of effective instructional practice states that students’ learning builds on their previous experiences. Teachers can use IWBs to link students’ prior experience with new learning, for example, by bringing their home culture, interests, and experiences into the classroom through digital images, music, and multimedia. The result is that teachers can use IWBs to create learning environments where students are able to construct their own knowledge as teachers scaffold students’ learning with new content knowledge." I thought this was such a good thing to include because any new thing that's being done in the classroom needs to be tied back and justified to the curriculum.
The next part of the article went on to explain that there's not a lot of emperical data to compare this research considering the technology is so new. He then went on to explain how he would collect data and evaluate scores between the digital and non digital classrooms. In the end, he said there is evedence that IWBs did help ELL students make some gains.
I guess I would have liked to read more about the certain activities that were done rather than about what the board could do. It also talked about the importance of teacher training with the technology and how to properly tie it to curiculum. For example, many teachers that first recieved these IWBs only used them as fanceyer overhead projectors. They didn't actually change their lessons to make them more interactive for the kids. Not the ones in his research of course, he made sure they were up for the proper use of them:-)
The article focused on how the use of this particular technology could close the gap between English Language Learners (ELL) and non ELL in math and reading. The students in his study were 3rd grade and 5 th grade students in a town in Texas with a high ELL population. The reason he chose this group is because if you don't pass the Texas state tests in those grades, it's grounds for retention.
The author then took the Texas educational principles and tied them to how the IWB couild help foster these principles. Just to give you an idea, he writes " The first principle of effective instructional practice states that students’ learning builds on their previous experiences. Teachers can use IWBs to link students’ prior experience with new learning, for example, by bringing their home culture, interests, and experiences into the classroom through digital images, music, and multimedia. The result is that teachers can use IWBs to create learning environments where students are able to construct their own knowledge as teachers scaffold students’ learning with new content knowledge." I thought this was such a good thing to include because any new thing that's being done in the classroom needs to be tied back and justified to the curriculum.
The next part of the article went on to explain that there's not a lot of emperical data to compare this research considering the technology is so new. He then went on to explain how he would collect data and evaluate scores between the digital and non digital classrooms. In the end, he said there is evedence that IWBs did help ELL students make some gains.
I guess I would have liked to read more about the certain activities that were done rather than about what the board could do. It also talked about the importance of teacher training with the technology and how to properly tie it to curiculum. For example, many teachers that first recieved these IWBs only used them as fanceyer overhead projectors. They didn't actually change their lessons to make them more interactive for the kids. Not the ones in his research of course, he made sure they were up for the proper use of them:-)
14 October 2010
Providing Equal Access
In my technology class, we discussed providing equal access to technology to students. In my row of fellow students we talked about not assuming the kids have access at home. Therefore, no having them work on Glogster posters for homework. It is something to consider because we do just assume everyone has everything. I mean I have Internet, but I don't have cable. I think I'm the only person in the world who hasn't seen the Jersey Shore!
In my other group, a member brought up the fact that certain kids might not be as computer literate as their fellow peers. It is then our job as teachers to provide them with the training they need to become as proficient at they can. This just goes along with anything that's being taught these days. They have that same right to math, reading, and any other subject as well.
It's my understanding that education is a right and one that is well deserved. My only question is, and I'm only typing out loud here, I'm no expert and don't want to seem offensive, BUT...
There is only so much you can do in six hours. So. Let's say a teacher has said they are committed to being around after school for extra help. They have a mannequin to sit in for them at faculty meetings, they said they'd do home visits and bring a laptop. But the only kids coming are the ones who are good at computers. They hate Glogster and think they can create the next best thing. Yes, everyone has the right, but do the kids that are trying to take full opportunity of that right somehow getting shafted?
At my school, we had extended day for our struggling students. Before school, after school, social workers driving them to and from. Well, towards the end of the year some extra math money was found. "Anyone want to keep coming?" Not the students in the program, but the on or above level math lovers did. "ok." I say, but I can't get paid. Oh, well. They wanted a math club so badly, oh, those little faces! I did that math program with 8 kids, 5 of which were on free lunch. It took me hours of planning but they loved it! There were days we did problems that took me an entire Saturday to figure out that they did in 20 minutes. They are form poverty and they are diverse. So what, they are motivated and want out of Lowell. Don't get me wrong, I love all kids and do think they have potential in one thing or another, but we can't just focus on making everyone the same. We need to promote scholarly values and motivation and expose children to a range of subjects and skills so that they may find their own roads.
In my other group, a member brought up the fact that certain kids might not be as computer literate as their fellow peers. It is then our job as teachers to provide them with the training they need to become as proficient at they can. This just goes along with anything that's being taught these days. They have that same right to math, reading, and any other subject as well.
It's my understanding that education is a right and one that is well deserved. My only question is, and I'm only typing out loud here, I'm no expert and don't want to seem offensive, BUT...
There is only so much you can do in six hours. So. Let's say a teacher has said they are committed to being around after school for extra help. They have a mannequin to sit in for them at faculty meetings, they said they'd do home visits and bring a laptop. But the only kids coming are the ones who are good at computers. They hate Glogster and think they can create the next best thing. Yes, everyone has the right, but do the kids that are trying to take full opportunity of that right somehow getting shafted?
At my school, we had extended day for our struggling students. Before school, after school, social workers driving them to and from. Well, towards the end of the year some extra math money was found. "Anyone want to keep coming?" Not the students in the program, but the on or above level math lovers did. "ok." I say, but I can't get paid. Oh, well. They wanted a math club so badly, oh, those little faces! I did that math program with 8 kids, 5 of which were on free lunch. It took me hours of planning but they loved it! There were days we did problems that took me an entire Saturday to figure out that they did in 20 minutes. They are form poverty and they are diverse. So what, they are motivated and want out of Lowell. Don't get me wrong, I love all kids and do think they have potential in one thing or another, but we can't just focus on making everyone the same. We need to promote scholarly values and motivation and expose children to a range of subjects and skills so that they may find their own roads.
08 October 2010
I'm Liking the K12 Online Thing!
http://k12onlineconference.org/?p=463
I was so excited about the first k12 thing I watched, I decided to watch another. The first video I saw about the e books is becoming a project with a third grade class of a friend of mine. Great for me because she plans the lesson and I do the tech part. Now I get to practice!
This video was one called "Ways of Working" and it is like class in the sense of showing other free online tools to use to enhance learning in the classroom. Presenter Chris Betcher starts the video by brining up the point that when kids do research on the web, they hit up google and click the first site. Rather than discouraging the use of google, he illustrates how to use it more effectively. I thought this was a great idea. Instead of fighting it, or dismissing it, work google for all it has. Same with the use of mobile phones. It seems a constant war with students over the use of phones in school. He suggests some cool ways of making use of them for projects, like with photos and interviews.
One of my other favorite tricks he introduced to me was comic life.com. He said it was free but it turns out it isn't. It is inexpensive, however. 20 bucks will buy a copy for whole school access. Anyway, you upload your pictures and then add little captions and speech balloons to them. A neat way to present a report about a field trip if you ask me.
Until next time. Cheers!
I was so excited about the first k12 thing I watched, I decided to watch another. The first video I saw about the e books is becoming a project with a third grade class of a friend of mine. Great for me because she plans the lesson and I do the tech part. Now I get to practice!
This video was one called "Ways of Working" and it is like class in the sense of showing other free online tools to use to enhance learning in the classroom. Presenter Chris Betcher starts the video by brining up the point that when kids do research on the web, they hit up google and click the first site. Rather than discouraging the use of google, he illustrates how to use it more effectively. I thought this was a great idea. Instead of fighting it, or dismissing it, work google for all it has. Same with the use of mobile phones. It seems a constant war with students over the use of phones in school. He suggests some cool ways of making use of them for projects, like with photos and interviews.
One of my other favorite tricks he introduced to me was comic life.com. He said it was free but it turns out it isn't. It is inexpensive, however. 20 bucks will buy a copy for whole school access. Anyway, you upload your pictures and then add little captions and speech balloons to them. A neat way to present a report about a field trip if you ask me.
Until next time. Cheers!
04 October 2010
EdTech Talk #170
I poked around the archives a little bit but ended up going with the latest installment of the show because of the subject of cyber bullying. It has been in the news often, most recently with the student from Rutgers. The group discussed how Netiquette is being taught to students at a young age and they even shared websites that can help students, parents and teachers. One host also made the point that bullying has gone on through out the ages, but at the very least cyber bullying leaves a wake of proof.
When I started this assignment, I sat with my notebook and pen and began to listen ready to take notes. But as professor Dave shared in class, it is great just to have on in the background so I also did my laundry as well. I feel like I would tune in regularly as I am already a huge talk radio person and I liked the hosts immediately. I love how Dave calls twitter "the twitter."
Anyway, some things I learned while listening to the program was that I need to pay more attention to current events with regard to public education. I've heard snip-its of what's going on with that NBC summit, but really have no idea about the bigger picture. I've seen a few documentaries about education, one called the American Teen and the other called the First Year which is about the first year of teaching in an LA school system. I'm excited to see Waiting for Superman, but like most of these types of film I do realize that it can be a bit skewed.
The subject of standardized tests made a brief appearance on the show and my thoughts are this. They are not just for student evaluation. Tests come up for every thing. Driver's Ed? Pass a written test. Law School? LSAT. Teaching? PRAXIS or MTEL. Grad School? GRE. It goes on and on and I used to tell my students just that. We're preparing you for all the other little tests you may take through out life.
The guest host shared some information about technology that I found interesting. Here I am all proud that I can work around most applications when it comes to computers and I'm excited to share new things with students but he pointed out that it's still not tackling higher level thinking like programing would. So, I always thought that about power point, (nothing about that app impresses me) but he raised a valid point. That jobs involving the simplest of programming are being outsourced and we as a nation could be losing our tech edge. He also said programming is hardly offered but would really foster creativity and higher level thinking. This could be used in place of things like trig and calculus to demonstrate these higher levels of thought and problem solving abilities. On the bright side, students do take initiative to learn computer languages and we as teachers can always instill the value of being scholarly and helping the student find the tools they need to learn the things they want. One of those tools being the open course website Host Dave spoke about.
When I started this assignment, I sat with my notebook and pen and began to listen ready to take notes. But as professor Dave shared in class, it is great just to have on in the background so I also did my laundry as well. I feel like I would tune in regularly as I am already a huge talk radio person and I liked the hosts immediately. I love how Dave calls twitter "the twitter."
Anyway, some things I learned while listening to the program was that I need to pay more attention to current events with regard to public education. I've heard snip-its of what's going on with that NBC summit, but really have no idea about the bigger picture. I've seen a few documentaries about education, one called the American Teen and the other called the First Year which is about the first year of teaching in an LA school system. I'm excited to see Waiting for Superman, but like most of these types of film I do realize that it can be a bit skewed.
The subject of standardized tests made a brief appearance on the show and my thoughts are this. They are not just for student evaluation. Tests come up for every thing. Driver's Ed? Pass a written test. Law School? LSAT. Teaching? PRAXIS or MTEL. Grad School? GRE. It goes on and on and I used to tell my students just that. We're preparing you for all the other little tests you may take through out life.
The guest host shared some information about technology that I found interesting. Here I am all proud that I can work around most applications when it comes to computers and I'm excited to share new things with students but he pointed out that it's still not tackling higher level thinking like programing would. So, I always thought that about power point, (nothing about that app impresses me) but he raised a valid point. That jobs involving the simplest of programming are being outsourced and we as a nation could be losing our tech edge. He also said programming is hardly offered but would really foster creativity and higher level thinking. This could be used in place of things like trig and calculus to demonstrate these higher levels of thought and problem solving abilities. On the bright side, students do take initiative to learn computer languages and we as teachers can always instill the value of being scholarly and helping the student find the tools they need to learn the things they want. One of those tools being the open course website Host Dave spoke about.
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