Activating your School: Movement-Oriented Learning
By Pete Rognli
This article describes Elton Hills Elementary school and the new form of teaching they have established. This school wants to keep students moving in the classroom. They take the different assignments and use technology keep students on their toes. “Students work on laptops at standing desks, or they can crouch on the floor. Or they can sit, squat, kneel, or stand anywhere that suits the lesson. All this technology in the classroom is designed to do one thing: keep students moving.” It is important that students experience physical education at an early age, this is a great way to keep students healthy without taking time away from in class learning. Jerry Williams, superintendent, says that having the parents on board with this new program is key because they need to “reinforce what took place during the school day.” By bringing the parents in, they can be sure that students are getting the appropriate nutrients in their lunch to go along with this healthy learning environment. Teachers use wireless internet to help in this program along with podcasts different mobile technologies. Students love this new method and equipment they are able to use. I feel this form of teaching will help many students academically and in terms of their health. This form of teaching is called “School of the future”, the elementary school is promoting this new way of teaching as much as possible because they have seen such positive changes in their students, faculty and parents. This “school of the future began in 2005 with the office of the future concept project from Rochester’s Mayo clinic….Levine wondered if the NEAT office concept could be applied to the classroom” With help from the Mayo clinic, Rochester school district, local health clubs, and Apple computers, the concept was implemented and worked wonders! Students had podcasted lessons while walking and many more great activities to be used during physical activity. This system is amazing and great tool to be used in the classroom, technology truly is a great thing to use in all aspects of teaching.
What can teachers do to try and incorporate this into the classroom?
Teacher can visit health clubs and ask about costs and possible donations of bikes, treadmills…anything they can get their hands on to be brought into the classroom. Most health clubs would love to help and a lot of the times donate as much as they can to promote this concept in the classroom.
Does this mean students will be exercising at a difficult pace or can they work out moderately while learning?
Students are only required to keep movement, vigorous movement is not necessary. Just by walking while learning helps keep a healthy lifestyle. It burns calories and prevents obesity, it will not get a student in top shape but it will keep them safe and healthy.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Journal 8
Virtual Schooling
By Niki Davis and Dale S. Niederhauser
This article explains the advantages and experiences of virtual schooling. Virtual schooling is offered through digital communication technologies and is very well established in the K-12 education. It is most popular in the high school level. In the 2005-06 school year, the number of students enrolled in virtual schooling increased by an amazing 100% from the previous year. “The national educational technology plan emphasizes the potential of VS to individually personalize schooling and help schools respond to No Child Left Behind legislation. Recommendations included providing every student with access to e-learning opportunities and every teacher with access to e-learning training.” This is a great way for students to take classes and experience something new. Every student learns differently and I know I do so well with virtual learning rather than in class learning. In the virtual classroom, there is a teacher and groups of students who are distributed among two or more distant schools. They all communicate by using email, video conferencing, and a learning management system. “At each remote school, an on-site facilitator liaises with administrators and parents to support students in each school, and an instructional technology coordinator supports students’ technical needs.” There are so many different tools to be used in technology and I feel this one is a great accomplishment. At CSUSM we use Webct in many of the classes offered which happens to be one of the technologies that create a series of activities that reflect high quality teaching.
What is a huge benefit Virtual schooling provides?
Virtual schooling is an amazing system that can be used in cases where a normal classroom is not accessible. “For example, Florida Virtual schooling provided free course enrollment to students displaced by Hurricane Katrina-including students in Louisiana.” This is a great tool when disasters occur. Students are still able to maintain an education when things go bad.
Is virtual schooling a requirement or an option?
In 2006 virtual schooling actually became a requirement, “Michigan became the first state to require an online learning experience for high school graduation. The goal is to introduce high school students to the benefits of VS so that they will be more likely to seek out online learning experiences throughout their lives.”
By Niki Davis and Dale S. Niederhauser
This article explains the advantages and experiences of virtual schooling. Virtual schooling is offered through digital communication technologies and is very well established in the K-12 education. It is most popular in the high school level. In the 2005-06 school year, the number of students enrolled in virtual schooling increased by an amazing 100% from the previous year. “The national educational technology plan emphasizes the potential of VS to individually personalize schooling and help schools respond to No Child Left Behind legislation. Recommendations included providing every student with access to e-learning opportunities and every teacher with access to e-learning training.” This is a great way for students to take classes and experience something new. Every student learns differently and I know I do so well with virtual learning rather than in class learning. In the virtual classroom, there is a teacher and groups of students who are distributed among two or more distant schools. They all communicate by using email, video conferencing, and a learning management system. “At each remote school, an on-site facilitator liaises with administrators and parents to support students in each school, and an instructional technology coordinator supports students’ technical needs.” There are so many different tools to be used in technology and I feel this one is a great accomplishment. At CSUSM we use Webct in many of the classes offered which happens to be one of the technologies that create a series of activities that reflect high quality teaching.
What is a huge benefit Virtual schooling provides?
Virtual schooling is an amazing system that can be used in cases where a normal classroom is not accessible. “For example, Florida Virtual schooling provided free course enrollment to students displaced by Hurricane Katrina-including students in Louisiana.” This is a great tool when disasters occur. Students are still able to maintain an education when things go bad.
Is virtual schooling a requirement or an option?
In 2006 virtual schooling actually became a requirement, “Michigan became the first state to require an online learning experience for high school graduation. The goal is to introduce high school students to the benefits of VS so that they will be more likely to seek out online learning experiences throughout their lives.”
Journal 7
Internet Safety: A whole School Approach
By Greg Taranto
This article describes the Canonsburg Middle School approach to teaching healthy decision making on the internet. This middle school has educated students through technology education coursework, classroom discussions, assemblies and by giving the students access to the district's Internet Safety Web site. The author of this article, Greg Taranto, was determined to educate students on the proper use of this powerful tool. In 2000 Greg was a middle school science teacher, he gave a presentation to his class regarding internet safety which actually reached a few students. But he wanted to go bigger! When he becaome an administrator he decided to try and reach as many students as possible by sending an important message: Internet safety is important! He implemented this message by requiring all seventh grade students to take two six-week classes called Technology Applications and middle school issues. A week of these classes are dedicated to Internet Safety which covers cyberbullying, protecting personal or private information, handling a threatening or harassing situation, rules for Internet etiquette, and ways to determine the validity of information found on the Internet. The internet is a great tool of students, the amount of information presented via internet is endless. However, so is the amount of inappropriate sites that can easily be accessed by students. By having the correct guidance, students are more likely to use the internet as an education tool.
Are these classes only for students or can parents get involved too?
Parents can also be informed about the dangers on the internet. "Canonsberg Middle school also holds informational meetings with parents on a yearly basis to give a comrehensive presentation on their role in helping develop responsible students" It is very important that parents get involved and realize that this is an issue everyone should be aware of.
Do students get to voice their opinion on what they feel are appropriate sites?
Yes! In the classes students are encouraged to "discuss how the Internet is used in a positive way and also how they might have negative experiences." It seems myspace is a popular site that students love to talk about and defend as a responsible site.
By Greg Taranto
This article describes the Canonsburg Middle School approach to teaching healthy decision making on the internet. This middle school has educated students through technology education coursework, classroom discussions, assemblies and by giving the students access to the district's Internet Safety Web site. The author of this article, Greg Taranto, was determined to educate students on the proper use of this powerful tool. In 2000 Greg was a middle school science teacher, he gave a presentation to his class regarding internet safety which actually reached a few students. But he wanted to go bigger! When he becaome an administrator he decided to try and reach as many students as possible by sending an important message: Internet safety is important! He implemented this message by requiring all seventh grade students to take two six-week classes called Technology Applications and middle school issues. A week of these classes are dedicated to Internet Safety which covers cyberbullying, protecting personal or private information, handling a threatening or harassing situation, rules for Internet etiquette, and ways to determine the validity of information found on the Internet. The internet is a great tool of students, the amount of information presented via internet is endless. However, so is the amount of inappropriate sites that can easily be accessed by students. By having the correct guidance, students are more likely to use the internet as an education tool.
Are these classes only for students or can parents get involved too?
Parents can also be informed about the dangers on the internet. "Canonsberg Middle school also holds informational meetings with parents on a yearly basis to give a comrehensive presentation on their role in helping develop responsible students" It is very important that parents get involved and realize that this is an issue everyone should be aware of.
Do students get to voice their opinion on what they feel are appropriate sites?
Yes! In the classes students are encouraged to "discuss how the Internet is used in a positive way and also how they might have negative experiences." It seems myspace is a popular site that students love to talk about and defend as a responsible site.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Journal 6
Social Justice: Choice or Necessity?
By Colleen Swain and David Edyburn
This article explains the importance of technology as you enter to levels of education. The standard is rising every year for incoming college freshman due to the fact that they system is realizing that to be fluent in technology is a huge part of future jobs and careers. They are trying to make all students aware and ready for what lies ahead. In the article David Millers defines Social Justice as "very crudely, I think, we are discussing how the good and bad things in life should be distributed among the members of a human society." Some examples the article mentions about using a social justice lens to view the effectiveness of technology use in the classroom are: "only students who have demonstrated mastery of the basic factual content of a unit are allowed touse technology applications for a problem solving and simulation to expand their understanding of the concept, students are expected to hand-write the first draft of a report so they can type it into the computer when the class goes to the computer lab, and many more." The article also dives into how technology is equitably implemented, here are some instances they listed: available, used routinely, used in ways that reflect real-world applications of interest, complexity, and power, used to enhance learning opportunities for all students, and used to monitor teacher/students progress over time. A large problem in the U.S. is accessibility in schools, some do not have many resources to help provide the correct technology for students. The Digital Equity Portal and Toolkit is an amazing way for schools to get the technology necessary for their students. It has more than 150 strategies and resources. "There are computer refurbishments websites where schools can obtain computers and also ways to get deeply discounted computers. There is also a growing collection of free or open source software available." Great sources like this become available everyday, it is important that educators try and obtain these useful tools to bring to the classroom. Students benefit tremendously from these tools. The article mentions the an important part of incorportating a framework of sical justice when using technology in the classroom is to be reflective, keepinga journal or making notes in lesson plans are mentioned as great tools to be used. Surveying is also a great strategy to use when wanting to know the experience of the students. It is very important to implement technology in the classroom, it is a component and catalyst for social justice. Students gain so much from having the opportunity to use some of the devices.
Are their any forms of technology that can help students that are less fortunate in their learning capacity?
Yes! There are many instructional and assistive technologies that can help students with special learning problems or impairments. These devices can help students that have trouble reading or have language difficult.
Does the Digital Portal Toolkit find you?
No! It is very important that teachers search for these sources. They are out there and ready to be used but it is up to the educator to find it and bring to the classroom. It is so very important that educators make the effort to find these things, the students benefit enormously form these resources and as eductors you want to give them the best possible education.
By Colleen Swain and David Edyburn
This article explains the importance of technology as you enter to levels of education. The standard is rising every year for incoming college freshman due to the fact that they system is realizing that to be fluent in technology is a huge part of future jobs and careers. They are trying to make all students aware and ready for what lies ahead. In the article David Millers defines Social Justice as "very crudely, I think, we are discussing how the good and bad things in life should be distributed among the members of a human society." Some examples the article mentions about using a social justice lens to view the effectiveness of technology use in the classroom are: "only students who have demonstrated mastery of the basic factual content of a unit are allowed touse technology applications for a problem solving and simulation to expand their understanding of the concept, students are expected to hand-write the first draft of a report so they can type it into the computer when the class goes to the computer lab, and many more." The article also dives into how technology is equitably implemented, here are some instances they listed: available, used routinely, used in ways that reflect real-world applications of interest, complexity, and power, used to enhance learning opportunities for all students, and used to monitor teacher/students progress over time. A large problem in the U.S. is accessibility in schools, some do not have many resources to help provide the correct technology for students. The Digital Equity Portal and Toolkit is an amazing way for schools to get the technology necessary for their students. It has more than 150 strategies and resources. "There are computer refurbishments websites where schools can obtain computers and also ways to get deeply discounted computers. There is also a growing collection of free or open source software available." Great sources like this become available everyday, it is important that educators try and obtain these useful tools to bring to the classroom. Students benefit tremendously from these tools. The article mentions the an important part of incorportating a framework of sical justice when using technology in the classroom is to be reflective, keepinga journal or making notes in lesson plans are mentioned as great tools to be used. Surveying is also a great strategy to use when wanting to know the experience of the students. It is very important to implement technology in the classroom, it is a component and catalyst for social justice. Students gain so much from having the opportunity to use some of the devices.
Are their any forms of technology that can help students that are less fortunate in their learning capacity?
Yes! There are many instructional and assistive technologies that can help students with special learning problems or impairments. These devices can help students that have trouble reading or have language difficult.
Does the Digital Portal Toolkit find you?
No! It is very important that teachers search for these sources. They are out there and ready to be used but it is up to the educator to find it and bring to the classroom. It is so very important that educators make the effort to find these things, the students benefit enormously form these resources and as eductors you want to give them the best possible education.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Journal 4
"From Toy to Tool: Audioblogging with Cell phones" by Liz Kolb
Liz Kolb describes the benefits of incorporating cell phones into the classroom. By using cell phones, students can create audioblogs online. She believes that these everyday tools can be transformed into useful tools in the classroom. Blogger and blogzy.com are some sites that students can "use their cell phones to create blogs, collect and store data, and develop multimedia projets". An audioblog is a voice message froma phone that automatically posts to a blogsite. Students can conduct interviews and record them on thier cell phone, with a push of a buttom the interview is posted online. Students can also post pictures and text. This can be used in many subjects such as social studies, "students can interview veterans of wars, civil rights leaders, and local community leaders", Science-students can record different animal sounds. It is a great tool for kids! Privacy issues are always a concern for parents. Blogger.com isnot password protected so anyone can view students posts. Blogzy, however, is password protected and can protect students from the public. A main point in this article is copyright issues. Students must undestand the importance of asking permission. To use names, voices or images you must get the authorization of the owner. Almost all sites are free which makes it very accessible to students.
What happens to students who don't own cell phones?
The artcle describes a great way to ask for funding in classrooms, many students own cell phone but the few that dont can get one to use only at school. Not every student needs a cell phone to be able to participate. If at least 4 or 5 are funded, the class should be able to audioblog.
How do you prevent students from using cell phones inappropriatly in class?
The article gives a great example of how teachers should print out contracts stating that cell phone can only be use at certain times on certain days and if they are seen or used any other time they will be confiscated.
Liz Kolb describes the benefits of incorporating cell phones into the classroom. By using cell phones, students can create audioblogs online. She believes that these everyday tools can be transformed into useful tools in the classroom. Blogger and blogzy.com are some sites that students can "use their cell phones to create blogs, collect and store data, and develop multimedia projets". An audioblog is a voice message froma phone that automatically posts to a blogsite. Students can conduct interviews and record them on thier cell phone, with a push of a buttom the interview is posted online. Students can also post pictures and text. This can be used in many subjects such as social studies, "students can interview veterans of wars, civil rights leaders, and local community leaders", Science-students can record different animal sounds. It is a great tool for kids! Privacy issues are always a concern for parents. Blogger.com isnot password protected so anyone can view students posts. Blogzy, however, is password protected and can protect students from the public. A main point in this article is copyright issues. Students must undestand the importance of asking permission. To use names, voices or images you must get the authorization of the owner. Almost all sites are free which makes it very accessible to students.
What happens to students who don't own cell phones?
The artcle describes a great way to ask for funding in classrooms, many students own cell phone but the few that dont can get one to use only at school. Not every student needs a cell phone to be able to participate. If at least 4 or 5 are funded, the class should be able to audioblog.
How do you prevent students from using cell phones inappropriatly in class?
The article gives a great example of how teachers should print out contracts stating that cell phone can only be use at certain times on certain days and if they are seen or used any other time they will be confiscated.
Journal 3
"Video in the Age of Participation" by Glen Bull
THis article describes digital video. The article describes many online resources that can help teachers incorporate digital video in the classroom with very little difficulty. Glen Bull describes the National Geographic Society and their webcam monitoring a waterhole in Africa. This video is said to be so clear, those watching feel as if they are there. These sites encourage bookmarking and sharing which makes it very easy for teachers to get a hold of them and show it to students. The article also describes "YouTube". "YouTube is very popular today. More than 65,000 video clip per day are being uploaded to Youtubes streaming site." Although Youtube is for all videos, it would make finding educational video's a bit difficult to find. THe article made it very clear that although there are so many resources out there, it is up to the teacher to "link these resources to learning outcomes." THe resource I found most interesting was called The Discorvery Education unditedstreaming website. It is a grea resource for teachers because all of the resources "are keyed to content area and grade level with links to state standards." The site is filled with around 4,000 video programs. "THe 4,000 programs are seperated into 40,000 shorter segments that facilitate into lessons." Unitedstreaming also allows teachers and students to edit or change licensed unitedstreaming content. Teachers are able to revise content and repost it to the Den site. This article is a great resource for anyone teaching or looking into the teaching profession. It gives great examples of sites and information to help teachers use this technology in their classroom.
What if funding is a problem? Do teachers need a large amount of money to access these resources?
Nope! These great resources are free! They want to share their information with educators, anyone can go on these sites and look up photos or live footage and different places.
Are these site just for teachers or can students use them too?
Students are encourage to navigate these sites to find information on animals for a report or see what a different country looks like right in your home! The only problem with students using these sites would be when using Youtube, it is open to the public and anyone can post anything. Parents are strongly encouraged to watch over their childs navigation, we dont want them finding something inappropriate!
THis article describes digital video. The article describes many online resources that can help teachers incorporate digital video in the classroom with very little difficulty. Glen Bull describes the National Geographic Society and their webcam monitoring a waterhole in Africa. This video is said to be so clear, those watching feel as if they are there. These sites encourage bookmarking and sharing which makes it very easy for teachers to get a hold of them and show it to students. The article also describes "YouTube". "YouTube is very popular today. More than 65,000 video clip per day are being uploaded to Youtubes streaming site." Although Youtube is for all videos, it would make finding educational video's a bit difficult to find. THe article made it very clear that although there are so many resources out there, it is up to the teacher to "link these resources to learning outcomes." THe resource I found most interesting was called The Discorvery Education unditedstreaming website. It is a grea resource for teachers because all of the resources "are keyed to content area and grade level with links to state standards." The site is filled with around 4,000 video programs. "THe 4,000 programs are seperated into 40,000 shorter segments that facilitate into lessons." Unitedstreaming also allows teachers and students to edit or change licensed unitedstreaming content. Teachers are able to revise content and repost it to the Den site. This article is a great resource for anyone teaching or looking into the teaching profession. It gives great examples of sites and information to help teachers use this technology in their classroom.
What if funding is a problem? Do teachers need a large amount of money to access these resources?
Nope! These great resources are free! They want to share their information with educators, anyone can go on these sites and look up photos or live footage and different places.
Are these site just for teachers or can students use them too?
Students are encourage to navigate these sites to find information on animals for a report or see what a different country looks like right in your home! The only problem with students using these sites would be when using Youtube, it is open to the public and anyone can post anything. Parents are strongly encouraged to watch over their childs navigation, we dont want them finding something inappropriate!
Journal 2
"Breathing Fire into Web 2.0" by Tim hardman
This article describes a collaboration system for schools. This system was created in Hong Kong and is called myDragonNet. It is an all in one web based system. Teachers have always needed a three component system and this system does it all. Teachers have individual accounts through myDragonNet that gives links to different clubs and sources for students, this system is live for students and teachers. This system helps curriculum development and enhances learning tremendously. Teachers can store old work in the system to use in other school years. It is a kind of portfolio system, and is very safe. Teachers can be comforted by the fact that it is password protected. This article is a great way to learn more about this system, as a future teaching I am so glad I know about this system and hope to use it in my classroom. I know it will benefit my enormously.
How does this system benefit students?
Students are able to look at examples of assignments given by teachers. Students can share in discussions with teachers, it is very easy to use, the article states that elementary school students should have no problem accessing this site.
What are the three-components that this system provides?
THe three components this system provides for teachers are "enhanced communication and collaboration for themselves and their students to support classroom and co-curricular activities, provides curriculum mapping, resource reporitory, and archive resources, and last is serves as an online portfolio management system to support student and teacher reflection with a lingitudinal review of their learning".
This article describes a collaboration system for schools. This system was created in Hong Kong and is called myDragonNet. It is an all in one web based system. Teachers have always needed a three component system and this system does it all. Teachers have individual accounts through myDragonNet that gives links to different clubs and sources for students, this system is live for students and teachers. This system helps curriculum development and enhances learning tremendously. Teachers can store old work in the system to use in other school years. It is a kind of portfolio system, and is very safe. Teachers can be comforted by the fact that it is password protected. This article is a great way to learn more about this system, as a future teaching I am so glad I know about this system and hope to use it in my classroom. I know it will benefit my enormously.
How does this system benefit students?
Students are able to look at examples of assignments given by teachers. Students can share in discussions with teachers, it is very easy to use, the article states that elementary school students should have no problem accessing this site.
What are the three-components that this system provides?
THe three components this system provides for teachers are "enhanced communication and collaboration for themselves and their students to support classroom and co-curricular activities, provides curriculum mapping, resource reporitory, and archive resources, and last is serves as an online portfolio management system to support student and teacher reflection with a lingitudinal review of their learning".
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)