Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Horizon Report Reflection
The Horizon Report – Collaboration Webs – 3/19/08
This article overviews the explosion of technologies which are available for businesses, students, educators or for any person to post information, photos, video, audio etc.. In my experience, these new technologies are in widespread use especially among the younger generation. Students are regularly keeping me up to date about the “newest” (cool or hip), method to communicate over the web. It is exciting to watch students embrace these new methods, and also great for me as a resource to get occasional help. I have find that these technologies useful for diversification of assignments and lesson plans. I also am finding that I am learning new ways to communicate through the use of collaboration websites other than through Internet e-mail, which both useful and fun.
I have observed that another result is the development of student “multi- tasking”, where usually, the Internet and various forms of communication is involved. Students are using text messaging, cellphones, chat rooms, Blogging websites, as well as sites such as FaceBook, or MySpace to communicate sometimes simultaneously with each other, as well as with others from neighboring schools or throughout our state, country or in some instances, the world. Today's student is not only more connected to the world through modern communication tools, but is also capable of learning new technologies quickly and efficiently.
While it is obvious the advantages these new modes of communication offer businesses, students, and educators, there is is some question of how the change in the use of communication may affect the development of student's social behaviors. Are we in affect “dumbing” down expectations for handwriting skills, spelling, sentence structure and grammar usage? Is it too easy for students to access information without having to use book resources? Is the availability if information through the Internet promoting the abuse of copyright laws and also student accountability and integrity? Are students loosing the advantage of social interaction on a face to face basis or through the hand writing of paper letters (or snail mail)?
We can conclude that these technologies are advantageous when used correctly, and when student, teachers and businesses honor copyright laws and behave with accountability and integrity. It is also easy to imagine that as time marches on, more technologies will be developed to help with keeping these concerns in check, (for example the use of “turnitin.com” which automatically checks for copyright infringement).
This article overviews the explosion of technologies which are available for businesses, students, educators or for any person to post information, photos, video, audio etc.. In my experience, these new technologies are in widespread use especially among the younger generation. Students are regularly keeping me up to date about the “newest” (cool or hip), method to communicate over the web. It is exciting to watch students embrace these new methods, and also great for me as a resource to get occasional help. I have find that these technologies useful for diversification of assignments and lesson plans. I also am finding that I am learning new ways to communicate through the use of collaboration websites other than through Internet e-mail, which both useful and fun.
I have observed that another result is the development of student “multi- tasking”, where usually, the Internet and various forms of communication is involved. Students are using text messaging, cellphones, chat rooms, Blogging websites, as well as sites such as FaceBook, or MySpace to communicate sometimes simultaneously with each other, as well as with others from neighboring schools or throughout our state, country or in some instances, the world. Today's student is not only more connected to the world through modern communication tools, but is also capable of learning new technologies quickly and efficiently.
While it is obvious the advantages these new modes of communication offer businesses, students, and educators, there is is some question of how the change in the use of communication may affect the development of student's social behaviors. Are we in affect “dumbing” down expectations for handwriting skills, spelling, sentence structure and grammar usage? Is it too easy for students to access information without having to use book resources? Is the availability if information through the Internet promoting the abuse of copyright laws and also student accountability and integrity? Are students loosing the advantage of social interaction on a face to face basis or through the hand writing of paper letters (or snail mail)?
We can conclude that these technologies are advantageous when used correctly, and when student, teachers and businesses honor copyright laws and behave with accountability and integrity. It is also easy to imagine that as time marches on, more technologies will be developed to help with keeping these concerns in check, (for example the use of “turnitin.com” which automatically checks for copyright infringement).
Friday, May 9, 2008
Activity 7 Blog
How can I facilitate a student-centered classroom?
Facilitating a student centered classroom is about building all the steps of creating a successful lesson plan and subsequent assessments, rubrics, checklists and support materials with the aid of student input. again as I have stated in past blogs, formulating plans with student input is helping to encourage student success. Students will be more successful if they have an active role in their learning, planning and with the forms of assessment. Students will also feel empowered, which further encourages and invites success. The instructor also benefits by having student input through the advantage of many sets of opinions and thoughts regarding a lesson plan and the on-going learning. I personally have always said and believed that I too learn from my students. When I was a private teacher, I was always impressed by who the new learning for my would be coming from. Often times being the youngest or the oldest student which sometimes took me by surprise.
How can I use technology to support my instructional practice?
I feel that this class has opened my eyes to many new ways that technology can be used at all stages of the planning for student learning. Technology enables more communication, allows for access to more materials, information and ideas for planning of student learning. Technology also increases the level of student success, allowing the student to be more "hands on" approach, while also allowing the student to have access to far more information. Teacher student communication can be increased on all levels through blogs, wikis, skype and other online tools allow the classroom to be extended to beyond the "regular" school. I also feel that students take charge of their own learning through the use of technology. Students today are so technologically advanced that it seems only natural that the use of technology in instructional planning and practice by the teacher would enable greater student success while raising aspirations.
Facilitating a student centered classroom is about building all the steps of creating a successful lesson plan and subsequent assessments, rubrics, checklists and support materials with the aid of student input. again as I have stated in past blogs, formulating plans with student input is helping to encourage student success. Students will be more successful if they have an active role in their learning, planning and with the forms of assessment. Students will also feel empowered, which further encourages and invites success. The instructor also benefits by having student input through the advantage of many sets of opinions and thoughts regarding a lesson plan and the on-going learning. I personally have always said and believed that I too learn from my students. When I was a private teacher, I was always impressed by who the new learning for my would be coming from. Often times being the youngest or the oldest student which sometimes took me by surprise.
How can I use technology to support my instructional practice?
I feel that this class has opened my eyes to many new ways that technology can be used at all stages of the planning for student learning. Technology enables more communication, allows for access to more materials, information and ideas for planning of student learning. Technology also increases the level of student success, allowing the student to be more "hands on" approach, while also allowing the student to have access to far more information. Teacher student communication can be increased on all levels through blogs, wikis, skype and other online tools allow the classroom to be extended to beyond the "regular" school. I also feel that students take charge of their own learning through the use of technology. Students today are so technologically advanced that it seems only natural that the use of technology in instructional planning and practice by the teacher would enable greater student success while raising aspirations.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Module 5 - Planning for Student Success
Through this module, I created various rubrics to grade student work and adapted each to fit students who may be Learning Disabled or who are identified as Gifted and Talented. I also explored various ways to help students to be self directed learners by creating checklists. I have found that the best method for myself is to check individual progress often during class time. This serves to help keep students on task and motivated. It is also a chance for suggestions for quality, resources ad any other help along the way.
In order to support the diverse needs of learners, it is imperative that teachers completely evaluate each students learning style and ability through prior assessment and through a thorough assessment of student's past grades, files, Individual Educational Plans, etc. I feel it is again important to be consistent with monitoring of individual student progress and work.
I have found that this module has further helped to refine the overall shape and direction of the project. I am impressed by the flexibility of the project to be adapted to fit individual student needs and learning styles. I am excited about the possibilities to incorporate this project into the History of Rock ad Roll class curriculum.
In order to support the diverse needs of learners, it is imperative that teachers completely evaluate each students learning style and ability through prior assessment and through a thorough assessment of student's past grades, files, Individual Educational Plans, etc. I feel it is again important to be consistent with monitoring of individual student progress and work.
I have found that this module has further helped to refine the overall shape and direction of the project. I am impressed by the flexibility of the project to be adapted to fit individual student needs and learning styles. I am excited about the possibilities to incorporate this project into the History of Rock ad Roll class curriculum.
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