I chose My Healthy Self Project as my favorite of the six PBL projects. I liked that the project was very personalized for the students, each child could relate to the project and use the information they learned in their daily lives. Instead of simply being fed information, students had a chance to share what they do to be healthy. I also liked the way that the teacher utilized the help of other professionals to help with the product. Hearing from someone that does not usually teach them can make a learning experience more exciting and meaningful for students, as well as increasing the amount of information that the students can learn and providing the different perspectives on the information being taught. Also, the physical learning environment changed a lot for the students. The students went on different field trips and rearranged their classroom, this can also increase the amount of authentic learning that takes place. I also liked that the project included the students parents who took them on a field trip to the grocery store, causing the learning process to continue outside of the classroom.
The students reached many different levels on Bloom's Taxonomy of Higher Level Thinking. They reached the application level by learning how to use their knew knowledge about health in their daily lives. They also reached the analysis level, by determining which foods and activities are healthy and which are not. The knowledge and comprehension levels were also reached by being taught and understanding facts about being healthy.
I cannot think of many things that would improve this project, however, there was very little technology used in this project. The only technology used was when the students did research on computers. It could have been useful for the teacher to have included another use of technology in the project.
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Monday, December 6, 2010
End of Term Reflection Questions
1. Have you opinions about technology integration in education changed since the beginning of the term? Why or why not?
My opinions about technology in the classroom have changed after taking this class. I had not considered using technology much in my classroom prior to taking this class, however, I now see that technology can be very useful in education. There are many different ways to use technology in the classroom to support student learning. I also realize the importance of technology in preparing students for the future, allowing them to be updated on the latest advances in society, and be prepared for the future work place.
2. Identify one or more programs/web apps introduced this term you believe you'll use in your future classroom. Why will you use these programs/apps?
I will definitely use Story Jumper in my future classroom. Story Jumper allows students to express themselves more creatively than paper and pen story writing and gives them the feeling of accomplishment when they create an actual book. Print Page in IE
My opinions about technology in the classroom have changed after taking this class. I had not considered using technology much in my classroom prior to taking this class, however, I now see that technology can be very useful in education. There are many different ways to use technology in the classroom to support student learning. I also realize the importance of technology in preparing students for the future, allowing them to be updated on the latest advances in society, and be prepared for the future work place.
2. Identify one or more programs/web apps introduced this term you believe you'll use in your future classroom. Why will you use these programs/apps?
I will definitely use Story Jumper in my future classroom. Story Jumper allows students to express themselves more creatively than paper and pen story writing and gives them the feeling of accomplishment when they create an actual book. Print Page in IE
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Integrating Websites into the Classroom
Ocean Portal: You Navigate
This site provides information all about the oceans. It is most appropriate for middle school or high school level students. Viewers can read blog posts about different life and activites taking place in the ocean, it informs student about current events affecting the oceans through blog posts, podcasts, and links to news articles, it also does a great job of getting students involved in the care of our oceans by informing them of the negative impacts people are having on ocean life, and what they can do to help preserve our oceans. The site is attractive, easy to navigate and well organized, all the posts are categorized under Ocean life and Ecosystems, Photo Essays, The Ocean Over Times, The Ocean and You, or For Educators, so that it is easy for the user to find eaxctly what they're looking for. Ocean Portal has many different ways for users to view information; podcasts, pictures, photo essays, blogs, and news articles, so that there is a media that appeals to each type of learner that views the site. One cool feature is the TOPP, Tagging of Pacific Predators, where students can view a map of the pacific ocean, that shows where real Great White Sharks are moving throughout the Pacific Ocean. Guiding users through the TOPP is an interactive Great White Shark widget named Oomoo.
This site could be used in the classroom by educating students about the negative effects people are having on the oceans, students could collaoratively work together to do something as a class that helps preserve the oceans. The site gives many ideas for wht students could do such as, recylcing, energy conservation, and making sure tires are fully inflated before you drive. Students could also brainstorm to come up with their own ocean preservation ideas. It could also be used as a research tool for students who are writing research papers, giving oral presentations, or making projects about ocean science.
Ocean Portal can be used outside the classroom to change the way that students use enrergy and resources at home now that they are conscious of the impact their actions have on the oceans. Print Page in IE
This site provides information all about the oceans. It is most appropriate for middle school or high school level students. Viewers can read blog posts about different life and activites taking place in the ocean, it informs student about current events affecting the oceans through blog posts, podcasts, and links to news articles, it also does a great job of getting students involved in the care of our oceans by informing them of the negative impacts people are having on ocean life, and what they can do to help preserve our oceans. The site is attractive, easy to navigate and well organized, all the posts are categorized under Ocean life and Ecosystems, Photo Essays, The Ocean Over Times, The Ocean and You, or For Educators, so that it is easy for the user to find eaxctly what they're looking for. Ocean Portal has many different ways for users to view information; podcasts, pictures, photo essays, blogs, and news articles, so that there is a media that appeals to each type of learner that views the site. One cool feature is the TOPP, Tagging of Pacific Predators, where students can view a map of the pacific ocean, that shows where real Great White Sharks are moving throughout the Pacific Ocean. Guiding users through the TOPP is an interactive Great White Shark widget named Oomoo.
This site could be used in the classroom by educating students about the negative effects people are having on the oceans, students could collaoratively work together to do something as a class that helps preserve the oceans. The site gives many ideas for wht students could do such as, recylcing, energy conservation, and making sure tires are fully inflated before you drive. Students could also brainstorm to come up with their own ocean preservation ideas. It could also be used as a research tool for students who are writing research papers, giving oral presentations, or making projects about ocean science.
Ocean Portal can be used outside the classroom to change the way that students use enrergy and resources at home now that they are conscious of the impact their actions have on the oceans. Print Page in IE
Monday, October 18, 2010
Telacollaboration
A good telacollaborative activity can greatly increase the quality of learning within the classroom. Telacollaboration allows students other modes of learning instead of simply the teaching given by the teacher during classroom times. Students can learn from each other and from other experts via various technological methods. Telacollaborative activities increase student’s critical thinking skills because it forces them to ask questions to further their own learning. Students will not only listen to instruction but expand their understanding by taking their learning into their own hands. The two highest levels of Bloom’s taxonomy are synthesis and evaluation. Telacollaboration can help reach these two levels of understanding. Synthesis can be reached by students working together with each other and with other experts to invent and develop their own ideas and products. Evaluation can be reached by students peer-reviewing each other’s work through avenues such as e-mails and blogs. Students also have to learn the skill of working together, as stated in the Penn State Article, many students have been working independently for so long that they do not have to skill of collaborating with others to reach a common goal. There are many uses to telacollaborative activities which increase a student’s authentic learning and understanding of a subject.
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Monday, October 4, 2010
My Tech Past, Present, and Future
Past:
Throughout elementary school, computers were introduced to me in other subjects, such as learning how to use Word, search for articles online, or use an online encyclopedia for science, history, or english classes. I also had a typing class in a year of upper elementary school. I was also ocassionally allowed to play computer games that enhanced my learning. In highschool my knowledge of computers was expanded through learning about specfic search engines, how to make graphs and spreadsheats, as well as how to make power points.
Present:
Since I hope to be a kindergarten teacher, I will most likely use technology somewhat less than if I were teaching an upper elementary class. However, my students will be introduced to computers in my classroom. I think that allowing children to first use computers for playing educational games is a way not only to educate them about computers, but it also gives them a positive attitude toward the usage of technology, and encourages them to learn more about it as they grow. Children can also be introduced to simply uses of a computer, such as learning to type their name, and a few cite words into a word program.
Future:
I anticiapte the most difficult part of using technology in my classroom to be keeping updated with the changes in technology. Technology is developing at a very fast rate, and although I will be using simple forms if technology, I will have to find the time to keep updated on the newest versions technology so that my students will not be behind on the current uses of computers. Print Page in IE
Throughout elementary school, computers were introduced to me in other subjects, such as learning how to use Word, search for articles online, or use an online encyclopedia for science, history, or english classes. I also had a typing class in a year of upper elementary school. I was also ocassionally allowed to play computer games that enhanced my learning. In highschool my knowledge of computers was expanded through learning about specfic search engines, how to make graphs and spreadsheats, as well as how to make power points.
Present:
Since I hope to be a kindergarten teacher, I will most likely use technology somewhat less than if I were teaching an upper elementary class. However, my students will be introduced to computers in my classroom. I think that allowing children to first use computers for playing educational games is a way not only to educate them about computers, but it also gives them a positive attitude toward the usage of technology, and encourages them to learn more about it as they grow. Children can also be introduced to simply uses of a computer, such as learning to type their name, and a few cite words into a word program.
Future:
I anticiapte the most difficult part of using technology in my classroom to be keeping updated with the changes in technology. Technology is developing at a very fast rate, and although I will be using simple forms if technology, I will have to find the time to keep updated on the newest versions technology so that my students will not be behind on the current uses of computers. Print Page in IE
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Avatars in Education
Avatars can be very useful in an education setting. Students can have better experience using technology with the help of an avatar, creating students to want to learn more about technology, rather than becoming frustrated with it. Avatars also allow someone for the students to relate to, rather than simply looking at text on a screen. Avatars can also explain subjects better than text can, and they can be very useful for students who are not yet at a high reading level, and would struggle with written instructions or information.
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