Wordle

Chapters 10 and 11

Chapters 10 and 11


        Chapter 10 describes it best when it says, "trying to balance the needs of individual learners with those of larger, increasingly diverse classroom communities is part of what imbues the field of teaching with creativity, excitement and constant challenge." (245) Personally, I feel the word that stands out most from this quote is challenge. Imagine a classroom of 25 students all with different learning needs, then add to it the issues some have at home, and now try teaching them. To some it may sound easy, but to those who are in the teaching profession we know how difficult it really is. Nothing bothers me more than people who have no idea what really goes into teaching calling teachers "certified babysitters." 

       Adapting and adding the use of technology in the classroom can greatly help reach all children's learning needs and help them reach their potential. Technology can be great for visual learners, auditory learners, and even kinesthetic learners. With modern technology, there really is no limit on what a child is capable of doing. Technology also helps to reach out to multicultural learners and learners who do not have english as their first language. It's amazing that a teacher with the help of technology, can teach students in different languages even if the teacher is not bilingual herself. Many apps and educational websites can be used in different languages in order to make sure a child is not being restricted from learning the lesson just because of a language barrier. Children can learn english at their own pace, but not miss out on what is being taught in the classroom in other subjects. 

       Chapter 11 talks a lot about testing and assessments. Assessments are clearly made to measure the growth of a child, but nonetheless are portrayed by some students that they are inadequate. A child feels if they do not get in a the upper 90's or a perfect score that they are a failure. Although, if a child scores a 20 on a test and then takes a similar tests and gets a 70, then it is proven that a child is learning. To me, assessments do not show a child's full potential, but rather looks at them as just a test score. I think assessments need to be differentiated such as learning is in the classroom. Some students are simply not test takers even though they may have mastered the material. An assessment sometimes, does not show what a child is capable of. Technology can help differentiate tests to accommodate each child's differences. Students can take oral tests, online tests, written tests, and even be assessed in the form of a game which will make the testing less stressful and more about what a child actually knows and is learning.

Question for readers:

1. How do you feel about testing and certain forms of assessments?

Chapter 7 & 8 Reflection

Throughout Chapter 7 what stood out was how educational software, games, and apps promote problem solving and critical thinking, but teachers need to carefully evaluate each potential resource for its quality and effectiveness as a learning experience. I think something that sounds so simple, is actually quite hard. I know students today in the school I work at use something called ABCya, which does have educational games. Although, I noticed when we allow my class to use it children tend to gravitate towards the games that have the least educational value... It makes me wonder if they notice this is what they are doing or if they just find these games more fun. I definitely want to use what I learned in this chapter and explore the games on the site and recommend to the class the ones with the most educational value and see what they think of these games.

Questions:

1. Does anyone know any games that have high educational value that they would recommend ?

2. Is it okay to allow them to play games without educational value during computers in order to give them a break from their rigorous schedule?

Throughout Chapter 8 what stood out to me was the use of social networking to communicate with a teacher or student. I think children would be more willing to ask for help if they could just shoot the teacher and email of a message on a website. I also think it is more effective, because the student could ask right then and there when they are struggling. Students won't forget their questions and they won't just leave it blank and not gain anything from it. I also think this would be helpful for parents, considering they did not learn in the style of the common core and to them, common core looks like it it is in a whole different language. I think social networking with teachers and students would also make the children relate to the teacher more. They may even think he or she is cool for being able to use such technology!

Reflection 10/28/15

Reflection 10/28/15

Today in class we discussed our final group project.We picked our groups and learned about one another. We have no ideas of our Web 2.0 site yet, but I am hopeful we will find something and make it amazing! My group seems very ready to wkr together to ensure a success!

We also discussed our WebQuest design and how to maneuver the digication website. It seems easy enough. All I need to do now is creatively put my ideas on my digication. I am very excited to see the final result!

Reflection on WebQuest 10/21/15

Reflection of Class 10/21/15

Today's lesson thoroughly explained a WebQuest and what is expected of our WebQuests for this class. I love the idea of it and how it reaches all children's learning styles and needs. My one dilemma is how to make an effective WebQuest for younger grades. The ninth grade example of Romeo and Juliet was brilliant, and a perfect match for the grade level. I love how we were able to critique someone else's WebQuest in order to figure out what we think should be needed for us. I am comfortable with the idea of a WebQuest and making one for my students, but am unsure of my creativity and appropriateness for my grade level. I think this project will be difficult, but definitely rewarding, and something that can be timeless and used effectively in classrooms. I only wish we saw an example of a younger grade levels WebQuest to see the difference between the older and younger grades expectations. 

Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 Reflections

Chapter 5 & Chapter 6 Reflections

I found it interesting that there is now words to define assessing the internet in a proper way, introduced in Chapter 5 as information literacy and defined by the American Library Association (ALA) as the “ability to recognize when information is needed and to then have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.” For most of my life I have been able to instantly find information needed from the internet. It's hard to imagine what life was like without this ability. I do remember one time though when my siblings and I were younger we were at a restaurant on vacation. My brother had us playing trivia games and he was asking us questions and telling us if it was correct or not. At one point he said something that didn't seem right, and I remember my family saying how much easier it would be to just look it up right then and there, but how we couldn't. And now look how far we have come. Now, we can just pull out our Smart phone and find exactly what we want to know. It still seems mind boggling that this is possible. I agree with the chapter when it says that the internet is immensely important for education purposes. Children are able to feed their curiosity instantly, which allows them to question more things knowing they could figure out the answer in the next five minutes. Although, figuring out what websites are safe must definitely be taught. Otherwise, students can feed their minds false information, and cause them to learn incorrect topics. 

When it came to the part about eReaders I must admit I was torn. I am someone who loves to read. I love to open a book and flip through pages and pages of words. I like to highlight things that I find interesting and add notes in the margins. Although, this year I made the switch to eBooks for my textbooks due to the fact that I wouldn't have to wait for them to be shipped and some were cheaper. I have recently become a fan the eBook and have learned to use it in a very helpful way. It can be used the same ways as a regular book, but also as it perks. For example, if I want to find a sentence I wrote down for a paper, I can easily type it in the search bar and it will immediately bring me to the page. I love that aspect of an eBook, but I do still love regular paper books, as well. I think it is important to use both in order to stay relevant with the times, but also not completely lose one's past.

Something that stood out to me was electronic notes. I do like how easy it is to type up notes, and how much quicker it gets done. Though, I also find writing my notes to be a form of studying and typing does not assist in that way. While I write the answer the information goes from my hands to ym brain. Typing does not work the same way for me.

In Chapter 6 I especially like the idea of virtual field trips. Some school budgets cannot afford to take actual field trips, so virtual field trips can still allow children to experience other places without having to leave the classroom. Although, I do not necessarily agree with virtual schools, because I feel children need the social aspect of school and interaction with others to learn.

Tonight's Reflection 10/14/15

Tonight's Reflection 10/14/15

                         I was shocked when I saw that you had to actually have a log in for Wikipedia in order to edit posts. My whole life I was under the impression that anyone could write absolutely anything. I feel as if teachers in high school brainwashed us into thinking that people posts crazy things that have nothing to do with the topic we are researching. I feel they blew it completely out of proportion just so we would not use the website. In reality posts on Wikipedia must be approved in order for viewers to see it. Teachers should educate students better on why the website should not be used and how you know if a website is reliable or not if they plan on students using the internet for school related activities. 

                

                          Something that stood out to me was how people in North Korea and Iran use fake i.p addresses so they can get on websites like YouTube. To me, that seems insane. Although, it makes me think how you can tie internet safety into teaching your students about their freedom in the United States. With freedom comes responsible, and students need to realize that at a young age so they do not do anything that jeopardizes their futures.