Sunday, February 26, 2012
Starfall
I know I am probably very late in discovering this but I am absolutely obsessed with the website starfall.com. I have been exploring it lately and LOVE it! If you havent been to it I would definitely recommend you check it out!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Unit 3 Reflection
Chapter 9
1. How can my students use multimedia for their projects?
Students can use their imaginations and incorporate, "text, graphics, pictures and photographs, video, sound, hyperlinks, and animated objects" (Morrison and Lowther, 2010, p. 235) in their projects. Using multimedia in projects can help engage students and get them excited about learning.
2. What applications are available for creating a multimedia presentation? The text lists the following applications: PowerPoint, Windows Movie Maker, iMovie,and Adobe's Flash (Morrison and Lowther, 2010). Based on students needs they can choose which program will work best for them. GoogleDocs and Voicethread are also great applications that can be used.
3. Should I place limits on how my students use multimedia?
I feel that limits should be placed on how students use multimedia but at the same time they should be allowed enough freedom to express themselves and be creative. Teachers should provide guidelines and rubrics for students to go by to ensure that they know what is expected of them and give them limits.
Chapter 10
1. How do you know that students understand a concept?
I know that students understand a concept when they can explain what they have learned. Graphic Organizers are also a great tool to use, the text says that you can also use them to not only visually represent students understanding of a concept and ideas but to also expand their knowledge by sharing and learning from others (Morrison and Lowther, 2010).
2. How can you depict a student misconceptions of key information?
I can tell if students have a misconception by observing them and seeing if they are not on task, asking if them questions about specific assignment details, and monitoring their progress as the complete their work. I would also facilitate discussions as mentioned in the text because it is important for students to participate in some type of culminating activity that requires them to reflect on their learning." (Morrison and Lowther, 2010).
3. How can students capture and transfer brainstorming ideas into written thought?
Graphic organizers are a great tool for students to use to capture different ideas. They allow the recorder type in an idea of one student and then instantly create a link and new icon ready for the next idea with a press of the enter/ready key. After brainstorming students can review the ideas, modifying and rearranging them into meaningful groups without having to reenter the information (Morrison and Lowther, 260).
1. How can my students use multimedia for their projects?
Students can use their imaginations and incorporate, "text, graphics, pictures and photographs, video, sound, hyperlinks, and animated objects" (Morrison and Lowther, 2010, p. 235) in their projects. Using multimedia in projects can help engage students and get them excited about learning.
2. What applications are available for creating a multimedia presentation? The text lists the following applications: PowerPoint, Windows Movie Maker, iMovie,and Adobe's Flash (Morrison and Lowther, 2010). Based on students needs they can choose which program will work best for them. GoogleDocs and Voicethread are also great applications that can be used.
3. Should I place limits on how my students use multimedia?
I feel that limits should be placed on how students use multimedia but at the same time they should be allowed enough freedom to express themselves and be creative. Teachers should provide guidelines and rubrics for students to go by to ensure that they know what is expected of them and give them limits.
Chapter 10
1. How do you know that students understand a concept?
I know that students understand a concept when they can explain what they have learned. Graphic Organizers are also a great tool to use, the text says that you can also use them to not only visually represent students understanding of a concept and ideas but to also expand their knowledge by sharing and learning from others (Morrison and Lowther, 2010).
2. How can you depict a student misconceptions of key information?
I can tell if students have a misconception by observing them and seeing if they are not on task, asking if them questions about specific assignment details, and monitoring their progress as the complete their work. I would also facilitate discussions as mentioned in the text because it is important for students to participate in some type of culminating activity that requires them to reflect on their learning." (Morrison and Lowther, 2010).
3. How can students capture and transfer brainstorming ideas into written thought?
Graphic organizers are a great tool for students to use to capture different ideas. They allow the recorder type in an idea of one student and then instantly create a link and new icon ready for the next idea with a press of the enter/ready key. After brainstorming students can review the ideas, modifying and rearranging them into meaningful groups without having to reenter the information (Morrison and Lowther, 260).
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Unit 2 Reflection
Chapter 3
1.Why is it important to learn about different technology tools when they are constantly changing?
I believe it is very important to learn different technology tools even though they are constantly changing. It allows us as teachers to have more tools to pull from our own toolboxes. Also, you can combine old and new technologies so that they can work together. In our textbook it says that "when using an older projector having lower resolution than a newer computer, the projected display will look distorted and "squished",...changing your computer display resolution to match that of the projector will alleviate this effect."(Morrison and Lowther, 2010). It is important for teachers to stay up to date on technology so that they can incorporate all technologies into their classrooms to teach.
2.Most desktop computers do the same things as mobile devices, so why do teachers need to use both?
Desktops are nice to have in the classroom, they are bigger and have a larger viewing screen which can be beneficial when doing group activities and the components are "easily replaced or upgraded by school personnel."(Morrison and Lowther, 2010). Mobile devices on the other hand are portable which allows you to do work from home or on the go, are lightweight and offer flexibility. Desktops and mobile devices have their pros and cons but both are very beneficial to teachers.
3. How can the cost of digital devices be justified when the functions they perform are often limited in number and scope?I use to be a teacher assistant in a NCPK classroom and have seen first hand how the cost of digital devices can be justified. We use to provide a digital camera for children to use in the classroom. They would take pictures of their friends doing different activities as well as silly pictures while having fun. We also used the digital camera to aid in their learning. We would take pictures of them doing things that were a part of our daily routine so that they could have a visual reminder of the daily routine. We also had students act out positive things as well as things that were against the rules and put up visual reminders of what was acceptable and not. The kids had a great time using the camera and really enjoyed looking at the pictures to help remind them of different things. If used properly in a classroom digital devices can be a great asset and can really help students learn in a different and fun way.
Chapter 4
1. There are so many types of software; how do I know which ones to include in my lessons?
The first major thing that is going to help you narrow down your choices is what grade level/ age(s) are you teaching? Most software's are geared toward certain ages so you will want to first figure out which ones are appropriate for your class. Teachers also need to explore the different software's themselves and see which ones they think would be most beneficial in their class. Every class is different and no one knows them as good as you do so it is important that you find one that would be a good fit for your class. Morrison and Lowther (2010) state, "the key focus for teachers is to select software that supports student achievement of content knowledge and skills."
2. I understand why students should use educational software and the Internet, but why should my fourth-grade students learn to use spreadsheets, database, or video editing software?
Teachers need to provide a well rounded education and these things help do that! Spreadsheets help with mathematical skills like adding and subtracting as well as formulas. In our textbook, Integrating Computer Technology into the Classroom, it states that when "students enter information in a database, students can conduct limitless inquires with the click of a mouse, which rewards and supports the inquisitive nature of student learning."(Morrison and Lowther, 2010). Video editing allows students to make fun and educational videos that let them use their imagination and creativity. There are so many positive things that technology can bring to students.
3. How can student use of different types of software help improve scores on state tests?
Educational software can test students on different subjects like math, reading and writing. It can also provide students with practice tests for end of grade tests and get them use to being timed and the format it may be in. Educational software also allows teachers to receive feedback and can help them identify what the student may need extra help in.
1.Why is it important to learn about different technology tools when they are constantly changing?
I believe it is very important to learn different technology tools even though they are constantly changing. It allows us as teachers to have more tools to pull from our own toolboxes. Also, you can combine old and new technologies so that they can work together. In our textbook it says that "when using an older projector having lower resolution than a newer computer, the projected display will look distorted and "squished",...changing your computer display resolution to match that of the projector will alleviate this effect."(Morrison and Lowther, 2010). It is important for teachers to stay up to date on technology so that they can incorporate all technologies into their classrooms to teach.
2.Most desktop computers do the same things as mobile devices, so why do teachers need to use both?
Desktops are nice to have in the classroom, they are bigger and have a larger viewing screen which can be beneficial when doing group activities and the components are "easily replaced or upgraded by school personnel."(Morrison and Lowther, 2010). Mobile devices on the other hand are portable which allows you to do work from home or on the go, are lightweight and offer flexibility. Desktops and mobile devices have their pros and cons but both are very beneficial to teachers.
3. How can the cost of digital devices be justified when the functions they perform are often limited in number and scope?I use to be a teacher assistant in a NCPK classroom and have seen first hand how the cost of digital devices can be justified. We use to provide a digital camera for children to use in the classroom. They would take pictures of their friends doing different activities as well as silly pictures while having fun. We also used the digital camera to aid in their learning. We would take pictures of them doing things that were a part of our daily routine so that they could have a visual reminder of the daily routine. We also had students act out positive things as well as things that were against the rules and put up visual reminders of what was acceptable and not. The kids had a great time using the camera and really enjoyed looking at the pictures to help remind them of different things. If used properly in a classroom digital devices can be a great asset and can really help students learn in a different and fun way.
Chapter 4
1. There are so many types of software; how do I know which ones to include in my lessons?
The first major thing that is going to help you narrow down your choices is what grade level/ age(s) are you teaching? Most software's are geared toward certain ages so you will want to first figure out which ones are appropriate for your class. Teachers also need to explore the different software's themselves and see which ones they think would be most beneficial in their class. Every class is different and no one knows them as good as you do so it is important that you find one that would be a good fit for your class. Morrison and Lowther (2010) state, "the key focus for teachers is to select software that supports student achievement of content knowledge and skills."
2. I understand why students should use educational software and the Internet, but why should my fourth-grade students learn to use spreadsheets, database, or video editing software?
Teachers need to provide a well rounded education and these things help do that! Spreadsheets help with mathematical skills like adding and subtracting as well as formulas. In our textbook, Integrating Computer Technology into the Classroom, it states that when "students enter information in a database, students can conduct limitless inquires with the click of a mouse, which rewards and supports the inquisitive nature of student learning."(Morrison and Lowther, 2010). Video editing allows students to make fun and educational videos that let them use their imagination and creativity. There are so many positive things that technology can bring to students.
3. How can student use of different types of software help improve scores on state tests?
Educational software can test students on different subjects like math, reading and writing. It can also provide students with practice tests for end of grade tests and get them use to being timed and the format it may be in. Educational software also allows teachers to receive feedback and can help them identify what the student may need extra help in.
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