Question: What types of planning and scheduling can be aided with the use of technology?
Answer: Word processing or speadsheet software can make some of this hassle more manageable. Teachers can easily map out a generic weekly or daily schedule. If activities change, they can simply be deleted or moved. A lot of planning, especially for a number of days ahead, makes it easier for any substitute who comes in. Any type of organization with technology keeps everything in order and gives teachers a peace of mind.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Assessing and Evaluating, Including Portfolios - Chapter 15
Question: What assessment methods can be used to evaluate constructivist-learning lessons?
Answer: Constructivist learning integrates disciplines, skills, and strategies so that students can develop their own understandings. It challenges teachers to assess student learning in a formet that most closely matches how the information was learning, as well as with formative methods that will provide students feedback with which to inform further learning.
Answer: Constructivist learning integrates disciplines, skills, and strategies so that students can develop their own understandings. It challenges teachers to assess student learning in a formet that most closely matches how the information was learning, as well as with formative methods that will provide students feedback with which to inform further learning.
Mathematical Modeling - Chapter 11
Question: What is a mircoworld?
Answer: The MIT Media Lab Learning and Common Sense Group (www.media.mit.edu) coined the term microlab and they defined it as a tiny world inside which a student can explore alternatives, test hypotheses, and discover facts that are true about the world (www.umcs.maine.edu/~larry/microworlds/microworld.html). It differs from a simulation in that the student is encouraged to think about it as a "real" worl, and not simply as a simulation of another world.
Answer: The MIT Media Lab Learning and Common Sense Group (www.media.mit.edu) coined the term microlab and they defined it as a tiny world inside which a student can explore alternatives, test hypotheses, and discover facts that are true about the world (www.umcs.maine.edu/~larry/microworlds/microworld.html). It differs from a simulation in that the student is encouraged to think about it as a "real" worl, and not simply as a simulation of another world.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Games and Virtual Environments - Chapter 10
Question: What are the benefits of using games in the classroom?
Answer: Students today live in a gaming culture and the classroom needs to adapt. The games that have been created for classroom, as well as the general public, include interaction, higher-order thinking, collaboration, problem solving, and motivation from the play and learning environment. If parents and teachers consider games as an educational tool rather than free-time, fun reward, gaming will have a promising future in K-12 education.
Answer: Students today live in a gaming culture and the classroom needs to adapt. The games that have been created for classroom, as well as the general public, include interaction, higher-order thinking, collaboration, problem solving, and motivation from the play and learning environment. If parents and teachers consider games as an educational tool rather than free-time, fun reward, gaming will have a promising future in K-12 education.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Emerging and Assistive Technologies and the Future
Question:
Answer: The impact of AI on computers in the schools will be monumentous. Very young children will be able to operate cimputers without the needs for typing skills or knowledge of programming languages. They will be able to teach the computer to carry out the activities they want done. Because AI computers function as intelligent aids to their users rather than as merely programming machines, computers will become more effective teachers, listening to the students, responding according to information stored in memory, and then storing information away for later use. They will no longer rely on rigidly defined software. In addition, future generations of computers with artificial intelligence are expected to be able to compile their own instructions to perform virtually any task they are asked to perform.
Answer: The impact of AI on computers in the schools will be monumentous. Very young children will be able to operate cimputers without the needs for typing skills or knowledge of programming languages. They will be able to teach the computer to carry out the activities they want done. Because AI computers function as intelligent aids to their users rather than as merely programming machines, computers will become more effective teachers, listening to the students, responding according to information stored in memory, and then storing information away for later use. They will no longer rely on rigidly defined software. In addition, future generations of computers with artificial intelligence are expected to be able to compile their own instructions to perform virtually any task they are asked to perform.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Technology Integration in the Content Area, Including Early Childhood, Educationally Challenged, and Multidisciplinary Units - Chapter 9
Question: How can teachers use technology in the content areas?
Answer: They can incorporate the technology-based learning activities into their traditional curricula and this increases the number of students who have experience with technology when they finish school. Technology-based learning activities must account for the same factors that all learning activities depend on: Grade-Level Range, Purpose, Description, Activity Preparation, Activity Procedure, Tools and Resources, and Assessments. Also to make sure that everything teachers do, age appropriate content is a must.
Answer: They can incorporate the technology-based learning activities into their traditional curricula and this increases the number of students who have experience with technology when they finish school. Technology-based learning activities must account for the same factors that all learning activities depend on: Grade-Level Range, Purpose, Description, Activity Preparation, Activity Procedure, Tools and Resources, and Assessments. Also to make sure that everything teachers do, age appropriate content is a must.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Selecting and Integrating World Wide Web Resources, Including Designing Online Instruction - Chapter 8
Question: Why is regular maintenance vital to a quality website?
Answer: You want to be sure that you are posting a quality product and that the pages stay in good condition as time goes by. If you are trying to market your website to anyone, it has to look appealing and be able to hook the audience. No one would look at your site if it wasnt aesthetically appealing. You have to keep it up with the times and the interests of the demogaphic you are aiming your site at. Site's always need improving and updates. That is Website 101.
Answer: You want to be sure that you are posting a quality product and that the pages stay in good condition as time goes by. If you are trying to market your website to anyone, it has to look appealing and be able to hook the audience. No one would look at your site if it wasnt aesthetically appealing. You have to keep it up with the times and the interests of the demogaphic you are aiming your site at. Site's always need improving and updates. That is Website 101.
Planning and Developing Technology-Rich Instruction - Chapter 7
Question: What is Data Driven Decision Making?
Answer: Data-driven decisions are based on an understanding of a wide collection of data, from student test scores to enrollment figures. Studying these data helps educators to know what methods and practices work and on what they need to focus additional attention. This type of data-informed thought also helps schools and districts demonstrate accountability with new federal regulations on reporting spelled out in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which requires that districts measure success by an appriasal of student accomplishment. I believe that tracking is a great way to to measure student ability and to keep up with students progress. Tracking would help a lot of students succeed and would give teachers a better way to understand what they are dealing with.
Answer: Data-driven decisions are based on an understanding of a wide collection of data, from student test scores to enrollment figures. Studying these data helps educators to know what methods and practices work and on what they need to focus additional attention. This type of data-informed thought also helps schools and districts demonstrate accountability with new federal regulations on reporting spelled out in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which requires that districts measure success by an appriasal of student accomplishment. I believe that tracking is a great way to to measure student ability and to keep up with students progress. Tracking would help a lot of students succeed and would give teachers a better way to understand what they are dealing with.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Learning and Teaching with Technology - Chapter 6
Question: What constitutes a technology-enriched learning environment?
Answer: A technology-enriched classroom/environment is characterized by 1) students' active involvement in the learning process through such activities as problem solving and data analysis; 2) collaborative learning activities that tend to increase student motivation, understanding, and self-confidence; 3) immediate and individualized feedback on student performance typically provided by educational software; and 4) material presented in the context of real-world situations or through other authentic sources of information available though the Internet.
My response/question to all of this is: Are school systems that do not have the allotted funding for a "technology-enriched environment" less productive or even less capable of producing well-educated students? How do we combat this? I know that my mom's school does not have the funding necessary for this kind of environment (the newest piece of technology bought on the school's budget was a copier last year), so does that mean her students are not up to par even though they are receiving an outstanding education? Hopefully this question will be answered soon and all schools will be technology-enriched environments.
Answer: A technology-enriched classroom/environment is characterized by 1) students' active involvement in the learning process through such activities as problem solving and data analysis; 2) collaborative learning activities that tend to increase student motivation, understanding, and self-confidence; 3) immediate and individualized feedback on student performance typically provided by educational software; and 4) material presented in the context of real-world situations or through other authentic sources of information available though the Internet.
My response/question to all of this is: Are school systems that do not have the allotted funding for a "technology-enriched environment" less productive or even less capable of producing well-educated students? How do we combat this? I know that my mom's school does not have the funding necessary for this kind of environment (the newest piece of technology bought on the school's budget was a copier last year), so does that mean her students are not up to par even though they are receiving an outstanding education? Hopefully this question will be answered soon and all schools will be technology-enriched environments.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Producing and Presenting, Including Podcasting and Digital Storytelling - Chapter 14
Question: What role can digital storytelling play in education?
Answer: Digital storytelling helps students explore the meaning of their own experience, give value to it, and communicate that experience on multiple levels to other. The stories can be people, places, things and happenings. Research is an integral part of the project. I have used digitial stories before and find them to be fantastic. I love being able to tell a story through pictures and to have music behind it, especially inspirational messages/topics. I made one last semester on child obesity and the problem America faces with it. I put the song "Fix You" by Coldplay behind the video and it worked out really well.
Answer: Digital storytelling helps students explore the meaning of their own experience, give value to it, and communicate that experience on multiple levels to other. The stories can be people, places, things and happenings. Research is an integral part of the project. I have used digitial stories before and find them to be fantastic. I love being able to tell a story through pictures and to have music behind it, especially inspirational messages/topics. I made one last semester on child obesity and the problem America faces with it. I put the song "Fix You" by Coldplay behind the video and it worked out really well.
Social, Ethical, Legal and Human Issues - Chapter 5
Question: What steps would you take to ensure child safety on the WWW?
Answer: A coalition formed by governors and/or their spouses called the Internet Keep Safe Coalition to teach parents and children the basic rules of Internet safety. Studies show that one in five youth using the Internet receive an online sexual solicitation in a 1-year period, and 29 percent of children will freely give out their home address if asked. HOW SCARY IS THIS?! Our little ones do not need to see this or have to deal with it. Lets try to clean the internet up. Sites like www.siteadvisor.com and www.scandoo.com give the user advance notice of bad or offensive sites. Another great site is www.gaggle.com which is a safe smail for students. This gives them ownership and lets them feel a little more mature by having their own emial address and the ability to talk to their friends through email like adults do.
Answer: A coalition formed by governors and/or their spouses called the Internet Keep Safe Coalition to teach parents and children the basic rules of Internet safety. Studies show that one in five youth using the Internet receive an online sexual solicitation in a 1-year period, and 29 percent of children will freely give out their home address if asked. HOW SCARY IS THIS?! Our little ones do not need to see this or have to deal with it. Lets try to clean the internet up. Sites like www.siteadvisor.com and www.scandoo.com give the user advance notice of bad or offensive sites. Another great site is www.gaggle.com which is a safe smail for students. This gives them ownership and lets them feel a little more mature by having their own emial address and the ability to talk to their friends through email like adults do.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Simulation and Data Analysis - Chapter 12
Question: What is a simulation?
Answer: "A simulation is the process of imitating a real situation or object with a set of mathematical formulas" (p. 311). Simulations are so cool! I remember going to the Air and Space Museum as a child and always wanting to do the Flight Simulator. It was so awesome to feel like I was the pilot and the mission was in my hands. Now they have simulators everywhere. There are 3-D simulators at theme parks and even 4-D simulators that incoporate the other senses. But simulators are not just rides anymore, they are video games as well. The Sims is a great example. So are other games out there that put you in a cause-effect situation, where the decisions you make can alter the future of you and your family/town/city/castle/military/life!
Answer: "A simulation is the process of imitating a real situation or object with a set of mathematical formulas" (p. 311). Simulations are so cool! I remember going to the Air and Space Museum as a child and always wanting to do the Flight Simulator. It was so awesome to feel like I was the pilot and the mission was in my hands. Now they have simulators everywhere. There are 3-D simulators at theme parks and even 4-D simulators that incoporate the other senses. But simulators are not just rides anymore, they are video games as well. The Sims is a great example. So are other games out there that put you in a cause-effect situation, where the decisions you make can alter the future of you and your family/town/city/castle/military/life!
Getting to Know the World Wide Web - Chapter 3
Question: How can a teacher take advantage of blogging for global assignments?
Answer: I think that taking advantage of blogging for global assignments is a great idea. Blogging gives everyone a voice to express their feelings, wishes, opinions, etc... That is an empowering feeling to have your voice heard by just one person, let alone the millions, if not billions, of people theat read blogs or are on the internet. A social studies teacher could give an assignment to their students on the impact of the global economy on third world nations or even take the events currently happening in Egypt, and the students could be asked to just blogs their opinions, views, and feelings (always school appropriate) on the matter. What a great way to get students to research what is happening all around them and to have them thinking critically at the same time. Blogs can create awareness to situations students never would have thought about. If used correctly, I believe that blogging in the classroom could create some incredible minds.
Answer: I think that taking advantage of blogging for global assignments is a great idea. Blogging gives everyone a voice to express their feelings, wishes, opinions, etc... That is an empowering feeling to have your voice heard by just one person, let alone the millions, if not billions, of people theat read blogs or are on the internet. A social studies teacher could give an assignment to their students on the impact of the global economy on third world nations or even take the events currently happening in Egypt, and the students could be asked to just blogs their opinions, views, and feelings (always school appropriate) on the matter. What a great way to get students to research what is happening all around them and to have them thinking critically at the same time. Blogs can create awareness to situations students never would have thought about. If used correctly, I believe that blogging in the classroom could create some incredible minds.
Productivity Tools and Application Software - Chapter 2
Question: How can concept-mapping tools be used to address different learning styles?
Answer: Concept-mapping tools have been proven to work wonders for different learning styles in reading, writing, math, social studies, science, etc... But to use concept-mapping tools in combination with technology is a whole different level. Websites like "Inspiration and Kidspiration (www.inspiration.com/home.cfm) and The Graphic Organizer (http://www.graphis.org/) are visual ways to think, write, and comprehend. Inspiration provides integrated diagramming and outlining environments that work together to help students comprehend concepts and information" (p. 49). These sites are outstanding and allow the students to create their own concept maps/diagrams so they can better understand the material presented for comprehension. I can only imagine the possibilities and successes that we could have achieved if these programs and sites were around when we were in school.
Answer: Concept-mapping tools have been proven to work wonders for different learning styles in reading, writing, math, social studies, science, etc... But to use concept-mapping tools in combination with technology is a whole different level. Websites like "Inspiration and Kidspiration (www.inspiration.com/home.cfm) and The Graphic Organizer (http://www.graphis.org/) are visual ways to think, write, and comprehend. Inspiration provides integrated diagramming and outlining environments that work together to help students comprehend concepts and information" (p. 49). These sites are outstanding and allow the students to create their own concept maps/diagrams so they can better understand the material presented for comprehension. I can only imagine the possibilities and successes that we could have achieved if these programs and sites were around when we were in school.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Getting Started With Technology
How have societal trends during the Information Age been influenced by technological advances?
Societal trends have impacted technology in a huge way. It was said the most of today's children have never lived in a noncomputerized society. How crazy is that? I remember when computers were just coming out and no one I knew had them. We got our first family computer when I was about 8 years old and it was brand new. Compared to the computers of today, it would be like Atari and X-Box 360. The world is moving faster today and newer technology is needed to function. The book said that it is estimated that the amount of information in the world doubles every 900 days. Doubled in every 900 days? That is insane. Our society today is impatient and needs things now, so our technology needs to support that speed.
Societal trends have impacted technology in a huge way. It was said the most of today's children have never lived in a noncomputerized society. How crazy is that? I remember when computers were just coming out and no one I knew had them. We got our first family computer when I was about 8 years old and it was brand new. Compared to the computers of today, it would be like Atari and X-Box 360. The world is moving faster today and newer technology is needed to function. The book said that it is estimated that the amount of information in the world doubles every 900 days. Doubled in every 900 days? That is insane. Our society today is impatient and needs things now, so our technology needs to support that speed.
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