Tuesday, June 11, 2013
8. Concept Map
What is an Ecosystem?
Freshwater
III. Terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes
Ocean
Protecting the Ecosystems
7. 10 Creative Ways to Use Google Tools to Maximize Learning
Most people are familiar with Google, but Google is so much more than a search engine. Google continues to produce wonderful tools to make the web a more user-friendly place. The article 10 Creative Ways to Use Google Tools to Maximize Learning, co-authored by EdTechTeacher’s Beth Holland & Tracy Sockalosky, reviews some of the tools that Google has to offer for teachers and students.
By now, many of us have used Google Docs. Google Docs is a great tool for collaborating on a paper with other people or sharing documents with other people for review. The authors point out that Google Docs could also be used as a community note-taking system in the classroom - the same notes are created or provided for every student, with the option of allowing editing. While reading about this suggestion, I thought to myself: "What a great idea!" For those of us who may miss things while listening to a lecture, this use of Google Docs could be a lifesaver. The article goes on to describe many of Google's other available tools: Google Forms, which provides the utility to construct forms and collect information; Voice Comments, which helps to bridge the distance between teacher and student in an online setting; Research Tools, which helps to simplify the process of doing research on the Internet; WriteSpace, a simple and customized text editor that helps to remove distractions; Google Dictionary and Image Dictionary, helping to connect new vocabulary to detailed text and visual definitions; Read and Write, which helps to facilitate ease of reading and writing using a computer; VideoNot.es, as a virtual lecture system; Google Moderator, which recreates the round table type discussion; and finally Templates, a tool that provides templates for various types of documents to help with classroom organization.
This article only scratches the surface of the utility of Google's tools and their potential uses for education purposes - for both teachers and students.
By now, many of us have used Google Docs. Google Docs is a great tool for collaborating on a paper with other people or sharing documents with other people for review. The authors point out that Google Docs could also be used as a community note-taking system in the classroom - the same notes are created or provided for every student, with the option of allowing editing. While reading about this suggestion, I thought to myself: "What a great idea!" For those of us who may miss things while listening to a lecture, this use of Google Docs could be a lifesaver. The article goes on to describe many of Google's other available tools: Google Forms, which provides the utility to construct forms and collect information; Voice Comments, which helps to bridge the distance between teacher and student in an online setting; Research Tools, which helps to simplify the process of doing research on the Internet; WriteSpace, a simple and customized text editor that helps to remove distractions; Google Dictionary and Image Dictionary, helping to connect new vocabulary to detailed text and visual definitions; Read and Write, which helps to facilitate ease of reading and writing using a computer; VideoNot.es, as a virtual lecture system; Google Moderator, which recreates the round table type discussion; and finally Templates, a tool that provides templates for various types of documents to help with classroom organization.
This article only scratches the surface of the utility of Google's tools and their potential uses for education purposes - for both teachers and students.
6. 10 of the Best Virtual Field Trips
After reviewing an article about 10 amazing virtual field trips, I decided to take a closer look at two of the virtual tours.
Hershey's Factory
The Hershey's Factory virtual tour consists of a series of short videos explaining how Hershey's chocolate is made from start to finish. The first video shows the collection and transport of raw ingredients such as cocoa beans and milk. The second video shows the early stages of processing, and the third shows the milling and pressing process. After the cocoa beans have been prepared into large discs of cocoa, ingredients are mixed, refined, and finally made into the chocolate products that many children (and adults) love. The final video shows the names and labels of a variety of Hershey products. I decided to take this tour because of a memory from my childhood. My father went on a business trip to Pennsylvania and had enough time to tour Hershey's Factory. Although I didn't get to go myself, the souvenirs were fascinating. Children would enjoy getting to see a virtual tour describing the process of making chocolate.
The National Museum of Natural History
There are many children who will not have the opportunity to visit the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. I didn't have the opportunity to visit the museum until after I had graduated from high school. I had the opportunity to visit the museum again recently and remembered how much I enjoyed the experience. I had no idea that the museum offered a virtual tour, but I am very pleased to have learned about this. The virtual tour includes all of the main exhibits and even shows exhibits from the past; for children who would otherwise be unable to visit the museum, this virtual tour is an amazing opportunity. Because it is difficult to take in everything in the museum in a day, the convenience of the virtual tour is incredible. High quality panoramic photos give students the feeling that they are actually standing in the museum.
Hershey's Factory
The Hershey's Factory virtual tour consists of a series of short videos explaining how Hershey's chocolate is made from start to finish. The first video shows the collection and transport of raw ingredients such as cocoa beans and milk. The second video shows the early stages of processing, and the third shows the milling and pressing process. After the cocoa beans have been prepared into large discs of cocoa, ingredients are mixed, refined, and finally made into the chocolate products that many children (and adults) love. The final video shows the names and labels of a variety of Hershey products. I decided to take this tour because of a memory from my childhood. My father went on a business trip to Pennsylvania and had enough time to tour Hershey's Factory. Although I didn't get to go myself, the souvenirs were fascinating. Children would enjoy getting to see a virtual tour describing the process of making chocolate.
The National Museum of Natural History
There are many children who will not have the opportunity to visit the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. I didn't have the opportunity to visit the museum until after I had graduated from high school. I had the opportunity to visit the museum again recently and remembered how much I enjoyed the experience. I had no idea that the museum offered a virtual tour, but I am very pleased to have learned about this. The virtual tour includes all of the main exhibits and even shows exhibits from the past; for children who would otherwise be unable to visit the museum, this virtual tour is an amazing opportunity. Because it is difficult to take in everything in the museum in a day, the convenience of the virtual tour is incredible. High quality panoramic photos give students the feeling that they are actually standing in the museum.
5. Giving iPads to Kindergarteners
Dr. Jane Bailey discusses the pros and cons of allowing kindergarteners the use of iPads in the classroom in her article Giving iPads to Kindergarteners. It has become commonplace to see young children using advanced technology such as iPads and smartphones; in fact, they often learn how to use the technology faster than adults. Keeping this in mind, Dr. Bailey examines how this trend affects the classroom. More and more schools are turning to technology to spark renewed interest in learning and to help develop important learning and critical thinking skills. Technology, with the right application, can also lead to improved creativity and expression. In the article, Dr. Bailey discusses responsible use of technology to further learning. Young children should be monitored while using technology for educational purposes, both to help keep children focused and to make sure that their mood remains positive. The article cautions against using technology for extended periods of time and warns responsible parents and educators about the dangers of cyber bullying.
While there are some concerns about the use of technology for educational purposes, I believe that technology can be highly beneficial as a supplement to traditional education. The use of technology should be monitored carefully and tracked to ensure that it is providing some kind of benefit. When technology is being used responsibly, it creates an interest in learning that is often lost in today's students. The article lists a number of applications and describes how they might be used to help a child to develop fundamental skills or to express creativity and growth; after reading the description of each application, I can imagine using each one to help a child grow. Technology will keep advancing, and as a teacher it is my responsibility to keep up with the trends that will help each new generation of students to learn.
While there are some concerns about the use of technology for educational purposes, I believe that technology can be highly beneficial as a supplement to traditional education. The use of technology should be monitored carefully and tracked to ensure that it is providing some kind of benefit. When technology is being used responsibly, it creates an interest in learning that is often lost in today's students. The article lists a number of applications and describes how they might be used to help a child to develop fundamental skills or to express creativity and growth; after reading the description of each application, I can imagine using each one to help a child grow. Technology will keep advancing, and as a teacher it is my responsibility to keep up with the trends that will help each new generation of students to learn.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
4. EduTech in K-12: How Computers are Transforming Teaching and Learning
In the article The Rise of EduTech in K-12 Classrooms by Constance McKenzie, information collected from a variety of sources and surveys is presented in an "Infographic" that describes the latest trends of technology use in the classroom. The statistics show the types of technology used in the classroom, the perceived effect of technology on students, and the availability of technology in the classroom. Presenting the information in the form of an Infographic makes it visually well-organized, pleasing to the eye, and easy to read.
To summarize, the graphic describes the increased use of technology in the classroom, including tablets, e-readers, digital video recorders, digital cameras, and even cell phones. Teachers describe these sources as "digital libraries," providing students access to a wealth of information that may not be available in the typical school library. However, access to technology is often limited by the economic status of the school and its surrounding community; schools with little funding have little access to technology. In this case, it is important to note that with technology in the classroom, quality and not quantity is of the most importance; technology must be used correctly to provide the most benefit.
Teachers have a number of concerns about the use of technology on students' performance. The Infographic summarizes the pros and cons of using technology in the classroom. The pros to using technology are increased availability of information, improved researched skills, and the availability of many types of educational tools for use. Technology also promotes collaboration. The cons, which seem to be mostly based on teacher observation and opinion, state that students may have shorter attention spans, may have trouble finding credible information, or may become easily distracted. I believe that the key to using technology in the classroom is moderation, responsible use, planned activities, and careful monitoring. With these things in place, technology is absolutely a useful tool for learning.
To summarize, the graphic describes the increased use of technology in the classroom, including tablets, e-readers, digital video recorders, digital cameras, and even cell phones. Teachers describe these sources as "digital libraries," providing students access to a wealth of information that may not be available in the typical school library. However, access to technology is often limited by the economic status of the school and its surrounding community; schools with little funding have little access to technology. In this case, it is important to note that with technology in the classroom, quality and not quantity is of the most importance; technology must be used correctly to provide the most benefit.
Teachers have a number of concerns about the use of technology on students' performance. The Infographic summarizes the pros and cons of using technology in the classroom. The pros to using technology are increased availability of information, improved researched skills, and the availability of many types of educational tools for use. Technology also promotes collaboration. The cons, which seem to be mostly based on teacher observation and opinion, state that students may have shorter attention spans, may have trouble finding credible information, or may become easily distracted. I believe that the key to using technology in the classroom is moderation, responsible use, planned activities, and careful monitoring. With these things in place, technology is absolutely a useful tool for learning.
3. Bitcoin - Understanding the Future of Technology in the Classroom
The article Understanding the Future of Technology in the Classroom, written by Tiffany Richards, poses a number of questions in response to another article, Will Bitcoin Change How Kids Learn to Count? by Nicola Smith. At a first glance I wondered, "What does bitcoin have to do with the classroom?" I had only heard of bitcoin once, from a friend who has a degree in Computer Science, and didn't think much of it at the time.
Bitcoin is a type of digital currency known as "cryptocurrency." After reading both articles, I have to agree with Richards - bitcoin is such an abstract concept that it is difficult for many people, including me, to understand. Bitcoin has not yet reached prominence in daily transactions, and for that reason I think that it may not become relevant in the classroom for a long time.
The second article argues that more consideration will need to be given if bitcoin does achieve this prominence in our economy. The article states that children need concrete examples of money to learn how to use it, and I agree. The use of manipulatives to teach math is a common and highly effective method. As long as bitcoin ties back the type of physical currency that we use today, I don't think that this issue will be a problem in the classroom. The real problem would arise if the standard of society become the use of only digital currency and transactions through credit cards. If such a thing happens in the future, teachers will need to find a way to represent abstract concepts in more concrete ways. The idea is certainly something to think about, but I don't believe that this will become an issue for many years to come.
Bitcoin is a type of digital currency known as "cryptocurrency." After reading both articles, I have to agree with Richards - bitcoin is such an abstract concept that it is difficult for many people, including me, to understand. Bitcoin has not yet reached prominence in daily transactions, and for that reason I think that it may not become relevant in the classroom for a long time.
The second article argues that more consideration will need to be given if bitcoin does achieve this prominence in our economy. The article states that children need concrete examples of money to learn how to use it, and I agree. The use of manipulatives to teach math is a common and highly effective method. As long as bitcoin ties back the type of physical currency that we use today, I don't think that this issue will be a problem in the classroom. The real problem would arise if the standard of society become the use of only digital currency and transactions through credit cards. If such a thing happens in the future, teachers will need to find a way to represent abstract concepts in more concrete ways. The idea is certainly something to think about, but I don't believe that this will become an issue for many years to come.
2. The Teacher's Guide to Pinterest
The Teacher's Guide to Pinterest, an article written by Julie Delello from the University of Texas at Tyler, informs the reader of the possibility of using Pinterest as a social networking website for teaching. Although Pinterest covers a variety of different interests from travel to photography to fashion, there is a notably large community of teachers who have come together to contribute lesson plans, activities, and assessment ideas. For a teacher of any level of experience, Pinterest can be an amazing resource; motivating children to learn is an ongoing effort.
Pinterest helps teachers to generate their own ideas, organize their classrooms, and to stay abreast of the latest trends in teaching, technology, and children's interests. Delello also points out that Pinterest can be used as a collaborative tool between teachers and their peers, school administration, and parents. "Pins" are a useful tool for communication due to the combinations of vivid, colorful, and helpful images with step by step guides, articles, and other forms of text.
Setting up a Pinterest account is fast and simple, and Delello describes account creation and the selection and posting of "pins" with an easy to follow set of instructions. Delello describes how she decided to use Pinterest: she asked each of her students to contribute "pins," or posts, to the board, adding new ideas from a variety of sources. While not every idea may be a winner, the best ideas from the pool of "pins" can be saved for later and used in the classroom. At the end of this project, she and her students had amassed a huge board with over a thousand ideas for teaching. I have begun to build a small board of teaching ideas on Pinterest for myself and plan to continue adding ideas throughout this course and in the future.
Pinterest helps teachers to generate their own ideas, organize their classrooms, and to stay abreast of the latest trends in teaching, technology, and children's interests. Delello also points out that Pinterest can be used as a collaborative tool between teachers and their peers, school administration, and parents. "Pins" are a useful tool for communication due to the combinations of vivid, colorful, and helpful images with step by step guides, articles, and other forms of text.
Setting up a Pinterest account is fast and simple, and Delello describes account creation and the selection and posting of "pins" with an easy to follow set of instructions. Delello describes how she decided to use Pinterest: she asked each of her students to contribute "pins," or posts, to the board, adding new ideas from a variety of sources. While not every idea may be a winner, the best ideas from the pool of "pins" can be saved for later and used in the classroom. At the end of this project, she and her students had amassed a huge board with over a thousand ideas for teaching. I have begun to build a small board of teaching ideas on Pinterest for myself and plan to continue adding ideas throughout this course and in the future.
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