I found the video very interesting. There were many statistics I was amazed with. For example, the one stating how many college graduates in India could speak English in 2006, which was 100%, was amazing. I had no idea the number was that many. Also, the amount of jobs many Americans have before they are 40. That number is also astounding. It is all important information that many people are not aware of. Technology has become such a huge part of our world today, and it has happened so quickly, and is only increasing as time goes by. I hope to be able to use the technological resources in my classroom to prepare my students to be successful in their future occupations. There are so many available and it is becoming easier to access the resources, that hopefully it will be easy for me to share the technological information with my students.
What: Today I was able to learn about UEN. I had heard about it in previous classes but have only used it once that I can remember. I learned about different resources available to me as a teacher and how to create a UEN website.
So What: This applies to me in many ways as a student and as a future teacher. I was able to make my own web page and add different resources to it that I found helpful. As a student it gives me an i dea of different idea availble to me for what I become a teacher. It has excellent search engines that are useful for teachers and students. It can, and already has, helped me in other classes. For my curriculum class, I was able to look at the curriculum and find ideas and activities for my unit plans.
This is a very helpful tool that I will use now and when I become a teacher. It is so easy to access and there should be no excuse for me or other teachers to complain about not having the tools available to have a great lesson plan planned for our class. It has the tools available, therefore me and my colleagues should take advantage of this.
Now What: The UEN website has given me many resources and tools to use in my future classroom. It has given me many ideas of lesson plans I can do. For example, for a lesson on World War II, I found a website that has letters written from soldiers during WWII. This would be a fun way to use primary sources in the classroom and get the students engaged.
The information that is availble on UEN is outstanding. There is so much and a variety of it. I hope to use it frequently when I become a teacher. It gets me very excited hinking about the day whren I have my own class and can use the different lesson plans and activities. It also will help me be a better colleague. I can share information I find with my fellow teachers. In my mind, there is no excuse for complaining that there is not enough resources to plan an effective and engaging class for students.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Reflection #3 continued...
I posted the reflection before reading the comment made on the previous blog. I will now add to the what, so what, and now what
WHAT: Along with what I have already said, it is a video describing technology in the world today. It talks about students and the amount of technology they use on a daily basis. It then goes on to discuss the importance for teachers to incorporate technology in the classroom so the students are engaged and learning.
SO WHAT: This is an important issue in the world today. Like I previously said, children nowadays are born into a world where technology is everywhere. They are used to the quickness and communication it allows. This then transfers to the way they want to learn.
The video also mentioned how little children are asked questions and how teachers are not doing enough to engage students and help them really learn. I believe because students are so used to technology and the amount of information is provides, they need this in the classroom as well.
NOW WHAT: Teachers need to do more to incorporate technology in the classroom. It is something that is not going away but will only improve with time. Therefore, we as teachers need to realize this and use this helpful information to benefit our students. It will help our students learn and helped us learn as well.
I feel lucky because I feel like I know technology pretty well. But, i know people older than me who struggle. But along the same lines, those younger than me will most likely know more than I do and leanr at a younger age. Because of this, I need to prepare myself to use it in my classroom to give my students the most out of their education.
WHAT: Along with what I have already said, it is a video describing technology in the world today. It talks about students and the amount of technology they use on a daily basis. It then goes on to discuss the importance for teachers to incorporate technology in the classroom so the students are engaged and learning.
SO WHAT: This is an important issue in the world today. Like I previously said, children nowadays are born into a world where technology is everywhere. They are used to the quickness and communication it allows. This then transfers to the way they want to learn.
The video also mentioned how little children are asked questions and how teachers are not doing enough to engage students and help them really learn. I believe because students are so used to technology and the amount of information is provides, they need this in the classroom as well.
NOW WHAT: Teachers need to do more to incorporate technology in the classroom. It is something that is not going away but will only improve with time. Therefore, we as teachers need to realize this and use this helpful information to benefit our students. It will help our students learn and helped us learn as well.
I feel lucky because I feel like I know technology pretty well. But, i know people older than me who struggle. But along the same lines, those younger than me will most likely know more than I do and leanr at a younger age. Because of this, I need to prepare myself to use it in my classroom to give my students the most out of their education.
Reflection #3
Class this last week was more challenging for me than the previous week. I have dealt with many things Google oriented, but never Google sites. Therefore, it was very interesting and at times difficult to learn about Google sites. It is easy to understand how useful it will be in my future classroom. It provides helpful tools for me as a teacher as well as for my students. The calendar is one of my favorite tools. I can change and add new events to my classroom by adding them to through my g-mail account. This is not only easy for me but also for my students and keeps them up to date on school and classroom activities. I am also excited to be able to post videos and other helpful sites that my students can access by going to the classroom site. I also like that the site is easy to access and I believe it will be a very helpful resource in my future classroom.
I found the video very interesting and eye-opening. The amount of hours that children spend on technology was astounding, and at the same time, not that surprising. Technology is everywhere, and kids nowadays start young learning how to use the different devices. I liked that the video said that kids nowadays expect to be able to use technology to share material with others. They also talk about what we as teachers are doing to address this issue. We need to engage our students and if using technology helps, we need to know how and be willing to incorporate into our classroom.
I found the video very interesting and eye-opening. The amount of hours that children spend on technology was astounding, and at the same time, not that surprising. Technology is everywhere, and kids nowadays start young learning how to use the different devices. I liked that the video said that kids nowadays expect to be able to use technology to share material with others. They also talk about what we as teachers are doing to address this issue. We need to engage our students and if using technology helps, we need to know how and be willing to incorporate into our classroom.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Reflection #2
In class we learned about Google and the many resources it provides. I thought I knew the majority of the things Google offered, but realized I was wrong. I know how ti use the e0mail, calendar, and Google docs. All of which i find extremely useful. I did not know about iGoogle and was able to explore it a little more outside of class, and it is something I plan on using from now on.
As a teacher, I plan on using Google docs for my personal use, but also with my students. I think it is a great way to do group work. The calendar is something else I will inform my students about. I use it and love it because it reminds me daily of the things I have going on. It will be helpful for me as a teacher, and for my students as well.
I found the video to be very uplifting. Rene has obviously had a rough life, but her attitude is one we can all learn from. She has a passion and it is something that she is pursuing. Though she knows she is not in the ideal situation with her mom, she knows that she can make the best of it. I could be better at this. I need to be more positive in approaching situations and make the outcome the best I can. This is also something I want to teach my students. It is an important lesson in life, and one that can make life more enjoyable as well.
As a teacher, I plan on using Google docs for my personal use, but also with my students. I think it is a great way to do group work. The calendar is something else I will inform my students about. I use it and love it because it reminds me daily of the things I have going on. It will be helpful for me as a teacher, and for my students as well.
I found the video to be very uplifting. Rene has obviously had a rough life, but her attitude is one we can all learn from. She has a passion and it is something that she is pursuing. Though she knows she is not in the ideal situation with her mom, she knows that she can make the best of it. I could be better at this. I need to be more positive in approaching situations and make the outcome the best I can. This is also something I want to teach my students. It is an important lesson in life, and one that can make life more enjoyable as well.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Ideal Classroom Reflection
My ideal classroom is a United States history class for high school students. The school is located in a warmer climate, where it never or rarely snows. The school would be one where all feel safe to come to class. It would be a school where everyone has a friend. The students at the school would have school spirit and participate in the activities available to them. There would be much support for the various school clubs, activities, sports, etc. My classroom would be welcoming and a safe environment so all students want to come. I will set the desks up so all students have an easy view of me and the board, but also so I have an easy view of them. I will have many posters having to do with American history, like the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and the Presidents of the United States. I will also have a corner dedicated to "my history" so the students can learn more about me. There would be many computers to allow many students at once to access and use online databases for material that would be helpful to them.
The students in my classroom would have a desire to come and learn about history. All students would also participate in the discussions and turn the assignments in on time. They would also be respectful to me, to each other, and to the classroom materials. They would bring all the materials they need on a daily basis. There would be few classroom management problems that would be easily fixed. All of my students would pass and retain the information they learned in my class. They all would then go on to graduate.
The parents of my students would care about their children and how they are doing in my class. They would do all they can to help their child and encourage them to be the best student they can. When I needed to contact the parents, they would be willing to listen know that I want what is best for their child.
As a teacher in my ideal classroom and school, other teachers would be easy to communicate and work with. The teachers at the school would be helpful and willing to listen to ideas other teachers have. The principal would do the same. The principal would also be available to talk with teachers when needed.
My ideal school and classroom is one where all feel welcome and a place where everyone wants to learn and help each other grow.
The students in my classroom would have a desire to come and learn about history. All students would also participate in the discussions and turn the assignments in on time. They would also be respectful to me, to each other, and to the classroom materials. They would bring all the materials they need on a daily basis. There would be few classroom management problems that would be easily fixed. All of my students would pass and retain the information they learned in my class. They all would then go on to graduate.
The parents of my students would care about their children and how they are doing in my class. They would do all they can to help their child and encourage them to be the best student they can. When I needed to contact the parents, they would be willing to listen know that I want what is best for their child.
As a teacher in my ideal classroom and school, other teachers would be easy to communicate and work with. The teachers at the school would be helpful and willing to listen to ideas other teachers have. The principal would do the same. The principal would also be available to talk with teachers when needed.
My ideal school and classroom is one where all feel welcome and a place where everyone wants to learn and help each other grow.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Final Learning Log
WHAT:
I scored an 88 on the quiz.
Piaget's Cognitive Development
- I like that Piaget splits his cognitive theories into four groups. But, I find his separation intersting, and somtimes confusing.
Vygotsky's Cognitive Development
- I like the idea of scaffolding and the Zone of Proximal Development. His cognitive tools are also something i believe to be very helpful in the classroom.
Erikson's Psychosocial Development
-Erikson's stages were interesting to learn about, but not the throey i agree with the most. I do like the ones relating to the age I will be teaching, and believe they can help me as a future teacher.
Kohlberg's Moral Development
-I did not enjoy learning about Kohlberg and his theory. I t was my least favorite, and very vague. It was hard to distinguish what stage a person was in because they all seemed to overlap.
Goleman's Emotional Intelligence
-I liked Goleman's ideas for intelligence, and how it's important to know your own emotions ans manage them before venturing into relationships. I believe this is very important.
Information Processing
-Learning about where and how memory is stored is something that as a teacher will be very important. The information needs to be stored in the long term memory, otherwise it will soon be forgotten.
Knowledge Construction and Higher-order thinking
-I liked learning about social constructivism and individual constructivism and the differences and advantages between the two. I think they are both very important for the learning environment of the classroom.
Behaviorism
-Though this section was difficult for me to fully understand, once I did get it, I learned a lot. Reinforces and token economy are things that are used in many classrooms, and things I plan to use in my classroom.
Social Cognitivism
This chapter taught me much about the different types of punishments, and the good and the bad. I like the idea of modeling. I think it's important for the student to see a good example of what is expected of them.
Group and Individual Differences
-It was interesting to learn about the differences among individual learning and group learning. I think each student is different in the type of learning they like or are best at, so it's important to use a variety of types in the classroom.
Motivation
-I never really knew that the two types of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic. I found them both interesting and know they will be important in my classroom.
SO WHAT:
I believe that every student learns differently. There are many different factors that attribute to how students learn effectively and i believe that it is important as a teacher to use as many variations as possible, while being consistent in the teaching, to allow each students to feel that they can truly understand the subject
matter. I believe Vygotsky has many key points in his theory, and I will definitely use many of his ideas in my classroom.
NOW WHAT:
-I will use my theory in my classroom by knowing the students ZPD and using scaffolding methods to help the students be the best they can be. I will also be positive and reinforce my students to hopefully increase their behavior and perfomrance in the classroom.
- I would like to learn more about the latter chapters that we touched briefly upon in our class. For example, the theories on intelligence, and the chapter on motivation. I need to improve upon the RSVP section.
I scored an 88 on the quiz.
Piaget's Cognitive Development
- I like that Piaget splits his cognitive theories into four groups. But, I find his separation intersting, and somtimes confusing.
Vygotsky's Cognitive Development
- I like the idea of scaffolding and the Zone of Proximal Development. His cognitive tools are also something i believe to be very helpful in the classroom.
Erikson's Psychosocial Development
-Erikson's stages were interesting to learn about, but not the throey i agree with the most. I do like the ones relating to the age I will be teaching, and believe they can help me as a future teacher.
Kohlberg's Moral Development
-I did not enjoy learning about Kohlberg and his theory. I t was my least favorite, and very vague. It was hard to distinguish what stage a person was in because they all seemed to overlap.
Goleman's Emotional Intelligence
-I liked Goleman's ideas for intelligence, and how it's important to know your own emotions ans manage them before venturing into relationships. I believe this is very important.
Information Processing
-Learning about where and how memory is stored is something that as a teacher will be very important. The information needs to be stored in the long term memory, otherwise it will soon be forgotten.
Knowledge Construction and Higher-order thinking
-I liked learning about social constructivism and individual constructivism and the differences and advantages between the two. I think they are both very important for the learning environment of the classroom.
Behaviorism
-Though this section was difficult for me to fully understand, once I did get it, I learned a lot. Reinforces and token economy are things that are used in many classrooms, and things I plan to use in my classroom.
Social Cognitivism
This chapter taught me much about the different types of punishments, and the good and the bad. I like the idea of modeling. I think it's important for the student to see a good example of what is expected of them.
Group and Individual Differences
-It was interesting to learn about the differences among individual learning and group learning. I think each student is different in the type of learning they like or are best at, so it's important to use a variety of types in the classroom.
Motivation
-I never really knew that the two types of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic. I found them both interesting and know they will be important in my classroom.
SO WHAT:
I believe that every student learns differently. There are many different factors that attribute to how students learn effectively and i believe that it is important as a teacher to use as many variations as possible, while being consistent in the teaching, to allow each students to feel that they can truly understand the subject
matter. I believe Vygotsky has many key points in his theory, and I will definitely use many of his ideas in my classroom.
NOW WHAT:
-I will use my theory in my classroom by knowing the students ZPD and using scaffolding methods to help the students be the best they can be. I will also be positive and reinforce my students to hopefully increase their behavior and perfomrance in the classroom.
- I would like to learn more about the latter chapters that we touched briefly upon in our class. For example, the theories on intelligence, and the chapter on motivation. I need to improve upon the RSVP section.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Case Study 7/8
1. Describe two similarities between the traditional lesson and the constructivist one as described above.
-In both lessons, the teacher was trying to teach the students about measurements. Also, the students needed to use measurement tools to find the measurement of either the whale or the ship.
2. What are two benefits and two drawbacks of the constructivist approach as described above? Why? In your opinion, are the benefits worth the costs? Explain your response.
-Benefits: It allows children to really think and find solutions to problems. It also allows for much discussion to take place so all are included in the learning.
-Drawbacks: It takes up a lot of time waiting for students to come up with the solutions. Also, you risk the students coming up with a wrong solution, and them thinking it is right.
3. How does the constructivist lesson described above promote critical thinking? Give specific examples of critical thinking from the case study to support your response.
-It promotes critical thinking by allowing students to have time to come up with solutions that work. The children in the case study came up with many different solutions before coming up with one that worked. This proves they were able to think about many aspects, discuss with one another, and then find a solution that finally worked.
4. Would the constructivist activity be considered an authentic activity? Why or why not?
- I believe it would be considered an authentic activity because in the real world, people need to know measurements of certain things. Maybe not boats, and the king won't need to know, but measurements come up in different areas of everyday life.
-In both lessons, the teacher was trying to teach the students about measurements. Also, the students needed to use measurement tools to find the measurement of either the whale or the ship.
2. What are two benefits and two drawbacks of the constructivist approach as described above? Why? In your opinion, are the benefits worth the costs? Explain your response.
-Benefits: It allows children to really think and find solutions to problems. It also allows for much discussion to take place so all are included in the learning.
-Drawbacks: It takes up a lot of time waiting for students to come up with the solutions. Also, you risk the students coming up with a wrong solution, and them thinking it is right.
3. How does the constructivist lesson described above promote critical thinking? Give specific examples of critical thinking from the case study to support your response.
-It promotes critical thinking by allowing students to have time to come up with solutions that work. The children in the case study came up with many different solutions before coming up with one that worked. This proves they were able to think about many aspects, discuss with one another, and then find a solution that finally worked.
4. Would the constructivist activity be considered an authentic activity? Why or why not?
- I believe it would be considered an authentic activity because in the real world, people need to know measurements of certain things. Maybe not boats, and the king won't need to know, but measurements come up in different areas of everyday life.
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