Friday, June 29, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
The Importance of Visuals
The use of visuals are definitely important in instruction. Some learners absolutely need visuals, and then are are some who may not need it, but will still have added support from the presence of visual aids. It isn't merely enough to include visuals, the visuals must be purposeful and enhance and/or support the lesson.
The blog entry Instructional Design Training: Using Visuals to Support Learning and Performance outlines the different types of visuals that educators should consider when including them in instruction. This blog was not only in alignment with my feelings on the use of visuals, but also gave me much more to think about in the selection and purpose of visuals in lessons.
The blog entry Instructional Design Training: Using Visuals to Support Learning and Performance outlines the different types of visuals that educators should consider when including them in instruction. This blog was not only in alignment with my feelings on the use of visuals, but also gave me much more to think about in the selection and purpose of visuals in lessons.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Chris Lehmann, TEDxPhilly
I LOVED this! I want to go visit his school and see all of the things that are happening there! I think there are so many important points that were made by him that educators need to consider. His answer to why students need to learn physics was fabulous! If teachers talked to their students like that it would mean so much more than saying "you need it for college blah, blah, blah".
Pretesting kids to see what they are worst at, and then overloading them on that - while giving students materials and strategies to improve on areas they do not excel in does matter, focusing on strengths and areas of passion and creativity matters as much, if not more.
So much of what I am seeing and hearing across the board is about the factory model of schools is outdated and that it is not working anymore. "We can do better," says Lehmann and so many others, why aren't we?!
Having kids sharing their work with the world seems so common sense! Letting them know the work they produce and the ideas that they have are important enough to be shared is wonderful. Taking sharing beyond standing up and presenting the work that is done to a more globalized method should take place. students can make an impact on the world, and they should be given the means and support to do so. Amazing things would happen!
Link to the speech: Chris Lehmann - Education is Broken
Pretesting kids to see what they are worst at, and then overloading them on that - while giving students materials and strategies to improve on areas they do not excel in does matter, focusing on strengths and areas of passion and creativity matters as much, if not more.
So much of what I am seeing and hearing across the board is about the factory model of schools is outdated and that it is not working anymore. "We can do better," says Lehmann and so many others, why aren't we?!
Having kids sharing their work with the world seems so common sense! Letting them know the work they produce and the ideas that they have are important enough to be shared is wonderful. Taking sharing beyond standing up and presenting the work that is done to a more globalized method should take place. students can make an impact on the world, and they should be given the means and support to do so. Amazing things would happen!
Link to the speech: Chris Lehmann - Education is Broken
Reaction to Life in a 21st-Century English Class
Article:
Life in a 21st-Century English Class, Tina Barseghian
I was really impressed by the learning that the author described taking place. She certainly gives great examples of how technology and PBL can be used to support inquiry based learning and enhance students' high levels of thinking. I was really amazed by how the students expressed a desire for the author to help them design a specific lesson unit based on how they wanted to explore the curriculum (using film to identify and analyze themes, writing, character development, film techniques, setting and plot development.)
I understand that the instructor has writing woven into the work she is doing with her students, but where do the writing lessons actually come into play and how are the students learning about how to write, edit for publishing, organize ideas, etc.? While I am sure the author takes the time to implement these types of lessons I am very curious as to how she does it (especially since she does not lecture).
I would love further information on this, as it would help to get a more rounded picture of all the parts to the process she is describing.
Overall I think it sounds like there is a lot of learning and fun happening in that classroom. The PBL activities are allowing the students to take the work they are doing and relate it to their current world - making it SO much more meaningful! I have definitely been inspired by the work of the author and hope to bring the same level of engagement, interest, and excitement into my class (when I have my own :) ).
Life in a 21st-Century English Class, Tina Barseghian
I was really impressed by the learning that the author described taking place. She certainly gives great examples of how technology and PBL can be used to support inquiry based learning and enhance students' high levels of thinking. I was really amazed by how the students expressed a desire for the author to help them design a specific lesson unit based on how they wanted to explore the curriculum (using film to identify and analyze themes, writing, character development, film techniques, setting and plot development.)
I understand that the instructor has writing woven into the work she is doing with her students, but where do the writing lessons actually come into play and how are the students learning about how to write, edit for publishing, organize ideas, etc.? While I am sure the author takes the time to implement these types of lessons I am very curious as to how she does it (especially since she does not lecture).
I would love further information on this, as it would help to get a more rounded picture of all the parts to the process she is describing.
Overall I think it sounds like there is a lot of learning and fun happening in that classroom. The PBL activities are allowing the students to take the work they are doing and relate it to their current world - making it SO much more meaningful! I have definitely been inspired by the work of the author and hope to bring the same level of engagement, interest, and excitement into my class (when I have my own :) ).
Monday, June 11, 2012
Mobile Reach #35 – School Is Out, But The Learning Does Not End
In this podcast educators share and discuss some apps they suggest for students during the summer. The apps are all intended for cell phone and mobile technology sources. Some of them are ideal for summer vacation, and some can be extended into the classroom!
"9 Fun Ways to Stop Summer Brain Drain"- inspiration for the podcast show I listened to.
Kids Journal, from apple- daily blog of activities, insert picture on camera role, rate your mood for the day, arrange dates for calendar, blog short paragraphs about your day. Ideal for k-4th grade. Great for logging summer activities. allowed to have a number of journals- can create a classroom journal during the year with students.
Simbaloo (spelling?) app- a way to create a "web-mix", create shortcut pages to different websites. Like a visual Diigo.
Google Navigation and Maps - Using it during summer travel. Can create/setup "custom maps".
Order Up to Go - sequencing. Idea of the app is that you are a chef. Students think they are playing a game - it is about following directions, and creating systems (sequencing). Free in the games section.
Autobon Birds - app for traveling, a field guide to all North American birds. can take notes on the different birds seen. It is cool to be able to ID the different birds that you see.
Trip It - app available everywhere. First, search it, then make an account, then create/book your rentls. The app then creates your itinerary to others.
Tumbler - it can be used a a photoblog. Students create a running blog for their trips as they travel during the summer.
It is important to UPDATE your apps!
Tourists: Allows you to create tours from all of the world. can be done right from your phone. The app even provides direction in the picture taking.
The Eo time machine (SP?) chose a year (starts as early at the 1800s, goes to the 1000. Kids picking their birthday year, then getting as close to the date as possible. Have kids research and explore what was happening on their birthday when they were born.
"9 Fun Ways to Stop Summer Brain Drain"- inspiration for the podcast show I listened to.
Kids Journal, from apple- daily blog of activities, insert picture on camera role, rate your mood for the day, arrange dates for calendar, blog short paragraphs about your day. Ideal for k-4th grade. Great for logging summer activities. allowed to have a number of journals- can create a classroom journal during the year with students.
Simbaloo (spelling?) app- a way to create a "web-mix", create shortcut pages to different websites. Like a visual Diigo.
Google Navigation and Maps - Using it during summer travel. Can create/setup "custom maps".
Order Up to Go - sequencing. Idea of the app is that you are a chef. Students think they are playing a game - it is about following directions, and creating systems (sequencing). Free in the games section.
Autobon Birds - app for traveling, a field guide to all North American birds. can take notes on the different birds seen. It is cool to be able to ID the different birds that you see.
Trip It - app available everywhere. First, search it, then make an account, then create/book your rentls. The app then creates your itinerary to others.
Tumbler - it can be used a a photoblog. Students create a running blog for their trips as they travel during the summer.
It is important to UPDATE your apps!
Tourists: Allows you to create tours from all of the world. can be done right from your phone. The app even provides direction in the picture taking.
The Eo time machine (SP?) chose a year (starts as early at the 1800s, goes to the 1000. Kids picking their birthday year, then getting as close to the date as possible. Have kids research and explore what was happening on their birthday when they were born.
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